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  • [6th July 2026] The Hindu OpED: The right to belong beyond official documentation

    Mentor’s Comment

    On June 24, 2026, a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement described the Indian passport as a “travel document” and not a “citizenship document.” The statement, coming amid the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and recent Supreme Court rulings on citizenship, exposes a quiet shift in the burden of proving citizenship from the state to the individual.

    Why does the MEA’s “travel document” statement not settle the question of proof of citizenship?

    1. The Trigger: On June 24, 2026, an MEA statement described the Indian passport as a “travel document” and not a “citizenship document.”
    2. Statutory Exception: Passports are issued to non-citizens only when the government considers it necessary in “public interest.”
    3. Default Presumption: Outside this exception, passport issuance presumes citizenship. A passport is therefore conclusive proof of citizenship in the ordinary case.
    4. Available Remedy: The government can challenge a passport under law if it was obtained by concealing the true citizenship status of the holder.
    5. The Red Herring: The MEA’s framing does not change this legal position. It distracts from the real question: what standard of proof governs citizenship claims.

    Why did the Constituent Assembly’s rejection of the Deshmukh amendment establish an implied limitation on Parliament’s power over citizenship?

    1. The Plenary Power: Article 11 gives Parliament wide power to legislate on the acquisition and termination of citizenship.
    2. The Religious Test Proposal: P.S. Deshmukh moved an amendment to make Hindus and Sikhs automatically entitled to Indian citizenship.
    3. Nehru’s Rejection: Jawaharlal Nehru called the proposal “absurd on the face of it” and opposed it outright.
    4. Ayyar’s Secular Argument: Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar argued India’s commitment to a secular state ruled out any distinction between persons on racial or religious grounds.
    5. The Implied Limitation: The defeat of the Deshmukh amendment and the adoption of Ambedkar’s neutral clause show that Parliament’s power under Article 11 is bounded by secularism, equality, and non-discrimination.
    6. Legal Boundary: Parliament can decide the modalities of citizenship. Parliament cannot make religion a condition for citizenship.

    How have legislative and judicial developments since 1985 shifted India’s citizenship regime away from jus soli towards near-unlimited parliamentary discretion?

    1. The Original Principle: The Citizenship Act, 1955 adopted jus soli, citizenship based on residence and birth. Jus soli: citizenship granted on the basis of birth or residence in a territory.
    2. First Amendment: Section 6A, introduced in 1985 to implement the Assam Accord, suspended citizenship conferment based on entry dates for people of “Indian origin.”
    3. Second Amendment: A 2003 amendment denied citizenship to persons born in India if even one parent was an “illegal migrant.”
    4. Judicial Endorsement: The Supreme Court’s October 2024 judgment upholding Section 6A found no implied limitation in Article 11 and treated Parliament’s power as virtually unlimited.
    5. Precedent Reinforced: The Court’s reasoning drew on Sarbananda Sonowal vs Union of India (2005), which had already characterised migration into Assam as “external aggression” against the State.
    6. Extension to SIR: Association for Democratic Reforms vs Union of India (May 2026) extended this rationale by upholding the ECI’s power to enquire into citizenship for the “limited” purpose of the electoral roll.

    Does the “principled distinction” between citizenship adjudication and electoral roll administration resolve the burden of proof problem, or does it merely relocate it into a zone of indefinite suspension?

    1. The Court’s Distinction: The Supreme Court distinguished between adjudicating citizenship and administratively verifying a name’s continuation on the electoral roll.
    2. The Referral Mechanism: Where the ECI is not satisfied with a claim of citizenship, it must refer the matter to the “competent authority” under the Citizenship Act.
    3. The Assam Precedent: An earlier revision in Assam sent voters marked “doubtful” to Foreigners Tribunals, trapping them in a prolonged bureaucratic process. Foreigners Tribunals: quasi-judicial bodies in Assam that adjudicate disputed citizenship status.
    4. The New Vacuum: Under the current machinery, a person need not be declared a foreigner to lose their basic rights. The person is instead left neither confirmed nor cleared.
    5. The Burden Shift: The burden of proving citizenship has moved from the state to the individual. No single document is now treated as conclusive.
    6. Documentary Erosion: The Aadhaar card is treated as proof only of residence. The voter ID is treated as proof only of prior registration. The passport is now treated as proof only of a right to travel.

    Why must citizenship rest on personhood rather than documentary proof, given the constitutional guarantees that flow from citizenship status?

    1. Universal Guarantees: Article 14 guarantees equality before the law to “any person.” Article 21 guarantees life and personal liberty to all persons.
    2. Citizenship-Specific Guarantees: Article 19 freedoms of speech, trade, and assembly, and the statutory right to vote, depend on citizenship status.
    3. The Stakes of Exclusion: To be excluded from citizenship is to forfeit what Hannah Arendt called the right to have rights.
    4. The Constitutional Test: Rules that determine citizenship must be built on equal dignity and equal protection of the law, not on documentary proof alone.

    Conclusion

    The MEA’s description of the passport as a mere travel document reflects a wider pattern. The burden of proving citizenship has shifted from the state to the individual. No document is now treated as conclusive proof. This produces a vacuum where persons are neither declared foreigners nor confirmed as citizens, and their rights remain in indefinite suspension. Citizenship is the foundation for personhood-based guarantees under Articles 14, 19, and 21. The rules determining citizenship must rest on equal dignity and equal protection, not on the accident of paperwork.

  • LokOS: Digital Backbone for Rural Livelihoods

    Why in News?

    The Government highlighted LokOS, the digital platform under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), for strengthening governance, transparency, and financial inclusion of Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

    What is LokOS?

    • LokOS (Lok = People, OS = Operating System) is a web and mobile platform for end-to-end digitisation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and their federations.
    • Implemented under DAY-NRLM of the Ministry of Rural Development.
    • Digitises member records, savings, loans, repayments, livelihoods, and convergence with government schemes.

    Key Features

    • End-to-end digital management of SHGs, Village Organizations (VOs), and Cluster Level Federations (CLFs).
    • Aadhaar and bank-linked digital IDs for members.
    • Real-time recording of savings, loans, and repayments.
    • Livelihood profiling and scheme convergence.
    • Role-based administration and real-time dashboards.
    • Digitally tracks nearly ₹2 lakh crore worth of SHG financial transactions annually.

    SHE-LEAPS

    • Self-Help Entrepreneur Livelihoods and Enterprise Application for Prosperity and Sustainability (SHE-LEAPS) launched on 29 June 2026.
    • Operates under LokOS.
    • Supports women SHG members in enterprise creation, business management, and performance tracking.

    Coverage

    • Covers 34 States/UTs, 762 districts, 7,241 blocks, 2.57 lakh Gram Panchayats, and 5.92 lakh villages.
    • Digitally integrates: 94.16 lakh SHGs, 5.62 lakh Village Organizations, 34,314 Cluster Level Federations, and 10.03 crore SHG members

    [2023] Consider the following statements:
    1. The Self-Help Group (SHG) programme was originally initiated by the State Bank of India by providing microcredit to the financially deprived.
    2. In an SHG, all members of a group take responsibility for a loan that an individual member takes.
    3. The Regional Rural Banks and Scheduled Commercial Banks support SHGs.
    How many of the above statements are correct?

    [A] Only one

    [B] Only two

    [C] All three

    [D] None

  • MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat)

    Why in News?

    The Government highlighted the achievements of MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat) as India’s digital platform for youth engagement, volunteering, leadership, and nation-building.

    What is MY Bharat?

    • Launched in October 2023 under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
    • A Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) platform connecting youth with government, educational institutions, NGOs, and industry.
    • Aims to empower Amrit Peedhi through volunteering, skill development, experiential learning, and civic participation.

    Key Features

    • Digital Volunteerism: Over 1.52 lakh volunteering opportunities (June 2026). Supports online registration, geo-tagging, attendance, certificates, and impact tracking.
    • Experiential Learning: More than 24,900 Experiential Learning Programmes (ELPs). Offers internships, apprenticeships, industry exposure, quizzes, and competitions.
    • Leadership & Career Support: Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament for leadership development. AI-powered resume builder and mentoring. Multilingual quizzes on governance, Constitution, and public policy.

    Major Initiatives

    • MY Bharat MY Vote campaign for voter awareness.
    • Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026 with over 50.42 lakh participants.
    • Nari Shakti Youth Parliament engaging 7,000+ young women.
    • Supports NSS, Nasha Mukt Bharat, Yoga Day, cleanliness drives, and padyatras.
    • Facilitated youth participation at the ECOSOC Youth Forum 2026.

    Digital Achievements

    • Guinness World Record (2026): Most users taking an online quiz in one week (390,812 participants).
    • Mobile app available in 22 Indian languages.
    • Over 1 lakh app downloads (July 2026).
    • Provides digital badges, certificates, and verified participation records.

    Future Roadmap

    • MY Bharat 2.0 will leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI), multilingual technology, open APIs, and digital credentials.
    • Targets empowering 100 million youth in line with Viksit Bharat@2047.

    [2016] Regarding DigiLocker’, sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct?
    1. It is a digital locker system offered by the Government under Digital India Programme.
    2. It allows you to access your e-documents irrespective of your physical location.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    [A] 1 only

    [B] 2 only

    [C] Both 1 and 2

    [D] Neither 1 nor 2

  • [3rd July 2026] The Hindu OpED: The right to a fair trial at the crossroads

    PYQ Relevance[UPSC 2023] The Constitution of India is a living instrument with capabilities of enormous dynamism. It is a constitution made for a progressive society. Illustrate with special reference to the expanding horizons of the right to life and personal liberty.
    Relevance: The PYQ directly covers the expansion of Article 21, including the right to speedy trial, fair procedure and personal liberty. The editorial argues that prolonged incarceration without trial violates the evolving constitutional guarantee under Article 21.

    Why in the News?

    The Supreme Court denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots case earlier this year, though they have been in pre-trial detention for nearly six years. This has renewed the question of how long an accused can be held without trial, and exposed inconsistency in how courts weigh delay against the gravity of the offence under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. At stake is whether pre-trial incarceration under anti-terror law is becoming punishment before conviction.

    Why does prolonged pre-trial detention under the UAPA raise a constitutional question of personal liberty?

    1. Delay triggers Article 21 right: The Supreme Court’s own prior judgments hold that an extended trial delay triggers the accused’s right to personal liberty under Article 21.
    2. Statutory conditions cannot override the Constitution: The UAPA’s strict bail conditions cannot override the constitutional right to personal liberty.
    3. Gravity of offence remains an allegation: At the bail stage, the gravity of the offence is only an allegation made by the state, not a proven fact.
    4. Sliding scale of detention: Allowing gravity to override delay creates a sliding scale that keeps certain individuals in jail for years simply because they are accused of grave offences.
    5. Precedent of prolonged wrongful detention: Individuals accused under the UAPA have been held in jail for over two decades before being acquitted, losing the most productive years of their lives.

    Does weighing the gravity of the offence against delay protect due process, or does it convert the trial into the punishment itself?

    1. Judge controls the pace of trial: The judge, not the accused, controls the courtroom and decides the pace of the trial.
    2. Responsibility for delay rests with the judiciary: The judge bears the ultimate responsibility to complete a trial within a reasonable timeframe, regardless of applications filed by either side.
    3. Internal Court criticism: A separate two-judge Bench of the Supreme Court openly criticised the Delhi riots bail rejection as contrary to established precedent.
    4. Reaffirmation of the rule of law: The Bench reiterated that individuals cannot be incarcerated indefinitely without trial under a Constitution committed to the rule of law.
    5. Delay used as a proxy for guilt: Treating an unproven allegation of gravity as sufficient ground to override delay effectively punishes the accused before the trial concludes.

    Why does inconsistency across and within courts on UAPA bail undermine the rule of law?

    1. Referral to a larger Bench: In a related case, the Delhi riots Bench referred the question of how long pre-trial detention can continue to the Chief Justice, for the constitution of a larger Bench.
    2. Unresolved apex court debate: The Supreme Court is now debating whether individuals who have spent over half a decade in jail without trial should be released, and the question remains open even as detention continues to lengthen.
    3. Contrasting High Court rulings: The Delhi High Court granted bail to Kashmiri human rights activist Khurram Parvez after more than four years without trial, weighing the length of detention heavily.
    4. Same judge, opposite outcomes: The judge who granted Khurram Parvez bail had earlier denied bail in the Delhi riots case, where the accused had already spent over four years in jail.
    5. Same facts, different verdicts a year apart: In the Delhi riots case itself, the same judge delivered opposing bail judgments on the same underlying facts within a year.

    What limited international references does the article draw upon to illustrate this concern? 

    1. France, Dreyfus comparison: The article compares the over-five-year detention of the Delhi riots accused to the imprisonment of Captain Alfred Dreyfus, a French political prisoner, without detailing the length or process of the Dreyfus case itself.
    2. United Kingdom and United States, dissent conflated with terrorism: The article cites recent actions in the UK and US against dissent linked to the Israel-Palestine conflict as examples of states blurring political dissent with terrorism, without naming a specific law or institutional mechanism.

    Why does the political character of laws like the UAPA make judicial consistency especially critical?

    1. Political character of anti-terror law: Laws such as the UAPA carry an undeniably political character because they criminalise activities that can also constitute legitimate dissent.
    2. Global pattern of blurring dissent and terrorism: States across the world have repeatedly interpreted anti-terror laws in ways that blur the line between political dissent and terrorism.
    3. Consequence of inconsistency: Repeated inconsistency across cases and courts on a basic issue like pre-trial incarceration damages the rule of law and the cause of fundamental rights.

    What must the judiciary ensure to prevent laws like the UAPA from being weaponised?

    1. Non-negotiable constitutional floor: The state cannot keep people behind bars for years without trial, regardless of how legal interpretation is otherwise contested.
    2. Process as punishment: Allowing incarceration without trial to continue makes a mockery of the rule of law and entrenches the pre-trial process itself as the punishment.
    3. Pending resolution: It remains unclear whether or when the Supreme Court’s larger Bench will resolve the underlying question.
    4. Continuing cost: Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam remain in custody as the last two accused student activists in the Delhi riots case, with five years in prison having turned into six.
    5. Rising stakes: The cost of continued detention falls both on the lives of the imprisoned individuals and on the credibility of the rule of law.

    Conclusion

    Judicial inconsistency in weighing delay against the gravity of offence is allowing pre-trial detention under laws like the UAPA to function as punishment before conviction. This threatens the constitutional right to personal liberty under Article 21 and creates space for anti-terror law to be used against political dissent. Until the Supreme Court’s larger Bench settles the doctrine, cases such as that of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam will continue to test the gap between the rule of law and its practice.

  • Sanae Takaichi’s visit: What India and Japan can do to boost their business ties 

    Why in the News?

    Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s visit has renewed attention on India-Japan business ties. The visit exposes a gap between the two countries’ strong strategic partnership and a narrow, underperforming business relationship. Only 1,500 Japanese companies operate in India against 6,000 in Thailand; 1% of them generate over half the business.

    Why does India-Japan’s business relationship underperform despite a flourishing strategic partnership?

    1. Company presence gap: India hosts about 1,500 Japanese companies. Thailand hosts 6,000.
    2. Business concentration: Just 1% of Japan’s firms in India generate over half of all India-Japan business.
    3. Sectoral narrowness: Most of this business comes from one sector, automobiles. Suzuki Motor Corporation’s early entry in the 1980s built this base.
    4. Partnership-business mismatch: The bilateral strategic partnership is strong. The business relationship remains narrow and concentrated.

    What does the contrast between Japanese and Western MNC practices in India reveal about the real barrier to attracting Indian talent?

    1. Leadership exclusion: Indians almost never head the India operations of Japanese multinationals. Global leadership roles remain closed to them.
    2. Western contrast: Western multinationals have recruited top Indian talent for decades. They offer the same career opportunities as any other employee.
    3. Merit-based promotion: Western firms promote Indian staff using globally-benchmarked merit. They deploy this talent worldwide.
    4. Compliance over capability: Japanese firms base local hiring decisions on a compliant attitude. They prioritise this over the capability needed to win in a competitive market.
    5. Talent attraction failure: This practice causes Japanese companies to rarely attract quality Indian talent. Reform within Japanese corporations is the stated solution.

    Why is Japanese corporate engagement with India changing now?

    1. Rising commitment volume: More Japanese companies than ever are now working to do business in India.
    2. Stability driver: Indian economic growth remains steady amid global challenges. India offers relative stability in an uncertain world.
    3. Staff quality shift: A small number of top Japanese corporations now send their most capable staff to explore Indian opportunities. This marks a shift from earlier practice.
    4. Sectoral diversification: New investment has moved into real estate, technology startups and steelmaking, beyond the traditional automobile base.
    5. Political momentum: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has brought support to Indo-Japanese clean energy partnerships. Results from these efforts will show in the coming years.

    What must Japanese firms do differently to succeed in India?

    1. Localise offerings: Success in India requires products and services suited to Indian conditions, priced competitively and produced at scale. Maruti Suzuki and Reliance’s Jio telecom service illustrate this approach.
    2. Avoid rigid transplantation: Firms that insist on traditional Japanese methods for product design or customer response speed lose out to more nimble competitors, including Indian ones.
    3. Build Indo-Japanese teams: Perseverance and resilience remain necessary but insufficient. Firms need adaptability and strong joint Indo-Japanese teams.
    4. Move beyond the China playbook: Many Japanese corporations expect India to ‘package’ inputs the way China does, ready industrial plots, contractors, trained workers, vendor bases and seamless logistics. India does not yet offer this readiness.
    5. Reform local hiring: Local hiring decisions should target the capability needed to win in a competitive market, not a compliant attitude.
    6. Empower local management: Success requires challenging entrenched cost structures, fixing inefficient business processes, and pushing Tokyo-based mid-level managers outside their comfort zone.

    What must Indian companies and institutions do to deepen ties with Japan?

    1. Deepen investor support: Governments and industry bodies already market India to Japan. Deeper, more active support for first-time Japanese investors in select sectors is needed.
    2. Build support structures: Partnerships using all available capabilities, not government agencies alone, should create structures that deliver results on the ground.
    3. Establish Japan presence: Corporate India rarely maintains an office or even a part-time local advisor in Tokyo, even among its biggest firms.
    4. Close the understanding gap: This absence creates a lack of understanding of the Japanese mindset and of how business can be developed in Japan.
    5. Move beyond old models: Indian companies still seek old-fashioned collaborations or technology transfers in exchange for market access through bureaucratic navigation.
    6. Reframe India’s value: This transactional approach undersells India’s image, achievements and potential.

    What ultimately earns Japanese trust and investment beyond profit calculations?

    1. Behaviour over profit: Japanese firms weigh the people they will work with more heavily than the prospect of high profit or growth.
    2. Trust markers: Listening, developing shared understanding, honouring commitments, and letting achievements speak are the behaviours Japanese firms respect.
    3. Reciprocal opportunity: Indian corporations can bring their products and services to Japan, or jointly to third countries.
    4. R&D partnership potential: Partnerships with Japanese firms can strengthen Indian firms’ research and development and other capabilities.
    5. R&D spend gap: Japanese firms spend over 4% of revenue on research and development on average. Indian firms spend under 1%.
    6. Structural implication: This gap explains why Japan remains a top global economy despite a smaller population and fewer natural resources than India.

    Conclusion

    India-Japan business ties remain shallow relative to a strong strategic partnership. Japanese corporations rarely give Indian staff global leadership roles. Indian firms still seek market access through old-style technology transfers rather than sustained engagement. Closing this gap needs talent reform inside Japanese corporations and trust-based strategic engagement from Indian firms in Japan.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2019] The time has come for India and Japan to build a strong contemporary relationship, one involving global and strategic partnership that will have a great significance for Asia and the world as a whole.’ Comment.

    Linkage: The PYQ tests India’s bilateral relations with Japan, focusing on the strategic, economic and Indo-Pacific dimensions of the partnership. The article argues that the next phase of the India-Japan partnership should be driven by stronger business, investment, technology and private-sector collaboration, complementing the existing strategic relationship.

  • How temples deal with donations

    Why in the News?

    Allegations of embezzlement of offerings and donations at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya have brought temple donation-handling systems under scrutiny. The episode has revealed that the Ram Temple trust operates without the statutory audit and oversight structures that govern India’s other major temples. The Ram Temple Construction Committee has sought a professional CEO while the Vishwa Hindu Parishad has demanded that temples across India be freed from government control.

    Why has the Ram Temple donations controversy exposed a broader gap in temple financial oversight?

    1. Trigger: Allegations of embezzlement of offerings and donations surfaced at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. The allegations brought the temple’s donation-handling process into public scrutiny.
    2. Scale of the sector: India has no official count of Hindu temples. Estimates put the number at around 10 lakh.
    3. Common donation chain: Most major temples follow a similar process. Offerings are removed from donation boxes. They are then moved to counting centres for segregation, counting, and recording. Verified collections are deposited into designated bank accounts under CCTV surveillance.
    4. Unaccounted donations: Most temples are small shrines maintained by local communities or hereditary priests. A large share of cash and in-kind donations at these temples remains unaccounted for.
    5. Scale of major temple donations: Tirupati received ₹1,880 crore in annual donations, followed by Vaishno Devi at ₹230 crore, the Ram Temple at ₹150 crore, Siddhivinayak at ₹100 crore, Kashi Vishwanath at ₹80 crore, and Puri Jagannath at ₹18 crore.

    How does the Ram Temple’s donation-handling and governance framework differ institutionally from India’s other major temples?

    1. Ram Temple: The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust manages donations through a trust deed, a private legal instrument creating and governing a trust, without dedicated statutory backing. No dedicated state statute governs the temple’s administration.
    2. Tirupati: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams operates under the Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act. Its ‘Parakamani‘ system segregates finance, vigilance, and banking functions among separate personnel groups.
    3. Puri Jagannath: The Shri Jagannath Temple Act governs the temple. Hundis are sealed before and after opening, and entries are recorded in statutory forms.
    4. Vaishno Devi: The Jammu and Kashmir Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Act governs the shrine. A Shrine Board, not individual trustees, opens donation boxes through dedicated finance and security departments.
    5. Siddhivinayak: A Maharashtra law governs the temple’s trust. The main hundi is opened weekly in the presence of an executive officer, a trustee, a bank representative, and an auditor.
    6. Kashi Vishwanath: The Uttar Pradesh Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Act governs the temple. A Sub-Divisional Magistrate supervises the opening of its 56 donation boxes.
    7. Key distinction: Unlike these temples, the Ram Temple trust is not subject to mandatory financial audit by the state or central government. Several of its key office-bearers have long-standing associations with the RSS or its affiliates.

    Does statutory governance guarantee that temple donations remain free of controversy?

    1. Tirupati: The temple has tightened access controls, vigilance, and surveillance over the years after instances of theft involving employees and volunteers.
    2. Puri Jagannath: The Ratna Bhandar dispute centred on the custody and inventory of temple valuables. It led to court-directed scrutiny and fresh inventories.
    3. Kashi Vishwanath: Efforts have increasingly focused on routing donations through official channels. This shifts donations away from direct offerings to priests.
    4. Siddhivinayak: The temple has periodically faced scrutiny over governance and financial management.
    5. Implication: Institutional safeguards at older temples were built over time, not overnight. The Ram Temple’s current gap reflects its early stage of institutional development, not a unique failure.

    What traditions of temple management operate independent of statutory government frameworks?

    1. Family management: Temples are often managed by hereditary priest lineages known as pandas or pujaris. Offerings, donations, and ritual responsibilities traditionally belong to these families. Control rotates when multiple families are involved.
    2. Family management example: The Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt in Karnataka is administered by eight monasteries called the Ashta Mathas, founded by the 13th-century saint Madhvacharya. Each matha manages the mutt for two years. The next cycle for a matha comes only after 16 years.
    3. Mahant system: A single spiritual head, called a mahant, a spiritual head holding administrative and successor-nominating authority over a math, holds prime authority over temple assets, offerings, and administration. He typically appoints or nominates his successor.
    4. Mahant system example: The Gorakhnath Math in Gorakhpur is headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He was appointed by the late Mahant Avaidyanath. Similar successor-based systems operate in the Shankaracharya mathas.
    5. Akhada system: Akhadas are autonomous organisations of sadhus that function as collective bodies with elected or consensus-based heads. They are also called Panchayati Akhadas, self-governing collectives of sadhus functioning through elected or consensus-based heads.
    6. Akhada system role: Akhadas appoint priests, oversee rituals, and control donations. They are prioritised for the holy dip at the Mahakumbh according to their relative status.

    Why has the Ram Temple donations controversy revived the debate over the extent of state control over religious institutions?

    1. Colonial origin of state control: The British introduced the Religious Endowments Act in 1863. It handed control of temples to committees set up under the Act, but the government retained influence through other legal provisions.
    2. Statutory blueprint: The Madras Hindu Religious Endowments Act, 1925 empowered provincial governments to legislate on endowments. Its powers expanded over time to include oversight and takeover of temple management. It became the blueprint for later state laws after Independence.
    3. Constitutional basis: Article 25(2) (The constitutional provision allowing the state to regulate secular activities linked to religious practice) empowers the state to regulate or restrict any economic, financial, political, or other secular activity associated with religious practice. This provision is the basis for state legislation governing temple endowments.
    4. Asymmetry across religions: Muslim and Christian institutions are managed through community-run boards or trusts. Statutory government-linked frameworks of the kind that govern major Hindu temples do not apply to them in the same way.
    5. Rival demands: The Ram Temple Construction Committee has proposed appointing a CEO to manage trust affairs. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has instead called for temples across the country to be freed from government control.

    Conclusion

    The Ram Temple donations controversy stems from a specific institutional gap. The temple is governed by a trust deed, not a dedicated statute, and is not subject to mandatory financial audit. Bringing it under a statutory or audit framework similar to other major temples would close this specific gap. It would not by itself guarantee immunity from future controversy, since statutorily governed temples such as Tirupati, Puri, Kashi Vishwanath, and Siddhivinayak have all faced their own governance disputes. The unresolved question is political: whether India moves toward greater statutory oversight of temples or toward the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s demand to free them from government control altogether.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2024] Public charitable trusts have the potential to make India’s development more inclusive as they relate to certain vital public issues. Comment.

    Relevance: The PYQ tests the role of religious and charitable trusts in governance, public welfare, accountability, and inclusive development. The article examines how major temple trusts manage donations, institutional governance, transparency mechanisms, and the extent of state regulation, making it a direct case study of public charitable trusts in India.

  • MANAS (Madak Padarth Nishedh Asoochna Kendra)

    Why in News?

    The Government highlighted the achievements of MANAS (Madak Padarth Nishedh Asoochna Kendra), the National Narcotics Helpline, as a technology-driven platform supporting the vision of a Nasha Mukt Bharat through citizen participation, digital reporting, counselling, and rehabilitation.

    What is MANAS?

    • MANAS (Madak Padarth Nishedh Asoochna Kendra) is India’s National Narcotics Helpline.
    • Launched: 18 July 2024.
    • Implemented by: Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
    • Developed in collaboration with the Digital India Corporation (DIC).
    • A secure digital platform for:
      • Reporting drug-related offences.
      • Seeking counselling.
      • Accessing rehabilitation support.

    Key Features

    • Accessible through: Helpline: 1933, Official web portal, Email, and UMANG app
    • Allows anonymous reporting of Drug trafficking. Drug peddling. Illegal cultivation of narcotic plants.
    • Addiction-related calls are transferred to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s de-addiction helpline (14446).
    • Features: Digital ticket generation. Workflow management. Smart IVRS (under development). Chatbot support. Multilingual and regional language assistance (being expanded).

    [2024] Consider the following activities:
    1. Identification of narcotics on passengers at airports or in aircraft
    2. Monitoring of precipitation
    3. Tracking the migration of animals
    In how many of the above activities can the radars be used?

    [A] Only one

    [B] Only two

    [C] All three

    [D] None

  • MP LEAD Fellowship

    Why in News?

    The Vice President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, addressed participants of the MP LEAD Fellowship, emphasizing ethical leadership, constitutional values, national unity, and public service.

    What is the MP LEAD Fellowship?

    • A two month internship programme initiated by Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade.
    • Provides first hand exposure to Governance, Public policy, and Legislative processes
    • Aims to nurture future leaders through practical engagement with democratic institutions.
    • In 2026: 40 fellows were selected from 5,000+ applicants. 62% of the fellows are women, representing diverse regions of India.

    Key Messages by the Vice President

    • Leadership is measured by service, not authority.
    • Citizens should uphold Fundamental Duties along with Fundamental Rights.
    • Rise above region, language, caste, and narrow identities in the national interest.
    • Encouraged youth to dream big, innovate, and contribute to nation building.
    • Reiterated India’s civilisational unity: “Bharat was one, Bharat is one and Bharat will always remain one.”

    Constitutional Values Highlighted

    • Service before power in public life.
    • Unity and integrity of the nation.
    • Ethical leadership and public accountability.
    • Constitutional morality and responsible citizenship.

    UPSC Prelims Facts

    • The Vice President of India is the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
    • The Vice President is elected by an Electoral College consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament.
    • The office of the Vice President is provided under Articles 63 to 71 of the Constitution.
    • Fundamental Duties are listed under Article 51A.

    [2015] “To uphold and protect the Sovereignty, Unity and Integrity of India” is a provision made in the:

    [A] Preamble of the Constitution

    [B] Directive principles of State Policy

    [C] Fundamental Rights

    [D] Fundamental Duties

  • US Supreme Court Upholds Birthright Citizenship

    Why in News?

    The US Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship, reaffirming that children born in the United States are citizens under the Fourteenth Amendment regardless of their parents’ immigration status.

    What is Birthright Citizenship?

    • Birthright citizenship is the automatic acquisition of citizenship by virtue of birth. There are two main principles:
      • Jus Soli (Right of the Soil): Citizenship is granted based on place of birth.
      • Jus Sanguinis (Right of Blood): Citizenship is determined by the nationality of one or both parents.

    US Position

    • Governed by the Fourteenth Amendment (1868).
    • Provides citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to its jurisdiction.
    • Intended originally to guarantee citizenship to formerly enslaved people after the American Civil War.
    • Recognizes limited exceptions: Children of foreign diplomats. Children of enemy forces during hostile occupation.

    [2021] With reference to India, consider the following statements:
    1. There is only one citizenship and one domicile.
    2. A Citizen by birth only can become the Head of State.
    3. A foreigner once granted the citizenship cannot be deprived of it under any circumstance.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    [A] 1 only

    [B] 2 only

    [C] 1 and 3

    [D] 2 and 3

  • eSARAS: Digital Marketplace for Women Self-Help Groups

    Why in News?

    The Government highlighted the growing impact of eSARAS, the official digital marketplace for products made by Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) under DAY-NRLM, as a key initiative promoting rural livelihoods, women entrepreneurship and Digital India.

    What is eSARAS?

    • eSARAS (SARAS Aajeevika) is the official e-commerce platform of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
    • Developed by the Ministry of Rural Development.
    • Provides women SHGs direct access to national online markets by eliminating intermediaries.
    • Supports marketing, branding, packaging and logistics.

    Key Features

    • Exclusive marketplace for SHG products.
    • Promotes One District One Product (ODOP) and traditional handicrafts.
    • Product categories include: Home & Living, Apparel & Accessories, Food Products, Personal Care, and Toys & Gifts
    • Integrated with ONDC (11+ buyer apps; 20+ crore potential buyers) and UMANG
    • Supported by eSARAS Mobile App, Fulfilment Centre, SARAS Aajeevika Gallery (New Delhi), and SARAS Shakti premium gift collection

    Key Statistics

    • 8.62 crore women SHG members have access to a digital storefront.
    • 85% linked directly to the Ministry of Rural Development network.
    • DAY-NRLM covers 7,627 blocks across India.
    • Supported by 1.51 crore community cadre members.
    • Over 800 handcrafted products listed on ONDC.

    Significance

    • Promotes women-led entrepreneurship.
    • Provides market access without intermediaries.
    • Preserves traditional crafts and cultural heritage.
    • Enhances rural incomes through digital commerce.
    • Supports Digital India, Atmanirbhar Bharat and inclusive rural development.
    • Encourages formalization of rural enterprises.

    About DAY-NRLM

    • Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Rural Development.
    • Aims to reduce rural poverty through: Women’s Self Help Groups, Financial inclusion, Skill development, and Sustainable livelihoods, and Enterprise promotion

    [2023] Consider the following statements:
    1. The Self-Help Group (SHG) programme was originally initiated by the State Bank of India by providing microcredit to the financially deprived.
    2. In an SHG, all members of a group take responsibility for a loan that an individual member takes.
    3. The Regional Rural Banks and Scheduled Commercial Banks support SHGs.
    How many of the above statements are correct?

    [A] Only one

    [B] Only two

    [C] All three

    [D] None