PYQ Relevance:
[UPSC 2018] Appropriate local community level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve ‘Health for All’ in India. Explain.
Linkage: Organ donation supports “Health for All” by requiring grassroots awareness, local leader engagement, and trained counsellors at PHCs to address myths and secure consent. Integrating it into programmes like Ayushman Bharat ensures equitable access to life-saving transplants beyond metros. |
Mentor’s Comment:
Organ transplantation is one of modern medicine’s greatest achievements, yet India’s deceased donor rate is among the lowest globally. This editorial breaks myths, outlines systemic gaps, and suggests awareness and policy measures, crucial for UPSC aspirants studying public health, ethics, and governance.
Introduction
On World Organ Donation Day (August 13), India’s organ shortage stands out starkly. Annual transplants rose from 4,990 in 2013 to 18,378 in 2023, but only 1,099 came from deceased donors. The donation rate remains just 0.8 per million, far behind Spain’s 45+, causing over half a million preventable deaths each year. Myths, misinformation, and mistrust worsen the crisis, making awareness drives, medical transparency, and strong policy reforms urgent.
Scale of India’s Organ Donation Gap
- High fatalities: 5 lakh+ deaths yearly due to organ shortage
- PYQ LinkageLow deceased donor rate: 0.8/million vs Spain’s 45+/million
- Growing numbers, limited impact: 18,378 transplants in 2023 but majority from living donors.
Prevailing Myths and Misconceptions
- Body disfigurement fear: Retrieval preserves appearance for rites
- Religious objections: All major faiths endorse donation as compassion
- Brain death mistrust: Legal safeguards under Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994 ensure ethical process
Eligibility Beyond Young Accident Victims
- Older donors viable: Kidneys, liver segments, lungs, corneas possible from natural deaths
- Tissue donations are valuable: Bone, skin, heart valves save/improve lives
Strengthening Awareness and Trust
- Community workshops: Address myths, explain medical protocols
- Education integration: Include donation ethics in schools/colleges
- Media storytelling: Use real donor-recipient cases to inspire
- Medical leadership: Train healthcare staff for sensitive family outreach
Policy Measures for Closing the Gap
- Presumed consent model: Opt-out system like Spain, Croatia
- Family support systems: Ensure transparency, grievance redressal
- Dedicated coordination teams: Guide families with empathy
Conclusion
India stands at a moral and medical crossroads. Organ donation must shift from being a rare, heroic act to a societal norm supported by robust legal safeguards and empathetic outreach. Busting myths, embedding awareness into education, and exploring bold policy innovations like presumed consent could ensure no Indian dies for want of an organ. On World Organ Donation Day, the call is clear: pledge, register, and respect the choice to give life.
Value Addition
|
- Ethical dimension: Organ donation as a moral responsibility and act of altruism (GS4)
- Comparative policy analysis: Presumed consent systems in Europe (Spain, Croatia)
- Health policy reforms: Strengthening National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) functioning
- Behavioral change models: Role of social proof, cultural integration, and trust-building in public health campaigns.
Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994
- Provides a legal framework for removal, storage, and transplantation of human organs/tissues for therapeutic purposes.
- Recognizes brain death as a legal definition of death, enabling cadaver organ donation.
- Regulates hospitals, mandates authorization committees to approve donations (esp. for unrelated donors).
- Prohibits commercial trading of organs; penalizes violations with imprisonment and fines.
- Amended in 2011 to include tissues (e.g., cornea, skin) and strengthen enforcement.
National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO): Apex body under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
- Maintains the National Waiting List & Organ Allocation Registry
- Coordinates procurement, distribution, and transplantation at the national level
- Provides training, guidelines, and awareness campaigns
- Oversees ROTTOs (Regional) and SOTTOs (State) for decentralized coordination
Current Affairs Linkage
- The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) has issued a landmark advisory recommending priority in organ transplants for women patients and relatives of deceased donors, a direct attempt to correct a deep-seated gender imbalance in organ transplantation.
- This is significant because, despite women making up 63% of living organ donors in 2023, they represented only 24% to 47% of beneficiaries across organ categories.
Ethical challenges/dilemmas related to organ donation for GS-IV:
- Informed Consent & Autonomy: Ensuring the donor (or family) fully understands the implications and voluntarily agrees, without coercion.
- Equitable Allocation: Distributing organs fairly, avoiding favoritism, wealth or influence-based bias.
- Transparency vs. Privacy: Balancing public accountability with the donor’s and recipient’s confidentiality.
- Cultural & Religious Sensitivities: Respecting diverse beliefs while promoting organ donation awareness.
- Prevention of Commercialization & Exploitation: Safeguarding against organ trade, coercion of vulnerable groups, and unethical incentives.
|
Micro Theme Mapping
| GS Paper |
Topic |
Micro Themes |
Example |
| GS Paper II |
Health |
Organ donation rates & public health policy |
India’s 0.8 donors/million vs Spain’s 45/million |
| GS Paper II |
Governance |
Legal safeguards in brain death declaration |
Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994 |
| GS Paper II |
Education |
Health awareness through curriculum |
Introducing organ donation in schools/colleges |
| GS Paper IV |
Ethics |
Compassion and altruism in health decisions |
Faith leaders endorsing organ donation |
Practice Mains Questions:
“In India, organ donation is more a matter of societal will than medical capacity.” Critically examine, suggesting measures to improve donation rates. (250 words)
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Why in the News:
Elon Musk’s Starlink will soon launch in India, promising high-speed internet access in regions beyond the reach of ground-based networks. This is significant as it can bridge rural-urban gaps, improve disaster resilience, and strengthen defence capabilities. Globally, satellite internet has been a lifeline during Hurricane Harvey and a tactical tool in the Russia-Ukraine war. For India, it represents both a technological leap and a strategic necessity.
Introduction:
In today’s digitised and interconnected world, internet access is as vital as electricity or transport. Traditional cable and tower-based networks excel in cities but falter in remote terrains. Satellite internet, powered by mega-constellations like Starlink, offers a borderless, high-resilience alternative that operates irrespective of geography.
Why are ground-based internet networks economically unviable in certain regions?
- Physical Infrastructure Limits: Cables and towers are uneconomical for sparsely populated or remote regions
- Disaster Vulnerability: Infrastructure can be wiped out during floods, earthquakes, or storms
- On-the-Go Connectivity Gap: Mobile and temporary operations (airplanes, ships, oil rigs) often remain underserved
How does satellite internet overcome these challenges?
- Global Coverage: Operates regardless of terrain or terrestrial infrastructure
- Rapid Deployment: Can be set up quickly to meet sudden demand surges
- Mobility Advantage: Supports moving platforms and remote sites
- Dual-Use Potential: Functions for both civil and military purposes (e.g., Ukrainian defence, Siachen Glacier operations)
What makes the new wave of satellite internet significant?
- Mega-Constellations: Networks like Starlink have thousands of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
- Disaster Response Role: Viasat aided Hurricane Harvey operations when 70% of cell towers failed.
- Defence Integration: Ukrainian drones fitted with Starlink to bypass Russian jamming; Indian Army use in high-altitude conflict zones
- Security Concerns: Smuggled Starlink devices used by insurgent groups and drug cartels
Working of satellite internet:
- Two Segments: Space segment (satellites) and ground segment (user terminals, gateways).
- Service Life: Satellites operate for 5–20 years depending on design.
- Orbits:
- GEO (35,786 km): Wide coverage, high latency; unsuitable for real-time apps. Example: Viasat GX.
- MEO (2,000–35,786 km): Medium latency, requires constellations. Example: O3b.
- LEO (<2,000 km): Low latency, small coverage; requires mega-constellations. Example: Starlink’s 7,000+ satellites.
Key Differences between satellites in GEO, MEO AND LEO:
| Feature |
Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) |
Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) |
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) |
| Altitude |
35,786 km above equator |
2,000 – 35,786 km |
Below 2,000 km |
| Relative Motion |
Stationary relative to a point on Earth |
Moves relative to Earth |
Moves quickly relative to Earth |
| Coverage |
~1/3 of Earth (no polar coverage) |
Larger than LEO, smaller than GEO; needs constellation for global coverage |
Small footprint; single satellite covers area like an Indian metro city |
| Satellite Size |
Large |
Large |
Smaller, often table-sized |
| Cost & Deployment |
Expensive, long deployment |
Expensive, smaller constellations |
Cheaper, quicker to deploy |
| Latency |
High (unsuitable for time-sensitive apps) |
Medium (lower than GEO but still limits real-time use) |
Very low (good for real-time use) |
| Example |
Viasat Global Xpress (GX) |
O3b constellation (20 satellites) |
Starlink (7,000+ satellites, aiming for 42,000) |
| Key Drawback |
High delay due to distance |
Still costly, latency not ideal for all uses |
Needs thousands of satellites for global coverage |
How do LEO mega-constellations maintain connectivity?
- On-Board Processing: Improves efficiency and reduces terminal complexity
- Optical Inter-Satellite Links: Satellites communicate directly in space for faster routing
- Seamless Handoff: Steerable antennas track multiple satellites to maintain uninterrupted service
What are the key applications of satellite internet?
- Civil Connectivity: Rural broadband, IoE (Internet of Everything)
- Transportation: Navigation, self-driving cars, logistics optimisation
- Public Administration: Smart cities, disaster warnings, rescue coordination
- Healthcare: Telemedicine, remote diagnostics
- Agriculture: Precision farming, crop health monitoring
- Defence & Security: Real-time communication in conflict zones, strategic surveillance
Conclusion
Satellite internet represents not just a technological upgrade but a strategic asset in the digital era. For India, it offers a pathway to bridge the digital divide, enhance national resilience, and project influence in the global communications domain. However, its dual-use nature demands strong regulatory frameworks to balance innovation, accessibility, and security.
Value Addition
|
Key Terms & Phrases Explained
- Satellite Internet: A communication service where internet connectivity is provided through satellites orbiting the Earth, rather than terrestrial cables/towers. It enables access in remote, disaster-hit, or mobile scenarios.
- Mega-Constellation: A large network of hundreds or thousands of satellites, often in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), working in coordination to provide continuous coverage. Example: Starlink (planned 42,000 satellites).
- Latency: Time taken for a signal to travel from sender to receiver; critical for real-time applications like video conferencing or online gaming.
- Optical Inter-Satellite Links (OISL): Laser-based connections between satellites, enabling direct space-to-space data transfer without routing through ground stations, reducing delays and congestion.
- Dual-Use Technology: A technology with both civilian and military applications. In satellite internet, the same network can support remote learning and healthcare or battlefield communication and drone operations.
- Digital Divide: The socio-economic gap between those with access to modern digital technologies (internet, computing) and those without.
- International Telecommunication Union (ITU): A UN agency responsible for coordinating global telecom networks, including orbital slot and spectrum allocation for satellites.
- On-Board Processing: Satellite’s ability to process data directly in orbit, improving signal quality, speed, and reducing complexity of user terminals.
- Seamless Handoff: Automatic switching of user connection from one satellite to another as satellites move, ensuring uninterrupted service.
- Internet of Everything (IoE): An extension of IoT where not only devices, but also data, processes, and people are interconnected via the internet.
|
Mapping Micro Themes
| Paper |
Macro Theme |
Micro Themes |
Sub-Micro / Example |
| GS Paper III |
Types of Orbits |
GEO (Geostationary) |
INSAT series, GSAT satellites |
| MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) |
O3b constellation for broadband |
| LEO (Low Earth Orbit) |
Starlink, OneWeb |
| GS Paper III |
Application in Navigation |
GNSS Variants |
GPS (USA), GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (EU), IRNSS/NavIC (India) |
| LEO & MEO in Navigation |
Faster signals, better coverage |
| GS Paper II |
Policy & Governance |
India’s Space Policy 2023 |
PPP in satellite communication |
| International Coordination |
ITU spectrum allocation |
Practice Mains Question:
Discuss the potential of satellite internet in bridging the digital divide in India. Examine the associated security and regulatory challenges.
PYQ Linkage:
| [UPSC 2018] Why is the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System [IRNSS] needed? How does it help in navigation?
Linkage: IRNSS (also called NavIC) is India’s indigenous satellite-based navigation system providing accurate position information over India and surrounding regions.
Just like IRNSS uses satellites for positioning, satellite internet uses similar orbital infrastructure for data connectivity. Understanding satellite orbits, latency, and ground segments from this topic directly aids in explaining IRNSS’s working, advantages, and strategic value in navigation. |
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Why in the News?
The government has recently approved the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme as one of the largest fiscal commitments towards employment generation in recent years. The scale of underemployment in India is striking, over 53% of graduates are working in semi-skilled jobs and 46% of low-skill workers earn less than ₹1 lakh a year raising questions about whether such a scheme can genuinely address unemployment or will deepen structural inequalities.
Significance of ELI Scheme:
- Government Approval: Cleared on July 1, 2025, with ₹99,446 crore outlay.
- Primary Aim: Provide fiscal incentives to employers for job creation, especially in manufacturing.
- Significance: Represents one of the largest government-led employment incentive packages in India.
Issues with the ELI Scheme’s design:
- Employer-Centric Approach: Focuses on incentivising employers rather than directly empowering workers.
- Capital-Labour Asymmetry: Risks strengthening employer bargaining power while leaving workers vulnerable.
- Exclusion of Informal Sector: 90% of India’s workforce, largely informal, is excluded as the scheme prioritises EPFO-registered firms.
- Underprepared Workforce: Only 4.9% of youth have received formal vocational training, creating a mismatch between jobs and skills.
Skill Mismatch and Underemployment Trends in India:
- Low Skill Utilisation: Only 8.25% of graduates work in jobs matching their qualifications.
- High Underemployment: 53% of graduates and 36% of postgraduates in semi-skilled or elementary roles.
- Wage Disparity: 46% of low-skilled workers earn < ₹1 lakh/year, while only 4.2% of specialised graduates earn ₹4–8 lakh/year.
- Inefficient Education-to-Employment Pipeline: Shows systemic disconnect between education system and industry needs.
Sectoral Imbalance and Employment Implications:
- Manufacturing Bias: Targets manufacturing despite its declining employment elasticity.
- Employment Share: Manufacturing employs <13% of total workforce, while agriculture and services employ ~70%.
- Potential Marginalisation: Rural youth, women, and informal workers, largely in low-skill services/agriculture, risk being left out.
- Automation Pressure: Capital-intensive manufacturing growth reduces labour absorption.
Risks to Job Quality and Employment Sustainability:
- Disguised Unemployment: May encourage enterprises to relabel old jobs as new to claim subsidies.
- Structural Inequality: Channels fiscal benefits to already formalised enterprises.
- Bypassing Informal Workforce: Misses the majority of new labour market entrants in the informal sector.
- Stagnant Productivity: Without skill investment, job creation may remain low-quality.
Policy Alternatives for Equitable Employment Generation:
- Investment in Skilling: Strengthen vocational training to prepare low-skilled workers
- Education Reforms: Align curricula with industry demands
- Social Security Inclusion: Extend benefits to informal workers for equity
- Shift to Long-Term Strategy: Focus on productivity, job quality, and labour rights rather than short-term headcount increases.
Conclusion
The ELI Scheme reflects a high-investment, employer-focused strategy that risks deepening existing inequalities in India’s labour market. Without addressing the skill mismatch, informal sector exclusion, and sectoral imbalances, the scheme may generate headcount without creating sustainable livelihoods. A shift towards worker-centric, skill-driven, and socially inclusive employment policies is essential to ensure equitable economic growth.
Value Addition
|
Economic Survey 2024–25
- Key Insight: Reveals that only 8.25% of graduates are in jobs matching their qualifications, with 53% of graduates underemployed in semi-skilled or elementary roles.
- Relevance: Strengthens arguments on the education–employment disconnect and the urgent need for targeted skilling reforms.
- Application: Can be quoted in answers on unemployment, skill development, or human capital formation.
Dual Labour Market Theory
- Concept: The labour market is split into two segments, formal (primary) with stable jobs, better wages, and benefits; and informal (secondary) with insecure, low-paid work and no social protection.
- Relevance to ELI Scheme: The scheme’s EPFO-based targeting inherently supports the formal sector while neglecting the 90% informal workforce, deepening this divide.
- Application: Useful in analysing structural inequality in employment policies.
Employment Elasticity
- Definition: The responsiveness of employment growth to GDP growth.
- India’s Case: Manufacturing’s employment elasticity is declining due to automation and capital-intensive processes.
- Relevance to ELI Scheme: Explains why heavy focus on manufacturing may not yield proportional employment gains.
- Application: Adds depth when evaluating sectoral choices in employment policy.
ILO’s “Decent Work” Agenda
- Framework: Promotes productive employment, rights at work, social protection, and social dialogue.
- Relevance: The ELI Scheme lacks strong components on worker rights, social protection for informal workers, or job quality improvement — thereby falling short of ILO’s standards.
- Application: Ideal for international comparison in labour policy answers.
Disguised Unemployment
- Definition: A situation where more workers are employed than necessary, resulting in negligible or zero marginal productivity.
- Indian Context: Common in agriculture and informal services.
- Relevance to ELI Scheme: Risk of enterprises relabeling existing jobs as new to claim subsidies, creating apparent employment without productivity gains.
- Application: Can be linked to inefficiencies in job creation schemes and low productivity traps.
|
Mapping Microthemes:
| GS Paper |
Theme |
Micro Theme |
Example from Article |
| GS Paper III |
Economy |
Employment generation policies |
₹99,446 crore ELI Scheme |
| GS Paper III |
Economy |
Formal–informal sector divide |
90% informal workforce excluded |
| GS Paper III |
Economy |
Skill mismatch & underemployment |
8.25% graduates in matching jobs |
| GS Paper III |
Economy |
Sectoral imbalance |
Manufacturing bias despite low share in jobs |
| GS Paper II |
Governance |
Policy design flaws |
Employer-centric incentives |
Practice Mains Question
- Critically evaluate the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme in the context of India’s structural labour market challenges. Suggest policy measures to ensure equitable and sustainable employment growth. (250 words)
PYQ Linkage:
| [UPSC 2014] “While we flaunt India’s demographic dividend, we ignore the dropping rates of employability.” What are we missing while doing so? Where will the jobs that India desperately needs come from? Explain.
Linkage: Address the role of skilling in tackling unemployment, evaluate gaps in current initiatives, and connect with how ELI Scheme mirrors or misses these elements. The PMKVY question emphasises the necessity of industry-relevant skills for employment generation. The ELI Scheme, while aiming at job creation, lacks a robust skilling component, risking the same shortcomings seen in earlier programmes like PMKVY. |
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Why in the News?
Lok Sabha Speaker has initiated removal proceedings against a Judge of the Allahabad High Court by admitting a motion signed by 146 members and forming a three-member inquiry committee.
About Appointment of High Court Judges:
- Constitutional Basis: Article 217 of the Constitution of India.
- Appointing Authority: President of India, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India (CJI), Governor of the concerned State, and Chief Justice of the concerned High Court.
- Collegium System: The proposal is initiated by the High Court’s Chief Justice, forwarded through the Chief Minister and Governor, and decided by the CJI along with the two senior-most judges of the Supreme Court.
- Chief Justice Posting Policy: Chief Justices are appointed from outside the State to ensure impartiality.
- Transfers: The CJI and senior-most judges of the Supreme Court decide transfers to maintain judicial independence.
Removal Process:
- Grounds: Proved misbehaviour or incapacity.
- Procedure: Impeachment process under Articles 124(4) and 217, and Section 3(2) of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.
- Initiation: Motion signed by at least 100 Lok Sabha MPs or 50 Rajya Sabha MPs.
- Inquiry: 3-member committee comprising a Supreme Court judge, a Chief Justice of a High Court, and a distinguished jurist investigates the charges.
- Voting Requirement: Two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament for removal.
- In-House Mechanism: CJI can initiate internal inquiries and advise resignation in serious cases.
Other Notable Cases:
- Justice V. Ramaswami (1993): Faced impeachment for financial misconduct; motion failed in Lok Sabha.
- Justice Soumitra Sen (2011): Resigned after Rajya Sabha voted for removal over fund misappropriation.
- Justice K. Veeraswamy: Corruption case remained unresolved until his death.
- Justice Shamit Mukherjee (2003), Justice Nirmal Yadav (2008), Justice S.N. Shukla (2017): Faced criminal charges for corruption after in-house inquiries.
| [UPSC 2007] Consider the following statements:
1. The mode of removal of a Judge of a High Court in India is the same as that of the removal of a Judge of the Supreme Court.
2. After retirement from office, a permanent Judge of a High Court cannot plead or act in any court or before any authority in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Options: (a) 1 only * (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 |
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Why in the News?
Many legislators of the Goa Assembly across party lines demanded the legalisation of Dhiri Bull Fighting in Goa.
About Dhiri Bull Fighting:
- Overview: Goan sport where two bulls lock horns in paddy fields or grounds.
- Cultural Link: Associated with post-harvest feasts and church celebrations.
- Nature of Contest: Bulls push until one retreats; no matadors or killing involved.
- Event: Bulls given unique names, treated like local icons.
- Betting: High-stakes wagers involve locals and Goan diaspora.
Recent Controversy:
- Legal Ban: Banned in 1997 under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act after a fatality.
- Judicial Position: Supreme Court upheld the ban; events continue secretly.
- Political Push: Lawmakers (2024–25) seek legalisation for cultural/tourism value.
- Proposed Model: Advocates want regulated events, citing Jallikattu’s example.
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Why in the News?
The Union Health Ministry has launched the State Health Regulatory Excellence Index (SHRESTH), a first-of-its-kind national framework to benchmark and strengthen state drug regulatory systems.
About State Health Regulatory Excellence Index (SHRESTH):
- Purpose: National initiative by Union Health Ministry to benchmark and strengthen state drug regulatory systems.
- Developer: Designed by Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).
- Objective: To benchmark and improve the performance of state-level drug regulatory authorities across India through a transparent, data-driven framework.
- Method: Uses a transparent, data-driven framework and acts as a virtual gap assessment tool for maturity certification.
Key Features:
- State Categories: Manufacturing states assessed on 27 indices; distribution-focused states/UTs assessed on 23 indices.
- Evaluation Themes: Human resources, infrastructure, licensing, surveillance, and responsiveness.
- Data Submission: Monthly metric data submitted by the 25th; scores shared on the 1st of the next month.
- Performance Benchmarking: Rankings encourage cross-learning and adoption of best practices.
- Capacity Building: Workshops, joint trainings, and regulatory audits to strengthen state systems.
- Digital Integration: Dashboards like Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) for real-time monitoring.
- Global Standards: Supports India’s goal to meet WHO-equivalent medicine quality norms, building on WHO Maturity Level-3 vaccine status.
| [UPSC 2023] Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: India’s public sector health care system largely focuses on curative care with limited preventive, promotive and rehabiliative care.
Statement-II: Under India’s decentralized approach to health care delivery, the States are primarily responsible for organizing health services.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Options: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I *
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct |
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Why in the News?
The Supreme Court has raised a key question—whether the “potentiality of abuse” of Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which punishes acts endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India, could be a ground to declare the provision unconstitutional.
About Section 152 BNS:
- Deals with: Acts endangering sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.
- Origin: Introduced in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, effective 1 July 2024, replacing Section 124A IPC (sedition).
- Scope: Criminalises purposeful or knowing acts that:
- Excite secession, armed rebellion, or subversive activities.
- Encourage separatist feelings.
- Endanger sovereignty, unity, or integrity of India.
- Means Covered: Words (spoken/written), signs, visible representation, electronic communication, financial means, or any other method.
- Punishment: Life imprisonment or imprisonment up to 7 years + fine.
- Nature of Offence: Cognizable, non-bailable, triable by Court of Session.
- Exception Clause: Lawful criticism of government measures to seek change—without inciting rebellion/secession—is not an offence.
- Key Difference from Section 124A IPC: Focus shifted from “disaffection against Government” to direct threats against the nation’s unity and sovereignty, with explicit recognition of digital-era methods.
Issues with Section 152 BNS:
- Potential for Misuse: Broad and subjective terms like “endangering sovereignty” can be stretched to target political dissent, journalism, and activism.
- Vagueness: Undefined concepts (e.g., “sovereignty” in context of speech) create uncertainty, enabling arbitrary interpretation by authorities.
- Similarity to Sedition Law: Despite rewording, its core effect mirrors Section 124A IPC, which is under constitutional challenge for curbing free speech.
- Chilling Effect on Free Speech: Risk of self-censorship among journalists, activists, and citizens due to fear of prosecution.
- High Punishment and Cognizability: Harsh penalties combined with arrest without warrant heighten scope for harassment before judicial scrutiny.
- Digital Surveillance Concerns: Explicit coverage of electronic communication and financial means may widen investigative reach into personal digital activities.
- Judicial Burden: Courts will need to repeatedly interpret the law to balance Article 19(1)(a) freedom of speech with state security.
| [UPSC 2025] Sedition has become my religion” was the famous statement given by Gandhiji at the time of:
(a) the Champaran Satyagraha (b) publicly violating Salt Law at Dandi* (c) attending the Second Round Table Conference in London (d) the launch of the Quit India Movement |
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Why in the News?
The Union Cabinet has approved four new projects under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), adding to the country’s push for a robust semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem.
About India Semiconductor Mission (ISM):
- Overview: Launched in 2021; Operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
- Purpose: Develop a sustainable semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in India.
- Scope: Supports the entire value chain — from chip design to fabrication, assembly, testing, packaging, and display manufacturing.
- Administrative Role: Receives and evaluates applications for schemes under the Semicon India Programme and engages with industry stakeholders to attract investment.
Key Components:
- Semiconductor Fabs Scheme: Fiscal support for setting up semiconductor wafer fabrication plants in India.
- Display Fabs Scheme: Incentives for manufacturing TFT LCD and AMOLED display panels.
- Compound Semiconductors / Silicon Photonics / Sensors Fab & ATMP/OSAT Scheme: Support for advanced semiconductor technologies and packaging facilities.
- Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme: Incentives and infrastructure support for IC, SoC, chipset, and semiconductor-linked design projects; administered by CDAC; includes support for startups.
- Modernisation of Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL), Mohali: Upgrading as a brownfield fab.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Includes manufacturing, R&D, packaging, and design support.
| [UPSC 2012] Recently there has been a concern over the short supply of a group of elements called rare earth metals. Why?
1. China, which is the largest producer of these elements, has imposed some restrictions on their export.
2. Other than China, Australia, Canada, Chile, these elements are not found in any country.
3. Rare earth metals are essential for the manufacture of various kinds of electronic items and there is growing demand for these elements.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only * (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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Why in the News?
Scientists at Fermilab in the USA have made an ultra-precise measurement of the muon’s magnetic behaviour, a finding that could hint at new physics beyond current laws.
Understanding Muon and G-2:
- Overview: A muon is a subatomic particle like an electron but about 200 times heavier.
- Behaviour: It has spin, making it act like a tiny magnet.
- g-Factor: The magnet’s strength is measured by the g-factor. In simple theory, g = 2, but quantum effects make it slightly different — this difference is called g-2 (g minus 2).
- Physics Relevance: Measuring g-2 can reveal unknown forces or particles beyond the Standard Model.
The Fermilab Breakthrough:
- Precision Record: Fermilab (USA) measured muon’s g-2 to an accuracy of 0.127 parts per million — comparable to detecting a 4-gram change on a 4-tonne elephant.
- Method: Muons were sent into a large magnetic ring, measuring the gap between spin rate and orbital rate.
- Results: Matches earlier experiments; disagreement with theory depends on calculation method used.
- Next Steps: Japan’s upcoming experiment will independently test results.
Significance:
- Potential New Physics: If the gap is real, it may signal undiscovered forces or particles.
- Refining Theory: If not, calculations will improve, sharpening known physics.
- Broader Impact: Advances precision science and deepens global understanding of fundamental physics.
- Lesson: Ultra-precise measurements can uncover hidden truths about nature.
| [UPSC 2013] The efforts to detect the existence of Higgs boson particle have become frequent news in the recent past. What is/are the importance/importances of discovering this particle?
1. It will enable us to under-stand as to why elementary particles have mass.
2. It will enable us in the near future to develop the technology of transferring matter from one point to another without traversing the physical space between them.
3. It will enable us to create better fuels for nuclear fission.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Options: (a) 1 only* (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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