PYQ Relevance
| [UPSC 2017] To enhance the quality of democracy in India the Election Commission of India has proposed electoral reforms in 2016. What are the suggested reforms and how far are they significant to make democracy successful?
Linkage: The 2016 ECI reforms sought to strengthen electoral transparency and fairness, while the current debate on the 2023 Act vs. Baranwal judgment highlights how the independence of ECI itself is under threat. Together, they show that both institutional autonomy and procedural reforms are essential for improving the quality of democracy. |
Mentor’s Comment:
The credibility of elections is the lifeline of any democracy. Recent controversies around the appointment of Election Commissioners and the weakening of institutional safeguards have put India’s electoral integrity under the spotlight. This article unpacks the constitutional debates, judicial interventions, legislative countermeasures, and comparative global experiences to help aspirants understand the stakes involved in preserving the Election Commission of India (ECI) as an independent constitutional body.
Introduction
The Election Commission of India (ECI) ensures that elections are free, fair, and impartial. In 2023, the Supreme Court’s Anoop Baranwal case gave more independence to the ECI by including the Chief Justice of India (CJI) in the appointment process. But Parliament quickly passed a law removing the CJI and putting a Cabinet Minister in his place. The Court did not stop this change, and elections in 2024 were conducted under this new system. This has raised doubts about whether the ECI can act independently from the government.
Current debate over who controls ECI appointments
- Nullification of Baranwal judgment: The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. replaced the CJI with a Cabinet Minister (nominated by the PM) in the selection panel, reversing judicial attempts to ensure independence.
- Supreme Court’s refusal to stay the law: In Dr. Jaya Thakur v. Union of India (2024), the SC upheld the Act’s validity for the time being, allowing the government’s version to prevail in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
- Failure of judicial vigilance: A potentially independent ECI could have overseen elections more impartially, but judicial reluctance meant the executive retained control.
- Global parallels: Scholars like Landau and Dixon (2020) warn how courts sometimes legitimize authoritarian regimes by siding with executive dominance in electoral matters.
Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India (2023): The Supreme Court’s big step for ECI independence
- Article 324 interpretation: The Court held that appointments to the ECI must be insulated from the executive’s exclusive control.
- Role of CJI: Inclusion of the Chief Justice in the selection committee was seen as a safeguard against partisanship.
- Warning against pliability: The judgment noted that a “pliable ECI” could become a tool for perpetuating power, undermining free and fair elections.
The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023: Parliament’s counter to the Court
- Executive dominance: By excluding the CJI and including a Cabinet Minister, the law tilted the balance back towards government control.
- Presumption of validity: The SC’s refusal to strike down or stay the Act demonstrated a conservative approach, prioritizing legislative supremacy over constitutional safeguards.
- Practical implications: The 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections were conducted under an ECI shaped by this executive-heavy framework.
Global lessons on electoral manipulation
- Authoritarian strategies: According to Landau & Dixon, regimes in Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia used courts and electoral commissions to legitimize manipulated outcomes.
- Pre-election manipulation: Autocrats often consolidate institutions (courts, ECs) well before elections, creating a tilted playing field.
- Positive global model: South Africa’s Chapter Nine institutions, including its Electoral Commission, provide a framework for independent, fourth-branch institutions to safeguard democracy.
Fourth pillar of democracy: Autonomous Institutions
- Beyond traditional separation: Modern democracies recognize institutions beyond Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary such as independent ECs, CAGs, Information Commissions.
- Imaginative interpretation: In the Baranwal case, the Court attempted to evolve the ECI into such a fourth branch institution, enhancing checks on executive power.
- Legislative reversal: The 2023 Act effectively nullified this innovation, raising questions about India’s commitment to electoral impartiality.
The road ahead for electoral reforms: Restoring faith in Democracy
- Reinstating CJI in the selection panel: This would revive the spirit of the Baranwal verdict.
- Fresh appointments through a reformed process: Ensuring a genuinely independent ECI could require re-selection of commissioners.
- Truth Commission role: A reformed ECI could investigate alleged instances of electoral fraud, restoring voter confidence.
Conclusion
The ECI is not just another administrative body, it is the custodian of the democratic process. The dilution of judicial safeguards in its appointment mechanism risks eroding the integrity of elections, thereby weakening the very foundation of democracy. Restoring the spirit of Baranwal by reinstating the CJI’s role in appointments and insulating the ECI from executive control remains the most urgent democratic reform.
Mapping Microthemes (GS relevance)
- GS-II (Polity & Governance): Electoral reforms, Independence of constitutional bodies, Separation of powers.
- GS-I: Role of institutions in shaping democratic practices.
- GS-III: Impact of political manipulation on governance outcomes.
- GS-IV (Ethics): Constitutional morality, impartiality, institutional integrity.
Practice Mains Question
“The independence of the Election Commission is the cornerstone of free and fair elections in India.” Discuss in the context of recent judicial and legislative developments. (250 words)
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Introduction
In August 2025, Parliament passed the Income Tax Bill, 2025, a shorter and simplified legislation with 23 chapters (down from 47) and 536 sections (down from 819). The Bill aims to reduce discretion with clearer provisions, introduce taxpayer-friendly reforms like longer timelines for return updation, and curb harassment. However, it has also expanded the powers of tax officials, especially over digital information and personal data, raising concerns about privacy and misuse.
Need for Overhauling the 1961 Income Tax Framework
- Obsolete framework: The Income Tax Act, 1961 had become outdated, riddled with amendments, and difficult for laypersons to interpret.
- Harassment potential: Excessive discretion allowed officials to harass taxpayers.
- Structural reform: New law cuts down chapters from 47 to 23 and sections from 819 to 536, simplifying compliance.
- Greater clarity: More tables (57, up from 18) and formulae (46, up from 6), along with examples to aid understanding.
From Draft Bill to Final Law: The Legislative Journey
- Initial draft (Feb 2025): Introduced in Parliament but referred to a Select Committee given the Bill’s significance.
- Committee review: Headed by Baijayant Panda, with MPs across parties; submitted a detailed report in July 2025.
- Withdrawal & replacement: Government withdrew the earlier version on August 8, 2025, to incorporate committee recommendations.
- Final Bill (Aug 11, 2025): Introduced and passed the same day, avoiding confusion through multiple versions.
Key Reforms and Structural Simplifications:
- No slab changes: Finance Minister clarified tax rates and slabs remain unchanged.
- Technical refinements: Clearer provisions for Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) and Alternate Minimum Tax (AMT), separated into sub-sections.
- Taxpayer-friendly features: Returns can be updated up to 4 years from the end of the relevant assessment year without penalty; Assessment reopening period reduced to 5 years.
Simplification Gains and Emerging Concerns
- Expanded search powers: Tax officers can now demand passwords of electronic devices, emails, and social media accounts.
- Override access: Officials may bypass access codes to computer systems if passwords are not shared.
- Privacy concerns: Unlike earlier provisions (limited to inspection and lock-breaking), the new law extends to personal digital data, raising red flags.
Government’s Rationale for Expanding Digital Powers
- Rationale: Much of financial data today is exchanged via messaging apps, emails, or stored digitally.
- Committee stance: Though some dissent was recorded, the Select Committee accepted the government’s view that these provisions are essential for effective investigation.
Conclusion
The Income Tax Bill, 2025 is a watershed reform, simplifying one of India’s most complex laws. While the codification of taxpayer-friendly provisions marks a progressive step, the enhanced surveillance powers granted to tax authorities highlight the thin line between efficiency and overreach. The challenge ahead lies in ensuring that simplification does not come at the cost of citizens’ trust and constitutional rights.
Value Addition for UPSC
|
- Governance angle (GS-II): Balancing simplification of laws with citizen rights and privacy.
- Economic reforms (GS-III): Tax rationalisation improves compliance and ease of doing business.
- Ethics (GS-IV): Dilemma of state surveillance vs. individual liberty; Kantian duty-based ethics vs. utilitarian approach.
- Comparative context: Similar debates exist globallye.g., U.S. IRS’s digital access powers vs. EU’s stricter GDPR protections.
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PYQ Relevance
| [UPSC 2020] Explain the rationale behind the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act of 2017.How has COVID-19 impacted the GST compensation fund and created new federal tensions?
Linkage: The GST Compensation Act, 2017 aimed to build Centre–State trust during the GST transition but COVID-19 strained revenues, sparking federal tensions. Similarly, the Income Tax Bill, 2025 seeks to simplify direct taxes to build citizen trust but raises concerns over state overreach in digital surveillance. Both show that taxation is ultimately about trust and legitimacy in governance. |
Practice Mains Question
The Income Tax Bill, 2025 seeks to simplify India’s tax regime but also introduces stronger surveillance powers for officials. Discuss the balance between efficiency, transparency, and taxpayer rights. (250 words)
Mapping Microthemes for GS Papers
- GS-I: Evolution of economic policies post-Independence.
- GS-II: Governance, legislative reforms, fundamental rights (privacy).
- GS-III: Fiscal reforms, tax policy, ease of doing business.
- GS-IV: Ethics of surveillance, transparency, accountability.
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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
- Symbol of consumption economy: Cheap and versatile, plastics reflect today’s global consumption.
- Persistence and flexibility: Synthetic, fossil-fuel-derived polymers are non-biodegradable and endure for decades.
- Waste mismanagement: Cheap production, ubiquity, and limited recycling capacity turn plastics into the prime source of litter.
Plastics and Human Health: Emerging Evidence
- Chemicals of concern: Plastics use ethylene, propylene, styrene derivatives, along with bisphenols, phthalates, PCBs, PBDEs, and PFAS.
- Products of exposure: Found in food containers, bottles, teething toys, polyester, IV bags, cosmetics, paints, electronics, adhesives.
- Health links: Studies link plastic chemicals to thyroid dysfunction, hypertension, kidney/testicular cancer, gestational diabetes.
- Evidence base: Around 1,100 studies, involving 1.1 million individuals, compiled by Boston College & Minderoo Foundation dashboard.
- Nature of studies: Mostly associative; longitudinal studies (gold standard) are still underway.
The Microplastic Menace
- Definition: Plastics smaller than 5 mm, found in additives or broken-down products.
- Recent discoveries: Detected in human blood, breast milk, placenta, bone marrow.
- 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.
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Why in the News?
A palm specie ‘Phoenix roxburghii’ first described in the 17th-century botanical treatise Hortus Malabaricus has been recently confirmed.
About Phoenix roxburghii:
- Origin: Named after William Roxburgh, regarded as the father of Indian Botany.
- Distribution: Found along India’s eastern coast, Bangladesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Pakistan.
- Height: Grows up to 12–16 metres, taller than Phoenix sylvestris.
- Distinct Features:
- Solitary trunk
- Larger leaves and leaflets
- Musty-scented staminate flowers
- Large, obovoid orange-yellow fruits
Back2Basics: India’s Oil Palm Scenario
- National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) (2021): Centrally sponsored, aims to boost domestic crude palm oil (CPO) production and reduce import dependence.
- Targets:
- Expand area to 10 lakh ha by 2025–26.
- Raise production from 0.27 lakh tonnes (2019–20) to 11.2 lakh tonnes (2025–26), further to 28 lakh tonnes (2029–30).
- Support Mechanisms: Viability Price (VP), Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), planting subsidy (₹29,000/ha), and special aid for NE & Andaman regions.
- Cultivation States: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala (98% of output); others include Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Gujarat, and NE states.
- Potential vs Current: 28 lakh ha potential; only 3.7 lakh ha cultivated.
- Imports: India is the world’s largest palm oil importer (9.2 million tonnes in 2023–24). Palm oil forms 60% of edible oil imports, sourced mainly from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
- Unique Advantage: Palm oil yields are 5× higher than traditional oilseeds.
| [UPSC 2021] With reference to ‘palm oil,’ consider the following statements:
1. The palm oil tree is native to Southeast Asia.
2. Palm oil is a raw material for some industries producing lipstick and perfumes.
3. Palm oil can be used to produce biodiesel.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only* (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, and 3 |
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Why in the News?
Researchers from UK and China have developed a bioelectronic device where genetically engineered E. Coli bacteria act as self-powered chemical bio-sensor.
About Escherichia coli (E. coli) Bacteria:
- Overview: Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium that inhabits the lower intestine of warm-blooded animals.
- Family: Belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae family.
- Harmless vs Pathogenic: Most strains are harmless, but some (e.g., E. coli O157:H7) cause severe foodborne illness, diarrhoea, and kidney complications.
- Gut Role: Contributes to vitamin K₂ synthesis and maintains gut microbiota balance.
- Transmission: Pathogenic strains spread via contaminated food, water, or direct contact, leading to outbreaks.
- Diagnostic Importance: Presence in water is a key indicator of faecal contamination.
Bio-Sensors Generated Using E. coli
- Innovation: Genetically engineered E. coli used as self-powered chemical biosensors.
- Mechanism: Detect compounds, process signals, and produce electrical outputs compatible with low-cost electronics.
- Modules:
- Sensing Module: Detects target molecules.
- Processing Module: Amplifies or modifies signals.
- Output Module: Produces phenazines measurable via electrochemistry.
- Applications:
- Detected arabinose (plant sugar) within 2 hours.
- Detected mercury ions in water at trace levels (below WHO safety limits) within 3 hours.
- Demonstrated an “AND” logic gate, producing signals only when two molecules were present together.
- Significance:
- Cheaper, programmable, and robust alternative to enzyme-based biosensors.
- Potential in environmental monitoring, water safety, medical diagnostics, and bioelectronics.
| [UPSC 2010] Which bacterial strain, developed from natural isolated by genetic manipulations, can be used for treating oil spills?
(a) Agrodbacterium
(b) Clostridium
(c) Nitrosomonas
(d) Pseudomonas* |
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Why in the News?
The Gugga Naumi festival was widely celebrated across northern states of India on 17th August.
About Gugga Naumi Festival:
- Festival: Folk religious celebration in Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and northern states.
- Timing: Observed on the ninth day of Krishna Paksha in Bhadrapad month, usually after Janmashtami.
- Deity: Dedicated to Gugga (Gugga Pir / Gugga Zahir Pir / Guaaji), a Chauhan Rajput prince believed to control snakes.
- Tradition: Reflects syncretic worship by Hindus and Muslims, showcasing folk religiosity beyond formal religion.
Key Features:
- Duration: Begins on Rakhi and lasts nine days, with pilgrimages to Gugga Medi village in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan.
- Rituals: Garudas (snake charmers and healers) carry Gugga Pir’s Chahad (standard).
- Devotion: Pir ke Sole (songs) sung, fairs organised at shrines (Marhis).
- Depiction: Gugga shown riding a blue horse, with blue and yellow flags.
- Belief: Worshipped by mothers for children’s health, and by barren women for fertility blessings.
| [UPSC 2018] Consider the following pairs: Tradition State
1. Chapchar Kut festival — Mizoram
2. Khongjom Parba ballad — Manipur
3. Thong-To dance — Sikkim
Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2* (c) 3 only (d) 2 and 3 |
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Why in the News?
Recently, Chinese scientists identified a key gene, Chalk9, that controls chalkiness in rice, offering a breakthrough for crop improvement.
About Chalk9 Gene in Rice:
- Overview: Chalk9 is a gene found on chromosome 9 of rice.
- Function: Encodes the enzyme E3 ubiquitin ligase, which regulates protein degradation.
- Target Protein: Acts on OsEBP89, a regulator of starch-synthesis genes Wx and SSP.
- Chalk9-L Variant: Promotes OsEBP89 degradation → prevents excess starch accumulation → results in low chalkiness and translucent grains.
- Chalk9-H Variant: Fails to degrade OsEBP89 efficiently → leads to starch buildup → high chalkiness and brittle grains.
Significance:
- Grain Quality: Chalkiness lowers milling recovery and reduces rice’s commercial value.
- Genetic Solution: Discovery of Chalk9 offers a direct genetic tool to reduce chalkiness.
- Breeding Advantage: Rice breeding programs can introduce Chalk9-L to produce premium low-chalk rice.
- Economic Impact: Improves farmer income and enhances food security.
- Consumer Preference: Meets demand for better quality, translucent rice varieties.
| [UPSC 2022] Consider the following statements: DNA Barcoding can be a tool to :
1. assess the age of a plant or animal. 2. distinguish among species that look alike. 3. identify undesirable animal or plant materials in processed foods.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Options: (a) 1 only (b) 3 only (c) 1 and 2 (d) 2 and 3* |
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Why in the News?
MIT-led research suggests life may not need liquid water; ionic liquids (salts that stay liquid below 100°C) could support life on rocky super-Earths with volcanic activity and little water.
About Ionic Liquids (ILs):
- Overview: Salts in liquid form below 100°C, composed entirely of ions.
- Properties: Non-volatile, non-flammable, thermally stable, and tunable as hydrophobic or hydrophilic.
- Structure: Unlike water (neutral molecules), ILs consist of ions and ion pairs.
- Electrochemical Use: Excellent electrolytes with broad electrochemical windows.
- Applications: Used in synthesis, catalysis, electrochemistry, extraction, biotechnology, and as green alternatives to volatile solvents.
Breakthrough Findings of MIT Study:
- Life Without Water: Experiments showed life could potentially survive using ILs as solvents instead of water.
- Natural Formation: Sulfuric acid mixed with nitrogen compounds can naturally form ILs.
- Exoplanet Link: Such ILs may exist on rocky super-Earths with volcanic activity and thin atmospheres.
- Venus Research Origin: Discovery emerged from studying Venus, where sulfuric acid clouds interact with organic molecules to form ILs.
- Biological Relevance: ILs can provide stable environments for biomolecules, supporting metabolism.
Significance of the Study:
- Habitability Expansion: Broadens habitability definition beyond water-based models.
- Biosignatures: Suggests new chemical markers for exoplanet life detection.
- Venus Missions: Strengthens rationale for Venus’s exploration targeting IL-based chemistry.
- Wider Habitable Zones: Implies more planets could host life than previously thought.
| [UPSC 2015] The term ‘Goldilocks Zone’ is often seen in the news in the context of:
(a) the limits of habitable zone above the surface of the Earth
(b) regions inside the Earth where shale gas is available
(c) search for the Earth-like planets in outer space*
(d) search for meteorites containing precious metals |
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