PYQ Relevance
[UPSC 2025] The reform process in the United Nations remains unaccomplished because of the delicate imbalance of East and West and entanglement of the USA vs. Russo-Chinese alliance. Examine and critically evaluate the East-West policy confrontations in this regard.
Linkage: UN is an important and recurring UPSC theme, often asked through its agencies and reform debates. This question is crucial as it probes the East–West power imbalance that hinders UN reform, echoing the article’s call for a more representative global order. |
Mentor’s Comment
The article reviews the United Nations (UN) at 80 years, analysing its evolution, global role, and urgent need for institutional reform. It explores India’s position on UNSC restructuring, challenges of multilateralism, and the UN’s normative impact on global governance. For UPSC aspirants, the theme directly links with GS Paper II, international institutions, global order, and India’s diplomacy.
Introduction
Formed after World War II to preserve peace and promote human dignity, the UN evolved from a Cold War arena to a forum for cooperative problem-solving. The institution remains indispensable but requires deep reform to stay relevant in a multipolar and interconnected world.
Reforming the UN: Adapting to a Shifting Global Order
- Foundational Context: Established in 1945 as a peace mechanism ensuring collective security, equality of states, and global legal order
- Changing Landscape: Transitioned from bipolarity (US–USSR) to unipolarity and now multipolarity marked by fragmented alliances and transnational threats such as climate change and cyber warfare.
- Institutional Lag: UNSC composition reflects post-1945 power hierarchy. Exclusion of emerging powers, India, Japan, Germany, Brazil, South Africa, undermines legitimacy and efficiency.
- Legitimacy and Representation: Outdated representation erodes the Council’s credibility, weakening enforcement capacity and consensus-building.
UN’s Humanitarian and Normative Relevance
- Humanitarian Operations: UNHCR, WFP, and UNICEF deliver critical relief during conflicts and disasters, providing food, shelter, and protection.
- Peacekeeping Mandate: Blue Helmets ensure limited stability in fragile regions, sustaining fragile ceasefires and aiding post-conflict recovery.
- Norm Creation: UN conventions and declarations define global standards for human rights, gender equality, and sustainable development.
The SDGs (2015) frame a universal agenda for inclusive and sustainable growth.
- Symbolic Value: Represents a global forum for dialogue, ensuring that multilateralism remains the default mechanism for peace and justice.
Institutional Weaknesses and Reform Imperatives
- Erosion of Liberal Multilateralism: Rising nationalism and protectionism weaken commitment to collective decision-making.
- Structural Constraints: Permanent members’ veto power perpetuates paralysis in humanitarian crises.
- Financial Fragility: Budgetary shortfalls from delayed dues (notably by major contributors) constrain operational capacity and staffing.
- Operational Agility: Requires digitisation, decentralised response mechanisms, and enhanced decision-making authority at field levels.
India’s Strategic Position in Global Governance
- India’s Credentials: World’s largest democracy, major troop-contributor to peacekeeping missions, and growing economic power.
- UNSC Reform Advocacy: Demands structural reform ensuring equitable and inclusive representation of developing nations.
- Strategic Autonomy: Follows independent policy avoiding bloc alignment while protecting regional and developmental interests.
- Vision for Reform: Supports dignity-based multilateralism ensuring sovereignty, cooperation, and equity among nations.
Mandate for Renewal and Reform
- Council Reconfiguration: Expands permanent and non-permanent seats to reflect current geopolitical realities.
- Institutional Agility: Enhances crisis responsiveness through digital integration, rapid funding, and empowered missions.
- Moral Authority: Restores credibility by reaffirming adherence to international law and ethical neutrality in decision-making.
- Member-State Commitment: Ensures predictable funding and sustained political backing from member nations to strengthen UN institutions.
Conclusion
The UN remains a vital, evolving institution balancing ideals with realpolitik. Its effectiveness depends on reform, representation, and renewed moral purpose. Relevance in the 21st century rests on its ability to become more inclusive, responsive, and legitimate.
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Introduction
Global momentum on climate change is waning. The U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, the EU’s cautious stance, and Brazil’s focus on implementation have created a leadership vacuum. India, backed by consistent domestic policies and credible renewable achievements, is being viewed as a stabilising force in climate negotiations.
Current Global Context and India’s Position
- Leadership Vacuum: Developed economies show declining enthusiasm for climate leadership due to economic pressures and energy insecurity.
- India’s Steady Role: India maintains policy continuity and cross-party consensus on climate goals, avoiding divisive politics.
- Emerging ‘Axis of Good’: Expanding partnerships with Europe, Brazil, and developing nations for climate technology and forest cooperation.
- Implementation Emphasis: COP30 expected to focus on execution of existing commitments rather than new pledges.
The Financing Challenge and Implementation Gap
- Adaptation Finance Deficit: Global climate finance needs estimated at $1.3 trillion annually by 2035, highlighting dependence on private and multilateral funding.
- Means of Implementation: Finance, technology transfer, and capacity building remain central to effective execution.
- Blended Finance Approach: Encourages combining public, private, and philanthropic resources for adaptation sectors like agriculture and water.
- Pipeline Creation: Necessitates project,ready mechanisms at the national and state levels to attract investments.
India’s Achievements and Strategic Leverage
- Emission Stabilisation: Power sector emissions plateaued as renewable integration expands.
- Renewable Leadership: Non,fossil fuel sources account for ~50% of installed power capacity.
- Decoupling Trend: Energy demand growth no longer proportional to emissions growth, indicating structural change.
- Green Industry Shift: Corporate groups (Adani, Reliance) invest heavily in green hydrogen, solar, and renewables driven by market value creation.
Adaptation,Driven Growth and Dual,Benefit Projects
- Integrated Projects: Initiatives like PM,KUSUM use solar energy in agriculture, reducing diesel dependence and improving income security.
- Co,benefit Design: Projects combining adaptation (resilience) and mitigation (emission reduction) yield long,term sustainability.
- Sectoral Innovation: Solar,powered cold,chain storage and electric buses illustrate scalable, cost,efficient climate solutions.
- Aggregation Advantage: National,scale schemes can reduce costs, increase service access, and enhance local resilience.
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Adaptation Planning
- Current Commitment: 50% of power capacity from non,fossil sources by 2030; aligned with Paris Agreement goals.
- Green Hydrogen Linkage: Recognition of renewable energy’s role in hydrogen production can strengthen India’s NDC profile.
- Industrial Decarbonisation: Industry identified as a “hard,to,abate” sector; emphasis on electrification, alternative materials, and carbon markets.
- Adaptation Priority List: Proposal for a “wish list” of adaptation projects under carbon markets, adaptable by States.
- Carbon Market Strategy: Promotes participation in high value areas (solar + storage) rather than single,stream credits.
Should India Lead Globally?
- Moral Credibility: Low per capita emissions and proactive domestic policy lend legitimacy to India’s global stance.
- Strategic Interest: Leadership enhances India’s role in shaping financial flows and green technology frameworks.
- Implementation Expertise: India’s experience with renewable deployment and welfare,linked schemes adds operational credibility.
- Risk and Responsibility: Global leadership must balance ambition with developmental imperatives for energy access and equity.
Conclusion
India’s leadership on climate change is neither symbolic nor premature, it is pragmatic, equity,driven, and implementation oriented. With stable governance, scalable models, and growing private participation, India can anchor the next phase of global climate action by ensuring that commitments translate into outcomes.
PYQ Relevance
[UPSC 2021] Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parses (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)? What are the commitments made by India in this conference?
Linkage: This question assesses understanding of India’s climate diplomacy from COP26 to future summits under the UNFCCC framework. The article extends this trajectory by highlighting India’s shift from pledge to performance, emphasizing implementation, adaptation finance, and renewable energy leadership ahead of COP30.
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Introduction
Tamil Nadu’s northeast monsoon, traditionally spanning October to December, has arrived early for the second consecutive year, bringing intense and localized rainfall. While excess rainfall was once viewed as a boon for agriculture and water storage, climate change has made “excess” a liability, causing flash floods, crop destruction, and structural damage. The situation is compounded by simultaneous inflows from Kerala via the Mullaperiyar Dam, creating a dual-flood scenario that tests the resilience of Tamil Nadu’s urban systems, infrastructure, and disaster governance.
Urban Flooding: A Consequence of Unsustainable Development
- Impervious surfaces: Extensive concretization and asphalt paving prevent rainwater infiltration, resulting in rapid surface runoff that overwhelms drainage systems.
- Inadequate drainage networks: Poor maintenance and blockage of stormwater drains lead to flash floods and prolonged inundation in low-lying areas.
- Infrastructure shutdowns: Power authorities resort to preventive power cuts to avoid electrocution risks, compounding public inconvenience and economic losses.
- Sewage overflows: Heavy rainfall triggers untreated wastewater discharge into streets and waterbodies, leading to public health crises and water contamination.
Agricultural Distress and Soil Degradation
- Waterlogging and root suffocation: Excess moisture damages crop roots, washes away seeds, and erodes nutrient-rich topsoil, reducing long-term fertility.
- Fungal and pest proliferation: Moist environments facilitate fungal infections and pest outbreaks, lowering crop yields.
- Nutrient runoff: Heavy rain carries fertilizers and pesticides into reservoirs, degrading water quality and aquatic ecosystems.
- Economic losses: Repeated crop failure translates into financial vulnerability for farmers and food supply disruptions.
Health and Environmental Risks of Prolonged Rainfall
- Vector-borne diseases: Stagnant water acts as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, leading to malaria, dengue, and Japanese encephalitis outbreaks.
- Zoonotic transmission: Flooded environments increase exposure to leptospirosis and scrub typhus.
- Infrastructure corrosion: High humidity and seepage promote mold growth and building decay, undermining structural integrity.
- Water contamination: Overflowing sewage and agricultural runoff mix into drinking sources, causing gastrointestinal and waterborne diseases.
Rising Flood Risk: The Mullaperiyar–Vaigai Connection
- Dual monsoon exposure: Kerala receives rainfall from the southwest monsoon, while Tamil Nadu depends on the northeast monsoon. Overlapping patterns cause simultaneous water inflows.
- Mullaperiyar Dam’s critical role: Located in Kerala’s Idukki district but operated by Tamil Nadu, the dam diverts water to Tamil Nadu’s Vaigai basin.
- Catchment saturation: Heavy rains in Kerala rapidly fill the reservoir, forcing Tamil Nadu to open shutters to ensure dam safety.
- Two-directional flooding: Released water flows both toward Kerala’s Periyar basin and Tamil Nadu’s Vaigai, creating cross-border flood pressure.
- Ground situation: With all 13 shutters open, Theni district faces submergence even as local rains intensify, turning “shared water” into a shared crisis.
Infrastructure and Economic Impact
- Rising water tables: Continuous rainfall elevates the groundwater level, weakening building foundations and road structures.
- Loss of load-bearing capacity: Saturated soil causes foundation shifting, cracks, and collapses in the long term.
- Economic burden: Damage repair, relocation, and agricultural losses lead to high fiscal costs for the State exchequer.
- Social impact: Displacement, psychological distress, and livelihood loss add a human dimension to the flood crisis.
Reassessing the “Excess is Good” Paradigm
- Changing monsoon patterns: Climate change is causing shorter, more intense bursts rather than steady rainfall, overwhelming absorptive capacity.
- Policy recalibration: Tamil Nadu must prioritize water storage optimization, urban resilience, and inter-State coordination.
- Adaptive planning: Future strategies must integrate real time dam management, rainwater harvesting, and climate resilient agriculture.
Conclusion
Tamil Nadu’s monsoon experience underscores that climate resilience is not merely about rainfall volumes but about water management capacity. Balancing inter-State water sharing, strengthening urban drainage systems, and adopting adaptive agricultural practices are crucial. The Mullaperiyar conundrum reflects the urgent need for cooperative federalism in climate adaptation, a lesson not just for Tamil Nadu but for all monsoon-dependent states in India.
PYQ Relevance
[UPSC 2023] Why is the South-West Monsoon called ‘Purvaiya’ (easterly) in the Bhojpur region? How has this directional seasonal wind system influenced the cultural ethos of the region?
Linkage: The monsoon is a recurring UPSC theme. Tamil Nadu’s experience, where the northeast monsoon defines urban life, agriculture, and inter-State dynamics, parallels Bhojpur’s example. This shows how regional monsoon variations influence both ecological realities and local ethos across India.
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Why in the News?
The Supreme Court of India, led by the Chief Justice of India (CJI), directed the Jharkhand government to submit an undertaking to notify a new wildlife sanctuary in the Saranda Forest, West Singhbhum district.
Judicial Background and Case Chronology:
- Origin: Stemmed from NGT’s July 2022 order directing Jharkhand to notify Saranda as a Wildlife Sanctuary or Conservation Reserve.
- Petitioner’s Argument: Claimed Saranda was already a “game sanctuary” (1968, Bihar), deemed protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Non-Compliance: State inaction led the case to the Supreme Court, which between Nov 2024–Sept 2025 repeatedly criticised delay and evasive conduct.
- SC Intervention: CJI D. Y. Chandrachud-led Bench (Apr 16, Sept 17 hearings) condemned “dilly-dallying tactics” and demanded clarity on committees altering sanctuary boundaries in mining belts.
Back2Basics: What is a Wildlife Sanctuary?
- Legal Basis: Under Section 18, Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, areas declared by States to protect flora, fauna, and habitats.
- Objective: Preserve ecological integrity, sustain biodiversity, and enable natural regeneration.
- Permissible Use: Limited human activities, grazing, fuelwood, traditional use, allowed with Chief Wildlife Warden’s permission.
- Prohibitions: Hunting, felling, quarrying, mining banned under Sections 27–33.
- Continuity Clause: Section 66(3) deems all pre-1972 “game sanctuaries” as wildlife sanctuaries.
- Governance: Managed by State Forest Department; often part of eco-sensitive zones under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986.
- Examples: India has 550+ sanctuaries, incl. Chilika, Bhadra, Periyar, many upgraded to national parks or tiger reserves.
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About Saranda Forest:
- Location: West Singhbhum, Jharkhand; ~856 sq km (816 reserved, rest protected forest).
- Etymology: “Saranda” in Ho language = “seven hundred hills.”
- Vegetation: Dense Sal (Shorea robusta) forests with bamboo, mahua, terminalia; among India’s richest Sal ecosystems.
- Waterbodies: the Karo River and the Koina River.
- Ecological Role: Identified by WII as a biogeographic bridge between Jharkhand and Odisha within the Eastern Himalaya Biodiversity Hotspot.
- Fauna: Asian elephant, four-horned antelope, sloth bear, leopard, civet, diverse birds and butterflies.
- Elephant Corridors: Links to Keonjhar & Sundargarh (OD) and Hasdeo-Arand (CG).
- Threats: Illegal iron/manganese mining, fragmentation, pollution, flagged by Justice M. B. Shah Commission (2014).
- Economic Value: Holds ~26 % of India’s iron ore reserves, mined by SAIL and private lessees.
Significance of Supreme Court’s Ruling (2025):
- Directive: Ordered Jharkhand to notify 31,468 ha (314.68 sq km) of Saranda as a Wildlife Sanctuary, enforcing NGT 2022 order.
- Legal Strengthening: Reinforces Wildlife Act 1972, Forest (Conservation) Act 1980, and Environment (Protection) Act 1986.
- Ecological Impact: Grants protection to Sal canopy, corridors, and watersheds, ensuring habitat connectivity with Odisha.
- Mining Clause: Existing valid leases (e.g., SAIL) remain unaffected, balancing economy and ecology.
- Tribal Safeguards: Upholds rights of Ho & Munda Adivasis under FRA 2006 and PESA 1996.
- Outcome: Sanctuary notification to curb deforestation, revive corridors, and enhance carbon sequestration.
- Precedent Value: Sets national model for reconciling mining, tribal rights, and biodiversity in resource-rich landscapes.
| [UPSC 2018] Consider the following statements:
1. The definition of “Critical Wildlife Habitat” is incorporated in the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
2. For the first time in India, Baigas have been given Habitat Rights.
3. Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change officially decides and declares Habitat Rights for Primitive and Vulnerable Tribal Groups in any part of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only* (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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Why in the News?
The Ministry of Culture is commemorating 200 years of Rani Chennamma’s victory over the British, marking her as a pioneering figure in India’s early anti-colonial resistance.
Who was Rani Chennamma?
- Birth and Early Life: Born on 23 October 1778 in Kakati village, Belagavi district, Karnataka, to a Lingayat family known for valour and self-reliance.
- Marriage: Married at the age of 15 to Raja Mallasarja Desai, ruler of Kittur, a small princely state in present-day Karnataka.
- Ascension to Power: After her husband’s death in 1816, and the death of her only son, she adopted Shivalingappa as her heir to secure the throne.
- Conflict with the British: The British East India Company rejected the adoption under the Doctrine of Lapse, declaring Kittur annexed to British India.
- Battle of Kittur (1824): When John Thackery, the British political agent at Dharwad, attacked Kittur with 20,000 troops, she led her army personally and killed Thackery in battle.
- Resistance and Leadership: Trained in horse-riding, swordsmanship, and military strategy, she employed guerrilla tactics and rallied local soldiers and peasants against British forces.
- Defeat and Imprisonment: After initial victory, the British reinforced their attack, captured Kittur Fort, and imprisoned her at Bailhongal Fort, where she died in 1829.
- Historical Position: Recognised as India’s first female freedom fighter, her uprising predates the Revolt of 1857 and symbolizes early defiance against colonial annexation.
Back2Basics: Doctrine of Lapse
- Origin: Introduced by Lord Dalhousie, Governor-General of India (1848–1856), as a tool of colonial expansion under British East India Company rule.
- Core Principle: Stated that any princely state without a natural male heir would be annexed by the British; adopted heirs were not recognised.
- Purpose: Justified British annexations under the pretext of maintaining “good governance” and administrative efficiency.
- Annexed States: Applied to Satara (1848), Sambalpur (1849), Udaipur (1852), Jhansi (1853), and Nagpur (1854), among others.
- Violation of Indian Customs: Contradicted the Indian tradition of adoption and hereditary succession, angering princely rulers across India.
- Impact on Revolt of 1857: The doctrine became one of the major causes of resentment leading to the First War of Independence (1857).
- Abolition: The policy was abandoned in 1859, after the end of Company rule and the assumption of power by the British Crown.
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[UPSC 2014] What was/were the object/objects of Queen Victoria’s Proclamation (1858)?
1. To disclaim any intention to annex Indian States
2. To place the Indian administration under the British Crown
3. To regulate East India Company’s trade with India
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only* (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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Why in the News?
The Kerala government has formally signed the PM Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) agreement with the Union Ministry of Education, seeking approximately ₹1,446 crore to modernize government schools across the State.
About the PM-SHRI Scheme:
- Objective: To upgrade and modernize government schools as model institutions of quality education aligned with New Education Policy, 2020.
- Purpose: Promote inclusive, equitable, and holistic education, integrating digital tools, environmental awareness, and vocational learning.
- Overview: Launched in 2022 by the Ministry of Education as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
- Scale & Duration: Targets 14,500 schools across India from 2022–23 to 2026–27, after which states will maintain benchmarks independently.
- Funding Pattern: 60:40 (Centre: States/UTs with legislature), 90:10 (North-Eastern & Himalayan States), and 100% Central assistance (UTs without legislature).
Key Features of PM-SHRI Schools:
- Holistic Learning: Focus on creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking beyond rote academics.
- Pedagogical Shift: Promotes experiential, inquiry-driven, and multilingual education with art and technology integration.
- Infrastructure Upgradation: Includes Smart Classrooms, Integrated Science & Computer Labs, Vocational/Skill Labs, Atal Tinkering Labs, and Digital Libraries.
- Green Practices: Encourages solar power use, waste recycling, rainwater harvesting, and organic gardening to create sustainable campuses.
- Assessment Reform: Moves from memorization to competency-based evaluation, measuring conceptual understanding and application.
- Innovation Focus: Acts as incubators of educational innovation, influencing reforms across India’s public school system.
Selection and Monitoring Mechanism:
- Three-Stage Process:
- Stage 1 – MoU signed by States/UTs committing to NEP-aligned reforms.
- Stage 2 – Identification of eligible schools using UDISE+ data.
- Stage 3 – Challenge Mode competition reviewed by an Expert Committee headed by the Education Secretary.
- Monitoring System: Implemented via School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF) evaluating academic, infrastructural, and administrative standards.
- Accountability: Continuous digital evaluation, reporting, and performance tracking ensure transparency and sustained improvement.
| [UPSC 2017] What is the purpose of Vidyanjali Yojana?
1. To enable the famous foreign campuses in India.
2. To increase the quality of education provided in government schools by taking help from the private sector and the community.
3. To encourage voluntary monetary contributions from private individuals and organizations so as to improve the infrastructure facilities for primary and secondary schools.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Options: (a) 2 only * (b) 3 only (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 2 and 3 only |
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Why in the News?
Central Asian countries have endorsed a new six-year Work Programme (2025–2031) under the Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI) to conserve 17 migratory mammal species across shared borders.
What is the Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI)?
- Origin & Launch: Established in 2014 at the 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) in Quito, Ecuador.
- Purpose: Aims to halt population decline and ensure long-term survival of migratory mammals across Central Asia’s steppes, deserts, and mountain ecosystems through coordinated conservation.
- Participating Countries: Involves 14 range states, Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
- Framework: Provides a transboundary conservation platform uniting governments, NGOs, and scientific institutions to address poaching, habitat loss, climate threats, and migration barriers.
- Species Focus: Covers 17 migratory mammals, including argali sheep, Asiatic cheetah, snow leopard, saiga antelope, wild yak, wild camel, Przewalski’s horse, and Bukhara deer.
- Work Programme (2025–2031): Adopted at Tashkent (Uzbekistan); prioritises key landscapes, ecological corridors, and community-based conservation partnerships.
- Approach: Integrates science, cross-border policy harmonisation, and pastoral community engagement, promoting coexistence between wildlife and livelihoods.
- Key Partners: Supported by IUCN, WWF, CMS Secretariat, and national agencies to strengthen ecosystem connectivity across Central Asia.
Back2Basics: Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS)
- Objective: To conserve migratory species and their habitats across borders, sustaining ecological networks throughout their migratory ranges.
- Establishment: Signed on 23 June 1979 in Bonn, Germany, under UNEP; entered into force in 1983.
- Unique Mandate: The only global treaty exclusively protecting terrestrial, marine, and avian migratory species.
- Legal Instruments:
- Agreements – binding treaties for specific species/regions.
- MoUs – non-binding cooperation arrangements.
- Conference of the Parties (COP): The CMS decision-making body adopting strategies like CAMI.
- Membership: Over 130 Parties worldwide, promoting science-based conservation and international cooperation.
- Global Significance: Aligns with SDG-15 (Life on Land) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
- Next COP: CMS COP15, to be held March 23–29, 2026, in Brazil, will review and advance regional frameworks including CAMI.
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Why in the News?
India’s Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme was commended by the World Trade Organization (WTO) for significantly enhancing MSME participation in global trade.
What is AEO India Scheme?
- Overview: It is a voluntary certification programme launched by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) in 2011 to promote secure and efficient cross-border trade.
- Objective: Identifies and accredits trusted traders demonstrating high customs compliance and supply chain security, offering trade facilitation benefits.
- Evolution: Began as a pilot in 2011, revised in 2016 to merge with the Accredited Client Programme (ACP), aligning with the World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards.
- Certification Tiers: Consists of AEO-T1, AEO-T2, AEO-T3, and AEO-LO (Logistics Operator) each offering progressively higher benefits based on compliance, solvency, and security.
- Key Benefits: Provides faster customs clearances, deferred duty payments, direct port delivery, reduced inspections, priority adjudication, and dedicated client managers.
About WCO AEO Framework:
- Origin: Established by the World Customs Organization (WCO) under the SAFE Framework of Standards (2005) to enhance trade security and customs modernisation.
- Core Aim: Ensures secure, legitimate trade through collaboration between Customs authorities and private traders.
- Three Pillars:
- Customs-to-Customs cooperation for border coordination.
- Customs-to-Business partnership via AEO certification.
- Customs-to-Other Agencies collaboration for integrated control.
- AEO Concept: Certifies compliant entities as trusted operators, granting simplified and expedited procedures.
- Benefits: Enables faster clearances, mutual recognition between countries, enhanced risk management, and lower transaction costs.
- Global Adoption: Over 90 countries have operational AEO programmes with Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) ensuring standardisation.
- India’s Alignment: India’s AEO model is fully harmonised with the WCO SAFE Framework, ranking among the most comprehensive customs–business partnership systems in the developing world.
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