Why in the News?
At the 8th International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly, India has launched four global initiatives viz. Solar Upcycling Network for Recycling, Innovation and Stakeholder Engagement (SUNRISE), One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG), Global Capability Centre, and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Procurement Platform.
[1] SUNRISE:
- Overview: Launched by the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to promote a circular economy in solar energy, focusing on recycling and sustainable resource use.
- Objective: Aims to recover nickel, cobalt, and lithium from retired solar panels, batteries, and components, reducing e-waste and enhancing material efficiency.
- Global Collaboration: Connects governments, industries, innovators, and recyclers to formulate international standards and best practices for solar waste management.
- Sustainability Focus: Seeks to make solar power deployment resource-efficient, low-carbon, and environmentally responsible.
- Economic Impact: Promotes green job creation, industrial diversification, and innovation in clean-energy recycling technologies.
[2] OSOWOG (One Sun One World One Grid):
- Overview: A flagship ISA initiative for transnational solar power connectivity, enabling global energy interdependence through solar grid linkages.
- Goal: Integrate regional grids across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe to ensure continuous, 24-hour renewable power supply.
- Benefits: Promotes clean energy trade, enhances grid stability, and lowers renewable power costs through shared transmission infrastructure.
- Implementation Strategy: Focuses on regulatory harmonisation, cross-border coordination, and interregional feasibility studies for integrated grid operations.
- Strategic Role: Strengthens India’s leadership in global renewable energy diplomacy and sustainable development cooperation.
[3] Global Capability Centre (GCC) and ISA Academy:
- Vision: Conceived as a “Silicon Valley for Solar”, integrating research, innovation, digital learning, and global capacity-building.
- Operational Model: Functions through STAR-C centres (Solar Technology Application Resource Centres) established across ISA member countries.
- Training and Learning: The ISA Academy delivers AI-enabled courses in solar finance, engineering, policy, and project management.
- Capacity Building: Strengthens human capital, fosters technological excellence, and promotes industrial collaboration for scalable solar growth.
[4] SIDS Procurement Platform
- Partnership: A joint mechanism between the ISA and World Bank designed for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
- Coverage: Involves 16 island nations across the Caribbean, Pacific, and Indian Ocean regions.
- Mechanism: Facilitates bulk procurement, shared financing, and aggregated demand to lower solar technology deployment costs.
- Resilience Building: Enhances technical and financial capacity, reducing dependency on imported fossil fuels.
- Climate and Energy Impact: Supports climate adaptation, strengthens energy security, and promotes sustainable island economies through clean energy access.
Back2Basics: International Solar Alliance (ISA)
- Objective: To facilitate affordable solar technology, finance mobilization, and policy support to achieve global energy access and climate goals.
- Founded: 2015, jointly by India and France, headquartered in Gurugram (Haryana, India).
- Membership (2025): 98 countries, focused on promoting solar energy deployment in developing and tropical nations.
- Strategic Focus Areas (2025):
- Catalytic Finance Hub: Mobilising global investments in solar infrastructure.
- Global Capability Centre: Providing technical training, digital tools, and policy frameworks.
- Technology Roadmap: Driving innovation in floating solar, AI-based grid management, green hydrogen, and One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) connectivity.
- Country Engagement: Strengthening regional partnerships for implementation and capacity-building.
[UPSC 2016] Consider the following statements:
1. The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015.
2. The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations.
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?
A recent Nagaland University study has raised alarms over the deteriorating ecological health of Loktak Lake, India’s largest freshwater lake and a designated Ramsar Site (since 1990) in Manipur.
Key Findings of the Study:
- Core Issue: Land-use changes such as agriculture expansion, human settlements, and shifting cultivation (jhum) are deteriorating the water quality of rivers feeding the lake.
- Sampling and Rivers: Water quality analysis was done across nine major rivers draining into Loktak, linking land-use patterns with water quality indicators such as dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), and temperature.
- Polluted Rivers:
- Nambul River recorded the lowest oxygen levels and highest organic contamination, influenced by 47% agricultural land and 11% settlement areas in its sub-catchment.
- Khuga River had the second poorest quality due to 42% shifting cultivation (jhum).
- Iril and Thoubal Rivers, flowing through dense forested areas, showed better water quality, underscoring the protective role of forests.
About Loktak Lake:
- Overview: Situated in Manipur, about 40 km from Imphal, it is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India.
- Unique Feature: Known for its floating biomass called phumdi (in the Meitei language), a mixture of soil, vegetation, and organic matter that supports unique aquatic life.
- Ecological Significance: The Keibul Lamjao National Park, the world’s only floating national park and habitat of the endangered brow-antlered deer (Sangai), forms an integral part of the lake ecosystem.
- Hydrology: Fed by nine major rivers, including Khuga, Western, Nambul, Imphal, Kongba, Iril, Thoubal, Heirok, and Sekmai and drained through the Ithai Barrage.
- Global Recognition:
- Declared a Ramsar Site in 1990, signifying its international ecological importance.
- Listed under the Montreux Record in 1993 for undergoing ecological degradation.
- Biodiversity: Hosts 132 plant species and 428 animal species, supporting fisheries, hydropower generation, transport, and tourism.
- Socioeconomic Role: Provides livelihoods for local communities through fishing, agriculture, and tourism while regulating floods and water supply in the Imphal valley.
| [UPSC 2015] Which of the following National Parks is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity?
Options:
(a) Bhitarkanika National Park
(b) Keibul Lamjao National Park*
(c) Keoladeo Ghana National Park
(d) Sultanpur National Park |
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Why in the News?
The Union Cabinet has approved the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for Rabi 2025–26 (October 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026) on Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers.
About the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme:
- Overview: Introduced on April 1, 2010, by the Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India.
- Nature: A Central Sector Scheme providing fertilisers at subsidized rates based on nutrient content rather than product type.
- Nutrients Covered: Subsidy is fixed per kilogram of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potash (K), and Sulphur (S).
- Coverage: Applies to 28 grades of Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers, including Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP), NPKS grades, and fortified fertilizers containing micronutrients such as zinc and molybdenum.
- Exclusion: Urea is not covered under NBS; it remains price-controlled and sold at a fixed MRP by the government.
- Objective: Ensures balanced fertilizer use (optimal N: P: K ratio of 4:2:1) to maintain soil fertility, increase productivity, and promote sustainable agriculture.
- Subsidy Mechanism: Subsidy is paid directly to fertilizer manufacturers/importers based on notified per-kg nutrient rates, enabling sale to farmers at affordable prices.
- Rationale: Aims to insulate farmers from international price volatility of fertilizer inputs such as urea, DAP, MOP, and sulphur, while maintaining fiscal prudence.
- Additional Support: Fertilizers fortified with secondary, and micronutrients are eligible for additional subsidy.
- Institutional Role: Department of Fertilizers monitors implementation; state agriculture departments ensure field-level availability and prevent diversion.
- Major Benefits:
- Ensures timely and affordable access to fertilizers.
- Promotes balanced nutrient application and soil health.
- Supports food security and agricultural productivity.
- Rationalizes government subsidy expenditure.
- Encourages domestic fertilizer production and reduces import dependence.
- Issues:
- Exclusion of urea leads to its overuse and nutrient imbalance.
- Rising fiscal burden; fertiliser subsidy is India’s second-largest after food subsidy.
- Continued chemical fertiliser dependence affects long-term soil sustainability.
[UPSC 2020] With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the following statements:
1. At present, the retail price of chemical fertilizers is market-driven and not administered by the Government.
2. Ammonia, which is an input of urea, is produced from natural gas.
3. Sulphur, which is a raw material for Phosphoric acid fertilizer, is a by-product of oil refineries.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only* (c) 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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PYQ Relevance
[UPSC 2014] Should the pursuit of carbon credit and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) set up under UNFCCC be maintained even though there has been a massive slide in the value of carbon credit? Discuss with respect to India’s energy needs for economic growth.
Linkage: The CBAM-ICM linkage revives the same carbon market logic envisioned under the UNFCCC’s CDM. It aligns India’s emission pricing with global trade, ensuring growth and decarbonisation move together. |
Mentor’s Comment
The EU-India partnership is entering a decisive phase with the linking of the Indian Carbon Market (ICM) to the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), a move that could redefine global climate cooperation. For the first time, carbon prices in India will be recognized at the EU border, preventing Indian exporters from facing double penalties and paving the way for North-South market integration. However, operational hurdles, technical mismatches, and sovereignty concerns remain significant.
Why in the News
Recently, the European Union (EU) and India announced a new comprehensive strategic agenda that includes linking the Indian Carbon Market (ICM) with the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). This is the first ever initiative to integrate a developing country’s carbon pricing mechanism with a developed region’s border carbon tax system. It marks a potential breakthrough in addressing carbon leakage, ensuring fair trade, and advancing global decarbonisation. But the success of this partnership depends on overcoming institutional, technical, and political challenges.
Introduction
India’s carbon market is still evolving, while the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) is among the most advanced in the world. The decision to explore a linkage between India’s system and the EU’s CBAM represents a strategic step toward equitable carbon trade. This enables exporters to receive recognition for domestic carbon prices. However, the process involves complex alignment in regulatory design, pricing structures, and compliance verification. This makes this both a historic opportunity and a significant challenge for India’s climate diplomacy.
What is the Current Status of India’s Carbon Market?
- Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS): India’s carbon market, under the CCTS, is still in its early stages of evolution.
- Institutional Framework: Built around robust auction structure, cap-setting processes, and independent verification, yet lacks full fledged coverage of sectors.
- Implementation Issues: Current credits often stem from project-based emissions reductions rather than comprehensive, economy wide mechanisms.
- Price Gap: The absence of a clear carbon price per tonne makes integration with CBAM technically difficult.
- Penalty Gaps: Without strong enforcement and penalties for non-compliance, credibility remains low.
Why is Linking CBAM with ICM a Big Deal?
- Breakthrough for Indian Exporters: Linking ensures Indian exporters are not penalised twice, once through domestic carbon pricing and again at EU borders.
- Incentive for Early Decarbonisation: It rewards early climate compliance, encouraging Indian industries to adopt clean technologies.
- Global Policy Recognition: The move signals India’s emergence as a serious carbon market player. This gives legitimacy to its domestic emissions trading framework.
- Bridge between North and South: The linkage promotes North–South cooperation on climate action, addressing long-standing inequities in global carbon governance.
What are the Major Challenges in Linking CBAM and ICM?
- Regulatory Equivalence: The EU will only deduct Indian carbon prices if market integrity and environmental standards match its ETS standards.
- Technical Alignment: Requires mirroring compliance-grade features of the EU ETS, a complex task for India’s bureaucratic and regulatory machinery.
- Carbon Price Disparity: The EU carbon price (currently €60-€80 per tonne) far exceeds India’s expected initial range (€5-€10 per tonne).
- Double Burden Risk: Exporters may face both EU CBAM costs and domestic compliance costs, raising fears of competitiveness loss.
- Political Sensitivity: Recognising EU’s CBAM could be seen as legitimising an external mechanism that India has formally resisted at WTO and COP negotiations.
What are the Broader Strategic and Economic Implications?
- Trade and Diplomacy: Successful integration could make India a model developing economy for carbon-trade compatibility.
- Industrial Decarbonisation: Linking CBAM with ICM will push industries toward clean technologies, supporting India’s Net Zero 2070 target.
- Geopolitical Leverage: Creates space for climate diplomacy and green technology investments from Europe.
- Risk of Trade Disruptions: Failure to align standards could result in EU refusing deductions, escalating trade disputes.
- WTO Dimension: Any misalignment could destabilise trade flows, creating tension between climate goals and trade rules.
What are the Possible Ways Forward?
- Institutional Strengthening: Develop a transparent, compliance-grade Indian carbon market mirroring the EU ETS structure.
- Pricing Reform: Establish comparable carbon price ranges and market stability mechanisms.
- Verification and Integrity: Set up independent verification systems recognized by EU regulators.
- Political Engagement: Maintain diplomatic negotiation channels to balance sovereignty with cooperation.
- Domestic Industry Support: Provide financial backing to exporters during transition to avoid competitiveness loss.
Conclusion
The EU-India carbon market linkage represents a defining experiment in global carbon governance. Its success will depend on institutional credibility, pricing comparability, and political balance. If executed effectively, it could become a template for future North–South cooperation, ensuring that climate responsibility is shared equitably and not imposed asymmetrically.
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Introduction
India’s Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 (DMRA) prohibits advertisements claiming to cure 54 specific medical conditions without proven efficacy. However, the advent of Big Tech advertising has bypassed this framework. Platforms such as Meta, Google, and others are now running sponsored ads for unapproved ayurvedic and homeopathic treatments, violating DMRA provisions. Despite clear illegality, these violations persist due to jurisdictional leniency, U.S.-based corporate protection, and absence of enforcement by Indian regulators.
Why in the News
Big Tech’s persistent advertising of unverified health products and ayurvedic “cures” on Indian social media platforms has triggered major concern. The issue marks a systemic regulatory failure, even after India’s decades-old legal framework (DMRA, PNDT Act) prohibits such practices, platforms continue to profit from misleading medical claims. The scale of harm, coupled with cross-border corporate impunity, has made this a critical governance challenge and a new frontier in public health ethics and digital accountability.
How Has Advertising in Public Health Evolved in the Digital Era?
- Shift from Traditional to Digital: Advertisement control has weakened as digital and social media replaced print and broadcast.
- Rise of Big Tech Platforms: Meta, Google, and others allow sponsored advertisements promoting “miracle cures,” violating the DMRA.
- Absence of Oversight: Digital platforms operate transnationally, making regulatory enforcement difficult.
- Public Health Implication: Continuous exposure to false medical claims undermines rational drug use and increases health risks.
Why Are Big Tech Platforms Violating Indian Law?
- Profit-Driven Algorithms: Platforms profit from “sponsored” or “boosted” posts, regardless of legality or health implications.
- Weak Accountability: Advertisers and intermediaries claim immunity as “third-party hosts,” avoiding liability under Indian law.
- Jurisdictional Escape: Since most Big Tech firms are headquartered in the U.S., Indian laws like DMRA lack cross-border enforcement power.
- Regulatory Vacuum: Absence of a unified digital advertising regulator allows platforms to function without deterrence.
What Legal Frameworks Are Being Ignored?
- Drugs and Magic. Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act, 1954: Prohibits advertisements for 54 medical conditions; violation is a criminal offence.
- Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994: Bans sex-selection advertisements; Big Tech platforms earlier violated this as well.
- Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940: Requires all medicines to be clinically established before advertising.
- IT Act, 2000 (Section 79): Provides conditional immunity to intermediaries, which is being misused to escape responsibility.
- U.S. Corporate Protection: American law shields these corporations from Indian prosecution, leading to managerial impunity.
What Are the Broader Implications for Governance and Sovereignty?
- Erosion of Regulatory Authority: India’s ability to enforce its health and advertising laws is weakened.
- Public Interest vs. Corporate Freedom: Public health suffers as profit-driven digital advertising goes unchecked.
- Failure of Accountability Mechanisms: Courts and regulators have struggled to bring Big Tech executives under Indian jurisdiction.
- Threat to Rule of Law: Unequal treatment between Indian entities and global corporations undermines trust in domestic regulation.
What Policy Reforms Are Needed?
- Legal Recalibration: DMRA and PNDT Act need alignment with the Information Technology Act to hold intermediaries accountable.
- Managerial Responsibility: Indian courts should compel Big Tech executives to appear before regulators and face prosecution if violations persist.
- Strengthened Digital Health Advertising Rules: Mandate health ads to carry verification tags or disclaimers by government-authorized bodies.
- Bilateral Cooperation: India-U.S. digital diplomacy must address cross-border legal immunity for tech corporations.
- Institutional Oversight: Establish a Digital Health Advertising Authority (DHAA) under the Ministry of Health to oversee compliance.
Conclusion
Big Tech’s disregard for Indian health advertising laws symbolizes the intersection of technology, law, and public welfare. Without regulatory modernization and corporate accountability, digital platforms will continue to operate beyond the reach of Indian law. Ensuring managerial accountability, legal parity, and public health protection must now be central to India’s digital governance reform agenda.
PYQ Relevance
[UPSC 2023] Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does AI help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of AI in healthcare?”Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does AI help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of AI in healthcare?
Linkage: Health related topics are a recurring theme in both GS2 and GS3 papers. The growing use of AI by Big Tech in healthcare mirrors the same challenge of data misuse and weak accountability seen in misleading health advertisements. Both reflect how unchecked digital algorithms can exploit personal health data for profit, posing grave risks to privacy and public trust in India’s health governance system.
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Introduction
The U.S.-Pakistan relationship has oscillated between strategic intimacy and mutual distrust. Built on Cold War exigencies, it evolved through shared military interests, geopolitical bargains, and recurring disappointments. As new global alignments emerge, Pakistan’s dual engagement with China and the U.S. once again tests the durability and intent of its foreign policy choices.
Evolution of the U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Partnership
- Cold War Origins: Pakistan aligned with the U.S. through SEATO (1954) and CENTO (1955), positioning itself as a frontline ally against communism.
- Military and Economic Aid: U.S. assistance included arms, technology, and infrastructure funding, strengthening Pakistan’s military elite.
- Transactional Nature: The partnership thrived on mutual utility rather than shared values; Pakistan sought defense support; the U.S. sought regional leverage.
Impact of Shifting U.S. Priorities during and after the Cold War
- Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan (1979): The U.S. re-engaged Pakistan as a base for arming Mujahideen fighters. Aid and weapon transfers surged.
- Post-Withdrawal Abandonment: After Soviet withdrawal, Washington invoked sanctions under the Pressler Amendment (1990) over Pakistan’s nuclear program, halting delivery of F-16 aircraft.
- Cycle of Engagement and Sanctions: Every phase of cooperation was followed by punitive measures, reflecting deep distrust.
9/11 and the Recasting of the U.S.-Pakistan Ties
- Post-9/11 Alignment: Pakistan became a major non-NATO ally in the U.S.-led “War on Terror,” receiving over $30 billion in aid.
- Military Dependence: U.S. logistics for operations in Afghanistan relied heavily on Pakistani routes and intelligence.
- Strategic Mistrust: U.S. accused Pakistan of harboring militants while receiving counter-terrorism aid, the Osama bin Laden incident (2011) deepened suspicion.
Trump’s Policy Reversal and Conditional Engagement
- Harsh Rhetoric: In 2018, Donald Trump accused Pakistan of “lies and deceit”, suspending over $300 million in military aid.
- Focus on “Double Game”: The U.S. alleged Islamabad’s duplicity, fighting terrorism publicly while sheltering terror networks privately.
- China Factor: Trump’s tilt towards India and containment of China indirectly alienated Pakistan, pushing it further into Beijing’s orbit.
The China Variable and Strategic Realignment
- Deepening Sino-Pak Ties: The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and defense collaboration highlight Pakistan’s strategic drift eastward.
- U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan (2021): Reignited Pakistan’s regional leverage but also increased scrutiny of its Taliban links.
- Balancing Act: Pakistan now seeks to balance its Chinese dependence with limited U.S. engagement to avoid isolation.
Sanctions, Contradictions and Mutual Suspicion
- Sanctions Regime: U.S. invoked multiple sanctions, Symington (1977), Pressler (1990), and Brown (1995) Amendments targeting nuclear proliferation.
- Contradictory Approach: Despite sanctions, Washington relied on Pakistan’s logistics during Afghan conflicts, exposing policy inconsistency.
- Enduring Distrust: Mutual dependence persisted but never matured into stable diplomacy, defined by suspicion rather than trust.
India’s Dimension in the Context of U.S.-Pakistan Relations
Positive Implications for India
- Strategic Leverage: Weakening U.S.-Pakistan ties strengthened India’s position as a reliable democratic partner in South Asia.
- Defence Cooperation: India gained access to advanced U.S. defence technology, joint exercises (like Malabar), and strategic dialogues (2+2 format).
- Global Standing: Partnership in QUAD and Indo-Pacific frameworks enhanced India’s geopolitical influence.
- Counterterrorism Support: U.S. alignment with India’s stance against cross-border terrorism increased diplomatic pressure on Pakistan.
Negative Implications for India
- Regional Instability: Strained U.S.-Pakistan ties can destabilize Afghanistan, indirectly impacting India’s security interests.
- China-Pakistan Nexus: The gap left by U.S. withdrawal pushed Pakistan deeper into China’s orbit via CPEC and military cooperation.
- U.S. Policy Unpredictability: Frequent shifts in U.S. South Asia policy raises doubts about long-term reliability.
- Reduced Mediation Influence: India faces difficulty in balancing ties with both U.S. and Russia amid sanctions and defence dependencies.
Way Forward
- Strategic Autonomy: Maintain balanced ties with all major powers while safeguarding national interests.
- Regional Dialogue: Promote multilateral frameworks including Afghanistan and Central Asia to counter instability.
- Deepened Indo-U.S. Cooperation: Expand collaboration in critical tech, energy, and intelligence without compromising sovereignty.
- Focus on Neighbourhood: Strengthen regional engagement to offset Pakistan’s external alignments and ensure South Asian stability.
|
Conclusion
The U.S.-Pakistan relationship remains an exemplar of “strategic utility without strategic trust.” Despite recurring phases of cooperation, both nations continue to perceive each other through transactional lenses. As Pakistan deepens ties with China and the U.S. recalibrates Indo-Pacific priorities, their future engagement will depend on how Islamabad reconciles its global ambitions with domestic constraints and regional realities.
PYQ Relevance
[UPSC 2019] What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still unable to find for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India’s national self-esteem and ambitions’. Explain with suitable examples.
Linkage: U.S.-Pakistan ties were transactional and interest-driven, creating India’s distrust of U.S. intentions. This history causes friction in U.S.-India ties, as India seeks equality while the U.S. retains a hierarchical outlook.
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Why in the News?
Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai formally recommended Justice Surya Kant, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court of India, as his successor and 53rd CJI.
About the Chief Justice of India (CJI):
- Position and Authority: She/He is the head of the Supreme Court and the highest-ranking judicial officer in the Republic of India. Acts as the “Master of the Roster”, empowered to constitute benches, allocate cases, and schedule hearings.
- Administrative and Judicial Role: Leads both judicial and administrative functions of the Supreme Court, as affirmed in State of Rajasthan v. Prakash Chand (1997). Embodies the idea of “first among equals”, where every Supreme Court judge is equal in judicial authority, though the CJI heads administration.
- Judicial Powers (Constitutional Basis):
- Article 145 – Constitutes Constitution Benches and interprets laws involving substantial constitutional questions.
- Article 136 – Exercises special leave jurisdiction for appeals involving major legal principles.
- Article 32 – Safeguards Fundamental Rights under the Court’s original jurisdiction.
- Judicial Leadership: Shapes the jurisprudential direction of the Supreme Court through allocation of landmark constitutional cases and formation of larger benches.
- Administrative Responsibilities:
- Manages the Supreme Court’s roster system, case assignments, and judicial schedules.
- Oversees registry operations, staff management, and disciplinary matters across subordinate courts.
- Ensures judicial governance, transparency, and institutional coordination with the executive and legislature.
- Advisory Jurisdiction (Article 143): The President of India may refer legal or constitutional questions for the Court’s advisory opinion; the CJI leads and represents the Court’s collective advisory view.
- Appointment Process (Article 124):
- The President appoints the CJI based on seniority convention — the senior-most Supreme Court judge is recommended by the outgoing CJI.
- The Law Minister seeks the outgoing CJI’s recommendation, which is forwarded via the Prime Minister to the President for formal appointment.
- Historical Exceptions:
- Justice A.N. Ray (1973) – superseded three senior judges post-Kesavananda Bharati.
- Justice M.H. Beg (1977) – superseded Justice H.R. Khanna after ADM Jabalpur.
- Qualifications (Article 124(3)): Must be an Indian citizen with either:
- 5 years as a High Court judge, or
- 10 years as a High Court advocate, or
- Recognition as a distinguished jurist by the President.
- Tenure and Retirement: Holds office until age 65 under Article 124(2).
- Removal (Article 124(4)): Possible only through impeachment by Parliament for proven misbehaviour or incapacity, requiring:
- Majority of total membership in both Houses, and
- Two-thirds majority of members present and voting.
| [UPSC 2021] With reference to the Indian judiciary, consider the following statements:
1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act as a Supreme Court judge by the Chief Justice of India with the prior permission of the President of India.
2. A High Court in India has the power to review its own judgment as the Supreme Court does
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 * (d) Neither I nor 2 |
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Why in the News?
The Supreme Court has allowed the Union Government to reconsider its additional Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues from Vodafone-Idea for FY 2016–17, giving relief to the debt-ridden telecom firm.
About Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR):
- Overview: AGR is the revenue base used by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to calculate license fees and spectrum usage charges (SUC) owed by telecom operators.
- Origin: Introduced under the National Telecom Policy, 1999, AGR represents a share of total earnings payable by service providers to the government.
- DoT’s Interpretation: Encompasses all revenues, both core telecom (e.g., call, SMS, data) and non-telecom (e.g., interest, rent, capital gains, dividends).
- Telecom Operators’ View: Contended that AGR should cover only core operational revenues, excluding non-telecom income unrelated to telecom services.
- Components (as upheld by the Supreme Court, 2019):
- Included: Call charges, data usage, roaming/interconnection fees, value-added services, interest, rent, and forex gains.
- Excluded: Goods and Services Tax (GST) and revenue already shared with other operators.
- Financial Fallout: The 2019 verdict imposed ₹1.47 lakh crore in retrospective dues, triggering a liquidity crisis and sectoral consolidation.
- Current Context (2025): The Supreme Court has permitted policy reconsideration of excess AGR demands, signalling a more flexible, reform-oriented telecom regime.
What is the AGR Dispute?
- Legal Conflict: between telecom operators and the DoT on the scope of “gross revenue” used for fee computation.
- Operators’ Argument: Only telecom-related income, from calls, SMS, and internet, should form part of AGR.
- DoT’s Position: AGR must also include non-core revenues, expanding liability through inclusion of financial and ancillary income.
- Supreme Court Ruling (2019): Upheld DoT’s broad definition, mandating payment of full dues with interest, penalty, and interest on penalty.
- Sectoral Consequence: The judgment destabilised telecom finances, leading to the exit of smaller players and near-duopoly between Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.
- Vodafone-Idea Case: With dues over ₹58,000 crore, Vi became the worst-hit; the government later converted part of its dues into equity, acquiring a 49% stake to prevent insolvency.
- Policy Evolution: AGR, once a litigation issue, now reflects a governance reform debate, balancing fiscal interests, sector viability, and consumer protection within India’s telecom ecosystem.
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Why in the News?
The 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Summit (2025) is being held in Gyeongju City, South Korea
About Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC):
- Establishment: Created in 1989 as a regional economic forum to enhance the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific region.
- Objective: Promote balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative, and secure growth, and accelerate regional economic integration.
- Membership: Comprises 21 member economies– Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam.
- Secretariat: Headquartered in Singapore, coordinating policy dialogues, working groups, and capacity-building across member economies.
- Decision-Making Principle: Functions on voluntary, non-binding, and consensus-based commitments rather than treaty obligations.
- Economic Scale: Represents 2.9 billion people, accounting for ~60% of global GDP and ~48% of global trade.
- Terminology: Refers to its members as “economies” (not countries) to accommodate non-sovereign entities like Hong Kong and Taiwan.
- Major Frameworks:
- Bogor Goals (1994) – Free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific.
- APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040 – Envisions an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040.
- Focus Areas: Trade liberalisation, digital economy, supply chain resilience, sustainable energy, and inclusive growth.
India and APEC:
- Membership: India is NOT a member but has shown consistent interest since the early 1990s, aligning with its Look East / Act East Policy.
- Geographical Criterion: APEC’s membership is limited to Asia-Pacific economies, while India is categorised under South Asia, restricting eligibility.
- Economic Context: India’s gradual liberalisation in the 1990s contrasted with APEC’s open market orientation, reducing its early appeal to members.
- Political Resistance: China has reportedly opposed India’s entry to maintain regional influence and prevent rival power balancing.
- Moratorium: A 1997 freeze on new memberships continues to block India’s formal inclusion.
- Current Engagement: Participates in Track-II dialogues, observer consultations, and partner discussions with APEC economies.
- Strategic Significance:
- APEC economies drive 60% of world GDP and 48% of global trade.
- Membership would improve market access, FDI inflows, and digital integration.
- Enhances India’s engagement with U.S., Japan, China, and ASEAN through multilateral diplomacy.
- Alternative Platforms: India engages APEC members via BRICS, QUAD, IPEF, and RCEP-linked forums, expanding Indo-Pacific economic influence.
- Future Outlook: Once the moratorium is lifted, India’s robust economic scale, digital economy, and supply chain capacity make it a strong candidate for future APEC membership.
| [UPSC 2017] With reference to `Asia Pacific’ Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development (APMCHUD)’, consider the following statements:
1. The first APMCHUD was held in India in 2006 on the theme `Emerging Urban Forms – Policy Responses and Governance Structure’.
2. India hosts all the Annual Ministerial Conferences in partnership with ADB, APEC and ASEAN.
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?
This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in Down To Earth.
About Vidyapati Thakur (1352 – 1448):
- Identity and Origin: Celebrated Maithili poet, philosopher, and scholar from Mithila (northern Bihar), active under the Oiniwar dynasty during the 14th–15th centuries.
- Languages Used: Composed in Maithili, Sanskrit, and Avahatta, blending classical and vernacular idioms into a unified literary tradition.
- Cultural Role: Revered as the “Father of Maithili Literature”, he elevated a regional tongue to a medium of devotion and philosophy, breaking Sanskrit monopoly.
- Historical Setting: Lived amid the Bhakti movement’s eastern rise, when devotional currents merged with courtly Sanskrit and folk traditions.
Major Contributions:
- Bhakti Poetry (Padavali): Authored lyrical songs of Radha–Krishna love, giving women voice and agency through emotive Maithili verse.
- Linguistic Innovation: Asserted “Desil bayana sab jan mittha” – the sweetness of native speech – thereby legitimising vernacular expression against Sanskrit elitism.
- Ethical and Philosophical Thought: In Purusha-Pariksha, upheld knowledge and humility as the marks of true nobility, challenging caste and wealth hierarchies.
- Ecological Vision: Bhu-Parikramanam portrayed rivers, groves, winds as moral presences, anticipating environmental ethics centuries before modern discourse.
- Devotional Hymns: His Ganga Stuti personified the river as divine mother and moral teacher, uniting spirituality with ecological reverence.
- Administrative Scholarship: Likhanavali functioned as a manual of governance and record-keeping, showing mastery beyond poetics.
- Regional Influence: His idiom spread to Bengal, Odisha, and Assam, inspiring the Brajabuli tradition and Chaitanya-era Vaishnava poets.
- Culture–Nature Synthesis: Saw land as sacred, trees as temples, and rivers as teachers, merging ecology with devotion and ethics.
- Enduring Legacy: A bridge between Sanskrit classic and regional modernity, Vidyapati’s ideals of love, humility, and environmental ethic continue to define Mithila’s cultural identity.
| [UPSC 2019] Consider the following statements:
1. Saint Nimbarka was a contemporary of Akbar. 2. Saint Kabir was greatly influenced by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi.
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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PYQ Relevance
[UPSC 2021] Constitutional Morality’ is rooted in the Constitution itself and is founded on its essential facets. Explain the doctrine of ‘Constitutional Morality’ with the help of relevant judicial decisions.
Linkage: This topic is highly significant for UPSC Mains, especially in GS Paper II (Polity & Governance) and GS Paper IV (Ethics), as it tests the understanding of how ethical governance aligns with constitutional principles. |
Mentor’s Comment
Constitutional morality lies at the heart of India’s democratic ethos, acting as the invisible moral compass that guides law, governance, and justice. The article, written by Justice K. Anand Venkatesh, explores how morality is embedded within constitutional functioning. It is not embedded as a sentimental ideal, but as a living principle that upholds the dignity of institutions and individuals alike. In a time when popular morality often clashes with constitutional values, this debate assumes renewed urgency.
Introduction
The Supreme Court of India has repeatedly reaffirmed the link between law and morality, from P. Rathinam v. Union of India (1994) to the Indian Young Lawyers Association v. State of Kerala (2018). The concept of constitutional morality, originally discussed by Greek historian George Grote in 1846, has resurfaced as a vital restraint against arbitrary governance and populist impulses. It demands adherence to constitutional values, equality, liberty, justice, and fraternity, by all organs of the State and its citizens.
Why in the News
Recent judicial pronouncements have revived debates around constitutional morality as a guiding force for both lawmakers and administrators. Justice Venkatesh’s commentary highlights that democracy without moral discipline risks degenerating into majoritarian rule, where transient popular sentiments override fundamental rights. The renewed emphasis on cultivating constitutional morality reflects India’s struggle to reconcile ethical governance with political pragmatism.
Evolution and Context of Constitutional Morality
- Historical Roots: Greek historian George Grote coined “constitutional morality” to describe citizens’ disciplined adherence to constitutional norms ensuring liberty and restraint in governance.
- Indian Adoption: The term entered Indian discourse through Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who viewed it as essential for the successful working of democracy in a diverse society.
- Judicial Recognition: The Supreme Court acknowledged the interlinkage of law and morality in P. Rathinam (1994). It emphasized the law’s moral purpose , “to conserve not only the safety and order but also the moral welfare of the State.”
- Hart-Devlin Debate: In the 1960s, the famous Hart-Devlin debate discussed whether the law should enforce moral standards. This is an idea that continues to influence Indian jurisprudence.
What Distinguishes Constitutional Morality from Popular Morality
- Constitutional Morality: Reflects adherence to constitutional principles such as rule of law, equality before law, and institutional propriety.
- Popular Morality: Represents transient societal opinions or majoritarian values, often inconsistent with constitutional ethics.
- Judicial Balancing: Courts have often upheld constitutional morality against majoritarian pressures, as seen in Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018), where decriminalization of homosexuality was justified on constitutional grounds rather than social acceptance.
- Outcome: Promotes stability, fairness, and inclusivity in democratic functioning.
Judicial Approach and Key Judgments
- S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994): Reinforced secularism as a constitutional principle forming part of basic structure.
- Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973): Introduced the “basic structure doctrine,” embedding constitutional morality as a restraint on legislative excess.
- Indian Young Lawyers Association v. State of Kerala (2018): Stressed that constitutional morality must prevail over religious or social morality, allowing women’s entry into Sabarimala Temple.
- Navtej Singh Johar (2018): Affirmed that constitutional morality demands protection of individual autonomy and dignity, even if social morality disagrees.
- State (NCT of Delhi) v. Union of India (2018): Asserted that constitutional functionaries must act within “constitutional morality,” not political expediency.
Challenges in Practising Constitutional Morality
- Institutional Erosion: Weakening of legislative debate and executive accountability dilutes constitutional culture.
- Majoritarian Pressures: Electoral populism often overrides institutional restraint and judicial independence.
- Moral Ambiguity: Absence of a codified moral code makes enforcement of constitutional morality subjective.
- Public Awareness: Limited civic understanding of constitutional ethics hampers its internalization at citizen level.
Way Forward
- Cultivation of Ethical Citizenship: Strengthens democratic maturity through civic education and moral training.
- Institutional Accountability: Ensures public functionaries act within constitutional boundaries through transparent checks.
- Judicial Vigilance: Maintains the moral compass of the State through continued emphasis on rights-based interpretation.
- Political Restraint: Encourages lawmakers to prioritize constitutional conscience over populist demand.
Conclusion
Constitutional morality ensures that democracy functions not merely through elections but through adherence to constitutional ethics. It provides a moral foundation for governance, ensuring that justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity are lived realities, not abstract ideals. In an era of polarization, it acts as the Republic’s moral compass, binding the State and its citizens to the spirit of the Constitution.
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Introduction
On October 1, 2025, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das unveiled steps to deepen INR–NPR linkages. This move signals India’s intent to make the rupee a regional trade and investment currency. These include:
- Allowing Authorised Dealer (AD) banks to lend INR to non-residents from Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka.
- Permitting Special Rupee Vostro Accounts for foreign banks to hold Indian bonds and corporate papers.
- Establishing a transparent reference rate for major trading partner currencies to facilitate INR-based transactions.
This marks a strategic departure from decades of tightly controlled cross border monetary flows. It aligns with India’s ambition to make the rupee a “South Asian Settlement Currency” and deepen economic resilience across borders.
The Significance of RBI’s Move:
- Internationalisation of INR: Strengthens INR’s role as a regional settlement currency, reducing dependence on the dollar.
- Cross border integration: Enables Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka to engage in INR based transactions, supporting regional financial stability.
- Investor confidence: Allows Nepalese investors to diversify holdings in Indian bonds and securities.
- Trade facilitation: Establishes a transparent mechanism for pricing and settlement of bilateral trade.
The Hurdles in Nepal
- COVID-19 Economic Fallout: Nepal’s economy struggled with post-pandemic recovery as industrial performance remained weak.
- Credit Crunch: Low confidence among banks led to restricted lending, making it difficult for small businesses to sustain.
- Supply Chain Strain: Domestic credit shortages impacted internal supply chains and imports, amplifying inflationary pressures.
- Structural Weakness: Chronic trade deficit, narrow industrial base, and dependency on remittances limit growth resilience.
- Political Uncertainty: Frequent political instability has deepened investor hesitation.
How India’s Lending Outreach Could Change the Game
- Rupee Lending Window: RBI’s INR credit facility allows Nepalese firms to access Indian capital markets, easing liquidity pressure.
- Reduced Dollar Dependence: Using INR for trade and lending could insulate both economies from dollar exchange fluctuations.
- Enhanced Trust: Transparent reference rates can reduce cross border settlement disputes and improve institutional confidence.
- Joint Ventures: Encourages cross border investments and participation in sectors like hydropower, manufacturing, and tourism.
The Trade Equation Between India and Nepal
- High Interdependence: India remains Nepal’s largest trading partner, accounting for 65% of its total trade.
- FDI Flows: India is Nepal’s largest FDI source, contributing 33% of total foreign investment, worth nearly $670 million.
- Export–Import Composition: India imports billion dollar worth of goods from Nepal, including coffee, tea, and herbal products, while exporting essential commodities and petroleum.
- Monetary Peg: The INR–NPR peg (₹1 = NPR 1.6) has stabilised bilateral transactions for decades, but rising inflation and dollar volatility demand recalibration.
Challenges to Implementation
- Institutional Compliance: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) must reform regulatory processes to align with RBI’s updated norms.
- Risk of Overdependence: Over reliance on INR could expose Nepal’s economy to India’s monetary shocks.
- Operational Barriers: Currency convertibility limits and legal harmonisation may delay smooth execution.
- Political Sensitivity: Perception of “rupee dominance” may spark internal opposition in Nepal’s political circles.
Possible Multiplier Effects
- Stronger INR: If successfully implemented, the move can strengthen INR internationally while stabilising Nepal’s currency.
- Reduced Dollar Outflows: Bilateral INR use saves foreign exchange reserves, improving both nations’ current account positions.
- Boost to Trade Financing: Easier credit availability to Nepalese traders can expand import capacity for Indian goods.
- Regional Model: Success may inspire replication with Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh under the Neighbourhood First Policy.
Conclusion
The RBI’s initiative represents more than a banking reform, it is a strategic assertion of economic diplomacy in South Asia. By aligning monetary instruments with foreign policy, India aims to create a shared financial ecosystem that stabilises its neighbourhood while propelling the rupee towards international recognition. For Nepal, this marks a chance to integrate deeper into India’s growth story and move towards sustainable, confidence driven development.
PYQ Relevance
[UPSC 2018] How would the recent phenomena of protectionism and currency manipulations in world trade affect macroeconomic stability of India?
Linkage: This question relates to currency stability and external sector management. The RBI–Nepal rupee measures reflect India’s proactive approach to enhance rupee resilience and reduce dollar dependence, aligning with UPSC’s recurring focus on monetary stability and economic diplomacy.
Value Addition
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Internationalisation of the Indian Rupee (INR)
- Definition: Internationalisation of the rupee refers to the increasing use of INR in cross-border trade, investment, and financial transactions, reducing reliance on foreign currencies like the US dollar.
- Objective: Strengthen India’s economic sovereignty, reduce exchange rate risk, and enhance global confidence in the rupee as a settlement currency.
- Recent Policy Measures:
- RBI’s 2022 Circular: Allowed INR invoicing and settlement of international trade.
- Special Vostro Accounts: Enabled partner nations (e.g., Russia, UAE, Nepal) to hold rupee balances for bilateral trade.
- RBI–Nepal Measures (2025): Permitted INR lending, rupee-based bonds, and reference rate mechanisms.
- INR–Dirham Linkage: Facilitated oil payments in rupees via UAE, strengthening South–South trade.
- Benefits:
- Reduces Forex Outflows: Decreases demand for dollars in trade settlements.
- Improves External Stability: Mitigates impact of global currency volatility.
- Boosts Trade Competitiveness: Simplifies invoicing for neighbouring countries.
- Supports Regional Integration: Promotes South Asian financial architecture anchored in INR.
- Enhances India’s Soft Power: Projects rupee as a symbol of economic strength and trust.
- Challenges:
- Limited convertibility of INR in capital account.
- Regulatory asymmetry among trading partners.
- Need for deep rupee-denominated financial markets abroad.
- Possible geopolitical resistance to India’s monetary expansion.
- Global Examples:
- China’s Yuan (CNY): Integrated into IMF’s SDR basket (2016).
- Euro (EUR): Serves as a model for regional monetary integration.
- Reports & Committees:
- RBI Inter-Departmental Group (2023): Highlighted steps for gradual and phased INR internationalisation.
- IMF Report (2023): Identified INR among potential emerging reserve currencies.
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Introduction and Why in the News
Artificial Intelligence, once hailed purely as an efficiency enhancer, is now at the centre of ethical, cybersecurity, and accountability debates. The AI@Work roundtable in Mumbai, moderated by industry and data leaders, highlighted that as organisations adopt AI to accelerate operations, they are simultaneously confronting unprecedented risks. These risks arise from data breaches and AI unpredictability to physical and digital intrusions. Globally, the scale of the threat is stark: over 36,000 AI-driven cyber incidents have been detected recently, revealing vulnerabilities that demand robust governance mechanisms. The focus is shifting from innovation for profit to AI for responsible, transparent, and accountable governance.
How is AI reshaping governance and business operations?
- AI as a catalyst: AI is transforming industries, automating functions, and unlocking efficiency, especially in large corporations like HPCL.
- Governance shift: The emphasis is moving from using AI for automation to using it for secure, ethical, and explainable decision-making.
- Corporate accountability: Company Boards are now integrating AI risk management as part of business strategy and compliance mechanisms.
What are the major cybersecurity challenges emerging from AI integration?
- Dual challenge: HPCL and similar enterprises face both digital intrusions and physical tampering, such as pipeline or fuel data manipulation.
- Data breaches and tampering: AI systems amplify vulnerabilities by collecting, analysing, and predicting based on sensitive data.
- AI unpredictability: As one executive noted, AI “can behave unpredictably”, even making errors like confusing CAPTCHA, reflecting how AI mimics but doesn’t fully understand human behaviour.
- Evolving threats: Traditional cybersecurity tools like SIEM systems are being replaced by AI-based predictive defence models.
How are organisations building responsible AI frameworks?
- Ethical design: Companies are embedding AI hygiene protocols involving legal, ethical, and operational reviews.
- Cross-functional training: AI safety and compliance are being promoted through employee retraining and AI literacy initiatives.
- Accountability culture: “Who builds, who manages, and who owns AI” is now being formalised as part of corporate accountability structures.
- AI governance frameworks: Emphasis on explainability, transparency, and traceability of AI decisions.
How is India’s corporate sector responding to data and cybersecurity concerns?
- AI-based monitoring: Firms like HPCL have set up ATOM – Autonomous Threat Operations Machines capable of detecting and neutralising threats within minutes.
- Prioritisation of data integrity: Secure perimeters, application firewalls, and endpoint safety are now standard.
- Rise of human-AI synergy: Human oversight remains essential even as AI automates responses.
- New compliance model: AI-driven auditing and data lineage tools enhance traceability and prevent tampering.
Why is accountability and explainability central to future AI governance?
- Ownership and transparency: AI accountability now spans design to deployment stages.
- Explainability: Organisations must show how AI works, not just that it works, to maintain compliance.
- Ethical responsibility: AI ethics involves documenting data sources, audit trails, and decisions for regulatory and consumer trust.
- Broader awareness: Employees and consumers alike are being educated about AI literacy and bias detection.
Conclusion
The shift of AI conversations towards governance and cybersecurity signifies India’s entry into a new phase of responsible innovation. As AI pervades every domain, from finance to fuel, the focus must remain on trust, transparency, and traceability. Building ethical AI ecosystems that value both progress and protection is now essential for sustainable digital governance.
PYQ Relevance
[UPSC 2023] Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does AI help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of AI in healthcare?
Linkage: Both the article and the question highlight how AI, while enhancing efficiency in fields like healthcare and governance, raises critical concerns over data privacy, transparency, and ethical accountability.
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Why in the News?
In his Mann Ki Baat broadcast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon citizens to commemorate 150 years of our national song “Vande Mataram”.
About Vande Mataram:
- Overview: Written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay around 1875, originally in Sanskrit (Bengali script) and later included in his novel Anandamath (1882), depicting the Sannyasi Rebellion against British rule.
- Meaning: It means “I bow to thee, Mother”, symbolising devotion to the motherland, unity, and the spirit of sacrifice.
- First Rendition: First sung publicly by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 Indian National Congress Session, transforming it into a nationalist anthem.
- Role in Freedom Struggle: Became a rallying cry for revolutionaries in Swadeshi Movement, sung in protests, prisons, and meetings representing Ma Bharati as a symbol of resistance and national pride.
- Official Status: In 1937, the Indian National Congress adopted its first two stanzas as the National Song; on January 24, 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad granted it equal status with Jana Gana Mana in the Constituent Assembly.
- Structure & Style: Comprises six stanzas, combining Sanskrit precision and Bengali rhythm, praising India’s nature, strength, and divinity.
- Translations & Music: Sri Aurobindo translated it into English (Karmayogin, 1909); V.D. Paluskar and Ravi Shankar popularised musical renditions.
- Cultural Symbolism: Personifies India as the Divine Mother, transcending religious and regional divides; played instrumentally at the end of Parliamentary sessions.
[UPSC 2016] ‘Swadeshi’ and ‘Boycott’ were adopted as methods of struggle for the first time during the
Options: (a) Agitation against the Partition of Bengal *
(b) Home Rule Movement
(c) Non-Cooperation Movement
(d) Visit of the Simon Commission to India |
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Why in the News?
East Timor (Timor-Leste) was formally admitted as the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during the summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
What is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)?
- Establishment: Founded in 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand through the Bangkok Declaration.
- Purpose: To promote economic growth, political stability, regional peace, and cultural cooperation in Southeast Asia.
- Membership: 11 nations – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and East Timor.
- Institutional Pillars:
- Political-Security Community,
- Economic Community,
- Socio-Cultural Community.
- Legal Framework: The ASEAN Charter (2008) gave it a legal identity and deepened integration on the EU model.
- Economic Scale: Represents 680 million people with a combined GDP > $3.8 trillion, making it a leading global growth hub.
- External Partnerships: Engages India, China, Japan, USA, Australia, etc., through forums like the East Asia Summit (EAS) and ASEAN Plus Six.
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About East Timor (Timor-Leste):
- Location: Situated in Southeast Asia, occupying the eastern half of Timor Island, bordered by Indonesia (west) and Australia (south).
- Colonial History: A Portuguese colony for 400+ years until Indonesia’s invasion in 1975, shortly after a brief independence.
- Independence: Achieved full sovereignty in 2002 following the UN-supervised 1999 referendum ending 24 years of occupation.
- Demographics: Population ≈1.4 million; 42% below poverty line; two-thirds under age 30, making employment creation a core policy focus.
- Economy: Dependent on oil and gas revenues, now diversifying toward agriculture, tourism, and digital infrastructure due to depleting reserves.
- Political Leadership: Led by PM Xanana Gusmao and President Jose Ramos-Horta (1996 Nobel Peace Prize laureate).
- Regional Integration: Became ASEAN’s 11th member in Oct 2025, marking the bloc’s first expansion since 1999.
| [UPSC 2009] Consider the following countries:
1. Brunei Darussalam 2. East Timor 3. Laos Which of the above is/are member/members of ASEAN?
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?
The IUCN’s World Heritage Outlook 4 has downgraded India’s Western Ghats, Manas, and Sundarbans National Parks to “Significant Concern” due to climate change, tourism, invasive species, and road expansion.
About IUCN World Heritage Outlook:
- Overview: Launched in 2014 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to evaluate the long-term conservation prospects of all natural and mixed UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Cycle & Methodology: Conducted every three years (2014, 2017, 2020, 2025) using scientific data, field reports, remote-sensing, and expert review to assess retention of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).
- Coverage: The 2025 edition (World Heritage Outlook 4) assesses 200+ sites worldwide, measuring their state, threats, and management effectiveness.
- Assessment Categories:
- Good – Values secure.
- Good with Some Concerns – Moderate threats.
- Significant Concern – Serious pressures.
- Critical – Imminent loss of key values.
Key Findings World Heritage Outlook 4:
- Global Trends: “Positive outlook” sites fell from 63 % (2020) to 57 % (2025); ≈40 % of sites now face significant or critical challenges.
- Dominant Threats: Climate change has overtaken hunting and logging as the leading pressure, joined by tourism overload, invasive species, and infrastructure expansion.
- Management Gaps: Only half of sites effectively funded or staffed; weak law enforcement and community participation slow recovery.
- Positive Models: China (Mt Wuyi, Mt Huangshan) and Sri Lanka (Sinharaja) show improvement through youth involvement and sustainable tourism.
- Policy Relevance: Serves as a “litmus test for global conservation”, informing the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022) and supporting the 30×30 goal.
Key Findings on India’s Western Ghats:
- UNESCO Status: Inscribed in 2012 as a serial World Heritage Site; one of the world’s eight hottest biodiversity hotspots across six states (Gujarat → Tamil Nadu).
- 2025 Outlook Rating: Classified as “Significant Concern” due to rising ecological stress and habitat fragmentation.
- Biodiversity: Home to 325 globally threatened species; endemics include Nilgiri tahr, Malabar civet, Lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri flycatcher.
- Major Threats:
- Hydropower & Infrastructure – e.g., ₹ 5,843 crore Sillahalla Pumped Storage Project (1,000 MW) altering river systems.
- Unregulated Tourism – garbage, wildlife disturbance, elephant conflicts.
- Monoculture Expansion – tea, coffee, rubber replacing native forests.
- Climate Shift – upslope migration of species like the Black-and-Orange Flycatcher.
- Invasive Flora – eucalyptus and acacia reducing soil fertility.
- Conservation Imperatives: Strengthen eco-sensitive zone rules, restore corridors, and expand community-based initiatives (Eco-Development Committees, MGNREGS).
- Regional Significance: Regulates South India’s monsoon and river systems (Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri) sustaining 245 million people.
- Outlook Note: Despite threats, recovery is achievable through landscape-level management, sustainable tourism, and native vegetation restoration.
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Why in the News?
The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) has begun the wet commissioning of the first 250 MW unit of the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (SLHEP), India’s largest hydropower installation.
About Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (SLHEP):
- Overview: A run-of-the-river hydroelectric project located on the Subansiri River at Gerukamukh, straddling Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in the Lower Subansiri district.
- Developer: Implemented by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Limited, India’s leading central public-sector hydropower enterprise.
- Installed Capacity: 2,000 MW (8×250 MW), the largest hydroelectric project in India upon completion.
- Dam Structure: A concrete gravity dam, 116 m high from riverbed (130 m from foundation) and 284 m long, built to withstand high flood discharge and seismic activity of the Eastern Himalayas.
- Reservoir & Components: Features a 34.5 km reservoir, five diversion tunnels, eight spillways, and a surface powerhouse on the right bank.
- Power Output & Benefits: Expected to generate 7,500 MUs annually (90% dependable year), contributing to clean power supply, flood moderation, irrigation, and drinking water for downstream Assam.
- Timeline: Construction began 2005, stalled 2011 due to environmental protests, resumed October 2019 after NGT clearance and PMO intervention.
- Recent Milestone: In October 2025, NHPC began wet commissioning of the first 250 MW unit, marking the project’s operational phase.
Back2Basics: Subansiri River
- Overview: Arises in the Tibetan Himalayas, flows southeast through Miri Hills (Arunachal Pradesh), entering Assam, and joins the Brahmaputra at Lakhimpur.
- Tributary Importance: Largest right-bank tributary of the Brahmaputra, contributing ~7.9% of total river flow.
- Catchment Area: Covers 32,640 sq. km, combining steep Himalayan terrain and fertile plains.
- Local Name: Known as the “Gold River” due to historic alluvial gold traces in its sands.
- Ecological Significance: Supports endemic fish species, riparian forests, and floodplain livelihoods across Dhemaji and Lakhimpur.
- Strategic Relevance: Its high gradient and perennial discharge make it ideal for renewable hydropower, central to Northeast India’s energy security.
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| [UPSC 2024] Recently, the term “pumped-storage hydropower” is actually and appropriately discussed in the context of which one of the following? Options: (a) Irrigation of terraced crop fields
(b) Lift irrigation of cereal crops
(c) Long duration energy storage*
(d) Rainwater harvesting system |
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Why in the News?
The Government of India has announced the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar as Padma-style national awards for excellence in science, technology, and innovation.
Key Highlights of 2025 Awards:
- Vigyan Ratna: Jayant Vishnu Narlikar (posthumously) – astrophysicist and cosmologist known for the Hoyle–Narlikar theory.
- Vigyan Shri: Eight scientists including Gyanendra Pratap Singh, Yusuf M. Shaikh, K. Thangaraj, Pradeep Thapalil, A.B. Pandit, Venkata Mohan, Mahan Mj, and Jayan N.
- Vigyan Yuva: Fourteen young scientists across biology, physics, and data science domains.
- Vigyan Team: CSIR Aroma Mission – for contributions to India’s flavour and fragrance sector, enhancing rural livelihood and agro-innovation.
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About Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP):
- Establishment: Instituted in January 2024 as India’s national Padma-style award for science and technology excellence, recognising scientists, technologists, and innovators of Indian origin, in India or abroad.
- Purpose: Created to replace legacy awards like the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, ensuring transparency, inclusivity, and broader scientific domain coverage.
- Governing Authority: Administered by the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Committee (RVPC), chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, comprising 17 members from major science ministries and research councils.
- Award Calendar:
- Announcement: Every May 11 on National Technology Day.
- Conferment: Every August 23 on National Space Day at Rashtrapati Bhavan, by the President of India.
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- Vigyan Ratna (VR): For lifetime achievement; up to 3 awards annually.
- Vigyan Shri (VS): For distinguished contributions; up to 25 awards.
- Vigyan Yuva – Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB): For scientists under 45 years; up to 25 awards.
- Vigyan Team (VT): For collaborative research groups (≥ 3 members); up to 3 awards.
Coverage & Eligibility:
- Scientific Domains: Thirteen fields including physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, medicine, engineering, agriculture, space science, and innovation.
- Eligibility: Open to Indian citizens and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs); self-nominations not permitted only institutional, departmental, or peer nominations accepted.
- Award Components: Each recipient receives a Sanad signed by the President, a medallion, and a citation booklet; posthumous awards transferred to next of kin.
| [UPSC 2014] For outstanding contribution to which one of the following’ fields is Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize given?
Options: (a) Literature (b) Performing Arts (c) Science* (d) Social Service |
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Why in the News?
Google DeepMind and Google Research has unveiled Cell2Sentence-Scale 27B (C2S-Scale), an AI model based on the Gemma family, marking a major advance in scientific research.
About C2S-Scale:
- Overview: It is a large-language-model (LLM) foundation system created by Google Research, Google DeepMind, and Yale University, designed to interpret the language of cells by converting single-cell transcriptomic data into textual “cell sentences.”
- Foundation & Architecture: Built on the Gamma family of open models with 27 billion parameters, it is among the world’s largest LLMs for biological data analysis.
- Purpose: Bridges single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and natural-language reasoning, allowing biologists to query models conversationally and obtain mechanistic hypotheses instead of raw statistics.
- Experimental Validation: Predicted a CK2-inhibition (silmitasertib + interferon) pathway that increases MHC-I antigen presentation in “cold” tumours, subsequently validated in live-cell assays.
Key Features:
- Parameter Scale: ~27 B parameters showing clear scaling-law gains in biological task performance.
- Data Representation: Converts ranked gene-expression profiles into gene-name sequences, enabling LLMs to treat transcriptomes as text.
- Multimodal Training: Trained on 50 million + single-cell profiles (human + mouse) plus metadata and scientific literature, aligning molecular data with context.
- Functional Range: Performs cell-type identification, perturbation-response prediction, dataset summarisation, cluster captioning, and biological Q&A.
- Reasoning Capability: Generates new, testable hypotheses, extending AI use from pattern detection to biological inference.
- Open-Source Access: Model weights and code released via Hugging Face and partner labs for community replication and benchmarking.
| [UPSC 2025] Consider the following statements:
I. It is expected that Majorana 1 chip will enable quantum computing.
II. Majorana 1 chip has been introduced by Amazon Web Services (AWS).
III. Deep learning is machine learning.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) I and II only (b) II and III only (c) I and III only * (d) I, II and III |
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PYQ Relevance
[UPSC 2020] In order to enhance the prospects of social development, sound and adequate health care policies are needed particularly in the fields of geriatric and maternal health care. Discuss.
Linkage: Just as maternal and geriatric health require targeted policies, this article highlights the urgent need for child specific pharmaceutical regulation, reinforcing that inclusive social development demands age-segmented health care frameworks addressing the unique vulnerabilities of each group. |
Mentor’s Comment
The tragic deaths of 25 children in Madhya Pradesh due to contaminated cough syrup have reignited a critical debate on India’s regulatory failure in child health and pharmaceutical safety. The incident exposes deep gaps in monitoring, quality control, and the larger question of how India safeguards its youngest citizens’ right to health. For UPSC aspirants, this issue links to public health governance (GS-2), ethical administration (GS-4), and inclusive growth (GS-3), all central to understanding India’s social contract with its people.
Why in the News?
Twenty five children lost their lives after consuming contaminated cough syrup, a tragedy that shocked the nation. The pediatrician involved reportedly received a ₹2.54 lakh commission for prescribing the syrup, raising questions about medical ethics, accountability, and the systemic failure of regulation. This is not an isolated case, since 2022, contaminated syrups from India have caused deaths in Gambia, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, and Cameroon, denting India’s image as the “pharmacy of the Global South.” The issue marks a repeated failure of quality control and enforcement, despite India having one of the largest pharmaceutical industries in the world.
Where the Focus Needs to Be
- Regulatory framework: The emphasis must shift from blame to building robust regulatory architecture for the distribution of pediatric medicines.
- Child health protection: India must uphold its constitutional commitment under Article 39(f), ensuring children’s right to health and development.
- Legal ecosystem: Existing laws, such as the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act and National Policy for Children 2013, must evolve to cover medicine safety for children.
How Inadequate Oversight Endangers Children
- Weak pharmacovigilance: Insufficient clinical data and lack of dedicated pediatric testing result in drugs for adults being extrapolated for children.
- Dosage disparity: Absence of age-specific dosage guidelines often leads to overmedication and severe side effects.
- Special needs ignored: Pediatric pharmacology demands unique formulations, but most drugs are designed with adults as the reference.
- Ethical breach: The commission based medical practice further erodes trust, especially when children’s lives are at stake.
What the Global Framework Teaches India
- Regulatory precedents: The European Union’s Paediatric Use Marketing Authorisation and the U.S. Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act (BPCA) mandate pediatric testing for all drugs.
- Holistic approach: These frameworks ensure drug safety through clinical data collection, financial incentives for manufacturers, and legal enforcement.
- Indian gap: India lacks such comprehensive laws; existing rules focus only on general health safety, not pediatric-specific provisions.
Why Pediatric Medicines Need Special Policy Attention
- Essential medicine concept: The WHO defines essential medicines as those meeting priority health needs. Pediatric formulations should be an integral part of this.
- Affordability: Without public support, many families cannot afford safe alternatives, forcing them to buy untested drugs.
- Domestic R&D: India’s dependency on adult-tested formulations highlights the absence of child focused pharmaceutical innovation.
- Education and regulation: Pharmacists and caregivers need training to ensure proper dosage and drug choice.
How India Can Reform Pediatric Drug Policy
- Zero tolerance on contamination: Strong penalties and criminal accountability for substandard and spurious drugs.
- Independent regulator: A separate Pediatric Drug Safety Division within CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation).
- Integrated surveillance: Real time data monitoring for adverse pediatric drug reactions through digital reporting.
- International benchmarking: Alignment of India’s pediatric drug policy with WHO and OECD standards.
- Public awareness: Dissemination of safety information to parents, caregivers, and schools.
Need for India Data
- Evidence based policy: India must base its pediatric drug policy on domestic child health data rather than extrapolations from adult studies or foreign datasets.
- Malnutrition link: Toxicity of contaminated syrups is worsened by underlying malnutrition, emphasizing a multi sectoral child health approach.
Conclusion
India’s children represent 39% of its population, yet policy neglect leaves them vulnerable to unsafe drugs and unethical practices. The current crisis is not just about regulatory lapses but about violating the fundamental right to health and life under Article 21. India must institutionalize a child-specific pharmaceutical policy, backed by strict monitoring, ethical medical practices, and international standard oversight. Ensuring safe, affordable, and regulated pediatric medicines is not merely a policy choice, it is a moral obligation and constitutional duty.
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