Why in the News?
German researchers found that P. aeruginosa bacteria can switch a key gene (glpD) on or off, even though the bacteria are genetically identical â a survival trick called epigenetic bistability.
About Pseudomonas aeruginosa:
- Nature: Rod-shaped bacterium found in soil, water, and hospital environments.
- Pathogen Type: Opportunistic; infects mainly those with weakened immunity.
- Resistance: Forms biofilms (protective layers), making it highly resistant to antibiotics.
- Genetic Flexibility: Large genome (~6,000 genes) allows adaptation to diverse environments.
Impact on Humans:
- Hospital Infections: Leading cause of hospital-acquired infections.
- Vulnerable Groups: Burn patients, catheter users, cystic fibrosis patients.
- Diseases Caused: Keratitis (eye infection), urinary tract infections, pneumonia, bloodstream infections.
- Mortality: Strong antibiotic resistance makes treatment difficult, leading to high hospital deaths.
Recent Research Findings:
- Discovery: German researchers identified bistable expression of the glpD gene (active in some cells, inactive in others).
- Survival Advantage: This variability helps bacteria survive hostile conditions and trigger infections even from small populations.
- Experiments:
- Cells with glpD active were more lethal in moth larvae and mouse immune models.
- Cells without glpD showed reduced infection ability.
- Significance: Onâoff switching of glpD is a survival and infection strategy; targeting this mechanism may lead to new treatments for resistant infections.
| [UPSC 2010] Which bacterial strain, developed from natural isolated by genetic manipulations, can be used for treating oil spills?
Options: (a) Agrodbacterium (b) Clostridium (c) Nitrosomonas (d) Pseudomonas* |
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Why in the News?
The Trump administration sanctioned judges and prosecutors of the International Criminal Court (ICC) over arrest cases involving Israeli leaders and past probes into U.S. officials.
About the International Criminal Court (ICC):
- Established: 2002 under the Rome Statute (1998); headquartered at The Hague, Netherlands.
- Nature: First permanent international court to try individuals for grave crimes.
- Jurisdiction over 4 core crimes:
-
- Genocide
- Crimes against humanity
- War crimes
- Crime of aggression
- Members: 124 States Parties
- NON-members: India, China, USA, Russia, Israel, Ukraine
- Structure:
- Office of the Prosecutor â investigates and prosecutes cases.
- 18 Judges â elected for 9 years.
- Assembly of States Parties â governs ICC administration.
- Trust Fund for Victims, Detention Centre
- Languages: English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish
- Funding: Annual budget (2025) ~ âŹ195 million (mostly from member states)
Jurisdiction and Reach of an ICC Warrant:
- Applicability:
- Crimes by nationals of member states
- Crimes committed on member state territory
- UNSC referrals can extend jurisdiction to non-member states (e.g., Libya, Darfur)
- Obligations on States:
- Member states must execute arrest warrants and cooperate fully.
- Non-compliance can be reported to Assembly of States Parties or UN Security Council (for UNSC referrals)
- Challenges:
- ICC lacks an independent enforcement mechanism
- Non-members (e.g., US, Russia) are not bound to cooperate
- Political and diplomatic constraints hinder the execution of warrants
- Special Mechanisms: ICC established an Arrest Working Group (2016) to enhance warrant enforcement through better intelligence-sharing.
| [UPSC 2022] Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue with Senkaku Islands, sometimes mentioned in the news ?
Options:
(a) It is generally believed that they are artificial islands made by a country around South China Sea.
(b) China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in East China Sea. *
(c) A permanent American military base has been set up there to help Taiwan to increase its defence capabilities.
(d) Though International Court of Justice declared them as no manâs land, some South-East Asian countries claim them. |
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PYQ Relevance
[UPSC 2022] Discuss global warming and mention its effects on the global climate. Explain the control measures to bring down the level of greenhouse gases which cause global warming, in the light of the Kyoto Protocol, 1997.
Linkage: If such a theme on international climate governance and mechanisms can be asked, then Indiaâs Climate Finance Taxonomy also becomes a significant area. It connects global agreements like the Paris Agreement (Article 6.4) with Indiaâs domestic instruments such as the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme and green bonds. |
Mentors Comment
In May 2025, the Ministry of Finance released the draft Climate Finance Taxonomy, Indiaâs first attempt to formally define what counts as climate-aligned investment. The framework seeks to mobilise green finance, prevent greenwashing, and give clarity to investors. Its success, however, depends on strong review systems, accountability, and stakeholder engagement.
Introduction
The draft taxonomy marks a turning point in Indiaâs climate governance. This is Indiaâs first unified framework for climate finance, introduced amid rising greenwashing risks and investor uncertainty. Arriving alongside the operationalisation of the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme and the rise of green bonds, it comes at a moment of growing pressure to align finance with net-zero goals. As a âliving framework,â it promises adaptability to evolving national and global priorities. But without transparency, legal coherence, and institutional accountability, the taxonomy risks undermining Indiaâs climate finance ecosystem instead of strengthening it.
The Review Architecture for a Living Framework
- Two-tier review system: Suggestion of annual reviews for short-term corrections and five-year reviews for deep reassessment.
- Annual reviews: Triggered by implementation gaps, international obligations, or stakeholder feedback, with structured timelines, documentation protocols, and public consultation.
- Five-year reviews: Linked with Indiaâs NDC cycle and global stocktake under the UNFCCC; ensures long-term resilience in a changing climate finance ecosystem.
Key aspects of the Substantive Review
- Legal coherence: Taxonomy must align with Energy Conservation Act, SEBI norms, Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, and Indiaâs international commitments.
- Harmonisation: Review should remove overlaps, clarify redundancies, and integrate with green bonds, blended finance, and environmental risk disclosures.
- Content clarity: Definitions must remain readable, coherent, and technically precise. Quantitative thresholds (e.g., emissions reduction, energy efficiency benchmarks) must be regularly updated with empirical data.
- Inclusivity: Framework must remain accessible to MSMEs, informal sector, agriculture, and small manufacturing with staggered compliance timelines and proportionate expectations.
Strengthening Governance through Accountability Structures
- Standing unit in the Ministry of Finance: Dedicated body within the Department of Economic Affairs or an expert committee involving financial regulators, climate science institutions, civil society.
- Public dashboards: Mechanisms to receive inputs, document experiences, and publish reports.
- Transparency: Annual review summaries and five-year revision proposals should be made public in consolidated formats to enhance investor trust and policy coherence.
Significance of the Climate Finance Taxonomy for Indiaâs Green Transition
- Carbon Credit Trading Scheme: Soon to be fully operational, requiring clear rules for market credibility.
- Green bonds: Entering mainstream portfolios and stock exchanges, need alignment with taxonomy standards.
- Public investment flows: Rising pressure to align fiscal spending with long-term climate goals.
- Risk of failure: A weak or opaque taxonomy could undermine Indiaâs net-zero transition by encouraging greenwashing and eroding investor trust.
Conclusion
Indiaâs climate taxonomy is more than a definitional exercise, it is a governance tool that can determine the credibility of Indiaâs climate finance system. A âliving documentâ is meaningful only if it is kept alive through active review, structured revision, and transparent engagement. By embedding legal coherence, inclusivity, and accountability, India can ensure the taxonomy becomes a reliable foundation for mobilising investments, reducing greenwashing, and achieving its climate goals.
Value Addition
|
- Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement: Provides a framework for carbon market instruments with legal and editorial review mechanisms; offers a model for Indiaâs taxonomy to ensure transparency, credibility, and alignment with global norms.
- Carbon Market Types:
-
- Compliance Markets: Mandated by law (e.g., EU ETS, upcoming Indiaâs Carbon Credit Trading Scheme).
- Voluntary Markets: Corporate/individual offsetting of emissions beyond legal requirements.
- Green Bonds in India:
-
- First Sovereign Green Bonds issued in 2023 worth âš16,000 crore.
- Used for renewable energy, clean transport, and climate adaptation projects.
- Support Indiaâs target of net-zero by 2070 and deepen climate finance flows.
|
Mapping Microthemes
- GS Paper II: Governance, public consultation, accountability mechanisms.
- GS Paper III: Climate finance, carbon markets, sustainable development, green bonds, energy efficiency.
- GS Paper IV: Ethical finance, transparency, preventing greenwashing.
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Why in the News?
On August 12, 2025, The Wireâs editors Siddharth Varadarajan and Karan Thapar were summoned by the Assam Police under Section 152 of the BNS, even as the Supreme Court had that very day issued protection while examining the constitutional validity of the new sedition law. This open defiance of judicial authority and the use of procedurally defective summons marks a serious blow to press freedom. What makes this moment significant is that the law being challenged is wider and harsher than colonial sedition provisions, despite India claiming to have moved away from such colonial baggage.
Introduction
The sedition debate in India has returned in a new form. While Section 124A IPC was suspended in 2022, the government introduced Section 152 of the BNS, which critics say is âsedition by another name.â The law widens state powers and lowers the threshold for prosecution, making legitimate criticism vulnerable to criminalisation. Recent cases against journalists show how easily this provision can be misused.
Section 152 and Its Differences from the Old Sedition Law
- Expanded scope: Goes beyond âdisaffectionâ against government, criminalising acts deemed to endanger sovereignty, unity, and integrity.
- Lower bar for prosecution: Words like âknowinglyâ dilute intent requirements; mere criticism can be dragged into criminality.
- Colonial continuity: Despite being marketed as decolonisation, Section 152 retains the same suppressive essence as 124A IPC.
The Wire Case and Procedural Violations
- Summons despite SC protection: Assam Police issued notices on the very day of SCâs order, reflecting executive defiance.
- Lack of transparency: Summons omitted FIR dates, details of offence, and copies of FIR, violating BNSS safeguards.
- Political overtones: Linked to The Wireâs report on Operation Sindoor, raising concerns of vendetta-driven policing.
Threats to Press Freedom
- Chilling effect: Journalists may self-censor for fear of harassment.
- Vague definitions: Broad terms like âunityâ and âsovereigntyâ give unchecked power to authorities.
- Targeting dissent: Questioning government policy risks being equated with undermining national integrity.
Judicial Response and Challenges
- Supreme Court scrutiny: SC is examining the constitutional validity of Section 152.
- Precedent of 2022: Earlier suspension of sedition cases showed judicial recognition of misuse.
- Executive overreach: Assam Policeâs defiance underlines the need for stronger judicial safeguards and guidelines.
Broader Democratic Implications
- Freedom of expression at stake: Democracy thrives on criticism; silencing it weakens accountability.
- Comparative perspective: UK repealed sedition in 2009; US limits it only to violent overthrow.
- Governance paradox: Instead of transparency, India risks sliding into a majoritarian security state.
Way Forward
- Clear legislative safeguards: Narrow the scope of Section 152 with precise definitions of terms like âunityâ and âsovereigntyâ to prevent misuse.
- Judicial guidelines: The Supreme Court can lay down binding principles (on the lines of Kedar Nath Singh and Shreya Singhal) that limit sedition to cases of direct incitement to violence or armed rebellion
- Independent oversight: A judicial or quasi-judicial body should vet sedition cases before FIR registration, reducing frivolous prosecutions.
- Strengthening press freedom: Institutional mechanisms like a Media Commission or independent ombudsman can address grievances without criminalisation.
- Comparative best practices: India can draw from the UK model of repeal and the US model of narrow application, balancing national security with democratic freedoms.
- Civic education: Promoting awareness among citizens, journalists, and law enforcement about constitutional morality and reasonable restrictions can ensure a culture of restraint and accountability.
Conclusion
Section 152 represents the persistence of colonial-style suppression under a new name. Unless the judiciary firmly strikes it down or introduces robust safeguards, it will continue to erode press freedom and democratic dissent, pillars without which Indiaâs constitutional promise cannot stand strong.
Value Addition
|
Constitutional Angle
- Article 19(1)(a): Freedom of speech.
- Article 19(2): Reasonable restrictions (sovereignty, unity, public order, etc.).
- Basic Structure Doctrine: Democracy, liberty, and rule of law as inviolable.
Judicial Precedents
- Kedar Nath Singh vs State of Bihar (1962): Sedition valid only when incitement to violence/public disorder is proven.
- Shreya Singhal vs Union of India (2015): Vague terms in laws (like IT Act Section 66A) struck down for chilling free speech.
- SC Order 2022: Suspended all 124A cases, acknowledging misuse.
Reports & Perspectives
- Law Commission of India (2018): Recommended clearer safeguards; questioned necessity of sedition.
- Global practices: UK repealed sedition; US restricts it narrowly.
- BNSS debate: Marketed as decolonisation but seen as repackaging colonial control.
|
Mapping Microthemes
- GS Paper II: Freedom of speech, judiciary, Centre-State federalism
- GS Paper III: Internal security vs. dissent.
- GS Paper IV: Misuse of power, ethics in public life, constitutional morality.
PYQ Relevance
[UPSC 2014] What do you understand by the concept âfreedom of speech and expressionâ? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do the films in India stand on a slightly different plane from other forms of expression? Discuss.
Linkage: The 2014 question on freedom of speech, hate speech, and films mirrors todayâs debate on Section 152. Just as films face stricter scrutiny due to mass impact, the new sedition law risks wrongly placing legitimate criticism and dissent in the same bracket as hate speech or violent incitement. This makes the boundary of free expression a central issue in both contexts. |
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Introduction
In the 1960s, India was reeling under the threat of famine, dependent on food aid like PL-480 imports from the U.S. It was during this crisis that M.S. Swaminathan, in collaboration with Norman Borlaug and with strong political support from leaders like Lal Bahadur Shastri and C. Subramaniam, spearheaded the Green Revolution. By introducing high-yielding dwarf wheat varieties, India moved from âship-to-mouthâ dependence to food self-sufficiency.
His story is not just about agricultural science, it is about leadership, political will, and atmanirbharta in its truest sense. Today, as India aspires for Viksit Bharat and faces the challenge of climate change, his legacy offers critical lessons.
M.S. Swaminathan in the news today:
- Centenary Year: 2025 marks 100 years since the birth of Swaminathan, celebrated with the release of a biography M.S. Swaminathan: The Man Who Fed India.
- Historical Significance: His leadership in the 1960s achieved food self-sufficiency, Indiaâs most successful experiment in aatmanirbharta.
- Relevance Today: India now faces a new agricultural crisis due to climate change, water stress, and soil degradation, making Swaminathanâs lessons critical for the future.
- Striking Contrast: In the 1960s, India relied on foreign food aid; today, India is a food grain exporter, largely due to the foundation Swaminathan built.
Collaboration and scientific exchange in shaping the Green Revolution
- Cross-fertilisation of ideas: Swaminathanâs initial experiments with radiation-induced mutations failed. A Japanese scientistâs input on dwarf wheat and Norman Borlaugâs Mexican varieties changed the course.
- Networking with global scientists: Swaminathan leveraged his contacts to bring Borlaugâs seeds to India, overcoming bureaucratic hurdles.
- Lesson: Science thrives on openness, collaboration, and reduced bureaucracy, not isolation.
The role of political leadership in Swaminathanâs success
- Direct dialogue with scientists: C. Subramaniam (Agriculture Minister) listened directly to Swaminathan, bypassing bureaucratic resistance.
- Evidence-based decisions: Lal Bahadur Shastri personally visited fields to see the new wheat varieties before approving large-scale imports.
- Leadership support: Indira Gandhi carried forward the momentum after Shastriâs death, ensuring continuity.
- Lesson: Strong political will + scientific advice = transformative policy outcomes.
Challenges and criticisms of the Green Revolution
- Opposition from multiple fronts: Finance Ministry resisted spending âš5 crore in forex; Planning Commission doubted the seeds; Left parties opposed U.S. connections (Rockefeller Foundation funding).
- Environmental fallout: Excessive water use, soil degradation, and fertilizer dependence became long-term challenges.
- Swaminathanâs foresight: He himself warned against unsustainable practices and advocated for âevergreen revolutionâ, productivity with sustainability.
Lessons from Swaminathanâs legacy for Viksit Bharat
- Science-Policy Linkages: Scientists must be given autonomy, direct access to policymakers and freedom from bureaucratic bottlenecks.
- R&D Investment: India spends 0.43% of agricultural GDP on R&D, half of Chinaâs share; none of Indiaâs agricultural institutes are in the worldâs top 200, while China has eight in the top 10.
- Sustainability: A climate-resilient agriculture strategy is urgent to prevent food insecurity in the era of global warming.
- Atmanirbharta parallel: Just as Swaminathan made India self-sufficient in food, similar investments are needed in the digital economy, AI and green technologies.
Conclusion
M.S. Swaminathanâs work reminds us that nation-building rests on the fusion of science and statesmanship. His Green Revolution made India food-secure, but his vision of an âevergreen revolutionâ, where productivity meets sustainability, remains unfulfilled. To truly honour him, India must invest in agricultural research, empower scientists, and align policy with long-term sustainability. The man who fed India has left us with not just a legacy but also a roadmap for the future.
Value Addition
|
Key Achievements
- Food Self-Sufficiency: India moved from being a food-deficit, aid-dependent country (âship-to-mouthâ) to self-sufficiency in food grains by the 1970s.
- Wheat Production Boom: From 12 million tonnes (1965), 23 million tonnes (1971), over 100 million tonnes (2020s).
- Avoided Famines: Helped avert large-scale famine during population boom (Indiaâs population doubled between 1950â1980).
- Global Recognition: M.S. Swaminathan + Norman Borlaug collaboration hailed as a model of science-policy partnership.
Criticisms & Limitations
- Regional Imbalance: Benefits concentrated in Punjab, Haryana, Western UP; other states lagged behind.
- Mono-cropping: Focus on wheat and rice discouraged diversification â vulnerability in nutrition and soil health
- Environmental Degradation:
-
- Over-extraction of groundwater â water table crisis in Punjab & Haryana.
- Excessive fertilizer/pesticide use â soil toxicity & health hazards.
- Inequality: Large farmers gained more due to access to credit, irrigation, inputs â widening rural inequality.
- Neglect of Coarse Grains & Pulses: Led to declining production of millets, crucial for nutrition and climate resilience.
Reports & Data
- NITI Aayog (2021): 89% of Indiaâs groundwater used for irrigation â unsustainable.
- FAO Report (2019): Green Revolution improved calorie sufficiency but failed in ensuring nutrition security.
- ICAR Data: Only 0.43% of agricultural GDP is spent on R&D in India vs ~0.86% in China.
Concepts Introduced
- Evergreen Revolution (Swaminathan): Increasing productivity in perpetuity without ecological harm â focus on sustainability.
- Second Green Revolution: Emphasis on pulses, oilseeds, and eastern states under the National Food Security Mission (2007).
- Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Shift towards water-use efficiency, precision farming, and millets revival (2023: International Year of Millets).
Comparative Perspective
- China vs India: China diversified faster into horticulture, aquaculture, and biotech crops; India stayed wheat-rice centric.
- Mexico: Norman Borlaugâs work initially focused there, but India scaled it into a nationwide revolution.
- Africa: âGreen Revolution for Africaâ attempts underway, but limited success due to weak infrastructure.
|
Mapping Microthemes for GS Papers
- GS Paper I: Post-independence consolidation, Nehruvian vision, famine & food security history.
- GS Paper II: Science-policy interface, role of political leadership, bureaucratic hurdles in governance.
- GS Paper III: Food security, Green Revolution, R&D in agriculture, climate change impact, sustainable agriculture.
- GS Paper IV: Leadership ethics, scientific integrity, foresight (Swaminathan warning about sustainability).
PYQ Relevance
[UPSC 2019] How was India benefited from the contributions of Sir M.Visvesvaraya and Dr. M. S. Swaminathan in the fields of water engineering and agricultural science respectively?
Linkage: Dr. M.S. Swaminathanâs pioneering role in the Green Revolution transformed India from a food-deficit nation into a self-sufficient one, ensuring food security and laying the foundation for agricultural atmanirbharta. |
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Why in the News?
The government is considering measures to ensure uniform application of the âcreamy layerâ condition in OBC reservations across central and state government jobs, public sector enterprises, universities, and autonomous bodies.
About the Concept of Creamy Layer:
- Origin: Emerged from Indra Sawhney vs Union of India (1992); excluded affluent Other Backward Class (OBC) groups from reservations.
- 1993 DoPT Rules: Defined creamy layer â children of Group A/Class I officers, early-promoted officials, Group B parents, senior armed forces, high constitutional functionaries, professionals, traders, and large landowners.
- Income Criteria:
- Ceiling: âš1 lakh in 1993, revised to âš8 lakh in 2017.
- Exclusions: Salary and agricultural income not counted.
2004 Clarification & Implementation Issues:
- Clarification: DoPT directed separate assessment of salary and other income (except agriculture).
- Rule: If either exceeded limit (âš2.5 lakh then) for 3 consecutive years â creamy layer.
- Problem: Poor enforcement (2004â14) due to political sensitivities; stricter checks after 2014.
- Impact: Between CSE 2015â23, over 100 OBC caste certificates rejected under new interpretations.
Equivalence Efforts:
- Consultations: Involved Social Justice, Education, Law, Labour Ministries, DoPT, NITI Aayog, NCBC.
- Goal: Standardise creamy layer rules across universities, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and autonomous bodies.
- Proposal: Retrospective relief suggested by Home Minister Amit Shah and NCBC.
Key Proposals Under Consideration:
- University Teachers: Salaries start at Group A-equivalent â children to be creamy layer.
- Autonomous Bodies: Posts aligned with central pay scales.
- Non-Teaching Staff: Categorisation based on equivalence with government jobs.
- PSU Executives: Already included since 2017; those â¤âš8 lakh excluded.
- Aided Institutions: Staff categorised based on parity with govt. employees.
Likely Beneficiaries:
- Lower Govt. Staff: Children of employees earning just above âš8 lakh gain most.
- Correction of Anomalies: Ensures parity between teachers and aided staff.
- State PSU Issues: Fixes cases like fuel pump attendants in PSUs being declared creamy layer.
- Private Sector: No change; creamy layer based only on income/wealth criteria.
| [UPSC 2023] Consider the following organizations/bodies in India:
1. The National Commission for Backward Classes
2. The National Human Rights Commission
3. The National Law Commission
4. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
How many of the above are constitutional bodies?
Options: (a) Only one *(b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four |
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Why in the News?
The Opposition (INDI Alliance bloc) is considering moving a motion of removal of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) in Parliament.
About Election Commission of India (ECI):
- Establishment: Permanent constitutional body set up on 25 January 1950 (National Voters Day).
- Constitutional Basis: Articles 324â329, Part XV of the Constitution.
- Mandate: Conducts elections to Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the offices of President and Vice President.
- Structure: Since 1993, functions as a three-member body with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two Election Commissioners.
- Status of CEC: Same salary, status, and perks as a judge of the Supreme Court of India.
Appointment to ECI:
- Law: Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 (replaced 1991 Act).
- Appointing Authority: President of India.
- Selection Committee: Prime Minister (Chairperson), Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.
- Eligibility: Must have served as a Secretary-level officer in Government of India with proven integrity and election management experience.
- Tenure: 6 years or until 65 years of age, whichever is earlier.
Removal:
- CEC: Removed like a Supreme Court judge (Article 324(5)) on grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity. Requires a motion passed by two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament and Presidential order.
- Other Election Commissioners: Removed only on recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.
| [UPSC 2012] Consider the following statements with reference to India:
1. The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners enjoy equal powers but receive unequal salaries
2. The Chief Election Commissioner is entitled to the same salary as in provided to a judge of the Supreme Court
3. The Chief Election Commissioner shall not be removed from his office except in like manner and on like grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court
4. The term of office of the Election Commissioner is five years from the date he assumes his office or till the day he attains the age of 62 years, whichever is earlier
Which of these statements are correct?
Options: (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3* (c) 1 and 4 (d) 2 and 4 |
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Why in the News?
The Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has provided crucial information regarding the Anna-Chakra Tool to the Parliament.
About Anna-Chakra:
- Purpose: Digital tool to optimise supply chain of the Public Distribution System (PDS).
- Developed by: World Food Programme (WFP) and Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (IIT-Delhi).
- Implementation: Adopted in 30 States/UTs, except Manipur.
- Coverage: Supports 4.37 lakh Fair Price Shops and 6,700 warehouses.
- Savings: Reduces logistics/fuel costs, saving about âš250 crore annually.
- Environmental Impact: Route optimisation reduces travel distance by 15â50%, cutting COâ emissions.
Back2Basics: Public Distribution System (PDS) in India:
- Objective: Provides subsidised food grains to poor households, ensuring food security.
- History: Originated in inter-war years; expanded after 1960s food shortages.
- Reforms: Revamped PDS (1992) extended coverage to rural and poverty-prone areas.
- Structure:
- Centre (FCI) â procurement, storage, transportation, bulk allocation.
- States â distribute food grains to families via Fair Price Shops.
- Coverage: Serves ~800 million people through 5 lakh+ Fair Price Shops.
- Items Distributed: Wheat, rice, sugar, kerosene; some states add pulses and oils.
- Significance: Shields poor households from food price shocks and economic distress.
|
| [UPSC 2008] Consider the following statements:
1. Regarding the procurement of food grains, Government of India follows a procurement target rather than an open-ended procurement policy.
2. Government of India announces minimum support prices only for cereals.
3. For distribution under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), wheat and rice are issued by the Government of India at uniform Central issue prices to the States/Union Territories.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?”
Options: (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3* (d) 3 only |
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Why in the News?
SEBI has released a consultation paper proposing changes in Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) and Minimum Public Offer (MPO) norms for listed companies.
What is Minimum Public Offer (MPO)?
- Meaning: When a company launches an Initial Public Offer (IPO), it must sell a minimum number of shares to the public.
- Analogy: Like a new shop ensuring enough goods are displayed for customers â otherwise trading is thin and controlled by a few.
|
What is Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS)?
- Concept: A company is like a cake. Promoters (founders/owners) usually keep most of it, but SEBI mandates at least 25% must be shared/sold with the public.
- Purpose:
- Broader ownership and participation.
- Fairer prices by reducing manipulation.
- Greater accountability of companies.
What SEBI is proposing?
- Flexibility: Large companies find it difficult to release big chunks of shares at once; rules will be eased.
- Extended Timelines:
- Companies valued at âš50,000â1,00,000 crore now get up to 10 years (instead of 5) to meet 25% MPS.
- They must reach 15% in 5 years first, then 25% in 10 years.
- Reduced Burden: For very large companies, the initial Minimum Public Offer (MPO) will be lowered.
Significance of the Move:
- Market Stability: Selling too many shares too quickly is like flooding the market â prices may fall even if the company is strong.
- Benefits:
- More big companies will list in India.
- Investors can enter gradually without sudden shocks.
- Encourages fund-raising while maintaining fair trading.
| [UPSC 2024] Consider the following statements:
I. India accounts for a very large portion of all equity option contracts traded globally, thus exhibiting a great boom.
II. India’s stock market has grown rapidly in the recent past, even overtaking Hong Kong’s at some point in time.
III. There is no regulatory body either to warn small investors about the risks of options trading or to act on unregistered financial advisors in this regard.
Which of the statements given above are correct?”
Options: (a) I and II only * (b) II and III only (c) I and III only (d) I, II and III |
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Why in the News?
This newscard is an excerpt from the article originally published in The Hindu.
Who was Henry Vivian Louis Derozio?
- BirthâDeath: Born 1809, died- 22 in 1831; Indo-Portuguese origin.
- Identity: Radical thinker, poet, and educator in British India.
- Recognition: Called the first national poet of modern India; pioneer of Anglo-Indian poetry.
- Influences: Inspired by Enlightenment ideals and the French Revolution.
- Career: Became lecturer at Hindu College, Calcutta in 1826 at just 17.
- Role: Inspired students with rationalism, liberty, and free thought.
- Writings: Poems (1827), The Fakeer of Jungheera (1828), and To India â My Native Land (first modern patriotic poem in English).
- Themes: Expressed Indiaâs decline with images of a caged eagle and a broken instrument; advocated freedom and abolition of slavery.
- Dismissal: Removed from Hindu College in 1831 on charges of spreading atheism.
The Young Bengal Movement:Â
- Formation: Radical group of his students, also called Derozians.
- Association: Founded the Academic Association, debating social and political reform.
- Ideals: Advocated rationalism, womenâs rights, freedom of thought; opposed caste, superstition, idolatry.
- Political Role: In 1843, with George Thompson, formed Indiaâs first political party â Bengal British India Society.
- Notable Member: Radhanath Sikdar, mathematician who first calculated Mount Everestâs height and openly resisted colonial injustices.
- Perception: Described by missionary Alexander Duff as a ânew race of menâ; historian Rosinka Chaudhuri called them Indiaâs âfirst radicals.â
- Legacy and Intellectual Impact:
-
- Awakening: Though short-lived, the movement sparked Bengalâs intellectual revolution.
- Seeds of Reform: Laid foundation for later reformist and nationalist currents.
- Independence of Mind: Marked a sharp break from Macaulayâs vision of Anglicised Indians â Derozians were assertive and original.
| [UPSC 2021] Who among the following was associated as Secretary with Hindu Female School which later came to be known as Bethune Female School?
Options: (a) Annie Besant (b) Debendranath Tagore (c) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar * (d) Sarojini Naidu |
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Why in the News?
A 2025 survey by the West Bengal Forest Department shows an increase in saltwater crocodile population in the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve (SBR).
About Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus):
- Largest living reptile and the largest of all crocodilians.
- Males grow much larger than females; females usually 2.5â3 m in length.
- Habitat: mangrove forests, swamps, rivers, and coastal waters; tolerant of varying salinity.
- Distribution in India: Odisha, West Bengal (Sundarbans), Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- Behaviour: Apex predator, feeds on carcasses and diverse prey; communicates through barks, hisses, growls, chirps.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern.
- CITES: Appendix I (except populations of Australia, Indonesia, PNG â Appendix II).
- Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Schedule I.
- Conservation Efforts: Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project (1976, West Bengal) â breeding and conservation programme; 577 crocodiles released till 2022.
Other Crocodile Species in India:
- Gharial: Critically Endangered; survives in only 2% of former range; Found in small stretches of Chambal and a few other rivers.
- Mugger/Marsh Crocodile: Vulnerable; found in freshwater lakes, rivers, marshes.
|
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Why in the News?
The Union Home Minister is set to introduce three bills in the Lok Sabha to provide legal framework for removal of the Prime Minister, Union Ministers, Chief Ministers and Ministers in States and UTs who are âarrested and detained in custody on account of serious criminal charges.â
Which are the three Bills?
- 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2025 (discussed below)
- Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025 â Provides clarity on removal of CM and Ministers in J&K.
- Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025 â Defines similar provisions for Puducherry and other UTs.
About the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2025:
- Scope: Applies to Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers at Union, State, and Union Territory levels.
- Grounds for Removal: Arrest and detention for 30 consecutive days for an offense punishable by five years or more.
- Reappointment: Possible after release from custody.
- Objective: Prevent prolonged tenure of arrested leaders in office (e.g., recent case involving Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal).
Amendments proposed to the following Articles:
|
Current Provision |
Limitation |
Changes Proposed |
| Article 75 (Union â PM & Union Ministers) |
PM appointed by President; Ministers appointed on PMâs advice. They hold office during the pleasure of the President. Removal is political (loss of confidence, resignation, dismissal). |
No explicit mechanism to remove PM/Ministers if detained/arrested for long periods. |
New provision: If PM or any Union Minister is detained in custody for 30 consecutive days for a serious offense (âĽ5 years punishment), they must resign by 31st day or automatically cease to hold office. They may be reappointed after release. |
| Article 164 (States â CM & State Ministers) |
CM appointed by Governor; Ministers appointed on CMâs advice. They hold office during the pleasure of the Governor. Council of Ministers collectively responsible to State Assembly. |
No clear rule for automatic removal if CM/Ministers remain in custody. |
Similar to Union level: If CM or Minister is detained in custody for 30 consecutive days under serious charges (âĽ5 years punishment), they automatically lose office. Reappointment allowed after release. |
| Article 239AA (Union Territory of Delhi â CM & Ministers) |
Special status for Delhi (NCT). CM and Council of Ministers aid & advise LG. They hold office as per political responsibility to the Assembly. |
No explicit provision for automatic removal on detention. |
A new Section 5A to be inserted: CM/Ministers of NCT of Delhi cease office if detained for 30 days under serious charges (âĽ5 years). Reappointment possible after release. |
Rationale and Significance:
- At present, the Constitution has no provision for automatic removal of ministers in custody.
- Bill ensures that office bearers uphold public trust and do not undermine governance during detention.
- The statement of objects emphasized that elected representatives must rise above political interests and maintain conduct beyond suspicion.
- Promotes integrity of democracy by aligning ministerial positions with constitutional morality and accountability.
| [UPSC 2020] Consider the following statements:
1. According to the Constitution of India, a person who is eligible to vote can be made a minister in a State for six months even if he/she is not a member of the Legislature of that State.
2. According to the Representation of People Act, 1951, a person convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to imprisonment for five years is permanently disqualified from contesting an election even after his release from prison.
Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2* |
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UPSC Mains Relevance
[UPSC 2017] Hunger and Poverty are the biggest challenges for good governance in India still today. Evaluate how far successive governments have progressed in dealing with these humongous problems. Suggest measures for improvement.
Linkage: Indiaâs recent success in reducing undernourishment by 30 million people and transforming its PDS shows definite progress in tackling hunger and poverty, aligning with welfare-driven governance. Yet, challenges of affordability, malnutrition, and nutrition security highlight that while gains are visible, deeper reforms in agrifood systems and social protection are still required. |
Mentorâs Comment
The world is finally seeing a decline in hunger after years of setbacks. At the centre of this shift is India, whose food security programmes have reduced undernourishment at an unprecedented scale. For UPSC aspirants, this story reflects governance, technology, and welfare delivery working together.
Introduction
The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025 report shows undernourishment fell to 673 million people globally in 2024, down from 688 million in 2023. India has been decisive in this progress, reducing hunger for nearly 30 million people in just two years. The Public Distribution System (PDS) alone supports over 800 million beneficiaries with digital efficiency unmatched in scale. This progress stands in sharp contrast with the bleak COVID-era surge in hunger and makes India a global anchor in the journey towards SDG 2 â Zero Hunger.
Indiaâs Pathway to Ending Hunger:
Transformation of the Public Distribution System (PDS)
- Digital shift: Aadhaar-based targeting, real-time tracking, and biometric authentication improved delivery.
- Portability: One Nation One Ration Card enabled migrants and vulnerable households to access entitlements anywhere.
- Rapid Scale of support: Over 800 million people received subsidised food grains during the pandemic.
Shifting of Focus from Calories to Nutrition
- High Cost of Healthy Diets: Over 60% of Indians cannot afford nutrient-rich foods due to inflation, poor cold chains, and weak market linkages.
- Nutrition-Centric Schemes: PM POSHAN (2021) and ICDS are addressing dietary diversity and nutrition sensitivity.
- Dual Challenge: Even as hunger declines, malnutrition, obesity and micronutrient deficiencies are rising.
Need for Agrifood System Structural Reforms
- Boosting Production of Nutrient-Rich Foods: Pulses, fruits, vegetables, and animal products must be scaled for affordability.
- Reducing Post-Harvest Losses: About 13% of food is lost between farm and market due to weak cold storage and logistics.
- Supporting Women-Led Enterprises and Farmer Producer Organization: Promoting climate-resilient crops enhances both nutrition and livelihoods.
Digital governance drives agrifood transformation
- AgriStack & e-NAM: Enhance planning, digital logistics, and market access for farmers.
- Geospatial Tools: Enable better agricultural mapping and nutrition-sensitive targeting.
- Data-Driven Agriculture: Improves service delivery and strengthens supply-demand alignment.
Why is Indiaâs success globally significant?
- Leadership in Global South: Indiaâs digital and governance innovations can be replicated in developing nations.
- Global SDGs: With only five years left for 2030 SDGs, Indiaâs example shows that hunger reduction is possible with political will and smart investments.
- Symbol of Hope: FAO calls Indiaâs progress not just a national achievement but a contribution to global food security.
Conclusion
Indiaâs recent performance marks a historic pivot in the fight against hunger. The country has shown that scale, digital governance, and targeted welfare can turn crisis into opportunity. Yet, the journey forward must emphasise nutrition, resilience, and inclusivity not just calories. If sustained, India will not only feed itself but also light the path for global hunger eradication.
Value Addition
|
Reports & Indices
- State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025 (SOFI Report) â Global undernourishment fell from 688 million (2023) to 673 million (2024); India reduced undernourishment from 14.3% to 12% (30 million fewer hungry people).
- FAO Food Loss Report â Around 13% of food is lost between farm and market in India, affecting affordability.
SDG Linkage
- SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) â Ending hunger by 2030.
- SDG 3 (Good Health & Wellbeing) â Tackling malnutrition, obesity, micronutrient deficiencies.
- SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production) â Reducing food loss and wastage.
Keywords with UPSC Relevance
- Calorie-to-Nutrition Shift â Moving beyond staple food security to nutrient-rich diets.
- Hunger Paradox â Coexistence of undernourishment and obesity/micronutrient deficiency.
Examples for Enrichment in Answers
- COVID-19 Response â Indiaâs rapid PDS scale-up fed 800+ million people, one of the largest welfare interventions globally.
- Digital Governance â ONORC portability cited as a global best practice by the World Bank and FAO.
- Women-led FPOs â Strengthening climate-resilient crops while improving local nutrition outcomes.
|
Microtheme Mapping:
- GS Paper I â Hunger and poverty, demographic vulnerabilities.
- GS Paper II â Governance, digital welfare, social justice, schemes.
- GS Paper III â Agrifood systems, logistics, cold chains, technology in agriculture.
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Introduction
Plastic pollution represents one of the gravest environmental crises of our times. Despite decades of regulation and bans, plastics remain ubiquitous, cheap, and nearly indestructible. Talks in Geneva involving 180 countries failed to secure an internationally binding legal agreement to limit plastic pollution, reflecting deep divisions over whether the treaty should target waste alone or include production.
Global Plastic Treaty Deadlock: Why It Matters
- Global deadlock: 180 countries failed to agree on a binding treaty on plastic pollution in Geneva, despite a UNEP-backed resolution already in place.
- First-time sharp focus on health: Unlike earlier discussions centred only on waste management, the health impact of plastics is now central.
- Scale of problem: Plastics contain more than 16,000 chemicals, with little knowledge on 10,000+ of them. A Nature study showed 4,000 chemicals of concern are present across major plastic types.
- Striking evidence: Microplastics detected in blood, breast milk, placenta, bone marrow, bringing urgency to the debate.
The Persistence and Ubiquity of Plastics
- Symbol of consumption economy: Cheap and versatile, plastics reflect todayâs global consumption.
- Persistence and flexibility: Synthetic, fossil-fuel-derived polymers are non-biodegradable and endure for decades.
- Waste mismanagement: Cheap production, ubiquity, and limited recycling capacity turn plastics into the prime source of litter.
Plastics and Human Health: Emerging Evidence
- Chemicals of concern: Plastics use ethylene, propylene, styrene derivatives, along with bisphenols, phthalates, PCBs, PBDEs, and PFAS.
- Products of exposure: Found in food containers, bottles, teething toys, polyester, IV bags, cosmetics, paints, electronics, adhesives.
- Health links: Studies link plastic chemicals to thyroid dysfunction, hypertension, kidney/testicular cancer, gestational diabetes.
- Evidence base: Around 1,100 studies, involving 1.1 million individuals, compiled by Boston College & Minderoo Foundation dashboard.
- Nature of studies: Mostly associative; longitudinal studies (gold standard) are still underway.
The Microplastic Menace
- Definition: Plastics smaller than 5 mm, found in additives or broken-down products.
- Recent discoveries: Detected in human blood, breast milk, placenta, bone marrow.
- Health uncertainty: Exact impacts still under study, but linked to multiple disorders.
Policy Responses: Global and Indian Perspectives
- Global scene: Negotiations divided on waste vs production; developing countries demand funding support.
- Indiaâs stance:Â
- Ban on single-use plastics in ~20 States
- Administrative push for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
- Views plastics as a waste management issue, not a health issue.
- Prefers health dimension to be dealt with at WHO, not in the plastics treaty.
Conclusion
The Geneva deadlock reflects not just a failure of diplomacy but the widening gap between scientific evidence and policy action. Plastics are no longer an invisible convenience; they are a pervasive health hazard. While India treats plastics as a waste issue, ignoring health risks leaves a blind spot in policy. A robust, binding treaty addressing both production and health impact is indispensable if the world is to prevent plastics from becoming the new tobacco of the 21st century.
PYQ Relavance
| [UPSC 2023] What is oil pollution? What are its impacts on the marine ecosystem? In what way is oil pollution particularly harmful for a country like India?
Linkage: Since UPSC has already asked about oil pollution (2023), it shows the examâs focus on pollution and ecosystem impacts. Plastic pollution, like oil, originates from fossil fuels and has severe effects on marine life and human health. Hence, a direct question on plastic pollution and its healthâenvironment nexus is highly probable. |
Practice Mains Question
Plastics are no longer merely a waste management problem but a serious health hazard. Critically examine the health risks associated with plastic use and evaluate Indiaâs stance in global plastic treaty negotiations.
Mapping Microthemes
- GS-1: Impact of industrialisation and consumerism on environment.
- GS-2: International negotiations, Indiaâs foreign policy stance in environmental treaties.
- GS-3: Pollution, waste management, health-environment nexus.
- GS-4: Ethics of sustainability, intergenerational justice, corporate responsibility.
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Introduction
In August 2025, Parliament passed the Income Tax Bill, 2025, a shorter and simplified legislation with 23 chapters (down from 47) and 536 sections (down from 819). The Bill aims to reduce discretion with clearer provisions, introduce taxpayer-friendly reforms like longer timelines for return updation, and curb harassment. However, it has also expanded the powers of tax officials, especially over digital information and personal data, raising concerns about privacy and misuse.
Need for Overhauling the 1961 Income Tax Framework
- Obsolete framework: The Income Tax Act, 1961 had become outdated, riddled with amendments, and difficult for laypersons to interpret.
- Harassment potential: Excessive discretion allowed officials to harass taxpayers.
- Structural reform: New law cuts down chapters from 47 to 23 and sections from 819 to 536, simplifying compliance.
- Greater clarity: More tables (57, up from 18) and formulae (46, up from 6), along with examples to aid understanding.
From Draft Bill to Final Law: The Legislative Journey
- Initial draft (Feb 2025): Introduced in Parliament but referred to a Select Committee given the Billâs significance.
- Committee review: Headed by Baijayant Panda, with MPs across parties; submitted a detailed report in July 2025.
- Withdrawal & replacement: Government withdrew the earlier version on August 8, 2025, to incorporate committee recommendations.
- Final Bill (Aug 11, 2025): Introduced and passed the same day, avoiding confusion through multiple versions.
Key Reforms and Structural Simplifications:
- No slab changes: Finance Minister clarified tax rates and slabs remain unchanged.
- Technical refinements: Clearer provisions for Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) and Alternate Minimum Tax (AMT), separated into sub-sections.
- Taxpayer-friendly features: Returns can be updated up to 4 years from the end of the relevant assessment year without penalty; Assessment reopening period reduced to 5 years.
Simplification Gains and Emerging Concerns
- Expanded search powers: Tax officers can now demand passwords of electronic devices, emails, and social media accounts.
- Override access: Officials may bypass access codes to computer systems if passwords are not shared.
- Privacy concerns: Unlike earlier provisions (limited to inspection and lock-breaking), the new law extends to personal digital data, raising red flags.
Governmentâs Rationale for Expanding Digital Powers
- Rationale: Much of financial data today is exchanged via messaging apps, emails, or stored digitally.
- Committee stance: Though some dissent was recorded, the Select Committee accepted the governmentâs view that these provisions are essential for effective investigation.
Conclusion
The Income Tax Bill, 2025 is a watershed reform, simplifying one of Indiaâs most complex laws. While the codification of taxpayer-friendly provisions marks a progressive step, the enhanced surveillance powers granted to tax authorities highlight the thin line between efficiency and overreach. The challenge ahead lies in ensuring that simplification does not come at the cost of citizensâ trust and constitutional rights.
Value Addition for UPSC
|
- Governance angle (GS-II): Balancing simplification of laws with citizen rights and privacy.
- Economic reforms (GS-III): Tax rationalisation improves compliance and ease of doing business.
- Ethics (GS-IV): Dilemma of state surveillance vs. individual liberty; Kantian duty-based ethics vs. utilitarian approach.
- Comparative context: Similar debates exist globallye.g., U.S. IRSâs digital access powers vs. EUâs stricter GDPR protections.
|
PYQ Relevance
| [UPSC 2020] Explain the rationale behind the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act of 2017.How has COVID-19 impacted the GST compensation fund and created new federal tensions?
Linkage: The GST Compensation Act, 2017 aimed to build CentreâState trust during the GST transition but COVID-19 strained revenues, sparking federal tensions. Similarly, the Income Tax Bill, 2025 seeks to simplify direct taxes to build citizen trust but raises concerns over state overreach in digital surveillance. Both show that taxation is ultimately about trust and legitimacy in governance. |
Practice Mains Question
The Income Tax Bill, 2025 seeks to simplify Indiaâs tax regime but also introduces stronger surveillance powers for officials. Discuss the balance between efficiency, transparency, and taxpayer rights. (250 words)
Mapping Microthemes for GS Papers
- GS-I: Evolution of economic policies post-Independence.
- GS-II: Governance, legislative reforms, fundamental rights (privacy).
- GS-III: Fiscal reforms, tax policy, ease of doing business.
- GS-IV: Ethics of surveillance, transparency, accountability.
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Why in the News?
The Supreme Court for the very first time has recounted EVM votes on its premises and overturned a Haryana sarpanch election result.
Legal Framework for Challenging Election Results:
- Parliamentary, Assembly, State Council elections: Validity can be challenged by filing an election petition in the High Court of the state where the election was held.
- Local government elections: Petitions must be filed at district-level civil courts.
- Eligibility to file: Only a candidate or elector related to the election can file.
- Timeframe: Petition must be filed within 45 days of result declaration.
- Petition requirements:
- Must contain concise statement of material facts.
- Allegations of âcorrupt practicesâ must include names of individuals, dates, and locations.
- Judicial Approach:
- SC considers corrupt practices as quasi-criminal, requiring high standard of proof.
- Vague or ambiguous petitions are dismissed.
-
- Representation of the People Act, 1951.
- State Panchayat Raj Acts.
Grounds for Invalidating an Election:
Courts can void an election on:
- Bribery or undue influence, e.g., hiding criminal antecedents or promoting enmity.
- Candidate disqualified/unqualified on the election date.
- Improper rejection of nomination paper.
- Improper acceptance of nomination or improper reception/rejection of votes, if shown to materially affect results.
- Non-compliance with Constitution or election laws/rules, if it materially impacted the outcome.
When can Courts order Recount of Votes?
- A recount is a possible judicial remedy but not granted lightly.
- Seen as affecting vote secrecy, which is vital to free and fair elections.
- Courts order recounts only if:
- Petitioner presents specific material facts.
- Evidence shows a prima facie case of probable counting error.
- Recount is deemed necessary for justice.
- Normally conducted at election location.
- Exception: Panipat case, where SC recounted votes in its own premises.
Can Courts declare a new Winner?
- Rare, but courts can declare a new winner if:
- Evidence shows petitioner (or another candidate) actually had majority of valid votes.
- Or petitioner proves they would have won but for votes gained through corrupt practices.
- Requires concrete, quantifiable evidence of tainted votes.
- Example: In Feb 2024 Chandigarh mayoral election, SC declared a new winner after:
- Presiding officer wrongly invalidated 8 paper ballots.
- All votes had been cast for the losing candidate.
- SC restored them as valid, making the losing candidate the winner.
| [UPSC 2004] Consider the following tasks:
1. Superintendence, direction and conduct of free and fair elections.
2. Preparation of electoral rolls for all elections to the Parliament, State Legislatures and the Office of the President and the Vice-President.
3. Giving recognition to political parties and allotting election symbols to political parties and individuals contesting the election.
4. Proclamation of final verdict in the case of election disputes.
Which of the above are the functions of the Election Commission of India?
Options: (a) 1, 2 and 3* (b) 2, 3 and 4 (c) 1 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 4 |
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Why in the news?
The Government informed Parliament that 23% of the 56.04 crore PM Jan Dhan Yojana accounts are inoperative.
About Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY):
- Launch: Introduced in 2014 as the worldâs largest financial inclusion mission.
- Objective: To provide banking to the unbanked, insurance to the unsecured, and credit to the unfunded.
- Accounts: Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) accounts with zero balance, minimal paperwork, and e-KYC facility.
- Benefits: RuPay debit card with accident insurance, overdraft, micro-insurance, and pension coverage.
Key Features:
- Access: Universal banking through branches and Business Correspondents.
- Overdraft: Up to âš10,000 for eligible account holders.
- Insurance: Accident cover of âš1 lakh (âš2 lakh for new accounts post-2018); life cover of âš30,000 for accounts opened between August 2014âJanuary 2015.
- Interoperability: Enabled via RuPay cards and Aadhaar-linked platforms.
- Post-2018 Expansion: Coverage extended to all unbanked adults, overdraft limit enhanced, and eligibility age increased from 60 to 65 years.
- Direct Benefit Transfers: Strengthened subsidy delivery through the JAM Trinity (Jan DhanâAadhaarâMobile).
Do you know?
As per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines (2009), an account is considered dormant if no transaction occurs for over two years. |
| [UPSC 2015] Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana’ has been launched for
Options:
(a) providing housing loan to poor people at cheaper interest rates
(b) promoting women’s Self-Help Groups in backward areas
(c) promoting financial inclusion in the country*
(d) providing financial help to the marginalized communities |
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Why in the News?
This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in âThe Hinduâ.
About Soap:
- Composition: Soap is sodium (Na) or potassium (K) salt of fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats.
- Formula: Solid soaps are RCOONa, liquid soaps are RCOOK.
- Function: Cleansing agent due to dual hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (oil-attracting) nature.
- History: Used since 2800 BC in Mesopotamia and ancient India (soap nuts, bark, flowers). Became mass-produced during the Industrial Revolution, initially a luxury.
Soap-Making Process
- Raw Materials: Oils such as coconut, olive, palm, sunflower provide triglycerides.
- Hydrolysis: Oils hydrolysed with hot water under pressure â fatty acids + glycerin.
- Saponification: Fatty acids react with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) â soap (RCOONa) + water.
- Processing: Soap dried into noodles, blended with perfumes, colours, fillers, additives.
- Shaping: Extruded, cut, and stamped into bars.
- Quality: Total Fatty Matter (TFM) indicates quality; higher TFM = better cleansing.
- Production Scale: Modern automated lines make 600â700 soaps per minute.
Ecological Impact of Soap
- Biodegradability: Traditional soaps are biodegradable and safer for the environment.
- Detergents: Synthetic alternatives developed during World War I oil shortages; more efficient but harmful.
- Pollution: Surfactants and phosphates in detergents cause nutrient pollution and persist in ecosystems.
| [UPSC 2002] Consider the following statements:
Assertion (A) Synthetic detergents can lather well in hard water.
Reason (R): Synthetic detergents form soluble calcium and magnesium salts with hard water.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Options:
(a) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A *
(b) Both A and R are individually true but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true |
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Why in the News?
Keralaâs health department has issued an alert in Kozhikode district after three consecutive cases of the rare and highly fatal disease Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) were reported.
About Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM):
- Cause: Rare and usually fatal infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, known as the âbrain-eating amoeba.â
- Habitat: Thrives in warm freshwater up to 46°C (115°F).
- Entry: Enters through the nose during swimming or water activities, travels via olfactory nerve to the brain.
- Impact: Destroys brain tissue and causes severe swelling.
- Transmission: Not communicable from person to person.
- Symptoms: Headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, hallucinations, coma, and death.
- Progression: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most cases result in death within 1â18 days of symptom onset.
Diagnosis and Treatment:
- Diagnosis:
- Treatment:
- No single therapy effectively established.
- Managed per CDC guidelines using drug combinations such as: Medical interventions typically involve a combination of drugs, including amphotericin B, azithromycin, fluconazole, rifampin, miltefosine, and dexamethasone.
| [UPSC 2008] Consider the following statements:
1. Femur is the longest bone in the human body.
2. Cholera is a disease caused by bacteria.
3. âAthleteâs footâ is a disease caused by virus. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Options: (a) 1 and 2 * (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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PYQ Relevance
| [UPSC 2017] To enhance the quality of democracy in India the Election Commission of India has proposed electoral reforms in 2016. What are the suggested reforms and how far are they significant to make democracy successful?
Linkage: The 2016 ECI reforms sought to strengthen electoral transparency and fairness, while the current debate on the 2023 Act vs. Baranwal judgment highlights how the independence of ECI itself is under threat. Together, they show that both institutional autonomy and procedural reforms are essential for improving the quality of democracy. |
Mentorâs Comment:
The credibility of elections is the lifeline of any democracy. Recent controversies around the appointment of Election Commissioners and the weakening of institutional safeguards have put Indiaâs electoral integrity under the spotlight. This article unpacks the constitutional debates, judicial interventions, legislative countermeasures, and comparative global experiences to help aspirants understand the stakes involved in preserving the Election Commission of India (ECI) as an independent constitutional body.
Introduction
The Election Commission of India (ECI) ensures that elections are free, fair, and impartial. In 2023, the Supreme Courtâs Anoop Baranwal case gave more independence to the ECI by including the Chief Justice of India (CJI) in the appointment process. But Parliament quickly passed a law removing the CJI and putting a Cabinet Minister in his place. The Court did not stop this change, and elections in 2024 were conducted under this new system. This has raised doubts about whether the ECI can act independently from the government.
Current debate over who controls ECI appointments
- Nullification of Baranwal judgment: The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. replaced the CJI with a Cabinet Minister (nominated by the PM) in the selection panel, reversing judicial attempts to ensure independence.
- Supreme Courtâs refusal to stay the law: In Dr. Jaya Thakur v. Union of India (2024), the SC upheld the Actâs validity for the time being, allowing the governmentâs version to prevail in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
- Failure of judicial vigilance: A potentially independent ECI could have overseen elections more impartially, but judicial reluctance meant the executive retained control.
- Global parallels: Scholars like Landau and Dixon (2020) warn how courts sometimes legitimize authoritarian regimes by siding with executive dominance in electoral matters.
Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India (2023): The Supreme Courtâs big step for ECI independence
- Article 324 interpretation: The Court held that appointments to the ECI must be insulated from the executiveâs exclusive control.
- Role of CJI: Inclusion of the Chief Justice in the selection committee was seen as a safeguard against partisanship.
- Warning against pliability: The judgment noted that a âpliable ECIâ could become a tool for perpetuating power, undermining free and fair elections.
The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023: Parliamentâs counter to the Court
- Executive dominance: By excluding the CJI and including a Cabinet Minister, the law tilted the balance back towards government control.
- Presumption of validity: The SCâs refusal to strike down or stay the Act demonstrated a conservative approach, prioritizing legislative supremacy over constitutional safeguards.
- Practical implications: The 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections were conducted under an ECI shaped by this executive-heavy framework.
Global lessons on electoral manipulation
- Authoritarian strategies: According to Landau & Dixon, regimes in Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia used courts and electoral commissions to legitimize manipulated outcomes.
- Pre-election manipulation: Autocrats often consolidate institutions (courts, ECs) well before elections, creating a tilted playing field.
- Positive global model: South Africaâs Chapter Nine institutions, including its Electoral Commission, provide a framework for independent, fourth-branch institutions to safeguard democracy.
Fourth pillar of democracy: Autonomous Institutions
- Beyond traditional separation: Modern democracies recognize institutions beyond Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary such as independent ECs, CAGs, Information Commissions.
- Imaginative interpretation: In the Baranwal case, the Court attempted to evolve the ECI into such a fourth branch institution, enhancing checks on executive power.
- Legislative reversal: The 2023 Act effectively nullified this innovation, raising questions about Indiaâs commitment to electoral impartiality.
The road ahead for electoral reforms: Restoring faith in Democracy
- Reinstating CJI in the selection panel: This would revive the spirit of the Baranwal verdict.
- Fresh appointments through a reformed process: Ensuring a genuinely independent ECI could require re-selection of commissioners.
- Truth Commission role: A reformed ECI could investigate alleged instances of electoral fraud, restoring voter confidence.
Conclusion
The ECI is not just another administrative body, it is the custodian of the democratic process. The dilution of judicial safeguards in its appointment mechanism risks eroding the integrity of elections, thereby weakening the very foundation of democracy. Restoring the spirit of Baranwal by reinstating the CJIâs role in appointments and insulating the ECI from executive control remains the most urgent democratic reform.
Mapping Microthemes (GS relevance)
- GS-II (Polity & Governance): Electoral reforms, Independence of constitutional bodies, Separation of powers.
- GS-I: Role of institutions in shaping democratic practices.
- GS-III: Impact of political manipulation on governance outcomes.
- GS-IV (Ethics): Constitutional morality, impartiality, institutional integrity.
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