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Higher Education – RUSA, NIRF, HEFA, etc.

Tackling Unfair Means in Public Examinations: The 2024 Bill

Bills/Act/Laws | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education
Introduction
- The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, introduced in Lok Sabha, seeks to combat “unfair means” in public examinations and enhance transparency and credibility in the examination system.
- This comprehensive legislation addresses various aspects of unfair practices in public exams and outlines stringent penalties for violations.
“Unfair Means” in Examinations
- Enumerating Offenses: Section 3 of the Bill outlines at least 15 actions that constitute “unfair means” in public examinations, primarily for monetary or wrongful gain.
- Examples: These actions include question paper leaks, unauthorized access to question papers or answer sheets, tampering with answer sheets, providing unauthorized solutions to questions, and conducting fake examinations.
Scope of “Public Examinations”
- Defining Public Examinations: Under Section 2(k), a “public examination” encompasses any examination conducted by designated “public examination authorities” listed in the Bill’s Schedule or notified by the Central Government.
- Designated Authorities: The Schedule includes entities like UPSC, SSC, RRBs, IBPS, and NTA, responsible for various national-level examinations.
- Central Government’s Authority: Ministries and Departments of the Central Government, along with their attached and subordinate offices for staff recruitment, fall under the Bill’s purview.
Penalties for Violations
- Stringent Measures: Section 9 stipulates that offenses are cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable.
- Cognizable Offenses: Authorities can arrest individuals without a warrant.
- Non-Bailable: Bail is not a matter of right and is subject to a magistrate’s discretion.
- Non-Compoundable: Complainants cannot withdraw the case, necessitating a trial.
Punishments
- Individual Offenders: Violators may face imprisonment ranging from three to five years and fines of up to Rs 10 lakh.
- Additional Penalty: Failure to pay the fine can result in additional imprisonment, as per the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
- Service Providers: Those providing support for examination conduct can be fined up to Rs 1 crore, along with other penalties.
- Organized Paper Leaks: In cases of organized paper leaks constituting “organized crime,” offenders may face imprisonment for a minimum of five years, extendable up to ten years, and a fine not less than one crore rupees.
Rationale Behind the Bill
- Addressing Rampant Paper Leaks: Numerous cases of question paper leaks in recruitment exams nationwide have disrupted the hiring process and affected millions of applicants.
- Need for Specific Legislation: The absence of a substantive law to address unfair practices in public examinations necessitated a comprehensive central legislation.
- Objectives: The Bill aims to ensure transparency, fairness, and credibility in public examinations while deterring individuals and entities exploiting vulnerabilities in the system for wrongful gains.
- Model Draft for States: The Bill is intended to serve as a model for states to adopt at their discretion, assisting them in preventing disruptions in their state-level public examinations.
Conclusion
- This legislation represents a significant step toward safeguarding the integrity of public examinations in India.
- By establishing stringent penalties for unfair practices and addressing the issue of paper leaks, the legislation seeks to reassure candidates that their sincere efforts will be duly rewarded and their future secured.
- Moreover, the Bill’s potential to serve as a model for state-level legislation enhances its impact in curbing exam-related malpractices.
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Genetically Modified (GM) crops – cotton, mustards, etc.

Unusual Cabbage Mutation that Could Boost Crop Yield

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields
Introduction
- A recent paper sheds light on the remarkable ability to induce sterility in a diverse range of plants, including cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, tomato, and rice. This sterility is achieved through a minute genetic deletion.
- This deletion holds the promise of significantly boosting crop yields through a phenomenon known as heterosis.
Unveiling Genetics
- DNA Structure: DNA consists of two long strands, each comprising four nucleotide bases: Adenine (A), Cytosine (C), Guanine (G), and Thymine (T). These bases form pairs (A-T and G-C) held together by hydrogen bonds.
- Genome Organization: The cabbage plant (Brassica oleracea) genome contains approximately 1.06 billion base pairs distributed across 18 chromosomes. Each chromosome pair, derived from pollen and egg, shares a mostly identical sequence.
- Role of Genes: Genes are well-defined DNA sequences, typically spanning a few thousand base pairs. When expressed, a gene’s segment is transcribed into RNA, which serves as the blueprint for protein synthesis.
- Protein Production: RNA is processed by cellular machinery called ribosomes, directing the assembly of amino acids into proteins.
Role of Sterility in Hybrid Vigor
- Discovery of Ms-cd1: Around 44 years ago, a cabbage plant with a natural mutation known as Ms-cd1 was identified. This mutation rendered the plant male-sterile, with a crucial twist: the eggs of the mutant plant could still be fertilized by pollen from normal plants, yielding normal seeds.
- Hybrid Seeds: All seeds from mutant plants resulted from out-crossing, where eggs were fertilized by pollen from different strains. Such hybrid seeds, also called out-cross seeds, give rise to more robust plants with enhanced vigor, known as heterosis.
- Dominant Mutation: The Ms-cd1 mutation was found to be dominant, meaning its presence in just one chromosome of the pair caused male sterility, regardless of the other chromosome’s status.
- Recessive Mutations: The researchers demonstrated that mutations in both copies of the Ms-cd1 gene were necessary for male fertility. In such cases, the mutations became recessive.
Crucial Missing Base-Pair
- Genetic Mapping: Through genetic mapping, researchers identified a crucial distinction between the mutated and non-mutated Ms-cd1 genes: the mutated gene lacked a single DNA base pair in its promoter region.
- Promoter’s Role: The promoter sequence binds to regulatory proteins that control when and in which cells a gene is transcribed into RNA.
- ERF Binding: In the mutated gene, this missing base-pair disrupted its binding to the regulatory protein ERF, allowing the Ms-cd1 gene to remain expressed, leading to male sterility.
- Fine-Tuning of Protein Levels: Proper pollen development depends on a precise balance of Ms-cd1 protein levels, with ERF binding regulating its expression at different stages of development.
Extending the Discovery
- Cross-Species Applicability: The dominant mutant gene was introduced into other plant species, including rice, tomato, and arabidopsis. In all cases, the recipient plants exhibited pollen developmental disruptions.
- A Promising Tool: The genetic deletion of a single base-pair emerges as a powerful tool to produce hybrid seeds, not only in cabbage but also in various other crops.
- Implications for Agriculture: This breakthrough offers the potential to harness heterosis and enhance crop yields across plant species, addressing global food security challenges.
Conclusion
- The genetic deletion that induces male sterility in plants represents a remarkable stride in agricultural science, offering the prospect of abundant harvests through hybrid seeds.
- This discovery opens new doors for sustainable agriculture and reinforces the critical role of genetic research in addressing the world’s growing food demands.
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WTO and India

How to restore WTO’s authority

op-ed snap | Economics | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India
Central Idea:

The ongoing crisis in the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) dispute settlement mechanism (DSM), particularly the paralysis of the appellate body (AB) due to the US blocking the appointment of new members, poses a significant challenge to the multilateral trading regime. Developing countries like India are pushing for the restoration of the AB to its original form, but alternative options are being considered due to the US’s reluctance.

Key Highlights:
- The DSM, particularly the AB, is crucial for ensuring compliance with WTO rulings and maintaining a rules-based global trading system.
- The US has blocked the appointment of new AB members since 2019, rendering it ineffective and undermining the enforcement of WTO rulings.
- Developing countries, led by India, are advocating for the restoration of the AB to its original form to ensure fairness and predictability in dispute resolution.
- Alternative options include joining interim arrangements led by the European Union or proposing a diluted AB with limited powers, but these may compromise the effectiveness of the DSM.
- Scholars propose a compromise solution where countries can opt out of the AB’s jurisdiction, allowing its restoration while accommodating the US’s concerns.
Key Challenges:
- The deadlock caused by the US’s opposition to the AB’s functioning has led to a crisis in the DSM, undermining the WTO’s authority.
- Developing countries face the challenge of balancing their desire for a fully functioning AB with the need to accommodate the US’s concerns to maintain consensus within the WTO.
- Alternative solutions, such as interim arrangements or diluted AB proposals, may lack the necessary enforceability or compromise the integrity of the DSM.
Key Terms:
- World Trade Organisation (WTO)
- Dispute Settlement Mechanism (DSM)
- Appellate Body (AB)
- Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA)
- International Court of Justice (ICJ)
Key Phrases:
- “Crisis in the dispute settlement mechanism”
- “Paralysis of the appellate body”
- “Developing countries’ advocacy”
- “Alternative options”
- “Compromise solution”
Key Quotes:
- “The WTO’s DSM — its crown jewel — comprises a binding two-tiered process with a panel and an appellate body (AB).”
- “Consequently, countries have found an easy way to avoid complying with the WTO panel rulings. They appeal into the void, thereby rendering the WTO toothless.”
- “A fully functional dispute settlement, with the checks and balances that the appellate body provides, is the best bet for the developing world.”
- “India and other developing countries should continue striving for the ideal solution: The restoration of the AB in the form it existed till 2019.”
Key Statements:
- “The ongoing crisis in the dispute settlement mechanism (DSM) poses a significant challenge to the multilateral trading regime.”
- “Developing countries are pushing for the restoration of the AB to its original form to ensure fairness and predictability in dispute resolution.”
- “Alternative options may compromise the effectiveness of the DSM and undermine the enforcement of WTO rulings.”
Way Forward:
- Advocate for Restoration: Developing countries should continue advocating for the restoration of the AB to its original form, emphasizing its importance for ensuring fairness and predictability in the global trading system.
- Explore Compromise Solutions: Consider compromise solutions, such as allowing countries to opt out of the AB’s jurisdiction, to accommodate the concerns of key stakeholders like the US while maintaining the integrity of the DSM.
- Strengthen Interim Arrangements: If necessary, explore joining interim arrangements led by entities like the European Union to provide temporary solutions while working towards a more permanent resolution within the WTO framework.
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Swachh Bharat Mission

A critical view of the ‘sanitation miracle’ in rural India

op-ed snap | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education
Central Idea:

The article discusses the progress and challenges of India’s sanitation programs, particularly focusing on the Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G) and its Phase II. It highlights the importance of behavioral change alongside infrastructure development for sustainable sanitation practices.

Key Highlights:
- Improvement in sanitation coverage in India from 39% in 2014 to 100% in 2019 under SBM-G.
- Launch of Phase II of SBM-G focusing on sustainability and ODF Plus status by 2024-25.
- Challenges including non-usage of toilets due to various reasons such as lack of infrastructure, hygiene issues, and social norms.
- Disparities in toilet access and usage across different states and socio-economic groups.
- Importance of social networks and behavioral change campaigns in promoting sanitation practices.
- Lack of synergy and coordination among various government programs addressing basic needs.
Key Challenges:
- Ensuring sustained usage of toilets post-construction.
- Addressing disparities in access and usage across different regions and socio-economic groups.
- Overcoming social norms and behaviors hindering sanitation practices.
- Lack of coordination among different government programs related to basic needs.
Key Terms/Phrases:
- Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G)
- Open Defecation Free (ODF)
- Total Sanitation Campaign
- ODF Plus
- Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)
- Social norms
- Behavioral change campaigns
Key Quotes:
- “The construction of toilets does not automatically lead to their use.”
- “Sanitation behavior also varies across socio-economic classes.”
- “Behavioral change in sanitation cannot happen independently.”
Key Examples/Anecdotes:
- Survey findings showing reasons for non-usage of toilets in different regions.
- Observations on the influence of social networks on sanitation behavior.
Key Statements:
- “Improvement in sanitation coverage needs to be viewed from the perspective of behavioral change for true sustainability.”
- “Social norms and economic conditions significantly influence toilet usage.”
Key Facts/Data:
- Sanitation coverage improved from 39% in 2014 to 100% in 2019 under SBM-G.
- NARSS-3 reported 95% toilet access but only 85% usage in rural India.
- Around 10 crore toilets were constructed between 2014 and 2019.
Critical Analysis:

The article effectively highlights the progress and challenges in India’s sanitation programs, emphasizing the importance of behavioral change alongside infrastructure development. It underscores the need for targeted efforts to address disparities and overcome social norms hindering sanitation practices. Additionally, the critique of the lack of synergy among government programs provides valuable insight into the inefficiencies in addressing basic needs.

Way Forward:
- Strengthening behavioral change campaigns tailored to different socio-economic contexts.
- Enhancing coordination among government programs addressing basic needs.
- Targeted interventions to address disparities in access and usage across regions and socio-economic groups.
- Continuous monitoring and evaluation to ensure sustained usage of sanitation facilities.
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Health Sector – UHC, National Health Policy, Family Planning, Health Insurance, etc.

An Uttar Pradesh model to tackle malnutrition

op-ed snap | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education
Central Idea:

The article highlights the success of a decentralized approach to tackling malnutrition in Uttar Pradesh by empowering women through community-based micro-enterprises. This initiative, led by self-help groups, focuses on producing fortified and nutritious foods for pregnant/breastfeeding mothers and children, distributed via the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme.

Key Highlights:
- Collaborative effort between the Department of Women and Child Development and the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission.
- Decentralized production of take-home rations by women’s enterprises.
- Positive impact on livelihoods with over 4,000 women engaged in 204 self-help group micro-enterprises.
- Re-formulation of take-home rations to enhance nutritional value and address monotony.
- Focus on strengthening demand through diverse and nutritious products.
- Innovation through app-based solutions and QR code tracking for supply chain management.
Key Challenges:
- Ensuring consistent quality and safety standards.
- Overcoming logistical challenges in decentralized production and distribution.
- Addressing potential resistance to change from centralized to decentralized models.
- Sustaining long-term engagement and empowerment of women.
Key Terms:
- Self-help groups
- Micro-enterprises
- Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
- Fortified foods
- Decentralized production
- Nutritional supplementation
- Livelihood opportunities
Key Phrases:
- Women’s empowerment for nutrition
- Decentralized model for take-home ration production
- Strengthening demand through diverse products
- Innovation and sustainability in food production
- Multi-stakeholder approach for effective solutions
Key Quotes:
- “Engaging women from the community to run the take-home ration production units is a game-changer.”
- “The State-wide expansion of micro-enterprises led by women confirms successful targeting and demonstrates how empowering women can bring about effective and sustainable processes.”
Key Examples and References:
- Collaboration between the Department of Women and Child Development and the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission.
- Use of two pilot plants by the United Nations World Food Programme in Unnao and Fatehpur.
- Expansion to 202 production units across 43 districts, benefiting 12 million ICDS beneficiaries.
Key Statements:
- “This initiative presents an excellent opportunity for women to earn a livelihood and contribute to the local economy.”
- “The re-formulated take-home rations are nutritious and designed to support the health and well-being of children.”
Key Facts/Data:
- Over 4,000 women engaged in 204 self-help group micro-enterprises.
- Aim to generate an additional income of ₹8,000 a month for each woman.
- Products include sweet and savory options like aata besan halwa and daliya moong dal khichdi.
- Expansion to 202 production units across 43 districts, benefiting 12 million ICDS beneficiaries.
Critical Analysis:
- The initiative effectively addresses the intersection of women’s empowerment and nutrition, leveraging community resources for sustainable impact.
- Decentralized production and diverse product offerings enhance accessibility and acceptability.
- Challenges such as quality control and scalability need continuous monitoring and adaptation.
Way Forward:
- Continued support for women’s empowerment and capacity building.
- Strengthening of quality assurance mechanisms.
- Further research and innovation in product development and supply chain management.
- Collaboration with stakeholders for scaling up and sustainability.
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Parliament – Sessions, Procedures, Motions, Committees etc

The road to a healthy democracy

op-ed snap | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education
Central Idea:

Prathap C. Reddy, founder and chairman of Apollo Hospitals Group, advocates for India’s transformation into a developed nation by 2047, emphasizing the crucial role of healthcare in this vision. He highlights India’s demographic advantage, technological innovations in preventive healthcare, and the potential for India to lead the world in healthcare delivery and medical value travel.

Key Highlights:
- India’s demographic dividend, with a young population, presents a significant opportunity for development.
- The importance of prioritizing preventive healthcare to address the growing burden of chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.
- Technological advancements, including AI and machine learning, are revolutionizing preventive healthcare by enabling early detection and personalized prevention plans.
- India’s healthcare sector is undergoing transformation, focusing on patient-centered care, expanded access, and quality improvement.
- India’s healthcare infrastructure and clinical talent have gained global recognition, making it a preferred destination for medical value travel, particularly in specialized treatments like oncology, cardiology, and robotic surgeries.
Key Challenges:
- Addressing the increasing burden of chronic diseases and lifestyle-related health issues.
- Ensuring equitable access to preventive healthcare tools and services across all segments of the population.
- Scaling up healthcare infrastructure and workforce to meet the growing demand, especially in rural areas.
- Overcoming barriers to the adoption of AI-driven healthcare solutions, including data privacy concerns and regulatory challenges.
- Balancing the need for affordable healthcare with maintaining high-quality standards in a cost-effective manner.
Key Terms:
- Demographic dividend
- Preventive healthcare
- Chronic diseases
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Medical value travel
- Patient-centered care
- Healthcare infrastructure
- Non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
Key Phrases:
- “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India)
- “Health equity for all”
- “Clinical excellence and prowess”
- “Patient at the absolute centre”
- “Medical value travel hub”
- “AI-driven healthcare solutions”
Key Quotes:
- “India’s healthcare sector is at the cusp of transformation, potentially giving rise to a new healthcare model for the world to follow.”
- “Preventive healthcare has touched new possibilities, empowering individuals to take control of their own health.”
- “India stands at a pivotal moment in its healthcare journey.”
- “Every individual and institution in the country should resolve to make India’s progress their priority.”
Key Statements:
- India’s demographic dividend offers a unique opportunity for development, but the health of the population is crucial for maximizing this potential.
- Technological innovations in healthcare, including AI, have the potential to revolutionize preventive care and improve health outcomes.
- India’s healthcare sector has gained global recognition for its clinical excellence, infrastructure, and affordability, positioning it as a leader in medical value travel.
Key Examples and References:
- Success of Apollo Hospitals Group in providing high-quality healthcare services and driving medical tourism in India.
- Impact of technological interventions in preventive healthcare, such as AI-driven risk prediction and personalized prevention plans.
- Growth of medical value travel industry in India, attracting patients from around the world for specialized treatments at lower costs.
Key Facts and Data:
- India’s population exceeds 1.4 billion, with a median age of 29 years, presenting a significant demographic dividend.
- India has over 101 million diabetics and 136 million prediabetics, making it the diabetes capital of the world.
- Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality in India, and cancer incidence is projected to rise by 57.5% by 2040.
- India’s healthcare costs are approximately one-tenth of the global average, making it an attractive destination for medical value travel.
Critical Analysis:
- While the article emphasizes the potential of technological innovations and medical value travel in transforming India’s healthcare sector, it’s essential to ensure that these developments benefit all segments of the population, particularly those in rural and underserved areas.
- The challenge of addressing the growing burden of chronic diseases requires a comprehensive approach, including not only preventive measures but also effective management and treatment strategies.
- Balancing affordability with quality in healthcare delivery is crucial to maintain India’s competitiveness in medical value travel while ensuring that patients receive optimal care.
Way Forward:
- Prioritize investments in preventive healthcare, leveraging technology to empower individuals to manage their health effectively.
- Expand access to healthcare services, especially in rural and underserved areas, through innovative delivery models and infrastructure development.
- Foster collaboration between public and private sectors to drive healthcare innovation and address key challenges in the sector.
- Focus on capacity building and skill development to ensure a competent healthcare workforce capable of delivering high-quality care across all settings.
- Advocate for policies that promote affordability, accessibility, and quality in healthcare delivery, ensuring that India’s healthcare system remains inclusive and sustainable.
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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Ergosphere: A Unique Feature of Rotating Black Holes

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields
Introduction
- Rotating black holes, also known as Kerr black holes, possess a fascinating region called the ergosphere, which sets them apart from their non-rotating counterparts.
Formation of Black Holes
- Origin: Black holes are born from massive stars that exhaust their nuclear fuel and undergo a supernova explosion. The remaining core collapses under its own gravitational force, forming a black hole.
- Gravitational Singularity: At the core of a black hole lies a gravitational singularity, a point where the laws of general relativity cease to provide accurate predictions.
- Event Horizon: Surrounding the singularity is the event horizon, a boundary beyond which nothing, not even light, can escape. It acts as a point of no return for anything entering it.
What is Ergosphere?
- Ergosphere Description: Beyond the event horizon, rotating black holes feature another unique region known as the ergosphere. This region extends further out from the singularity, creating an additional sphere around the black hole.
- Name Origins: The term ‘ergosphere’ finds its roots in the Greek word ‘ergon,’ which means ‘work.’ It earned this name due to the intriguing possibility it offers – the extraction of matter and energy from this region.
Characteristics of the Ergosphere
- Intriguing Property: Unlike the event horizon, objects can enter the ergosphere and potentially escape from it, provided they move at speeds less than that of light.
- Acceleration Potential: Some scientists have explored the idea of sending objects into the ergosphere to leverage their unique characteristics. Objects within the ergosphere can gain energy and momentum, effectively “borrowing” some of the black hole’s angular momentum.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News

Kalaripayattu gains popularity in Haryana

Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture
Introduction
- The introduction of Kalaripayattu, a southern Indian martial arts form, into the Khelo India games in 2021 has led to its growing popularity among boys and girls in Haryana.
About Kalaripayattu
- Originates from ancient knowledge of the human body.
- Originated in Kerala during the 3rd century BC, lasting until the 2nd century AD; currently practiced in parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
- Practiced in a ‘Kalari’, a term in Malayalam indicating a gymnasium or a symbolic battlefield.
- The term ‘Kalari’ appears in Tamil Sangam literature, denoting both a battlefield and a combat arena.
- Considered one of the oldest martial arts in the world.
- Known as the precursor to modern Kung Fu, often referred to as the “Father of Modern Kung Fu.”
- Integrates Hindu rituals and philosophies, alongside medicinal practices derived from Ayurveda.
- Incorporates elements from yoga and finger movements from Nata dances.
Weapons used:

Weapons are categorized into four groups:
- Cutting, Slicing, and Piercing: Swords and daggers.
- Pole Weapons: Spears and axes.
- Bludgeoning Instruments: Sticks and maces.
- Projectiles: Arrows, discuses, catapults, boomerangs, and other hand-thrown weapons.
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Goods and Services Tax (GST)

GST Appellate Tribunals to be set around July or August

DOMR | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Statutory, Regulatory & Various Quasi-Judicial Bodies
Introduction
- The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Appellate Tribunals, eagerly anticipated to address taxpayer disputes within the six-and-a-half-year-old indirect tax regime, are set to commence operations around July or August.
What is GST Appellate Tribunal?
- The GST Appellate Tribunal is a quasi-judicial body proposed to be established to resolve disputes related to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India.
- It will function as an independent body to hear appeals against orders passed by the GST authorities or the Appellate Authority.
- The tribunal will be composed of a national bench and various regional benches, headed by a chairperson appointed by the central government.
- The proposed tribunal is expected to help expedite the resolution of disputes related to GST and reduce the burden on the judiciary.
Under GST, if a person is not satisfied with the decision passed by any lower court, an appeal can be raised to a higher court, the hierarchy for the same is as follows (from low to high):
1. Adjudicating Authority
2. Appellate Authority
3. Appellate Tribunal
4. High Court
5. Supreme Court
Need for such Tribunal
- Unburden judiciary: GST Appellate Tribunal will help resolve the rising number of disputes under the 68-month-old indirect tax regime that are now clogging High Courts and other judicial fora.
- Improve efficiency of GST System: Overall, the establishment of the GST Appellate Tribunal is expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the GST system in India.
- Independent mechanism: The proposed Tribunal will provide an independent and efficient mechanism for resolving disputes related to GST.
- Avoid tax evasion: It will help to expedite the resolution of disputes, reduce the burden on the judiciary, and promote greater certainty and predictability in the GST system.
Issues with present litigation
- Compliance issues: The GST system is relatively new in India, having been implemented in 2017, and there have been several issues with compliance and interpretation of rules and regulations.
- Complex adjudication hierarchy: The current dispute resolution mechanism involves multiple layers of adjudication, starting with the GST officer and as mentioned above.
- Time-consuming process: This process can be time-consuming, costly, and burdensome for taxpayers, especially small and medium-sized enterprises.
Significance
- The creation of these tribunals had been in the pipeline since the implementation of the GST regime on July 1, 2017.
- The number of pending appeals by taxpayers related to central GST levies had surged to over 14,000 (June 2023).
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Minority Issues – SC, ST, Dalits, OBC, Reservations, etc.

Places of Worship Act and Ongoing Disputes: Explained

Explained Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Communalism, Secularism, Regionalism
Introduction
- The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, has once again come into focus due to ongoing civil suits challenging the religious character of mosques in Varanasi and Mathura.
Enactment of the Places of Worship Act
- Background: The Act was enacted in September 1991, during the Babri-Masjid Ram Janmabhoomi dispute, to address issues related to the status of places of worship.
- Objectives: It aimed to freeze the religious character of places of worship as it existed on August 15, 1947, and prevent the conversion of places of worship from one denomination to another.
Key Provisions of the Act
- Continuity of Religious Character: The Act ensures that the religious character of a place of worship remains unchanged from its status on August 15, 1947.
- Prohibition on Conversion: It prohibits the conversion of a place of worship of any religious denomination into one of a different denomination.
- Abatement of Pending Cases: All pending legal proceedings regarding the conversion of a place of worship, initiated before August 15, 1947, would abate upon the Act coming into force, and no new proceedings can be initiated.
Exceptions to the Rule
- Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites: The Act does not apply to ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
- Settled Disputes: It does not apply to suits that were already settled or disposed of or to conversions by acquiescence.
Status of Ongoing Cases on the Gyanvapi Mosque
- Current Litigation: Ongoing civil suits in Varanasi involve claims by Hindu worshippers asserting their right to worship deities within the Gyanvapi mosque premises.
- Basis for Suits: The Hindu side claims that an old temple of Lord Vishweshwar existed at the center of the mosque compound, demolished by Emperor Aurangzeb in 1669.
- Court Orders: Court orders have favored the position that these suits are not barred by the Places of Worship Act. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) conducted a survey that reported the existence of a temple before the mosque.
Implications of the Act in the Mathura Dispute
- Shahi Idgah Mosque: Civil suits in Mathura pertain to the Shahi Idgah mosque near the Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, with claims that it was built over Lord Krishna’s birthplace.
- Challenging Compromise: The suits challenge a compromise reached in 1968 between Sri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan and the Shahi Idgah Trust. The Allahabad High Court has transferred all Mathura dispute suits to itself.
- Act’s Applicability: Court decisions have held that the Act does not bar these suits. In the Mathura dispute, the Act is not applicable as the compromise decree predates its enactment.
Conclusion
- The Places of Worship Act, enacted to freeze the status of places of worship, is facing challenges in ongoing disputes, particularly in Varanasi and Mathura.
- Courts have ruled that the Act does not prohibit these suits, emphasizing the need for a case-by-case examination to determine religious character.
- These developments underscore the complexities and legal interpretations surrounding the Act’s application in the context of evolving disputes.
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