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‘Mains 250+ Value Added Material’ for UPSC CSE Mains 2022 | 360° Comprehensive Notes on 250 Most Important Topics | Register and get FREE ACCESS
Register and we’ll email you the Mains 250+ VAM | Highly researched, 360° Comprehensive coverage | You will also get FREE mentorship session on How to make the most out of this material.

CLICK AND get in your email | Main 250+ Value Added Material | 250 IMP TOPIC NOTES FOR ias MAINS 2022

With less than a month left for UPSC Mains 2022 your focus must shift towards revision, value addition and improvement of your Mains answers.

It is time now to polish your skills and prepare productively. Collecting important information, news and current affairs, making notes, etc. on your own, at this point in time is a recipe for disaster.

Don’t waste your precious time.

Our CivilsDaily’s Mains team under Sajal sir has handpicked and compiled the most important 250+ topics for UPSC Mains 2022 and we are providing these to you for FREE.
- Each topic has been covered in a crisp manner in 2-3 pages.
- Every topic has forward backward linkages with current and static part of the syllabus.
- All the relevant factual data and statistics has been highlighted in bold for every topic that will help you provide a solid introduction and conclusion.
- Relevant case studies and examples have been provided for content enrichment.
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How Mains 250+ Value Added Material be useful right now?

You might be wondering, with just a month away is it wise to register for any program right now, even for free? You don’t have to worry. The Mains 250+ VAM is not new information. It’s consolidated revision notes from the standard books and current affairs of UPSC-CSE Mains.

Our initiative last year of compiling issues and topics that had a high probability of being asked in Mains 2021 was a thumping success– our toppers said they greatly benefitted from it.

Coverage of topics in Mains 250+ VAM will have one and only one purpose – to enable you to write great answers to any question from a particular topic. To be able to write a convincing 250-word answer for a topic, you need to know at least 1-2 pages of content for it.

At this point in time studying everything is not desirable nor is it feasible. You don’t have time to read everything, segregate what is important and what’s not, make notes, cover different dimensions, and then find a way to utilize that. What you need at this point in time is efficient and organized coverage of the most relevant topics for the IAS mains exam. With Mains 250+ VAM we aim to help you achieve all this.

Mains 250+ Value Added Material is an intensive and holistic program for IAS Mains 2022 GS papers. We aim to cover 250+ most relevant issues with a 360-degree view, covering all dimensions of each and every topic. Not only you’ll learn and analyze these issues but will also understand how to utilize them via Daily Answer Writing and Mains Test Series.

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Topic-Wise Current Affairs From An Issue Perspective

Current affairs in the IAS mains exam must be covered from an ‘issue perspective’ and almost all of them have multiple dimensions to it, various stakeholders involved, have interconnectedness, and can be solved with a multipronged approach only. This should reflect in your answers.

Mains 250+ VAM will help you enrich your pre-existing coverage and will add quality to it. With tests and mentorship, you will get an evaluation and necessary course correction. And we will provide daily answer writing to help you sharpen your answer writing skills and knowledge with our daily initiatives on Habitat.

Excluding your optional subject, we will be providing topic-wise notes from all the other GS papers for free. This includes Ethics case studies as well!

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What The Hindu mentioned about Civilsdaily Mentorship

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September 2, 2022
Glass ceiling needs to be broken to unlock women potential
Context
- According to available UNESCO data on some selected countries, India is at the lowest position, having only 14% female researchers working in STEM areas highlighting the presence of glass ceiling.
What is glass ceiling?
- A glass ceiling is a metaphor used to represent an invisible barrier that prevents women from rising beyond a certain level in a hierarchy. The metaphor was first coined by feminists in reference to barriers in the careers of high-achieving women.
What Is a Gender-equal Society?
- A society in which both women and men shall be given equal opportunities to participate voluntarily in activities in all fields as equal partners, and be able to enjoy political, economic, social and cultural benefits equally as well as to share responsibilities.
How glass ceiling limits women progress?
- Few opportunities: Due to deep-rooted biases, it is difficult for women to access many experiences and networks that are easily accessible to men.
- Social barriers and gender norms: Personal barriers include notions of compromise and sacrifice that are ingrained in women. This feeds into how women present themselves. External barriers and cultural cues reinforce how men and women “ought” to behave.
- Gender Inequity: Stereotypes related to gender brilliance or gender-based intrinsic aptitude generate inequity which remains unnoticed.
- Low self-confidence: Our socio-cultural constructs reflect absolute patriarchy causing even women to be sceptical about their abilities, to accept the roles set for them in the household.
The gender gap in employment
- Around the world, finding a job is much tougher for women than it is for men. When women are employed, they tend to work in low-quality jobs in vulnerable conditions, and there is little improvement forecast in the near future.
What are STEM areas?
- STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics and refers to any subjects that fall under these four disciplines.
What are the drivers at policy and programme level to promote women in STEM in India?
- Breaking myths and stereotypes around STEM is crucial to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 5 (gender equality) which includes women’s use of enabling technology, including ICT as a means of achieving economic empowerment and greater agency and also many other STEM-related SDGs.
Government initiatives
- GATI: It will be called GATI (Gender Advancement through Transforming Institutions). The DST is incorporating a system of grading institutes depending on the enrolment of women and the advancement of the careers of women faculty and scientists.
- CURIE: For infrastructure in women’s universities
- Vigyan Jyoti Scheme: Encourage girls in high school to pursue STEM
- The Athena Swan Charter: is a framework which is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education (HE) and research.
- KIRAN: (Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through nurturing) Scheme to encourage women Scientists
- Indo-US Fellowship: for Women in STEMM (STEM and Medicine)
Conclusion
- Gender equality or parity will happen only when there is a change in mind-set and institutions consider women as assets rather than simply a diversity rectification issue. Policies that help women advance in science and society globally are needed. The world cannot afford to miss out on what women have to offer.
Mains question

Q. What do you understand by the term glass ceiling? Discuss how it has hampered the women participation in high end research STEM jobs by citing some government initiatives to address this.

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September 2, 2022
2nd September 2022 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

[WpProQuiz 1102]

[WpProQuiz_toplist 1102]

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September 2, 2022
1st September 2022 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

[WpProQuiz 1101]

[WpProQuiz_toplist 1101]

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September 2, 2022
Cervavac: India’s first indigenously developed Vaccine for Cervical Cancer
Union Minister of Science and Technology has announced the scientific completion of Cervavac, India’s first indigenously developed quadrivalent human papillomavirus (qHPV) vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer.

What is Cervavac?
- Cervavac was developed by the Pune-based Serum Institute of India in coordination with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
- The project to develop the vaccine was implemented by the then secretary of the DBT, Dr. M K Bhan in 2011.
- Since then, 30 meetings of scientific advisory groups and site visits conducted by DBT have helped review the scientific merit of the entire journey to develop the vaccine.
- Cervavac received market authorisation approval from the Drug Controller General of India on July 12 this year.
What is so unique about Cervavac?
- HPV vaccines are given in two doses and data has shown that the antibodies that develop after both are administered can last up to six or seven years.
- Unlike Covid vaccines, booster shots may not be required for the cervical cancer vaccine.
- Until now, the HPV vaccines available in India were produced by foreign manufacturers at an approximate cost of Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,500 per dose.
- Cervavac is likely to be significantly cheaper, slated to cost approximately Rs 200 to 400.
- It has also demonstrated a robust antibody response that is nearly 1,000 times higher than the baseline against all targeted HPV types and in all dose and age groups.
Significance of the vaccine
- Despite being largely preventable, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally, according to the WHO.
- In 2018, an estimated 57000 women were diagnosed with the disease and it accounted for 311,000 deaths across the world.
How common is cervical cancer in India?
- India accounts for about a fifth of the global burden of cervical cancer, with 1.23 lakh cases and around 67,000 deaths per year.
- Almost all cervical cancer cases are linked to certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that is transmitted through sexual contact.
- The body’s immune system usually gets rid of the HPV infection naturally within two years.
- However, in a small percentage of people, the virus can linger over time and turn some normal cells into abnormal cells and then cancer.
How dangerous is cervical cancer?
- Cervical cancer is preventable if detected early and managed effectively.
- Screening and vaccination are two powerful tools that are available for preventing cervical cancer.
- Still, there is little awareness among women about the prevention of this cancer and less than 10% of Indian women get screened.
- All women aged 30-49 must get screened for cervical cancer even if they have no symptoms and get their adolescent daughters vaccinated with the HPV vaccine.
What are the challenges?
- The biggest task will be in allocating adequate resources and manpower for vaccinating the massive demographic of adolescent girls aged between 9 and 15, to ensure that they are protected from HPV early.
- There is a huge need for stepping up awareness about the disease and the vaccine in the community.
- Unlike Covid and the vaccination programme, there is very little awareness about cervical cancer.
- Overall awareness and screening are very low in the community and that is a concern.
- Since this is a preventable disease and hence a huge awareness programme is required
Way forward
- School-based vaccination programmes might work effectively.
- Currently, none exist and therefore planning will have to be done along those lines.
- Those accessing public health programmes will get the vaccine free of cost at government-aided schools.
- However concerted efforts will have to be made to ensure the involvement of private healthcare facilities and NGOs towards an effective rollout.
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September 2, 2022
[Masterclass by IPS, Dr. Amol] How to read newspapers and cover current affairs holistically for UPSC 2023-24 Prelims and Mains? Last chance to register
Block your Thursday (1st September), 2022 | An important Masterclass by IPS, Dr. Amol on how to read newspapers & cover UPSC Current Affairs | Get Samachar Manthan current week’s module for FREE

CLICK AND REGISTER FOR the MASTERCLASS BY IPS OFFICER & CD Super MENTOR dr. AMOL MURKUT | HOW TO READ NEWSPAPER & COVER CURRENT AFFAIRS holistically?

You have only 24 hours a day and lots of things to prepare for current affairs. Newspapers are the most significant part of your preparation. Considering how much time a person spends studying them, the foremost goal for beginners, or first attempters, should be to clear the Prelims.

UPSC beginners always find it difficult and complain about spending too much time reading newspapers. And this is a genuine concern because if someone spends 4-5 hours in the newspaper, then their problem is justified but not to be ignored. Sadly this happens with aspirants who have attempted UPSC twice thrice as well.

A fundamental problem with Current affairs is the deluge of reading material. Freshers, in their earlier attempts, are tempted to buy Current Affairs material out of whim, in a delusional hope that more current affairs notes = more marks. Their room is filled with CSR, Pratiyogita Darpan, EPW, Chronicle, Yojana, and every random magazine you can name.

Alas! The harsh reality is they buy them out of excitement, keep them safely on their desk, and never reopen them again for lack of time. Such too much material becomes counter-productive. Sheer quantity dominates over quality.

Dr. Amol Murkut, IPS (2020), Super Mentor at CivilsDaily

Acknowledging the need to ensure removing difficulties, the students face, Dr. Amol Murkut, IPS (2020) & Super Mentor at CivilsDaily is going to host an on-demand MASTERCLASS on how to read newspapers and cover UPSC-centric current affairs for Prelims and Mains. So, if you wish to get your name on the 2023 merit list, don’t miss out on this great chance to discuss your queries in a 1-1 session with an IPS officer.

CLICK AND REGISTER FOR the MASTERCLASS BY IPS OFFICER & CD Super MENTOR dr. AMOL MURKUT | HOW TO READ NEWSPAPER & COVER CURRENT AFFAIRS holistically?

Points that we will be discussing in the Masterclass on 1st September, (Thursday) at 7 PM.
1. How to cover current affairs holistically for Prelims, Mains, and Interviews?
2. Supplementing Newspapers with Magazines like Yojana, Kurukshetra, etc, and making notes from them.
3. How to focus on these:
  - Socio-economic issues like Women issues, Education or Health related issues, Issues or policies affecting vulnerable sections etc.
  - Issues of national and international importance.
  - Political issues related to Indian Constitution, Legislative and Administrative processes.
  - Supreme Court or High Court verdicts.
  - Good analysis of current issues.
  - Parliamentary Debates.
  - Government policies and orders.
4. How to make 2 paged crisp notes for Prelims and Mains revision and answer writing?
5. How to collect examples, case studies, and important fodder for Mains answers?
6. Finishing newspaper within 40 mins max.
7. How to connect Current Affairs with GS?
Those who understand the exam syllabus and pattern well, have less anxiety but a beginner (due to less understanding of syllabus and pattern) takes enough time to read and prepare.

CLICK AND REGISTER FOR A UNIQUE MASTERCLASS BY IPS OFFICER & CD SENIOR MENTOR AMOL MURKUT | HOW TO READ NEWSPAPER & COVER ONLY UPSC CENTRIC CURRENT AFFAIRS

What The Hindu mentioned about Civilsdaily Mentorship

CLICK AND REGISTER FOR A UNIQUE MASTERCLASS BY IPS OFFICER & CD SENIOR MENTOR AMOL MURKUT | HOW TO READ NEWSPAPER & COVER ONLY UPSC CENTRIC CURRENT AFFAIRS
September 1, 2022
1st September 2022| Daily Answer Writing Enhancement(AWE)
Topics for Today’s questions:

GS-1 Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent)

GS-2 Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of the vulnerable sections.

GS-3 Indian Economy

GS-4 Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.

Question 1)

Q.1 What do you understand by the Arctic Paradox? Highlight the spatial distribution of mineral and energy resources in the Arctic region. (15 Marks)

Question 2)

Q.2 There is a surge in demand by forest communities to not only access the resources of their habitat, but also to establish their ownership over forests. In this context, analyse the issues with working of FRA 2006. (10 Marks)

Question 3)

Q.3 Recently released RBI data on the states’ outstanding debt has registered an upward movement. In this context, analyse the issues between centre and state in fiscal domain. Also shed light on the issues with discretionary spending by the states. (15 Marks)

Question 4)

Q.4 In the quest for scientific and technological development, ethical values should not be neglected. Discuss in the current context. (10 Marks)

HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?
1. Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.
2. A Mentor’s Comment will be available for all answers. This can be used as a guidance tool but we encourage you to write original answers.
3. You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.
4. Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.
5. Along with the scanned answer, please share your Razor payment ID, so that paid members are given priority.
6. If you upload the answer on the same day like the answer of 11th February is uploaded on 11th February then your answer will be checked within 72 hours. Also, reviews will be in the order of submission- First come first serve basis
7. If you are writing answers late, for example, 11th February is uploaded on 13th February , then these answers will be evaluated as per the mentor’s schedule.
8. We encourage you to write answers on the same day. However, if you are uploading an answer late then tag the mentor like @Staff so that the mentor is notified about your answer.
*In case your answer is not reviewed, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*.
1. For the philosophy of AWE and payment:
CLICK HERE To join Daily AWE
September 1, 2022
Why has the Solomon Islands blocked foreign navy vessels?
After refusing access to US and UK ships to its ports earlier this month, the Solomon Islands has now temporarily halted all naval visits.

Why in news?
- The country’s move is a departure from the norm and is been seen as an attempt to appease China.
- This raises concerns about China’s growing influence in the country and the region at large.
Where is the Solomon Islands located?
- The Solomon Islands is a sovereign country consisting of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands in Oceania, to the east of Papua New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu.
- Its capital, Honiara, is located on the largest island, Guadalcanal.
- It is part of the ethnically Melanesian group of islands in the Pacific and lies between Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.
- The country takes its name from the Solomon Islands archipelago, which is a collection of Melanesian islands that also includes the North Solomon Islands (a part of Papua New Guinea).
- It excludes outlying islands, such as the Santa Cruz Islands and Rennell and Bellona.
Quick recap of its past
- The islands, which were initially controlled by the British Empire during the colonial era, went through the hands of Germany and Japan.
- It then went back to the UK after the Americans took over the islands from the Japanese during World War II.
- The islands became independent in 1978 to become a constitutional monarchy under the British Crown, with a parliamentary system of government.
- Nevertheless, its inability to manage domestic ethnic conflicts led to close security relations with Australia, which is the traditional first responder to any crisis in the South Pacific.
How did China enter the picture?
- Earlier this year, the Solomon Islands established a security agreement with China, saying it needed Beijing’s assistance with its domestic security situation.
- But the announcement had rattled the west, esp. the US, Australia and others in the Indo-Pacific region.
- The concerns were that the agreement could potentially lead to a Chinese military base on the island nation and a gain in power-projection capabilities.
- At that time, following intense scrutiny, the Solomon Islands had denied that the agreement would allow China to establish a naval base.
- The Island insisted that the agreement was only to assist the Solomon Islands with what he called “hard internal threats”.
What is the Solomon Islands’ stance?
- The government has asked all partner countries with plans to conduct naval visits or patrols to put them on hold until a revised national mechanism is in place.
- The revised national mechanism applied to all foreign vessels seeking access to the country’s ports.
- The nation wanted to build up its own naval capacity.
- It has some unfortunate experiences of foreign naval vessels entering its waters without any diplomatic clearance.
What is behind China’s growing influence in the region?
- There is no dispute that China has been rapidly increasing its presence and influence in the region for over three decades, particularly in the South Pacific.
- Certainly Beijing views the Pacific Island region as an important component of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
- Specifically, it sees the region as a critical air freight hub in its so-called Air Silk Road, which connects Asia with Central and South America.
Concerns of the West
- The United States and its regional allies, such as Australia and New Zealand, are concerned that the China-Solomon Islands security pact allows Chinese naval vessels to replenish there.
- That could open the door to a Chinese naval base, which would significantly extend China’s military reach in the South Pacific.”
- It is likely that this security agreement between China and the Solomon Islands has been driven by, what the CFR calls, Beijing’s “sense of vulnerability” in the region.
What is the rationale for the Solomon Islands’ increasing proximity to China?
- The Solomon Islands had cultivated strong ties with Taiwan, which ended with the emergence of the current government in Honiara.
- In 2019, the regime change switched Taiwan for China.
- This was supposedly after Beijing offered half a billion US dollars in financial aid, roughly five times what Taiwan spent on the islands in the past two decades.
- It has been alleged by the pro-Taiwan Opposition that the incumbent government has been bribed by China.
Why is China interested in the Solomon Islands?
- Isolating Taiwan: The Solomon Islands was one among the six Pacific island states which had official bilateral relations with Taiwan.
- Supporter in UN: The small Pacific island states act as potential vote banks for mobilising support for the great powers in international fora like the United Nations.
- Larger EEZ: These states have disproportionately large maritime Exclusive Economic Zones when compared to their small sizes.
- Natural resources: Solomon Islands, in particular, have significant reserves of timber and mineral resources, along with fisheries.
- Countering US: But more importantly, they are strategically located for China to insert itself between America’s military bases in the Pacific islands and Australia.
What does this mean for the established geopolitical configuration in the region?
- Diminishing western influence: The Pacific islands, in the post-World War II scenario, were exclusively under the spheres of influence of the Western powers, in particular, the US, UK, France and Australia and New Zealand.
- Inserting into western hegemony: All of them have territorial possessions in the region, with the three nuclear powers among them having used the region as a nuclear weapons testing ground.
- Shifting of dependencies: The smaller island nations of the region are heavily dependent on them, especially Australia as it is a resident power.
Damage control by West
- Australia has reacted with boosted finances, and by extending its current security mission till 2023 when the islands will host the Pacific Games.
- The US has responded by considering reopening its embassy in Honiara after a long 29-year gap.
- New Zealand has shed its typical restraint about China and has criticised it for attempting to militarise the Pacific islands.
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September 1, 2022
Heritage conservation
Context
- Despite all the public talk of the importance of conserving our national heritage, the budget of the ASI, the primary institutional guardian of monuments, in 2021-22 has been reduced by more than Rs 200 cr.
How do you define heritage?
- Heritage is the full range of our inherited traditions, monuments, objects, and culture. Most important, it is the range of contemporary activities, meanings, and behaviours that we draw from them.
Threats to Indian Heritage
- Theft: The incidents of thefts have been observed usually from unprotected monuments, ancient temples. The thefts cases have also been seen in the protected monuments and museums as well. It is due to negligence of security guards in museums, monuments etc.
- Smuggling: illicit traffic and smuggling in antiquities. Illicit traffic is motivated often by profit and sometimes by the demand for luxuries.
- Tourism: Unregulated tourism, tourist activities run by touts, private agents have affected the art heritage places. The Culture Ministry of India has reported that up to 24 Indian monuments have been declared “untraceable” or “missing” by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
- Issues with security of museums: Most of the museums are poorly guarded due to shortage of manpower leading to theft of artifacts, fire accidents etc.
- Duplication: Fakes paintings and art forms leading to threat to livelihoods of artists.
- Poor Maintenance: The state of the wall paintings in Ajanta caves is continuously getting worse, which can be attributed to humidity as well as to a lack of care.
- Encroachment on monuments: Another miss from the ministry has been encroachments of monuments. Over 278 centrally protected monuments have been encroached upon or have illegal occupants, as per government data.
Why should we protect our heritage?
- Evolution of human consciousness is a continuous process: History here serves as a laboratory and the past serves as a demarcation to understand the regional laws and social structures. This understanding helps in our progress towards an ideal society.
- Pride of country: The art heritage is the identity and pride of our country. It is duty of every citizen to protect, preserve and perpetuate the cultural richness.
- Tourism potential: for art monuments and museums is very high. Tourism generates revenue for the state as well as private artists due to the money-multiplier quality.
- Infrastructure development: takes place in and around the areas. Eg. Hampi despite being a small town has excellent infrastructure.
- Jobs: It creates jobs for a lot of people from art industry and tourism industry as well
- Sense of belonging: It creates a feeling of oneness and a sense of attachment by enhancing a sense of belonging to a culture or a region.
- Strengthen conviction: Every historical site has an important story to tell and these stories have inspired many people to strengthen their convictions and commitment to fight injustice and oppression.
- Soft power: Art and culture is also a part of soft power in world politics.
About Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
- The ASI is an attached office of the Ministry of Culture.
- It was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham who also became its first Director-General.
- Under the provisions of the AMASR Act of 1958, the ASI administers more than 3650 ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains of national importance.
- These can include everything from temples, mosques, churches, tombs, and cemeteries to palaces, forts, step-wells, and rock-cut caves.
Initiatives by ASI
- Museums: ASI’s museums are customarily located right next to the sites that their inventories are associated with “so that they may be studied amid their natural surroundings and not lose focus by being transported”. A dedicated Museums Branch maintains a total of 44 museums spread across the country.
- Publications by ASI: Epigraphia Indica, Ancient India, Indian Archaeology: A Review (Annually).
- Library: Central Archaeological Library in the National Archives building in Janpath, New Delhi.
Issues and Challenges ahead of ASI
- To restore or not: Issue is that technically speaking- ruins are seldom “restored” in original state. This is because in absence of documentation- archaeologists are left to conjecture what buildings may have looked like when they were originally built.
- Personnel Management Issues: Higher Authorities of ASI are traditionally from IAS Cadre. In-house specialist must be promoted for better coordination b/w technical and managerial aspects of restoration
- Issues explored in CAG Report: 92 monuments are untraceable with no database on artifacts. Poor Documentation of Protected Monuments/Artifacts. Paucity of funds (Eg- Red fort gardens lie unkempt).
Conclusion
- It is the duty of every citizen to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture. Preservation and conservation of India’s rich cultural heritage and promotion of all forms of art and culture, both tangible and intangible, is essential and assumes a lot of importance.
Mains question

Q. Safeguarding the Indian heritage is the need of the moment. What are the challenges faced in safeguarding them? What steps would you suggest to protect them?

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September 1, 2022
Bhang, Ganja, and criminality in the NDPS Act
While granting bail to a man arrested on June 1 for possessing 29 kg of bhang and 400 g of ganja, Karnataka High Court recently observed that nowhere in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act is bhang referred to as a prohibited drink or prohibited drug.

What is Bhang?
- Bhang is the edible preparation made from the leaves of the cannabis plant, often incorporated into drinks such as thandai and lassi, along with various foods.
- Bhang has been consumed in the Indian subcontinent for centuries, and is frequently consumed during the festivals of Holi and Mahashivratri.
- Its widespread use caught the attention of Europeans, with Garcia da Orta, a Portuguese physician who arrived in Goa in the 16th century, noting that, “Bhang is so generally used and by such a number of people that there is no mystery about it”.
Bhang and the law
- Enacted in 1985, the NDPS Act is the main legislation that deals with drugs and their trafficking.
- Various provisions of the Act punish production, manufacture, sale, possession, consumption, purchase, transport, and use of banned drugs, except for medical and scientific purposes.
- The NDPS Act defines cannabis (hemp) as a narcotic drug based on the parts of the plant that come under its purview. The Act lists these parts as:
1. Charas: “The separated resin, in whatever form, whether crude or purified, obtained from the cannabis plant and also includes concentrated preparation and resin known as hashish oil or liquid hashish.”
2. Ganja: “The flowering or fruiting tops of the cannabis plant (excluding the seeds and leaves when not accompanied by the tops), by whatever name they be known or designated.”
3. “Any mixture, with or without any neutral material, of any of the above forms of cannabis or any drink prepared therefrom.”
- The Act, in its definition, excludes seeds and leaves “when not accompanied by the tops”.
- Bhang, which is made with the leaves of the plant, is not mentioned in the NDPS Act.
Cannabis and criminal liability
- Section 20 of the NDPS Act lays out the punishment for the production, manufacture, sale, purchase, import and inter-state export of cannabis, as defined in the Act.
- The prescribed punishment is based on the amount of drugs seized.
- Contravention that involves a small quantity (100 g of charas/hashish or 1 kg of ganja), will result in rigorous imprisonment for a term that may extend to one year and/or a fine which may extend to Rs 10,000.
- For a commercial quantity (1 kg charas/ hashish or 20 kg ganja), rigorous imprisonment of not less than 10 years, which may extend to 20 years, including a fine that is not less than Rs 1,00,000 but may extend to Rs 2,00,000.
- Where the contravention involves quantity less than commercial, but greater than small quantity, rigorous imprisonment up to 10 years is prescribed, along with a fine which may extend to Rs 1,00,000.
Also read:

[Burning Issue] Substance Abuse in India

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September 1, 2022

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