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  • [25th September 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Follow the rains, not the calendar to fight floods

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2016] The frequency of urban floods due to high-intensity rainfall is increasing over the years. Discussing the reasons for urban floods, highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events.

    Linkage: This PYQ is directly linked to the article as both focus on increasing urban floods due to high-intensity, untimely rainfall and the need for better preparedness. It is important for UPSC as it tests understanding of climate change impacts, urban governance, and disaster management, all of which the article highlights through outdated drainage design, rainfall compression, and the need to “follow the rains, not the calendar.

    Mentor’s Comment

    Urban floods are no longer seasonal accidents; they are recurring crises that expose the mismatch between traditional planning calendars and the realities of a changing climate. This article unpacks the failures of outdated urban flood management and suggests a roadmap for building resilient cities. Aspirants must note its direct relevance to GS 1 (urbanisation), GS 2 (governance), GS 3 (disaster management, environment), and GS 4 (ethics in governance).

    Introduction

    Every monsoon, India’s cities brace for floods with desilting of drains, deploying contractors, and activating emergency protocols. Yet, reality unfolds differently, roads submerge, homes flood, and transport grinds to a halt. The core problem lies not only in the intensity and unpredictability of rainfall but also in city systems designed for a climate that no longer exists. Urban resilience now demands shifting from “seasonal schedules” to real-time rainfall preparedness.

    Why in the News?

    This year, northern states like Punjab (all 23 districts), Delhi, and Gurugram witnessed severe floods in September, well beyond the traditional monsoon period. Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh saw frequent cloudbursts, while Kolkata faced torrential rains. Such untimely, intense, and regionally widespread flooding marks a sharp departure from past rainfall behaviour. With single floods now causing damages worth ₹8,700 crore, the urgency to rethink urban flood management cannot be overstated.

    Understanding Changing Rainfall Patterns

    1. Shift in Timing: Mumbai recorded 135.4 mm rainfall in May (normally a pre-monsoon month), followed by 161.9 mm the next day. Delhi saw 81 mm fall in a few hours, overwhelming drains.
    2. Rise in Frequency: CEEW analysis shows 64% of tehsils across states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Karnataka have seen heavy rainfall days increase by 1–15 days.
    3. Compression of Rainfall: Rainfall that earlier spanned a day is now compressed into hours, intensifying floods.

    Why are Indian Cities Flooding so Frequently?

    1. Outdated Drainage Design: Systems still rely on seasonal averages rather than short-duration, high-intensity rain data.
    2. Unmanaged Waste: Plastic and debris block drains; even after desilting, poor waste collection leads to quick clogging.
    3. Poor Coordination: Storm water, sanitation, and municipal waste departments work in silos, creating gaps in preparedness.
    4. Static Planning: Drainage infrastructure often relies on rainfall data decades old, ignoring evolving IDF (Intensity-Duration-Frequency) curves.

    What Solutions are Proposed?

    1. Sub-daily Rainfall Analysis: Municipalities must adopt rainfall data in smaller time frames (1–3 hours) to plan drainage.
    2. Drainage-Waste Synchronisation: Waste collection and drain cleaning must be coordinated; rainfall alerts should trigger joint drives.
    3. Updating IDF Curves: Curves must be revised every 5–10 years; new drainage should factor in topography and micro-catchments.
    4. Infrastructure Upgradation: Example – BMC’s plan to widen drains to handle 120 mm/hour rainfall and prepare a new drainage master plan.
    5. Separate Sewerage and Stormwater Networks: To prevent overload and improve efficiency.

    Broader Implications for Urban Planning

    1. Disaster Management: Floods are now the leading cause of life and property loss among natural disasters in India.
    2. Economic Impact: Each major flood inflicts damages of nearly ₹8,700 crore.
    3. Climate Resilience: Cities must adapt to “rain already falling” instead of waiting for calendar-based monsoon onset.

    Conclusion

    India is not losing to rain, but to outdated assumptions about rain. The fight against urban floods requires breaking the illusion of a uniform monsoon season. By following the rain, not the calendar, cities can design adaptive infrastructure, improve inter-departmental coordination, and protect citizens’ lives and livelihoods.

    Value Addition

    Case Study: Vijayawada’s Monsoon Response Teams

    • Integrated approach: The city administration created special monsoon response teams that brought together officials from the sanitation, engineering, and planning departments to work in coordination during high-risk rainy periods.
    • Real-time action: Instead of relying on rigid seasonal schedules, these teams responded dynamically to rainfall alerts and forecasts, immediately conducting joint sanitation drives and drain inspections.
    • Drainage & waste sync: Garbage clearance and storm water drain cleaning were aligned, preventing freshly desilted drains from being blocked again by unmanaged waste.
    • Impact: This reduced waterlogging and urban flooding, improved road accessibility, and lessened health risks for residents during monsoons.
    • Learning: Vijayawada shows how inter-departmental coordination, proactive planning, and rainfall-triggered response systems can make cities more resilient to changing monsoon patterns.

    Global Context in Urban Flood Management

    Rotterdam, Netherlands – “Room for the River” approach

    • Idea: Instead of resisting water, the city creates water plazas that double as playgrounds during dry weather and hold excess rainwater during storms.
    • Infrastructure: Underground reservoirs, widened canals, and lowered floodplains to absorb water.
    • Learning: Shows the importance of adaptive urban design that accommodates rainfall variability.

    Copenhagen, Denmark – Cloudburst Management Plan

    • Trigger: After a massive cloudburst in 2011 caused $1 billion in damages.
    • Action: Developed over 300 projects including green roofs, permeable pavements, detention basins, and blue-green corridors that store and channel stormwater.
    • Learning: Proactive planning with a mix of nature-based and engineered solutions.

    New York City, USA – Green Infrastructure Plan

    • Focus: Reduce stormwater runoff that overwhelms combined sewer systems.
    • Measures: Rain gardens, bioswales, green roofs, permeable streets to capture rainfall locally.
    • Learning: Urban flooding is not just a drainage issue but requires land-use and design-based solutions.

    Singapore – ABC Waters Programme (Active, Beautiful, Clean)

    • Approach: Transforms canals, rivers, and drains into multifunctional spaces.
    • Measures: Retention ponds, vegetated swales, rain gardens integrated with urban landscapes.
    • Learning: Integrates aesthetics, ecology, and flood management, showing flood resilience can coexist with urban beauty.

    Tokyo, Japan – Underground Flood Tunnels (G-Cans Project)

    • Infrastructure: World’s largest underground floodwater diversion facility with 6.5 km tunnels and giant silos to store stormwater.
    • Impact: Protects Tokyo’s dense urban areas from typhoon rains and river overflow.
    • Learning: Mega-engineering projects can be effective in high-density megacities with extreme rainfall.

     

  • Swipe, Tap, Spend: How UPI is a decisive step towards formalization of Indian Economy

    Introduction

    India’s journey towards a cash-lite economy has been marked by a staggering rise in UPI transactions, reflecting a decisive shift in household and business payment patterns. From groceries to loans, from investments to utility bills, UPI has emerged as the backbone of everyday economic life. This transformation is not merely technological but a structural change towards the formalisation of the economy, reducing cash-dependency while boosting transparency and traceability in transactions.

    Why is UPI making news now?

    1. Staggering growth: In April–June 2025, 34.9 billion person-to-merchant transactions occurred through UPI, worth ₹20.4 lakh crore, equal to 40% of private final consumption expenditure, up from 24% two years ago.
    2. Shift from ATMs: Cash withdrawals, once dominant, have halved despite the economy doubling in size—falling from ₹2.6 lakh crore (2018) to ₹2.3 lakh crore (2025).
    3. Wider impact: UPI is now used not only for routine consumption but also for debt repayments, investments, and financial services, signalling a major step in economic formalisation.

    How has household spending been transformed?

    1. Digital dominance: Household payments, earlier cash-heavy, are increasingly routed through UPI across income classes.
    2. Food & beverages: In April–June 2025, households spent ₹3.4 lakh crore on food and beverages via UPI—17% of all UPI transactions and 21% of household expenditure.
    3. Non-food items: Payments include utilities, medicines, petrol, taxi rides, and electronics, accounting for two-thirds of person-to-merchant transfers.

    What about precautionary savings and cash usage?

    1. Decline in cash holdings: Household currency holdings fell from 12.5% of gross savings (2020–21) to just 3.4% in 2023–24.
    2. Changing behaviour: While cash remains important for land, gold, and election financing, its share in household savings has been on a consistent decline.

    How is UPI impacting financial formalisation?

    1. Formalisation of firms and workers: Increased traceable transactions complement reforms like GST registrations and EPFO contributions, enhancing formalisation.
    2. Beyond consumption: UPI in July 2025 facilitated ₹93,857 crore debt repayments and ₹61,080 crore investments into securities—indicating a structural integration of households into formal financial markets.

    What are the larger implications for the economy?

    1. Scaling up formal economy: Digital payments extend across small, medium, and big-ticket transactions, shrinking the space for the informal sector.
    2. Global context: Countries like Germany also have high cash usage despite digitisation—India’s transformation is striking in scale.
    3. Policy question: With the public currency-to-GDP ratio falling from 12.9% (2022) to 10.9% (2025), the debate is whether India has reached an inflection point towards becoming a sustained cash-lite economy.

    Conclusion

    UPI’s ascendancy reflects not just a technological success but a social and economic restructuring of India. By shifting transactions from cash to traceable platforms, it has enhanced formalisation, reduced leakages, and encouraged financial inclusion. The challenge ahead lies in ensuring this transformation is sustainable while safeguarding against risks like digital divides, cybersecurity threats, and over-dependence on electronic infrastructure.

    PYQ Relevance:

    [UPSC 2023] What is the status of digitalization in the Indian economy? Examine the problems faced in this regard and suggest improvements.

    Linkage: This PYQ is important as UPSC often tests themes of digitalisation, financial inclusion, and formalisation of the economy under GS3. The article helps answer it by showing UPI’s role in reducing cash reliance and formalising payments, while also pointing to persisting challenges like cash use in land, gold, and elections.

    Value Addition

    Benefits of UPI

    • Digitalisation of the Economy: 
      1. UPI has made India the world’s largest real-time digital payments ecosystem (over 50% of global real-time transactions, as per the ACI Worldwide 2023 report).
      2. Strengthens transparency, traceability, and reduces black money circulation.
    • Financial Inclusion:
      1. UPI transactions span urban malls to rural kirana stores, enabling low-cost access for the unbanked.
      2. Integration with Aadhaar, Jan Dhan, and mobile numbers creates a seamless financial ecosystem.
    • Globalisation × Formal & Informal Economy:
      1. Shifts large segments from cash-heavy informal sector to traceable, formal payments.
      2. Helps MSMEs and street vendors gain access to credit as digital history substitutes collateral.
    • Economic Growth and Development:
      1. Boosts consumption visibility, enabling better policy targeting.
      2. Encourages formal lending and investments—e.g., ₹93,857 crore in debt repayments via UPI (article data).

  • How are courts protecting personality rights?

    Introduction

    Personality rights, the right to control one’s name, image, likeness, and voice, have become a critical issue in India’s courts. With AI enabling deepfakes, voice cloning, and digital impersonation, Bollywood celebrities like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, and Jackie Shroff have approached courts to restrain unauthorised commercial exploitation of their persona. While these judicial interventions protect individual dignity and brand equity, they also raise complex questions about the balance between Article 21 (privacy and autonomy) and Article 19(1)(a) (freedom of speech and expression).

    Why is this in the news?

    The Delhi High Court recently issued orders protecting Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan from AI-generated misuse of their images and voices. This is significant because:

    1. Novel threat: It highlights how AI deepfakes and voice cloning are creating unprecedented risks for identity and privacy.
    2. Judicial trend: Courts are extending personality rights protections to celebrities such as Karan Johar, Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, and Arijit Singh.
    3. Big problem: Without regulation, AI-driven impersonation undermines trust, dilutes brand equity, and strips individuals of control over their identity.
    4. Turning point: Courts are now explicitly linking personality rights to Article 21 of the Constitution, signalling a constitutional recognition of digital dignity.

    How are personality rights defined in India?

    1. Safeguards: Personality rights protect name, likeness, image, voice, signature, and other unique traits.
    2. Legal foundation: Rooted in common law doctrines of privacy, publicity, and defamation, supported by judicial precedents.

    Statutory framework:

    1. Copyright Act, 1957: Sections 38A & 38B grant performers exclusive and moral rights over their performances.
    2. Trade Marks Act, 1999: Allows registration of names/signatures as trademarks (e.g., Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra).
    3. Tort of Passing Off: Prevents misrepresentation of a celebrity’s persona as endorsement.

    How have courts shaped personality rights?

    1. R. Rajagopal v. State of Tamil Nadu (1994): Supreme Court recognised the right to control one’s identity, grounding it in privacy under Article 21.
    2. Rajinikanth case (2015): Madras HC restrained unauthorised use of the actor’s persona in a film.
    3. Anil Kapoor case (2023): Delhi HC granted wide-ranging protection, clarifying that free speech covers parody/satire but not commercial misuse.
    4. Jackie Shroff case (2024): Court restrained misuse of his persona on e-commerce and AI platforms.
    5. Arijit Singh case (2024): Bombay HC recognised risks of voice cloning through AI.

    Do personality rights restrict free expression?

    Free speech scope: Article 19(1)(a) allows criticism, parody, satire, and lampooning of public figures.

    Judicial caution:

    1. DM Entertainment v. Baby Gift House (2010): Caricatures and parodies do not usually infringe publicity rights.
    2. Digital Collectibles v. Galactus Funware (2023): Material already in the public domain may be used without implying endorsement.
    3. Balancing test: Courts strike a balance between creative freedom and protection of dignity/brand equity.

    Why is regulation urgently needed?

    1. Fragmented protections: Enforcement is currently piecemeal, relying on case law.
    2. Digital threats: Generative AI expands risks of impersonation and deepfakes.
    3. Disproportionate impact: Ordinary citizens, especially women targeted through revenge porn, face greater harm.
    4. Policy need: Experts call for a comprehensive legislative framework to clearly define exceptions and ensure free speech is not chilled.

    Conclusion

    The judiciary is laying down crucial guardrails for personality rights in the digital age, particularly against AI-driven impersonation. However, without a clear legislative framework, judicial interventions remain reactive. The challenge lies in balancing dignity and privacy with freedom of speech, ensuring that protections do not turn into censorship while still safeguarding individuals, from Bollywood celebrities to ordinary citizens, against misuse of their identity.

    [UPSC 2024] Right to privacy is intrinsic to life and personal liberty and is inherently protected under Article 21 of the constitution. Explain. In this reference discuss the law relating to D.N.A. testing of child in the womb to establish its paternity.

    Linkage: The PYQ on Right to Privacy under Article 21 examines autonomy over personal identity, like in DNA testing. This article is relevant as it shows courts extending privacy into personality rights against AI misuse, with case laws and statutes providing examples to balance privacy and free speech in UPSC answers.

    Value Addition

    Global Context & Reports

    1. WIPO Intellectual Property Report (2022): Notes rapid rise of personality/IP litigation due to digital commerce.
    2. UNESCO Report on AI & Ethics (2021): Warns against deepfakes undermining democratic discourse and human dignity.
    3. US “Right of Publicity” Laws: Celebrities can sue for unauthorised commercial use of their persona, providing comparative perspective.
    4. EU GDPR (2018): Protects personal data, extending indirectly to digital identity misuse.

     

  • South-west Monsoon: Its Onset and Retreat

    Why in the News?

    According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the southwest monsoon began its earliest withdrawal in a decade on September 14 from western Rajasthan, three days before the usual date of September 17.

    What is Monsoon? 

    • Overview: A seasonal reversal of winds, southwest winds (wet) in summer and northeast winds (dry) in winter.
    • Onset Date: Officially begins June 1 over Kerala, advances northwards, covering entire India by mid-July.
    • Importance: Accounts for ~75% of India’s annual rainfall, critical for Kharif crops, water storage, and ecosystems.

    Mechanism of Monsoon Onset:

    • Differential Heating: Indian landmass heats faster than the Indian Ocean, creating low pressure over NW India that pulls in moist winds.
    • Mascarene Highs:
      • Located near Mascarene Islands (east of Madagascar).
      • Strengthen during May–June winter in Southern Hemisphere.
      • Push strong cross-equatorial winds from the SE Indian Ocean towards India.
    • Cross-Equatorial Flow:
      • Southeast trades from Mascarene High cross the equator.
      • Deflected by Coriolis, they become southwest monsoon winds, feeding both Arabian Sea branch and Bay of Bengal branch.
    • ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone) Shift: Moves northwards over Ganga plains, anchoring the monsoon trough.
    • Tibetan Plateau Heating: Acts as an elevated heat source, deepening low pressure.
    • Jet Stream Influence:
      • Subtropical Westerly Jet (STWJ) shifts north of Himalayas, allowing the monsoon trough.
      • Tropical Easterly Jet (TEJ) develops, enhancing moisture flow.
    • Local Triggers: Orographic uplift along Western Ghats, NE Hills, and Indo-Gangetic plains causes heavy rains.

    What is Retreat/Withdrawal of Monsoon?

    • Earliest Withdrawal (2025): Began Sept 14 from western Rajasthan — earliest in a decade (normal = Sept 17).
    • Withdrawal Process: Gradual, completes by mid-October.
    • IMD Withdrawal Criteria:
      1. Development of anti-cyclonic circulation at lower troposphere.
      2. No rainfall for 5 consecutive days over the region.
      3. Prevalence of dry weather conditions.
    • Seasonal Marker: IMD fixes Sept 30 as the official end of SW monsoon.
    • Agricultural Role: Retreat moisture crucial for Rabi crop sowing.

    Influencing Factors for Monsoon Retreat:

    • Seasonal Cooling: Reduced solar heating over land in September weakens low pressure.
    • Pressure Gradient Reversal: High pressure redevelops over NW India, collapsing SW winds.
    • ITCZ Shift: Moves back southwards towards the equator, reversing wind patterns.
    • Jet Stream Role: TEJ weakens, westerlies return, pushing out moist winds.
    • Topography & Seas: Coastal and mountainous regions (e.g., SE peninsula, Bay of Bengal) may still receive residual/post-monsoon showers.
    • Mascarene Highs: As SH winter ends, Mascarene highs weaken, cross-equatorial inflow diminishes, aiding withdrawal.

    Climatic Phenomena affecting the Indian Monsoon:

    1. ENSO (El Niño–Southern Oscillation):

    • ENSO originates in the equatorial Pacific Ocean and strongly influences the Pacific Walker Circulation (PWC).
      1. El Niño years: The eastern and central Pacific waters warm up. This weakens the Walker circulation and reduces the flow of moisture-laden winds from the Mascarene Highs towards India. As a result, the monsoon becomes weak or deficient, often leading to droughts.
      2. La Niña years: The opposite happens; Pacific waters cool, the Walker circulation strengthens, and strong cross-equatorial winds from the Mascarene Highs bring more moisture into India. Monsoon rainfall is usually above normal, sometimes leading to floods.
    • Key point: ENSO acts like a “remote controller” sitting in the Pacific but directly influencing the strength of the Indian monsoon winds.

    2. Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD):

    • The Indian Ocean itself has its own seesaw pattern of sea surface temperatures.
      • Positive IOD: Western Indian Ocean (near Africa) is warmer, and eastern Indian Ocean (near Indonesia) is cooler. This strengthens cross-equatorial winds from the Mascarene Highs, feeding more moisture into India. Result: Good rainfall, strong monsoon, even if El Niño is present.
      • Negative IOD: Western Indian Ocean is cooler, eastern side is warmer. This pulls away monsoon winds from India and weakens the rainfall.
    • Key point: IOD is a “local driver” sitting in the Indian Ocean, which can either amplify or cancel out ENSO’s effect.

    3. ENSO–IOD Interaction:

    • Monsoon outcome is not decided by ENSO or IOD alone, but by how they combine:
      • El Niño + Positive IOD: IOD can cancel El Niño’s bad effect (1997 monsoon was near normal).
      • El Niño + Negative IOD: Worst-case combo, often brings severe droughts.
      • La Niña + Positive IOD: Both reinforce each other, leading to very heavy rainfall and flood risk.
      • ENSO Neutral + Positive/Negative IOD: IOD becomes the deciding factor.

    The Big Picture:

    • Pacific Walker Circulation is the “conveyor belt” moving rising and sinking air across the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
      • When it shifts east (El Niño): India gets less rain.
      • When it strengthens west (La Niña): India gets more rain.
    • IOD modifies this system locally in the Indian Ocean-  it can either buffer or worsen ENSO’s impact.
    • The Mascarene Highs act as the main “engine room” for cross-equatorial winds, but the Walker circulation and IOD decide how strong that engine runs.
    • Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO): An eastward-moving pulse of cloud and rainfall that travels around the equator every 30–60 days.
      • MJO decides the intra-seasonal variability: when it rains heavily (active phase) and when dry breaks occur.

     

    [UPSC 2012] Consider the following statements:

    1. The duration of the monsoon decreases from southern India to northern India.

    2. The amount of annual rainfall in the northern plains of India decreases from east to west.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    Options: (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2* (d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

    [UPSC 2017] With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)’ sometimes mentioned in the news while forecasting Indian monsoon, which of the following statements is/are correct?

    1. The IOD phenomenon is characterized by a difference in sea surface temperature between tropical Western Indian Ocean and tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean.

    2. An IOD phenomenon can influence an El Nino’s impact on the monsoon.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1 only  (b) 2 only * (c) Both 1 and 2  (d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

  • Konkan Geoglyphs may be 24,000 years old

    Why in the News?

    The prehistoric geoglyphs of the Konkan coast may date back as far as 24,000 years, based on new stratigraphic evidence from Koloshi caves in Maharashtra.

    Konkan Geoglyphs may be 24,000 years old

    About Konkan Geoglyphs:

    • Overview: Prehistoric rock engravings (geoglyphs/petroglyphs) carved on laterite plateaus of the Konkan coast (Maharashtra, Goa, southern Karnataka).
    • Depictions: Humans, animals (elephants, tigers, rhinos, stingrays, turtles, peacocks), and abstract motifs.
    • Technique: Created by scooping, etching, pecking into laterite; grooves 3–5 cm deep, 3–4 cm wide.
    • Unique Feature: Unlike painted caves (e.g., Bhimbetka), these are open-air geoglyphs, rare in India.
    • Cultural Value: Provide insights into prehistoric ecology, rituals, and transition from hunter-gatherer to agrarian societies.

    Important Sites:

    • Maharashtra (Ratnagiri–Sindhudurg): Ratnagiri alone hosts 1,500+ carvings across 210 sq. km.
      • Kasheli: Giant elephant (13×18 m), 125+ carvings of sharks, stingrays, rhinos (though locally absent), tigers.
      • Barsu: Human figure flanked by two tigers, resembling Harappan seals. Local are protesting a proposed oil refinery which might demolish this site.
      • Rundhye Tali: Concentric circles, abstract motifs, jellyfish/tiger outlines.
      • Devache Gothane: Standing human figure; linked to magnetic deflection anomaly.
      • Devi Hasol: Snake-like square design (8 m); still part of Aryadurga temple rituals.
      • Jambharun, Ukshi, Kudopi: Faunal + abstract petroglyphs.
    • Goa:
      • Usgalimal (Phansaymal): Bulls, deer, spirals, cup marks, grinding grooves.

    History and Antiquity:

    • Dating: Traditionally ~10,000 years old; new excavations at Koloshi caves push age back to 24,000 years (cultural layers ~38,000 years).
    • Continuity: Geoglyph-making persisted till the early historic period, showing ritual and symbolic evolution.
    • Ecological Record: Depict species long extinct in Konkan (rhinoceros, hippopotamus), indicating Pleistocene fauna.
    • World Context: Compared with Nazca Lines (Peru), Atacama Giant (Chile), and Blythe Intaglios (US) — Konkan geoglyphs are smaller but more intricate and ecologically detailed.
    • UNESCO Status: On India’s Tentative List (2022); nomination under preparation for 2027–28 cycle.
    [UPSC 2024] Consider the following properties included in the World Heritage List released by UNESCO:

    1. Shantiniketan 2. Rani-ki-Vav 3. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas 4. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodhgaya

    How many of the above properties were included in 2023?

    Options: (a) Only one (b) Only two* (c) Only three (d) All four  

     

  • Sixth Schedule demand for Ladakh

    Why in the News?

    The recent protests in Ladakh led by activist Sonam Wangchuk, which turned violent, have been driven by demands for inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution and a call for statehood.

    Background: Ladakh’s Governance Post Article 370 Repeal

    • Union Territory Recognition: After the 2019 repeal of Article 370, Ladakh became a Union Territory without legislature, unlike Jammu & Kashmir.
    • Local Demands: The Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have consistently demanded Sixth Schedule inclusion for autonomy and protection of tribal interests.

    Centre’s earlier offer:  

    • Article 371-like Protections: Ministry of Home Affairs proposed safeguards similar to NE states, addressing land, jobs, and cultural protection.
    • Exclusion from Sixth Schedule: Centre ruled out Sixth Schedule inclusion, preferring alternative mechanisms for autonomy.

    What is the Sixth Schedule?

    • Constitutional Basis: Mentioned under Article 244 in Part X of the Constitution.
    • Coverage: Applies only to Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram (ATM²).
    • Relation to Fifth Schedule: The Fifth Schedule covers scheduled areas in other states except these four.

    Salient Features of the Sixth Schedule:

    • Autonomous Districts: Tribal areas are designated as autonomous districts; Governor empowered to create, reorganize, or alter boundaries.
    • District & Regional Councils:
      • Each district council has 30 members (26 elected, 4 nominated).
      • Councils can legislate on land, forest management, shifting cultivation, village administration, inheritance of property, marriage/divorce, and social customs.
      • They run schools, healthcare, markets, and village courts, and can levy certain taxes.
    • Law Application: Acts of Parliament/State may not apply directly or apply with Governor/President’s modifications.
    • Governor’s Authority: Can appoint commissions, examine issues of districts, and dissolve councils based on recommendations.
    • Areas under the Sixth Schedule:
      • Assam: Karbi Anglong, North Cachar Hills, Bodoland Territorial Areas District.
      • Meghalaya: Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, Garo Hills.
      • Tripura: Tripura Tribal Areas District.
      • Mizoram: Chakma, Mara, Lai districts.
    [UPSC 2023] With reference to ‘Scheduled Areas’ in India, consider the following statements :

    1. Within a State, the notification of an area as Scheduled Area takes place through an Order of the President.

    2. The largest administrative unit forming the Scheduled Area is the District and the lowest is the cluster of villages in the Block.

    3. The Chief Ministers of the concerned States are required to submit annual reports to the Union Home Ministry on the administration of Scheduled Areas in the States.

    How many of the above statements are correct?

    Options: (a) Only one * (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None

     

  • Delhi to witness Artificial Rain through Cloud Seeding

    Why in the News?

    The Delhi government is planning to trial cloud-seeding to trigger artificial rain to combat air pollution ahead of winters.

    About Cloud Seeding:

    • About: It is a microclimate management technique aimed at altering precipitation patterns by dispersing substances into clouds to stimulate rainfall or snowfall.
    • Why it is used: It is used to mitigate hail, disperse fog, and either induce precipitation or prevent it from occurring in subsequent days.
    • Techniques include:
      • Static Cloud Seeding: Chemicals are introduced into cold clouds already containing supercooled water droplets, encouraging the formation of ice crystals.
      • Hygroscopic Cloud Seeding: Salts are sprayed into the base of warm clouds to act as condensation nuclei, increasing the number and size of water droplets.
      • Dynamic Cloud Seeding: This method involves boosting vertical air currents to enhance moisture passage through the clouds, leading to more rain.
    • Common Cloud Seeding Chemicals:
      • Silver iodide (AgI): Preferred for its ice-like crystalline properties.
      • Potassium iodide (KI): Functions similarly to silver iodide.
      • Dry ice (solid CO₂): Used to rapidly cool cloud droplets, aiding rain formation.
      • Liquid propane: Used in specific cloud types, effective at higher temperatures.
      • Sodium chloride and calcium chloride: Used in hygroscopic (warm) cloud seeding methods.
      • Bismuth tri-iodide (BiI₃): Sometimes used based on experimental or environmental considerations.
    • Dispersion methods range from aircraft and ground-based generators to newer approaches like drones delivering electric charges or infrared laser pulses.

    Limitations: 

    • Concerns persist regarding the potential accumulation of seeding agents in sensitive ecosystems, although detailed studies have shown negligible impacts.
    • The chemicals used, such as silver iodide, may potentially damage the environment and cause health issues like iodine poisoning in high concentrations
    [UPSC 2025] Artificial way of causing rainfall to reduce air pollution makes use of:

    (a) silver iodide and potassium iodide *

    (b) silver nitrate and potassium iodide

    (c) silver iodide and potassium nitrate

    (d) silver nitrate and potassium chloride

     

  • [24th September 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Criminal Defamation is incompatible with democratic debate

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2014] What do you understand by the concept ‘freedom of speech and expression’? 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 PYQ on freedom of speech, hate speech, and films directly links with criminal defamation as both test the limits of Article 19(1)(a) under Article 19(2). Just as films and hate speech face special restrictions, criminal defamation raises the question of whether jail for reputational harm is a proportionate curb on free expression.

    Mentor’s Comment

    The debate around criminal defamation in India has resurfaced with the Supreme Court itself acknowledging the growing misuse of the law. What began as a safeguard for reputation has increasingly turned into a tool of intimidation, propaganda, and political retribution. This article examines why criminal defamation is incompatible with democratic debate, the disproportionate nature of its penalties, and how its misuse has shaped India’s political and media landscape. We will also provide value additions, practice questions, and related UPSC linkages.

    Introduction

    In 2016, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of criminal defamation in the Subramanian Swamy v. Union of India case, equating reputation with the right to life. However, recent developments show that this reasoning has produced more problems than it has solved. On September 22, Justice M.M. Sundresh expressed concern over the growing use of criminal defamation by political actors and private individuals as a shield against criticism and as a weapon of retribution. With imprisonment prescribed as a penalty, the law now threatens democratic debate, fosters self-censorship, and risks turning the judiciary into a tool for silencing dissent.

    Criminal Defamation in the News

    The issue has returned to the spotlight because of rising judicial unease over its misuse. Justice M.M. Sundresh’s recent remarks highlight how criminal defamation cases are no longer rare or exceptional but routine weapons used by politicians, business interests, and individuals to stifle criticism. From Rahul Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor to journalists and opposition leaders, many face disproportionate litigation that results in prolonged trials, loss of political time, and harassment. This represents not just isolated misuse but a systemic problem that undermines free speech and democratic accountability.

    Defamation (criminal) — statutory text & essentials

    1. Statutory definition: Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code defines defamation as making or publishing an imputation concerning any person intending to harm, or knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm, that person’s reputation.
    2. Punishment: Section 500 prescribes simple imprisonment up to two years, or fine, or both.
    3. Exceptions: Section 499 contains ten exceptions (e.g., truth for public good, fair comment on public conduct, parliamentary proceedings, etc.) — these are crucial in practice and often determinative in defamation disputes.

    • Under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023:

      • Section 354(2) – punishment up to 2 years simple imprisonment, or fine, or both, or community service.
      • Section 356 – covers words, signs, or visible representations harming reputation.
    • Scope: Applies to individuals, companies, and deceased persons if family reputation is harmed.
    • Essential Elements: False statement, harm to reputation, communication to third party, and intent/knowledge of likely harm.
    • Nature of Offence: Non-cognizable and bailable – requires a warrant for arrest; bail available.
    • Digital Extension: Covers defamatory posts on social media, websites, and messaging platforms.
    • Defences/Exceptions: Truth in public interest, fair comment on public servants, judicial proceedings, public performances, and cautionary statements made in good faith.

    Supreme Court timeline (select landmark decisions on defamation) 

    1. S. Rangarajan v. P. Jagjivan Ram (1989): refined the reasonable-restriction test under Article 19(2); held that state action to restrain expression must demonstrate proximate danger (not remote/conjectural). Important when courts assess whether alleged speech is dangerously likely to cause harm.
    2. R. Rajagopal v. State of Tamil Nadu (Auto-Shankar case) (1994): balanced freedom of press with right to privacy; held privacy has constitutional status but public interest/public record may limit privacy claims. Relevant to defamation where publication concerns public servants/official acts.
    3. Subramanian Swamy v. Union of India (2016): Supreme Court upheld constitutionality of Sections 499 and 500, treating reputation as part of human dignity under Article 21 and holding criminal defamation a reasonable restriction on Article 19(1)(a). This remains the leading authority sustaining criminal defamation in India

    Why is criminal defamation disproportionate?

    1. Imprisonment for speech: Criminal defamation proposes jail time for reputational injury, which is disproportionate compared to civil remedies like damages or injunctions.
    2. Nature of harm: Unlike physical injury, reputational harm can be addressed through compensation and retractions, not imprisonment.
    3. Global comparison: Many countries such as the U.K. have abolished criminal defamation laws as incompatible with democratic debate.

    How has the law been misused in politics and media?

    1. Weaponisation of complaints: Political actors distort or take statements out of context, using the threat of jail to suppress opponents. Examples:
      • Editors of The Hindu faced cases under Jayalalithaa’s government.
      • Rahul Gandhi faced criminal defamation for remarks against political leaders.
      • Nitin Gadkari and Arun Jaitley’s cases against Arvind Kejriwal and AAP tied up governance in litigation.
    2. Judicial burden: Lower courts often issue summons without assessing whether the speech crosses the threshold of defamation.

    What is the impact on journalism and public debate?

    1. Intimidation of journalists: Local reporters face harassment from politicians and business groups, including threats of arrest and travel to distant courts.
    2. Self-censorship: The chilling effect forces media houses and individuals to avoid criticism of powerful actors.
    3. Distortion of democratic debate: Criminal defamation converts political disagreements into legal battles, weakening accountability and transparency.

    Are civil remedies a better alternative?

    1. Civil courts as recourse: Aggrieved individuals can seek damages, injunctions, or retractions through civil suits.
    2. Balanced protection: Civil remedies protect reputation without curbing free expression.
    3. Reduced misuse: Without the threat of imprisonment, civil proceedings reduce the scope of intimidation.

    Comparative perspective and lessons for India

    1. U.K. model: Abolished criminal defamation, relying instead on civil law to handle reputational disputes.
    2. Global democratic practice: Democracies increasingly view criminal defamation as incompatible with free speech.
    3. India’s opportunity: Reforms are needed to align India’s legal framework with global standards and democratic values.

    Conclusion

    Criminal defamation in India has shifted from being a safeguard for dignity to a political weapon that curtails free expression and democratic accountability. Justice Sundresh’s remarks signal a broader judicial recognition that the law’s misuse has become systemic. Moving toward civil remedies while abolishing criminal defamation is necessary for strengthening free speech, protecting journalists, and ensuring political debates remain democratic rather than litigative. India must now act to strike the right balance between dignity and liberty.

  • India’s only active volcano in Andaman’s Barren Island erupts

    Why in the News?

    Barren Island, which is not only India’s but South Asia’s only active volcano, has erupted twice in a span of eight days.

    barren island

    About Barren Island:

    • Location: In the Andaman Sea, about 138–140 km northeast of Port Blair, within the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (India).
    • Unique Status: The only confirmed active volcano in the Indian subcontinent and South Asia, lying on the volcanic arc between Sumatra (Indonesia) and Myanmar.
    • Geophysical Features: Roughly circular island (~3 km diameter); volcanic crater located 0.5 km from shore, rising to 354 m above sea level and classified as a stratovolcano made of lava, volcanic ash, and rock fragments.
    • Volcanic Activity
      • First Recorded Eruption: 1787.
      • Notable Eruptions: 1789, 1795, 1803–04, 1852, 1991, 2017, and minor eruptions in 2025.
      • 1991 Eruption: Lasted ~6 months, destructive to local fauna.
      • Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI): Generally low, around 2.
    • Geological Significance:
      • Age of Flows: Oldest subaerial lava flows dated to 1.6 million years ago.
      • Crust: Built on 106 million-year-old oceanic crust.
      • Tectonics: Part of the subduction zone where the Indian Plate meets the Burmese Plate.
      • Research Value: Critical for geological and volcanic studies as India’s only active volcano.

    Note:

    Although there are no active volcanoes in mainland India, there are some extinct and dormant volcanoes in the country. These are: Narcondam Island (dormant, A&N Islands); Deccan Plateau (18.51°N 73.43°E; extinct, Maharashtra); Baratang Island (mud volcanoes; active, A&N Islands); Dhinodhar Hills (extinct, Gujarat); Dhosi Hill (extinct, Haryana–Rajasthan border); Tosham Hills (extinct, Haryana); and Loktak Lake (Supervolcanic caldera, Manipur).

    [UPSC 2018] Consider the following statements:

    1. The Barren Island volcano is an active volcano located in the Indian territory.
    2. Barren Island lies about 140 km east of Great Nicobar.
    3. The last time the Barren Island volcano erupted was in 1991 and it has remained inactive since then.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only*

    (b) 2 and 3

    (c) 3 only

    (d) 1 and 3

  • The Left we need: The Legacy of Indian Socialism

    Introduction

    Once a vibrant stream of India’s political life, socialism today survives only on the margins, overshadowed by dominant political narratives. The Samajwadi Ekjutata Sammelan attempted to revive this forgotten legacy by recalling socialist icons, showcasing their contributions, and highlighting the ideological resources they left behind. Unlike European social democracy or Marxism, Indian socialism, particularly articulated by Ram Manohar Lohia, offered a distinct doctrine—integrating caste, gender, and cultural politics with economic equality and Gandhian satyagraha. At a time when the world grapples with inequality, climate change, and rising authoritarianism, revisiting Indian socialism is not just about remembering the past, but about reclaiming tools for the future.

    Why in the News?

    The 90th anniversary of the socialist movement was commemorated through a large convention in Pune, bringing together activists, veterans of the Emergency resistance, and younger voices. This event is significant because it highlights the amnesia and disjunction surrounding socialism in India today, where even icons like JP, Usha Mehta, and Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay are remembered for roles outside the socialist tradition. The Sammelan underscored a major problem: the ideological vacuum created by the neglect of Indian socialism, just when its core ideas, on inequality, sustainable development, cultural politics, and resistance to authoritarianism, are urgently needed. The striking aspect is not just nostalgia, but the contrast between socialism’s past centrality and its near invisibility in today’s discourse.

    The Legacy of Indian Socialism

    1. Founding of Congress Socialist Party (1934): Socialist stream within Congress connected political freedom with social and economic equality.
    2. Quit India Movement: JP, Lohia, Usha Mehta and others led underground resistance, marking socialism’s high point in the freedom struggle.
    3. Post-Independence Role: Departure from Congress to form an independent opposition, mobilising backward castes and the poor, especially in the Hindi belt.
    4. Emergency Resistance: Socialist leaders like Rajkumar Jain, Vijay Pratap, and Anand Kumar stood against authoritarianism, spending months in jail.

    Why is Socialism Fading from Public Memory?

    1. Amnesia: Young people today conflate socialists with communists or Maoists, erasing the distinctiveness of the socialist tradition.
    2. Disjunction in Memory: JP Narayan is remembered as Gandhian, Kamaladevi for handicrafts, Usha Mehta as freedom fighter—none as socialists.
    3. Neglect of Ideas: Unlike communists, socialists lacked a robust academic subculture and access to English-speaking opinion-makers.
    4. Absence of Popular Recall: Figures like Yusuf Meherally, Achyut Patwardhan, Madhu Limaye, and S.M. Joshi remain unknown to today’s youth.

    Distinctive Ideas of Indian Socialism

    1. Expanded Equality: Beyond economics, it included caste, gender, race, nationality, relevant to debates on women’s reservation, caste census, and subquotas.
    2. Alternative Development Model: Critiqued technocratic-industrial path; emphasised sustainable well-being, now crucial amid climate change.
    3. Satyagraha as Politics: Advocated Gandhian non-violent resistance as an alternative to violence or electoralism.
    4. Cultural Politics: Rooted in Indian languages and traditions, countering hegemonic cultural nationalism with inclusive symbols.

    Why Does Indian Socialism Matter Today?

    1. Counter to Inequality: Rising global inequality makes Lohia’s expanded framework urgent.
    2. Democratic Deepening: Socialists played key role in mobilisation of backward castes and poor, essential for inclusive democracy.
    3. Resistance to Authoritarianism: With a consistent history of fighting Emergency and excesses, socialism offers principled tools to resist authoritarian regimes.
    4. Global Relevance: By abjuring Eurocentric roots, Indian socialism contributed a new doctrine to world thought.

    Conclusion

    The decline of Indian socialism is not just the fading of a political ideology but the loss of a moral and intellectual compass that once challenged inequality and authoritarianism. The Sammelan in Pune reminded us that socialism is more than an electoral project; it is a resource for reimagining democracy and justice in the 21st century. Whether or not the label survives, its ideas remain indispensable. The real challenge lies in recalling, renewing, and repurposing socialism to confront contemporary crises.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2020] Since the decade of the 1920s, the national movement acquired various ideological strands and thereby expanded its social base. Discuss.

    Linkage: Since the 1920s, the national movement diversified ideologically with strands like socialism, which linked political freedom with social and economic equality. Socialists such as JP and Lohia expanded the movement’s base by mobilising peasants, backward castes, women, and workers, while also shaping resistance during Quit India and the Emergency. This ideological pluralism deepened democracy and widened the social foundations of Indian politics.

    Value Addition

    History of Socialism in Pre-Independent India

    Early Currents (1920s–1930s)

    1. Global Influence: The Russian Revolution (1917) electrified Indian youth. Marxist ideas about class struggle and collective ownership inspired a generation disillusioned with colonial exploitation.
    2. Indian Context: The non-cooperation movement (1920–22) radicalised many students and workers. Young leaders like S.A. Dange, M.N. Roy, Nalini Gupta, Muzaffar Ahmad started bringing socialist ideas into India.
    3. Labour & Peasant Movements: The formation of AITUC (All India Trade Union Congress, 1920) and Kisan Sabhas gave socialism a practical ground.

    Formation of the Congress Socialist Party (1934)

    1. Background: Many young nationalists within the Congress felt that Congress under Gandhi was too focused on political freedom without a social revolution.
    2. Founding: The Congress Socialist Party (CSP) was founded in Patna, 1934 by Jayaprakash Narayan, Acharya Narendra Deva, Ram Manohar Lohia, Yusuf Meherally, and others.

    Objectives:

    1. Radicalise the Congress by linking freedom with social & economic equality.
    2. Advocate land reforms, redistribution of wealth, end of caste discrimination.
    3. Maintain distance from the Communists but work inside the Congress unlike them.

    Impact: CSP became the ideological left-wing of the Congress, drawing in students, workers, peasants, and socially progressive leaders.

    Role in the Quit India Movement (1942)

    • Context: With the launch of Quit India (August 1942), much of the mainstream Congress leadership was arrested.

    Socialist Contribution:

    1. Socialists like JP, Lohia, Usha Mehta, Aruna Asaf Ali kept the movement alive underground.
    2. Usha Mehta ran the Secret Congress Radio, broadcasting messages against British rule.
    3. JP and Lohia organised clandestine networks, strikes, and sabotage against colonial infrastructure.

    Significance: This gave socialism a heroic image of sacrifice and resistance, showing it could sustain the national struggle when the mainstream was paralysed.

    Peasant & Worker Mobilisation

    1. Kisan Sabhas: Led by Swami Sahajanand Saraswati in Bihar and N.G. Ranga in Andhra, peasants were mobilised against landlordism, high rents, and colonial agrarian policies.
    2. Labour Strikes: Socialist leaders engaged with trade unions and AITUC, mobilising railway workers, mill workers, and dockyard labourers.
    3. Linkage with Socialism: These movements translated the abstract ideals of socialism into mass struggles, rooting the ideology in agrarian and working-class realities.

    Other Key Developments

    1. Students’ Movement: Socialist ideas found strong resonance in the All India Students’ Federation (AISF) and later the Socialist Youth movements.
    2. Princely States Movements: Socialists often took leadership in agitations in princely states (like Travancore, Hyderabad), linking freedom with social justice.
    3. Intellectual Contribution: Leaders like Acharya Narendra Deva (theorist), JP (activist organiser), Lohia (thinker & mass mobiliser) gave socialism in India both intellectual depth and activist energy.

    Summary

    1. By the 1940s, socialism in India was not merely an imported ideology—it had become a home-grown political stream, deeply connected to the freedom struggle. Its distinctiveness lay in:
    2. Rooting Marxist equality in Indian realities of caste, agrarian hierarchy, and colonial exploitation.
    3. Combining Gandhian satyagraha with socialist radicalism.
    4. Mobilising peasants, workers, students, women, and backward castes, thereby expanding the social base of the national movement.

    Socialist Principles in the Indian Constitution

    Explicit Reference:

    • Preamble (42nd Amendment, 1976): India declared to be a “Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic.”

    Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP):

    1. Article 38: Promote welfare of people through a just social order.
    2. Article 39: Equitable distribution of resources, prevention of wealth concentration, protection of workers’ rights.
    3. Article 41: Right to work, education, and public assistance.
    4. Article 43: Living wage, decent working conditions, and participation of workers in management.
    5. Article 47: Duty of state to improve public health, nutrition, and prohibition of intoxicants.

    Comparative Analysis: Indian vs. Western Socialism

    Aspect Western Socialism Indian Socialism
    Origins Industrial Revolution (Europe, 19th c.), Marxist critique of capitalism. Freedom struggle (20th c.), influenced by Gandhi + Lohia + JP + Marxism.
    Focus Class-based equality (workers vs capitalists). Multi-dimensional equality (caste, class, gender, nationality).
    Method Revolution (Marxist), or reform (social democracy). Democratic, non-violent satyagraha + electoral politics.
    State Role Welfare state ensuring redistribution, public ownership of key industries. Mixed economy with state-led planning (Nehruvian model) + constitutional guarantees.
    Culture & Identity Largely secular, materialistic basis. Rooted in Indian culture, language, symbols (Lohia’s “cultural politics”).
    Developmental Model Industrialisation as progress. Critique of technocratic-industrial model, stress on sustainability & decentralisation.

     

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