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CONTENTS
19
Part One PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Current Affairs Analysis 21

02 CONSTITUTION, POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
# G S P a p e r ( P r e l i m s ) & G S P a p e r I I ( Ma i n )
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
RELEASE OF A.G. PERARIVALAN BY SC
# G S P a p e r ( P r e l i m s ) & G S P a p e r I I I ( Ma i n )
#Mercy Petition #Remission #Article 161 21
NATIONAL LAND MONETIZATION CORPORATION (NLMC)
POLICE OFFICERS SUSPENDED FOR CUSTODIAL DEATH
#Infrastructure 02
#Custodial Death #Illegal Arrest #Constitutional Rights
TRANSFER OF DIVIDEND FROM RBI TO GOVERNMENT #Police Reforms 24
#Banking 04 SUPREME COURT VERDICTS ON RESERVATION
INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (InvITs) #Reservation #Reservation in Promotion #SC Judgments 28
#Finance 06 LIFETIME CABINET MEMBERSHIP CHALLENGED
CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF IBC #Cabinet #Constitution 91st Amendment 32
#Banking 07 AADHAAR DETAILS CANNOT BE SHARED: UIDAI TO HC
BAN ON WHEAT EXPORTS #Aadhaar #UIDAI 32
#External Sector 08 CONSIDER USE OF LOCAL LANGUAGE IN COURTS: PM
DECLINE IN INDIA’S FOREX RESERVES #Language #Official Language 35
#External Sector 09 RAJIV KUMAR APPOINTED AS NEW CEC
IMF INCREASES WEIGHT OF DOLLAR & YUAN IN SDR BASKET #Chief Election Commissioner #Election Commission
#External Sector 10 #Reforms 35

EXPORT OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS FROM INDIA NHRC SOUGHT REPORT ON MUNDKA FIRE
#External Sector 11 #NHRC #SHRC 38

RECORD FDI INFLOWS IN 2021-22 SEDITION PUT ON HOLD BY SUPREME COURT

#Banking 12 #Sedition #Kedar Nath Judgment #SC Judgment 41

NEW DEVELOPMENT BANK OPENS REGIONAL OFFICE IN NEED LEGAL PROTECTION AGAINST WRONGFUL ARREST
INDIA #External Sector 13 #Wrongful Arrest #Compensation 45
REMITTANCES INTO INDIA COOLING OFF PERIOD FOR RETIRED BUREAUCRATS
#External Sector 14 #Cooling Off Period #Governance 46
FOREIGN INVESTMENT FACILITATION PORTAL (FIFP) DON’T REMOVE ARMY FROM RTI ACT
#External Sector 15 #RTI Act #Schedule II of RTI Act #Exemption from RTI 47
OFF BUDGET FINANCING CENTRE RECONSTITUTES INTER-STATE COUNCIL
#Public finance 15 #Inter-State Council #Article 263 48
RECOMMENDATIONS OF GST COUNCIL NOT BINDING: SC SC ALLOWS MP TO IMPLEMENT OBC RESERVATION IN
#Taxation #Federalism 16 LOCAL BODIES #Panchayats #Reservation #OBC 49

PUSH FOR RENEWABLE PURCHASE OBLIGATION (RPO) GYANWAPI MOSQUE & PLACES OF WORSHIP ACT
#Infrastructure 18 #Places of Worship Act #Indian Secularism 51

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PRACTICE QUESTIONS 52 # GS Paper (Prelims) and GS Paper I & III

( Ma i n )
LANDSLIDES

53 #Disaster Management 71
INDIA’S ETHANOL BLENDING POLICY
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS & Security #Renewable energy 73
# GS Paper (Prelims) & GS Paper II & III WMO STATE OF GLOBAL CLIMATE REPORT 2021 75
( Ma i n )
COP15 OF THE UNCCD
SIGNIFICANCE OF PM’S VISIT TO EUROPE
#UNCCD 78
#Bilateral 53
DROUGHT IN NUMBERS REPORT
INDIA-GERMANY
#Drought #Disasters 80
#Bilateral 54
RISING MEAN SEA LEVEL
INDIA-FRANCE
#Climate Change 80
#Bilateral 56
2022 STATE OF WORLD’S FORESTS REPORT
UKRAINE WAR’S GEO-POLITICAL IMPACT ON INDIA
#Forestry 82
#Geo-Politics 57
AGROFORESTRY
CRISIS IN NEIGHBOURHOOD
#FORESTRY 82
#Neighbourhood Relations 58
WORLD FORESTRY CONGRESS
INDO-PACIFIC ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK
#Forests #Biodiversity 86
#Groupings 59
PRACTICE QUESTIONS 87
QUAD SUMMIT
#Groupings 61

INDO-PACIFIC MARITIME DOMAIN AWARENESS INITIATIVE 88

#Groupings 62
PRACTICE QUESTIONS 63
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
# G S P a p e r ( P r e l i m s ) & G S P a p e r I I I ( Ma i n )
STANDARD MODEL OF PARTICLE PHYSICS GETS A JOLT
65 #Physics 88
MOZAMBIQUE CONFIRMS FIRST WILD POLIOVIRUS CASE IN
SOCIETY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE 30 YEARS #Diseases #Biology 90
# GS Paper I & GS Paper II (Main) PRIVATE PLAYERS IN SPACE SECTOR
NFHS-5 #Space #Innovation 92
#health #social development 65 5G LEAP IN INDIA
WELFARE SCHEMES #Informational & Communication Technology 93
#Schemes #Social development 66 FOOD FORTIFICATION
MEDICAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY #Biotechnology #Biology 94
#Women Issues 67 PHOTOGRAPH OF BLACK HOLE AT THE CENTRE OF MILKY
NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT SURVEY (NAS) 2021 69 WAY #Astrology #Physics 95

INDIA HYPERTENSION CONTROL INITIATIVE 69 ISRO TESTS BOOSTER FOR GAGANYAAN

PRACTICE QUESTIONS 69 #Space #Physics 96

MONKEY POX
#Biology #Diseases 97
81 PROJECT 75
#Defence Technology 98
Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & PRACTICE QUESTIONS 98
Disaster Management

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#Ethics #Integrity #Aptitude 107

100 CASE STUDIES for Practice
MAINS GS PAPER IV 109
HISTORY, HERITAGE & CULTURE
# GS Paper (Prelims) & GS Paper I (Main)
SHREE MEENAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE (MADURAI)
#Temple Architecture #Medieval India 100
Part Three
DHAP DANCE
#dance #tribal culture 101
Essays of the month
RAKHIGARHI 111
#Indus Valley Civilisation #Ancient India 101
IF YOU CAN DREAM IT, YOU CAN DO IT.
THRISSUR POORAM
# Philosophical
#festivals #medievalindia 101
SUBMITTED BY: NANDINI KUMAR 112
LUMBINI
THERE ARE ONLY TWO FORCES IN THE WORLD, THE
#buddhism #art & culture 102
SWORD AND THE SPIRIT. IN THE LONG RUN, THE SWORD
SREE NARAYANA GURU WILL ALWAYS BE CONQUERED BY THE SPIRIT
#modernindia #personalities 102 #Philosophical
MARTAND TEMPLE INDRAKARAN 114
#templearchitecture #medievalindia 102 A MAN IS BUT A PRODUCT OF HIS THOUGHTS. WHAT HE
RAJA RAM MOHAN ROY THINKS HE BECOMES. #PHILOSOPHICAL

#personalities #modernindia 103 SUBMITTED BY: NANDINI KUMAR 116

PRACTICE QUESTIONS 105

Part TWO
Ethics, Integrity and
Aptitude
106
GANDHIAN PERSPECTIVES ON ETHICS

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Part ONE

Current
affairs
analysis
logical .simple .targeted
analysis & explanation
of all relevant news of the month

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
# GS Paper (Prelims) & GS Paper III (Main)

Lead Article
NATIONAL LAND
MONETIZATION
CORPORATION (NLMC)
#Infrastructure

In her Budget speech 2021-22, the finance minister

announced setting up of an agency to carry out the
monetization of the land and other non-core assets of the
UNDERSTANDING NATIONAL MONETISATION
Government agencies and public sector undertakings (PSUs).
PIPELINE (NMP)
In pursuance of the Budget announcement, National Land
• Government agencies and PSUs own core
Monetisation Corporation (NLMC) has been recently set up.
infrastructure assets which may be underutilised or
UNDERSTANDING ASSET MONETISATION unused. Some of these assets include roads, ports,
• The Government agencies and PSUs own both core airports, telecom, railways, warehousing, energy
and non-core assets. The Core assets are the assets pipelines, power generation, power transmission,
which are integral to the functioning of the PSUs. hospitality and sports stadiums.
While the non-core assets include land and buildings.
• Under NMP, these core assets are leased to the
• For example, NHAI's core assets would include the private sector for longer period (say, 15 to 20 years).
National Highways which it has built. While non-core
NMP does not involve sale of core assets. It only
assets would include surplus land and buildings
involves lease of core assets.
owned by it.
• Hence, NMP is not privatisation since the ownership of
• Some of these core and non-core assets may be the assets would continue to remain with the
under-utilised or unused. Selling or leasing these
Government. The assets would be only transferred to
assets would help us unlock their value, raise capital
the private sector for limited duration of time based
and undertake investment for creation of new
upon the contract.
infrastructure projects.
• NMP is steered by NITI Aayog.
• The monetisation of core assets is undertaken under
NATIONAL LAND MONETISATION CORPORATION
the National Monetisation Pipeline. On the other
hand, monetisation of non-core assets (sale/lease of Need:
land and buildings) would be undertaken by the • At present, CPSEs hold considerable surplus, unused
National Land Monetisation Corporation (NLMC) and under used non-core assets in land and buildings.

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• Desired skill set to take on the responsibility of hectares. For example, the Railways and Defence
management and monetization of non-core assets in Ministries have the largest amount of government land,
Government is limited some of which can be monetised.
Establishment: Set up as a wholly owned Government of Administrative Efficiency: Monetisation of land by
India company with an initial authorized share capital of individual PSUs would be time-consuming exercise.
Rs 5000 crore and paid-up share capital of Rs 150 crore. However, when unutilised lands of different agencies are
Mandate: pooled in together by NLMC, it would be able to bring in
higher economies of scale, better technical expertise and
• The surplus land and building assets of PSUs would be
higher revenue realisation.
transferred to the NLMC. The NLMC would then
undertake monetization of surplus land and building Raise Finances: Monetisation of land is one of the most
assets. As part of such an exercise, NLMC would either viable options for government to raise additional
sell or lease the surplus land and buildings to the finances for the creation of new infrastructure.
private sector. Efficient Utilisation of Land: Monetisation of land would
• NLMC will also act as an advisory body and support lead to the efficient utilisation of unutilised land and
other government entities and CPSEs in identifying boost urban infrastructure and economic development.
their surplus non-core assets and monetising them in The Vijay Kelkar Committee (2014) had recommended
an efficient and professional manner. monetising government’s under-utilised land to finance
infrastructure projects in urban areas.
• Act as a repository of best practices in land
monetization. Cascading Effects: The commercial development of
unutilised land accelerates the development of real
Working Mechanism:
estate sector leading to planned urbanisation, boost to
• Board of Directors of NLMC will comprise senior Tourism sector and creation of employment
Central Government officers and eminent experts to
opportunities.
enable professional operations and management of
Fast track strategic disinvestment: NLMC would also
the company.
facilitate monetisation of assets belonging to PSUs that
• The board of directors would have specialized skills have ceased operations or are in line for a strategic
and expertise required for asset monetization such as
disinvestment. For instance, at the time of Strategic
real estate market research, legal due diligence,
Disinvestment of Air India, it owned land and buildings
valuation, master planning, investment banking, land
worth Rs 14,000 crores. It was transferred to
management etc.
government’s Air India Assets Holding Limited (AIAHL).
Nodal Ministry: While the National Monetisation pipeline Now, NLMC will undertake monetisation of such assets.
is steered by NITI Aayog, the NLMC functions under the
CHALLENGES AND CONCERNS
Department of Public Enterprises under the Ministry of
Lack of Reliable Land Inventory: Presently, there is no
Finance.
Centralised, updated and consistent inventory of all
CASE STUDY unutilised lands owned by Government departments and
In Canada, surplus land in possession of the government PSUs. This could complicate the process of Land
is sold to the Canada Lands Company at a reasonable monetisation.
market value. The Canada Lands company then
Reluctance of Government Agencies and PSUs to
develops, manages, or sells the property.  The company
demarcate land parcels as “surplus”. Hence, Government
is highly profitable and pays dividends to the Canada
agencies must be required to identify the surplus land
Government every year.
and provide justification for holding on to surplus lands.
BENEFITS
Realistic Valuation of land: There is a need for realistic
Unlock value of Underutilised Non-Core assets: Various valuation of land before undertaking its monetisation.
Government agencies hold land more than 5 lakh Normally, state Governments provide for official

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valuation of Land. However, such valuation is usually independent valuation may lead to higher unrealistic
lower than the existing market price. If land is monetised valuation and hence may discourage private sector from
as per the official records, then Government's revenue buying/leasing-in land.
realisation would be lower. On the other hand,

Banking and Finance

TRANSFER OF DIVIDEND
Recently, the RBI has recently decided to transfer Rs 30,000
crores as dividend to the Government for the accounting

FROM RBI TO
year 2021-22. This is the lowest transfer of dividend from the
RBI to the Government in the last 10 years.

GOVERNMENT WHY DOES THE RBI PAY THE DIVIDEND?

The RBI is a statutory body under the RBI Act, 1934. The
#Banking Section 47 of the RBI Act states that profits made by the
RBI from its operations must be transferred to the
Centre in the form of dividends.

HOW DOES THE RBI EARN PROFITS? Note: Net profit is calculated by subtracting the
The following are main sources of Income for the RBI: operation expenditures and other expenses as stipulated
in section 47 of the RBI Act.
• Interest on the foreign currency assets such as bonds
and treasury bills of other central banks. TUSSLE BETWEEN RBI AND GOVERNMENT IN 2019
• The total asset of the RBI in 2017-18 was Rs 36 lakh
• Appreciation in the value of Gold held in its custody
crores and it comprises of the Gold, Foreign Currency
• Interest on its holdings of G-Secs Assets (FCA), Government Securities, Loans to Central
• Interest on the loans given to the banks. and State Governments, Loans to Banks etc.
• Management commission on handling the borrowings • From these assets, the RBI earns profits. Certain
of state governments and the central government. percentage of the profits is used to meet its own

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expenses and later the remaining amount is Reserves to

5.5%- 6.5% of the 15.3%-18.9% of total
transferred to its Reserves. The total reserve with the be
total Assets Assets
RBI in 2018-19 was around 10 lakh crores which was maintained?
around 28.92% of the total assets.
Composition of Economic Capital: The committee has
• In 2019, there was tussle between RBI and defined Economic capital as a combination of realized
Government over the transfer of its surplus Reserves.
equity and revaluation reserves. The realized equity is
Government wanted RBI to transfer at least 1/3 of its
the total realized profits of the RBI while the revaluation
Reserves, but it was rejected by RBI on the grounds
reserves is the unrealized and notional profits of the RBI
that it would affects its functioning as a Central bank.
which may arise from changes in the valuation of Gold,
• Finally, to sort out this issue, RBI had appointed Bimal Foreign Currency or foreign securities.
Jalan Committee to decide on the Economic Capital
Adequacy of Economic Capital: Realized equity should be
framework (2019) i.e., how much Reserves should RBI
maintained at within a range of 6.5 per cent to 5.5 per
maintain and how should be transferred to
cent of the RBI’s balance sheet.
Government.
Transfer Policy: Committee has stated that the surplus
IDEAL SIZE OF RBI’S RESERVES
distribution policy must take into the account the total
Usha Thorat committee (2004) had examined the realized equity. Only if realized equity is above its
question of what the ideal size of RBI’s reserves should requirement (6.5 per cent to 5.5 per cent), the entire net
be and concluded that reserves should be around 18% income should be transferable to the Government. If it is
(as against 28.92%). Subsequently, Malegam committee below the lower bound of requirement, risk provisioning will
(2013-14) recommended that since the Reserves were be made to the extent necessary and only the residual net
more than the buffers needed, there was no need to income should be transferred to the Government.
make any more transfers to these funds. The entire
TREND IN TRANSFER OF DIVIDENDS TO GOVERNMENT
surplus should be transferred to the Central
government. Accordingly, since 2014, the RBI has been
transferring the entire profits to the Centre without
adding any profits to its Reserves.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF BIMAL JALAN COMMITTEE

ECONOMIC CAPITAL FRAMEWORK
Realized Revaluation
Equity Reserves
Unrealized profits/
Nature Realized Profits
Notional Profits
* Interest on loans
REASONS FOR LOWER TRANSFER OF PROFITS IN 21-22
given to Banks
* Appreciation in In the year 2021-22, RBI sucked out excess liquidity from
* Interest on G-
foreign Currency the economy through Reverse Repo window. When the
Sources of Secs
with the RBI RBI sucks out money through the Reverse Repo, RBI is
Profits * Interest on loans
* Appreciation in required to pay interest to Banks. Hence, it would lead to
to State
Gold etc. increase in RBI's expenditure and decrease in its profits.
Governments
etc. Hence, lower surplus transfer is due to RBI's absorption
Transferable of huge liquidity from Banks due to Reverse Repo
Yes No
to Govt. window.

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INFRASTRUCTURE
REITs & InVITs are regulated by SEBI and accordingly,
SEBI has notified SEBI (Infrastructure Investment

INVESTMENT TRUSTS
Trusts) Regulations, 2014 to regulate their working.
WORKING MECHANISM OF INVITS

(InvITs) Step 1: Assets created by Government which are

operational i.e., Brownfield assets are transferred to the
#Finance REITs/InVITs. For example, NHAI would set up its own
InVIT. Certain identified National Highways which are
built by NHAI and have toll collection potential are
As part of National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP), transferred to NHAI InVIT.
Government is planning to set up Infrastructure Investment Step 2: REITs/InVITs raise money from Retail investors,
Trusts (InVITs) for railways and ports. Such a move comes Institutional investors and foreign investors. In this case,
after the success of InVITs set up by National Highways the NHAI InVIT would raise money from the investors.
Authority of India (NHAI) and PowerGrid. Certain amount of money would be transferred to NHAI,
INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (InvITs) which can then use the money for creation of new
• A mutual fund company pools in money from the infrastructure assets i.e., new National Highways.
retail investors and invests that money in the financial Step 3: NHAI InVIT would manage the National Highways
market in the form of shares, bonds, debentures etc. transferred to it. Toll revenue collected from such
Profit earned from such investments is in turn National highways is distributed among the investors.
distributed among the investors. Apart from that, certain amount of money is also
• An Infrastructure investment trust (InvIT)/Real Estate invested in (a) new National Highway projects (b) Buy
Investment Trust (REIT) is like Mutual fund. However, it shares of infrastructure companies (c) Invest in G-Secs.
invests pooled money of investors in infrastructure Step 4: Profits earned by InVITs are distributed among
projects such as roads, ports, airports etc. the investors.
• Profit earned from such investments is distributed
among the investors in the form of dividend. Both

SEBI GUIDELINES ON InvITs infrastructure projects while the balance 20% can be
• Earlier, the minimum amount to invest in the REIT was invested in under construction projects, equity shares
Rs 50,000, and Rs 1 lakh in the case of InvIT. However, of infrastructure companies, G-Secs etc.
recently, SEBI has lowered the minimum amount to Rs • 90% of profits generated by InvITs should be
10,000 to Rs 15,000. distributed among investors in the form of dividend.
• Minimum 80% of the pooled money of InvITs should ADVANTAGES OF InvITs
be invested in completed revenue generating

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CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF IBC

Raise capital for Asset Creation: InvITs would provide the
much-needed long term financing for the infrastructure
sector projects in India. This would reduce the present #Banking
burden on the banks and NBFCs and help them address
the problem of Asset-Liability Mismatch (ALM).
According to the latest data provided by Insolvency and
Benefits to retail investors: Small retail investors would
Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI), the financial creditors
be able to invest in long term infrastructure projects and
recovered only around 10% of their total claims during the
earn dividend without any hassles. The investors are
January-March 2022. This is the lowest realization under the
allowed to trade their investments on the stock
IBC in a single quarter.
exchanges facilitating easier entry and exit.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FINANCIAL HEALTH OF BANKS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

EVOLUTION OF THE FRAMEWORK TO DEAL WITH INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISM

NON-PERFORMING ASSETS (NPAS) Insolvency Professionals to administer the resolution
process, manage assets of debtor, and provide
information for creditors to assist them in decision
making.
Insolvency Professional Agencies to conduct
examinations to certify the insolvency professionals.
Information Utilities to report financial information of the
debt owed to them by the debtor.
Adjudicating authorities: National Companies Law
Tribunal (NCLT) for companies; and the Debt Recovery
Rationale: The IBC Code was introduced to consolidate Tribunal (DRT) for individuals.
all the existing laws related to Insolvency and Bankruptcy
Committee of Creditors (CoC) may either decide to
in India and to simplify the process of insolvency
restructure the debtor’s debt by preparing a resolution
resolution.
plan or liquidate the debtor’s assets. However, such a
Coverage: The IBC code is applicable to Companies,
decision must be approved by at least 66% of the votes.
Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), Partnership firms (Earlier threshold- 75%).
and Individuals. However, it is not applicable to Banks.
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board to regulate insolvency
That means if a Bank is under financial crisis and not
professionals, insolvency professional agencies and
able to pay money to depositors, then in that case
information utilities set up under the Code.
depositors cannot drag banks under IBC.

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PROCEDURE plan for the restructuring the loans of the defaulted

Insolvency Resolution Process (IRP): When a default borrower. However, such a resolution plan must be
occurs, the resolution process may be initiated either by approved by at least 66% of the votes in the committee
the debtor or creditor before the adjudicating authority. of creditors.
The NCLT appoints an insolvency professional to Liquidation (Sale of Assets) would take place if the
administer the IRP. The Resolution Professional identifies Committee of Creditors fail to produce a resolution plan
the financial creditors and constitutes a Committee of within the time limit of 330 days.
Creditors (CoC). The CoC would prepare the resolution
HITS AND MISSES OF IBC, 2016
HITS MISSES
1. Higher Recovery rate of 45% in comparison to recovery rate of 26% in 1. Case Closure: Only 60% of the cases
the earlier regime. closed.
2. Time taken to close the cases: Around 1 year in comparison to 3-4 2. Mode of Case Closure: Majority of cases
years earlier. closed through liquidation; Few cases
3. Improvement in Ease of Doing Business closed due to Resolution.
4. Addresses the Chakravyuha challenge of Indian Economy: 3. Recovery rates: Exclusion of large recovery
• 1991 LPG Reforms has enabled easier entry of private sector but cases such as Bhushan Steel, Essar Steel
made the exit difficult. etc. would lead to recovery rate of around
• Old Inefficient firms continue to operate with highly efficient firms 35-36%.
leading to misallocation of factors of production 4. Delay in admission of Applications and
Approval of Resolution plans
• IBC has enabled faster exit of old inefficient firms
5. Infrastructural issues: Less number of
5. Behavioral Change NCLTs; Delay in appointments; Higher
1. Fear of losing control of the company forces the promoters to operate vacancies etc.
at highest level of efficiency.
2. Encourages the borrowers to settle dues at the earliest.

External Sector
BAN ON WHEAT EXPORTS
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has recently
#External Sector
issued notification to ban the export of wheat to control

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inflation and ensure food security. While the Government's Lower Procurement of wheat by Food Corporation of
move is expected to increase domestic availability of wheat, India (FCI): Wheat procurement by FCI has reduced to 15-
some of the economists have highlighted that it would year low in the current marketing season. The lower
adversely affect agricultural exports and hurt farmers. procurement of wheat may make it difficult for us to
TRENDS IN WHEAT PRODUCTION meet our wheat requirements under Public Distribution
System (PDS), mid-day meals and other welfare
Top Global Producers: China, India and Russia. These 3
measures.
countries alone account for 40% of global wheat
production. PROBLEMS WITH BAN ON WHEAT EXPORTS

Top Exporters: Russia (20%), USA and Canada. Lost Opportunity: Wheat exports from Russia and
Ukraine went to countries such as Egypt, Indonesia,
DOMESTIC PRODUCTION
Turkey, Nigeria, Italy and Bangladesh. The prolonged
Area under Wheat: Wheat accounts for second largest
Russia-Ukraine conflict was an opportunity for India to
percentage of area under cultivation (16%) after Rice.
tap this market to boost agricultural exports from India.
Stagnation in percentage of area under Wheat in the last
Adequate Wheat Stock: Presently, India has 190 lakh
decade.
tonnes of wheat stocks against a buffer norm of 75 lakh
Production: Fluctuating trend in the last decade i.e.,
tonnes. After meeting the requirement of the Public
increased in some years while it decreased in others. But
Distribution System (PDS) and welfare schemes, India
overall, there was increase in production from 86 MT
would have stocks of 80 lakh tonnes of wheat in April
(2010-11) to 108 MT (2019-20).
2023, well above the minimum requirement of 75 lakh
Top Wheat producing States: UP, MP and Punjab. tonnes as buffer stock.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR BAN ON EXPORTS Adverse impact on farmers: The increase in wheat
Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992: exports from India could have benefitted the Indian
• Empowers Centre to regulate Foreign Trade farmers in terms of higher prices.

• Enables Centre to announce Foreign Trade Policy Adverse Impact on Agricultural Exports: The sudden ban
on wheat exports has dented India's global image as a
• Prohibit or restrict Imports and Exports
reliable exporter of agricultural commodities.
• Empowers Centre to appoint Directorate General of
WAY FORWARD
Foreign Trade (DGFT) to exercise powers on behalf of
the Centre. Hence, the DGFT issues notification for Rather than outright ban, a regulated wheat export
ban on export of Goods from India. policy could have been more appropriate. To ensure
adequate wheat supply in the domestic market, the
WHY EXPORT OF WHEAT HAS BEEN BANNED?
Government should have declared bonus over and
The Government has banned export of wheat to increase
above the Minimum support price (MSP). This would
its domestic availability, control rising inflation and
have ensured adequate procurement accompanied by
ensure food security.
higher prices for the farmers.
Lower Domestic Production: Unprecedented heatwaves
across the north, west and central parts of the country,
have caused substantial loss to the yield this year. The
DECLINE IN INDIA’S FOREX
overall production of wheat is estimated to reduce by 3%
for the first time since 2015-16. RESERVES
Impact of Russia-Ukraine War: Russia and Ukraine #External Sector
account for around 25% of the global wheat exports. The
Russia-Ukraine war has led to supply chain disruptions
leading to increase in global wheat prices. The Indian India's Foreign exchange Reserves has dropped to below $
exporters took advantage of higher global wheat prices 600 bn due to rise in global crude oil prices and FPI
leading to increase in wheat exports from India. outflows.

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Q.1) Which one of the following groups of items is Reserve Position in the IMF: Subscription of quota
included in India's foreign-exchange reserves? consists of two components: (i) foreign exchange
(Prelims 2013) component and (ii) domestic currency component.
Under the foreign exchange component, a member is
(a) Foreign-currency assets, Special Drawing Rights
(SDRs) and loans from foreign countries. required to pay 25 per cent of its quota in SDRs or in
foreign currencies. This is termed as “reserve position in
(b) Foreign-currency assets, gold holdings of the RBI
the IMF or reserve tranche” and is part of the member
and SDRs.
country’s reserve assets.
(c) Foreign-currency assets, loans from the World Bank
Different components of Forex Reserves (in decreasing
and SDRs.
order): Foreign Exchange assets (FEAs) account for the
(d) Foreign-currency assets, gold holdings of the RBI highest share followed by Gold, SDR and Reserve
and loans from the World Bank. Position in IMF.
UNDERSTANDING ADEQUACY OF FOREX RESERVES
Q.2) Which of the following best describes the term Import Cover: Number of months of imports that could
‘import cover’, sometimes seen in the news? be paid for by Forex reserves.
(Prelims 2016)
Greenspan-Guidotti rule: Forex Reserves should be
(a) It is the ratio of value of imports to the Gross sufficient to pay the short-term External Debt.
Domestic Product of a country
Reasons for decrease in the Forex Reserves: The rise in
(b) It is the total value of imports of a country in a year global crude oil prices and FPI outflows has led to Rupee
(c) It is the ratio between the value of exports and that Depreciation. The Rupee value has hit all time low of 77
of imports between two countries against US dollar in May 2022.
(d) It is the number of months of imports that could be To check Rupee depreciation, the RBI has been selling
paid for by a country’s international reserves dollars from the forex reserves. Hence, RBI's intervention
in the forex market for managing the volatility in the
exchange rate has led to decrease in Forex Reserves.
Q.3) Gold Tranche" (Reserve Tranche) refers to
(Prelims 2020)
(a) a loan system of the World Bank
IMF INCREASES WEIGHT OF
(b) one of the operations of a Central Bank
(c) a credit system granted by WTO to its members DOLLAR & YUAN IN SDR
(d) a credit system granted by IMF to its members
BASKET
COMPONENTS OF FOREX RESERVES
#External Sector
Forex reserves in India comprise of Foreign Exchange
assets (FEAs), Gold, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) and
Reserve Position in the IMF. Recently, the Executive Board of the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) completed the quinquennial review of the
Foreign Exchange assets (FEAs): Consists of major global
method of valuation of the basket of currencies that make
currencies + Investments in US Treasury bonds, bonds of
up the Special Drawing Right (SDR). Based upon the review,
other selected governments, deposits with foreign
the IMF decided to increase the weightage of dollar and
central and commercial banks.
Yuan in the SDR basket.
Even though, Foreign Exchange assets (FEAs) is
SPECIAL DRAWING RIGHTS (SDRS):
maintained in major currencies, the foreign exchange
The SDRs was created by the International Monetary
reserves are denominated and expressed in US dollar
Fund (IMF) as an international reserve asset in the year
terms.

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1969 to supplement its member countries' official

reserves.
The SDR is a basket of 5 currencies- Dollar, Euro, Pound,
Yen and Yuan. The SDRs are allocated to member
countries in proportion to their IMF quotas.
The value of SDR is set daily by the IMF based on
exchange rates between the currencies included in SDR.
The value of SDR is denominated in terms of dollars.
Uses of SDRs:
• SDRs can be held as part of Forex Reserves.
• SDRs can be exchanges into other freely usable
currencies among themselves. This signifies that SDR
is neither claim nor currency of IMF Rather; it is
potential claim on freely usable currencies of IMF
EXPORT OF PETROLEUM
members. PRODUCTS FROM INDIA
• IMF members can also use SDRs in their transactions
#External Sector
with IMF such as repayment of loans, payment of
interest, payment for increasing their IMF quota and
so on. Exports from India have crossed $ 400 bn for the first time
• Members can sell a part or all their SDR allocations. in 2021-22. One of the reasons for the increase in exports is
due to increase in export of Petroleum products from India.
CRITERIA FOR INCLUSION OF CURRENCY IN SDR
BASKET GLOBAL PRODUCTION OF CRUDE OIL
• Export Criterion: Member of IMF and one of the Top 5 Countries with highest Crude oil Reserves: Venezuela,
world exporters. Saudi Arabia, and Iran
• Freely usable: Currency must be widely used to make Top Producers of Crude oil: USA, Saudi Arabia and
payments for international transactions
Russia.
WEIGHTAGE OF DIFFERENT CURRENCIES IN SDR
Top Consumers of Crude Oil: US, China and India
BASKET
Top Exporters of Crude oil: Saudi Arabia, Russia and Iraq
The different currencies which are part of SDR are given
a weightage based upon 4 criteria: DOMESTIC PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
• Volume of exports in that currency
The Crude oil imported into India is in turn processed
• Forex reserve holdings denominated in that currency
into petroleum products such as Petrol, Diesel, Aviation
• Foreign exchange turnover of that currency
Turbine fuel, Kerosene, Fuel oil, Naphtha, Paints,
• Sum of international banking liabilities and debt
Lubricants etc. Almost 80% of the petroleum products is
securities denominated in that currency.
used domestically and remaining 20% is exported.
REVIEW OF SDR BASKET
Import of Crude oil into India: India is the third largest
The SDR currency basket is reviewed every five years i.e.,
importer and consumer of crude oil. India imports more
on the quinquennial basis by the Executive Board of the
than 80% of its crude oil requirements. Crude oil imports
IMF. In the last review conducted in 2015, the IMF had
accounted for 26% of the total imports into India.
decided to include Yuan in the SDR currency basket. In
the recent review, the IMF has decided to increase the Top Suppliers of Crude oil to India: Iraq, USA, and Saudi

weightage of Dollars and Yuan in the SDR basket. Arabia.

Export of Petroleum products from India:

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• The Petroleum products account for the second (a) It is the investment through capital instruments
largest share in India's exports after Engineering essentially in a listed company.
Goods. (b) It is a largely non-debt creating capital flow.
• India is the third largest exporter of Petroleum (c) It is the investment which involves debt-servicing.
products accounting for 15% of total exports.
(d) It is the investment made by foreign institutional
• Top Export destinations are Singapore, UAE and USA. investors in the Government securities.

DETAILS ABOUT FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT (FDI)

RECORD FDI INFLOWS IN Foreign direct investment (FDI): Major source of non-
debt financial resource for the economic development.
2021-22 Nodal Department: Department for Promotion of
#Banking Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of
Commerce & Industry makes policy pronouncements on
FDI through Consolidated FDI Policy Circular/Press
According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India
Notes/Press Releases which are notified by the
has recorded highest ever annual FDI inflow of USD 83.57
Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of
billion in the Financial Year 2021-22.
Finance.

Definition: Investment through capital instruments by a

person resident outside India (a) in an unlisted Indian
company; or (b) in 10 percent or more of the post issue
paid-up equity capital in a listed Company.
ELIGIBLE CAPITAL INSTRUMENTS

• Shares
• Convertible debentures
• Global Depository Receipts/ American Depository
Q.1) Consider the following: (Prelims 2021) Receipts
1. Foreign currency convertible bonds • Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (FCCBs)
2. Foreign institutional investment with certain ROUTES
conditions
• Government Route: Application in Foreign Investment
3. Global depository receipts
Facilitation Portal à Concerned Administrative
4. Non-resident external deposits Ministry/Department. Proposals of more than Rs 5000
Which of the above can be included in Foreign Direct crores to be approved by CCEA.
Investments?
• Automatic Route: No Prior Approval of the
(a) 1, 2 and 3 Government.
(b) 3 only Prohibited Sectors: Lottery Business; Gambling and
(c) 2 and 4 betting including casinos; Chit funds and Nidhi company;
(d) 1 and 4 Trading in Transferable Development Rights (TDRs); Real
Estate Business or Construction of Farmhouses;
Q.2) With reference to Foreign Direct Investment in Manufacturing of Cigars; Activities / sectors not open to
India, which one of the following is considered private sector investment viz., (i) Atomic energy and (ii)
its major characteristic? (Prelims 2020) Railway operations

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IMPORTANT POINTERS FOR PRELIMS #External Sector

• Countries attracting highest FDI in 2021: USA ($ 250
bn); China; Hong Kong, Singapore, and India. India is
th
placed at 5 Position. New Development Bank (NDB) has recently announced the
• Trends: India received its highest ever FDI inflows of launch of its Indian Regional Office (IRO) in Gujarat
around $ 83 bn in 2021-22. International Finance Tech City (GIFT City).
• Top FDI Sources for FDI (2021-22): Singapore, USA, Q.1) With reference to Asian Infrastructure
and Mauritius Investment Bank (AIIB), consider the following
• Sectors attracting highest FDI (2021-22): Computer statements: (Prelims 2019)
Software & Hardware, Services and Automobile. 1. AIIB has more than 80 member nations.
• States attracting highest FDI Inflows (2021-22): 2. India is the largest shareholder in AIIB.
Karnataka, Delhi and Maharashtra.
3. AIIB does not have any members from outside Asia.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
NEW DEVELOPMENT BANK (a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
OPENS REGIONAL OFFICE (c) 1 and 3 only

IN INDIA (d) 1, 2 and 3 only

COMPARISON OF IMPORTANT MULTILATERAL INSTITUTIONS

Asian Infrastructure
Asian Development Bank New Development Bank
Investment bank

BRICS Countries through China-led multilateral Bank in

Establishment 1966
Fortaleza declaration in 2014 2016

Assists members countries by Financing infrastructure and

Financing Infrastructure for
providing loans, technical sustainable development
tomorrow with firm commitment
Mandate assistance, grants, and equity projects in BRICS and other
to Financial, Environmental and
investments to promote social emerging economies and
Social sustainability.
and economic development. developing countries

Headquarters Manila, Philippines Shanghai, China Beijing, China

Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Around 105 Members- 91 Full

Number of
68 Members Africa (BRICS) members and 14 Prospective
Members
Bangladesh, UAE members

All members of IBRD or Asian

All UN Members
Membership All the members of UN or any of Development Bank
(Voting rights of BRICS countries
open to? its specialised agencies (Non-regional Members from
shall not reduce below 55%
outside Asia can also join)

Governance Board of Governors comprising Board of Governors comprising Board of Governors comprising

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representatives of all member representatives of all member representatives of all member

countries. Usually, member countries. Usually, member countries. Usually, member
countries are represented by countries are represented by countries are represented by
their Finance Ministers. their Finance Ministers. their Finance Ministers.

Voting depends upon the share Voting depends upon the share
Same contribution by BRICS
capital provided. capital provided.
Voting countries. Hence, all countries
Countries with highest voting Countries with highest voting
Weightage given equal voting weightage
rights: Japan and USA (each with rights: China (26.64%); India
(20%)
15.6%); China (6.4%); India (6.3%) (7.6%); Russia (6%)

REMITTANCES INTO INDIA

Reduce cost of sending remittances: The costs of a
sending remittances from one country to another
#External Sector include a fee charged by the sending agent, typically paid
by the sender. It also includes the currency-conversion
fee for delivery of local currency to the beneficiary in
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, there are over
another country.
13.4 million Non-Resident Indians worldwide. These
Formalisation of migrants: Reducing
migrants have not only contributed to the growth of
informal/undocumented migration and formalizing all
destination countries, but they have also benefitted India in
remittances.
terms of higher remittances, enhancement of India's soft
power and greater integration of Indian economy with the Ensuring Protection and safety of migrant workers

global economy. through the regulation of recruiting agencies.

PRIVATE TRANSFERS/REMITTANCES Enhancing the skill set of migrant workers in terms of

skill upgradation and foreign language training.
Remittances into India: As per the Migration and
Development Brief Report of the World Bank (November Expedite Passage of Draft Emigration Bill, 2021:

2021), India continues to be the largest remittance Presently, migrant workers face number of challenges

recipient country in the world in 2021 ($87bn) and has such as higher recruitment charges, retention of

been so since 2008. The remittances into India account passports, non-payment, and underpayment of wages,

for 2.9% of GDP. poor living conditions, discrimination, and other forms of
ill-treatment. Hence, to address these problems, the
Top 5 Countries receiving Remittances (in absolute
Government has proposed the Draft Emigration bill 2021
value): India, China, Mexico, Philippines, and Egypt.
to replace the existing Emigration Act, 1983.
Top 5 Countries receiving Remittances (in terms of GDP):
The draft Bill seeks to provide a regulatory mechanism to
Tonga, Lebanon, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and El
govern overseas employment of Indian nationals and
Salvador.
protect and promote the welfare of Indian emigrants. For
Importance of Remittances: Remittances in India have
example, the Bill makes it mandatory for all category of
been substantially higher than even Foreign Direct
workers to register before departure to any country in
Investment (FDI) and the flow of remittances is much less
the world to ensure better protection for them, support
fluctuating than that of FPI.
and safeguard in case of vulnerabilities. The proposed
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO ENHANCE REMITTANCES Emigration Management Authority will be the
INTO INDIA? overarching authority to provide policy guidance.
Promote Labor Mobility from India by reducing the cost
of recruitment of workers.

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Economic Development

FOREIGN INVESTMENT
Similarly, the ministry of Civil Aviation gives prior
approval for the FDI in aviation sector.

FACILITATION PORTAL • Foreign Investment Facilitation Portal (FIFP) provides

for single window clearance for the FDI applications

(FIFP) through the approval route. This

administered by Department of Promotion of Industry
portal is

#External Sector and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and

Industry.
• DPIIT has been given the responsibility of receiving
Foreign Investment Facilitation Portal (FIFP) has recently
applications filed on the Foreign Investment
completed 5 years.
Facilitation Portal and to forward the same to the
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India comes
concerned Administrative Ministry.
under two routes: Approval Route and Automatic
Route. Under the Approval route, the foreign investors Note: In case of FDI proposals of more than Rs 5000
need to take prior approval of the concerned crore, the concerned ministry should place the proposal
ministry/department. For example, ministry of Mines before the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
gives prior approval for the FDI into Mining sector. (CCEA). Hence, in such cases, the final approval is given
by Cabinet committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA).

Taxation
OFF BUDGET FINANCING
• However, a State cannot raise a public loan without
the consent of the Centre if there is still outstanding
#Public finance any part of a loan which has been advanced to it by
the Government of India.

• Since all the State Governments have been and

At the beginning of every financial year, the Union continue to be indebted to the Central Government,
government decides on the borrowing limit of the state
the Central Government effectively controls the
Governments. But this year there have been some changes.
amount of public debt raised by State Governments.
Earlier, the money borrowed by the states through the off-
• This constitutional mechanism has been used by the
budget financing was not included in the borrowing limit
Central Government to ensure that State
fixed by the Centre. But from this year onwards, the overall
borrowings of the states (including off budget borrowings) Governments do not exceed annual borrowing limits
should not exceed the borrowing limits. that are set at the beginning of every year.

In the light of recent developments, let us look into the • Presently, the limit has been fixed at 3.5% of the GDP
following topics: in 2022-23.
• Borrowing powers of the states WHAT IS OFF-BUDGET FINANCING?
• Off Budget Financing: Meaning, Challenges and • Expenditure undertaken by the public sector
Strategies undertakings (PSUs) through the market borrowings
BORROWING POWERS OF STATE (ARTICLE 293) based upon guarantee of repayment of loans given by
• The borrowing powers of the States are limited (Article Government.
293). Within India, a State may raise loans from the
• For example, let's say the government needs to invest
Government of India or float public loans.
in the Railways. It may ask the Indian Railway Finance

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Economic Development

Corporation (IRFC) to borrow money from the market The office of CAG has given several recommendations to
and finance railway projects. However, the tackle the problem of off-budget financing.
Government guarantees the repayment of principal Some of these recommendations include:
and interest for the money borrowed by Indian
• Government of India must put in place policy
Railway Finance Corporation in case it fails to repay
framework for off-budget financing to provide for
the borrowed money.
enhanced disclosure to the Indian parliament. Such a
• It is to be noted that this guarantee of the government policy framework must mandate the Government to
could become a liability in future; however, it is not highlight the rationale and objective of undertaking
accounted for the calculation of Fiscal Deficit. off-budget financing.
CONCERNS WITH OFF-BUDGET FINANCING • Government must come out with the quantum of off-
According to various Estimates put forward by Subhash budget financing and the way it has been undertaken
Chandra Garg, the Off-budget Expenditure accounts for every year.
at least 1% of India's GDP in 2020-21, which appears to • Government must disclose all the details about the
be quite huge. The same concern was raised even by off-budget financing through the disclosure
Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in March 2019. statements in the Budget.
Decrease in Government's Financial Accountability: The

RECOMMENDATIONS OF
Government’s strategy to meet capital expenditure
through off-budget financing provides flexibility in
meeting requirement of capital-intensive
However, such financing remains outside budgetary
projects.
GST COUNCIL NOT
control of the Parliament.
BINDING: SC
Decrease in Fiscal discipline: The increase in the off-
budget expenditure highlights that the Government has
#Taxation #Federalism
not been able to manage its finances efficiently and thus
there is greater level of fiscal indiscipline. In a significant verdict, the Supreme Court has recently ruled
Enhanced Financial Risk: The increase in off-budget that the recommendations of the GST council are not
financing poses enhanced risk for the Government, binding on the Parliament and State legislatures. On one
particularly when the Government agencies which hand, the SC judgement was welcomed by the opposition-
ruled states, while the Centre has ruled out any change in
borrow money from market based on government
the functioning of the GST. The Centre has argued that the
guarantee fails to repay such loans. Under such
SC judgement has merely reiterated the constitutional and
circumstances, the Government would be required to
legal provisions related to the functioning of the GST council
pitch in and fulfill its obligations.
and hence would not affect its functioning.
Reduced Sanctity of Government's Finances: Ideally, the ABOUT GST COUNCIL
Government guarantee on repayment of bonds should The GST Council is a constitutional body under Article
be accounted under Debt and Liabilities to provide 279A for making recommendations to the Union and
correct picture about its finances. However, since it is not State Government on issues related to Goods and
accounted, it would lead to understating of Service Tax.
Government's borrowings and do not present correct Mandate: Make recommendations to the Union and
picture related to fiscal indicators such as Fiscal Deficit States on the following:
and Revenue Deficit. • Recommend Taxes, surcharge, and Cess to be
HOW TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM? subsumed into GST.

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Economic Development

• Model GST laws no explicit provision in Article 279A for the

• Recommend GST Rates. recommendations to be binding.

• Recommend the date on which the GST be levied on • Article 246A provides that both Union and States are
petroleum crude, high speed diesel, petrol, natural empowered to make laws related to GST. There is no
gas and aviation turbine fuel. explicit provision in Article 246A for the
recommendations of the GST council to be binding
• Recommend threshold limit of turnover below which
on the Parliament or state legislatures.
GST may be exempted.
• The ‘recommendations’ of the GST Council are the
• Any other matter related to GST, as the council may
product of a collaborative dialogue involving the
decide.
Union and States. To regard them as binding edicts
Composition: Chaired by the Union Finance Minister and
would disrupt fiscal federalism, where both the
other members are the Union State Minister of Revenue
Union and the States are conferred equal power to
or Finance and Ministers in-charge of Finance of all the
legislate on GST.
States.
• Government while exercising its rule-making power
Decision Making: Voting Weightage- Centre (1/3) and all
under the provisions of the CGST Act and IGST Act is
States (2/3). Decision shall be taken by a majority of not
bound by the recommendations of the GST Council.
less than three-fourths of the weighted votes of the
However, that does not mean that all the
members present and voting.
recommendations of the GST Council are binding on
Thus, Central Government has an effective veto on all the legislature.
decisions of the GST Council.
ANALYSIS OF THE SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT
Quorum: Half of the total members GST council may make two types of recommendations:
ARGUMENTS OF CENTRE ON RECOMMENDATIONS OF (a) which would require Government to issue notification
GST COUNCIL (b) which require legislatures to make laws related to
Certain provisions of IGST Act, CGST Act and SGST Acts GST.
explicitly provide that Government shall take decisions For example, under CGST, Central Government issues
based on the recommendations of the GST Council. notification based upon recommendations of GST
For example, if the GST council makes recommendations council related to changes in the GST rates or inclusion of
related to changes in GST rates or the inclusion of petroleum products in the GST. Once central
petroleum products in the GST, then accordingly, the Government issues the notifications, such notifications
Central and State Government would issue notification to must be compulsorily placed before the Parliament. So,
give effect to the recommendations of the GST council. here the Parliament has delegated some of its powers to
Similarly, the power of the Central Government to the Central Government. Such recommendations of GST
exempt goods or services from levy of tax shall be council should be binding on Central Government and
exercised on the recommendations of the GST Council. State Governments. This would help realise the
framework of “One Nation One Tax”.
If the recommendations of the GST council are not
binding, then different states could impose different tax On the other hand, GST council may make
rates on goods and services which would defeat the recommendations on any other matter related to GST, as
purpose of Nation, One Tax. the council may decide. So, here, Government cannot
issue notification based on recommendations of the GST
SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT ON GST COUNCIL
council. To give effect to recommendations of GST
Recommendations of GST Council are not binding on the
council, the Parliament and State Legislatures may have
Union and States for the following reasons:
to formulate separate law. According to Supreme Court,
• Article 279A provides that GST council shall make
in such cases, recommendations of GST council would
recommendations to the Union and States. There is
not be binding on the Parliament and State Legislatures.

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Economic Development

WAY FORWARD However, in future, increasing political polarization may

So far, the GST council has functioned in the spirit of throw up challenges before the GST Council. Hence,
cooperative federalism. This is evident in the fact that no going forward, there is a need to set up GST dispute
state has exercised its power to reject council resolution mechanism to deal with the possible conflicts
recommendations in the past five years. between the Centre and States.

Infrastructure
PUSH FOR RENEWABLE
Union government is planning to amend the Electricity Act
and the National Tariff Policy to make it mandatory for

PURCHASE OBLIGATION
DISCOMs to meet their renewable purchase obligations
(RPOs) to provide fillip to the Renewable energy sector.

(RPO) SHARE OF DIFFERENT SOURCES IN INSTALLED

CAPACITY
#Infrastructure The total Installed power capacity in India is around 3.9
lakh MW.

ACHIEVEMENTS IN RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR least 40% installed capacity from non-fossil energy
• Globally, today India stands 4th in RE power capacity, sources by end of 2030.
4th in Wind power, and 5th in Solar Power capacity. Top 3 States in Installed Wind Power (as on 31st Dec
• Total Installed Capacity of Renewable energy 2020): Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Maharashtra
(including large hydropower above 25 MW): 150 GW Top 3 States in Installed Solar Power (as on 31st Dec
• Share of Renewable energy (including large 2020): Karnataka, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu
hydropower above 25 MW) in total installed capacity: ABOUT RENEWABLE PURCHASE OBLIGATION (RPO)
38%
What is it?
• Share of Non-fossil energy sources (Renewable energy
DISCOMs required to purchase certain percentage of
and Nuclear): 40%. India has achieved the National
electricity from various renewable energy sources.
Determined contribution (NDC) target of having at
Framework for RPOs?

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Economic Development

Laid down under Electricity Act, 2003 and National Tariff Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs): DISCOMs that
Policy 2016 exceed their RPO obligations can sell RECs to other
Types of RPOs: Solar RPO and Non-Solar RPO. In 2020, DISCOMs that fail to meet RPO target. 1 REC is equal to 1
Government declared that procurement of power from Mwh.
large Hydropower Projects (more than 25 MW) and PRESENT STATUS OF RPO
Ocean Energy would be considered as Non-Solar RPO. Compliance of DISCOMs with respect to meeting RPO
Who lays down the Targets for RPOs? targets has been consistently poor. For example, the RPO
Annual Targets laid down by State Electricity Regulatory target for the financial year 2019-20 was set at 17.5 per
Commissions (SERCs). Long term targets laid down by cent but the achievement on pan-India basis was merely
Ministry of Power. 12.73 per cent. The compliance is less than 55 per cent of
the target for about 20 states.
Present Targets: Long Term target to be met by 2022.
Total RPO: 21% (Solar RPO: 10.5% + Non-Solar RPO:
10.5%)

Practice questions
MCQs
Q.1) Which among the following agency issues 1. Under RPO, the DISCOMs are required to
notification for the ban of export of purchase certain percentage of electricity from
commodities? renewable energy sources.
(a) Ministry of Commerce and Industry 2. The DISCOMs can make up for the shortfall in
(b) Ministry of Finance their RPOs by buying Renewable Energy
(c) Federation of Indian Export Organization Certificates (RECs).
(d) Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
Q.2) With respect to National Land Monetisation (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Corporation (NLMC), consider the following
statements: Q.4) With respect to Asian Development Bank
1. The NLMC has been set up as a wholly owned (ADB), consider the following statements:
Government of India company for monetization of 1. The membership of the ADB is open only to the
surplus and unused land of the PSUs. Asian Countries.
2. The NLMC functions under the Department for 2. All the member countries in the ADB enjoy equal
promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, voting rights.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Which among the statements given above is/are correct?
Which among the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Q.5) Consider the following statements:
Q.3) With reference to Renewable Purchase 1. Saudi Arabia is ranked at first place in terms of
Obligation (RPO), consider the following Crude Oil Reserves and Production.
statements:

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Economic Development

2. USA is the largest exporter of Crude Oil in the Which among the statements given above is/are correct?
world. (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only
3. India is the third largest consumer of Crude oil in (c) 3 only (d) 2 and 3 only
the world.

Descriptive Questions
Q1. While the National Land Monetisation Corporation is a good idea, it must contend with several challenges.
Discuss (15 Marks, 250 Words)

Q2. The doubling of farmers’ income needs doubling of agricultural exports. In the light of this statement, critically
analyze the recent step of the Government to ban export of wheat. (15 Marks, 250 Words)

Answers: 1-d, 2-a, 3-c, 4-d, 5-c

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CONSTITUTION, POLITY AND

GOVERNANCE
# GS Paper (Prelims) & GS Paper II (Main)

RELEASE OF A.G.
• Respite: Postponement of the sentence of
punishment or reducing the sentence due to certain

PERARIVALAN BY SC special circumstances such as disability, pregnancy

etc.
#Mercy Petition #Remission #Article 161 • Commutation: Changing the punishment from one
category to another, such as changing of death
A.G. Perarivalan, one of the seven convicts in the Rajiv sentence to life imprisonment.
Gandhi assassination, case has been released by the • Remission: Reduction of the amount of a sentence
Supreme Court by exercising its power under Article 142. without changing its character. Example: A person is
Three Judge Bench also disapproved Governor’s decision to imprisoned for14 years in solitary confinement. In
send recommendations of state cabinet (remit remaining Remission, his sentence might reduce to 10 years but
part of sentence) for President’s consideration. Clemency the nature i.e., solitary confinement will not change.
powers of Governor and President are provided under Article
• Decision Based on Aid & Advice of Council of Ministers:
161 and 72.
Power of clemency to be exercised under Article 72 &
MERCY PETITION 161 respectively by President and Governors need to
• Appeal beyond SC: If Supreme Court turns down be exercised in conformity with the aid and advice of
appeal against capital punishment, a condemned Council of Ministers under Articles 74 and 163.
prisoner can submit a mercy petition to President of • Decision not constrained by time: Clemency powers of
India and Governor of the State under Article 72 and President and Governor, under Article 72 and 161
Article 161 respectively. respectively, can be exercised before, during or after
• Powers of President & Governors under Articles 72 the trial.
and 161: “to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or • Final Opportunity for the Convict: Allows both
remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or executive and judiciary to investigate the matter with
commute the sentence of any person convicted of any compassionate ground.
offence.
• Comparison with other countries: Indian President’s
• Pardon: It affects both the punishment prescribed for power of pardon is almost like that in America or
the offence and guilt of the offender. A full pardon Britain. American President has power to grant
may completely erase the guilt. reprieves and pardons for offences committed against
• Reprieve: A temporary suspension of the punishment United States except in cases of impeachment. In
awarded by a court of law. For example: Putting a Britain, the Crown enjoys a prerogative to grant
stay order on death sentence of a convict for certain pardon to any criminal, but the prerogative is
temporary period. exercised on ministerial advice.

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Constituti0n, Polity and

Governance
SUPREME COURT ON VALIDATING CAPITAL The hands of the Courts are tied down by the evidence
PUNISHMENT placed before it.
• Article 21 has been legally construed to mean if there • A death sentence passed by the Court after
is a procedure, which is just, fair, reasonable, and valid, consideration of all materials placed before it may yet
then the state by framing a law can deprive a person require reconsideration because:
of his life. (i) Facts not placed before the Court.
• In Jagmohan Singh vs Uttar Pradesh (1973), Rajendra (ii) Facts placed before the Court but not in the
Prasad vs Uttar Pradesh (1979), and finally in Bachan proper manner.
Singh vs Punjab (1980), Supreme Court affirmed the
(iii) Facts discovered after passing of the death
constitutional validity of the death penalty.
sentence.
• SC held that if capital punishment is provided in the law
(iv) Events which may have developed after passing
and the procedure is a fair, just and reasonable one, the
of death sentence.
death sentence can be awarded to a convict (In rarest of
(v) Other unknown developments related to the
rare cases).
sentence.
PRESIDENT VS GOVERNOR – DISPOSING MERCY
PETITION JUDICIAL REVIEW OF CLEMENCY POWERS
• In Epuru Sudhakar vs Andhra Pradesh, Supreme Court
• President has power to pardon in cases where
punishment has been provided through Court Martial laid down that judicial review under Articles 72 and
which governor lacks. 161 is available on the following grounds:
a) That the order has been passed without
• Governor cannot pardon death sentence. However,
the governor can suspend, remit, or commute a death application of mind.
sentence. Whereas pardoning power of President b) That the order is malafide.
extend even to cases of death penalty. c) That the order has been passed on extraneous or
wholly irrelevant considerations.
Kehar Singh v Union of India
d) That the order suffers from arbitrariness.
• The power to pardon is part of constitutional
scheme. It has been reposed by the people through • The Court also held that pardon obtained based on
the Constitution in the head of the state and enjoys manifest mistake or fraud can also be rescinded or
high status. It is a constitutional responsibility of cancelled.
great significance, to be exercised when occasion • If power under Article 72 is exercised on irrational,
arises. irrelevant, discriminatory grounds or in bad faith, then
• In most civilized societies, deprivation of personal in such cases Court can examine the case and
liberty and threat of deprivation of life by the action intervene if necessary.
of the state is regarded seriously and therefore DISCRETION WHILE GRANTING PARDON?
recourse is provided against the judicial decisions. • Power to pardon vested in the President under Article
• This is because there always remains the possibility 72 shall not be exercised independently without the aid
of ‘fallibility of human judgment’ even in ‘the most and advice of Home Minister.
trained mind’ and it has been considered • In Maru Ram v. Union of India, Supreme Court held that
appropriate in matters of life and personal liberty, under Article 72, President cannot take an independent
‘the protection should be extended by entrusting decision or direct release or refuse release on his own
the power to some high authority to scrutinize the choice.
validity of the threatened denial of life.
• This has been done to avoid any decision made on
LAW COMMISSION’S VIEW ON PREROGATIVE OF arbitrary grounds or on some partial grounds of
MERCY IN THE EXECUTIVE religion, caste, colour or political loyalty.
• When giving punishment, there are many matters POWER OF REMISSION UNDER CR. PC DIFFERENT
which may not have been considered by the Courts. FROM CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS OF PARDON

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Constituti0n, Polity and

Governance
• Suspend or Remit: Cr. PC empowers central and state grant pardon. Such power is in exercise of the power
government to suspend or remit a sentence, in whole of the sovereign, even though the Governor is bound
or in part, with or without conditions. to act on the aid and advice of the State Government.
• Commutation: Cr. PC empowers central and state RAJIV GANDHI ASSASSINATION CASE
governments to commute death sentence, • 1999: Seven persons were convicted by Supreme
imprisonment for life and rigorous imprisonment to a Court in 1999 final verdict in Rajiv Gandhi
lesser degree. assassination case. Of these, four - Sriharan alias
• State Government to Consult the Centre: Cr. PC states Murugan, Nalini, Perarivalan and Santhan - were given
that powers of state government to suspend, remit or the death penalty. The other three - Robert Payas,
commute a sentence must be done in consultation Jayakumar, and Ravichandran - were sentenced to life
with the central government if terms.
o The case was investigated by Central Bureau of • 2000: Governor commuted the death sentence of
Investigation (CBI) or Nalini to one of life, based on a recommendation by
o The case was investigated by any other agency the Cabinet. The remaining three remained on death
empowered to make investigation into an offence row and their mercy petitions were pending with the
under any Central Act. President.

o The offence involved misappropriation or destruction • 2014: Supreme Court commuted the sentences of
of, or damage to, any property belonging to the Sriharan, Perarivalan and Santhan to life terms.
Central Government, or Immediately, the then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa
decided to remit their sentences. The State
o The offence was committed by a person in the service
government sought Centre’s opinion within three days
of the Central Government while acting in the
as the matter was investigated by CBI.
discharge of his official duty.
• However, Centre challenged State Government’s
• Section 433A adds a restriction on powers of remission
decision in Supreme Court and obtained a
or commutation in certain cases.
stay. Constitution Bench settled the controversy by
o It states that where a sentence of imprisonment
stating that State government could not release the
for life is imposed on conviction of a person for an prisoners without Centre’s concurrence as Union
offence for which death is one of the punishments government’s opinion had primacy in the matter.
provided by law, or
• 2018: Union Home Ministry formally rejected the plea
o Where a sentence of death imposed on a person for remission. Later, Tamil Nadu government decided
has been commuted under section 433 into one of to invoke Governor’s Power under Article 161 and
imprisonment for life,
advised Governor to remit the life term of the seven
such person shall not be released from prison unless convict so that they could be released.
he has served at least 14 years of imprisonment.
• Matter was sent for President’s Consideration: Article
• Article 161 overrides Section 433A of Cr. PC: Supreme 161 does not specify any time frame for the Governor
Court has held that powers of Governor under Article to act on the advice of the State Cabinet. So, the
161 to pardon override the restrictions imposed under matter was sent for President’s consideration and the
Section 433-A of the Criminal Procedure Code even if matter kept pending.
the prisoner has not undergone 14 years or more of SUPREME COURT’S FINAL VERDICT TO RELEASE THE
actual imprisonment.
PRISONERS
• Section 433-A of Cr. PC does not in any way affect the • Governor sending state government’s
constitutional power conferred on President/Governor recommendation on remission: Supreme Court held
to grant pardon under Articles 72 or 161 of the
that there is no constitutional provision for Governor
Constitution. to refer a recommendation made by the State Cabinet
• If the prisoner has not undergone 14 years or more of to the President of India.
actual imprisonment, the Governor has a power to

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Constituti0n, Polity and

Governance
• On Centre’s Plea on “appropriate government”: SC • Threat to human rights and bodily integrity are the
rejected Centre’s argument which stated that highest in police stations.
“appropriate government” to decide on remission of • Custodial torture and other police atrocities are
sentence in matters to which the executive power of problems that still prevail in our society.
the Union extends is the Union Government.
• Despite constitutional declarations and guarantees,
• Union taking precedence over State where both state lack of effective legal representation at police stations
and Centre had power to make laws, Union is a huge detriment to arrested/detained persons.
Government’s power will take precedence only if
• To keep police excesses in check, dissemination of
“executive power had been expressly conferred on the
information about constitutional right to legal aid and
Union under the Constitution or the law made by
availability of free legal aid services is necessary.
Parliament, failing which the executive power of State
• Installation of display boards and outdoor hoardings in
remained intact”.
every police station/prison is necessary.
• Governor’s power under Article 161 not immune from
• If we want to remain a society governed by rule of law,
Judicial Review: The judgment pointed out that
Governor’s power under Article 161 to grant pardons, it is imperative for us to bridge the gap of accessibility
reprieves, respites, or remissions of punishment, is to justice between the highly privileged and the most
vulnerable.
subject to judicial review. SC also stated that non-
exercise of power under Article 161 is not immune • For all times to come, we must remember that realities
from judicial review. of socio-economic diversity which prevail in our nation
cannot ever be a reason for denial of rights.
• Not fit to remand the matter back to Governor for
consideration considering appellant’s prolonged IS CUSTODIAL TORTURE PUNISHABLE OFFENCE?
period of incarceration, his satisfactory conduct in jail • Offences of causing hurt or grievous hurt to extort
as well as during parole, chronic ailments from his confession are punishable under Sections 330 and 331
medical records, his educational qualifications of IPC.
acquired during incarceration and the pendency of his
• Voluntarily causing hurt to extort confession or to
petition under Article 161 for 2.5 years after compel restoration of property (Section 330): Such
recommendation of the State Cabinet.
persons shall be punished with imprisonment of either
description for a term which may extend to 7 years
and shall also be liable to fine.
POLICE OFFICERS • Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to extort confession

SUSPENDED FOR or to compel restoration of property (Section 331):

Such persons shall be punished with imprisonment of
CUSTODIAL DEATH either description for a term which may extend to 10
years and shall also be liable to fine.
#Custodial Death #Illegal Arrest
• Illustration: A, a police-officer, tortures Z to induce Z to
#Constitutional Rights #Police Reforms confess that he committed a crime. A is guilty of an
offence under this section.
Two Police Officers in Andhra Pradesh were suspended for NATURE OF HUMAN RIGHT VIOLATIONS BY THE
allegations of custodial torture against the accused Mr. Appa POLICE
Rao which led him to commit suicide. In another incident, • Non-Registration of FIR
Crime Branch-CID of Tamil Nadu police arrested five • Misuse of Power of Arrest
policemen and one Home Guard for their involvement in the • Misuse of Power to Shoot-to-kill Order
death of Vignesh in police custody based on 13 injury marks
• Torture during police custody
on the body.
• Custodial Deaths
CJI’S OBSERVATIONS
• Custodial Rape and Sexual Harassment

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Constituti0n, Polity and

Governance
CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS difference between non-cognizable and non- non-bailable
• Protection of life and liberty have been given a pre- offence.
eminent position in our Constitution by enacting Cognizable Offence Non-bailable Offence
Article 21 as a fundamental right and imposing a duty
on the State to protect life and personal liberty of • Cognizable Offence has • Non-bailable offence
every citizen. Any deprivation or breach of this been defined under has also been defined
valuable right is not permissible unless procedure Code of Criminal under Cr. PC.
established by law for that purpose is just, fair, and Procedure. • When a person is
reasonable. • Cognizable offence accused of non-bailable
• As per Article 20, a person shall be convicted only for means a case in which a offence, then in such
violation of a law which is in force at the time of the police officer may arrest case, bail can only be
commission of crime and penalised accordingly. It without warrant. granted by the Court
means that he shall not be penalised more for any • Cognizable offences are and not by an officer.
crime committed by the person. Further, no person usually offences which • Application for bail must
shall be prosecuted and punished for the same are serious in nature like be made in Court in
offence more than once and no person accused of any murder, rape, dowry such cases of non-
offence shall be compelled to be a witness against death, kidnapping etc. bailable offence.
himself.
RIGHTS OF PERSON ARRESTED & DUTIES OF POLICE
• Under Article 22, constitution also provides for OFFICER
protection against arrest and detention in certain
• Procedure of arrest and duties of officer making
cases. Every person who is arrested shall be informed
arrest: Every police officer while making an arrest shall:
of the grounds of arrest and shall have a right to
(a) Bear an accurate, visible and clear identification of
consult and to be defended by a legal practitioner of
his choice. Every person who is arrested and detained his name which will facilitate easy identification.
in custody shall be produced before the nearest (b) Prepare a memorandum of arrest which shall be -
magistrate within a period of twenty-four hours of (i) Attested by at least one witness, who is a
such arrest. However, these provisions under Article member of the family of the person arrested
22 shall not be applicable to: or a respectable member of the locality
o Any person who for the time being is an enemy where the arrest is made,
alien. (ii) Countersigned by the person arrested
o Any person who is arrested or detained under any (c) Inform the person arrested, unless the
law providing for preventive detention. memorandum is attested by a member of his
• The entire existence of the orderly society depends family, that he has a right to have a relative or a
upon sound and efficient functioning of Criminal friend named by him to be informed of his arrest.
justice system. • Displaying names of arrested persons: There shall be
• So, in this aspect we can say that Constitution of India established a Police Control Room in each district
establishes basic elements of criminal justice system in which shall display on its notice board the names and
our country and mandates state including police to addresses of persons arrested and name and
ensure that fundamental rights of citizens under designation of police officers who made the arrests.
Article 20, 21 and 22 is not compromised. • Right to Advocate of one’s choice: When any person is
DUTIES OF POLICE OFFICER ON ARRESTING A PERSON arrested and interrogated by the police, he shall be
– UNDER CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE entitled to meet an advocate of his choice during
interrogation, though not throughout interrogation.
Chapter V of Cr. PC deals with arrest of persons by police
officer and has laid down elaborate duties and • Person arrested to be informed of grounds of arrest
responsibilities of police under various provisions. Before and of right to bail: Every police officer arresting any
going through important provisions, let us understand the person without warrant shall communicate to the

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Constituti0n, Polity and

Governance
person arrested full particulars of the offence for 7. Constitution of a National Security Commission at the
which he is arrested or other grounds for such arrest. Union level to prepare panels for selection of Chiefs of
The police officer shall inform the arrested person that Central Police Organisations and to review measures
he is entitled to be released on bail and has the right to upgrade their effectiveness, etc.
to arrange for sureties on his behalf. IMPORTANCE OF SEPARATION OF INVESTIGATION &
• Person arrested not to be detained more than twenty- LAW AND ORDER FUNCTIONS OF POLICE
four hours • Investigations are poorly mounted, slow, done by
• Arrest to be made strictly according to the Code inadequately trained and unspecialized staff and
CONFESSIONS DURING POLICE CUSTODY - INDIAN frequently subject to manpower deflection into other
EVIDENCE ACT, 1872 pressing law and order duties. Both investigation and
law and order are vital and specific police functions.
• Confession caused by inducement, threat or promise:
A confession made by an accused person is irrelevant • To encourage specialization and upgrade overall
in a criminal proceeding if it appears to the Court to performance, the Court has ordered a gradual
have been caused by any inducement, threat or any separation of investigative and law and order wings,
promise. starting with towns and urban areas with a population
of one million or more.
• Confession by accused while in custody of police not to
be proved against him: Confession made by any • It is felt that this will streamline police functioning,
person while he is in the custody of a police-officer ensure speedier and more expert investigation and
shall not be proved as against such person unless it be improve rapport with the people.
made in the immediate presence of a Magistrate. REMEDIES NEEDED – REDUCE CUSTODIAL TORTURE
PRAKASH SINGH JUDGMENT • Generation of Human Rights Awareness among
In Prakash Singh case, Supreme Court directed states and citizens part of curriculum, media, awareness steps
UTs to comply with seven binding directives on police taken by NGOs and Civil Society.

reforms. These directives result in institutional and • Need for Attitudinal Change among Police Officers
structural reforms in police in India. They are: need to change colonial mindset

1. Constitution of a State Security Commission as a • Focusing more on forensic science to extract

watchdog body to oversee the functioning of the information than through torture and fear by locking
police, with its recommendations being binding on the up in police custody without warrants.

State Government. • Improving in service conditions for police personnel

2. Selection of State DGP from out of a panel prepared by o appointing more police officers across the
UPSC, and provision for a minimum tenure of two hierarchy
years for the DGP so selected, irrespective of his date o Reducing duty hours of the police personnel.
of superannuation. o Need for weekly off among staffs on rotation basis.
3. A minimum two-year tenure for other police officer, o Better pay scales to lower police officers.
except under specified circumstances. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS NEEDED AT POLICE
4. Separation of investigation from law and order, duly STATIONS
ensuring full coordination between the two wings. • Setting up human rights protection cells in each police
5. Creation of Police Establishment Boards to deal with station to register cases of human rights violations.
transfers, postings and other service-related matters • Establishing Monitoring Cells at Police headquarters.
of police officers, including disposal of their appeals on • Setting up District Human Right Authorities –
being subjected to illegal or irregular orders. coordinated with State Human Rights Commission.
6. Constitution of Police Complaints Authorities at the • Installing CCTV Cameras in each police station and in
State and District levels to investigate complaints cells – connected and coordinated through central
against police officers. control room at SP office.

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Constituti0n, Polity and

Governance
NEED TO IMPROVE PROFESSIONALISM OF POLICE injury, either intentionally or involuntarily, or even an
OFFICIALS attempt to cause such an injury, which will include
• Exposure to special education during service based on physical, mental or psychological injury.
needs and professional demands. • Ratifying UNCAT: The Commission has suggested the
• Qualitative Recruitment to judge professionalism apart government to ratify the UN Convention Against
from other key skills Torture as it will also help in extradition of prisoners
from abroad.
• Professional recruitment with scientific methods will
inculcate community driven approach. It will help • Amendment in Indian Criminal Laws: Criminal
improve existing police-community relations. Procedure Code, 1973 and Indian Evidence Act, 1872
require amendments to accommodate provisions
• Post Induction Transformation and Modification:
regarding compensation and burden of proof,
Training plays an important role in the evolution,
respectively. Accordingly, amendment to Section 357B
modification, transformation and stabilization of skills.
to incorporate payment of compensation, in addition
Efforts should be made to reform the behaviour,
to payment of fine, as provided under section 326A or
attitude and responses of police probationers.
section 376D of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
• Continuous Monitoring and evaluation of acquired
Indian penal Code
professional standards during and after placements of
police officers. o Section 326A - Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by
use of acid, etc.
• Close and critical scrutiny of officers placed in fields
and observes and note professional deficiency in o Section 376D – Gang Rape
handling cases as part of record. • Indian Evidence Act, 1872 requires insertion of Section
• In service training from time to time for updating of 114B. This will ensure that in case a person in police
skills, technology and professional behaviour. custody sustains injuries, it is presumed that those
injuries have been inflicted by the police, and the
• Scientific development and research outcomes in the
burden of proof shall lie on the authority concerned to
areas of forensic science, investigation and police
explain such injury.
functioning across the world must be updated with
Indian police officers. • Punishment for Act of Torture: To curb the menace of
torture and to have a deterrent effect on acts of
• Replacing Old Police Act of 1861.
torture, the Commission recommends stringent
• Separation of Law Police from Order Police at all levels.
punishment to the perpetrators of such acts extending
Law police will look after detection of crime and up to life imprisonment and fine.
prosecution of offenders. Order Police will look after
• Compensation to Victims: The Courts will decide upon
prevention of crime and maintenance of order in
a justiciable compensation after considering various
society.
facets of an individual case, such as nature, purpose,
• Strict Observance of Code of Conduct – along with
extent and manner of injury, including mental agony
cultural revolution (suggested by retired IPS officer) – caused to the victim. The Courts will bear in mind the
giving up corruption, third degree torture, unnecessary socio-economic background of the victim and will
pride etc.
ensure that the compensation so decided will suffice
• Effective Functioning of Central Police Board – ensure the victim to bear the expenses on medical treatment
professional transfer and postings (without any and rehabilitation.
political or corrupt motive)
• Protection of Victims, Complainants & Witnesses: An
• System of reward and punishment among police effective mechanism must be put in place to protect
officials based on professional behaviour. the victims of torture, the complainants and the
RD
273 LAW COMMISSION REPORT – IMPORTANT witnesses against possible threats, violence or ill
RECOMMENDATIONS treatment.

• Definition of Torture: The Commission has suggested • Sovereign Immunity: State should own the
definition of ‘torture’ wide enough to include inflicting responsibility for the injuries caused by its agents on

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Constituti0n, Polity and

Governance

SUPREME COURT VERDICTS

citizens, and principle of sovereign immunity cannot
override the rights assured by the Constitution. While
dealing with the plea of sovereign immunity, the
Courts will have to bear in mind that it is the citizens
ON RESERVATION
who are entitled for fundamental rights, and not the #Reservation #Reservation in Promotion
agents of the State. #SC Judgments
SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY – EXPLAINED
• This principle emanates from a legal maxim – Rex Non Supreme Court while upholding the validity of reservations in
Potest Peccare – which means that the King can do no All India Quota Scheme not only recognised the idea of
wrong. ‘substantive equality’ but also held that the binary of merit
• The doctrine of sovereign immunity is based on the versus reservation is superfluous. Supreme Court in number
Common Law principle borrowed from the British of other judgments has held that Article 16(1) can exist
Jurisprudence that the King commits no wrong and parallelly along with Article 16(4) and 16(4A) without
that he cannot be guilty of personal negligence or violating the principles of equality enshrined under Article 14
misconduct, and as such cannot be responsible for the of Indian Constitution. Let us go through such landmark
negligence or misconduct of his servants. Another Supreme Court Judgments along with Mandal Commission
aspect of this doctrine was that it was an attribute of Report to understand how the jurisprudence of reservation
sovereignty that a State cannot be sued in its own has evolved over a period of years.
courts without its consent. RESERVATION IN PROMOTION NOT A FUNDAMENTAL
• Indian Constitution under Article 300 has dealt with RIGHT
the concept of Sovereign Immunity. As per Article 300, Reservation in promotion in public posts cannot be
the Government of India may sue or be sued by the claimed as a fundamental right as per the recent
name of the Union of India and the Government of a Supreme Court judgment under Article 16(4) and Article
State may sue or be sued by the name of the State. 16(4A).
WAY FORWARD Issues considered by the Supreme Court were:
Thus, Government of India should reconsider to pass the 1. Whether the State Government is bound to make
legislation against torture by ratifying to the United reservations in public posts?
Nations Conventions against Torture. The government
2. Whether decision of the state to provide or not
must ensure a comprehensive anti-torture legislation
provide reservation shall be based only on quantifiable
should mandatorily contain the following elements -
data relating to adequacy of representation of persons
• Having a clear chain of command for responsibility: belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
The law should hold superior officials responsible for Tribes?
the activities conducted under their supervision.
i. Can the state refuse to collect quantifiable data
• Honoring principle of non-refoulement by ensuring, in regarding the adequacy or inadequacy of
addition to protecting individuals in the country’s representation of the Scheduled Castes and
territory, that individuals can gain asylum and avoid Scheduled Tribes in public services?
deportation if they face torture in their native country.
JUDGMENT OF SUPREME COURT
• Acknowledging gender-based violence since sexual
Article 16 (4) & 16 (4A) empowers State to make
violence is often an aggravating factor in cases of
reservation in matters of appointment and promotion in
custodial torture.
favour of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes 'if in
• Ensuring comprehensiveness: In addition to providing the opinion of the State they are not adequately
for criminalization, prevention and detection of represented in the services of the State'.
torture, and offering accountability, compensation and
1. Article 16 (4) and 16 (4A) are enabling provisions and
rehabilitation to victims, the law should also empower
accordingly State has discretion either to provide
activists, civil society groups, lawyers, and public
reservation in public services under Article 16(4) or
officials.

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Constituti0n, Polity and

Governance
reservation in promotions under Article 16(4A) or not covered by any of the existing schemes of
to provide such reservations. reservation.
2. If the states wish to provide reservation in promotion, Second Backward Class Commission (Mandal
then the State must collect quantifiable data showing Commission)
inadequacy of representation of that class in public
services. PM Morarji Desai in December
Announced by
1978
3. Even if under-representation of Scheduled Castes and
Schedules Tribes in public services is brought to the In 1980 to President N.S.
notice of the Court, the State cannot be directed to Submission of Report Reddy.
provide such reservations under writ of Mandamus. PM – Indira Gandhi
Supreme Court effectively held that State Government is
In 1990 - Prime Minister V.P.
not bound to make reservations and citizens cannot claim Implemented by
Singh
reservation in public services under Article 16(4) and
reservation in promotion under Article 16(4A) as 2015 - RECOMMENDATIONS OF NCBC - CHAIRMAN -
Fundamental Right. JUSTICE V. ESWARAIAH
KELKAR COMMISSION – FIRST BACKWARD CLASS It discussed sub-categorization of OBCs at length and
COMMISSION proposed that Other Backward Classes/castes/
• The Commission was set up as a Presidential Order communities/ synonyms be divided into the following
under Article 340 to investigate the conditions of three categories:
backward classes. 1. Extremely Backward Classes (Group ‘A’): This would
• It prepared a comprehensive list of backward caste or include Aboriginal Tribes, Vimukta Jatis, nomadic and
communities and out of 2399 such castes, 837 were semi-nomadic tribes, wandering classes etc., whose
classified as ‘Most Backward’. traditional occupation is/was begging and pig-rearing,
• The commission submitted its report in 1955 but was snake-charming, bird catching, game-snearers,
not implemented. (PM – Jawahar Lal Nehru) religious mendicants, drum beaters, bamboo workers,
MANDAL COMMISSION – SECOND BACKWARD CLASS hunters and labourers, making mats from date leaves,
COMMISSION basket making, agricultural labourers, earth workers,
boatmen etc.
• It was set up to investigate the extent of social and
educational backwardness among various sections of 2. More Backward Classes (Group ‘B’): This would include
Indian society and recommend ways of identifying vocational groups whose traditional occupation is/was
these ‘backward classes. making of brushes for weaving looms and dyers,
• It advised backward castes had a very low presence in painting and doll making, weavers, toddy tappers,
both educational institutions and in employment in cotton ginning, oil pressing, silk weavers, potters,
public services. It therefore recommended reserving sheep-rearing and combing weaving, earth workers,
27% of seats in educational institutions and jute weaving and gunny bag making, butchers,
government jobs for these groups. tailoring, fishing, gardening, dancers and singers,
• The government accepted the recommendations and barbers, petty traders in kumkum and bangles, dyeing,
along with it, issued another order by which, within the petty dealers in beads, needles etc., scheduled castes
27% of vacancies, converted into Christianity and their progeny,
o Preference was to be given to candidates washermen etc.
belonging to the poorer sections of the Socially and 3. Backward Classes (Group ‘C’): This would include land
Economically Backward Classes; and owning, cultivating castes, agriculturists, business and
o 10% vacancies were to be reserved for Other trading castes and comparatively advanced
Economically Backward Sections who were not castes/communities.

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Governance
INDRA SAWHNEY JUDGMENT the Constitution of India, there is no question of
• The case decided by Nine Judge Constitution Bench. showing backwardness of the Scheduled Castes and
The bone of contention in this landmark judgment was the Scheduled Tribes all over again.
the Mandal Commission Report of 1980, which was • The advanced sections among OBCs (the creamy layer)
laid before Parliament on two occasions – once in should be excluded from the list of beneficiaries of
1982, and again in 1983. reservation.
• However, no action was taken based on this Report • Creamy layer principle is only confined to Other
until late 1990, when an Office Memorandum stated Backward Classes and has no relevance in the case of
that after considering the said Report, 27% of the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes.
vacancies in civil posts and services under the • There shall be no reservation in promotions and
Government of India shall be reserved for the Socially reservation should be confined to initial appointments
and Economically Backward Classes. only.
• This was followed by an Office Memorandum in 1991, • The reasoning was that reservations exist to create a
by which, within the 27% of vacancies, level-playing field, to remedy unequal starting
o Preference was to be given to candidates positions, thereby removing the justification for
belonging to the poorer sections of the Socially and reservation in promotion.
Economically Backward Classes; and M. NAGRAJ V. UNION OF INDIA
o 10% vacancies were to be reserved for Other • The government further felt that representation of the
Economically Backward Sections who were not SCs and STs in the services in state had not reached
covered by any of the existing schemes of the required level.
reservation.
• Hence to continue to provide reservation in
The majority judgments upheld the reservation of 27% promotion, legislature passed the Constitution 77
th

in favour of backward classes, and the further amendment act of 1995 and added Article 16(4A) to
subdivision of more backward within the backward the constitution.
classes who were to be given preference but struck
• As per Article 16(4A): State can make any provision for
down the reservation of 10% in favour of Other
reservation in matters of promotion if SC/STs are not
Economically Backward categories.
adequately represented in the services in the state.
• The Court contrasted Article 16(4) with Article 15(4) th
• In M. Nagraj case, the constitutional validity of 77
and stated that Article 16(4) refers to any backward
Amendment was challenged which provided for
class of citizens where it refers primarily to social
reservation in promotion along with other
backwardness.
amendments on backlog vacancies in reservation.
Article 16 (4) - any backward class of citizens • Supreme Court upheld constitutional validity of 77
th

Amendment and said these were mere enabling

Article 15 (4) - any socially and educationally
provisions.
backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled
Castes and the Scheduled Tribes • If a state government wishes to make provisions for
reservation to SC/STs in promotion, state must collect
• The Court held that the test or requirement of social
quantifiable data showing backwardness of class and
and educational backwardness cannot be applied to inadequacy of representation of that class and
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, who maintenance of efficiency.
indubitably fall within the expression “backward class
• Court allowed reservations in promotion for members
of citizens”. Thus, they do not have to prove their
of SC/ST subject to proving three conditions:
backwardness.
o Backwardness of class – so there is a need for
• Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are the most
quantifiable data to prove backwardness
backward among backward classes and it is, therefore,
presumed that once they are contained in the o Inadequacy of representation

Presidential List under Articles 341 and Article 342 of o Administrative Efficiency – Article 335

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Governance
JARNAIL SINGH V. LACHHMI NARAIN GUPTA 341 (Scheduled Castes) or 342 (Scheduled Tribes) of
• The controversy in this case arose due to the Constitution of India.
interpretation of Article 16 (4A) which was added by • Court excluded creamy layer from such groups or sub-
th
Constitution 77 Amendment. groups (including members of SC/ST) when applying
• Article 16 (4A) mentions that state can make provisions the principles of equality under Articles 14 and 16 of
for reservation in matters of promotion, with the Constitution of India.
consequential seniority, to any class or classes of posts MARATHA QUOTA JUDGMENT
in the services under the State in favour of the • A five-judge Constitution Bench of Supreme Court held
Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes which, in that reservations more than the 50% ceiling limit are
the opinion of the State, are not adequately unconstitutional. Accordingly, Supreme Court struck
represented in the services under the State. down Maharashtra State Reservation for Socially and
• So, the Court confined their entire judgment based on Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Act, 2018 which
two grounds: extended reservation to Maratha community in public
1. Whether the state must collect quantifiable data to education and employment more than ceiling limit of
show backwardness of members of SC and ST? 50% fixed by SC earlier.

2. Can the concept of creamy layer be applied to the • SC held that exceeding ceiling limit of reservation
members of SC and ST as it will amount to sub- beyond 50% without exceptional circumstances
classification within the members of SC and ST. violates Article 14.
(because it was declared in Indra Sawhney that • The bench further noted that the M.G. Gaikwad
further sub-classification within Scheduled Castes Commission did not articulate any exceptional
and Scheduled Tribes is not permissible.) circumstances to justify the excess quota. The
THE JUDGMENT commission’s report found that Marathas are socially,
educationally and economically backward and eligible
• There is no need to revisit the judgment of M. Nagaraj
to be included as a backward class.
by a 7-judge Constitutional Bench.
• Based on Gaikwad Commission report, the state
• States no longer need to collect quantifiable data on
legislature passed a Bill giving 16% reservation in
the backwardness of SCs and STs in granting quota in
government jobs and education to Marathas over and
promotions.
above ceiling limit fixed by SC in Indra Sawhney.
• However, states will have to back it with data to show
• SC further held that after the insertion of Article 342A
their inadequate representation in the cadre.
in Constitution, Centre alone is empowered to identify
• SC said that principle of creamy layer can be extended Socially and Economically Backward Class (SEBC).
to members of SC/ST for promotions in government
• By introduction of Articles 366 (26C) & 342A through
jobs.
the 102nd Constitution Amendment, President alone,
SC ON ISSUE OF CREAMY LAYER
to exclusion of all other authorities, is empowered to
• The whole object of reservation is to see that identify SEBCs and include them in a list to be
backward classes of citizens move forward so that they published under Article 342A (1), which shall be
may march hand in hand with other citizens of India deemed to include SEBCs in relation to each state and
on an equal basis. union territory for the purposes of the Constitution.
• This will not be possible if only creamy layer within • SC held that Constitution 102nd Amendment Act, 2018
that class bag all the coveted jobs in public sector and does not violate any basic feature of Constitution and
perpetuate themselves, leaving the rest of class as declared it constitutionally valid.
backward as they always were. • However, this judgment led to enactment of
• When a Court applies creamy layer principle to th
Constitution 105 Amendment Act which empowered
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, it does not in State Government to make their own list of Socially
any manner tinker with Presidential List under Articles and Educationally Backward List which is different
from the Central List.

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Governance
st
CONSTITUTION 105TH AMENDMENT ACT • Constitution 91 Amendment added Article 75(1A) and
• Constitution (One Hundred and Fifth Amendment) Act, 164(1A) which limited size of council of Ministers.
2021 by amending Article 338B, 342A and 366(26C) • Article 75(1A): Total number of Ministers,
allows states and UTs to prepare their own list of including Prime Minister, in Council of Ministers
socially and educationally backward classes. shall not exceed 15 per cent of total number of
• Constitution (One Hundred and Second Amendment) members of House of People.
Act, 2018 inserted three new Articles 342A, 366(26C) • Article 164(1A): Total number of Ministers,
and 338B in the Constitution. including Chief Minister, in Council of Ministers in
o Article 338B constituted National Commission for a State shall not exceed 15 per cent of total
Backward Classes number of members of Legislative Assembly of
o Article 342A dealt with Central List of socially and that State: Provided that number of Ministers,
educationally backward classes (commonly known including Chief Minister in a State shall not be
as the Other Backward Classes). less than 12.

o Article 366 (26C) defined socially and educationally CONTENTION RAISED IN HIGH COURT
backward classes. • The petitioner has urged High Court to quash state
Th
• Constitution 105 Amendment enables states and UT government’s notification according Pratap Singh Rane
to prepare their own list of socially and educationally lifetime cabinet status as it exceeds the limit of 12
backward classes. This list must be made by law and ministers provided under Article 164(1A).
may differ from the central list. • Adding another minister in the Council will drain public
• Article 338B of Constitution mandates central and exchequer as Cabinet ranked minister will have to be
state governments to consult NCBC on all major policy provided with number of staffs and Officers on Duty,
matters affecting the socially and educationally accommodation, vehicle etc. for his lifetime which will
backward classes. cost the exchequer Rs. 90 lakhs per annum.
• The amendment exempts states and UTs from this

AADHAAR DETAILS
requirement for matters related to preparation of their
list of socially and educationally backward classes.

CANNOT BE SHARED: UIDAI

LIFETIME CABINET TO HC
MEMBERSHIP #Aadhaar #UIDAI
CHALLENGED
Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has told Delhi
#Cabinet #Constitution 91 s t Amendment High Court in a bank robbery case that it cannot share
biometric information with investigating agencies to match
Government of Goa has accorded “lifetime cabinet status” to prints and photograph details from crime scene.
former Goa Chief Minister Pratap Singh Rane for completing REASON FOR NOT SHARING AADHAAR DETAILS
50 years as legislature. This has led to filing of petition in • UIDAI prohibits sharing information: UIDAI stated that
st
Bombay High Court for violation of Constitution 91 purpose and objective of Aadhaar Act is to provide
Amendment. unique identity to residents and sharing of biometric
ST
CONSTITUTION 91 AMENDMENT information other than to generate Aadhaar Number
• It limits the size of Ministers in state to 15% of total and authentication is not permissible under Aadhaar
number of members of State Legislative Assembly. (Targeted Delivery of Financial and other Subsidies,
However, number of Ministers, including Chief Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 [referred as Aadhaar
Minister in a State shall not be less than 12. Act].

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Constituti0n, Polity and

Governance
• Sharing information technologically not feasible: UIDAI MASKED AADHAAR CARD
stated that it does not collect biometric information • Masked Aadhaar number implies replacing of first 8
suitable for forensic use and matching of biometric digits of Aadhaar number with some characters like
details of the accused may not be technologically “xxxx-xxxx” while only last 4 digits of the Aadhaar
feasible. Number are visible. While downloading Aadhaar Card,
• Aadhaar Act prohibits sharing or using core biometrics one can select the option of Masked Aadhaar.
of any resident under section 29 of Aadhaar Act. As UPDATION OF AADHAAR DETAILS
per Aadhaar Act, “core biometric information” means
• On attaining 5 or 15 years: Where an Aadhaar number
fingerprint, Iris scan, or such other biological attribute
holder has attained the age of 5 or 15 years, first
of an individual as may be specified by regulations.
update in his/her Aadhaar must be necessarily
• Authentication has been described as a process by accompanied by a biometric information update.
which Aadhaar number along with demographic
• Aadhaar Deactivated if Not Updated: Where an
information or biometric information of an individual
Aadhaar number holder who has attained the age of 5
is submitted to the Central Identities Data Repository
or 15 years fails to update his/her biometric
for its verification and such Repository verifies the
information within 2 years of attaining such age,
correctness, or the lack thereof, based on information
his/her Aadhaar number shall be deactivated.
available with it.
• Can Update Aadhaar within 2 years: The facility of
SECTION 29 - RESTRICTION ON SHARING
biometric information update shall be available free of
INFORMATION
cost to the Aadhaar number holder till attaining the
• No core biometric information, collected or created age of 7 or 17 years, respectively. Thereafter, the
under this Act, shall be (a) shared with anyone for any Aadhaar number holder can activate his/her Aadhaar
reason whatsoever; or (b) used for any purpose other number by updating his/her biometric information.
than generation of Aadhaar numbers and
• Aadhaar number shall not be omitted even if the
authentication under this Act.
Aadhaar number holder does not update biometric
• Aadhaar Number [demographic information or information, and the Aadhaar number shall remain in
photograph] of a resident shall not be published, deactivated state.
displayed, or posted publicly, except for the purposes
WHO CAN HAVE AADHAAR CARD IN INDIA?
as may be specified by regulations.
• Every resident shall be entitled to obtain an Aadhaar
WHEN CAN AADHAAR INFORMATION BE SHARED?
number by submitting demographic and biometric
According to Section 33 of Aadhaar Act, Aadhaar details information by undergoing the process of enrolment.
of a resident can be disclosed
• Resident means an individual who has resided in India
• On orders of High Court for a period or periods amounting in all to 182 days or
• In the interest of national security, orders must be more in the 12 months immediately preceding the
given by an officer not below the rank of Secretary to date of application for enrolment.
Government of India. • Biometric Information means photograph, fingerprint,
• Every direction to disclose Aadhaar details given by Iris scan, or such other biological attributes of an
Secretary shall be reviewed by an Oversight individual as may be specified by regulations.
Committee consisting of the Cabinet Secretary and • Demographic Information includes information
Secretaries to Government of India in Department of relating to the name, date of birth, address and other
Legal Affairs and Department of Electronics and relevant information of an individual, as may be
Information Technology before it takes effect. specified by regulations for the purpose of issuing an
• Any direction issued to disclose Aadhaar details Aadhaar number, but shall not include race, religion,
through the Oversight Committee shall be valid for a caste, tribe, ethnicity, language, records of entitlement,
period of 3 months from the date of its issue, which income or medical history.
may be extended for a further period of 3 months • Enrolment means the process to collect demographic
after the review by the Oversight Committee. and biometric information from individuals by the

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Constituti0n, Polity and

Governance
enrolling agencies for the purpose of issuing Aadhaar CONCERNS HIGHLIGHTED BY CAG IN THE
numbers to such individuals under the Aadhaar Act. FUNCTIONING OF UIDAI
POWERS & FUNCTIONS OF UIDAI • Data Mismatch: Comptroller and Auditor General has
• Specifying demographic information and biometric highlighted issues of data-matching, errors in
information required for enrolment and processes for authentication, and shortfall in archiving which is a
collection and verification thereof. primary function of UIDAI. As per CAG, data of Aadhaar
Card holders have not been matched with their
• Collecting demographic information and biometric
Aadhaar number even after 10 years in some cases.
information from any individual seeking an Aadhaar
number in such manner as may be specified by • No analysis of Authentication Errors: CAG has criticized
regulations. the absence of a system to analyze factors leading to
authentication errors. This is happening due to lack of
• Appointing of one or more entities to operate the
data archiving policy of UIDAI which is considered a
Central Identities Data Repository.
vital storage management best practice. Data
• Generating and assigning Aadhaar numbers to
Archiving Policy for storing of certain data for certain
individuals. period.
• Performing authentication of Aadhaar numbers. • Deprived Government of Revenue: UIDAI provided
• Maintaining and updating information of individuals in Authentication services to banks, mobile operators
Central Identities Data Repository. and other agencies free of charge till 2019, contrary to
• Omitting and deactivating of an Aadhaar number and provisions of their own Regulations, depriving revenue
information relating thereto in such manner as may be to Government.
specified by regulations. • Putting privacy of residents at risk: UIDAI has not
• Specifying the manner of use of Aadhaar numbers for ensured that applications or devices used by agencies
providing or availing of various subsidies, benefits, or companies for authentication were not capable of
services and other purposes for which Aadhaar storing the personal information of the residents,
numbers may be used. which put the privacy of residents at risk.
• Specifying terms and conditions for appointment of • UIDAI had not ensured security and safety of data in
Registrars, enrolling agencies and service providers Aadhaar vaults: They had not independently
and revocation of appointments thereof. conducted any verification of compliance to the
• Establishing, operating and maintaining of Central process involved.
Identities Data Repository. • No specific proof for residence: UIDAI has not
• Sharing information of Aadhaar number holders, prescribed any specific proof, document, or process to
subject to the provisions of this Act. confirm whether a person who is applying for Aadhaar
• Calling for information and records, conducting has resided in India for the period specified by the
inspections, inquiries and audit of operations of the Rules. Therefore, “there is no assurance that all the
Central Identities Data Repository, Registrars, enrolling Aadhaar holders in the country are ‘Residents’ as
agencies and other agencies appointed under this Act. defined in the Aadhaar Act”.
• Specifying various processes relating to data • Multiplicity of Aadhaar cards: UIDAI generated
management, security protocols and other technology Aadhaar numbers with incomplete information, which,
safeguards under this Act. along with the lack of proper documentation or poor-
• Specifying conditions and procedures for issuance of quality biometrics, have resulted in multiple or
new Aadhaar number to existing Aadhaar number duplicate Aadhaar cards being issued to the same
holder. person.
• Levying and collecting fees or authorizing Registrars, • Lack of Arrangement with Postal department: UIDAI
enrolling agencies or other service providers to collect does not have adequate arrangements with the postal
such fees for the services provided by them under this department, due to which many Aadhaar cards were
Act in such manner as may be specified by regulations.

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Constituti0n, Polity and

Governance
returned to government after they could not be State, in proceedings in High Court having its principal
delivered to their intended recipients. seat in that State.
• Onus of updating Aadhaar on citizens: Aadhaar • Official Languages Act, 1963 allows optional use of
numbers with poor quality biometrics induces Hindi or other Official language in judgments etc. of
authentication errors. UIDAI takes no responsibility for High Courts.
it and transfers the onus of updating biometrics to the • Provisions of Official Language Act highlights that from
resident and charges fees for it. th
the appointed day (26 January 1965) Governor of a
• Way Forward: UIDAI should go beyond self-declaration, State may, with previous consent of President,
and “prescribe a procedure and required o Authorise use of Hindi or official language of State,
documentation other than self-declaration, to confirm in addition to English language.
and authenticate residence status of applicants
o For purposes of any judgment, decree or order
passed or made by High Court for that State.

CONSIDER USE OF LOCAL o Where any judgment, decree or order is passed or

made in any such language (other than English
LANGUAGE IN COURTS: PM language), it shall be accompanied by a translation
of same in English language issued under the
#Language #Official Language
authority of High Court.

Speaking at the inauguration of 11th Joint Conference of

Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Courts, Prime RAJIV KUMAR APPOINTED
Minister Modi appealed for the use of local languages in
Courts since a large section of the population find it difficult
AS NEW CEC
to understand Court rulings and judicial process. #Chief Election Commissioner #Election
POINTS HIGHLIGHTED BY PRIME MINISTER Commission #Reforms
• Prime Minister emphasized that use of common
language in High Courts will not only help common
Rajiv Kumar has assumed charge as 25th Chief Election
man relate to judiciary but will also make common
Commissioner of India in pursuance of Ministry of Law &
man more aware about legal developments.
Justice’s Gazette Notification in May 2022.
• Ensure that the common man has faith in the judiciary
CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS
and can feel part of the system.
Election Commission shall be responsible for
• Even the Chief Justice of India highlighted the need for
Superintendence, Direction and Control of the
local languages in the Courts but also mentioned that
preparation of the Electoral Rolls for and the conduct of
there are number of bottlenecks which needs to be
all elections to:
cleared.
• Parliament
• Stressing on the importance of access to justice, PM
• Legislature of every State
highlighted that government is trying to simplify laws
for the common man to understand. • Offices of President and Vice-President

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS - LANGUAGES IN HIGH The President may also appoint after consultation with
COURT the Election Commission such Regional Commissioners
as he may consider necessary to assist the Election
• Article 348 of Constitution states that all proceedings
Commission in the performance of its functions.
in Supreme Court and in every High Court shall be in
English language. CONSTITUTION

• However, Governor of a State may, with previous • Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and such number
consent of President, authorize use of Hindi language, of other Election Commissioners, as the President may
or any other language used for any official purposes of

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Constituti0n, Polity and

Governance
from time-to-time fix. The CEC shall act as the trust among people which further improves the quality
Chairman of the Election Commission. of democracy in India through greater voter
REMOVAL participation.

• The CEC shall be removed from his office in like IMPORTANT ROLE OF ELECTION COMMISSION
manner and on the like grounds as a Judge of the • Supervisory Powers to Conduct Elections
Supreme Court. • Preparations of Electoral Rolls
• Any other Election Commissioner or a Regional • Notifying the elections – this initiates the electoral
Commissioner shall not be removed from office except process
on the recommendation of the Chief Election
• Appointment of Chief Electoral Officer, Returning
Commissioner. Thus, the process of removal of CEC
Officers, Observers and other electoral officers to
and other Election or Regional Commissioners is
ensure smooth conduct of elections
different.
• Registration of political parties
ROLE OF PARLIAMENT
• Appointing dates for nomination of candidates
Parliament may by law make provision with respect to
matters relating to elections to either House of • Scrutiny of candidate’s documents filed for nomination
Parliament or to the House or either House of State • Adjournment of poll in emergencies by Returning
Legislature including the preparation of Officer or the Presiding Officer

• Electoral rolls, • Ensuring security of EVMs & VVPAT

• The delimitation of constituencies and • Counting of votes and Declaration of results

• All other matters necessary for securing the due • Conduct of bye-elections
constitution of such House or Houses • Declarations of assets and liabilities
Thus, the Parliament of India has legislated • Ensuring compliance of Model Code of Conduct
Representation of People Act, 1950 and Representation • Providing limit on election expenses under Conduct of
of People Act, 1951. State Legislature can make
Elections (Amendment) Rules, 2014
provisions (if any has not been made by the Parliament)
• Allotting Symbols to independent candidates
in connection with election to the House or either House
of State. STATE ELECTION COMMISSION - SEC

IMPORTANCE OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS FOR A • SEC has been constituted under Article 243K and
DEMOCRATIC NATION Article 243ZA and has been entrusted with function of
conducting free, fair and impartial elections to the
• In any country practicing democratic norms, conduct
local bodies in the state.
of regular elections can be said to be the most visible
symbol of the democratic process. • Article 243K & 243ZA provide that superintendence,
direction and control of preparation of electoral rolls
• In India, Article 324 of Constitution empowers Election
for, and Conduct of all elections to Panchayats and
Commission with superintendence, direction and
Municipalities shall vest in State Election Commission
control of the preparation of the electoral rolls along
consisting of State Election Commissioner.
with conduct elections to Parliament, State
Legislatures and for the office of President and Vice- • Article 243K ensures independence of State Election
President. Commissioner:

• Even the Supreme Court has held that democracy is 1. Appointed by Governor
one of the inalienable basic features of the 2. Removal Procedure: Same as that of Judge of High
Constitution of India and forms part of its basic Court – removed by President
structure. 3. Salary and Status and allowance of a Judge of a
• It is here where the role of Election Commission High Court.
becomes very significant to conduct a free, fair and 4. Conditions of service cannot be varied to his/her
transparent election in India as it enhances electoral disadvantage after appointment.

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Governance
• Mandate & functions of SECs are vested with powers Commissioner (CEC). This will provide Election
of superintendence, direction and control for: Commissioners (EC) with “same protection and
o Preparation of electoral rolls safeguards” as CEC and will strengthen EC.

o Conducting elections for Panchayats & CEC & EC EQUAL ON MATTERS OF SALARY &
Municipalities CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

o Conducting mid-term or bye-elections for local • In 1991, Parliament enacted Chief Election
bodies. Commissioner and other Election Commissioners
(Conditions of Service) Act 1991 – fixed retirement age
o Delimiting constituencies for local election.
of:
o Determine seats to be reserved for SC, ST, Tribals
o CEC at 65 years – Equivalent to SC Judge.
and Women.
o Other EC at 62 years - Equivalent to HC Judge.
o Safeguards to Election Commissioners under
Constitution: Article 243K (2) ensures independent • The 1991 legislation was amended in 1993 and CEC
functioning of State Election Commissioner as he and other EC were placed on par on matters of
cannot be removed at will by the state government retirement age, salaries and other benefits. So, now
before his tenure. post Amendment

o He can only be removed as judge of High Court is o Both CEC & EC’s salary is equal to the salary of a
removed through a motion passed in both the Judge of the Supreme Court.
houses of parliament. o Both CEC & EC to hold office for 6 years or up to
o Conditions of service cannot be varied to his the age of 65 years.
disadvantage after appointment. AUTONOMY OF ELECTION COMMISSION AND ITS
ELECTION COMMISSION SEEKS MORE AUTONOMY MEMBERS CAN BE ENSURED THROUGH THE
FOLLOWING: (RECOMMENDATIONS OF 255TH LAW
Election Commission in its 2004 Report opined that current
COMMISSION AND GOSWAMI COMMITTEE)
wording of Article 324(5) was “inadequate” and required an
amendment to bring the removal procedures of Election • Collegium Based Appointment: Presently, ECs along
Commissioners on par with Chief Election Commissioner with CEC is appointed by President under Article 324
(CEC). This will provide Election Commissioners (EC) with based on recommendation of Central Government.
“same protection and safeguards” as CEC and will strengthen The appointment of all Election Commissioners,
EC. including the CEC, should be made by President in
consultation with a three-member collegium or
Concerns Raised by Election Commission
selection committee, consisting of Prime Minister;
• ECI has been ensuring democratic transfer of political Leader of the Opposition of Lok Sabha (or leader of
power since independence. However, in recent times,
the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha in terms
it is embroiled in various issues & controversies such of numerical strength) and Chief Justice of India. This
as EVM malfunctioning, announcement of election
will reduce executive’s complete control in
dates to benefit ruling government, money and muscle appointment of Election Commissioners including CEC.
role in elections etc.
• Need for Parity: Currently, only CEC can be removed
• Article 324 of Indian Constitution empowers Election
on same grounds of Judge of Supreme Court whereas
Commission with superintendence, direction and the other two Election Commissioners can be removed
control of the preparation of electoral rolls along with as per CEC’s recommendations by government. Thus,
conduct elections to Parliament, State Legislatures and
there needs to be parity even in removal process for
for office of President and Vice-President. other Election Commissioners.
• However, Election Commission in its 2004 Report • Lack of legal enactment envisaged under Article 324(2):
expressly opined that current wording of Article 324(5)
Provision mentions that “…. appointment of Chief
was “inadequate” and required an amendment to Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners
bring the removal procedures of Election shall, subject to provisions of any law made in that behalf
Commissioners on par with Chief Election
by Parliament, be made by President.” However, so far,

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Constituti0n, Polity and

Governance
no law has been made by Parliament which leaves a • Misusing Religious Sentiments during elections to be
“gap” and leaves appointment of such a crucial post made punishable offence
solely to the executives. • Bribery during Election to be made cognizable offence
• Plugging Other Flaws in the Constitution: and enhance punishment up to two years.
o Constitution has not prescribed qualifications • EC must have power to de-register political parties
(legal, educational, administrative, or judicial) of suggested by Law Commission in its255th Report on
members of election commission. Electoral Reforms.
o The constitution has not debarred retiring Election WAY FORWARD
commissioner from any further appointment by Thus, implementing above recommendations will ensure
the government. independence and autonomy of Election Commission
o There is no clarity regarding the power division which will further strengthen our democratic process
between Chief Election Commissioner and other through the conduct of free, fair and transparent
Election Commissioners. elections.
• EC’s Expense to be charged on Consolidated Fund of
India: This will ensure financial autonomy. As per
current practice, EC’s expense is voted and approved
NHRC SOUGHT REPORT ON
by Parliament thereby giving financial discretion to the
Parliament.
MUNDKA FIRE
• Separate and Independent secretariat having powers
#NHRC #SHRC
to appoint, transfer and promote its staffs and officers.
This will insulate personnel from executive and National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to
political interference. the Delhi Chief Secretary, seeking a report on the Mundka
• Independent secretariat would insulate EC from fire incident within two weeks, and has decided to send its
executive’s interference on the issues of own team to investigate the site. The NHRC asked the Chief
appointments, promotions etc. Secretary to inform it about the action taken against the
• Elevation of an Election Commissioner should be officials responsible. The Commission also asked its Director
based on seniority unless the three-member General to immediately send a team for an on-the-spot
collegium/committee, for reasons to be recorded in investigation.
writing, finds such Commissioner unfit. IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTS ABOUT NATIONAL HUMAN
• Common Electoral Roll for Parliament, Assembly and RIGHTS COMMISSION
Local Elections: This will avoid duplicity of effort and • Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 was enacted to
resources by EC and SEC. provide for the constitution of
• Filing of false affidavits to be made corrupt practice: o National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
Increase punishment from 6 months to 2 years o Respective State Human Rights Commission (SHRC)
imprisonment without fine. &
• As per EC, filing false affidavit o Human Rights Courts
o Be classified as corrupt practice under RPA, 1951 • Paris Principles: NHRC has been established in
o must be a ground to challenge elections conformity with the Paris Principles, adopted at the
• In case of bribery: postpone or declare elections void first international workshop on national institutions for
the promotion and protection of human rights held in
• Candidate must contest only from 1 constituency
Paris in 1991, and endorsed by UN General Assembly
• Debar persons charged with cognizable offences in 1993.
o At the stage of framing charges by Court • As per Resolution of UN General Assembly: A national
o If punishment of offence is 5 years or more institution shall be vested with competence to promote
o Case filed 6 months prior to the election and protect human rights.

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Governance
• NHRC is an embodiment of India’s concern for the • Chairperson or any Member shall only be removed
promotion and protection of human rights. Section from his office by order of the President of India on
2(1)(d) of the PHRA defines Human Rights as the rights the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity after
relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the the Supreme Court has on inquiry held in accordance
individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied with the procedure prescribed in that behalf by the
in the International Covenants and enforceable by Supreme Court, reported that the Chairperson or the
courts in India. Member ought on any such ground to be removed.
• Post 2019 Amendment, NHRC shall consists of TERM OF OFFICE – NHRC
o A chairperson who has been a Chief Justice of India • Chairperson shall hold office for a term of 3 years from
or a Judge of the Supreme Court. the date on which he enters upon his office or until he
o One Member who is, or has been, a Judge of the attains the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier and
Supreme Court. shall be eligible for re-appointment.

o One Member who is, or has been, the Chief Justice • Member shall hold office for a term of 3 years from
of a High Court, the date on which he/she enters upon office and shall
be eligible for re-appointment.
o Three Members out of which at least one shall be a
woman, to be appointed from amongst persons • On ceasing to hold office: Chairperson or a Member
having knowledge of, or practical experience in, shall be ineligible for further employment under the
matters relating to human rights. Government of India or under the Government of any
State.
APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF NHRC
COMPOSITION – SHRC
• Chairperson and the Members shall be appointed by
the President by warrant under his hand and seal. • State Commission shall consist of:

• Appointment Committee: Appointment of the o A Chairperson who has been a Chief Justice or a
Chairperson & Members shall be made after obtaining Judge of a High Court.
the recommendations of a Committee consisting of o One Member who is, or has been, a Judge of a High
Court or District Judge in the State with a minimum
Prime Minister Chairperson
of seven years’ experience as District Judge.
Speaker of the House of the Member o One Member to be appointed from among
People persons having knowledge of or practical
Minister in-charge of the Member experience in matters relating to human rights.
Ministry of Home Affairs in the • Chief Executive Officer: There shall be a Secretary who
Government of India shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the State
Commission and shall, subject to control of the
Leader of the Opposition in the Member
Chairperson, exercise all administrative and financial
House of the People
powers of the State Commission.
Leader of the Opposition in the Member • Two or more State Governments may, with the
Council of States consent of a chairperson or Member of a State
Deputy Chairman of the Council Member Commission, appoint such Chairperson or such
of States Member of another State Commission simultaneously
if such Chairperson or Member consents to such
• No sitting Judge of the Supreme Court or sitting Chief appointment. Such appointments must be made after
Justice of a High Court shall be appointed except after obtaining the recommendations of the Appointment
consultation with the Chief Justice of India. Committee.
REMOVAL & RESIGNATION – NHRC APPOINTMENT – SHRC
• Chairperson or any Member may, by notice in writing • Chairperson and Members shall be appointed by the
under his hand addressed to the President of India, Governor by warrant under his hand and seal.
resign his office.

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Governance
• Appointment of Chairperson & Members shall be AMENDMENTS UNDER PROTECTION OF HUMAN
made after obtaining the recommendation of a RIGHTS (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2019
Committee consisting of: • The amendments address the concerns raised at
Chief Minister Chairperson certain global platforms and by respective State
Governments as they faced difficulties in finding
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Member suitable candidates to the post of Chairperson of the
Minister in-charge of the respective State Commissions owing to the earlier
Member eligibility criteria for the post.
Department of Home in that State
• Amendment made NHRC more compliant with Paris
Leader of the Opposition in the
Member Principles: The amendments has enabled both the
Legislative Assembly
National as well as the State Human Rights
For states having Legislative Council Commissions to be more compliant with the Paris
- Chairman and Leader of the Members Principles regarding NHRC’s autonomy, independence,
Opposition in that Council pluralism and wide-ranging functions to effectively
protect and promote human rights.
• Sitting Judge of a High Court or a sitting district judge
shall not be appointed except after consultation with PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (AMENDMENT) ACT,
the Chief Justice of the High Court of the concerned 2019, PROVIDES FOR THE FOLLOWING CHANGES
State. • Retired Judge of SC can be appointed as Chairperson:
RESIGNATION & REMOVAL – SHRC A person who has been a Judge of the Supreme Court
is also made eligible to be appointed as Chairperson of
• Resignation: The Chairperson or a Member of a State
the Commission in addition to the person who has
Commission may, by notice in writing under his hand
been the Chief Justice of India.
addressed to the Governor, resign his office.
• 3 Members to be appointed (instead of 2) from
• Removal: Chairperson or any Member of the State
amongst persons having knowledge of, or practical
Commission shall only be removed from his office by
experience in, matters relating to human rights. Out of
order of the President on the ground of proved
these 3, 1 member shall be a Woman.
misbehaviour or incapacity after the Supreme Court,
on a reference being made to it by the President, has, • Deemed Members of NHRC: To include Chairperson of
on inquiry held in accordance with the procedure the National Commission for Backward Classes,
prescribed in that behalf by the Supreme Court, Chairperson of the National Commission for
reported that the Chairperson or such Member ought Protection of Child Rights and the Chief Commissioner
on any such ground to be removed. for Persons with Disabilities as deemed Members of
the Commission as members of NHRC.
TERM OF OFFICE – SHRC
• Reduction in Tenure: To reduce the term of the
• Chairperson shall hold office for a term of 3 years from
Chairperson and Members of the Commission and the
the date on which he enters upon his office or until he
State Commissions from 5 to 3 years and the fact that
attains the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier and
they shall be eligible for re-appointment.
shall be eligible for re-appointment.
• Eligibility for Chairperson of SHRC: A person who has
• Member shall hold office for a term of 3 years from
been a Judge of a High Court is also made eligible to be
the date on which he enters upon his office and shall
appointed as Chairperson of the State Commission in
be eligible for re-appointment.
addition to the person who has been the Chief Justice
• No Member shall hold office after he has attained the of the High Court.
age of seventy years.
• SHRC for certain UTs: The Central Government may
• On ceasing to hold office: Chairperson or a Member confer upon State Commission the functions relating
shall be ineligible for further employment under the to human rights being discharged by the Union
Government of a State or under the Government of territories, other than the Union territory of Delhi, J&K
India. and Ladakh.

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Governance
• NHRC for UTs of Delhi, J&K and Ladakh: Functions prescribed Members. This limits the capacity of
relating to human rights in case of Union territory of commissions to deal promptly with complaints,
Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh shall be dealt especially as all are facing successive increases in the
by NHRC. number of complaints.
THE COMMISSION SHALL, PERFORM ALL OR ANY OF • Non-proportionate use of limited Resources: Large
THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS, NAMELY chunks of the budget of commissions go in office
(a) Inquire, on its own initiative or on a petition expenses, leaving disproportionately small amounts
presented to it by a victim or any person on his for other crucial areas such as research and rights
behalf, into complaint of awareness programs.

(i) violation of human rights or abetment or • Limited Manpower to address increasing complaints.

(ii) negligence in the prevention of such violation, by o Powers are only advisory in nature.
a public servant. o Members lack any experience in dealing with
(b) Intervene in any proceeding involving any allegation Human rights issues.
of violation of human rights pending before a court o Not empowered to investigate matter post one
with the approval of such court. year of its occurring.
(c) Visit, under intimation to the State Government, any Hence, needs exist to be adequately empower NHRC by
jail or any other institution under the control of the enhancing its financial and human resource base, making
State Government, where persons are detained or its decision immediately enforceable etc. These steps
lodged for purposes of treatment, reformation or shall go a long way in ensuring their success in promoting
protection to study the living condition of the and protecting human rights.
inmates and make recommendations thereon. SUGGESTIONS
(d) Review the safeguards by or under the Constitution • Decisions of NHRC must be made binding from merely
or any law for the protection of human rights and being an advisory body.
recommend measures for their effective
• Proceedings to be made Quasi-Judicial in the Nature,
implementation.
since NHRC already has the powers of a civil court, and
(e) Review the factors, including acts of terrorism that its proceedings are already deemed to be judicial
inhibit the enjoyment of human rights and proceedings.
recommend appropriate remedial measures.
• Status should be enhanced to that of a constitutional
(f) Study treaties and other international instruments on body to ensure compliance of its decisions.
human rights and make recommendations for their
• Change in the composition through introduction of
effective implementation.
civil society members. Hence, a complete revamping of
(g) Undertake and promote research in the field of NHRC is required to make it more effective and truly a
human rights. watchdog of human rights violations in the country.
(h) Spread human rights literacy among various sections
of society and promote awareness of the safeguards SEDITION PUT ON HOLD
available for the protection of these rights through
publications, the media, seminars and other available BY SUPREME COURT
means. #Sedition #Kedar Nath Judgment #SC
(i) Encourage the efforts of non - Governmental Judgment
organizations and institutions working in the field of
human rights.
Supreme Court has suspended pending criminal trials and
(j) Any other functions as it may consider necessary for
court proceedings under Section 124A (Sedition) of Indian
the promotion of human rights.
Penal Code, while allowing Union of India to reconsider the
ISSUES CONCERNING NHRC British-era law. However, adjudication with respect to other
• Non-filling of vacancies: Most human rights sections of law, if any, would proceed if the court concerned
commissions are functioning with less than the

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Governance
was “of the opinion that no prejudice would be caused to the • John Stuart Mill advocated for the free flow of the
accused”. The court also made it clear that it “hopes and ideas and expressions in a society. He argued that for
expects” the Centre and States to restrain from registering the stability of a society one must not suppress the
FIRs, continuing investigations or take coercive measures voice of the citizens, how so ever contrary it might be.
under Section 124A while the “reconsideration” of the To reach a point of conclusion and that too a right
colonial provision was on. So, if new case of sedition is conclusion, in certain cases, open public discussions
registered, then the accused is at liberty to approach the and debates are inevitable.
Court and Court will dispose the case. • According to Mill, this could be achieved through the
In Kedar Nath Singh v. State of Bihar (1962), the Supreme right to freedom of speech. The right not only makes it
Court upheld the constitutional validity of sedition and noted possible to highlight the popular opinion of a society
it as being a reasonable restriction on free speech as but also provides a platform to the suppressed and
provided in Article 19(2) of the Constitution. It made clear unheard people who wish to voice against any
that a citizen has the right to say or write whatever she likes celebrated culture.
about the government, or its measures, by way of criticism or • Mill further points out that a good government is the
comments, if she does not incite people to violence against one where the intelligence of the people is promoted.
the government established by law or with the intention of
RESTRICTIONS OF FREE SPEECH
creating public disorder. So, the question remains as to why
sedition is used by the government as a coercive law to • Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India guarantees
invoke fear in the minds of citizens of India. freedom of speech and expression to all citizens.
• However, this freedom is subjected to certain
SEDITION & FREE SPEECH WORKS AT OPPOSITE ENDS
restrictions under Article 19(2) namely, interests of the
• Sedition and Free Speech operates at two ends of the
sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the
spectrum, but sedition can cross the path of free
State, friendly relations with foreign States, public
speech occasionally. Once, threshold of the reasonable
order, decency or morality or in relation to contempt
restrictions is crossed by an individual, he/she enters
of court, defamation or incitement to an offence.
the unknown domain or territory of sedition.
• Sedition is used for restriction on free speech.
• This world of sedition is mostly one sided as the
SEDITION AS DEFINED IN INDIAN PENAL CODE UNDER
government holds most of the strings of one’s life and
SECTION 124A
personal liberty. So, it is important to know the grey
areas where the world of sedition begins and often, it Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or
begins with the idea of freedom of speech and by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to
expression which is also one of the fundamental rights bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to
excite disaffection towards the Government established by
under Article 19(1)(a).
law in, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, to which
• Free speech is one of the most significant principles of
fine may be added, or with imprisonment which may extend
democracy: The purpose of this freedom is to allow an
to three years, to which fine may be added, or with fine.
individual to attain self-fulfilment, assist in discovery of
Explanations
truth, strengthen the capacity of a person to take
decisions and facilitate a balance between stability and • The expression “disaffection” includes disloyalty and all
feelings of enmity.
social change. The freedom of speech and expression
is the first and foremost human right, the first • Comments expressing disapprobation of the measures
condition of liberty as it makes the life meaningful. of the Government with a view to obtain their
This freedom is termed as an essence of free society. alteration by lawful means, without exciting or
attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection, do
IMPORTANCE OF FREE SPEECH
not constitute an offence under this section.
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948, in its
• Comments expressing disapprobation of the
Preamble and Article 19 declared freedom of speech
administrative or other action of the Government
as a fundamental right.
without exciting or attempting to excite hatred,

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Constituti0n, Polity and

Governance
contempt or disaffection, do not constitute an offence “tendency” of the words to cause public disorder, the
under this section. Court held that mere sloganeering which evoked no
History of Sedition public response did not amount to sedition, for which
a more overt act was required. The accused did not
• Sedition laws were enacted in 17th century England,
intend to “incite people to create disorder” and no “law
when lawmakers believed that only good opinions of
and order problem” occurred. The court has been
the government should survive, as bad opinions were
categorical in expressing that every criticism does not
detrimental to the government and monarchy. This
amount to sedition and the real intent of the speech
sentiment and law were borrowed and inserted into
must be considered before imputing seditious intent
the IPC in 1870.
to an act. It was reasoned that raising of some
• Section 113 of Macaulay ‘s Draft Penal Code lonesome slogans, a couple of times by two
corresponds to the present section 124A of IPC on
individuals, without anything more, did not constitute
sedition. The punishment proposed was life any threat to the Government of India as by law
imprisonment. The offence of sedition is provided
established nor could the same give rise to feelings of
under section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 enmity or hatred among different communities or
(IPC). religious or other groups.
• The law was first used to prosecute Bal Gangadhar
• Shreya Singhal v. Union of India: Section 66A of the
Tilak in 1897. That case led to Section 124A of the IPC
Information and Technology Act, 2000, was declared
being amended, to add the words “hatred” and
unconstitutional on the ground that it was in direct
“contempt” to “disaffection”, which was defined to
conflict with the fundamental right of freedom of speech
include disloyalty and feelings of enmity. Even
and expression. The Supreme Court held that under the
Mahatma Gandhi was later tried for sedition for his
Constitutional scheme, for the democracy to thrive, the
articles in Young India.
liberty of speech and expression is a cardinal value and of
• Even in Constituent Assembly, an attempt was made to
paramount importance. There are three concepts which
incorporate sedition to restrict free speech which was
are fundamental in understanding the reach of freedom
opposed by Jawaharlal Nehru.
of speech and expression. The first is discussion, the
SUPREME COURT JUDGMENTS ON SEDITION
second is advocacy, and the third is incitement. Mere
• Romesh Thapar v State of Madras: Supreme Court in discussion or even advocacy of a particular cause
declared that unless the freedom of speech and howsoever unpopular is at the heart of Article 19(1) (a). It
expression threaten the security of or tend to is only when such discussion or advocacy reaches the
overthrow the State, any law imposing restriction upon level of incitement that Article 19(2) kicks in. It is at this
the same would not fall within the purview of Article
stage that a law may be made curtailing the speech or
19(2) of the Constitution.
expression that leads inexorably to or tends to cause
• Kedar Nath Singh vs State of Bihar,1962: Constitution public disorder or tends to cause or tends to affect the
Bench had ruled in favour of the constitutional validity sovereignty & integrity of India, the security of the State,
of Section 124A (sedition) in the IPC. The Court held friendly relations with foreign States, etc.
that a person can be prosecuted for sedition only - if
• Freedom of speech does not only help in the balance and
his acts caused “incitement to violence or intention or
stability of a democratic society, but also gives a sense of
tendency to create public disorder or cause disturbance of
public peace”. Unless an act of a person does not incite self-attainment. In the case of Indian Express Newspaper
violence or disturb public order cannot be booked (Bombay) v. Union of India, following four important
under the dangerous section of sedition. purposes of the free speech and expression were set out:

• Balwant Singh v State of Punjab, 1995: Supreme Court, (i) Helps an individual to attain self-fulfilment.
in, acquitted persons from charges of sedition for (ii) Assists in the discovery of truth.
shouting slogans such as “Khalistan Zindabaad” and
(iii) Strengthens the capacity of an individual in
“Raj Karega Khalsa” outside a cinema after Indira
participating in decision-making.
Gandhi’s assassination. Instead of looking at the

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(iv) Provides a mechanism by which it would be • Right to criticise one’s own history and the right to
possible to establish a reasonable balance between offend are rights protected under free speech under
stability and social change. Article 19 of the Constitution. While it is essential to
• S. P Gupta v. Union of India: Supreme Court held that protect national integrity, it should not be misused as
the right to know is inherent in the right to freedom of a tool to curb free speech.
speech and expression under Article 19(1) (a). • Every restriction on free speech and expression must
• Javed Habib v State of Delhi: It was held that holding be carefully scrutinised to avoid unwarranted
an opinion against the Prime Minister or his actions or restrictions.
criticism of the actions of government or drawing • In a democracy, singing from the same songbook is
inference from the speeches and actions of the leader not a benchmark of patriotism. People should be at
of the government that the leader was against a liberty to show their affection towards their country in
particular community and was in league with certain their own way.
other political leaders, cannot be considered as
• An expression of frustration over the situation cannot
sedition under Section 124A of the IPC.
be treated as sedition. For merely expressing a
• Criticism of government is the hallmark of democracy: thought which is not in consonance with the policy of
The democratic system which necessarily involves an the government of the day, a person should not be
advocacy of the replacement of one government by charged under the provision of sedition.
another, gives the right to the people to criticize the
• The Commission also asked whether it would be
government.
worthwhile to rename Section 124A and find a suitable
• Higher standards of proof needed for conviction under substitute for the term – sedition.
Sedition: This is necessary to protect fair and
Arguments in Favour of Arguments Against
reasonable criticisms and dissenting opinions from
Sedition Sedition
unwarranted State suppression. Legitimate speech
must be protected, and care must be taken that the • Not Really a draconian • Against democratic
grounds of limitation are reasonable and just. law norms
• Section 124A IPC must be read in consonance with • Used only in specific • Grossly misused by
Article 19(2) of the Constitution and the circumstances state machinery to
reasonableness of the restriction must be scrutinized • Application of sedition quell dissent
based of facts and circumstances of the case. On the is a part of reasonable • Used against writers,
other hand, there have also been instances where restriction. journalists, students
people have been charged with sedition for making who raise voice against
• Does not curb freedom
statements that in no manner undermine the security policies of government.
of speech until it incites
of the nation.
violence • Draconian in nature
LAW COMMISSION VIEWS ON SEDITION
• Used against anti- • It is used to gag press
• Law Commission of India was asked to consider national elements or and freedom of speech
section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 which actors such as Naxals, and expression.
deals with sedition. Sedition attracts imprisonment terrorists etc.
from three years to life.
• Mere misuse of
• Dissent and criticism of the government are essential sedition law by one
ingredients of a robust public debate in a vibrant government cannot be
democracy. Thus, if the country is not open to positive grounds for repeal of
criticism, there lies little difference between the pre- the law.
and post-Independence eras.

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Constituti0n, Polity and

Governance

NEED LEGAL PROTECTION

simple imprisonment for such term not exceeding 30
days as the Magistrate directs, unless such sum is

AGAINST WRONGFUL sooner paid.

• Section 211 of Indian Penal Code provides for false
ARREST charge of offence made with intent to injure -
Whoever, with intent to cause injury to any person,
#Wrongful Arrest #Compensation institutes or causes to be instituted any criminal
proceeding against that person, or falsely charges any
person with having committed an offence, knowing
that there is no just or lawful ground for such
In cases where accused are falsely or maliciously implicated, proceeding or charge against that person, shall be
there should be a legal mechanism for providing punished with imprisonment of either description for a
compensation to the accused and such investigative officer term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or
should be subject to disciplinary proceedings. with both.
THERE CAN BE TWO INSTANCES REGARDING SUCH • If such criminal proceeding be instituted on a false
IMPLICATION charge of an offence punishable with death,
1. Where a person is falsely implicated based on imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for seven
distorted facts by the investigating agencies. years or upwards, shall be punishable with
2. When a person was implicated and put in jail. imprisonment of either description for a term which
However, he had to be released as the investigative may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to
agencies could not gather sufficient evidence to fine.
prosecute such person. LAW COMMISSION’S 277TH REPORT (WRONGFUL
COMPENSATION MUST BE PROVIDED IN THE FIRST PROSECUTION (MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE): LEGAL
INSTANCE BECAUSE REMEDIES)

• The accused had gone through physical discomfort • Enacting a Law: The Report has recommended
when he was placed in jail. enactment of a specific legal provision for redressal of
such cases, covering the substantive and procedural
• Compensation against mental agony suffered by the
aspects. Based on the inadequacies
person and his entire family.
regarding remedies available under the existing laws,
• Social Stigma and ostracization caused to the person the Commission recommended enactment of a
and his family (especially in rural areas). This also specific legal provision for
impacts the emotional wellbeing of the child of such
o Redressal of cases of wrongful prosecution
family.
o To provide relief to the victims of wrongful
• Compensation must also be provided to under-trial
prosecution in terms of monetary and non-
prisoners because of the extremely slow judicial
monetary compensation (such as counselling,
process which takes 8 to 10 years for a person to be
mental health services, vocational / employment
finally released due to lack of evidence or other
skills development etc.)
aspects.
within a statutory framework.
LEGAL MECHANISM AGAINST WRONGFUL
PROSECUTION IN INDIAN LAWS • Miscarriage of Justice: Internationally, the issue of
wrongful prosecution, incarceration, and conviction of
• Section 358 of Cr. PC. provides for a paltry fine of Rs.
innocent persons is identified as ‘miscarriage of justice’
1,000/- to be provided to persons who are wrongfully
that takes place after a person has been wrongfully
arrested. Such compensation must be paid by the
convicted but is later found to be factually innocent
person who asked the police officer to arrest such
basis a new fact/proof coming to light. The
persons.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
• If the person who is to pay such compensation refuses (‘ICCPR’, ratified by India) also creates an obligation on
or fails to pay, then such person shall be sentenced to

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the State parties to enact a law to compensate the WAY FORWARD
victims of such miscarriage of justice. • Recommendations of the Law Commission must be
• Wrongful Prosecution’ to be the standards of considered, and a law must be enacted to provide for
Miscarriage of Justice: The report looks at the issue compensation in case of miscarriage of justice.
from the context of Indian Criminal Justice system and • Compensation mechanism needs to discuss with state
recommends ‘wrongful prosecution’ to be the governments for sound implementation.
standards of miscarriage of justice, as against
‘wrongful conviction’ and ‘wrongful incarceration’.
• ‘Wrongful prosecution’ would include cases where the COOLING OFF PERIOD FOR
accused is not guilty of the offence, and the police or
the prosecution engaged in some form of misconduct
RETIRED BUREAUCRATS
in investigating or prosecuting the person. It would #Cooling Off Period #Governance
include both the cases where:
(i) The person spent time in prison as well as where he
Archana Goyal Gulati, 1989-batch officer of the Indian Posts
did not; and
and Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service
(ii) Cases where the accused was found not guilty by (Indian P&TAFS) has joined Google after taking voluntary
the trial court or where the accused was convicted retirement from the civil services. She joined Google after
by one or more courts but was ultimately acquitted completing the mandatory one-year cooling-off period as per
by the Higher Courts. the All India Services Death-cum-Benefits Rules and the
• Need to establish a Special Court in each district to Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules. Earlier, the cooling-off
adjudicate upon the claims for compensation for period was two years until January 2007, when the
wrongful conviction. The Cause of Action for such government reduced it to one year by an amendment.
compensation shall be malicious prosecution or CENTRAL CIVIL SERVICES (PENSION) RULES – RULE 9
prosecution done in bad faith i.e., malafide.
• Applies to Central Service Group ‘A' officers.
• Compensation provided must be in the form of
• Prohibits commercial employment of such officers for
monetary value and non-monetary value (pecuniary
1 year after retirement. This is referred as cooling-off
and non-pecuniary) to rehabilitate the victims back in
period for such bureaucrats.
the society. Non-Pecuniary assistance includes services
• If such officers wish to join commercial employment
such as counselling, mental health services, vocational
before completing cooling-off period of 1 year, then
or employment skill development and similar
activities. such officer shall obtain the prior sanction of
Government to such acceptance by applying.
CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTING SUCH A LAW
ALL INDIA SERVICES (DEATH-CUM-RETIREMENT
• Determining Compensation for different types of
BENEFITS) RULES, 1958 – RULE 26
cases.
• If a pensioner wishes to accept any commercial
• Determining Compensation for number of years spent
employment before expiry of 1 year from date of
in jail for wrongful prosecution.
retirement, then prior approval or sanction of the
• Inclusion of Under-trials in the compensation central government must be taken.
mechanism.
• If a pensioner accepts a commercial employment
• Determining a uniform compensation across rich and without government’s sanction, then Central
poor states in India. Government can order that such officer shall not be
• Delay in providing compensation as it will also be entitled to the whole or such part of the pension and
subject to litigation and appeal. for such period as specified.
• Providing the money for compensation – will it • A pensioner who has been permitted by the Central
provided by the centre or respective state Government to take up a particular commercial
governments. employment during leave preparatory to retirement

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shall not be required to obtain subsequent permission which is directly related to the work of the
for his continuance in such employment after organisation the officer proposes to join.
retirement. o Whether there is conflict of interest between the
WHAT DOES COMMERCIAL EMPLOYMENT INCLUDES policies of the office he has held in the last three
POST RETIREMENT? years and the interests/work of this organisation
• It is an employment, whether paid or honorary, o Whether this organisation has conflicted with or
• in any capacity including that of an prejudicial to India’s foreign relations, national
security and domestic harmony; and
o agent under a company
o Whether the organisation he proposes to join is
o firm
undertaking any activity for intelligence gathering.
o co-operative society
• According to these rules, “conflict of interest” does not
o body or individual engaged in trading, commercial
include normal economic competition with the
o industrial, financial or professional business, and government or its undertakings”.
o includes a directorship of such company or IS THERE A COOLING-OFF PERIOD FOR BUREAUCRATS
partnership of such firm JOINING POLITICS ON TAKING VOLUNTARY
• but does not include employment under a body RETIREMENT?
corporate, wholly or substantially owned or controlled • There is no specific rule providing for a cooling-off
by Government. period for retired bureaucrats joining politics.
• Setting up practice, either independently or as a • However, the rule specifies that every government
partner of a firm, as adviser or consultant in matters in employee shall always maintain political neutrality and
respect of which a pensioner has commit himself to and uphold the supremacy of the
a) no professional qualifications and the matters in Constitution and democratic values.
respect of which the practice is proposed to be set • Election Commission had written to DoPT and the
up or carried on are relatable to his official Ministry of Law, suggesting a cooling-off period for
knowledge or experience; or bureaucrats joining politics after retirement. However,
b) professional qualifications, but the matters in the plea was rejected.
respect of which such practice is to be set up are

DON’T REMOVE ARMY

such as are likely to give his clients an unfair
advantage by reason of his previous official
position; or
FROM RTI ACT
c) to undertake work involving liaison or contact with
the offices or officers of the Government. #RTI Act #Schedule II of RTI Act #Exemption
WHEN CAN GOVERNMENT ALLOW OR TURN DOWN from RTI
REQUEST FOR COMMERCIAL EMPLOYMENT FROM
PENSIONERS
Indian Ex-Services League, an association of ex-servicemen,
• The CCS (Pension) Rules specify several factors for the family pensioners and next-of-kin of the armed forces
government to consider while granting or refusing personnel who laid down their lives for the country and were
permission, these include: recognised by governments, has written to PM against any
o Whether no-objection has been obtained for the consideration by the government to remove the armed forces
proposed commercial employment from the purview of the Right to Information Act. The letter
o from the cadre controlling authority and from the said defence services are not to be placed in its Schedule 2.
office where the officer retired. NEED FOR ARMY UNDER RTI
o Whether the officer has been privy to sensitive or • Helps to maintain transparency in the functioning of
strategic information in the last 3 years of service the Indian Army.

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• Acts as a powerful tool for family members of serving 13. National Security Guards.
officials and veterans to seek information from the 14. Assam Rifles.
4[15. Sashtra Seema Bal.]
government or to seek documents or service records
5[16. Directorate General of Income-tax (Investigation).]
of army officials.
5[17. National Technical Research Organisation.]
• Helps to address myriad grievances of army personnel 5[18. Financial Intelligence Unit, India.]
and their family members regarding service issues or 6[19. Special Protection Group.
pension matters. 20. Defence Research and Development Organisation.
• Seeking information through RTI has reduced litigation 21. Border Road Development Board.
in Court. 7 * * * * *]
8[22. National Security Council Secretariat.]
• Section 8 and 9 of RTI Act provides adequate 9 [23. Central Bureau of Investigation.
protection for sensitive information which the Army do 24. National Investigation Agency.
not want to disclose. 25. National Intelligence Grid.]
SECTION 24 OF RTI ACT – EXEMPTS CERTAIN CENTRAL 10[26. Strategic Forces Command.]

INVESTIGATIVE AGENCIES
• The provisions of RTI Act shall not apply to the
intelligence and security organisations specified in the
CENTRE RECONSTITUTES
Second Schedule of the Act.
INTER-STATE COUNCIL
• However, information pertaining to allegations of
corruption and human rights violations shall not be
#Inter-State Council #Article 263
excluded of such central investigative agencies.
• Information about allegations of violation of human Inter-State Council, a body mentioned under Article 263, as a
rights shall only be provided after the approval of the measure to ensure cooperative federalism has been
Central Information Commission. reconstituted with Prime Minister as chairman and chief
ministers of all states and six Union ministers as members.
• Such information shall be provided within 45 days
Ten union ministers will be the permanent invitees to the
from the date of the receipt of request.
Inter-State Council, according to an official notification. The
Central Government by amendment may add or omit any
government has also reconstituted the standing committee
intelligence or security organisation from the Second
of the Inter-State Council with Union Home Minister Amit
Schedule. Such amendment shall be laid before each
Shah as chairman.
House of Parliament.
INTER-STATE COUNCIL – ARTICLE 263
THE SECOND SCHEDULE (See section 24)
• Under Article 263 of the Constitution, there is a
INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY ORGANISATION
provision for the formation of an inter-State Council.
ESTABLISHED BY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
Although this Council has several functions, it is also
1. Intelligence Bureau. competent to tender advice regarding the resolution
1[2. Research and Analysis Wing including its technical wing of inter-State disputes including boundary disputes.
namely, the Aviation Research Centre of the Cabinet • The functions to be discharged by the Council are:
Secretariat.]
(a) inquiring into and advising upon disputes which
3. Directorate of Revenue Intelligence.
4. Central Economic Intelligence Bureau. may have arisen between States.
5. Directorate of Enforcement. (b) investigating and discussing subjects in which
6. Narcotics Control Bureau. state/s and Union have common interest; or
7. 2***
(c) make recommendations for better co-ordination of
8. Special 3[Frontier] Force of the Cabinet Secretariat.
policy and action among states.
9. Border Security Force.
10. Central Reserve Police Force. GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED SARKARIA COMMISSION
11. Indo-Tibetan Border Police. REPORT
12. Central Industrial Security Force.

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SC ALLOWS MP TO
• The Commission on Centre-State Relations under the
Chairmanship of Justice R. S. Sarkaria in its report in
January 1988 recommended that:
IMPLEMENT OBC
o A Permanent Inter-State Council called the Inter-
Governmental Council (IGC) should be set up RESERVATION IN LOCAL
under Article 263.
o The IGC should be charged with the duties set out BODIES
in clauses (b) and (c) of Article 263, other than #Panchayats #Reservation #OBC
socio-economic planning and development.
• Government of India accepted the recommendations
The Supreme Court by modifying its earlier order has
of the Sarkaria Commission to set-up an Inter-State
allowed the implementation of reservation for Other
Council and notified the establishment of the Inter-
Backward Classes (OBC) in the local body elections in
State Council through Presidential Order in 1990.
Madhya Pradesh. The court had earlier rejected state
• Government also established Inter-State Council government’s decision and asked State Election Commission
Secretariat in 1991 headed by a Secretary to the to notify local polls without OBC reservation.
Government of India.
WHAT MADE SUPREME COURT CHANGED ITS VERDICT?
COMPOSITION OF THE INTER-STATE COUNCIL
• The Supreme Court gave the go-ahead for local body
• The Council consists of Prime Minister as Chairman, polls in Madhya Pradesh with OBC reservation, based
Chief Ministers of all States and UTs, Administrators of on revised recommendations in a second report of a
UTs, 6 Ministers of Cabinet rank in the Union Council State Backward Class Commission.
of Ministers.
• The Court gave its approval based on the following
FUNCTIONS OF THE INTER-STATE COUNCIL considerations:
• Making recommendations upon such subject and for (i) Submission of revised recommendations of the
better coordination of policy and action regarding any State Backward Commission
issue or subject matter.
(ii) Completion of delimitation exercise in the state
• Investigating and discussing subjects in which some or and its notification thereof.
all the States, or the Union and one or more of the
(iii) Maximum limit of 50% reservation was not
States have a common interest.
breached.
• Deliberating upon other matters of general interest to
• The empirical report was part of the triple test formula
the states as may be referred by the Chairman.
to provide reservation in local polls.
FUNCTIONS OF STANDING COMMITTEE – CHAIRMAN –
UNION HOME MINISTER TRIPLE TEST FORMULA

• Have continuous consultation and process matters for Determination of Reservation to OBC in local bodies
based on three following conditions:
consideration of the Council.
• Process all matters pertaining to Centre-State • To set up a dedicated Commission to conduct
Relations before they are taken up for consideration in empirical inquiry into the nature of the
backwardness in local bodies.
the Inter-State Council.
• Monitor implementation of decisions taken on the • To specify the proportion of reservation required to
recommendations of the Council be provisioned local body-wise.
• Such reservation shall not exceed aggregate of 50%
• Consider any other matter related to disputes of
centre-states. of the total seats reserved for SCs/STs/OBCs taken
together.
• The Standing Committee also takes suggestions from
constitutional, geological, environmental, and other SC JUDGMENT (K. KRISHNAMURTHY V. UNION OF
experts on different matters of disputes. INDIA)

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Petitioner Arguments more participatory, accountable, and inclusive to the
• The petitioner challenged Articles 243D (6), 243-D (4), weaker section. Hence, such reservation would benefit
243T (6) and 243D (4) of the Constitution on the the society as a whole and not only any particular
ground that reservation provided under the provisions community.
is discriminatory in nature based on caste and gender. • Creamy Layer cannot be Excluded: The exclusion of
• The petitioner also challenged the Karnataka the creamy layer concept in the reservation policy of
Panchayati Raj Act, 1993 which provided reservation to Local Self-Government may not be feasible like that of
Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Women and Article 15(4) & 16(4). As at the level of Panchayat and
Backward classes of about 15%, 3%, 33% and 33% Municipality, the objective of representation is only to
respectively. put forward the interest of weaker sections and hence
it would be counter-intuitive to exclude better off
Constitutional provisions – Reservation for OBC in
reserved category people from the representation.
Local Bodies
• Horizontal Reservation to be Excluded: While deciding
• Article 243 D (6): Nothing in this Part shall prevent the
Legislature of a State from making any provision for the ceiling of 50% of the reservation, the horizontal
reservation of seats in any Panchayat or offices of reservation shall not be included while aggregating the
Chairpersons in the Panchayats at any level in favour total reservation. The upper ceiling of 50% vertical
of backward class of citizens. reservations in favour of SC/ST/OBCs should not be
breached in the context of local self-government.
• Article 243 T (6): Nothing in this Part shall prevent the
Legislature of a State from making any provision for Exceptions can only be made to safeguard the
reservation of seats in any Municipality or offices of interests of Scheduled Tribes in the matter of their
Chairpersons in the Municipalities in favour of representation in panchayats located in the Scheduled
backward class of citizens. Areas.
• Article 243-D (6) and Article 243-T (6) are
SC Judgment
Constitutionally Valid: Since they are provisions which
• Linking of Reservation not Possible: The Supreme
merely enable State Legislatures to reserve seats and
Court held that the reservation policy as under Article
chairperson posts in favour of backward classes.
243-D and 243-T is distinct from that of reservation
Concerns about disproportionate reservations should
policies under article 15 (4) and 16(4) and hence both
be raised by way of specific challenges against the
kinds of reservations cannot be linked.
State Legislations.
• Socio-Economic Backwardness different from Political
Backwardness: The Court further held that • Quantum of Reservation to be determined by
backwardness in the socio and economic sense does respective state based on empirical findings: Under
not imply political backwardness. For reservation respective State Legislations, the onus is on the
under Article 15(4) and 16(4), due regard is given to executive to conduct a rigorous investigation into the
merit, but the same criteria cannot be applied for patterns of backwardness that act as barriers to
reservation in local bodies. This is because the voters political participation which are indeed quite different
are not influenced by merit but rather by a candidate’s from the patterns of disadvantages in the matter of
ability to canvass support, ideologies, affiliation to any access to education and employment.
group and past records of achievements. Thus, • Article 243-D (4) and Article 243-T (4) are
backwardness in the social and economic parameter
Constitutionally Valid: The reservation of chairperson
can act as a barrier for the backward people to have
posts in the manner contemplated by Article 243-D (4)
effective political participation.
and 243-T (4) is constitutionally valid. These
• Reservation in the Local Self-Government beneficial for chairperson posts cannot be equated with solitary
Society: as reservation is a more effective tool to posts in the context of public employment.
achieve empowerment of the weaker section of the
• Determination of Reservation to OBC in local bodies
society. The democratic decentralisation not only
based on three following conditions:
brings governance closer but also make governance

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1. To set up a dedicated Commission to conduct • The Constitution Bench in Ayodhya dispute had said
empirical inquiry into the nature of the that “history and its wrongs shall not be used as
backwardness in local bodies. instruments to oppress the present and the future.”
2. To specify the proportion of reservation required to • Non-retrogression is a foundational feature of the
be provisioned local body-wise fundamental constitutional principles of which
3. Such reservation shall not exceed aggregate of 50% secularism is a core component.
of the total seats reserved for SCs/STs/OBCs taken • The Places of Worship Act is, thus, a legislative
together. intervention which preserves non-retrogression as an
essential feature of our secular values.

GYANWAPI MOSQUE & IMPORTANT PROVISIONS OF THE ACT

• Prohibits Conversion: The Act prohibits conversion of
PLACES OF WORSHIP ACT any place of worship and provide for the maintenance
of the religious character of any place of worship as it
#Places of Worship Act #Indian Secularism existed on the 15th of August 1947.
• Froze religious character of place of worship as on
Supreme Court in the ongoing Gyanwapi dispute has 15th August 1947 and prohibited conversion of
transferred the case from Civil Judge, senior division, to religious denomination or places of worship.
District Judge of Varanasi for trial. After the claims of a • Pending Cases ceases to exist (abate): All suits, appeals
Shivling being discovered inside the mosque, Hindu or other proceedings regarding conversion of places of
organisations have claimed worshipping rights inside the worship that were pending on 15th August 1947 shall
mosque. Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, which stand abated and no fresh proceedings could be filed.
manages the mosque in its petition, has sought protection Abatement of suit means that the suit ceases to exist,
under the Places of Worship (Special Provisions Act). and no proceeding can be conducted.
SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT – A BALANCING ACT • Cases after 15th August 1947: However, legal
• The Court directed District Magistrate of Varanasi to proceedings can be initiated with respect to the
protect the SHIVLING found in the mosque premises. conversion of the religious character of any place of
• The Court at the same time also allowed Muslims to worship after the commencement of the Act if the
offer Namaz till the District Judge pronounce its change of status took place after the cut-off date of
verdict. August 15, 1947.

ABOUT THE PLACES OF WORSHIP (SPECIAL 1991 LEGISLATION DOES NOT APPLY TO (EXCEPTIONS)
PROVISIONS) ACT, 1991 • Ancient or Historical Monument: Any place of worship
• The law was passed in 1991 by the P V Narasimha Rao- which is an ancient and historical monument or an
led Congress government. archaeological site or remains covered by Ancient
Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act,
• The law was brought in at the peak of the Ram Mandir
1958.
movement, exactly a year before the demolition of the
Babri Masjid to curb communal tension in those times. • Court’s Decisions: Any Court proceedings finally
decided, settled, or disposed of by a Court, Tribunal or
• The law seeks to maintain the “religious character” of
other authority before the commencement of this Act.
places of worship as it was in 1947 — except in the
(1991)
case of Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute.
Justice Ranjan Gogoi while pronouncing the Five Judge • Amicable Settlement of Dispute: Any dispute with
Constitution Bench in Ram Janmabhoomi dispute respect to any such matter settled by the parties
stated that the Court was making an exception in amongst themselves before such commencement.
Ayodhya case as it was an ongoing episode. • Acceptance without Protest: Conversion of any such
INDIAN SECULARISM & PLACES OF WORSHIP ACT place effected before such commencement by
(AYODHYA VERDICT OF SC) acquiescence (acceptance without protest).

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• Any conversion petition barred by limitation: sufficient time has passed, and no action was taken.

practice questions
MCQs
Q1. Consider the following statements: 3. The Official Languages Act, 1963 allows optional
1. Powers of state government to suspend, remit or use of Hindi or other Official language in
commute a sentence must be done in consultation judgments of High Courts.
with the central government if the matter is Which of the statements given above are correct?
investigated by CBI. (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only
2. Powers of President and Governor under Article 72 (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
and 161 is immune from judicial review.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? Q4. Consider the following statements:
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only 1. The cooling-off period for Group A officers of the
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 central government is two years.
2. Taking up commercial employment before the
Q2. Consider the following statements: cooling-off period and without government’s
1. Custodial Torture is not punished under any law in sanction can impact pension benefits of such
India. officers.
2. Government of India has ratified United Nations Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Convention Against Torture. (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Q5. Presently, which of the following agencies are
not exempted from Right to Information Act?
Q3. Consider the following statements: (a) Border Security Force
1. The laws of the land prohibit use of any other (b) Central Bureau of Investigation
language other than English in the High Courts in (c) Indian Army
India. (d) Assam Rifles
2. Article 348 of the Constitution states that all
proceedings in the Supreme Court shall be in
English Language.

Descriptive Questions
Q1. Increasing instances of custodial torture resulting in death of inmates poses serious questions on implementation
of rule of law. Considering this statement, examine the constitutional and other legal rights available to an
accused and the police upon arrest. Also suggest remedial measures to reduce custodial deaths in India. (15
Marks)

Q2. Critically examine the powers and functions of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). (10 Marks)

Answers: 1 (a), 2 (d), 3 (b), 4(b), 5(c)

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Security
# GS Paper (Prelims) & GS Paper II & III (Main)

SIGNIFICANCE OF PM’S
growth plans.
• Agreed to a 7-point
VISIT TO EUROPE agenda on renewable
energy and sustainable
#Bilateral growth cooperation.

Boosting cooperation in
PM Modi visited three European countries – Germany,
nd
wind and solar energy,
France and Denmark and participated in 2 India – Nordic
pollution control and
summit. At this visit, he met with 7 heads of government
urban renewal projects
including the new German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, newly re-
and other green projects.
elected French President, Prime Minister of Norway, Prime
India and Denmark have
Minister of Sweden, Prime Minister of Iceland, Prime
already signed a Green
Minister of Finland, and Prime Minister of Denmark.
Strategic Partnership.
The visit assumes importance because it was the first visit of
Environmental India reiterated its
the PM after COVID Pandemic, and it was the first visit after
Cooperation, commitments made at
the war in Ukraine broke out which has considerably
Space, Cyber COP26 in Glasgow:
changed the geo-politics and geo-economics of the world. India –
security, • 500 gigawatts of non-
Because of the important interactions, major geo-political Nordic
invest in fossil fuel by 2030, 50%
events and importance that India accords to these countries, countries
India’s of energy capacity to
let us try and understand the key outcomes of this visit along
defence come from renewable
with India’s relations with some of these countries.
industry energy by 2030.
IMPORTANT AGREEMENTS SIGNED/AGREED DURING
• Reduction of 1 billion
THE VISIT
tonnes in projected
Country Agreement Key highlights carbon emissions by
2030.
• Germany has
committed to • Carbon intensity of
Partnership India’s economy to
India – providing additional
for Green and reduce by 45% by 2030
Germany development
Sustainable and net zero by 2070.
assistance of €10
Development
billion till 2030 to India – Green • India called for French
support India’s green France investments in investment in making

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INDIA-GERMANY
India. India a green hydrogen
hub.
• Both countries agreed #Bilateral
to an integrated
approach on supply PM visited Germany, France and Denmark and agreed upon
chains for solar energy various agreements. In this backdrop let us try and
production in Europe understand India – Germany relations in detail.
and Asia.
BACKGROUND OF RELATIONS
• Two sides set up a
• Germany is one of India’s most important partners in
strategic dialogue on
Europe owing to Germany’s key role in the EU.
Space issues,
strengthen a cyber • India and Germany have a 'Strategic Partnership'.
dialogue and find more • As the 6th and 4th largest economies in the world
ways for France to respectively, India and Germany share a robust
invest in building economic and developmental partnership.
India’s defence • Besides the economic interest, both countries have a
industry. shared interest in upholding democratic values, rules-
• Agreed to step up high- based international order, multilateralism as well as
tech transfer the reform of multilateral institutions.
collaborations and Area of
Equipment Highlights
India – signed a joint cooperation
and
Germany declaration of intent
Information • Both support each other on UNSC
for an agreement on
exchange of classified expansion within the framework of
information. G-4 (India, Japan, Brazil & Germany
making a joint effort for UNSC
• This visit did not have a reforms and claiming permanent
India – security component membership of the UNSC).
Technologies
Nordic but focused on new
• Germany joined Coalition for
technologies. Multilateral
Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
Cooperation
AREAS OF DISAGREEMENT (CDRI) in 2020.

• Disagreement over Ukraine issue: India has stayed • Germany is a member of

away from taking any stand against Russia owing to its International Solar Alliance (ISA)
own interests, while European countries want India to floated by India.
call out Russian aggression against Ukraine. • Germany has outlined its Indo-
• Energy From Russia: EU has very lately started to Pacific strategy in line with India’s
impose ban on Russian oil with exceptions of Hungary approach.
and other landlocked countries. Further Gas has been
• Germany has committed to
kept out of the ban. However, India’s import of the
providing additional development
Russian Oil has increased manifold. Partnership
assistance of €10 billion till 2030 to
• India EU–FTA: European Union is India’s 3 largest for Green and
support India’s green growth plans.
trading partner, after China and US, and its 2 largest Sustainable
• Agreed to a 7-point agenda on
export destination, but its potential is far more. In Development
renewable energy and sustainable
such a scenario, a FTA can give further boost to
growth cooperation.
economic relations. However, talks for a Free trade
agreement have been pending since 2013 when talks Security &
• Signed MoU on Security
were suspended. Defence

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Cooperation Cooperation in 2015. • There are around 2.03 lakh

• Dialogue Mechanisms (December 2021) Indian passport
o Joint Working Group on Counter holders and Indian-origin people
Terrorism (about 1.60 lakh NRIs/Indian
Passport holders and around 43,000
o Cyber Consultations
PIOs) in Germany.
o Joint Steering Group on Disaster
• Indian diaspora mainly consists of
Management. Diaspora
professionals, researchers and
• Bilateral Defence Cooperation scientists, businessmen, nurses and
Agreement was signed in 2006. students. There has been a
• Agreement on Mutual Protection of significant increase in last few years
Classified Information was signed in in the number of qualified Indian
2007. professionals in the fields of IT,
• At the recent visit, both countries banking, finance.
agreed to step up high-tech transfer
CONVERGENCE OF INTERESTS
collaborations and signed a joint
declaration of intent for an • Pursuit of Strategic Autonomy: In a multipolar global
agreement on exchange of classified order, both support each other’s pursuit of strategic
information. autonomy. While for India strategic autonomy means
economic multi-alignment and neutrality on
• Germany is India’s largest trading international conflicts, Germany increasingly seeks
partner in Europe. strategic autonomy through the European Union.
• It has consistently been among • Reducing over dependence to achieve autonomy: In
India’s top ten global partners and the context of Ukraine war, Germany has been
was the seventh-largest trading struggling to reduce its dependence on Russian oil
Economic
partner in FY 2020-21. and gas. Similarly, India also realizes that it is over
Cooperation
• Bilateral trade in 2020-21 was USD dependent upon Russia for its defence supplies.
21.76 billion which is a fifth of trade • Recognition of legitimate interests: Visible in all the
between India and US. agreements signed between the two countries at the
• Germany is the 7th largest FDI visit of the PM Modi.
source for India. • Indo – Pacific: Germany was one of the first European
• Both countries have identified focus nation to outline its Indo-Pacific guidelines in 2020.
areas for further cooperation, which With increasing scepticism of the global community
include Artificial Intelligence and towards China and India increasing regional clout
digitalisation, agriculture, clean more European countries are showing confidence in
energy, e-mobility, urban India to shape the region strategic architecture.
development, Smart Cities, railways, • Climate Action: Russia’s invasion into Ukraine has led
Industry 4.0, start-ups, skill to a rethinking in Germany’s energy-import policy
Areas to development, and water and waste which creates an unparalleled window of opportunity
Focus upon management. for Indo-German green hydrogen cooperation as
• Both countries see mutual benefit in Germany seeks to decrease its dependence on
an India-EU Free Trade Agreement Russian gas. Similarly, India also has the challenge of
and Investment Protection managing its energy security amidst the global crisis
Agreement. generated by Ukraine war. In this context both nations
signed the Partnership for Green and Sustainable
• However, FTA talks have remained
Development which is reflective of the close climate
stalled since 2013.
cooperation.

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CHALLENGES IN RELATIONS growth and development, the International Solar

• In all European powers, including Germany, there is a Alliance etc.
tendency to de-hyphenate India and China. This is • India and France support a multi-polar world order.
mainly because of the increased integration of global • France supports India’s claim for permanent
supply chains with China. Besides, there is an membership of UN Security Council and reforms of
increasing tendency amongst the European countries United Nations.
to stay away from calling out China as highlighted by
• France has provided consistent support to India’s
their stand on the Chinese expansionist policies along
candidature for the membership of all the four
Indian border.
Multilateral Export Control regimes, viz. Nuclear
• Germany and European countries have sometimes Suppliers Group (NSG), the Missile Technology Control
been wary of the Human Rights issues in India. Regime (MTCR), the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) and
• Germany focuses on trade and investment as the the Australia Group (AG). France’s support was vital in
main conduit to deepen its relations with India. India’s accession to MTCR, WA and AG while France
However, is tough environment and labour standards continues to support India’s bid for accession to the
are seen as one of the biggest hindrances. NSG.
WAY FORWARD • India and France have consistently condemned
terrorism and have resolved to work together for
Despite the challenges, as Germany comes to terms with
adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on
new global realities, a strong partnership with India is
International Terrorism (CCIT) in the UN.
today an important part of its foreign policy vision. This
new vision has the potential to transform not only this • Both have signed provision of reciprocal logistics
bilateral partnership but also the wider engagement of support between respective Armed Forces.
the European Union with India. • Both have declared Joint Statement a "Joint Strategic
Vision of India-France Cooperation in the Indian
Ocean Region” and the "India-France Joint Vision for
INDIA-FRANCE Space Cooperation”.

#Bilateral • France has emerged as a major source of FDI for India

with more than 1,000 French establishments already
present in India with a total turnover of US $20 billion
India and France have traditionally close and friendly and employing around 300,000 persons.
relations. In 1998, the two countries entered Strategic
• France is the 9th largest foreign investor in India with
Partnership which is emblematic of their convergence of
a cumulative investment of USD 6.59 billion from April
views on a range of international issues apart from a close
2000 to December 2018. There are more than 150
and growing bilateral relationship. India-France partnership
Indian companies operating in France (including sub-
is one that is rooted on mutual trust, commitment to
subsidiaries), employing more than 7,000 persons.
international law, vision for a “multipolar world shaped
reformed and effective multilateralism.” INDIA FRANCE RELATIONS IN THE EMERGING GEO-
POLITICAL CONTEXT
In the context of the recent visit of the Prime Minister to
France, Let us glance through important aspects of India- • Indo–Pacific: Both believe in a shared vision of a free,
France relation. open and rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific, with a
AREAS OF COOPERATION commitment to international law, respect for
sovereignty and territorial integrity, freedom of
• The areas of defence cooperation, space cooperation
navigation and a region free from coercion, tensions
and civil nuclear cooperation constitute the three
and conflicts.
principal pillars of our Strategic Partnership.
• Ukraine Conflict: Both are divergent on the issue of
• Apart from these traditional fields of cooperation,
taking a stand against Russia, wherein India has
India and France are increasingly engaged in new
stayed away from condemning Russia owing to its
areas of cooperation like climate change, sustainable
privileged partnership with Russia while France has

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been critical of Russian aggression. However, both violent extremism, as well as misuse of the internet
believe in the need to respect UN Charter, for terrorism and violent extremism.
international law and the sovereignty and territorial WAY FORWARD
integrity of states.
Given the long-standing and trusted partnership
• Defence and Security: France support’s India’s “Make between India and France and the intensifying
in India” initiative and wants further to transfer of geopolitical trends in the Indo-Pacific region, both are
technology to India. INS Vagsheer the sixth Scorpene likely to build an even closer partnership that will focus
submarines developed at Mazagoan dock under a on building India’s military wherewithal. Even as the
deal with France is a testimony to high level of bilateral relationship is strong, India and France must
defence cooperation. Timely delivery of the Rafale forge more minilaterals in the Indo-Pacific, getting more
despite COVID pandemic has increased optimism countries to endorse the free and open Indo-Pacific
about defence ties between the two. strategy. Beyond diplomatic support and arms, France’s
• Post AUKUS opportunity for collaboration: France actual material capacity to help counter China in the
resented the cancellation of Nuclear Submarine Indo-Pacific remains to be seen.
development program with Australia, after the
formation AUKUS, under which US will transfer the
submarine technology to Australia. France which was UKRAINE WAR’S GEO-
looking towards security partnership with Australia
before the AUKUS, is now finding itself turning to India POLITICAL IMPACT ON
to rework its Indo-Pacific strategy.
• Maritime security: India has growing maritime security INDIA
concerns in the Indian Ocean given the increasing #Geo-Politics
Chinese footprint in the region and its intrusions into
India’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the Andamans.
When the war between Ukraine and Russia broke out, India’s
Given this backdrop, it is likely that India will pursue
position on the war was being closely watched by the global
France to step up bilateral engagements but also
community. However, after the initial balancing act of India,
strengthen its naval wherewithal in the region as a
it has been argued that India’s strategic options are now
deterrent measure.
shrinking in the broader regional geo-politics largely due to
• Space Cooperation: Both the countries decided to decrease in Russian influence and increase in Chinese
cooperate on ways to secure outer space from several influence because of the war. So let us understand some of
growing space security challenges including the challenges in front of India which have emerged because
counterspace challenges. India is considering a space of Ukraine war.
security dialogue mechanism with France. India has
FACTORS THAT LIMIT GEO-POLITICAL OPTIONS OF
similar security dialogues with only two other
INDIA
countries – United States and Japan. China’s growing
space and counterspace capabilities have pushed 1. Russia as a key strategic partner is no longer available
many Indo-Pacific powers to develop their own to India for balancing purposes because Russia is
appropriate deterrent measures to protect their more dependent upon India’s support then the other
assets. way round.
• Cyber security: Both agree to develop a common 2. Russian focus on Ukraine issue has decreased its
understanding of cyber security challenges and influence on Asia, while the Chinese influence has
“promoting cyber norms and principles” so as to increased.
effectively counter cyber threats and enable a 3. US and west Europe’s focus has shifted away from
“peaceful, secure and open cyberspace”. China because of the Ukrainian issue.
• Terrorism: Both countries want to further their CHALLENGES THAT INDIA NEEDS TO HANDLE
counterterrorism agenda by addressing several areas
A) Increasing influence of China
including financing of terrorism, radicalization and

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• Chinese influence has increased considerably in the • Some of these measures include:
Past decade owing to its economic prowess (Belt Road o Outreach to the Central Asian Republics via India –
initiative, Cheque book diplomacy) and assertiveness Central Asia Summit.
witnessed under the present Chinese regime. Ex.
o Recently, Quad meeting in Japan and
South China Sea issue, Galwan valley attack.
announcement of Indo-Pacific Economic forum.
• Ukraine war has reduced the focus of US and its
o The recent visit of Indian Prime Minister to Europe
partners on South Asia, thereby increasing the
was seen as India assuring its relations with
influence of China.
Europe, since both have taken divergent views on
• Additionally, with jolt to Russian global image and its issue of calling out Russian aggression in Ukraine.
reduced global influence and USA’s reduced focus on
o India has been reaching out to countries in South
South Asia, their support in helping India in its pursuit
Asia troubled by political and economic crisis like
of favorable geo-political outcome in the South Asia is
Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Afghanistan and Myanmar.
decreasing.
WAY FORWARD
B) Managing Russia China ties
Despite such steps the combined geopolitical impact of
• Due to adverse impacts of the war on Russian
the ill-timed U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Russia’s
Economy, Russia’s dependence of China is increasing.
Ukraine war, and rapid expansion of Chinese influence
• In such a scenario, in case of a skirmish along the LAC, goes to show how India’s geopolitical choices face
India will have to look towards support from West, challenges due to Ukraine war.
which is going to impact Russia’s intent of seeking the
Indian support during Ukrainian war. Thus, Russia
would not want China to start a skirmish along the
LAC with India. However, in return the China would
CRISIS IN
want India to reduce its focus on the Indo – Pacific. NEIGHBOURHOOD
C) Calm in Kashmir and India’s policy towards
#Neighbourhood Relations
Afghanistan and Central Asian republics.
• As consequence of the war, India’s policy towards
India’s neighboring countries are witnessing political and
Afghanistan and Central Asian republics will also be
economic turmoil. These include Sri Lanka, Pakistan,
impacted.
Afghanistan, Nepal and Myanmar. Such political and
• India kept itself disengaged from Afghanistan after the
economic upheavals pose a challenge for India to balance
takeover of Taliban. Disengagement is being seen as a
its ties with these countries, since it has been accused of
quid pro quo for peace along LOC by Pakistan.
acting as big brother and of interference in the internal
• However, such a policy will further reduce the affairs of its neighborhood. However, it has been argued
strategic interest of India in the region. Only recently, that India has learnt its lessons from the past and has
India sent a team Joint secretary to take stock of the displayed a careful approach towards the neighboring
humanitarian assistance that India sent to crises. In this context, let us understand the lessons learnt by
Afghanistan. India and what more needs to be done.
• The situation is further getting complicated because of STRONG ARM POLICY APPROACH
the increasing Chinese influence on the Central Asian
• India has been accused of acting like ‘Big-Brother’ by
Republics and Afghanistan in the backdrop of lack of
its smaller neighbours in the region. India being the
attention by Russia.
most powerful and resourceful country in the region
INDIA’S APPROACH TO COUNTER THE CHALLENGES likes to see the South Asian region as its backward
• India is also taking various measures to counter the and is the regional hegemon in the region.
Chinese assertion and manage the impact of Ukraine • In the recent past, India has been accused of following
war and international pressure on India’s long term strong arm tactics under the popularly known
strategic partner Russia. approach of muscular foreign policy.

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• For instance, Government had put Pakistan on notice • Neutral position in neighbourhood is far more
for terror attacks, and cancelled Foreign Secretary challenging than the neutrality shown by India in case
level talks; in Sri Lanka, Rajapaksa government, that of Ukraine war or China’s moves on Hong Kong. This is
had been seen to be close to China was voted out, because the fallout of crisis in neighbourhood has
with some reports that Indian intelligence played a direct impact on India unlike the other cases.
role in facilitating opposition talks; and in Nepal, Prime • Since in the neighbourhood, India needs to prepare
Minister K.P. Sharma Oli's coalition government had itself for the need for aid and loans or a possible influx
fallen apart, with a similar nudge reported from New of refugees, as movements that develop in one
Delhi. neighbouring country are often mirrored in another.
• These measures have primarily been to counter the • Populist policies shown by the ruling parties in the
Chinese influence in its neighbourhood. But such an neighbourhood have not worked. Some prominent
approach did not have support our neighbours and examples being Sinhala Nationalism in Sri Lanka, Anti
was resented. – India sentiment in Nepal.
TOWARDS A MORE INCLUSIVE APPROACH TOWARDS • Economy matters in bringing political stability. All the
NEIGHBOURHOOD neighbouring countries were under severe economic
• Myanmar (Military coup), Nepal, Afghanistan (Taliban strain.
replaced Ashraf Ghani led govt.), Pakistan (PM Imran • India must also assess the impact of economic and
Khan lost the confidence Vote) and Sri Lanka (Political political vulnerabilities on smaller neighbouring
change owing to economic crisis) all have witnessed countries that could be exploited by global powers as
change in the ruling regime. they seek a more direct influence in the region.
• In contrast to the earlier accusations of being a Big • India must find newer ways to energise regional
brother, has not been held responsible in any of its groupings such as Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-
neighbouring countries for attempting to interfere in Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
their political processes. Thus, India has displayed a (BIMSTEC) and Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal
more neutral approach. (BBIN) Initiative, and even to reconsider SAARC.
• India has abandoned “one size fits all” approach to the
region.
o In Myanmar, India has strengthened ties with the INDO-PACIFIC ECONOMIC
Military Junta.
o India has been supportive of the change in ruling
FRAMEWORK
party in Nepal and Sri Lanka. #Groupings
o India has almost ignored the change of ruling party
in Pakistan. At a time when the world politics is focused on the Ukrainian
• India now is focused more on people in the crisis and when it was being felt that the US and the big
neighbourhood rather than just those in power. powers have moved their focus away from the theatre Indo-
Pacific, US announced the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
o Diplomatic manoeuvring with the Afghan and Pak
Initiative that seeks to increase economic collaboration in
diplomats, despite strained ties with both nations,
the Indo-Pacific. In this context, let us try understanding the
to send 50,000 MT wheat to support Afghan
key aspects of this initiative which was announced at the
population facing humanitarian crisis.
Quad Summit recently held in Japan.
o In Sri Lanka, India said, India would “always be
CONTEXT OF FORMATION
guided by the best interests of the people of Sri
Lanka expressed through democratic processes”. • In the backdrop of US withdrawal from the Trans-
Pacific Partnership under Donald Trump, there has
o Toning down of rhetoric on domestic issues in the
been concern over the absence of a credible US
neighbourhood.
economic and trade strategy to counter China’s
LESSONS INDIA NEEDS TO LEARN
economic influence in the region.

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• China is already an influential member of RCEP in the consumers.

region and has applied to join the Comprehensive and 2. Digital Trade Pillar: Incorporates not
Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership just the purchase and sale of goods
(CPTPP), which is the child of TPP after the US declined online but also data flows that
to join it. As such the US is projecting IPEF as the new enable the operation of global value
US vehicle for economic re-engagement with East Asia chains and services, like smart
and Southeast Asia. manufacturing, platforms and
• The US President first talked about it at the at the applications
October 2021 East Asia Summit. It has been launched 3. Supply chain resilience Pillar: The
at present Quad summit 2022. framework aspires to secure access
Aspects of to key raw and processed materials,
Highlights semiconductors, critical minerals
IPEF
and clean energy, tech, particularly
(i) Trade for crisis response measures and
(ii) Supply chain resilience ensuring business continuity
Four Pillars (iii) Clean energy and decarbonisation 4. Clean energy, decarbonisation and
(iv) Taxes and anti-corruption infrastructure Pillar: In line with the
measures. Paris Agreement, provide technical
assistance and help mobilize finance,
To “advance resilience, sustainability,
including concessional finance, to
inclusiveness, economic growth, fairness,
Objective improve competitiveness and
and competitiveness” in these
enhance connectivity by supporting
economies.
countries in the development of
Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, sustainable and durable
South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, infrastructure for adopting
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and renewable energy.
Members
Vietnam. Together, these countries 5. Tax and anti-corruption Pillar: Aimed
account for 40 per cent of the global at promoting fair competition by
GDP. enforcing robust tax, anti-money
laundering and anti-bribery regimes
How a Countries are free to join (or not join)
in line with existing multilateral
country initiatives under any of the stipulated
obligations, standards and
becomes a pillars but are expected to adhere to all
agreements to curb tax evasion and
member? commitments once they enrol.
corruption in the region.
• U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) will
• A new US vehicle for economic re-
be spearheading the trade pillar,
engagement with East Asia and
How the • Supply chain resilience, clean energy
Southeast Asia.
Framework and decarbonisation, and taxes and
Works • It would help in countering China
anti-corruption measures will fall
dominated Regional Comprehensive
under the purview of the U.S.
Pros Economic Partnership (RCEP) and
Department of Commerce.
other regional trade initiatives like
1. Trade Pillar: To establish “high- Comprehensive and Progressive
standard, inclusive, free, and fair- Agreement for Trans-Pacific
Key areas of
trade commitments” to fuel Partnership (CPTPP) and the Digital
Cooperation
economic activity and investments Economic Partnership (DEPA) (A new
benefitting both workers and type of trade agreement to facilitate

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digital trade and creating a framework • Exclusion of U.S. ally Taiwan from the
for the digital economy, was born out arrangement, despite its willingness to
of the common interest of Chile, New join, exhibits USA’s geopolitical caution
Zealand and Singapore) of which US to call out China.
and India are not a party. • Despite Taiwan being eligible on
• Would help U.S. companies that are economic merit.
looking to move away from
• US’ preference to allow free and open
manufacturing in China.
data flows under digital economy
• It is significant that 7 of 10 ASEAN pillar will constrict India’s ability to
countries and 11 out of 15 of the regulate data for domestic purposes.
countries that form Regional
• India might be reluctant to sync its tax
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Concerns
policies with the push for a global tax
(RCEP) took part in the launch. for India
standard amongst US partners to
• It signifies the first multilateral mitigate tax avoidance and evasion.
attempt to boost supply chain
• Labour Standards and non-Tariff
resilience to ease global inflationary
barriers will remain a bone of
pressures and mitigate effects of
contention for India.
future disruptions, particularly key raw
materials, critical minerals, and
semiconductors.

• IPEF is not a traditional trade

QUAD SUMMIT
agreement. #Groupings
• It would include different modules
covering “fair and resilient trade, Recently, the second in-person leaders’ meeting of the Quad
supply chain resilience, infrastructure took place in Japan. Quad which was a strategic and
and decarbonization, and tax and theoretical grouping to ensure Free and Open Indo-Pacific
anticorruption”. has undergone transformation by focusing on more specific
• Countries would have to sign up to all areas like - Covid, technology, climate change and
the components within a module, but infrastructure, space and cybersecurity. In this context let us
do not have to participate in all try and understand various aspects of the Quad in detail.
modules. RELEVANCE OF THE RECENT MEETING
• The “fair and resilient trade” module • Overlooked differences: Joint statement did not
will be led by the US Trade mention the Russia Ukraine war despite the difference
Challenges
Representative and include digital, in stance of the member countries.
labour, and environment issues, with • Reassurance of US to Eastern Partners: Participation
some binding commitments. of US President highlights that despite US’s focus on
• IPEF will not include market access War in Europe, it is not losing focus on Asia and the
commitments such as lowering tariff Indo-Pacific.
barriers, as the agreement is “more of • Indirectly calling out Chinese overtures: Although
an administrative arrangement”, and China’s name did not appear in the Joint statement,
Congressional approval, which is a the member countries in an indirect reference
must for trade agreements, is not resolved to oppose coercive and unilateral measures
mandatory for this. that “seek to change the status quo and increase
• Critics suggest it would be security, tensions in the area, dangerous use of coast guard
and not economics, that will drive U.S. vessels and maritime militia, and efforts to disrupt
trade engagement in the region.

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other countries’ offshore resource exploitation • Infrastructure funding to the tune of $50 billion over a
activities.” period of five years, is very less compared to $54 bn
• Indo – Pacific Economic Framework: Highlights the funded by US to Ukraine in past three months.
economic strategy of the US towards the Indo-Pacific. • IPEF is being touted as a challenge to the CPTPP and
Strategically, it is significant because 7 of 10 ASEAN RCEP is not in the nature of trade deal but just a
countries and 11 out of 15 of the countries that form framework, whose finer details are yet to be finalized.
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) • No Quad level military to military arrangements yet
took part in the launch. the rhetoric is increasingly one of countering China in
BROAD AREAS OF AGREEMENT South China Sea.
• Strategic: Strategically, it is seen as a non-defence • Most of the Ocean data sharing, Space and
non-military arrangement. US has created a parallel Cyberwarfare cooperation are essentially coordination
AUKUS as a military partnership involving UK and arrangements- and don’t actually fund or build new
Australia. Further the MALABAR exercises have the initiatives yet.
same membership as Quad, but it does not take place • US funding of a facility that has not yet produced any
under the Quad. vaccines for Quad, and Johnson and Johnson, that has
been named in Quad joint statement has not received
o Agreed upon an Indo-Pacific Partnership for
an indemnity waiver in India, and its US authorisation
Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) which will
has been limited.
collate satellite imagery from Centres in India,
Singapore, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands to offer • India has difference with other members on the issue
near-real-time, integrated, and cost-effective of Russian aggression.

maritime mapping- and track dark shipping, piracy • On the issue of China, all members have stayed away
and provide disaster relief in Indian Ocean, from directly naming China in the Joint statement.
Southeast Asia and Pacific Ocean. • On Taiwan, while all other Quad members appealed
o Agreed to form a Quad Cybersecurity Partnership for Taiwan to be included as an observer at World
and to coordinate more closely on Space Health Assembly, India did not.

observation programmes and share information

gathered.
• Infrastructure: Quad countries announced they will
INDO-PACIFIC MARITIME
seek to extend more than $50 billion of infrastructure DOMAIN AWARENESS
assistance and investment in the Indo-Pacific, over the
next five years. INITIATIVE
• COVID and Health: Agreed to continue to donate #Groupings
vaccines, where about a fifth of what had been
promised, 265 million of 1.2 billion, vaccines doses
Quad members floated this initiative at the Tokyo summit,
have been distributed thus far.
which will collate satellite imagery from Centres in India,
• Critical Technologies Singapore, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands to offer near-real-
o Memorandum of Cooperation on 5G Supplier time, integrated, and cost-effective maritime mapping and
Diversification. track dark shipping, piracy and provide disaster relief in the
Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia and Pacific Ocean. Let us
o Common Statement of Principles on Critical
understand the important aspects of this initiative.
Technology Supply Chains for semiconductor
supplies INDO-PACIFIC MARITIME DOMAIN AWARENESS
INITIATIVE (IPMDA)
o Cooperation on Open RAN (Radio Access Networks)
• Quad members India, Japan, Australia, and US signed
LIMITATION OF QUAD
IPMDA, a maritime security initiative meant to monitor

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International Relations & Security

and tackle illicit fishing activities, dark shipping, and o ILOs bring to the table one’s local expertise which
other tactical activities in the Indo-pacific region. Indian authorities are not aware of and help in
• Will allow member countries to monitor illegal fishing, building linkages with various agencies in their
track “dark shipping” and other tactical-level activities. home countries.

• Dark ships are vessels with their Automatic • The initiative will lose steam if not acted upon
Identification System (AIS), a transponder system, immediately as countries will lose interest.
switched off so as not to be detectable. • It is not just important to have ILOs in India, but also
• This crucial maritime pact between Quad member equally important that Indian Navy officers be posted
countries will enhance security apparatus of Indo- at similar centres in other countries.
Pacific region. • Proposals to post Indian naval liaison officers (LO) at
• This initiative will transform the ability of partners in Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre (RMIFC),
the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Madagascar, and Regional Coordination Operations
Ocean region to fully monitor the waters on their Centre, Seychelles, have been pending for more than
shores and, in turn, to uphold a free and open Indo- two years.
Pacific. • India joined Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) as an
• It aims to combat China in its expansionist ambitions observer in 2020 and proposal to send an LO to RMIFC
in the South and East China Sea where the country’s has been pending since.
fishing practices have long been called out for being • Another proposal to post an LO at European-led
“opaque, vast and at times, illegal. mission in Strait of Hormuz (EMASOH) in Abu Dhabi
• In addition to the IFC-IOR, other existing regional has also not been approved so far.
fusion centres that will be integrated are the IFC based Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre-Indian
in Singapore; the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Ocean Region (IFC-IOR)
Agency based in the Solomon Islands, and the Pacific
• Set up in 2018, is located within the premises of
Fusion Center based in Vanuatu, both of which receive
Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC)
support from Australia.
in Gurugram and currently has 12 ILOs posted there.
CONSTRAINTS THAT HINDER INDIA’S MARITIME ROLE
• India has signed white shipping exchange agreements
• Infrastructure: Despite requests from various with 22 countries and one multi-national grouping.
countries to post international liaison officers (ILO) at
• As opposed to dark shipping, White shipping
the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre-Indian
information refers to exchange of relevant advance
Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), India has not been able to do
information on the identity and movement of
that because of the infrastructure constraints. A
commercial non-military merchant vessels.
proposal for expansion has been pending with the
Defence Ministry for two years.

practice questions
MCQ’s
Q1. Which of the following statements is/are 2. All ASEAN countries are the members of this
correct about the Indo-Pacific Economic initiative.
Framework? Select the correct answer using the code given below:
1. It is a Quad led economic initiative for the Indo- (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
Pacific. (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

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International Relations & Security

(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q2. Which of the following statements is/are
correct about the Quad? Q4. India and US are not the members of which of
1. MALABAR exercise takes place under the aegis of the following initiatives?
Quad 1. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
2. Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain (RCEP)
Awareness (IPMDA) is an initiative of Quad. 2. Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for
Select the correct answer using the code given below: Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only 3. Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 4. Digital Economic Partnership
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Q3. Consider the following statements: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1, 2 and 4 only
1. Dark ships are vessels with their Automatic (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 only
Identification System (AIS) - a transponder system
- switched off so as not to be detectable. Q5. India has recently agreed to a “Partnership for
2. White shipping refers to exchange of relevant Green and Sustainable Development” with
advance information on the identity and which of the following countries?
movement of commercial non-military merchant (a) France (b) Germany
vessels. (c) Denmark (d) Russia
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only

Descriptive Questions
Q1. India – Germany relations are marked by convergence of interests in the context of emerging Geo-Politics.

Discuss.

Q2. Discuss the pros and the challenges of the formation of the Indo-Pacific Economic framework.

Answers: 1-d, 2-b, 3-c, 4-b, 5-b

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SOCIETY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

# GS Paper I & GS Paper II (Main)

NFHS-5
family welfare and associated domains like characteristics
of the population; fertility; family planning; infant and child
#health #social development mortality; maternal and child health; nutrition and
anaemia; morbidity and healthcare; women’s
empowerment etc. The national report also provides data
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare released the by socio-economic and other background characteristics
National Report of the fifth round of National Family Health useful for policy formulation and effective programme
Survey (NFHS-5). The report comprises of detailed implementation.
information on key domains of population, health and
KEY FINDINGS OF THE REPORT POSSIBLE REASONS MEASURES NEEDED

POPULATION CONTROL • Increasing availability of • States with high TFR like UP and
• Total Fertility Rates (TFR) has declined contraceptives Bihar are coincidentally low in
from 2.2 to 2.0 at national level • Increasing institutional deliveries literacy levels. So, increasing
between NFHS-4 & 5. coverage of female literacy
• Increasing female literacy
through “New India literacy
• There are still five States in India, • Strong preference for nuclear
programme” is necessary.
which are above replacement level of families
fertility of 2.1. They are Bihar (2.98),
Meghalaya (2.91), Uttar Pradesh (2.35),
Jharkhand (2.26), Manipur (2.17).
• Note: Total Fertility Rate is defined as
the number of children a female will
have in her entire reproductive life. A
TFR of 2.1 is replacement level that
means population will remain stable.

CHILD NUTRITION • Wide coverage of NFSA, National • Supply of fortified food through
• Level of stunting among children nutrition mission, mid-day meal PDS and PM POSHAN
under 5 years has marginally declined scheme helped improving the • Supply of Nutricereals and pulses
from 38 to 36 percent for India from nutritional status of children, but through PDS under NFSA.
NFHS-4 to 5. micronutrient deficiency
• Diversification of agriculture
remained an issue due to lack of
• The prevalence of obesity increased to
diversification in diet.
23% from 20% in the last round.

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH • Performance based incentives to • C-section audits must be strictly

• Institutional births have increased ASHA workers for promoting enforced in public hospitals,
substantially from 79 percent to 89% institutional delivery under Janani whereas in private sector there is
in India. Suraksha Yojana helped in this a need to check widespread

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Society and Social Justice

• Increase in Births delivered by aspect. commercialisation by regulating

caesarean section from 17% to 21%. • Working women having babies at medical practices and costs.
a later age, increase in in-vitro • In those states with an unmet
fertility and sedentary lifestyle of need for C- sections where they
mothers are some of the reasons are needed to prevent maternal
for increasing C-section deaths and poor foetal outcomes,
deliveries. it is necessary to improve the
• Public hospitals see a rise in C- quality of labour rooms through
sections because of poor doctor- schemes like LaQshya.
patient ratio and concentration
of high-risk pregnancies at places
with less doctors and less
caregivers.

SEX RATIO • The increase in the overall sex • Early registration of pregnancy
• Sex ratio of the total population ratio is a combination of should be mandated to all eligible
(females per 1,000 males) increased to increased life expectancy of couples, so that all abortions are
1020 women and improvement at sex audited and illegal abortions are
ratio at birth. prevented.
• Sex ratio at birth has improved from
919 in NFHS-4 to 929 in NFHS-5. • Improvement in sex ratio at birth
is a result of initiatives like “Beti
Bachao Beti Padhao” and
implementation of “PCPNDT act”.

WELFARE SCHEMES
person comes out of below poverty at some point of
time. But absence of continuous evaluation of
#Schemes #Social development schemes and their beneficiaries results in providing
benefits to unintended beneficiaries.
• Corruption and leakages: Corruption and leakages
Recently PM stressed on the need for efficient delivery of lead to inefficiency in scheme implementation and
welfare schemes and underlined that there should be no make it difficult for the intended beneficiaries to gain.
discrimination in distribution of welfare measures to the
• Emphasis on outputs rather than outcomes: Output
deserving beneficiaries irrespective of their caste, religion or
refers to direct and measurable product of program
other affiliations. Being a welfare state, Indian government
activities, often expressed in physical terms or units.
plays a key role in promoting economic and social wellbeing
Whereas Outcomes are the collective results or
of its citizens in general and vulnerable sections in
qualitative improvements brought about in the
particular.
delivery of these services. Ex. Construction of a school
LIMITATIONS OF WELFARE SCHEMES is the ‘output’, while increase in the literacy rate is the
• Identification of beneficiaries: (1) Welfare schemes ‘final outcome’ or ‘impact’.
often fail to target the intended beneficiaries due to • Lack of awareness and participation of beneficiaries:
several inclusion and exclusion error. Ex. in PDS, Demand driven and rights-based welfare schemes
there are prevalence of ghost BPL cards. Some States like PDS under NFSA or MGNREGA, can’t be
have issued more ration cards than the number of implemented efficiently without the awareness and
households, while some others have the problem of participation of beneficiaries. This lack of awareness
unidentified households. (2) Status of beneficiary is reduces the vulnerable sections to mere beneficiaries
dynamic. The aim of social protection is to ensure that rather than partners in the development process.

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Society and Social Justice

• Doesn’t address the structural issues: Some welfare • Social audit: Social auditing has been mandated for
schemes are supposed to be temporary in nature till implementation of schemes like MGNREGA to
the structural issues are resolved. But often populist increase transparency and people’s participation.
welfare schemes become an end in themselves. Meghalaya has passed a state level act for mandating
Example: MGNREGA was introduced to arrest distress Social Audit.
migration of rural people by assuring livelihood to • Involving Self Help Groups (SHGs): SHGs are roped in
them. However, MGNREGA scheme provides majorly to implement and monitor schemes like NRLM to
unskilled manual work, it would neither result in Skill increase transparency and awareness of the
development of rural labour nor provide sustainable beneficiaries about their entitlements.
employment opportunity to them.
• Introduction of Outcome-based budgeting: Outcome-
• Hinders capacity building: Unlimited welfare schemes based budgeting (OBB) is a method of budgeting that
may disincentivise the beneficiaries to improve their measures the progress of each department and
capabilities and make them reliant upon government ministry and what they have done with its allocated
benefits perpetually. budget. Outcome budgeting makes government
• Issues with scheme design: (1) There are too many programmes more result oriented, instead of outlay
small-small schemes which fail to make a tangible oriented.
impact on a large country like India. (2) Federal
competition and politicisation often paralyses
schemes, for example despite its great potential MEDICAL TERMINATION
Ayushman Bharat Scheme is not being implemented
by some states. (3) There is limited number of
OF PREGNANCY
schemes in urban areas and for people who often #Women Issues
migrate in search of livelihood.
STEPS TAKEN TO OVERCOME THESE LIMITATIONS
A debate on abortion rights of women arised when reports
• Better targeting of beneficiaries:
emerged indicating that Supreme Court of USA is in favour
o Socio-economic Caste Census (SECC) was of overturning abortion rights of women granted in Roe vs
conducted to replace the old below-poverty-line Wade judgement in 1973. In this context let us analyse the
(BPL) lists to identify the potential beneficiaries of existing legal framework for abortion in India.
government schemes better on clear objective
ABORTION LAWS IN INDIA
poverty criterion.
• Under Indian Penal Code, voluntarily causing a
o Aadhaar provided unique identity and useful
woman with child to miscarry is an offence attracting
in targeting the intended beneficiaries.
a jail term of up to three years or fine or both, unless
• Direct beneficiary transfers (DBT): DBTs are it was done in good faith where the purpose was to
introduced to ensure correct funds are transferred to save the life of the pregnant woman. Since this
correct beneficiaries, reducing corruption & leakages provision was highly restricting the reproductive
in system. Example: JAM trinity is used to provide LPG rights of women, a law was passed to give
subsidy exemptions from the above criminal provision.
• Use of technology in the implementation of welfare MEDICAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY, ACT (1971)
programmes. Example: GeoMGNREGA uses space
This act allowed voluntary termination of pregnancy
technology to develop a database of assets created
under following conditions:
under MGNREGS using technological interventions
like mobile based photo geo-tagging and a GIS based • Continuation of the pregnancy would involve a risk to

information system for online recording and the life of the pregnant woman or cause grave injury

monitoring. The entire data is in public domain and to her physical or mental health.

ensures transparency and public disclosure.

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Society and Social Justice

• Substantial risk that the child, if born, would be Time since Requirement for terminating
seriously handicapped due to physical or mental conception pregnancy
abnormalities.
MTP Act, MTP (Amendment)
• Pregnancy is caused by rape.
1971 Bill, 2020
• Pregnancy is due to failure of contraceptive in a
married woman. Advice of
Up to 12 weeks Advice of one doctor
one doctor
• Maximum time limit to terminate pregnancy – 20
weeks Advice of
12 to 20 weeks Advice of one doctor
Though the law granted abortion rights to some extent, two doctors
there were some issues with it and there was need for Two doctors for some
an amendment 20 to 24 weeks Not allowed categories of pregnant
women
NEED FOR AMENDMENT OF MTP ACT,1971
Medical Board in case
• Unsafe abortions: Rigid conditions and time-limit for More than 24
Not allowed of substantial foetal
termination of pregnancy legally forced many to weeks
abnormality
resort to illegal unsafe abortions. Example: According One doctor, if immediately
to a study published in Lancet Global Health, 15.6 Any time during
necessary to save pregnant woman's
million abortions occurred in India in 2015 of which the pregnancy
life
78% of these were outside health facilities.
• Equal rights to unmarried women: Replaces “any
• Time delay at judiciary: Those who wish to terminate
married woman” with “any woman” undergoing
pregnancy beyond the legal time limit had to seek
termination of pregnancies resulting from
court’s permission. This often leads to judiciary delay
contraception failures, thus destigmatising
and prevent women from terminating their
pregnancies outside marriage and accepting modern-
pregnancy at the right time.
day relationships.
• Technological advancements: Most of the foetal
• Reduces delay by setting up of medical boards: The
anomalies that are detected late and MTP Act, 1971,
amendment sets up state level Medical Boards to
had not kept pace with the changing times, needs and
decide if a pregnancy may be terminated after 24
advancements in medical science. With the
weeks in cases of substantial foetal abnormalities.
advancement of medical technology, there is a scope
to increase the upper limit for terminating • Confidentiality: Medical practitioners are barred from
pregnancies especially for vulnerable women, and in revealing the identity of women who wants to
cases of severe foetal abnormality. terminate pregnancies thus ensuring their right to
Privacy.
• Discriminatory to unmarried women: Lack of choice
for abortions to unmarried women due to failure of However, there is still a long way to ensure full
contraception. reproductive rights to pregnant women.

• Keeping in view of these challenges, an amendment LIMITATIONS OF MEDICAL TERMINATION OF

was made to the act in 2021 PREGNANCY (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2021

MTP AMENDMENT ACT, 2021 • Section 19 of the POCSO Act requires any person
aware of a minor engaging in sex to report the matter
• Increased legal time limit: Increases the time for
to the local police even if it was a consensual act as
abortion from 12 weeks to 20 weeks with the advice
the law pegs the age of consent at 18 years. Often,
of one registered medical practitioner (RMP) and
they are denied safe and legal termination of
allows abortion beyond 20 weeks for rape survivors
pregnancy due to dear of police harassment.
and beyond 24 weeks in case of substantial foetal
abnormalities thereby preventing illegal abortions • It does not cover victims of marital rape under the
beyond 20 weeks through quacks involving risk to category of rape survivors thereby limiting the right of

maternal health. women to terminate pregnancies.

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Society and Social Justice

• There is no change in the process for terminating • Lack of awareness among women related to abortion
pregnancies due to rape that have crossed the 24- laws in the country.
week limit and the only recourse left is to get For achieving safe and legal abortions under MTP act,
permission from SC/HC through writ petition. the government must increase the institutional abortion
• Lack of government healthcare clinics or medical facilities in remote areas and generate awareness
professionals in remote areas leads to the prevalence among women about their reproductive rights through
of illegal abortion facilities thereby defeating the ASHA and ANMs.
purpose of the MTP Act.

Snippets for Prelims

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT compared to the last achievement survey conducted
in 2017. This shows that the pandemic had affected
SURVEY (NAS) 2021 teaching and learning.
• The report assesses the health of school education
system in the country by conducting comprehensive
evaluation survey of children’s learning competencies
INDIA HYPERTENSION
at classes III, V, VIII and X with a cycle period of three CONTROL INITIATIVE
years. The last NAS was held in 2017. • Recognising that hypertension is a serious, and
• The National Council of Educational Research and growing, health issue in India, the Ministry of Health
Training (NCERT) has developed the Assessment and Family Welfare, Indian Council of Medical
Framework for gauging the competencies attained by Research, State Governments, and WHO-India began
the student’s vis-a-vis learning outcomes. a five-year initiative to monitor and treat
hypertension.
• This national level survey would be conducted by the
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) as • India has committed to a "25 by 25" goal, which aims
Assessment Administrator for Grade 3, 5, 8 and 10 to reduce premature mortality due to non-
students at State Govt. schools, Govt. Aided schools, communicable diseases (NCDs) by 25% by 2025. One
Private Unaided recognized schools and Central of the targets includes reducing the prevalence of
Government schools. high blood pressure by 25% by 2025.

• The report has registered a dip in performances

across subjects and grades at the national level as

practice questions
MCQs
Q1. Which of the following are the safeguards 2. All linguistic minorities shall have the right to
provided to linguistic minorities in the establish and administer educational institutions
constitution? of their choice.
1. No citizen shall be denied admission into any Select the correct answer using the code given below:
educational institution on linguistic grounds (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) neither 1 nor 2

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Society and Social Justice

Q2. Consider the following statements about Q4. Which of the following statements is/are
National achievement survey 2021: correct regarding Medical termination of
1. It covers Government Schools, Government Aided pregnancy Amendment act (2021)?
Schools and Private Unaided Schools. 1. It increased the time period for abortion from 12
2. The report has registered a hike in performances weeks to 20 weeks with the advice of one
across subjects and grades at the national level as registered doctor
compared to the last achievement survey 2. It allowed abortion beyond 24 weeks in case of
conducted in 2017. foetal abnormalities
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 3. It mandated setting up of medical boards at state
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only level
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 2 only (b) 1 and 3 only
Q3. Which of the following statements are correct (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
about India hypertension control initiative?
1. It is a joint initiative of WHO and ICMR Q5. Consider the following statements:
2. India committed to reduce the prevalence of high 1. Fortification results in change in the taste and
blood pressure by 25% by 2025. texture of the food
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 2. FSSAI prescribes the standards for food
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only fortification in India
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Descriptive Question
Q1. Fortification of food should be seen as a ‘complementary strategy’ rather than a replacement of balanced,

diversified diets to address malnutrition. Discuss

Q2. “Official language should be equidistant to all in a multilingual society” comment.

Answers: 1-b, 2-a, 3-c, 4-d, 5-b

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Geography, Environment,
Biodiversity & Disaster
Management
# GS Paper (Prelims) and GS Paper I & III (Main)

LANDSLIDES
• Creep: Slow, steady downslope movement of soil or
rock.
#Disaster Management • Debris flow: Rapid mass movement in which loose
soils, rocks, and organic matter combine with water to
form slurry that then flows down slope. Usually
The monsoons bring destruction to Assam like a clockwork associated with steep gullies.
almost every year. However, this year, while the monsoons
• Mudflow: Rapidly flowing mass of wet material that
are yet to arrive, the state has already been beset by floods
contains at least 50 percent sand-, silt-, and clay-sized
and landslides that have left 15 people dead and more than
particles
7 lakhs affected. The hill district of Dima Hasao has been
• Flows: General term including many types of mass
ravaged by flash floods and landslides, with connectivity to
movement, such as creep, debris flow, mudflow etc.
the rest of the state snapped.
CAUSES OF LANDSLIDES
ABOUT LANDSLIDES
• Geological Causes: Weak, sensitive and weathered
Landslide is rapid movement of rock, soil and vegetation
material, sensitive material, presence of ioints and
down the slope under the influence of gravity. These
fissures, variation in physical properties such as
materials may move downwards by falling, toppling,
permeability.
sliding, spreading or flowing. Such movements may
• Morphological Causes: Tectonic or volcanic uplift,
occur gradually, but sudden sliding can also occur
erosion due to wind and water, higher deposition of
without warning. They often take place in conjunction
load on the slope or its crest, removal of vegetation.
with earthquakes, floods and volcanic eruptions. The
extent and intensity of landslide depends upon number • Physical Causes: Intense rainfall, earthquake/volcanic
of factors: Steepness of the slope, amount of vegetation eruption, rapid snow melt/freeze.
cover, tectonic activity, bedding plane of the rocks etc. • Human Causes: Excavation of the slope or its toe,
TYPES OF LANDSLIDES deposition of load on the slope, drawdown of
reservoir, deforestation, mining, irrigation and
• Falls: Abrupt movements of materials that become
artificial vibration.
detached from steep slopes or cliffs, moving by free-
LANDSLIDE PRONE AREAS IN INDIA
fall, bouncing, and rolling.

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Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management

As per Geological Survey of India (GSI), about 0.42 million IMPACT OF LANDSLIDES
sq.km covering nearly 12.6% of land area of our country • Short run:
is prone to landslide hazards. The major landslide prone
o Loss and damage to property, loss of lives,
areas in India include
destruction to agricultural crops, damages to
1. Western Ghats and Konkan Hills (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, vegetation, obstruction of vehicular movement
Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra) leading to traffic jam, temporary loss of livelihood
2. Eastern Ghats (Araku region in Andhra Pradesh) for the poor people etc.
3. North-East Himalayas (Darjeeling and Sikkim) • Long-run:
4. North-West Himalayas (Uttarakhand, Himachal o Increase in the sediment load of the river which can
Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir). lead to floods.
o Reduce the effective life of hydroelectric and
multipurpose projects by adding an enormous
amount of silt load to the reservoirs.
o Loss of cultivable land.
o Environmental impact in terms of erosion and soil
loss.
o Demographic Impact in terms of relocation of
Population towards other areas.
o Frequent disruption of transportation networks
leads to geographical isolation and hence
perpetuates under-development.
NDMA GUIDELINES FOR LANDSLIDE DISASTER
MANAGEMENT
• Landslide Hazard, Vulnerability and Risk Assessment:
This includes delineating areas susceptible to
landslide hazards in different areas and to assess the
resources at risk.
• Early Warning Systems for Landslides: This includes
the continuous monitoring of movements,
development of stresses and the transmission of this
Himalayan Mountain ranges and hilly tracts of the North- data at regular time intervals.
Eastern region are highly susceptible to slope instability • Investigations for Landslide Risk Assessment: Multi-
due to the immature and rugged topography, fragile rock disciplinary investigations of landslide risk assessment
conditions, high seismicity resulting from proximity to leading to formulation of Standards to mitigate impact
the plate margins and high rainfall. Extensive of landslides.
anthropogenic interference, as part of developmental
• Landslide Risk Mitigation and Remediation:
activities, is another significant factor.
o Restricting development in landslide prone areas
Similarly, Western Ghats, though located in a relatively
through land use planning.
stable domain, experiences landslides due to number of
factors- steep hill slopes, high intensity rainfall and o Laying down standards to be followed for
anthropogenic activities. The Nilgiris hills located at the excavation and construction.
convergence zone of the Eastern Ghats and the Western o Protecting existing developments through
Ghats experiences several landslides due to high restraining walls and rock anchors.
intensity and protracted rainfall. o Slope Stabilisation measures: Generally, include
works involving modification of the natural

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landslide conditions such as topography, geology, to 20%, from 2030 to 2025. The policy of introducing 20%
ground water, and other conditions that indirectly ethanol is expected to take effect from April 1, 2023.
control portions of the entire landslide movement. National Policy on Biofuels was notified by Ministry of
These include drainage improvement works, Petroleum and Natural Gas in 2018 in supersession of
soil/debris removal works etc. National Policy on Biofuels, promulgated through the
• Landslide Insurance and Compensation for Losses Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, in 2009.

• Regulation and Enforcement: The state AMENDMENTS APPROVED TO THE NATIONAL POLICY
governments/SDMAs will adopt the model techno- ON BIOFUELS
legal framework for ensuring compliance with land i. To allow more feedstocks for production of biofuels.
use zoning and landslide safety issues in all ii. To advance the ethanol blending target of 20%
development activities and plans. blending of ethanol in petrol to ESY 2025-26 from
• Awareness and Preparedness: Comprehensive 2030.
awareness campaigns targeting different groups of iii. To promote the production of biofuels in the country,
people living in landslide prone areas should be under the Make in India program, by units located in
carried out systematically Special Economic Zones (SEZ)/ Export Oriented Units
• Capacity Development (Including Education, Training (EoUs),
and Documentation): iv. To add new members to the NBCC.
o Introduction of curriculum related to Disaster v. To grant permission for export of biofuels in specific
Management, including Landslides in the Schools cases, and
o Training of the Administrators to plan, respond and vi. To delete/amend certain phrases in the Policy in line
mitigate the impact of Landslides with decisions taken during the meetings of National
o Technical institutes located in vulnerable areas Biofuel Coordination Committee.
should develop adequate technical expertise on the This proposal will also attract and foster developments of
various subjects related to landslide management. indigenous technologies which will pave the way for
• Immediate Response: Put in place Standard Operating Make in India drive and thereby generate more
Procedure (SoP) which should ensure coordinated and employment.
sustained action from various agencies in the The amendment proposal will pave the way for Make in
aftermath of landslides India drive thereby leading to reduction in import of
• Research and Development: Government should petroleum products by generation of more and more
encourage, promote, and support R&D activities to biofuels. Since many more feedstocks are being allowed
address current challenges, offer solutions, and for production of biofuels, this will promote the
develop new investigation techniques, with the Atmanirbhar Bharat and give an impetus to the vision of
application of the latest developments in remote India becoming 'energy independent' by 2047.
sensing, communications, and instrumentation Globally, biofuels have caught the attention in last
technologies. decade and it is imperative to keep up with the pace of
developments in the field of biofuels. Biofuels in India
are of strategic importance as it augers well with the
INDIA’S ETHANOL ongoing initiatives of the Government such as Make in
India, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Skill Development and
BLENDING POLICY offers great opportunity to integrate with the ambitious
#Renewable energy targets of doubling of Farmers Income, Import
Reduction, Employment Generation, Waste to Wealth
Creation. Biofuels programme in India has been largely
Union Cabinet has approved amendments to the National impacted due to the sustained and quantum non-
Policy on Biofuels, 2018, to advance the date by which fuel availability of domestic feedstock for biofuel production
companies must increase the percentage of ethanol in petrol which needs to be addressed.

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ethanol supply year 2017-18 is likely to see a supply of

India has been working for two decades to create an around 150 crore litres of ethanol which will result in
ecosystem that will allow more ethanol to be blended savings of over Rs.4000 crore of forex.
into gasoline for use in automobiles, notably two and • Cleaner Environment: One crore litre of E-10 saves
four wheelers. According to government statistics, two- around 20,000 ton of CO2 emissions. For the ethanol
wheelers make up 75% of India's 220 million vehicles, supply year 2017-18, there will be lesser emissions of
while four-wheelers make up 12%. Ethanol, often known CO2 to the tune of 30 lakh ton. By reducing crop
as ethyl alcohol, is a hydrocarbon that can generate heat burning & conversion of agricultural residues/wastes
and power engines when burned. to biofuels there will be further reduction in Green
SALIENT FEATURES OF NATIONAL POLICY ON House Gas emissions.
BIOFUELS • Health benefits: Prolonged reuse of Cooking Oil for
1. The Policy categorises biofuels as "Basic Biofuels" viz. preparing food, particularly in deep-frying is a
First Generation (1G) bioethanol & biodiesel and potential health hazard and can lead to many
"Advanced Biofuels" - Second Generation (2G) ethanol, diseases. Used Cooking Oil is a potential feedstock for
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) to drop-in fuels, Third biodiesel and its use for making biodiesel will prevent
Generation (3G) biofuels, bio-CNG etc. to enable diversion of used cooking oil in the food industry.
extension of appropriate financial and fiscal incentives • MSW Management: It is estimated that, annually 62
under each category. MMT of Municipal Solid Waste gets generated in India.
2. The Policy expands the scope of raw material for There are technologies available which can convert
ethanol production by allowing use of Sugarcane Juice, waste/plastic, MSW to drop in fuels. One ton of such
Sugar containing materials like Sugar Beet, Sweet waste has the potential to provide around 20% of
Sorghum, Starch containing materials like Corn, drop in fuels.
Cassava, Damaged food grains like wheat, broken rice, • Infrastructural Investment in Rural Areas: It is
Rotten Potatoes, unfit for human consumption for estimated that, one 100klpd bio refinery will require
ethanol production. around Rs.800 crore capital investment. At present Oil
3. Farmers are at a risk of not getting appropriate price Marketing Companies are in the process of setting up
for their produce during the surplus production twelve 2G bio refineries with an investment of around
phase. Taking this into account, the Policy allows use Rs.10,000 crore. Further addition of 2G bio refineries
of surplus food grains for production of ethanol for across the Country will spur infrastructural investment
blending with petrol with the approval of National in the rural areas.
Biofuel Coordination Committee. • Employment Generation: One 100klpd 2G bio refinery
4. With a thrust on Advanced Biofuels, the Policy can contribute 1200 jobs in Plant Operations, Village
indicates a viability gap funding scheme for 2G Level Entrepreneurs and Supply Chain Management.
ethanol Bio refineries of Rs.5000 crore in 6 years in • Additional Income to Farmers: By adopting 2G
addition to additional tax incentives, higher purchase technologies, agricultural residues/waste which
price as compared to 1G biofuels. otherwise are burnt by the farmers can be converted
5. The Policy encourages setting up of supply chain to ethanol and can fetch a price for this waste if a
mechanisms for biodiesel production from non-edible market is developed for the same. Also, farmers are at
oilseeds, Used Cooking Oil, short gestation crops. a risk of not getting appropriate price for their
produce during the surplus production phase. Thus,
6. Roles and responsibilities of all the concerned
conversion of surplus grains and agricultural biomass
Ministries/Departments with respect to biofuels has
can help in price stabilization.
been captured in the Policy document to synergise
efforts. FLEXIBLE-FUEL VEHICLE
EXPECTED BENEFITS A flexible-fuel vehicle (FFV) or dual-fuel vehicle
• Reduce Import Dependency: One crore litre of E10 (colloquially called a flex-fuel vehicle) is an alternative
saves Rs.28 crore of forex at current rates. The fuel vehicle with an internal combustion engine designed

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to run on more than one fuel, usually gasoline blended • Transport of ethanol to different places for blending
with either ethanol or methanol fuel, and both fuels are will increase the cost of logistics and transport related
stored in the same common tank. emissions.
Modern flex-fuel engines can burn any proportion of the On the other hand, the gains are potentially significant as
resulting blend in the combustion chamber as fuel ethanol can be sourced from sugarcane, molasses,
injection and spark timing are adjusted automatically maize, which given India’s agricultural base, can
according to the actual blend detected by a fuel substantially reduce India’s dependence on petroleum.
composition sensor. The blending percentage of ethanol with petrol has gone
Flex-fuel vehicles are distinguished from bi-fuel vehicles, up from 1.53% in 2013-14 to 8.5% in 2020-21.
where two fuels are stored in separate tanks and the WAY FORWARD
engine runs on one fuel at a time, for example, • To make greater ethanol blends more acceptable in
compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas the country, the retail price of such fuels should be
(LPG), or hydrogen. lower than regular gasoline to compensate for the
ISSUES WITH ETHANOL BLENDING lower calorific value.
• To fulfil the targets, it is necessary to investigate the
• It takes much more ethanol to power a vehicle’s
potential of using other grains to augment sugar in
engine than petrol.
ethanol production.
• Leaves residual by-products that can corrode and
• Globally, vehicles compliant with higher ethanol
damage the vehicle, which is why, while vehicles can
blends are provided with tax benefits.
be run on ethanol, they need to be tuned accordingly
• Technology for production of ethanol from non-food
so that they don’t compromise on efficiency and
feedstock should be promoted to tap abundantly
usability. available resource without causing any trade-off with
• Use of E20 will require Modification of vehicles hance the food production system.
the Cost of E20 compatible vehicles is expected to be • OMCs need to set up ethanol distillation facilities and
higher above the cost of conventional vehicles. need to provide timelines for making blended fuel
• Water Footprint: Sugarcane, a water intensive crop, available across the country.

continues to be the most lucrative food crop for • Experts point out that many sugar mills which are best
ethanol. placed to produce bioethanol do not have the
financial stability to invest in biofuel plants.
• Lack of Ethanol production facilities and capacity to
fulfil target.
• Prices of ethanol produced in India are higher in WMO STATE OF GLOBAL
comparison to global players since cost of raw
materials like sugarcane and food grains are fixed by CLIMATE REPORT 2021
the government to support the farming community.
• Restrictions on inter-state movement of ethanol due Four key climate change indicators – greenhouse gas
to non-implementation of the amended provisions of concentrations, sea-level rise, ocean heat and ocean
Industries (Development & Regulation) Act, 1951 by all acidification – set new records in 2021. According to the
the States. World Meteorological Organization (WMO), this is yet
another clear sign that human activities are causing
• Non-Availability of ethanol across the country: Ethanol
planetary-scale changes in the land, ocean, and the
is not produced or available in some states for atmosphere, with harmful and long-lasting ramifications for
blending and about 50% of total pump nozzles in India sustainable development and ecosystems.
are supplying only E0. For ex. Blending has not been Extreme weather – the day-to-day “face” of climate
taken up in North-East states due to non-availability of change – led to hundreds of billions of dollars in
feedstock or industries. economic losses, wreaked a heavy toll on human lives

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and well-being, and triggered shocks for food and water confidence that open ocean surface pH is now the
security and displacement that have accentuated in lowest it has been for at least 26,000 years and
2022. current rates of pH change are unprecedented since
The WMO State of the Global Climate in 2021 report at least that time.
confirmed that the past seven years have been the • Global mean sea level reached a new record high in
warmest seven years on record. 2021 was “only” one of 2021 after increasing at an average of 4.5 mm per
the seven warmest because of a La Niña event at the year from 2013 to 2021. This is more than double the
start and end of the year. This had a temporary cooling rate between 1993 and 2002 and is mainly due to the
effect but did not reverse the overall trend of rising accelerated loss of ice mass from the ice sheets. This
temperatures. The average global temperature in 2021 has significant implications for hundreds of millions of
was about 1.11 (± 0.13) °C above the pre-industrial level. coastal dwellers and increases vulnerability to tropical
State of Global Climate Report of WMO is prepared by cyclones.
collating data from the 6 large data sets on the health of
planet.
KEY MESSAGES
• Greenhouse gas concentrations reached a new global
high in 2020 when the concentration of carbon
dioxide (CO2) reached 413.2 parts per million (ppm)
globally or 149% of the pre-industrial level. Data from
specific locations indicate that they continued to
increase in 2021 and early 2022, with monthly average
CO2 at Mona Loa in Hawaii reaching 416.45 ppm in
April 2020, 419.05 ppm in April 2021, and 420.23 ppm
in April 2022.
• Global annual mean temperature in 2021 was around • Cryosphere: Although the glaciological year 2020-2021
1.11 ±0.13 °C above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial saw less melting than in recent years, there is a clear
average, less warm than some recent years owing to trend towards an acceleration of mass loss on multi-
cooling La Niña conditions at the start and end of the decadal timescales. On average, the world’s reference
year. The most recent seven years, 2015 to 2021, are glaciers have thinned by 33.5 meters (ice-equivalent)
the seven warmest years on record. since 1950, with 76% of this thinning since 1980. 2021
• Ocean heat was a record high. The upper 2000m was a particularly punishing year for glaciers in
depth of the ocean continued to warm in 2021, and it Canada and the US Northwest, with record ice mass
is expected that it will continue to warm in the future – loss due to heatwaves and fires in June and
a change which is irreversible on centennial to July. Greenland experienced an exceptional mid-
millennial time scales. All data sets agree that ocean August melt event and the first-ever recorded rainfall
warming rates show a particularly strong increase in at Summit Station, the highest point on the ice sheet
the past two decades. The warmth is penetrating to at an altitude of 3 216 m.
ever deeper levels. Much of the ocean experienced at • Exceptional heatwaves broke records across western
least one ‘strong’ marine heatwave in 2021. North America and the Mediterranean. Death Valley,
• Ocean acidification: Ocean absorbs around 23% of the California, reached 54.4 °C on 9 July, equalling a
annual emissions of anthropogenic CO2 to the similar 2020 value as the highest recorded in the
atmosphere. This reacts with seawater and leads to world since at least the 1930s, and Syracuse in Sicily
ocean acidification, which threatens organisms and reached 48.8 °C. The Canadian province of British
ecosystem services, food security, tourism and coastal Columbia reached 49.6°C on 29 June, which
protection. As the pH of the ocean decreases, its contributed to more than 500 reported heat-related
capacity to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere also deaths and fuelled devastating wildfires, which, in
declines. The IPCC concluded that “there is very high turn, worsened the impacts of flooding in November.

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• Flooding induced economic losses of US$17.7 billion in ecosystems are degrading at an unprecedented rate.
Henan province of China, and Western Europe For example, mountain ecosystems – the world's
experienced some of its most severe flooding on water towers – are profoundly affected. Rising
record in mid-July, associated with economic losses in temperatures heighten the risk of irreversible loss of
Germany exceeding US$20 billion. There was a heavy marine and coastal ecosystems, including seagrass
loss of life. meadows and kelp forests. Coral reefs are especially
• Drought affected many parts of the world, including vulnerable to climate change. They are projected to
the Horn of Africa, Canada, the western United States, lose between 70 and 90% of their former coverage
Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey. Drought area at 1.5 °C of warming and over 99% at 2°C.
caused significant agricultural losses in subtropical Between 20 and 90% of current coastal wetlands are
South America and disrupted energy production and at risk of being lost by the end of this century,
river transport. The drought in the Horn of Africa has depending on how fast sea levels rise. This will further
intensified so far in 2022. Eastern Africa is facing the compromise food provision, tourism, and coastal
genuine prospect that the rains will fail for a fourth protection, among other ecosystem services.
consecutive season, placing Ethiopia, Kenya and ABOUT WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION
Somalis into a drought of a length not experienced in As a specialized agency of the United Nations, WMO is
the last 40 years. Humanitarian agencies are warning dedicated to international cooperation and coordination
of devastating impacts on people and livelihoods in on the state and behaviour of the Earth’s atmosphere, its
the region. interaction with the land and oceans, the weather and
• Hurricane Ida was the most significant of the North climate it produces, and the resulting distribution of
Atlantic season, making landfall in Louisiana on 29 water resources.
August, with economic losses in the United States National Meteorological and Hydrological Services work
estimated at US$75 billion. around the clock to monitor Earth Systems and provide
• Ozone hole over the Antarctic was unusually large and vital weather and climate information worldwide. Their
2
deep, reaching its maximum area of 24.8 million km early and reliable warnings of severe weather and
(the size of Africa) due to a strong and stable polar fluctuations in air quality as well as of climate variability
vortex and colder than average conditions in the lower and change allow decision-makers, communities and
stratosphere. individuals to be better prepared for weather and
• Food security: The compounded effects of conflict, climate events. Their warnings help save life and
extreme weather events and economic shocks, further property, protect resources and the environment and
exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, undermined support socio-economic growth. WMO supports National
decades of progress towards improving food security Meteorological and Hydrological Services with this work
globally. Worsening humanitarian crises in 2021 have and in meeting their international commitments in the
also led to a growing number of countries at risk of areas of disaster risk reduction, climate change
famine. Of the total number of undernourished mitigation and adaptation, and sustainable development.
people in 2020, more than half live in Asia (418 WMO FACILITATES AND PROMOTES
million) and a third in Africa (282 million). • Establishment of an integrated Earth System
• Displacement: Hydrometeorological hazards continu- observation network to provide weather, climate and
ed to contribute to internal displacement. The water-related data.
countries with the highest numbers of displacements • Establishment and maintenance of data management
recorded as of October 2021 were China (more than centres and telecommunication systems for the
1.4 million), the Philippines (more than 386 000) and provision and rapid exchange of weather, climate and
Viet Nam (more than 664 000). water-related data.
• Ecosystems Including terrestrial, freshwater, coastal • Creation of standards for observation and monitoring
and marine ecosystems – and the services they to ensure adequate uniformity in the practices and
provide are affected by the changing climate, and procedures employed worldwide and, thereby,
some are more vulnerable than others. Some ascertain the homogeneity of data and statistics.

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• Provision of weather, climate and water-related • Through its decisions adopted by UNCCD’s 197
services through the application of science and Parties, COP15 is expected to galvanize sustainable
technology in operational meteorology and hydrology solutions for land restoration and drought resilience,
to reduce disaster risks and contribute to climate with a strong focus on future-proofing land use.
change adaptation, as well as for sectors such as LAND DEGRADATION
transport (aviation, maritime and land-based), water
• Land degradation is a process in which the value of
resource management, agriculture, health, energy and
the biophysical environment is affected by a
other areas.
combination of human-induced processes acting upon
• Activities in operational hydrology as well as closer the land.
cooperation between National Meteorological and
• It is viewed as any change or disturbance to the land
Hydrological Services in states and territories where
perceived to be deleterious or undesirable.
they are separate.
• Natural hazards are excluded as a cause; however
• Coordination of research and training in meteorology
human activities can indirectly affect phenomena such
and related fields.
as floods and bush fires.
• Land degradation has severe consequences for

COP15 OF THE UNCCD agricultural productivity, the environment, and its

effects on food security.
#UNCCD • It is estimated that up to 40% of the world's
agricultural land is seriously degraded.
IMPACT OF LAND DEGRADATION:
The 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) of the United
Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), • A temporary or permanent decline in the productive
concluded in May 2022 in Abidjan with a global pledge to capacity of the land: This can be seen through a loss of
boost drought resilience and invest in land restoration for biomass, a loss of actual productivity or in potential
future prosperity. productivity, or a loss or change in vegetative cover
and soil nutrients.
ABOUT COP 15 OF UNCCD
• Loss of biodiversity: A loss of range of species or
• The COP15 theme, ‘Land. Life. Legacy: From scarcity
ecosystem complexity as a decline in the
to prosperity', is a call to action to ensure land, the
environmental quality.
lifeline on this planet, continues to benefit present
and future generations. • Shifting ecological risk: increased vulnerability of the
environment or people to destruction or crisis. This is
• COP15 will bring together leaders from governments,
measured through a base line in the form of pre-
the private sector, civil society and other key
existing risk of crisis or destruction.
stakeholders from around the world to drive progress
in the future sustainable management of one of our CAUSES OF LAND DEGRADATION
most precious commodities: land. Land clearance, such as Agricultural depletion of
• Land is the bedrock of a healthy, productive society, clearcutting and soil nutrients through
and COP15 will explore links between land and other deforestation poor farming practices
key sustainability issues.
Livestock including Urban sprawl and
• COP 15 is a key moment in the fight against overgrazing and over commercial
desertification, land degradation and drought. It will drafting development
build on the findings of the second edition of the
Vehicle off-roading
Global Land Outlook and offer a concrete response to
the interconnected challenges of land degradation, Invasive Species Quarrying of stone,
climate change and biodiversity loss as we step into sand, ore and minerals
the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
Soil degradation, Soil Exposure of naked soil

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contamination, Soil after harvesting by where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and
acidification, Soil erosion heavy equipment peoples can be found.

Significant land Increase in field size due • The Convention’s 197 parties work together to
degradation from to economies of scale, improve the living conditions for people in drylands, to
seawater inundation, reducing shelter for maintain and restore land and soil productivity, and to
particularly in river deltas wildlife. mitigate the effects of drought.
and on low-lying islands, is • UNCCD is particularly committed to a bottom-up
a potential hazard that approach, encouraging the participation of local
was identified in a 2007 people in combating desertification and land
IPCC report degradation.
• UNCCD secretariat facilitates cooperation between
Loss of soil carbon
developed and developing countries, particularly
Dumping of non- Monoculture, around knowledge and technology transfer for
biodegradable trash, such destabilizing the local sustainable land management.
as plastics ecosystem
• As the dynamics of land, climate and biodiversity are
Inappropriate irrigation intimately connected, the UNCCD collaborates closely
and over drafting with the other two Rio Conventions; the Convention
on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),
SENSITIVITY AND RESILIENCE to meet these complex challenges with an integrated
• Sensitivity and resilience are measures of the approach and the best possible use of natural
vulnerability of a landscape to degradation. These resources.
two factors combine to explain the degree of LAND DEGRADATION NEUTRALITY (LDN) FUND
vulnerability. • LDN fund is a first-of-its-kind investment vehicle
• Sensitivity is the degree to which a land system leveraging public money to raise private capital for
undergoes change due to natural forces, human sustainable land management and landscape
intervention or a combination of both. Resilience is restoration activities worldwide.
the ability of a landscape to absorb change, without • Land Degradation Neutrality Fund (LDN Fund) was
significantly altering the relationship between the launched at the 13th Conference of the Parties
relative importance and numbers of individuals (COP13) to the United Nations Convention to Combat
and species that compose the community. It also Desertification (UNCCD) in Ordos, China.
refers to the ability of the region to return to its
• It will be independent from the UN and will be
original state after being changed in some way.
managed by a private sector investment management
• Resilience of a landscape can be increased or firm.
decreased through human interaction based upon
• It will invest in bankable projects on land rehabilitation
different methods of land-use management. Land
and sustainable land management worldwide,
that is degraded becomes less resilient than
including
undegraded land, which can lead to even further
o Sustainable agriculture, sustainable livestock
degradation through shocks to the landscape.
management,
ABOUT UNCCD
o Agro-forestry, sustainable forestry,
• Established in 1994, United Nations Convention to
o Renewable energy, infrastructure development,
Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the sole legally
and eco-tourism.
binding international agreement linking environment
ABOUT LDN
and development to sustainable land management.
It is a state whereby the amount and quality of land
• The Convention addresses specifically the arid, semi-
resources, necessary to support ecosystem functions,
arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as the drylands,

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services and enhance food security, remains stable or • Impact of drought is not uniform across genders.
increases within specified temporal and spatial scales Research shows that women and girls in emerging
and ecosystems. and developing countries suffer more in terms of
education levels, nutrition, health, sanitation, and
safety because of droughts. Burden of water collection
DROUGHT IN NUMBERS also disproportionately falls on women (72 per cent)
and girls (9 per cent). The report notes that they may
REPORT spend up to 40 per cent of their caloric intake fetching
water.
#Drought #Disasters
• In 2022, over 2.3 billion people are facing water stress.
Almost 160 million children are exposed to severe and
More than a billion people around the world were affected prolonged droughts.
by drought in 2000-19, making it the second-worst disaster ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS
after flooding. Findings on impact of droughts was released
• If predictions are correct and global warming reaches
in the report Drought in Numbers, 2022 presented at
3° C by 2100, drought losses could be five times
UNCCD.
higher than today’s levels. The largest increase in
SALIENT FINDINGS drought losses is projected in Mediterranean and
• A United Nations report has revealed that many parts Atlantic regions of Europe.
of India fall under the list of regions that are • Australia’s megadrought in 2019-2020 contributed to
vulnerable to drought globally. The report also stated “megafires” resulting in one of the most extensive
that India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reduced by losses of habitat for threatened species. About three
2 to 5 per cent between 1998 and 2017 due to severe billion animals were killed or displaced in the
droughts in the country. Globally, droughts in the Australian wildfires. On a related note, 84 per cent of
same period caused economic losses of all terrestrial ecosystems are threatened by changing
approximately $124 billion. and intensifying wildfires.
• The Drought in Numbers report is a collection of data • According to a 2017 report by the Food and
on the effects of droughts on our ecosystem and how Agriculture Organisation, the percentage of plants
they can be mitigated through efficient planning for affected by drought has more than doubled in the last
the future. The report also helps inform negotiations 40 years. Around 12 million hectares of land are lost
surrounding key decisions by the UNCCD’s 197 each year due to drought and desertification.
member parties at the 15th Conference of Parties
(COP15), currently underway in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
• The number and duration of droughts around the RISING MEAN SEA LEVEL
world has increased by an alarming 29% since 2000.
#Climate Change
HUMAN IMPACT
• More than a billion people around the world were
affected by drought in 2000-19, making it the second- Sea levels along almost the entire Indian coast are rising
worst disaster after flooding. faster than the global average, according to the World
• World Health Organisation has noted that Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) State of the Global
approximately 55 million people globally are directly Climate in 2021 report. Globally, the rate of sea-level rise
affected by droughts annually, making it the most was 4.5 millimetre per year between 2013 and 2021. This
serious hazards to livestock and crops in almost every was more than twice the rate between 1993 and 2002.
part of the world. ABOUT SEA LEVEL RISE
• Africa was the worst hit, with 134 droughts, of which The major reason for the increase in sea levels is the
70 occurred in East Africa. accelerated loss of ice from the ice sheets in the Arctic
and Antarctic regions. The increase happened despite

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the La Nina phenomenon being prevalent during the due in part to climate change, particularly sea level
beginning and the end of 2021. rise and higher numbers of extreme weather events.
Climate change is affecting social, economic, and • Restoring and conserving coastal ecosystems and
environmental systems along Indian coast. Ongoing adopting natural and nature-based infrastructure
global sea level rise—a result of warming oceans and solutions can enhance community and ecosystem
melting land ice—is increasing the exposure of natural resilience to climate change.
ecosystems and the built environment to high-tide • As the pace and extent of coastal flooding and erosion
flooding, storm surge, and coastal erosion. accelerate, the impacts of climate change exacerbate
• Coastal properties and infrastructure and the existing social inequities. Many communities face
economies they support—face increasing hazards difficult questions about determining who will pay for
from ongoing sea level rise. current impacts and future adaptation and mitigation
• Over time, chronic high tide flooding will result in strategies. Some communities must decide if, how, or
substantial costs to property owners; if emissions when to relocate.
continue increasing, this flooding could transform
whole communities.
• Preparing to respond to more frequent, widespread,
and severe coastal flooding can decrease direct losses
and cascading economic impacts.
• Healthy coastal ecosystems support fisheries, tourism,
human health, and public safety. Many of these
ecosystems are being transformed, degraded, or lost

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2022 STATE OF WORLD’S

increasing human-wildlife interactions, infectious
diseases can easily spread to humans.

FORESTS REPORT ZOONOTIC DISEASES

• A zoonosis is an infectious disease that can be
#Forestry transmitted naturally from a non-human animal to
humans.

State of the World’s Forests” (SOFO) is the flagship • Zoonotic diseases are caused by harmful germs like
publication of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi.
United Nations (FAO), published every two years. FAO is a • Examples of Zoonotic diseases include anthrax (from
specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that leads sheep) rabies (from rodents and other mammals)
international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition West Nile virus (from birds).
and food security. SUGGESTIONS IN THE REPORT
State of the World’s Forests (SOFO) report presents an The report suggested three interrelated pathways to
analysis of the interaction between forests and people, achieve green recovery and tackle environmental crises:
with a focus on a specific pertinent topic. It explains the
1. Halting deforestation and maintaining forests
importance of forests to the global economy and
2. Restoring degraded lands and expanding agroforestry
biodiversity. The report is regarded as one of the most
important stocktakes on forest ecosystems. 3. Sustainably using forests and building green value
chains.
MAJOR OBSERVATIONS:
• The world has lost 420 million hectares (mha), ABOUT GLASGOW LEADERS’ DECLARATION ON
approximately 10.34% of its total forest area in the FORESTS AND LAND USE
last 30 years (between 1990 and 2020) due to • It is the declaration pledged by more than 140
deforestation. countries to eliminate forest loss by 2030 and to
• Though the rate of deforestation was declining, 10 support restoration and sustainable forestry. To this
mha of forests were lost every year between 2015 and end, an additional $19 billion has been allocated to
2020. This poses severe risks for the 68% of mammal help developing countries achieve these objectives.
species, 75% of bird species, and 80% of amphibian
species that inhabit forests.
AGROFORESTRY
• Forest biodiversity remains under threat from
deforestation and forest degradation. Forests cover #Forestry
4.06 billion ha (31%) of the earth’s geographical area.
DEFORESTATION AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Agroforestry is an intentional integration of trees on
• The report stated that 30% of new diseases, reported
farmland. Globally, it is practised by 1.2 billion people on 10
since 1960, can be attributed to deforestation and
per cent area of total agricultural lands (over 1 billion
land-use change.
hectares). It is widely popular as ‘a low hanging fruit’ due to
• Deforestation, particularly in the tropics, has been its multifarious tangible and intangible benefits. A panacea
associated with an increase in infectious diseases such for global issues such as climate change, land degradation,
as dengue fever and malaria. pollution and food security, agroforestry is highlighted as a
• More responsible land-use planning to address the key strategy to fulfil several targets:
“underlying drivers of disease emergence.” • Kyoto Protocol of 2001
ON INDIA AND CHINA • Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest
India and China could emerge as the biggest hotspots for Degradation (REDD) as well as REDD+ mechanisms
new zoonotic viral diseases over the next few decades if proposed by the United Nations Framework Convention
human pressure on forests continues to increase. Due to on Climate Change

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• United Nations-mandated Sustainable Developmental • Nowadays, tree-based farming in India is considered a

Goals (SDG) silver bullet to cure all issues.
• Paris Agreement • It was promoted under the Green India mission of
• Carbon Neutrality 2001, six out of eight missions under the National
Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and National
In 2017, a New York Times bestseller Project
Agroforestry and Bamboo Mission (NABM), 2017 to
Drawdown published by 200 scientists around the world
bring a third of the geographical area under tree cover
with a goal of reversing climate change, came up with the
and offsetting GHG emissions.
most plausible 100 solutions to slash–down greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions. Out of these 100 solutions, 11 strategies • These long-term attempts by the Government of India
were highlighted under the umbrella of agroforestry such as have helped enhance the agroforestry area to 13.75
multistrata agroforestry, afforestation, tree intercropping, million hectares.
biomass production, regenerative agriculture, conservation • The net carbon sequestered in agroforestry is 11.35
agriculture, farmland restoration, silvopasture, tropical- tonnes of carbon per ha and carbon sequestration
staple tree, intercropping, bamboo and indigenous tree– potential is 0.35 tonnes of carbon per ha per year at
based land management. the country level, according to the Central
Agroforestry Research Institute, Jhansi.
• India will reduce an additional 2.5-3 billion tonnes of
CO2 by increasing tree cover. This extra tree cover
could be achieved through agroforestry systems
because of their ability to withstand minimum inputs
under extreme situations. Agroforestry can be among
the tree plantation activities over 75.8 million hectares
of land, the technical series of Forest Survey of India
estimated.

AGROFORESTRY IN INDIA

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Here are some examples which portray the role of modern technologies in the form of biofuels, ethanol,
agroforestry in achieving at least nine out of the 17 SDGs electricity generation and dendro-biomass sources are
through sustainable food production, ecosystem services truly affordable and clean. Ideal agroforestry models
and economic benefits: possess fast-growing, high coppicing, higher calorific
SDG 1 — No Poverty: Almost 736 million people still live value and short rotation (2-3 years) characteristics and
in extreme poverty. Diversification through integrating provide biomass of 200-400 tonnes per ha.
trees in agriculture unlocks the treasure to provide SDG 12 — Responsible consumption and production: The
multifunctional benefits. Studies carried out in 2003 in production of agricultural and wood-based commodities
the arid regions of India reported a 10-15% increase in on a sustainable basis without depleting natural
crop yield with Prosopis cineraria (khejari). Adoption of resources and as low as external inputs (chemical
agroforestry increases income & production by reducing fertilisers and pesticides) to reduce the ecological
the cost of input & production. footprints.
SDG 2 — Zero hunger: Tree-based systems provide food SDG 13 — Climate action: Globally, agricultural
and monetary returns. Traditional agroforestry systems production accounts for up to 24% of GHG emissions
like Prosopis cineraria and Madhuca longifolia (Mahua) from around 22.2 million square km of agricultural area,
provide edible returns during drought years known as according to the Food and Agriculture Organization. A
“lifeline to the poor people”. Studies showed that 26-50% 2016 study depicted that conversion of agricultural land
of households involved in tree products collection and to agroforestry sequesters about 27.2± 13.5 tonnes
selling act as a coping strategy to deal with hunger. CO2 equivalent per ha per year after establishment of
SDG 3 — Good health and well-being: Human wellbeing systems. Trees on farmland mitigate 109.34 million
and health are depicted through the extent of healthy tonnes CO2 equivalent annually from 15.31 million ha,
ecosystems and services they provide. Agroforestry according to a 2017 report. This may offset a third of the
contributes increased access to diverse nutritious food, total GHG emissions from the agriculture sector of India.
supply of medicine, clean air and reduces heat stress. SDG 15 — Life on Land: Agroforestry ‘mimics the forest
Vegetative buffers can filter airstreams of particulates by ecosystem’ to contribute conservation of flora and
removing dust, gas, microbial constituents and heavy faunas, creating corridors, buffers to existing reserves
metals. and multi-functional landscapes. Delivery of ecosystem
SDG 5 — Gender equality: Throughout the world around services of trees regulates life on land. A one-hectare
3 billion people depend on firewood for cooking. In this, area of homegardens in Kerala was found to have 992
women are the main collectors, and it brings drudgery trees from 66 species belonging to 31 families, a
and health issues. A study from India stated that almost recent study showed.
374 hours per year are spent by women for collection of The report of World Agroforestry Centre highlighted
firewood. Growing trees nearby provides easy access to those 22 countries that have registered agroforestry as a
firewood and diverts time to productive purposes. key strategy in achieving their unconditional national
SDG 6 — Clean Water and Sanitation: Water is probably contributions. Recently, Government of India has
the most vital resource for our survival. The inherent allocated significant financial support for promotion of
capacity of trees offers hydrological regulation as agroforestry at grassroot level to make the Indian
evapotranspiration recharges atmospheric moisture for economy as carbon neutral. This makes agroforestry a
rainfall; enhanced soil infiltration recharges low-hanging fruit to achieve the global goals.
groundwater; obstructs sediment flow; rainwater BENEFITS OF AGROFORESTRY
filtration by accumulation of heavy metals. An extensive • Environment Benefits: Combining trees with food
study in 35 nations published in 2017 concluded that 30 crops on cropland farms yield certain important
per cent of tree cover in watersheds resulted in environment benefits, both general ecological benefits
improved sanitisation and reduced diarrheal disease. and specific on-site benefits. The general ecological
SDG 7 — Affordable & Clean Energy: Wood fuels are the benefits include:
only source of energy to billions of poverty-stricken o Reduction of pressure on forest.
people. Though trees are substitutes of natural forests,

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o More efficient recycling of nutrients by deep-rooted situated in places away from the conventional forest
trees on the site. areas with the object of increasing the area under tree
o Better protection of ecological systems. growth. It includes the following.

o Reduction of surface run-off, nutrient leaching and o Mixed forestry: It is the practice of forestry for
soil erosion through impending effect of tree roots raising fodder grass with scattered fodder trees,
and stems of these processes. fruit trees and fuel wood trees on suitable
wastelands, panchayat lands and village commons.
o Improvement of microclimate, such as lowering of
soil surface temperature and reduction of o Shelter belts: Shelter belt is defined as a belt of
evaporation of soil moisture through a combination trees and or shrubs maintained for the purpose of
of mulching and shading. shelter from wind, sun, snow drift, etc.

o Increment in soil nutrients through addition and o Linear Strip plantations: These are the plantations
decomposition of litter-fall. of fast-growing species on linear strips of land.

o Improvement of soil structure through the constant 3. Rehabilitation of Degraded forests: The degraded area
addition of organic matter from decomposed litter. under forests needs immediate attention for
ecological restoration and for meeting the socio-
• Economic Benefits: Agroforestry systems on
economic needs of the communities living in and
croplands/farmlands bring significant economic
around such areas.
benefits to the farmer, the community, the region or
the nation. Such benefits may include: 4. Recreation Forestry: It is the practice of forestry with
the object of raising flowering trees and shrubs mainly
o Increment in maintenance of outputs of food,
to serve as recreation forests for the urban and rural
fuelwood, fodder, fertilizer and timber.
population. This type of forestry is also known as
o Reduction in incidence of total crop failure, Aesthetic forestry which is defined as the practice of
common to single-cropping or monoculture
forestry with the object of developing or maintaining a
system; and forest of high scenic value.
o Increase in levels of farm incomes due to improved CONCERNS WITH INTEGRATED FOOD-TREE FARMING
and sustained productivity.
SYSTEM
• Social Benefits: Besides the economics benefits, 1. Environment Aspects
social benefits occur from increase in crop and tree
o Possible competition of trees with food crops for
product yields and in the sustainability of these
space, sunlight, moisture and nutrients which may
products. These benefits include:
reduce food crop yield.
o Improvement in rural living standards from
o Damage to food crop during tree harvest
sustained employment and higher incomes.
operation.
o Improvement in nutrition and health due to
o Potential of trees to serve as hosts to insect pests
increased quality and diversity of food outputs; and
that are harmful to food crops; and
o Stabilization and improvement of upland
o Rapid regeneration by prolific trees, which may
communities through elimination of the need to
displace food crops and take over entire fields.
shift sites of farm activities.
2. Socioeconomic Aspects:
TYPES OF AGRO FORESTRY IN NON-FOREST AREA
o Requirement for more labour inputs, which may
1. Farm Forestry: Farm forestry is the name given to
cause scarcity at times in other farm activities.
programmes which promote commercial tree growing
by farmers on their own land. It is defined as the o Competition between food and tree crops, which
practice of forestry in all its aspects in and the around could cause aggregate yields to be lower than those
the farms or village lands integrated with other farm of a single crop.
operations. o Longer period required for trees to grow to
2. Extension Forestry: It is the practice of forestry in maturity and acquire an economic value.
areas devoid of tree growth and other vegetation

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o Resistance by farmers to displace food crops with (GFGs), the Paris Agreement on climate change, the UN
trees, especially where land is scarce. Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, and the post-2020
o The fact that agroforestry is more complex, less Global Biodiversity Framework – and it will identify key
well understood and more difficult to apply, measures and recommendations for enhancing this role.
compared to single-crop farm. HIGHLIGHTS OF SEOUL FOREST DECLARATION
STRATEGIES TO CHECK CONCERNS WITH • The responsibilities regarding forests must be
AGROFORESTRY: integrated and shared across various stakeholders,
• Select legume trees that have small or light crowns so sectors, and institutions to achieve a sustainable
that sufficient sunlight will reach the food crop for future.
photosynthesis. • The vast areas of degraded forest lands must be
• Select tree species that are deep-rooted so that they restored.
will absorb moisture and nutrias from the surface • Highlights that on an unhealthy planet there will be no
layer of the soil. healthy economy.
• Space the trees farther apart to reduce their • The consumption and production must be
competitive effects on the food crops. sustainable. Policies must be implemented that will
help foster mechanisms related to innovative green
financing.
WORLD FORESTRY • Investment in forest restoration, conservation, and
sustainable use must be upscaled.
CONGRESS • Forest-based solutions must include the outlook of
#Forests #Biodiversity the smallholders, family farmers, indigenous peoples,
forest communities, youth, and women. They must
also be empowered to put forward their decisions
15th World Forestry Congress finished in Seoul in May 2022, regarding making forests into sustainable value
with the adoption of Seoul Forest Declaration. The World chains.
Forestry Congress is held for five days and is hosted by the • The declaration also highlighted that the health of
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This event is held humans and forests are closely tied together, and the
every six years with the aim of sharing environmental and degradation of forests will have serious negative
forest-related problems from across the globe like impacts on the health and well-being of humans.
biodiversity loss, climate change, and desertification. Also,
LATEST INITIATIVES AT THE CONGRESS:
various solutions are devised and discussed in this event.
• Sustaining an Abundance of Forest Ecosystems
The XV World Forestry Congress provided a crucial
initiative
opportunity for the global forestry community to
consider the state and future of world forestry, • Assuring the Future of Forests with Integrated Risk
particularly in the context of recovery from the COVID-19 Management Mechanism
pandemic while striving to achieve the Sustainable • Platform for REDD+ Capacity Building
Development Goals (SDGs). These partnerships were inked at the Congress with the
The Congress showcased the essential role of forests in aim of boosting international cooperation and
the global sustainable development agenda – participation.
comprising, among other things, the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development, the Global Forest Goals

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practice questions
MCQs
Q.1) The state of global climate report is prepared (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
by which of the following bodies?
(a) UNFCCC (b) United Nations Q.4) Consider the following statements about Land
(c) WMO (d) IPCC Degradation Neutrality Fund:
1. The fund is managed by World Bank.
Q.2) Consider the following statements about 2. The fund has been founded under the UN
Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Convention on Biodiversity.
Land Use: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. It aims to eliminate forest loss by 2100. (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
2. India is a party to this. (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only Q.5) Consider the following on Ethanol blending:
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 1. Ethanol can be blend in any proportion to gasoline
without any need to alter engine design.
Q.3) Consider the following statements about World 2. National Biofuel Coordination Committee decides
Forestry Congress: which fuel stocks can be used for manufacturing
1. The meetings of world forestry congress are ethanol.
hosted by UN Convention on Biodiversity. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
2. The meeting is held every 2 years. (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only

Descriptive Questions
Q1. India has one of the highest numbers of landslide deaths in the world. In this context discuss the types and

causes of landslides.

Q2. The amendments to the national policy on biofuels, 2018 will pave the way for Make in India. Discuss.

Answers: 1-c, 2-a, 3-b, 4-d, 5-b

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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

# GS Paper (Prelims) & GS Paper III (Main)

STANDARD MODEL OF
• It does not fully explain theory of gravitation as
described by general relativity, or account for the

PARTICLE PHYSICS GETS A universe's accelerating expansion as possibly

described by dark energy.
JOLT • The model does not contain any viable dark matter

#Physics particle that possesses all the required properties

deduced from observational cosmology.

In CDF (Collider Detector at Fermilab) experiment, Physicists • It also does not incorporate neutrino oscillations and

have found that an elementary particle called the W boson their non-zero masses.

appears to be 0.1% too heavy — a tiny discrepancy that • According to the standard model, elementary particles
could foreshadow a huge shift in fundamental physics. in nature are Quarks, Leptons and Bosons.

If the W’s excess heft relative to the standard theoretical QUARKS

prediction can be independently confirmed, the finding • They join to form hadrons, such as protons and
would imply the existence of undiscovered particles or neutrons, which are components of nuclei of atoms.
forces and would bring about the first major rewriting of the
• The antiparticle of a quark is the antiquark.
laws of quantum physics in half a century, Standard Model
• There are 6 principal quarks and, hence, 6 anti-quarks.
of particle physics, the long-reigning set of equations
capturing all known particles and forces. • Quarks and antiquarks are the only two fundamental
particles that interact through all four fundamental
But while theorists had various reasons to expect the top
forces of physics: gravitation, electromagnetism, and
quark and the Higgs to exist, and to be connected to the W
the strong interaction and weak interactions.
boson through the equations of the Standard Model, today
the theory has no obviously missing pieces. Any remaining • A quark exhibits confinement, which means that

discrepancy in the W boson’s mass would point toward the quarks are not observed independently but always in

unknown. combination with other quarks.

Standard Model is known to be incomplete, leaving various LEPTONS

grand mysteries unsolved, such as the nature of dark • Like quarks, leptons too are of 6 types.
matter. • The six types of leptons are: electron, muon, tau
STANDARD MODEL OF PARTICLE PHYSICS and 3 types of neutrinos.

• Standard Model of particle physics is the theory • However, they do not have any fractional charge.
describing three of the four known fundamental BOSON
forces (Electromagnetic, weak and strong interactions
• Boson is a collective name given to particles that carry
while omitting gravity) in the universe and classifying
forces.
all known elementary particles.
• Named after Indian scientist Satyendra Nath Bose.

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Science & Technology

• Gravity as a force of nature is yet not accepted by the • Standard Model is supposed to contain the effects of
Standard Model due to the failure to discover its all known particles and forces at the particle level, if
Boson. the measured g factor differs from the value
• Some elementary bosons (for example, gluons) act as calculated by the Standard Model, it could signify that
force carriers, which give rise to forces between other there are new particles in the environment that the
particles, while one (Higgs boson) gives rise to the SM does not account for.
phenomenon of mass. Other bosons, such as mesons, • So, a contradiction of the Standard Model would imply
are composite particles made up of smaller that there exist new particles, and their interactions
constituents. with known particles would enlarge the canvas of
• Bosons are thought to be particles which are particle physics.
responsible for all physical forces. Other known • These new particles could be dark matter
bosons are photon, W and Z bosons, and gluon. particles which people have been looking out for, in a
WEAK BOSONS long time.

• W bosons, together with Z bosons, mediate the weak • This observation together with the recently observed
force, one of the universe’s four fundamental forces. anomaly in B decays at CERN indicates that the effects
Unlike gravity, electromagnetism and the strong force, of new yet unobserved particles and forces is being
the weak force doesn’t push or pull so much as it seen as quantum effects.
transforms heavier particles into lighter ones. DARK MATTER
• A muon spontaneously decays into a W boson and a • It was in 1930s when Fritz Zwicky observed that many
neutrino, for instance, and the W then becomes an galaxies were moving faster than theoretical
electron and another neutrino. Related subatomic calculations. This implied that there was some
shape-shifting causes radioactivity and helps keep the mysterious gravitational pull towards the centre of
sun shining. those galaxies. The quantity of matter needed to exert
MUON such a pull far exceed the observed matter. This extra
matter which invisible and undetected has been
• Muon, a heavier cousin of electron, is expected to
termed as Dark Matter.
have a value of 2 for its magnetic moment (g).
• It has not yet been observed yet directly. It doesn't
• It occurs naturally in cosmic ray showers and has been
interact with matter and is completely invisible to light
produced copiously in Fermilab experiments.
and other forms of electromagnetic radiation making
• Like electron, muon has a magnetic moment because
it impossible to detect.
of which, when it is placed in a magnetic field, it spins.
• Scientists are confident it exists because of the
As muon spins, it also interacts with the surrounding
gravitational effects it has on galaxies and galaxy
environment, which consists of short-lived particles
clusters.
popping in and out of a vacuum. So, its g value
(magnetic moment) is altered by its interactions with • The light from distant galaxies gets distorted and
these short-lived excitations. magnified by massive, invisible clouds of dark matter
in the phenomenon known as Gravitational Lensing.
‘MUON G-2’ EXPERIMENT RESULT
NOTE OF CAUTION
• Fermilab has announced that measured ‘g’ deviated
from the amount predicted by the Standard Model. • There have also been calculations made by a group of
scientists which appeared in Nature that use the
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESULT
Standard Model itself to explain this difference. But
• The implications of this difference in the muon’s
these so-called Lattice Models could have large errors
magnetic moment can be significant.
and need to be substantiated further.

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Science & Technology

MOZAMBIQUE CONFIRMS
last detected in 2012. Only type 1 wild poliovirus
remains.

FIRST WILD POLIOVIRUS • Virus may infect central nervous system, which may
cause paralysis; parts outside central nervous system,
CASE IN 30 YEARS which causes a minor illness with mild
symptoms. Less than 1% of poliovirus infections result
#Diseases #Biology
in paralysis.
• Virus is most often spread by the faecal-oral route.
Infected individuals shed poliovirus into environment
Recently, first case of wild poliovirus discovered in
for several weeks, where it can spread rapidly through
Mozambique. Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), led
by national governments and World Health Organisation a community, especially in areas of poor sanitation.
(WHO), has been monitoring the disease situation globally. • It largely affects children under 5 years of age.
As per the WHO, since 1980, the cases of wild poliovirus • There is no cure, but it can be prevented through
have decreased by over 99.9% because of vaccination efforts immunisation.
made around the world.
• Poliovirus enters through the mouth and multiplies in
POLIO ERADICATION
the intestine.
• For a country to be declared polio-free, wild
CIRCULATING VACCINE-DERIVED POLIOVIRUS (cVDPV)
transmission of all three kinds of Polioviruses must be
• While cVDPVs are rare, they have been increasing in
stopped.
recent years due to low immunization rates within
• For eradication, cases of both wild and vaccine-
communities.
derived polio infection must be reduced to zero.
• Since African Region was declared to have interrupted
• Eradication of a disease refers to the complete and
transmission of wild poliovirus in 2020, cVDPV are
permanent worldwide reduction to zero new
now the only form of the poliovirus that affects the
cases through deliberate efforts. If a disease has been
African Region.
eradicated, no further control measures are required.
• Oral polio vaccine (OPV) that has brought wild
• However, elimination of a disease refers to reduction
poliovirus to the brink of eradication has many
to zero or a very low defined target rate of new cases
benefits: live attenuated (weakened) vaccine virus
in a defined geographical area. It requires continued
provides better immunity in the gut, which is where
measures to prevent re-establishment of disease
polio replicates. Vaccine virus is also excreted in the
transmission.
stool, and in communities with low-quality sanitation,
• India received polio-free certification by the WHO in this means that it can be spread from person to
2014, after three years of zero cases. person and help protect the community.
• Afghanistan and Pakistan are the two countries that • However, in communities with low immunization
are the last stronghold of the wild poliovirus. rates, as the virus is spread from one unvaccinated
ABOUT POLIO VIRUS child to another over a long period of time (often over
• Positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses. There are the course of about 12-18 months), it can mutate and
three serotypes of wild poliovirus type 1, type 2, and take on a form that can cause paralysis just like the
type 3 each with a slightly different capsid protein. wild poliovirus. This mutated poliovirus can then
Immunity to one serotype does not give confer spread in communities, leading to cVDPVs.
immunity to the other two. • The cause of cVDPV is low immunization rates. So,
• Type 2 wild poliovirus was declared eradicated in best way to prevent them and stop them when there
2015, with last virus detected in India in 1999. Type 3 is an outbreak is to vaccinate children. Polio vaccine
wild poliovirus was declared eradicated in 2019. It was protects children whether the kind of polio is wild
poliovirus or vaccine-derived poliovirus. Outbreaks

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(whether WPV or cVDPV) are usually rapidly stopped • Very rarely, when there is insufficient coverage in a
with 2–3 rounds of high-quality supplementary community the vaccine-virus may be able to circulate,
immunization activities (immunization campaigns). mutate and, over the course of 12 to 18 months,
ORAL POLIOVIRUS VACCINE reacquire neurovirulence. This is known as
a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus.
• It is the predominant vaccine used in the fight to
eradicate polio. INACTIVATED POLIOVIRUS VACCINE

• There are different types of oral poliovirus vaccine, • IPV consists of inactivated (killed) poliovirus strains of
which may contain one, a combination of two, or all all three poliovirus types.
three different serotypes of attenuated vaccine. • Given by intramuscular or intradermal injection and
• Attenuated poliovirus(es) contained in OPV can needs to be administered by a trained health worker.
replicate effectively in the intestine, but around 10,000 • IVP produces antibodies in the blood to all three types
times less able to enter the central nervous system of polioviruses. In the event of infection, these
than wild virus. This enables individuals to mount an antibodies prevent the spread of the virus to the
immune response against the virus. Virtually all central nervous system and protect against paralysis.
countries which have eradicated polio used OPV to ADVANTAGES OF INACTIVATED POLIOVIRUS VACCINE
interrupt person to person transmission of the virus.
• As IPV is not a ‘live’ vaccine, it carries no risk of VAPP.
ADVANTAGES OF ORAL POLIOVIRUS VACCINE
• IPV triggers an excellent protective immune response
• Relatively cheap. in most people.
• Safe and effective and offer long lasting protection • IPV is one of the safest vaccines in use.
against serotype(s) which they target. • No serious systemic adverse reactions have been
• They stimulate good mucosal immunity, hence shown to follow vaccination.
effective at interrupting transmission of the virus. • IPV is highly effective in preventing paralytic disease
• They are administered orally and do not require caused by all three types of polioviruses.
health professionals or sterile needle syringes. As DISADVANTAGES OF INACTIVATED POLIOVIRUS
such, OPVs are easy to administer in mass vaccination VACCINE
campaigns. • IPV induces very low levels of immunity in the
• Passive Immunisation: For several weeks after intestine. As a result, when a person immunized with
vaccination the vaccine virus replicates in the IPV is infected with wild poliovirus, the virus can still
intestine, is excreted and can be spread to others in multiply inside the intestines and be shed in the
close contact. This means that in areas with poor faeces, risking continued circulation.
hygiene and sanitation, immunization with OPV can • IPV is over five times more expensive than OPV.
result in ‘passive’ immunization of people who have • Administering the vaccine requires trained health
not been vaccinated. workers, as well as sterile injection equipment and
DISADVANTAGES OF ORAL POLIOVIRUS VACCINE procedures.

• In extremely rare cases (at a rate of approximately 2 An increasing number of industrialized, polio-free
to 4 events per 1 million births) live attenuated countries are using IPV as the vaccine of choice. This is
because the risk of paralytic polio associated with
vaccine-virus in OPV can cause paralysis.
continued routine use of OPV is deemed greater than the
• In some cases, it is believed that this may be triggered
risk of imported wild virus.
by an immunodeficiency.
However, as IPV does not stop transmission of the virus,
• The extremely low risk of vaccine-associated paralytic OPV is used wherever a polio outbreak needs to be
poliomyelitis (VAPP) is well accepted by most public contained, even in countries which rely exclusively on IPV
health programmes. for their routine immunization programme.

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Once polio has been eradicated, use of all OPV will need demonstrate the capability to build an indigenous
to be stopped to prevent re-establishment of rocket engine.
transmission due to VDPVs.
• The 3-D printed rocket engine – Raman, named after
Nobel laureate CV Raman – has fewer moving parts

PRIVATE PLAYERS IN
and weighs less than half of conventional rocket
engines with a similar capacity.

SPACE SECTOR • It is India’s first 100% 3D-printed bi-propellant liquid

rocket engine injector. Compared to traditional
#Space #Innovation manufacturing, this reduced the overall mass by 50%,
reduced the total number of components and lead

Recently, Minister of State for Department of Space (DOS) time by 80%.

informed Lok Sabha that government was looking at NEED FOR PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION IN SPACE
opening space sector to Foreign Direct Investment.
• Demand for space-based applications and services is
INDIA’S PRIVATE SECTOR INITIATIVE IN SPACE SECTOR growing and ISRO is unable to cater to this due to lack
• Bengaluru-based Pixxel India has planned a vast of bandwidth and resources, private players can
constellation of earth-imaging satellites that would participate in setting up of ground stations for space
continuously monitor every part of the globe and crafts which constitute 48% of the space sector budget
beam high-resolution imagery and other data that can and in application of space technology which result in
be used for a variety of applications related to climate 45% of space economy.
change, agriculture, and urban planning. • ISRO is overburdened by its regular operations such
• The first satellite Anand from a start-up called Pixxel as launch of satellites, construction of launching
India was going to be launched. vehicles etc. Privatization will allow private players to
• Till now Indian industry’s role has been mainly that of take up these regular functions.
suppliers of components and sub-systems to ISRO. • Involvement of private sector in these areas will free
Indian industries do not have the resources or up ISRO resources for research and development
technology to undertake independent space projects activities, new technologies, exploration missions and
of the kind that US companies such as SpaceX have human spaceflight programme.
been doing or provide space-based services. • End ISRO monopoly over making launch vehicles and
• Demand for space-based applications and services is satellites and boost competitiveness in space sector.
growing even within India, and ISRO is unable to cater REFORMS THAT OPENED PRIVATE SECTOR IN SPACE
to this. The need for satellite data, imageries and SECTOR
space technology now cuts across sectors, from
• Government is of the view that space sector can play a
weather to agriculture to transport to urban
major catalytic role in technological advancement and
development, and more.
expansion of India’s industrial base. The proposed
• The private players in the space communication sector reforms will enhance the socio-economic use of space
will also enable India to keep pace with the growing assets and activities, including through improved
demand for satellite-based broadcasting, network access to space assets, data and facilities.
connectivity, and global mobile personal
• IN-SPACe: Act as a single-point interface between
communication.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and
INDIA’S FIRST PRIVATE UPPER STAGE ROCKET ENGINE everyone who wants to participate in space-related
• Aerospace start-up Skyroot Aerospace has activities or use India’s space resources.
successfully test fired an upper-stage rocket engine, It will also handhold, promote and guide the private
becoming the first Indian private company to industries in space activities through encouraging
policies and a friendly regulatory environment.

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• Indian National Space Promotion Board: Set up to Thus, 5G is essential but India needs to look if it is ready for
strengthen Department of Space and for promotion of the deployment of the technology.
the private space entrepreneurs or non-government BENEFITS OF 5G
space entrepreneurs.
When enhanced with artificial intelligence, 5G provides a
• Role of ISRO: Overall idea is to let ISRO concentrate on new dimension to connected and autonomous systems.
essential activities like research and development, • Its use is a chance to transform existing cities into
planetary exploration, and strategic use of space, smart and innovative cities.
while freeing itself from ancillary or routine work
• There is great potential for India to move to an
which could easily be done by private industry.
advanced digital revolution.
• Public Sector Enterprise ‘New Space India Limited
• With 5G technology, consumers will be able to
(NSIL)’ to re-orient space activities from a ‘supply
download data heavy content such as 8K movies and
driven’ model to a ‘demand driven’ model, thereby
games with better graphics in just a few seconds.
ensuring optimum utilization of our space assets.
• 5G is expected to form the backbone of emerging
• Demand Driven Model: By support of New Space India
Limited (NSIL), it would endeavour to reorient space technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) and
activities from a ‘supply driven’ model to a ‘demand machine to machine communications.
driven’, thereby ensuring optimum utilisation of the • It would be supporting a much larger range of
nation’s space assets. applications and services, including driverless vehicles,
ο The main objective of NSIL is to scale up industry tele-surgery and real time data analytics.
participation in Indian space programmes in STATUS OF 5G IN INDIA
comparison to IN-SPACe which gives emphasis on the
• Late 5G Auctions: Countries in the Asia-Pacific region,
participation of the private sector.
including India, Bangladesh and Indonesia are late in
• ISRO released the draft of a new Spacecom Policy adopting 5G technology, hence, will get insignificant
2020: The policy will regulate the commercial use of revenue from the service. Auction of spectrum for 5G
satellites, orbital slots, and ground stations for has not happened in India.
communication needs. The policy also details how
• High reserve prices set by the governments for
private players can get authorization for setting up
spectrum auctions amid ongoing fiscal deficits and
new communication satellites and ground stations.
low expected government subsidies will further drag
the development and expansion of the technology.

5G LEAP IN INDIA • Inadequate availability of spectrum: 3300-3600 MHz

(300 MHz) frequency band was envisaged for the 5G
#Informational & Communication services. However, as per the recent spectrum
Technology allocation document, government is allocating just 175
MHz (3425 -3600 MHz) for 5G after ISRO and
Department of Space (DoS) raised concern in allowing
5G is the next generation cellular technology that will 3400-3425 MHz portion for 5G since they need this for
provide faster and more reliable communication with ultra- IRNSS application.
low latency. With 5G the peak network data speeds are
• Low status of fiberisation: 5G is very much dependent
expected to be in the range of 2-20 Gigabit per second
on fiberisation because the backhaul requirement will
(Gbps). It shapes the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or
be too much, and one can't do it on a traditional
Industrial 4.0, quality of service delivery, innovation, etc. by
microwave.
facilitating smarter and developing societies.
• Low Quality of Service of 4G networks: The consumers
The technology that 5G uses will improve data transfer
are still grappling with basic network issues like call
speed at unexpected higher levels — almost 100 times more
drops and interrupted data services. There are still
— and reduce latency times helping mission-critical services.
areas where 4G networks have not stabilised causing

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FOOD FORTIFICATION
frequent disruptions in internet services. It is
important to meet the quality-of-service parameters
of existing 4G networks before embarking on a new #Biotechnology #Biology
5G platform.
• Costly for consumers: For transition from 4G to 5G
technology, one must upgrade to the latest cellular According to a report prepared jointly by Alliance for
technology, thereby creating financial liability on Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture (ASHA-Kisan Swaraj) and
consumers. Consumers will have to buy 5G ready Right to Food Campaign, Jharkhand, where fortified rice is
devices. being distributed under Central government-funded
schemes such as PDS, PM-POSHAN, ICDS, consent is not
WAY FORWARD
being obtained from beneficiaries. The report also flags risk
• Immediate priority for India will be in identifying end of fortified rice for tribals of Jharkhand.
users and population to be covered, analysis of
ABOUT FOOD FORTIFICATION
existing network and operators, identification of cities
Fortification is the addition of key vitamins and minerals
for 5G roll out, working out an investment model and
such as iron, iodine, zinc, Vitamin A & D to staple foods
minimisation of digital risk and pricing based on
such as rice, milk and salt to improve their nutritional
externalities and usage of various sectors. content.
• As deployment of 5G network is expensive, both These nutrients may or may not have been originally
Central and State governments may need to consider present in the food before processing. Ex: Double
measures which stimulate fibre investment, attract fortified salt (DFS), a form of table salt manufactured
investment through public private partnerships (PPPs) with added iron and iodine.
and facilitate investment funds on a nominal interest NEED FOR FOOD FORTIFICATION
basis. • Micronutrients are necessary for all normal growth
• Allowing 100% foreign direct investment in telecom and body functioning. Vitamins and minerals are vital
sector under automatic route along with other policy chemical compounds that the body can’t produce
reforms augurs well for the sector to attract itself and must take in small doses from external
investment. Implementation of 5G requires huge sources. Micronutrient deficiency (Hidden hunger) is a
investment and the relief package is a welcome step. serious health risk.
• Deployment of 5G technology will also need the right • National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4) revealed
of access to government infrastructure such as traffic that India has the highest burden of anaemia
lights, lamp posts, etc. where wireless operators can worldwide. The prevalence of anaemia was 58⋅6 % in
deploy electronic small cell apparatus. children, 53⋅2 % in non-pregnant women and 50⋅4 %
• Removing the tax burden for deploying fibre networks in pregnant women in 2016.
reduces associated costs, thereby promoting • According to Comprehensive National Nutritional
investment as was done by Singapore government, Survey (CNNS), zinc deficiency was observed in 32 % of
could help in the smooth deployment of fibre in India. adolescents, whereas vitamin A deficiency was
• It is important to strengthen its domestic observed in around 20% of school going children.
telecommunication manufacturing market so that it is ADVANTAGES OF FOOD FORTIFICATION
not only the users of 5G in India, but also the • Does not alter the characteristics of the
manufacturers and providers of these technologies food, fortification does not cause any change in the
who will be able to make a mark in the global arena. taste, aroma, texture, or appearance of the food.
• 5G needs to become financially viable otherwise rural Ex. The fortified rice is blended into regular rice in the
integration will remain a pipe dream. ratio 1:100. These look, cook and taste like regular rice
kernels.

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• Cost-effective intervention: Fortification is a cheap and diversification; Employment generation strategies to

effective way to address micronutrient malnutrition. increase the purchasing power of the people to consume
Ex. Centre launched a scheme in 2019 for three years micronutrients; Provision of Nutri-cereals under
to introduce fortified rice through PDS in 15 districts, PDS; Provision of diversified diet in Mid-day-meal
with a financial commitment of $23.43 million. The scheme etc.
additional cost per kg is no more than ₹0.60-0.80.
• Socio-culturally acceptable: It does not require any
changes in food habits and patterns of people. It is
PHOTOGRAPH OF BLACK
a socio-culturally acceptable way to deliver nutrients
to people.
HOLE AT THE CENTRE OF
• Results in nutritional gains in a relatively short period MILKY WAY
of time and execution is easier.
#Astrology #Physics
• Since the nutrients are added to staple foods that are
widely consumed and doesn’t require purchasing
more food products, it doesn’t add any burden on the Event Horizon Telescope network has captured the second
low-income groups. ever direct image of a super massive black hole called
*
LIMITATIONS OF FOOD FORTIFICATION Sagittarius A , at the centre of our Milky Way. To image it,
• Health effects: Excess dosages of vitamins and scientists created the powerful Event Horizon Telescope,
minerals in some cases can have harmful effects. which linked together 8 existing radio observatories across
the planet to form a single ‘Earth-sized’ virtual telescope.
Fortified foods as a public health measure should be
promoted after analysing the efficacies and BLACKHOLES
micronutrient status of the population. Ex: • A black hole is a region of spacetime exhibiting such
Thalassemia, sickle cell anaemia and malaria are strong gravitational effects that nothing—not
conditions where there is already excess iron in the even particles and electromagnetic radiation such
body, whereas TB patients are unable to absorb iron. as light—can escape from inside it. In many ways a
Consumption of iron-fortified foods among patients of black hole acts like an ideal black body, as it reflects
these diseases can reduce immunity and functionality no light.
of organs. • Theory of general relativity predicts that a sufficiently
• Might not benefit infants and children: Infants and compact mass can deform spacetime to form a black
young children, who consume relatively small hole.
amounts of food, are less likely to fulfil their • The boundary of the region from which no escape is
recommended micronutrients from universally possible is called the event horizon.
fortified staples alone.
• Black holes form at the end of some stars’
• Not a long-term sustainable strategy to address lives. However, not all stars end up becoming
Malnutrition: Fortification is a ‘complementary blackholes.
strategy’ rather than a ‘replacement of balanced,
• The energy that held the star together disappears and
diversified diets’ to address malnutrition. Fortification
it collapses in on itself producing a magnificent
only bridges the gap between the need and actual
explosion. All that material left over from the
consumption of required micronutrients through
explosion, many times the mass of our Sun, falls into
food.
an infinitely small point.
CONCLUSION
• Black holes can form in many ways though, and large
Taking into the account of the limitations of food black holes can have tens to millions of times the
fortification strategy to address malnutrition, it is advised mass of our sun trapped in a point smaller than the
to take long term measures like Promoting crop

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tip of a pin! Some black holes trap more and more a bunch of our suns. Supermassive blackholes, on the
material as their mass increases. other hand, have the mass of 1,000 million suns. All
• The point where all that mass is trapped is called a trapped within a tiny singularity.
singularity. • Imagine a circle with a singularity in the middle. The
• It may be infinitely small, but its influence is gravity on the inside of the circle is so strong that
enormous. nothing can escape—it sucks in everything, even light.
That's why it's black!
• Blackholes can form in many ways and have a range
of masses. Stellar blackholes have as much matter as

DIFFICULTY IN DETECTING BLACKHOLES Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully
• Light enters Event Horizon but cannot escape from carried out the static test of HS200 solid rocket booster,
it. Hence, no light is emitted and that is why it is taking the space agency one more step closer to the keenly
difficult to detect. awaited Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission. The test

• It cannot be observed directly through telescopes on was held at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
ground. ABOUT HS200 SOLID BOOSTER ROCKET
• Its presence is observed through the interaction of • Designed and developed by the Vikram Sarabhai
bodies with the blackholes. Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram for over
two years, the HS200 booster is the ‘human-rated’
version of the S200 rocket boosters used on the
ISRO TESTS BOOSTER FOR geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle Mk-III (GSLV

GAGANYAAN Mk-III), also called the LVM3.

• GSLV Mk-III rockets, which will be used for Gaganyaan
#Space #Physics mission, will have two HS200 boosters that will supply
the thrust for lift-off.

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• HS200 is a 20-metre-long booster with a diameter of • Indian maritime agencies - Indian Navy, Indian Coast
3.2 metres and is the world’s second largest Guard, Shipping corporation of India, National
operational booster using solid propellants. institute of Oceanography, National Institute of Ocean
• Of the three propulsion stages of GSLV Mk-III, second Technology.
stage uses liquid propellant while the third is a • Indian Meteorological Department
cryogenic stage. • CSIR Labs
PURPOSE & OBJECTIVE • Academic institutes
• Gaganyaan Program envisages undertaking the • Industry partners
demonstration of human spaceflight to Low Earth
Orbit (LEO) in the short-term and will lay foundation
for a sustained Indian human space exploration MONKEY POX
programme in the long run.
#Biology #Diseases
• Objective of Gaganyaan program is to demonstrate
indigenous capability to undertake human space flight
mission to LEO. • Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to
BENEFITS OF GAGANYAAN humans from animals) with symptoms like those seen
in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically
• Progress towards a sustained and affordable human
less severe.
and robotic program to explore the solar system and
beyond. • It has emerged as the most important orthopoxvirus
after the eradication of smallpox in 1980 and
• Advanced technology capability for undertaking
subsequent cessation of smallpox vaccination.
human space exploration, sample return missions and
scientific exploration. • Genus Orthopoxvirus contains four species that infect
humans: variola (smallpox), monkeypox, vaccinia
• Future capability to actively collaborate in global space
(includes buffalopox), and cowpox.
station development & to carry out scientific
experiments of interest to the nation. • The first human case was recorded in 1970 in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during a
• Create a broad framework for wider Academia–
period of intensified effort to eliminate smallpox. It
Industry Partnership in taking up development
occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of Central
activities for national development.
and West Africa and is occasionally exported to other
• Ample scope for employment generation and human
regions.
resource development in advanced science and R&D
• Monkeypox virus infection has been detected in
activities.
squirrels, Gambian poached rats, dormice, and some
• Unique opportunity to inspire and excite Indian youth
species of monkeys.
and steer many students toward careers in science
• Monkey Pox infection was first discovered in 1958
and technology towards challenging jobs that
following two outbreaks of a pox-like disease in
encourage knowledge, innovation and creativity.
colonies of monkeys kept for research — which led to
• The program will strengthen international
the name ‘monkeypox’.
partnerships and global security through the sharing
SYMPTOMS
of challenging and peaceful goals.
• Fever, Rash and Swollen Lymph Nodes.
• Having a vibrant human spaceflight programme can
be leveraged as a potent foreign policy tool. • It causes the lymph nodes to swell (lymphade-
nopathy), which smallpox does not.
MAJOR COLLABORATING PARTNERS - GANGANYAAN
TRANSMISSION
• Indian Armed Forces
• Defence Research Development organisation

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• Monkeypox virus is mostly transmitted to people • Scorpene is one of the most sophisticated
from wild animals such as rodents and primates, but submarines, capable of undertaking multifarious
human-to-human transmission also occurs. missions including anti-surface ship warfare, anti-
• Monkeypox virus is transmitted from one person to submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying
another by contact with lesions, body fluids, and area surveillance.
respiratory droplets and contaminated materials such • The submarines in the Project-75 Scorpene Class are
as bedding. powered by diesel-electric propulsion systems.
• The clinical presentation of monkeypox resembles • The design of Kalvari class of submarines is based on
that of smallpox, a related orthopoxvirus infection the French Scorpene class of submarines. It is given
which was declared eradicated worldwide in 1980. support by the Department of Defence
VACCINATION Production (Ministry of Defence) and Indian Navy
throughout its various phases of construction.
• Vaccine used during the smallpox eradication
programme was also protective against monkeypox. • Mazagon Dock limited (MDL) is manufacturing six
Scorpene submarines with technology assistance from
• A new third generation vaccinia vaccine has now been
Naval Group of France under a deal signed in October
approved for prevention of smallpox and monkeypox.
2005.
Antiviral agents are also being developed.
• INS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, INS Karanj and INS
Vela have been commissioned. Sea trials are on for
PROJECT 75 Vagir.

#Defence Technology

• It is a program by the Indian Navy that entails building

six Scorpene class attack submarines.

practice questions
MCQs
Q.1) Consider the following statements regarding Q2. Which of the following diseases can be caused
“Muon g-2 experiment”: due to drinking poor quality of water?
1. The results found that the measured value of 1. Cholera 2. Polio
Magnetic Moment deviated from the value 3. Typhoid 4. Hepatitis
predicted by the Standard Model Select the correct answer using the code given
2. These results could signify that there are new (a) 2, 3 and 4 only (b) 1, 2 and 3 only
particles in the environment that the SM does not (c) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
account for.
Which of the above statements is/are correct? Q3. Consider the following statements:
a) 1 only b) 2 only 1. Inactivated poliovirus vaccine is highly effective in
c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 Nor 2 preventing paralytic disease caused by all three
types of polioviruses.

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2. Oral poliovirus vaccine can give rise to circulating

vaccine-derived poliovirus. Q5. Consider the following statements
Which of the above is/are correct? 1. Gaganyaan mission will see India become just the
a) 1 only b) 2 only fourth nation to send a crew into space.
c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2 2. Australia is collaborating with India in
development of spacecraft for Gaganyaan
Q4. The government has proposed to create Indian Mission.
National Space Promotion and Authorisation Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Centre (IN-SPACe). Which of the following can a) 1 only b) 2 only
be said to be the advantage of constituting IN- c) Both 1 and 2 d) None of the above
SPACe?
1. Greater private participation in India’s space Q6. Consider the following statements:
activities. 1. It is impossible for the surface area of a black hole
2. Reforming Space Sector. to decrease over time.
3. Increase India’s presence in global space 2. Einstein’s theory of general relativity defines
economy. gravitational waves and black hole.
Select the correct answer using the code given below: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Descriptive Questions
Q1. What is the status of privatisation of space sector in India? What steps government of India has taken in this

regard?

Q2. What advancements India has made in defense naval technologies? How will India benefit from these

technologies?

Answers: 1-c, 2-d, 3-c, 4-d, 5-a, 6-c

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History, HERITAGE & Culture

# GS Paper (Prelims) & GS Paper I (Main)

SHREE MEENAKSHI
• It is estimated that there are 33 million carvings.
• Two dwarapalakas or watchmen and on the doors.
AMMAN TEMPLE • Yali is the most important structural art in the temple.

(MADURAI) ABOUT DRAVIDIAN TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE

• Began in Southern rulering dynasties of late ancient
#Temple Architecture #Medieval India Indian to late medieval Indian history.
• Pallava Dynasty championed this art of temple making

ABOUT THE TEMPLE in three different stages.

• It shows highest form of Dravidian Temple FEATURES OF DRAVIDIAN TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE

architecture after the temples of Chola Dynasty in • Temple is enclosed within a compound wall.
South India. • Entrance gateway is known as a Gopurams.
• The temple is located on the southern bank of the • Tower over main shrine is vimana in Tamil Nadu and
Vaigai River in Tamil Nadu. looks like a stepped pyramid that rises geometrically
• It is dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi, a form of rather than the curving shikhara of North India.
Parvati, and her consort, Sundareshwarar, a form of • In the South Indian temple, the word ‘shikhara’ is used
Shiva. only for the crowning element at the top of the temple
• This temple is one of the Paadal Petra Sthalam. The which is usually shaped like a small stupika or an
Paadal Petra sthalam are 275 temples of lord Shiva octagonal cupola— this is equivalent to amalak and
that are revered in the verses of Tamil Saiva Nayanars kalasha of North Indian temples.
of 6th-9th century CE. • Fierce Dvarapalas or the doorkeepers guarding the
• Built by Pandayan Emperor Sadayavarman garbhagriha
Kulasekaran-I (1190 CE–1205 CE). • It is common to find a large water reservoir, or a
• In the early 14th century, the armies of Delhi Sultanate temple tank, enclosed within the complex.
led by Muslim Commander Malik Kafur (Under • Examples: Brihadishwara Temple, Kailashnath Temple,
Alauddin Khilji) plundered the temple, looted it of its Chidambaram Temple.
valuables and destroyed it.
• Temple was rebuilt under Vijayanagar rulers and
temple complex was further expanded and fortified
by the Nayak ruler Vishwanatha Nayakar.
• Encyclopaedia of all the Hindu dancing poses
(mentioned in the Natyashastra) depicted both in
stone and wood.

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DHAP DANCE
• The site has both mudbrick as well as burnt-brick
houses with a proper drainage system.
#dance #tribal culture • The ceramic industry represented by red ware, which
included dish-on-stand, vase, jar, bowl, beaker,
perforated jar, goblet and 'handis' (pans).
Due to two yearlong COVID-19 set back, tribal dances like • Other antiquities included blades; terracotta and shell
Dhap dance could not revived to its past glory. bangles; beads of semiprecious stones, terracotta,
ABOUT DHAP DANCE shell and copper objects; animal figurines, toy cart
frame and wheel of terracotta; bone points; inscribed
• Sambalpuri folk dance form (Sambalpur, Odisha).
steatite seals and sealings.
• Performed by the Kandha tribe of Kosal region.
• Necropolis: The excavations have yielded a few
• Men of one village dance with women of another
extended burials, which certainly belong to a very late
village.
stage, may be the medieval times. A rare grave having
• The dance is performed during marriage ceremony double burial of a male and female has been found
and more often for the sake of recreation. here.
• The dance is named so because of the accompanying • Ritual system: Animal sacrificial pit lined with mud
instrument called ‘Dhap’. brick and triangular and circular fire altars on the mud
• The dhap is in the shape of a Khanjari made up of floor have also been excavated pointing to the ritual
wood with one side open and the other side covered system of Harappans.
with a piece of animal skin. • A cylindrical seal with 5 Harappan characters on one
side and a symbol of an alligator on the other side is
an important find from this site.
RAKHIGARHI • A site has been found which is believed to be jewellery
making unit.
#Indus Valley Civilisation #Ancient India
• The samples from the two women graves have been
sent to study about the dietary practices and antiquity
Two excavated bodies from Rakhigarhi cemetery have been of Rakhigarhi site.
sent for DNA sampling.

THRISSUR POORAM
ABOUT RAKHIGARHI
• It is one of the five biggest townships of Harappan
Civilization, located in Rakhigarhi, Hisar in Haryana. #festivals #medievalindia
According to archaeologists, it is the largest site in
terms of area in the Indus Valley Civilisation Sites.
• The other four are Harappa, Mohen-jo-daro and Recently, tourism department and people of Kerala
Ganweriwal in Pakistan and Dholavira in Gujarat. celebrated Thrissur Pooram after two years.
• Five interconnected mounds spread in a huge area to ABOUT THRISSUR POORAM
form the Rakhigarhi's unique site. • Pooram is an annual festival, which is celebrated in
• This site was excavated by Amarendra Nath of the temples dedicated to goddesses Durga or Kali held
Archaeological Survey of India. especially in Valluvanadu area and other adjoining
OTHER FEATURES parts of north-central Kerala.

• The site has five interconnected mounds. • The festival is celebrated at Thekkinkadu Maidanam in
Thrissur District of Kerala.
• Rakhigarhi presents existence of civilisation from the
early phase, mature phase and late phase of Indus • Grand display of caparisoned elephants, dazzling
Valley Civilisation. parasols, and percussion music.

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History, Heritage & Culture

SREE NARAYANA GURU

• Celebrated in the Malayalam month of medam (April-
May).
• Considered to be the mother of all poorams, this #modernindia #personalities
yearly temple festival was the brainchild of Shakthan
Thampuran, the Maharaja of Kochi, who organised the
festival with the participation of 10 temples PM has inaugurated year-long celebration of 90
th

(Paramekkavu, Thiruvambadi Kanimangalam, anniversary of Sivagiri Pilgrimage (tomb or samadhi of Sree

Karamucku, Laloor, Choorakottukara, Narayana Guru is situated).
Panamukkampally, Ayyanthole, Chembukkavu,
ABOUT SHRI NARAYANA GURU
Neythilakavu).
• Sree Narayana Guru was born on August 22, 1856
• The festival sports an enthralling line-up of vibrantly
(1032 Chingam in Malayalam calendar) and belonged
decked up elephants and is marked by
to the Ezhava caste and was considered ‘avarna’
the kudamattom ceremony.
according to the social mores of the time.
• Musical rhythm generated by chenda, kurumkuzhal,
• He was intensely drawn to worship at the local
kombu and elathalam (traditional instruments of
temples and composed hymns and several devotional
Kerala).
songs.
• The finale is marked by grand fireworks show.
• From an early age, he was drawn towards asceticism.
He lived as a hermit in a forest for eight years. He

LUMBINI
learned Vedas, Upanishads, literature, logical rhetoric
of Sanskrit, Hatha Yoga and other philosophies.
#buddhism #art & culture • He gave the famous slogan “One Caste, One Religion,
One God for All”.
• In 1888, he built a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva at
Recently, Prime Minister of India paid a cultural visit to Aruvippuram which was against the caste-based
Lumbini in Nepal. restrictions of the time.

ABOUT LUMBINI • He basic teaching was to teach equality but felt the
inequalities should not be exploited.
• Lumbini is a UNESCO world heritage site, located in
• All-Religion Conference in 1923 was organised by him
Nepal.
at Alwaye Advaita Ashram, which was reported to be
• It is the place where, according to Buddhist tradition, the first such event in India.
Queen Mahamaya Devi gave birth to Siddhartha • A charitable society was established in 1903 as the
Gautama at around 563 BCE. Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP).
• There is Mahadevi Temple in Lumbini. • “Not Many, But One”, an English translation of poems
of Sree Narayana Gurudev.
• There Puskarini, or Holy Pond, where the Buddha's
mother took the ritual dip prior to his birth and where • Books: Advaitha Deepika, Asrama,
Thevarappathinkangal, etc.
he had his first bath.

• An Ashokan pillar discovered at Rupandehi, near

Lumbini is believed to mark the spot of Ashoka's visit MARTAND TEMPLE
to Lumbini.
#templearchitecture #medievalindia
• Lumbini in Mahajanpadas period was situated in east
of Kapilavastu and southwest of Devadaha in Shakya,
an oligarchic republic. Pilgrims paid religious prayer in ruins of Martand Sun
temple located in Kashmir valley.

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ABOUT MARTAND TEMPLE • He was simultaneously interested in religion, politics,

• It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Sun God located law and jurisprudence, commerce and agrarian
near Anantnag in Kashmir Valley of Jammu and enterprise, Constitutions and civic rights, the unjust
Kashmir (Union Territory), India. treatment of women and the appalling condition of
• According to Kalhana in Rajatarangini, Martand Sun the Indian poor.
Temple was commissioned by Lalitaditya Muktapida in • He was given the title of Raja by the Mughal emperor
the eighth century AD. Lalitaditya belonged to the Akbar II.
Karkota dynasty.
SOCIO-RELIGIOUS REFORMS
• Dedicated to Surya, the chief solar deity in Hinduism.
Surya is also known by the Sanskrit-language synonym • Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s first published work Tuhfat-ul-
Martand. Muwahhiddin (a gift to deists) published in 1803
exposed irrational religious beliefs and corrupt
• The temple was destroyed by Sikandar Shah Miri.
practices of
• Other Sun Temples in India: Sun Temple at Konark
(Odisha), Sun Temple at Modhera (Gujarat), • Hindus as the belief in revelations, prophets, miracles
etc.
• Atmiya Sabha: In 1814, he started the Atmiya Sabha
(Society of Friends), to nurture philosophical
discussions on the idea of monotheism in Vedanta
and to campaign against idolatry, casteism, child
marriage and other social ills. The Atmiya Sabha
would make way for the Brahmo Sabha in 1828, set up
with Debendranath Tagore, Rabindranath Tagore’s
father.
• Hindu College: In 1817, he collaborated with Scottish
philanthropist David Hare to set up the Hindu College
(now, Presidency University).
• He followed it up with the Anglo-Hindu School in 1822.
• In 1825, he established Vedanta college where courses
RAJA RAM MOHAN ROY in both Indian learning and Western social and

#personalities #modernindia physical sciences were offered.

• In 1830, assisted Alexander Duff to set up the General
Assembly’s Institution, which later became the
The Ministry of Culture has decided to commemorate the Scottish Church College.
th
yearlong celebration of the 250 birth anniversary of Raja
• Abolition of sati: It was his relentless advocacy
Ram Mohan Roy.
alongside contemporaries such as Ishwar Chandra
ABOUT RAJA RAM MOHAN ROY
Vidyasagar that finally led to the abolition of Sati
• Historian Ramachandra Guha, writes in Makers of under the governor generalship of William Bentinck in
Modern India, “Roy was unquestionably the first 1829. Roy argued for the property rights of women
person on the subcontinent to seriously engage with
and petitioned the British for freedom of the press (in
the challenges posed by modernity to traditional
1829 and 1830). He characterised sati as the violation
social structures and ways of being. He was also one
of every humane and social feeling and as
of the first Indians whose thought and practice were
symptomatic of the moral debasement of a race. He
not circumscribed by the constraints of kin, caste and
religion. attacked child marriage, illiteracy of women and the

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History, Heritage & Culture

degraded state of widows and demanded the right of • Administrative reforms: He demanded the
inheritance and property for women. Indianisation of superior services and separation of
the executive from judiciary. He demanded equality
• He attacked child marriage, illiteracy of women and
between Indians and Europeans.
the degraded state of widows and demanded the right
of inheritance and property for women. LITERARY WORKS OF RAJA RAM MOHAN ROY

BRAHMO SAMAJ • Tuhfat-ul-Muwahhidin (1804)

• Raja Ram Mohan Roy founded Brahmo Sabha in 1828, • Vedanta Gantha (1815)
which was later renamed as Brahmo Samaj. • Translation of an abridgement of the Vedanta Sara
• It was the first intellectual reform movement in (1816)
modern India. It led to the emergence of rationalism • Mundaka Upanishad (1819)
and enlightenment in India which indirectly • Kenopanishads (1816)
contributed to the nationalist movement.
• Ishopanishad (1816)
• It split into two in 1866, namely Brahmo Samaj of India
• Kathopanishad (1817)
led by Keshub Chandra Sen and Adi Brahmo Samaj led
by Debendranath Tagore. • A Conference between the Advocate for, and an
Opponent of Practice of Burning Widows Alive (1818)
• Its chief aim was the worship of the eternal God. It
was against priesthood, rituals and sacrifices. • A Defence of Hindu Theism (1820)

• It focused on prayers, meditation and reading of the • The Precepts of Jesus- The Guide to Peace and
scriptures. Happiness (1820)

• It believed in the unity of all religions. • Bengali Grammar (1826)

ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL REFORMS • The Universal Religion (1829)

• History of Indian Philosophy (1829)
• Civil liberties: Roy was impressed and admired the
British system of constitutional government for the • Gaudiya Vyakaran (1833)
civil liberties it gave to the people. VALUES FOR ETHICS, INTEGRITY AND APTITUDE
• Press freedom: Through his writings and activities, he • Born into a prosperous upper-caste Brahmin family,
supported the movement for free press in India. Roy grew up within the framework of orthodox caste
When press censorship was relaxed by Lord Hastings practices of his time, child-marriage, polygamy and
in 1819, Ram Mohan found three journals- The dowry were prevalent among the higher castes and he
Brahmanical Magazine (1821); The Bengali weekly, had himself been married more than once in his
Samvad Kaumudi (1821); and the Persian weekly, childhood. The family’s affluence had also made the
Mirat-ul-Akbar. best in education accessible to him.
• Taxation reforms: Roy condemned oppressive • Roy’s sister-in-law had been victim of sati after his
practices of Bengali zamindars and demanded fixation elder brother’s death, and it was a wound that stayed
of minimum rents. He also demanded the abolition of with him.
taxes on tax-free lands.
• Confident about the strength of his heritage and open
• He called for a reduction of export duties on Indian to imbibing from other cultures what he believed were
goods abroad and the abolition of the East India ameliorative practices.
Company’s trading rights.

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practice questions
MCQs
Q.1) With reference to Raja Ram Mohan Roy Q.3) Traditional folk-dance form of Dhap is
consider the following statements performed in
1. He started organisations like Atmiya Sabha, (a) Odisha (b) Jharkhand
Brahmo Samaj and Adi Brahmo Samaj. (c) Sikkim (d) Chhatisgarh
2. The percept of Jesus and Vedanta Gantha are his
important literary works. Q.4) With reference to Indus valley site of
3. He was instrumental in the passage of Anti-sati Rakhigarhi, consider the following statements
legislation under Lord William Bentick. 1. It is the largest Harappan site in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 2. It represents the mature phase of Indus valley
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only civilisation.
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 3. It is situated at the Ghaggar-Hakra river plain.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q.2) Consider the following with reference to (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only
Dravidian style of Temple architecture (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
1. All temples of this style form are found in southern
states of India. Q.5) With reference to Thrissur Pooram consider the
2. Vimana and Gopuram are tallest structure of each following statements
temple. 1. It is an annual event of to celebrate birth
3. Highest development of this art form was seen anniversary of Lord Ganesha in Kerala.
during Pallavas and Chola dynasty. 2. Elephants are important part of public display.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 3. This festival does not use any musical instrument.
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Descriptive Questions
Q1. Raja Ram Mohan Roy contributed to social reforms, political reforms and educational reforms during the early

18th century. Comment.

Q2. Write a short note on Rakhigarhi, a very important site from the Indus Valley Civilisation.

Answers to above MCQs: 1(b), 2(b), 3(a), 4(d), 5(c)

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Part TWO

Ethics, Integrity
& Aptitude
Coverage from varied sources

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Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

GANDHIAN PERSPECTIVES ON ETHICS

#Ethics #Integrity #Aptitude

It is the duty of all leading men, whatever their power of love, compassion, truth, non-violence, even
persuasion or party, to safeguard the dignity of India’’, many of his close friends raised their eyebrows. His plans
said Gandhi, a month before his assassination. to take on non-violently the mightiest of the Empires of
It goes to the credit of Gandhi that he evolved a the day, many doubted his wisdom. His claim that India
philosophy and lifestyle which was permeated with could win the freedom without resorting to violence and
ethical, moral, spiritual insights and scientific truth. He war, it looked laughable. His ideas were described
did not see any difference in them and what he asserted impractical, naive, or even dubbed as ‘A Mid-Summer
in his autobiography, ‘What I want to achieve–what I have Night’s Dream’. Undisturbed by these barbs, Gandhi
been striving and pining to achieve these thirty years–is pursued his ‘Experiments with Truth’ with the precision
self-realisation, to see God face to face, to attain and devotion of a scientist. He was guided by the
Moksha’, reveals the ethical, moral and spiritual teachings of Gita and the assertion of Thoreau who
foundations of his striving all through. wrote, “I know of no more encouraging fact than the
unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life through
Gandhi’s twenty-one years of work in South Africa and
conscious endeavour”.
thirty-two years of campaigns subsequently in India for
mass awareness and political freedom authentically What is important is the ability of every human being to
restated the profound relationship between the spiritual nurture their spirit and inner resources and allow to
and the material, the ethical and moral texture of our transcend the walls and fences that hold them captive.
civilisation. Whoever can assert their mental and spiritual freedom
will eventually emerge as liberated souls. John Milton’s
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY VS MORAL AND ETHICAL
words corroborate this, “The mind is its own place, and in
FIBRE OF THE INDIVIDUAL
itself can make a heaven of hell, and a hell of heaven”.
Gandhi continues to challenge many postulations and
SPIRITUAL, MORAL INSIGHTS & SCIENTIFIC TRUTH
keeps on reminding humanity that there is a ‘truth’
beyond all what we perceive and hold to be ‘truth’. By Gandhi was not interested in the argument whether
making truth as the axis of all his endeavours, Gandhi religion is forerunner of science or science has always
was seeking the spirituality of truth itself which is the been nurturing religion or religion and spirituality are
very basis of science. He thereby convincingly challenges older to science. He could see how science outgrew the
those who espouse the notion that spirituality and importance of religion in the life of individuals as more
science need to be at war with each other. and more intelligent men of science and technology
devoted their time in unravelling and developing
Here, Gandhi outgrows the condescending position of a
scientific truth and capability. The champions and
social scientist and revolutionary thinker and social
custodians of the spiritual domain relapsed into just
activist that was assigned to him by commentators and
meditative and contemplative lifestyles thereby
historians. If science is ‘truth-seeking’, by making his life
becoming status quoists. Science and technology with its
“Experiments with Truth”, Gandhi went far beyond the
manifold focus and application came into the daily life of
traditional parameters of classifications. their centres”.
people with surprising and hitherto unbelievable results.
Just like science and scientists, who believe that there is The primacy of religion steadily eroded while science
nothing impossible in life, Gandhi held on to truth like a forged ahead with unstoppable speed and energy.
baby clinging to its mother. When he emphasised the

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Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

SATYAGRAHA: BLENDING OF ETHICAL, MORAL, of Gandhiji’s religious humanism which was rooted in
POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS CONCERNS ethical, moral and spiritual considerations.
Gandhi’s seminal contribution lies in blending science Spiritual living is responsible living. Gandhi said, “I am
and spirituality as revealed in the philosophy and responsible not only for myself but for all of you just as
practice of Satyagraha. Satyagraha, as enunciated by all of you are responsible for me. When we live truly
Gandhi, seeks to integrate spiritual values, community selfless life, we never think in terms of personal profit or
organisation and self-reliance with a view to empower pleasure but always in terms of global prosperity and
individuals, families, group, villages, towns and cities. world peace. For even these grand goals ultimately
Robert Payne in his perceptive study on Gandhi remarks, depend not on government but on selfless efforts of little
“Gandhi was continually experimenting with truth and people like you and me of the long run, friendly
inventing new forms of force.” And just as Satyagraha persuasion is the only effective teacher. Human beings
was never “truth force”, so it was never “non-violence” or can always grow”. If the man gains spirituality, Gandhi
“passive resistance”, although it included them in its said, “the whole world gains with him”.
ever-widening orbit.” The casteless and classless society he was striving to
It may be remembered that: establish aims at the realisation of both material and
spiritual moorings. He described the society that he was
1. Satyagraha was never used by Gandhi to score
aiming as Ram Rajya- a Divine Rajya, the Kingdom of
political points.
God. His Ram is the Almighty God which guides him to
2. Gandhi’s Satyagraha movement was principle- noble action and whose presence can be felt
centred and spiritually guided. everywhere. The Ram Rajya he was advocating was an
3. Gandhi’s Satyagraha was never aimed as a coercive ideal social order where an ideal King rules over his
tactic. subjects without any distinction whatsoever. Truth,
dharma and justice to be the dominant characteristics of
4. Gandhi’s language, body language and activities
such a society. The poorest of the poor to have equal say
were dignified and always left room for dialogue and
in the governance. Nobody will be discriminated against
reconciliation.
anybody.
5. Gandhi’s Satyagraha always highlighted moral
There was much in common if one can stretch it between
principles.
Plato’s ideal Republic and Gandhi’s “Ram Rajya” though
6. Gandhi had the courage to withdraw his movement Tolstoy’s influence on Gandhi could be discernible in
when he realised that unprincipled elements would formulating his vision of a new society. The major
infiltrate and would use the base for selfish or difference between the approaches of Gandhi and Plato
opportunistic goals. is that while Plato is philosophical, Gandhi is pragmatic
Gandhi, as is known now, also tried to infuse the fresh air and down-to-earth, a realist. For Gandhi rights and
of spiritualism in every domain of human endeavour, duties are complementary and a citizen who is not
including politics. He earned the name of a saint trying to conscious of his duties has no right to think of his rights.
spiritualise politics. His mantra was to wipe away tears Similarly, Gandhi believed, “There can be no Ram Raj in
from every eye. the present state of iniquitous inequalities in which only

Such a world of peace demands an attitudinal change. In a few roll in riches, while the masses do not get even
enough to eat.” The ruler, in the modern context like
such a world, the strong will not exploit the weak, the
rich will not harm the poor, and the privileged will not Lord Ram, Gandhi’s ideal King is Custodian of not only
the physical domain of the people but also an inspirer of
ignore the underprivileged.
his people to higher realms of spiritual, moral and ethical
The ancient Vedic philosophy of “Sarva Dharma
attainments.
Samabhav” or “Respect for all religions” formed the basis

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Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

CASE STUDIES for Practice

MAINS GS PAPER IV

Case Study 1: You have just cleared the prestigious civil Since his decision to take dowry stems from the socio-
cultural practice, he must have developed
services exam and your top rank has assured Indian
positive cognitive attitude towards dowry. I shall
Administrative Services for you. Your parents want you
use techniques of persuasion to change the positive
to get married before going for the training as you are
attitude of my father towards dowry:
reaching your thirties now. Your father is in favour of an
arrange marriage and is expecting lots of dowry in it. In a) Since my father is loving and has always supported
fact, he gave dowry in his daughter’s marriage and me, I shall express my desire of marrying a girl of my
considers it to be part of his culture and social norms. choice and not taking dowry. The emotion of love
However, you love a girl, but she wants some more time towards me, may cater to the affectionate
to get settled as she wants to complete her studies and component of his attitude.
pursue a career in medicine. b) I shall present the desirable characteristics and
In this context, a marriage proposal has arrived. The girl compatibility of the girl I love. I shall explain to my
belongs to a rich family and her father also has many father that my happiness after marriage will depend
political links. Her family is also ready, in fact insisting on on these things and not on how much dowry I got.
giving dowry. Your father is creating pressure on you to c) I shall present to my father the “horror” of dowry
say yes to this girl. You really love your father as he has and its socio-economic consequences in our society
always supported you. Analyse and explain what you will in form of case studies from neighbouring areas.
do in this situation? d) I shall explain to my father that dignity and social
SOLUTION respect will increase if we act ethically.
The case poses ethical dilemma to me and raises the e) I shall also make my father aware of stringent law
question of social conformity in case of unethical against dowry.
practises. Following are ethical issues involved in the
I shall always love and respect my father. But it is also my
case –
duty to persuade and change the attitude of people
a) Ethical dilemma whether to choose the girl of my around me to and make their behaviour in conformity to
choice or to adhere to my father’s wish. the constitution and law of the land.
b) Ethical dilemma whether to stand by my father’s
decision of taking dowry, as he has always
Case Study 2: You are the CEO of a leading automobiles
supported me, or to protest against it, as it leads to
company in India. Your company has launched a new car
socio-economic deterioration of society.
which is first of its kind in its design and features and
c) After getting selected for IAS, it is obligatory on me
thus, has become an instant hit among the buyers. Your
to display ethical conduct in public life.
company has already sold two lakh cars and one lakh
d) Positive attitude of educated Indians towards more have been booked in advance.
unethical practice like dowry.
However, within first two months of launch, the head of
Since my father has always been supportive of me, I technical department approaches you with the complaint
must not disrespect or hurt his feelings. I must use about the airbags which inflates up during the time of
my emotional intelligence to understand the reason for accident and saves the passenger from getting injured.
his positive attitude towards giving and taking dowry. He told you that the airbags are over inflating due to

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Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

some technical glitch and thus, are getting exploded. This loss of the market for the company. For short term
explosion will hurt the passenger more rather than gain company will face long term loss.
saving him from the jerk of accident. d) Legal penalty for misinformation may be much
However, this problem will be difficult to get identified as higher than the cost of recalling the vehicle and
at the time of accident, everything happens very quick fixing the glitch.
and the passenger will not be able to observe the e) Gandhiji once said, "A customer is the most
problem with the airbag. The company has also not important visitor on our premises. He is not
received any complaint in this regard. The glitch can be dependent on us. We are dependent on him.…. We
removed but it will cost huge money and recall of all the are not doing him a favour by serving him. He is
cars. The glitch can be removed from the upcoming cars doing us a favour by giving us the opportunity to do
and probability is very low that it will get caught in the so."
already sold cars.
In the light of above moral analysis, I will take following
The situation has put you in a dilemma as calling back steps –
cars will have huge repercussions. What action you will
a) Public declaration of the technical glitch. Also,
take to resolve the situation? Justify your action?
announcing that the technical glitch will be fixed at
Since I am the CEO of the automobile company, I have no extra charge. Honest declaration will increase the
the responsibility to ensure profitability and customer company’s reputation and social capital.
confidence. Due to this I have the following ethical
b) Decentralised mechanism, if possible, to fix the glitch
dilemmas:
in authorised service stations, to reduce the cost.
a) Ensuring profitability of the company vs Justice to
c) Proper testing of the cars yet to be delivered.
the customers.
d) Inviting customers to the company and showing
b) Value of loyalty towards company vs value of
them the proper functioning of airbags and other
honesty towards society.
features, as a confidence building exercise.
c) Professional well-being by higher sale of cars vs
There must be some long-term measures taken:
personal wellbeing by maintaining integrity.
a) Stronger quality checks mechanism to avoid such
To overcome the ethical dilemma, I must do ethical
lapses.
evaluation of the situation using some ethical standards:
b) Steps to develop social capital through CSR to build
a) Using utilitarian principle, hiding the technical glitch
greater trust of customers.
will not serve the society well. This will be unethical.
Intellectual spirit can take us to the top but moral spirit
b) As per Kant’s categorical imperative hiding critical
will keep us there.
information form customers is wrong, even if
company must suffer loss.

c) Eventually the truth will come out. The social capital

of the company will be lost. This will mean absolute

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Part Three

Essays
of

the month
Selected essays from Rau’s GSI students

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Essays OF THE MONTH

IF YOU CAN DREAM IT, YOU CAN DO IT.

#PHILOSOPHICAL
SUBMITTED BY: NANDINI KUMAR
Disclaimer: The viewpoints in the topic are strictly the soul free from the sounds of the “norm”, free to
personal of the writer above. The role of Rau’s IAS Study create a reality of its own.
Circle is to present the write-up in its original form, hence
The plan to visit a neighbouring city is a thought. The
the study circle neither endorses nor rejects any
plan to fly to a city in a world without airplanes is a
viewpoint in the submission. The purpose is only to
dream. A dream is not what is moulded by reality. It is
showcase the manner of writing.
that which on realization molds reality.
Therefore, it is the sole responsibility of the reader to use
his/her intellect to check the veracity of viewpoints. George Bernard Shaw rightly said, “The reasonable man
adapts himself to the world, the unreasonable man
“A dream is not the vision you see in your
transforms the world.” The Wright Brothers in 1903
sleep; it is the thing that doesn’t let you
made an unrealistic dream reality with the first
sleep.” These golden words of Dr. APJ
successful airplane flight. On an institutional level,
Abdul Kalam have inspired generation
Savitribai and Jyotiba Phule and their associates made
upon generation. Dreams are the beautiful and
history by establishing a school for girls in India in 1848.
heartening wishes we harbor that inspires us to make
Pushing the boundaries of what is “acceptable,
reality just as amazing and mesmerizing. To even wish
probable, realistic” is the hallmark of a revolutionary
for and dream of wonderful things requires great
dream. It is perhaps the only dream that is ever realized
creativity, hope and intelligence. A person capable of
fully. Without the motivation to make the unthinkable
dreaming is also a person capable of turning dreams to
happen, dreams can be lost to compromise.
reality, with their unique vision and skills. Walt Disney
rightly said, “If you can dream it, you can do it.” MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE

The difference between dreaming and doing lies in our Making dreams come true requires determination and
perception. Seeing our wishes as mere desires keeps dedication. Painstaking efforts, relentless pursuit and
them in the realm of imagination seeing our wishes as single–minded focus is key for such an achievement.
directives for a brighter future helps us realize them and During the Covid–19 pandemic, everyone dreamt of a
manifest them. miraculous invention to save humanity.

If one hopes and dreams for a moving cause with Only, a few turned that dream into reality. Since 2020,
enough intensity, he can find enough strength and leading pharmaceutical companies and their visionary
intelligence within himself to fulfill such a cause. Times and enthusiastic scientists attempted to create a
old and new show us through individuals and lifesaving corona preventing vaccine. From March to
institutions alike how great resolve, determination, November 2020 leading companies like Pfizer
dedication and achievable targets can make all dreams AstraZeneca, Moderna faced numerous difficulties in
come true. their vaccine trials. However, after numerous failed
trials, all efforts came to fruition. The vaccines
DREAMING A GLORIOUS DREAM
developed have an efficacy rate of more than 90% and
A dream is not simply a hope filled thought one can have indeed saved million of lives and enabled the world
think and desire. Thoughts are impulses of the mind to return to normalcy.
tempered with reality and constrained by the limits of
On an individual level, we can learn from the inspiring
the world. On the other hand, a dream is an impulse of
journey of genius inventor Thomas Edison. Edison had a

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Essays OF THE MONTH

dream of living in an efficient, developed world powered who fought to uphold his dreams until the very end.
by electricity. He failed ten thousand times. Yet, he Despite the racial segregation laws, racist attacks, and
counted each time as a unique lesson. The Culmination resistance from his own family, King strove to work for
of all those lessons was the lightbulb. his dream and find more allies who shared his dream.
Thus, it is essential for the voices cheering us to drown
Turning a vision into a tangible reality requires us to be
out the voices attacking us.
skilled and knowledgeable about our intentions. As
Wilbur Wright said, “it is possible to fly without motors, Our dreams can undergo can evolve while travelling
but not without knowledge and skill.” Dr. Vikram from our minds to our world. Therefore, it is essential
Sarabhai was the one with a glorious vision of India’s for us to have an open mind and see dreams as tangible
indigenous space program, for which he conceptualized yet polymorphous. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam had a dream of
the academic and physical rigor befitting of India’s finest serving his nation and crafting her destiny. For this, he
space scientists. ISRO’s Academic centers and Research tried to join the Indian Airforce 7 times, and got rejected
centers have arisen out of this awareness of importance each time. However, he knew that dreams could change
of skills and clarity play in the realization of any dream. form while retaining their soul. He worked tirelessly and
became the Missile man of India, inspiring many more
Prioritization is the less spoken secret for realizing one’s
to go after their dreams.
dreams. We must prize our objectives over distractions,
judgements and the price at which our objectives will be LIVING THE DREAM
realized. On the path to become world champion, boxer
All the difficulties, triumph and losses associated with
Mary Kom had to make sacrifices, forego the comfort of
pursuing our dreams makes us value every effort to live
family and continuously practice. Sacrificing comfort,
such a dream. Thus, when such a dream becomes a
early gratification, and our own fears are some
reality. We fight tooth and nail to maintain and preserve
examples.
it. India, in its varied history, has been witness to many
During the freedom struggle, both Moderates and uncomfortable events such as the loss of her freedom,
Extremists were intensely devoted to the cause of India’s and the mistreatment of her people. For centuries,
freedom. So much so, that they decided to sacrifice their brave men and women fought for India’s freedom.
affiliation with the Congress, to unfetteredly pursue When it was finally realized, we became even more
their dream for freedom. aware of the immense value of our dream. Today India
is the world’s largest thriving democracy and boasts of
DEFENDING OUR DREAMS
one of the strongest armies of the world.
In a world, where many never experience the joy having Living such a dream is only possible if we dare to see a
a dream, and many more lose hope of living such a dream, plan for it meticulously, stay open to its many
dream, disappointment runs rife. It is only natural that possibilities and defend it with everything we have.
the “dreamer doers” draws scorn and judgement of Realizing our dreams motivates us to dream higher
those bereft of dreams. dreams with larger goals and gives us the confidence to
Martin Luther King Jr. whose most famous speech is realize them.
called “I have a dream,” is a shining sample of someone

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Essays OF THE MONTH

THERE ARE ONLY TWO FORCES IN THE WORLD, THE

SWORD AND THE SPIRIT. IN THE LONG RUN, THE SWORD
WILL ALWAYS BE CONQUERED BY THE SPIRIT
#Philosophical
SUBMITTED BY: INDRAKARAN

Disclaimer: The viewpoints in the topic are strictly British could easily overpower and rule over the Indians
personal of the writer above. The role of Rau’s IAS Study due to their sheer strength and military superiority.
Circle is to present the write-up in its original form, hence However, with the renaissance of ideas, education and
the study circle neither endorses nor rejects any viewpoint finally the emergence of Gandhi into Indian Freedom
in the submission. The purpose is only to showcase the movement the spirit of independence, freedom, dignity,
manner of writing. people of India saw a re-emergence and within 30 years
Therefore, it is the sole responsibility of the reader to use (between 1917 and 1947) the mighty British rule in India
his/her intellect to check the veracity of viewpoints. capitulated before the spirit of freedom movement.

Anthropologists and sociologists identify Other examples of modern world can be quoted such as
fundamental differences between humans Nelson Mandela’s efforts in raising the spirit of Black
and animals in terms of both individuals South Africans in ending the Apartheid regime imposed
and societies. In the world of animals, by whites. Martin Luther King Jr’s efforts to raise the
strength often overtakes the will (Or spirit). The Bengal spirit of Africans Americans as equal citizens of USA and
Tiger hunting the Indian Gaur in forests of Central India his quest for securing civil rights for them alongside
is not just because of its enormous size, strength, or white Americans is an example where spirit conquers the
spirit. With over the three times the weight of the tiger, sword. Even at the global stage this is visible. The case of
the Indian Gaur does not lack in strength. Also, what World War II. The evil powers of Nazism and fascism led
spirit is larger than the spirit to live? In humans, both by Hitler and Mussolini were defeated by forces which
spirit and sword (euphemism for strength) play a key role were fighting for freedom and dignity of individuals. The
in all aspects of life. However, Spirit often predominates defeat of Nazi powers is thus a testimony to spirit of
the sword because of humans by nature are conscient freedom, human rights and will of people overpowering
being. authoritarianism and bigotry.

When we talk about sword, we talk about the external Certain questions can be logically raised from the above
projection of strength, use of force and dominance which examples from history. Does spirit always conquer the
could be equated with power. However, spirit is not so sword? How long does it take for spirit to conquer, if at
tangible or expressible. It includes the will of humans, all? Is this true for modern societies only? What about
their inner strength, use of moral principles, an ethical prehistoric societies when human beings were closest to
compass and search for common happiness. nature? Is there a transition between Ancient and
contemporary societies? Let us discuss these questions
Modern societies are full of anecdotes where initially
in detail.
sword overpowers the spirit of people but eventually the
sword capitulates in front of the re-emerging spirit. The In prehistoric societies, man was closest to nature and
case of Indian Freedom Struggle is an apt example. In the his survival and relations with the environment around
initial period of British rule (from 1757 to 1857), the him and the wider community was based on strength.

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Essays OF THE MONTH

The best hunter would get his choice of hut in the A case of native Americans can be taken as example.
settlement, his choice of wife, he would get adequate Since the coming of European explorers to America
food to feed himself etc. He commanded the respect of (1500 AD onwards) native Americans were continuously
the society. However, spirit was not unimportant. The persecuted. The Cherokee, Mohawk tribes of native
village elders were valued for their wisdom and all Americans who were considered fierce and culturally rich
people approached them for their advice. Thus, in pre- were nearly decimated by European swords, muskets
historic times, spirit and sword had their own separate and rifles. The spirit of native Native Americans has been
roles. However, in case of confrontation, sword often conquered by strength (sword) of Europeans. The
prevailed over spirit. situation is very unlikely to change in the future. Also, the
recent aggression of Russia against Ukraine also testifies
In ancient times, spirit got enormous centrality and
that a spirit of Ukraine to resist unjust Russian
importance over the sword. For ex. Priests were seen as
aggression is alone not enough.
embodiment of purity and knowledge and the ancient
kings conducted their affairs one the advice of the A diametrically opposite example can be made of the
priests. Furthermore, saints like Gautama Buddha, state of Israel today. For over two million years, Jews
Mahavir, Prophet Mohammad, Jesus Christ etc. were able were persecuted over entire Eurasia. However, the spirit
to capture people’s imagination with their understanding of Jews survived. After the World War II, Jewish
of human spirit. There figures remain prominent even leadership was able to establish a Jewish state of Israel
today after about 2000 years. which was to be a refugee for any Jew anywhere in the
world. Since its founding, Israel has fought four wars with
its neighbouring countries, yet it has emerged as one of
During medieval times, spirit re-emerged among people the most powerful countries in the middle east region
in the form of bhakti movement, enlightenment, and and an important player in global affairs. Objective
renaissance etc. Many important ideas like secularism, assessment of Israel’s history shows that it conquered
social welfare, democratic governments, republican sword of its enemies through the spirit of unity of Jewish
states, separation of powers of executive, legislature and people and spirit of scientific temper which is one of the
judiciary etc. emerged now. Most of these ideas became foundational principles of Jews.
near universal and are truly relevant even today. Such
On a psychological evaluation of spirit vs sword debate, it
ideas and spirit soon changed the power dynamics and
emerges that supremacy of spirit over sword and
power centers of the society. These then laid the
physical strength brings peace to society and nation.
foundation of modern society.
Supremacy of spirit in this sense means rising over and
Therefore, we can observe that the importance and above bigotry, intolerance and accepting non-violence,
strength of spirit over sword was not there throughout tolerance and sympathy.
the history, but the strength of spirit has continuously
Thus, in conclusion, we can say that firstly, spirit often
increased with the evolution of human consciousness.
conquers strength and sword in modern societies
Thus, we can say that eventually spirit always conquers
because of various ideas central to modernity like human
the sword.
rights, democratic principles of governance etc. Secondly,
However, generalising such a statement has its own it is always good to have both spirit as well as sword in
infirmities. In contemporary societies, strength of the one’s arsenal because sometimes spirit alone may not
state still exists in many countries (ex. Communist China, suffice. Thirdly, mere strength of force (i.e., sword)
Russia, Saudi Arabia etc.) despite various revolutions like without spirit causes suffering.
Arab Spring, Color Revolutions etc. There have been
times when spirit has utterly failed before the sword.

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Essays OF THE MONTH

A MAN IS BUT A PRODUCT OF HIS THOUGHTS. WHAT HE

THINKS HE BECOMES.
#PHILOSOPHICAL
SUBMITTED BY: NANDINI KUMAR

Disclaimer: The viewpoints in the topic are strictly and fuelled by what is called a conformation bias. Once
personal of the writer above. The role of Rau’s IAS Study we focus strongly on a thought, we find it being
Circle is to present the write-up in its original form, hence manifested everywhere. Scientific research is notorious
the study circle neither endorses nor rejects any viewpoint for being divided by researchers’ biases due to this very
in the submission. The purpose is only to showcase the reason. Thus, it is easy for one to get caught in powerful
manner of writing. vicious or virtuous loops only due to his thoughts.
Therefore, it is the sole responsibility of the reader to use
It is also important to note that focussing our thoughts
his/her intellect to check the veracity of viewpoints.
only works on affirmation and not denial. In other words,
“Your thoughts are the architects of your choosing to think about something ensures we think
destiny.” This profound quote by David about it, as does resolving to not to think about
McKay highlights the foundational truth of something under any circumstance. “Describing a red
the human condition. Our thoughts shape rose in great detail is just as evocative to an audience as
us and the world around us. Thoughts are our first telling that audience to “do anything but think about a
engagement with society. They impact our behaviour, red rose.”
beliefs, actions and attitudes. It is thus essential for every
Therefore, the power lies not in what we choose not to
human to consciously choose the thoughts he has and in
focus on, but in what we do. Wanting to avoid war and
turn the reality he experiences.
wanting to encourage peace are two separate things,
Thoughts can be loud enough to engage in impactful although they appear similar. The choice we make
actions immediately or slow and subtle, gradually determines the character of the speaker, is he avoidant
moulding us to their tunes. The quality and contents of of sad things or is actively seeking goodness.
these shape the quality and content of the person.
In the initial stages of his conscience awakening,
Our thoughts arise due to our early experiences, our Mahatma Gandhi felt embittered and resentful of the
biases and our own perception of our identity. British for their oppression and injustice towards Indian
Watertight categorization leads to rigid thoughts, while people. However, he astutely realized that such an
open identities lead to fluid, adaptable thoughts. If one attitude would not lead him to serve his motherland.
feeds and fuels thoughts of hope, positivity and Instead, Gandhi chose to focus duly on heartening
inspiration, he will be attracted only to those things in life thoughts of serving his motherland and his people. He
that offer him such prizes. Even in times of adversity, he was naturally known for being with hope and energy.
will find the way back to joy and peace.
Our cognitive, emotional and psychic states are slowly
Conversely, one who is wired towards negativity and but surely affected by what we are exposed to. As per a
doom will always find himself in defeating situations. It famous psychological study, a group of participants was
will transform even the most pleasant situation into one shown a film of mundane activities for over 3 hours. Half
of misery. the participants were shown these films, while other half
were exposed to violent imagery for just a fraction of a
“As a man thinketh, so is he and as a man chooseth, so is
second every 10 minutes, without their knowledge. Later
he,” Ralph Waldo Emerson said. Our thoughts are fed

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65

Essays OF THE MONTH

these participants were exposed to violent actions. The In times of crises, such as the Covid-19 pandemic,
subliminally exposed group showed much less reaction controlling our thoughts is even more essential. Those
or discomfort to violence than the other group. snipped with anxiety, sorrow and fear are six times more
likely to suffer even more. Those with progress
This shows how even our subconscious thoughts hold
orientation, determined thoughts are more likely to
the power to normalize absurd things for us. Adolf Hitler
engage in productive, proactive behaviours that benefit
was famous for such psychological manipulation, with
them and society, as well as remain guarded from
the help of his propaganda minister Joseph Gobbles. The
negative spirals.
German public was subtly exposed to antisemitic
commentary through jokes, films, etc. The result was that It is not recommended to escape undesirable thoughts.
an entire nation stood silent witness to a horrific Everyone faces such thoughts. Ignoring them only makes
genocide of Jews. them angrier and more determined. We face problems
when we engage in the act of thinking by investing
Today, technological giants like Google and Facebook
energy and effort in such “passing clouds.” Then, we
employ similar tricks. Innocent users are shown same
identify with thoughts and comingle them in every aspect
search results over and over until they click on them and
of our being, from our relationships to our actions. The
visit them repeatedly. Social media sites show users
solution therefore is to selectively allow thoughts to
media proven to result in low self-esteem so that users
penetrate our minds.
try emulating them and visit such media repeatedly. This
has rightly resulted in many ethical concerns. Australia If a thought makes us hopeful of the future or resolves
and EU have severely clashed with the corporates as this problems of our life, we should engage with them. Such
psychological tweaking holds the power to mould entire thoughts either make us joyful, inspired or cautious and
societies. wise. In modern spiritual traditions, this is called
“eudaimonia” or good spirit.
It is also no surprise why depression, anxiety, mental
illness are at an all-time high today. Sufferers are The larger solution, though, is to develop an attitude of
exposed to challenging situations, pushed over the edge critical thinking, dissecting every thought for its validity,
by rested interests repeatedly and find little respite in soundness and benefit. A thought is valid if it arises form
society as most other people are also suffering from logical conditions, sound if it is absolutely, beyond doubt
similar fates. true, and benefic if it improves our life.

At the same time, the miracles of positive thinking are Such high-level critical thinking only happens when we
also clear to see for everyone. A belief in positive develop an attitude of introspection. By questioning with
thoughts independent of evidence is called a “placebo.” scepticism, every thought, our or the world’s, we become
Medical research has conclusively shown how such a skilled at reigning the thoughts we entertain. This
placebo, real or induced can lead to enhanced immune changes our character, reactions and even conditions for
response, lower discomfort levels and even spontaneous the better. The only thing demanded of us is courage.
resolution of many diseases. The courage to confront what we think and the courage
to think for ourselves.

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