1. Regulating content READ MORE
2. EC should be above partisanship, suspicion READ MORE
3. Governors sitting on Bills is a dangerous scribbling of the ‘grammar of anarchy’ READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. HC quashes Haryana law for 75% quota in pvt sector jobs READ MORE
2. Indian market for technical textiles targeted to touch $40 billion by 2030:Saxena READ MORE
3. What is the BDS movement, led by Palestinian groups against Israel? READ MORE
4. Windfall profit tax on crude oil, diesel exports cut READ MORE
5. How fractals offer a new way to see the quantum realm | Explained READ MORE
6. Extreme weather events may be driving replacement of native species with exotic ones READ MORE
7. In India, 191 billion potential labour hours were lost due to heat exposure in 2022: Lancet READ MORE
8. World needs to limit global warming to 1.5°C to protect cryosphere, 2°C too high: Report READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. What can a domestic violence survivor do when the justice system lets her down? READ MORE
2. A predator & conspiracy of silence READ MORE  
3. Why water reserves in southern India are fast depleting in 2023 READ MORE
4. What Determines Groundwater Exploitation in India? READ MORE 

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Regulating content READ MORE
2. EC should be above partisanship, suspicion READ MORE
3. Governors sitting on Bills is a dangerous scribbling of the ‘grammar of anarchy’ READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Skills intelligence and workforce optimisation READ MORE

 INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. The geopolitical fallout of the Israel-Hamas war READ MORE  
2. Building the floor: On the U.S.-China summit meeting, lessons for India READ MORE
3. Why peace in West Asia matters to India READ MORE
4. India-Bangladesh connectivity blessing for both READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. State of the economy — temper the euphoria READ MORE
2. Supply chain pact: Opportunity for India to maximise economic gains READ MORE
3. NPAs: Setting the record straight READ MORE
4. Inflation fall hiding slump? READ MORE
5. Unpacking Inequality READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Climate change: Are we close to collective action? READ MORE
2. Empowering women to be harbinger of climate change READ MORE
3. Act fast to clean air, or economy will take a hit READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Is AI the future of human relationships? READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Widening divide: Peace in Manipur cannot be restored by half-measures READ MORE
2. Do it via UIDAI: States shouldn’t create separate biometric databases. Multiple datasets increase security risk READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Nature can kill READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. The ethics of war: Proportionality and nationalism READ MORE
2. Do we really have any free will? READ MORE
3. The original sin in conflicts READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Public funding of elections will certainly bring transparency in the poll process. Critically examine.
2. State governments’ committed expenditure under OPS would shrink their commitment to the FRBM Act. Critically comment.
3. Increasing debt is not only creating fiscal imbalance but affects the ability of state governments to run welfare schemes and blocks the path for the development of the country. In the light of the statement anslyse why freebies schemes are a recipe for fiscal disaster.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.
• India’s position on Israel–Palestine conflict reflects its priority to work towards a political solution and durable peace in West Asia.
• The ‘skills-first’ model of talent acquisition and management is the key to thrive in the evolving landscape for tech-driven enterprises.
• The priority for now is the safety of the trapped workers, but broader implications underscore the importance of balancing development with environmental preservation.
• The delicate ecosystem of lower Himalayas requires a well-considered approach to ensure the wellbeing of both the locals and the region.
• With the constitutionality of electoral bonds being contested more strongly, the citizen must push for a more level-playing field in the next round of elections.
• The recourse to a money bill to amend the relevant laws subverted the legislative scheme envisaged in the Constitution.
• Training of rural women as entrepreneurs and imparting them with the knowledge to adapt to a changing environment is crucial for climate action.
• Empowering women, and placing them at the centre of clean energy transitions is not only improving people’s lives but also garnering increased attention as effective agents towards more inclusive systems.
• The concern for nature in Indian scriptures is not just a cultural or religious tenet but a profound philosophy that underscores the intrinsic connection between humans and the environment.
• The EC is a constitutional body charged with and empowered to conduct free and fair elections. If it appears to be partisan and loses credibility, India’s elections and democracy, too, will lose credibility.
• While the growth in exports augurs well for the economy, boosting domestic demand is imperative for continued economic growth of the country.
• There are many strong arguments for keeping air quality better, even from an economic growth perspective. The poor quality and related health conditions results in increased worker absenteeism and reduced workforce output, and thus adversely impacting economic growth.
• It does not bode well for federalism and democracy in India that the Supreme Court has to intervene in the routine procedure of governors clearing the Bills passed by state assemblies.
• The principle of equal sovereignty of the States as the basis of all international relations is inconsistent with the status quo, where the international tribunals should have the right to prosecute the defeated countries and their leadership for war crimes.

ESSAY TOPIC

• Power is no blessing in itself, except when it is used to protect the innocent.

50-WORD TALK

• RBI has finally decided to curb rapidly growing unsecured lending, and not a moment too soon. Societal damage inflicted by banks and NBFCs through unscrupulous recovery practices needs an immediate stop. Finance Minister has spoken in Parliament about this. RBI must introspect on why it took so long to act.
• Modi government is right in expressing concern about the rise of AI and deepfakes in public sphere. Regulation is needed to ensure this doesn’t poison social relations. But there needs to be abundant caution on how much control and authority citizens end up ceding to the government in this process.

Things to Remember:

• For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
• Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
• For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
• For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
• Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.

TAG: GS 1: GEOGRAPHY

THE CONTEXT:  An under-construction tunnel on the Yamunotri National Highway in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district collapsed.

CAUSES:

• The failure (the section that has collapsed) is located around 200-300 metres from the mouth of the tunnel.
• It could have happened due to a loose patch (of rock), which wasn’t visible during the construction.
• The patch might have consisted of fractured or fragile rock.
• Another reason could be the seepage of water through a loose patch.
• Water erodes loose rock particles over time, creating a void on the top of the tunnel, which can’t be seen.

WHAT ARE THE WAYS IN WHICH TUNNELS ARE EXCAVATED IN ROCK?

• There are essentially two ways:
  • The drill and blast method (DBM)
  • Using tunnel-boring machines (TBMs)
• DBM involves drilling holes into the rock and loading them with explosives. When the explosives are detonated, the rock breaks apart.
• TBMs bore the rock from the front (using a rotating head) while supporting the excavating tunnel behind the machine by installing precast concrete segments.
• Building a tunnel with a TBM is more expensive than DBM, but much safer.
• Imported TBMs are used in India.

DOES THE METHOD OF EXCAVATION DEPEND ON THE TYPE OF TERRAIN?

• TBMs are ideal when the rock cover is up to 400 metres tall.
• A TBM can’t be used to drill through very tall mountains. Creating a void through a 1,000-2,000-metre-high mountain by using a TBM leads to rock burst.
• Underground tunnels for the Delhi Metro were dug using a TBM at shallow depth.
• DBM is usually used in places like Himalayas, including Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand.

IS THE HIMALAYAN REGION TOO FRAGILE TO TUNNEL THROUGH?

• Geological context: The Himalayas are still young (they were formed between 40 million and 50 million years ago) and they are still growing due to the collision between the Indian tectonic plate and the Eurasian tectonic plate.
• There are some patches where the rock is indeed too fragile for a tunnel. But at other places, the rock is very good.

KEY ASPECTS OF BUILDING A TUNNEL

• Investigation: The first and foremost thing is to thoroughly investigate the rock through which a tunnel is proposed to be made.
• It is done by sending seismic refraction waves through the rock to check which patches are fragile or solid.
• In India, engineers dig a borehole into the rock to extract a core sample and send it for petrographic analysis.
  • Petrographic analysis: Microscopic examination to determine the mineral content, grain size, texture and other features that have a bearing on the mechanical behaviour of the sample.
• Investigations help determine if the rock can take the load of the overburden when a tunnel is created.
• If the rock layer and its strength are good, it takes the entire load of the overburden by redistribution of the stresses, and it remains stable.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO CONSTRUCT A STABLE TUNNEL?

• After excavation and providing support for the tunnel, we need to monitor the spot. It’s essential to check how the rock is behaving at various places.
• Monitoring is done by instruments such as stress meters and deformations meters.
• Then, the supports provided to the tunnel need to be tested for adequacy.
• Supports can be of various types:
  • Including shotcrete (sprayed concrete that works as a membrane to prevent parts of the rock from falling).
  • Rock bolt (a long anchor bolt for stabilising rock excavations).
  • Steel ribs or beams.
  • Tunnel pipe umbrella, built by using steel tubes that can hold really fragile rocks.
• It is also important that an independent specialist geologist visits the tunnel for examination and to check for probable failures.

SOURCE: What led to the Uttarakhand tunnel collapse (indianexpress.com)

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Scientists used the James Webb Space Telescope to discover the second and fourth-most distant galaxies in a part of space known as Pandora’s cluster.

EXPLANATION:

• According to researchers, galaxies at this distance appear in images as red dots, these new galaxies appear larger and look like a “peanut and a fluffy ball”.
• The researchers estimate that the light detected by Webb telescope was emitted by the galaxies about 13.4 billion light-years
• The galaxies are currently 33 billion light-years away from us because of the expansion of the universe over time.
• The researchers also used computational models to reveal the properties of these early galaxies.

JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE:

• The James Webb Space Telescope is the largest, most powerful space telescope ever built.
• The telescope will be able to capture images of some of the first galaxies ever formed.
• It will also be able to observe objects in our solar system from Mars outward, look inside dust clouds to see where new stars and planets are forming and examine the atmospheres of planets orbiting other stars.
• The Webb telescope’s cameras are sensitive to heat from the Sun. Webb has a sunshield to protect its instruments and mirrors.
• The James Webb Space Telescope sees the universe in light that is invisible to human eyes. This light is called infrared radiation. The James Webb Space Telescope will use its infrared cameras to see through dust in the universe.
• It took deep field images of Pandora’s cluster in 2022.

SOURCE: James Webb Space Telescope help find 2 of the most distant galaxies (indianexpress.com)

GS 3: BIODIVERSITY

THE CONTEXT: The latest zoological finds include nine new emperor moth species discovered in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

 EXPLANATION:

• It includes the Mishmi moon moth (Actias smetaceki) from Arunachal Pradesh and the Shan moon moth (Actias loeffleri) from northern Myanmar. Their name has been derived from a moon on each of its wings.
• The largest of the 11 moths recorded with a wingspan of 13.6 cm is Loepa himalayana found in Arunachal Pradesh and Tibet.
• Out of more than 1,300 known species of moths belonging to the Saturniidae family, including the emperor moths, some 100 are from India.
• A new frog recorded from Namdapha in Arunachal Pradesh is Alcalus fontinalis thus named because of small streams or brooks where it was found in May 2022.
• According to the researchers, frogs of the Alcalus genus found in the Philippines and Thailand were hitherto unknown in India.
• Arunachal Pradesh also yielded the Alycaeus himalayae, a snail found in a small limestone cave in the East Siang district.
• The researchers said it is the only Aycaeus species inhabiting the Himalayas.
• Another new species of snail, Cycloryx pemaledai, was reported from Sikkim.

Source: New species of small life forms recorded from northeast – The Hindu

1. Master The Art Of Designing Your Destiny READ MORE
2. Living in a compartment READ MORE

1. What a US-China climate deal means for COP28 READ MORE
2. High road to Dubai COP28: Scientists join group in saying 1.5°C warming limit too high READ MORE

1. What can a domestic violence survivor do when the justice system lets her down? READ MORE
2. Challenges to curbing community-based prostitution READ MORE  

1. On the sub-categorisation within castes READ MORE
2. Should elections be state funded? READ MORE
3. Challenging the Electoral Bond Scheme READ MORE
4. Branded, generic and the missing ingredient of quality READ MORE
5. Freebies, a surefire recipe for disaster READ MORE
6. Don’t revert to old pension system READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Biden, Xi restore military ties but remain apart on wider flashpoint of Taiwan READ MORE
2. T.N. House special session to readopt Bills returned by Governor READ MORE
3. Food prices pose risk to aligning inflation to 4% target: RBI officials READ MORE
4. Trade Deficit to narrow from October peak, but will still be over H1 average of $20 billion READ MORE
5. How was the first vaccine for chikungunya approved? | Explained READ MORE
6. Nearly a billion children globally exposed to extremely high water stress: UNICEF report READ MORE
7. Climate hazard: Heat-related deaths in elderly population to increase by 370% midcentury in a warming world READ MORE
8. Sand and dust storms are increasing, human activities contribute 25% emissions: UNCCD READ MORE
9. New species of small life forms recorded from northeast READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. What can a domestic violence survivor do when the justice system lets her down? READ MORE
2. Challenges to curbing community-based prostitution READ MORE  

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. On the sub-categorisation within castes READ MORE
2. Should elections be state funded? READ MORE
3. Challenging the Electoral Bond Scheme READ MORE
4. Branded, generic and the missing ingredient of quality READ MORE
5. Freebies, a surefire recipe for disaster READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Toilets in schools: SC pushes for well-being of students READ MORE

 INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Biden-Xi summit: Thaw in bilateral ties is welcome READ MORE  
2. Peace pipe READ MORE
3. India-US dialogue focuses on conflicts READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. India’s economic rise: How to capitalise on the moment READ MORE
2. State vs state fights, on taxes READ MORE
3. Don’t revert to old pension system READ MORE
4. Gentrification of consumer demand, global capitalism READ MORE
5. Roadmap for spurring agriculture towards sustainability READ MORE
6. Circular economy: A win-win for all READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. What a US-China climate deal means for COP28 READ MORE
2. High road to Dubai COP28: Scientists join group in saying 1.5°C warming limit too high READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. The first chikungunya vaccine could be a game changer in global health READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Widening divide: Peace in Manipur cannot be restored by half-measures READ MORE
2. Do it via UIDAI: States shouldn’t create separate biometric databases. Multiple datasets increase security risk READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Expert Explains: What led to the Uttarakhand tunnel collapse — and how it could have been avoided READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Master The Art Of Designing Your Destiny READ MORE
2. Living in a compartment READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Public funding of elections will certainly bring transparency to the poll process. Critically examine.
2. State governments’ committed expenditure under OPS would shrink their commitment to the FRBM Act. Critically comment.
3. Increasing debt is not only creating fiscal imbalance but also affecting the ability of state governments to run welfare schemes and blocking the path for the development of the country. In light of the statement, analyse why freebie schemes are a recipe for fiscal disaster.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Power is no blessing in itself, except when it is used to protect the innocent.
• Public funding of elections can certainly bring transparency in the poll process, but it depends on how it is done.
• If there is to be any public funding of elections would insist on complete transparency about the money spent by the party or the candidate in the election.
• With the constitutionality of electoral bonds being contested more strongly, the citizen must push for a more level-playing field in the next round of elections.
• The recourse to a money bill to amend the relevant laws subverted the legislative scheme envisaged in the Constitution.
• To ensure affordable medicines for all under Universal Health Care, free medicines and free diagnostics are acceptable policy, but implementation needs to be monitored.
• State governments’ committed expenditure under OPS would surge, discretionary expenditures, particularly capital expenditure, would shrink given their commitment to the FRBM Act.
• The investment risk of the pension fund shall be borne by the employees. These concerns need to be addressed through market-driven solutions.
• The FDA’s approval of a chikungunya vaccine brings hope to regions facing the highest risk of the mosquito-borne virus that has affected over 110 countries.
• INDIA needs to radically re-examine its agricultural policy so that it serves current national imperatives and also looks after its farmers.
• While the country needs to remain self-sufficient in food, it needs to be examined if it should remain a food exporter.
• A water-scarce country exporting water-guzzling crops amounts to exporting water.
• In a world grappling with environmental challenges and resource scarcity, the concept of a circular economy has emerged as a beacon of hope.
• India, like the US, faces a tough challenge, being in a democratic set-up, where they have to carefully articulate their foreign policy goals, while not hurting domestic influence groups. Both countries also face a tough electorate next year, as the incumbent federal governments seek re-election.
• Only through unity within and among Arab countries can Palestinians achieve a life of dignity. Palestinians need life, like those in prosperous Arab countries.
• Increasing debt is not only creating fiscal imbalance but is affecting the ability of state governments to run welfare schemes and is also blocking the path for the development of the country and industry in particular.

ESSAY TOPIC

• Power is no blessing in itself, except when it is used to protect the innocent.

50-WORD TALK

• Joe Biden-Xi Jinping meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific summit is no cause for anxiety. It’s a good thing that the two big powers aren’t at odds with each other and are talking. Superpower contestations have and will always be there. Even during the Cold War, there was engagement.
• Strong protests by southern states have forced National Medical Commission to defer the plan of linking approval of new medical colleges and increasing the number of MBBS seats to a state’s population. It punishes performing states and is another way of introducing the Centre’s delimitation exercise. Backlash was only natural.

Things to Remember:

• For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
• Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
• For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
• For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
• Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.

RELEVANCE TO UPSC SYLLABUS: GS 2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE: ELECTORAL BONDS; POLITICAL FUNDING; PROBITY IN GOVERNANCE; ELECTORAL REFORMS

THE CONTEXT

The Constitution Bench headed by the Chief Justice of India, recently reserved its judgment on petitions challenging the validity of the electoral bonds scheme. The proceedings focused on arguments pertaining to the voters’ right to information vis-a-vis the right to confidentiality of donors. Transparency in election funding has become the central issue here.

POSITIVES OF STATE FUNDING OF ELECTIONS

Transparency: Public funding of elections can certainly bring transparency in the poll process with proper mechanism laid out. It would certainly be better than the existing system where candidates and political parties spend from their own pocket, and a lot of black money goes into election campaigning.

Level playing field: State funding of elections ensures that some influential people or groups don’t have undue influence over electoral processes. It enables a level playing field for the promotion of healthy competition by ensuring equality between large, well-known political parties and small parties and independent candidates.

Citizen centric decision: State funding of election will abstain political parties from the influence of crony capitalism and It can break up the corporate-political connection. If political parties are not financially influenced by the huge corporate sector, citizen-centric decisions will be encouraged.

Viable to economy: State funding of elections can cut down the huge expenditure spent on elections as only funds accounted by state funding will be used. Indrajit Gupta Committee Report, which is most often quoted in support of public funding of elections, it says state funding should be done only in kind and not in cash. However, it says State funding is viable only if parties are internally democratic in their functioning, transparent in their financial affairs.

ISSUES IN STATE FUNDING OF ELECTIONS

Unclear mechanism: There is no clear mechanism of how state funding of elections can work to maximize its potential. Also, for it being success there is need to bring in other electoral reforms in place.

Functioning of political parties:  Political parties nowadays mostly function as corporates. Their business is to win elections and make money to be able to win the next elections. So, this functioning of political parties as corporate entities or as family-run corporate entities is the fundamental problem which needs to be addressed.

Diversion of expenditure: The state expenditure on many essential public goods such as primary health care and public health engineering is already very small. Given this situation, the public resources have to be channeled towards and not diverted from such essential services, and that too to finance something that already gets abundantly financed.

Not prevent from additional financing: The state funding of elections will not prevent parties from lobbying and getting undisclosed supplementary private funding, with associated implications. Also, public funding may influence many people to enter politics solely to receive state subsidies rather than run for office and engage in development work.

RECOMMENDATIONS ON STATE FUNDING FOR ELECTIONS

The Indrajit Gupta Committee on State Election Funding (1998)

• To create a level playing field for parties with limited resources, the Indrajit Gupta Committee recommended state funding of elections in 1998.
• The Committee advised placing two restrictions on state funding.
• Firstly, only national and state parties with a symbol should receive state funding. Independent candidates should not.
• Secondly, only recognized political parties and their candidates should get short-term state funding in kind in the form of specific infrastructure.
• The Committee noted that at the time of the report, the nation’s economic climate was only conducive to partial, not complete, public funding of elections.

Law Commission Report on Electoral Law Reform (1999)

• According to the Law Commission of India’s 1999 report, state funding of elections is “desirable” as long as political parties are not allowed to accept money from other sources.
• Additionally, it strongly recommended that the appropriate regulatory framework should be put in place.
• The Commission agreed with the Indrajit Gupta Committee that, given the economic situation of the nation at the time, only partial public assistance was practicable.

The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution, 2002

• It did not endorse state funding of elections.
• But it agreed with the 1999 Law Commission report that there is a need for an appropriate framework for the regulation of political parties.
• It needs to be implemented before the state funding is taken into consideration.

Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2008)

• The Second Administrative Reforms Commission’s “Ethics in Governance” report from 2008 advocated partial state funding of elections to cut down on “illegitimate and excessive funding” of election costs.

GLOBAL COMPARISON

• There are some 34 countries where state funding of elections is available in some form or the other. But there are different models. In some countries only parties get the fund, candidates do not. There are countries where it’s the other way round.
• The highest proportion of state funding of elections is in Norway, which is about 74% of the total expenses on the election.
• In most countries where there is public funding of elections, there are also strict transparency requirements. In the U.S., there is a rule that if the presidential candidate raises X amount of money, they are eligible to receive an equal amount of money from the government.
• But this is subject to certain conditions. In the last two or three presidential elections, no candidate has accepted government money. They have said that they do not want to accept these conditions and that they are able to raise enough money on our own.

THE WAY FORWARD

Evolving an efficient mechanism: For effective implementation of state funding of election an efficient mechanism needs to be devised. It can be done by proper stakeholder consultation of all the parties concerned. For example,  Part-public funding of election campaigns is a practice in some countries. e.g. United States and Britain. There is a need to evolve our own version.

Realistic campaign spending: In India, the main reason for the prevalence of black money in election spending is the unrealistically low limits set by the Election Commission of India on campaign spending by political parties and candidates. More realistic campaign spending limits should be set where Election Commission could determine the actual expenditure and ask the parties to show the source of income.

Strict monitoring: The strict monitoring of expenditure by political parties and their functionaries at every level, starting with the panchayat, polling booth area and municipal ward should be done. For example, every party should disclose its expenditure every month at every level.  This should be open to challenge by rival parties, media, etc.

Involvement of political parties: Political parties need to be part of the decision-making process. Political parties have to be made accountable to the public. They have to be democratic institutions if they are to deserve public money.

THE CONCLUSION

There is an ongoing debate on transparency in political funding, as there is unnecessary expenditure by political parties in elections. In this regard, the idea of state funding of elections is a concept long debated to reduce corruption by funding elections with government money as opposed to individual campaign contributions. It has potential to bring new and growing parties in par with the established parties, thus ensuring fair elections.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

1. The Indian party system is passing through a phase of transition which looks to be full of contradictions and paradoxes.” Discuss. (2016)
2. To enhance the quality of democracy in India, the Election Commission of India has proposed electoral reforms in 2016. What are the suggested reforms and how far are they significant to make democracy successful? (2017)

 MAINS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. State funding of elections can be the best way to achieve transparency in political funding. Comment.

 Refer to the main focus article for more:

https://blog.lukmaanias.com/2023/11/10/regulating-political-funding-rules-around-the-world-indias-challenges/

 SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/should-elections-be-state-funded/article67540233.ece

RELEVANCE TO UPSC SYLLABUS: GS2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE: FREEDOM OF MEDIA, REGULATION OF MEDIA.

THE CONTEXT

After the much debated and controversial introduction of the IT Rules 2021, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) released the draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023 on November 10.

KEY FEATURES OF THE DRAFT BROADCASTING SERVICES(REGULATION) BILL, 2023

• The Bill provides regulatory provisions for various broadcasting services under a single legislative framework.
• It seeks to replace the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act of 1995 and other policy guidelines currently governing the broadcasting sector in India.
• The Bill extends its regulatory purview to encompass broadcasting OTT content, digital news and current affairs currently regulated through the IT Act, 2000.
• The Bill consists of six chapters, 48 sections and three Schedules.
  • The Bill provides comprehensive definitions for contemporary broadcasting terms along with other important technical terms to be defined in the statute for the first time.
• It introduces content evaluation committees for self-regulation and Broadcast Advisory Council to advise the central government on programme code and advertisement code violations.
• The Bill provides statutory penalties like advisory, warning, censure, or monetary penalties for operators and broadcasters.
  • Provision for imprisonment and/or fines is also there, but only for very serious offences, such as obtaining registration with a false affidavit.
  • Monetary penalties and fines are linked to the financial capacity of the entity, taking into account their investment and turnover to ensure fairness and equity.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BILL

It addresses a long-standing need of consolidating and updating the regulatory provisions for various broadcasting services under a single legislative framework.

It introduces comprehensive definitions for contemporary broadcasting terms and incorporates provisions for emerging broadcasting technologies.

It enhances self-regulation with the introduction of ‘Content evaluation committees’ and evolves the existing Inter-Departmental Committee into a more participative and broader ‘Broadcast Advisory Council’.

The bill addresses the specific needs of persons with disabilities by providing for enabling provisions for issue of comprehensive accessibility guidelines.

CRITICISM OF THE BILL

The broad and ambiguous framing of point 36 in the draft bill raises concerns. It gives the authorized officer the ultimate power to prohibit the transmission of any program or channel not in conformity with prescribed codes or likely to promote disharmony.

The proposed bill could lead to the erasure or selective representation of Indian minority communities.

Experts have expressed concerns about the potential influence of the government in the regulatory process and the independence of the authorized officer working under government directions.

THE CABLE TELEVISION NETWORK(REGULATION)ACT (CTNR) 1995

It was introduced to curb the menace of illegal cable television networks and regulate the programming and advertising content on television.

Under the CTNR Act, cable providers were compulsorily required to register themselves and transmit two Doordarshan channels, besides adhering to content regulation.

ISSUES WITH THE IT RULES 2021

Violating privacy: The rules have a traceability requirement which mandates significant social media intermediaries like WhatsApp to “enable the identification of the first originator of the information on its computer resource.

Increasing censorship: It could lead to censorship by the government. Content posted on social media platforms at times includes criticism of the establishment, which might not be very pleasing for the elected government.

Unclear Safe Harbor Protection: The lack of clear safe harbor protection could lead to criminal liability for employees of intermediaries who fail to comply with the rules.

Fear of Misuse: There are concerns that the rules could be misused to silence dissent and curb news coverage.

THE WAY FORWARD

The bill should establish an independent regulatory body to oversee content regulation.

The Indian government has been ineffective in addressing conflicts of interest in the media industry, particularly the relationships between MSOs (Multi-Service Operators), politicians, and vertical integration. This has caused a loss of trust and the issues with the CTRN Act demonstrate a significant lack of faith in the government. As such, a regulation on conflicts of interest is essential to restore public trust.

To foster a more responsible and informed media landscape, it is crucial to invest in media literacy programs that educate the public about responsible media consumption.

THE CONCLUSION

The proposed Broadcasting Services Bill raises concerns about excessive government control over digital infrastructure and content consumption. Addressing conflicts of interest is paramount to ensuring fair and ethical business practices and the government should prioritize establishing regulations in this area.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q) How can the ‘Digital India’ programme help farmers to improve farm productivity and income? What steps has the Government taken in this regard? (2015)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION

Q) Critically discuss the key features of the draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023.

SOURCE:  Regulating OTT: Draft Broadcasting Regulation Bill may be an attempt to control digital infrastructure | The Indian Express

1. In the age of Kalyug, it is time to leverage the power of the collective READ MORE
2. Does Philosophical Reflection Still Hold Value? READ MORE
3. Tolerance is the key to achieving peace READ MORE

1. Climate pledges lacking: 87% of remaining global carbon budget to limit warming may be depleted by 2030, finds UN READ MORE
2. Global emissions: UN report exposes inadequacy of efforts READ MORE
3. Climate concerns or trade barriers? READ MORE

1. Let society evolve; resist return of regressive laws READ MORE
2. Improve teacher quality to raise school standards READ MORE
3. Extend political discourse on poverty to redistributive justice READ MORE

1. The growing wave of decentralisation: Comparative evidence from developing countries READ MORE
2. The price of persistent federal frictions READ MORE
3. Life over death: On death penalty abolition and parliamentary panel report READ MORE
4. Regulating OTT: Draft Broadcasting Regulation Bill may be an attempt to control digital infrastructure READ MORE
5. A grave error in the law READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. India sees 6.2% rise in goods exports in October READ MORE
2. PM launches Rs 24,000-cr scheme for vulnerable tribal groups’ welfare READ MORE
3. NASA, ISRO gearing up to launch joint space mission to map globe every 12 days READ MORE
4. Gold pushed trade deficit to new high of $31.46 billion in October READ MORE
5. Greenhouse gases hit record high in 2022: UN READ MORE
6. FATF team in India to hold on-site review meetings READ MORE
7. Tribal body declares ‘self-rule’ in a few districts of Manipur READ MORE
8. India to host 2nd Voice of Global South Summit on November 17 READ MORE
9. WHO roadmap to end TB in children focuses for 1st time on pregnant, post-partum women affected by disease READ MORE
10. CBD’s Geneva meetings: Benefit sharing on traditional knowledge & digital sequence information on agenda READ MORE  
11. Why adultery was struck off IPC, and why a House panel wants to make it a crime again READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Let society evolve; resist return of regressive laws READ MORE
2. Challenges to curbing community-based prostitution READ MORE  
3. Does It Work To Pay People Not To Cut the Forest? READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. The growing wave of decentralisation: Comparative evidence from developing countries READ MORE
2. The price of persistent federal frictions READ MORE
3. Life over death: On death penalty abolition and parliamentary panel report READ MORE
4. Regulating OTT: Draft Broadcasting Regulation Bill may be an attempt to control digital infrastructure READ MORE
5. A grave error in the law READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Improve teacher quality to raise school standards READ MORE
2. Extend political discourse on poverty to redistributive justice READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. India Once Was a Strong Ally of Palestine. What Changed? READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Food flux: On food costs and the October tidings READ MORE
2. IPEF supply chain pact is unfair READ MORE
3. Is there more room for competitive populism? READ MORE
4. Electrification of last-mile mobility and logistics READ MORE
5. RBI, Narendra Modi and the Subtle Art of Ignoring Concerns READ MORE
6. How a gendered digital divide, low quality of jobs keeps Indian women out of the workforce READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Climate pledges lacking: 87% of remaining global carbon budget to limit warming may be depleted by 2030, finds UN READ MORE
2. Global emissions: UN report exposes inadequacy of efforts READ MORE
3. Climate concerns or trade barriers? READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. AI can play the sleuth to expose scientific fraud READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. MHA extends UAPA ban against eight Meitei extremist organisations READ MORE
2. Realism, not machismo, to counter terror READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Another warning in the Himalayas READ MORE
2. Tunnel tragedy is another eco-warning we need to heed READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. In the age of Kalyug, it is time to leverage the power of the collective READ MORE
2. Does Philosophical Reflection Still Hold Value? READ MORE
3. Tolerance is the key to achieving peace READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. AI is one of the most significant technical advancements in recent times, but it is posing a great danger to humanity by unleashing misinformation and deepfakes. Justify with recent examples.
2. The cause of poverty in the country is not only economic but the issue of caste plays a substantial role. Argue and justify.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• We are on a highway to climate hell with our foot still on the accelerator.
• Improving teacher quality and pedagogical innovation to enhance the overall rigour of education in the country, must be an immediate and urgent priority.
• Higher than expected tax revenues provide a cushion for the government. However, concerns remain about the medium-term fiscal deficit
• For an economy whose resilience relies on its domestic demand buffer against global shocks, reluctant or budget-cramped consumers are the biggest headwind for policymakers to strive to address.
• Any interest rate hike over and above the 2.5 percentage points already administered in this rate hike cycle would have hurt growth significantly.
• The agreement on Supply Chain Resilience will enhance the resilience of the US, while deepening the vulnerability of India and other developing countries.
• AI is one of the biggest technical advancements in recent times but it can pose a great danger to humanity by unleashing misinformation and deepfakes.
• Ensuring AI safety would require the convergence of multiple branches of activity, including skills, talent, and physical infrastructure.
• Transitioning to low-carbon cities can significantly reduce CO2 levels.
• The future will either be green or not at all.
• Energy justice and social equity issues can have severe implications for the economic well-being of people, livelihoods, and economic development.
• A beginning can be made by providing gig workers with EVs. The Govt must support them and acknowledge their contribution to the economy.
• As the demand for reservation reaches a crescendo, the original justification for this departure from formal equality has become more difficult.
• The cause of poverty in the country is not only economic. A substantial number of the poor belong to the Scheduled and Backward Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
• If background inequalities force certain people to live below the poverty line, this should be seen as a serious infringement of the right to equality granted by our Constitution.
• The idea of caste is the greatest dividing factor… all caste either on the principle of birth or of merit is bondage.
• India this time around has taken a much stronger pro-Israel stand than is typical during Israeli-Palestinian conflicts.
• The state and central governments also need to acknowledge the contributions and the critical nature of these gig workers.
• COP28 presents an opportunity to India and other nations to hold the West accountable and liable for the environmental crisis.

ESSAY TOPIC

• The future will either be green or not at all.

50-WORD TALK

• Irrational and unscientific fixed-dose combination drugs ruling the Indian pharma market is a menace that has gone on unchecked for too long. A study shows 70% of antibiotic FDC drugs in the market are banned or unapproved. This is a public health hazard; convoluted and inefficient regulations are bad medicine.
• The ordeal of 40 men trapped inside a collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand is a reminder of the tightrope walk infrastructure development is in Garhwal Himalayas. Aggressive construction without mountain-appropriate plans is a slippery slope. We hope they are rescued soon, but disregarding the region’s vulnerability will only endanger more lives.

Things to Remember:

• For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
• Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
• For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
• For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
• Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.

1. Prophet’s lessons on peace in promised land READ MORE ]
2. No condition applies READ MORE

1. Many Indian cities record peak pollution during Deepavali day READ MORE
2. Cities with worse air than Delhi fixed the problem: Nine things India needs to do to follow suit READ MORE

1. Tackling violence against women in rural India READ MORE
2. TB burden remains a matter of concern READ MORE

1. Limiting search and seizure: On digital devices and media professionals READ MORE
2. Has free ration become a political compulsion? READ MORE
3. States vs Governors needs clarity from Supreme Court READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Wholesale prices remain in deflation zone in October READ MORE
2. Govt. to invite bids for 20 critical mineral blocks in next two weeks: Mines Secretary V L Kantha Rao READ MORE
3. World severely off track to limit planet-heating emissions: UN READ MORE
4. Hope to find ‘landing point’ that works for both in India-UK FTA: Jaishankar READ MORE
5. Parliamentary panel on criminal law Bill leaves decision on death penalty to Centre READ MORE
6. How does an electric battery work and what are the different types? | Explained  READ MORE
7. Offshore Leaks to Cyprus Confidential, a decade of offshore investigations READ MORE
8. Secrecy and no tax — reason why Indians look at Cyprus READ MORE
9. Mount Etna erupts: Why some volcanoes just keep spewing lava READ MORE
10. Easing wheat prices, rising rice prices: What’s behind them? READ MORE  

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Tackling violence against women in rural India READ MORE
2. Challenges to curbing community-based prostitution READ MORE  

 GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Limiting search and seizure: On digital devices and media professionals READ MORE
2. Has free ration become a political compulsion? READ MORE
3. States vs Governors needs clarity from Supreme Court READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. TB burden remains a matter of concern READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. The Qatar death row and India’s options READ MORE
2. A layered relationship READ MORE
3. Xi-Biden meeting holds profound significance for India READ MORE
4. India’s challenges amidst shifting global equations READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. The economy of a world without work READ MORE
2. Enable flexible work to bridge the gender gap READ MORE
3. Then and now READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Many Indian cities record peak pollution during Deepavali day READ MORE
2. Cities with worse air than Delhi fixed the problem: Nine things India needs to do to follow suit READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Powerful metaphors that caution us to be alert READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. MHA extends UAPA ban against eight Meitei extremist organisations READ MORE
2. Realism, not machismo, to counter terror READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: Experts raise questions on geological and geotechnical surveys for project READ MORE
2. No light at the end of Himalayan tunnels READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Prophet’s lessons on peace in promised land READ MORE ]
2. No condition applies READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is an important institution in India to ensure public accountability of the executive. Examine.
2. Continuous mishaps in the Himalayan region teach us that before any development, a detailed geological investigation and local ecological sensitivity of the region must be considered. Discuss how a balance between development and environmental conservation can be created in this region.
3. Neither economic growth is the indicator of people’s well-being nor per-head income gives a perfect indication of the people’s well-being. Discuss why, compensating public investment in infrastructure projects, poorer states will continue to lag behind and the disparities will only widen?

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Communism is not love. Communism is a hammer which we use to crush the enemy.
• The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) is one of the most important institutions of the country to ensure public accountability of the executive.
• As the CAG’s work necessarily involves pointing out the irregularities, inefficiencies, leakages and corruption in our public financial management system, relations between the governments and the CAG are generally adversarial.
• CAG reports are known for their political neutrality, robustness of examination and objectivity of conclusions.
• Unless the CAG comes out with cogent explanations, doubts about the credibility and impartiality of the institution will continue to linger in public minds.
• Balance between development and environmental conservation is crucial in the Himalayan region.
• Construction operations related to initiatives such as the Chardham Project frequently necessitate substantial disruptions to the hilly landscape. Deforestation, tunnel construction, and excavation can upset its fragile equilibrium, increasing the risk of geological instability, biodiversity loss, and soil erosion.
• Piecemeal approaches will only lead to the annual cycle of panic and shutdowns.
• With coordinated and sustained actions, we can address not only air pollution but also our urban climate and health goals together.
• Flexible working boosts productivity, gives access to a wider talent pool, and increases employee retention rates, especially for women.
• Under ‘open-ended’ procurement, Govt buys from farmers unlimited quantities at MSP. Apart from high stocks, this adds to the food subsidy bill substantially.
• The Govt is using state agencies not just to meet food requirements under NFSA but also to extend price support to farmers.
• Society needs to understand that everyone has equal rights according to the constitution. It’s time for patriarchal societies to change their thinking.
• A bill brought by the government before a legislature has some urgency. If a governor, actuated by some extraneous considerations, sits on it for two or three years he would be, in effect, violating the Constitution.
• It is strange that governors should keep the bills pending for years without taking any decision thereon for no ostensible reason. Constitutional authorities are required to act in a reasonable manner and within a reasonable time.
• Unless there is compensating public investment in infrastructure projects, poorer states will continue to lag behind and the disparities will only widen.
• Economic growth does not follow simple mathematical models. Nor is it the only indicator of people’s well-being. Per-head income only gives a rough indication of the state of well-being of the people as compared to some other similar distribution patterns of income.

ESSAY TOPIC

• Many worlds: Multipolarity in the new world order

50-WORD TALK

• Governments are perfectly within their rights to improves the condition of vulnerable sections through well-delivered social welfare schemes. But there are schemes on which huge expenditure has been made over the years while there is a strong perception of sub-optimality in the attainment of their objectives.
• Blatant violation of the Supreme Court’s ban on firecrackers shows it is one thing to deliver orders, but completely another to implement them. It serves as a reminder that judgments must be enforceable, with strict punishments for failures and disregard. The apex court’s word must not go up in smoke.

Things to Remember:

• For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
• Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
• For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
• For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
• Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.

1. Whether machines could become conscious READ MORE
2. Self-realisation is easy as well as tough READ MORE
3. Point of no return READ MORE