TOPIC 1: ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) BATTERY RECYCLING

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: India’s ambition to lead in electric vehicle (EV) adoption is strongly linked to the necessity of safeguarding its battery supply chain. Despite the country’s shortage of mineral reserves, the emphasis on battery recycling to guarantee material security shows significant potential.

EXPLANATION:

• The electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling has a critical role in India’s pursuit of decarbonization and sustainable mobility.
• We will explain in this article about the challenges, opportunities and other aspects associated with recycling lithium-ion batteries, which are vital components of EVs.
• Challenges in the Battery Supply Chain:
  • India’s dependence on imported battery cells for its electric vehicles exposes the sector to geopolitical risks and supply chain vulnerabilities.
  • The lack of domestic mineral reserves, particularly for crucial materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, intensifies this reliance.
• Opportunity in Recycling:
  • Recycling retired batteries emerges as a strategic solution to mitigate supply chain risks, ensure material security, and reduce reliance on raw material imports.
  • It will minimize environmental hazards from e-waste.
  • It will advance towards achieving Net Zero emissions.
  • This approach aligns with India’s ambitions for clean energy and reduced carbon emissions.
• Growing Volume of Retired Batteries:
  • Although the electric vehicle industry in India is still in its early stages, the arrival of used batteries has commenced.
  • It suggests the potential increase in retired batteries due to the nation’s ambitious plans for electrification.
• Scope for Recycling and Second-Life Usage:
  • Retired batteries, even after reaching 70-80% of their original capacity, can still be repurposed for non-automotive applications, like stationary energy storage.
  • Recycling involves extracting valuable materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese for reuse in manufacturing new batteries.
• Current Recycling Infrastructure:
  • Presently, India’s lithium-ion battery recyclers primarily focus on pre-treatment to extract valuable materials.
  • However, there’s limited high-end refining capacity for the separation and recovery of battery-grade materials.
• Investment and Market Challenges:
  • Establishing battery recycling units requires substantial capital investment, making it a capital-intensive endeavour.
  • Moreover, without a robust domestic market for battery components, recyclers depend on global markets both for sourcing raw materials and selling final products.
  • It hinders India’s self-reliance in the battery supply chain.
• Global Dynamics and Export Restrictions:
  • Global trends, such as protectionist policies limiting black mass exports and the rising costs of transporting battery scrap, further complicate India’s reliance on importing recycled materials.
    • Black Mass is a mixture of all the valuable materials contained in a lithium-ion cell.
    • The black mass is checked for quality and relevant batches go through extraction, which is essentially a chemical process in which first graphite is recovered, followed by lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese in that order.
    • These materials can then be used to manufacture anode and cathode and are ready to enter the supply chain again.
  • Efforts for Self-Sufficiency:
    • Initiatives are underway to develop domestic capabilities in cell manufacturing and refining processes to retain extracted materials within India for reuse in its industries.

CONCLUSION:

• Domestic battery manufacturers are gearing up to establish cell manufacturing capabilities, which could potentially reduce dependence on imports and strengthen India’s position in the battery supply chain.
• There is a dire need for revised Battery Waste Management Rules to enhance recycling efficiency and promote the development of a robust domestic market for recycled battery materials.
• The challenges in infrastructure, investment, and market dynamics must be addressed to achieve self-sufficiency in the battery supply chain.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/energy/ev-battery-recycling-can-give-wings-to-india-s-decarbonisation-dreams-but-faces-stiff-challenges-92899

TOPIC 2: NITROGEN-9

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: As per the study published in “Physical Review Letters” a specific resonant state indicating the existence of nitrogen-9, an unusual isotope, has been discovered.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE STUDY:

• Isotope Characteristics and Stability:
  • Nitrogen-9 is highlighted due to its unique proton-to-neutron ratio, which places it outside conventional stability thresholds.
  • The unusual properties of this isotope raise questions about its existence and stability, prompting scientific investigation.
• Drip Lines and Isotope Limits:
• Drip Lines:
  • Drip lines are theoretical boundaries that indicate the limits of nuclear stability concerning the number of protons and neutrons in an atomic nucleus.
  • There are two types of drip lines: the neutron drip line and the proton drip line.
• Neutron Drip Line:
  • It represents the boundary beyond which an atomic nucleus becomes unstable due to an excess of neutrons.
  • For instance, oxygen-24 with 16 bound neutrons represents the heaviest stable isotope of oxygen.
  • Adding more neutrons beyond this point causes the nucleus to become too unstable.
• Proton Drip Line:
  • This concept refers to the boundary beyond which nuclei become unstable due to an excess of protons.
  • Nuclei with imbalanced ratios of protons to neutrons pose a challenge, especially beyond these drip lines.
• Challenges in Understanding:
  • Nuclei with unbalanced proton-neutron ratios, particularly those situated beyond the drip lines, are difficult to categorize and predict their stability. This lack of understanding poses a significant challenge to physicists in classifying and comprehending these nuclei.
• Experimental Study on Nitrogen-9:
  • The study aimed to confirm the existence of nitrogen-9 through experimental methods.
  • By bombarding beryllium-9 with an oxygen-13 beam, researchers observed resulting particles and utilized detectors to analyze the reactions.
  • They discovered specific resonant states indicating the existence of nitrogen-9.
• Resonant States and Findings:
  • The detection of distinct peaks in the energy spectrum revealed stable resonant states of nitrogen-9, corroborated by the Gamow shell model’s theoretical predictions.
  • These findings strongly supported the existence of nitrogen-9, challenging previous interpretations and expanding the nuclide chart’s boundaries.
• Implications and Future Studies:
  • The discovery of nitrogen-9 suggests the potential for more isotopes beyond conventional limits.
  • This challenges existing knowledge and offers insights into subatomic structures.
  • Theoretical models like the Gamow shell model enhance understanding and pave the way for further research into exotic isotopes’ properties and their role in astrophysical processes.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/nitrogen-9-nucleus-stability-challenge-nuclear-structure/article67550743.ece

TOPIC 3: HIJACKING OF THE SHIP BY HOUTHIS

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Yemen rebel group of Houthis seized an Israel-linked ship bound for India, raising fears of another dimension being added to the ongoing Gaza conflict.

EXPLANATION:

• Houthi fighters descended on the ship from helicopters and took all 25 crew members hostage.
• The crew is being treated “in accordance with Islamic values”.
• Israel has claimed the ship is British-owned and Japanese-operated while terming the hijack “another Iranian act of terrorism”.

WHY WAS THE SHIP HIJACKED?

• The ship, Galaxy Leader, was heading from Turkey towards Pipavav in Gujarat, and had no cargo on board.
• Its crew members are from Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Mexico, and the Philippines.
• The hijacking is in line with the Houthis’ earlier statement, where they had said they would attack Israel-linked ships in the Red Sea and the crucial Bab al-Mandeb, a narrow strait that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, if Israel continued its bloodshed in Palestine.
• After the hijacking, the Houthis’ chief negotiator and spokesman, said that the Israelis only understand “the language of force,”.

HOW HAS ISRAEL REACTED, AND WHY IS JAPAN INVOLVED?

• Israel’s Denial and Accusations:
  • Israel denied ownership or operation of the ship and clarified that no crew members were Israeli.
  • However, the office of Israel Prime Minister accused Iran of engaging in an act of terrorism, indicating a perceived escalation in Iran’s aggression against global citizens and the potential impact on international shipping security.
• Israeli Connection:
  • Although Israel disclaimed ownership, there are reported links between the ship and an Israeli billionaire associated with Ray Car Carriers.
  • This association raised eyebrows given the ship’s ownership details, with Ungar being known as one of Israel’s wealthiest individuals.
  • Notably, a previous explosion on a vessel linked to Ungar in the Gulf of Oman in 2021 had been attributed by Israeli media to Iran.
• Global Response:
  • The Israeli military termed the hijacking a serious incident with global implications, indicating the severity and broader ramifications of the event.
  • Meanwhile, Japanese officials condemned the hijacking as well, as the Galaxy Leader was operated by the Japanese company Nippon Yusen.
  • Japan is actively engaging in negotiations with the Houthis while seeking assistance from Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Iran to secure the release of the ship and its crew.

WHO ARE THE HOUTHIS, AND WHY ARE THEY INVOLVED AT ALL?

• The Houthis are a rebel group locked in a civil war with the Yemen government for almost a decade.
• They are in power in northern Yemen, including the official capital Sanaa. The official government now operates out of Aden.
• The group is named after the Houthi tribe.
• The Houthis are Zaydi Shias backed by Iran, while the Yemen government has the support of Iran’s biggest rival Saudi Arabia and the West.
• The group’s origins lie in a Zaydi religious revival movement of the early 1990s.
• Houthis’ support for “brothers and sisters in Palestine” stems from a staunch opposition to Israel and the West.

Military Significance:

• The Houthi rebels possess a substantial fighting force with tens of thousands of fighters and a considerable arsenal of ballistic missiles and armed drones.
• While their stronghold geographically may not directly threaten Israel, they have launched missiles towards Israel, presenting a risk of escalating conflict.

Potential Consequences and Regional Implications:

• The involvement of the Houthis in conflicts and their actions, such as seizing vessels at sea, pose significant risks.
• Their activities have the potential to escalate conflicts and draw in other nations, particularly Iran and Saudi Arabia.
• Additionally, attacks or retaliations involving Israel may necessitate crossing Saudi Arabian territory, potentially dragging Saudi Arabia into the conflict.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/why-houthis-seized-india-bound-ship-gaza-war-9035068/

TOPIC 4: RISK WEIGHT AND ITS IMPACTS

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased the risk weight by 25 percent on consumer credit exposure of commercial banks and non-banking finance companies (NBFCs).

EXPLANATION:

• This move by the RBI aims to address concerns arising from the rapid growth of unsecured loans and the potential risks associated with them.
• There are certain implications of the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) decision to increase risk weights on certain categories of loans, primarily unsecured loans like credit cards, consumer durable loans, and personal loans. We will discuss the implications one by one now.

What are Risk Weights?

• Risk weights are used by banks to determine the capital requirement for loans based on their inherent risk.
• Each type of loan is assigned a risk weight, which influences the bank’s capital allocation to cover potential losses.

Impact on Borrowers:

• Lower risk weights typically lead to lower interest rates for borrowers.
• Loans with lower risk weights, such as home loans, tend to have lower interest rates compared to higher-risk loans like personal loans and credit cards, which have higher interest rates.

RBI’s Decision on Risk Weights:

• The RBI increased risk weights on unsecured loans, particularly credit cards, consumer durable loans, and personal loans.
• This decision means that banks will need to allocate more capital to cover these loans’ potential risks.

Reasons for RBI’s Concern:

• The RBI is worried about the increasing share of unsecured loans, which has risen to 10% of the banking system.
• These loans, especially consumer durable loans, may not generate income and could pose repayment challenges as the end-use of the borrowed money cannot be effectively monitored.

Potential Impact on Retail Loans:

• The new risk weight limits could lead to banks needing more capital to cover these loans, which might affect their lending capacities.
• However, since most lenders are well-capitalized (above the statutory threshold), an immediate need to raise more capital might not arise.

Impact on Loan Demand and Pricing:

• Despite the increase in risk weights, it is suggested that there might not be an immediate curb on loan growth, as demand for loans has been robust regardless of interest rates.
• However, banks’ overall pricing power might be affected, which could influence the cost of borrowing for consumers.

CONCLUSION:

• This RBI measure aims to mitigate risks arising from the rapid growth of unsecured loans by increasing the capital buffer that banks must set aside.
• While it might not immediately restrict lending due to robust demand, it could affect the overall pricing dynamics of loans, potentially impacting borrowers’ borrowing costs.
• The RBI’s decision to increase risk weights on certain loans is aimed at addressing concerns about the rising share of unsecured loans and potential risks they pose to the banking system, but its immediate impact on loan growth and interest rates remains to be closely observed.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blexplainer/bl-explainer-what-rbis-increase-in-risk-weights-mean-to-the-borrower/article67554070.ece

TOPIC 5: INDIA-AUSTRALIA 2+2 MINISTERIAL DIALOGUE

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: As part of the India-Australia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, Indian Defence Minister and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister held a bilateral meeting recently, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the defence relations between the two nations.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MEETING:

• Military-to-Military Cooperation:
  • Both ministers expressed satisfaction with the increasing military-to-military cooperation, citing joint exercises, exchanges, and institutional dialogues as essential elements in solidifying the bond between India and Australia.
  • This highlights the practical steps taken to bolster collaboration beyond mere diplomatic rhetoric.
• Acknowledgment of Achievements:
  • Defence Minister congratulated Australia on the successful execution of the ‘Malabar’ multilateral exercise in August.
  • The acknowledgment demonstrates recognition and appreciation for Australia’s efforts in promoting regional security.
• Focus on Maritime Cooperation:
  • Emphasis was placed on the necessity to strengthen cooperation in information exchange and maritime domain awareness.
  • Advanced discussions on hydrography cooperation and air-to-air refuelling arrangements indicate a shared interest in enhancing maritime security capabilities.
• Collaboration in Specialized Areas:
  • Union Minister highlighted the importance of collaboration in specialized training areas such as artificial intelligence, anti-submarine and anti-drone warfare, and cybersecurity.
  • It indicates a proactive approach in addressing evolving security challenges by leveraging technological advancements.
• Defence Industry and Research Collaboration:
  • Both parties discussed deepening cooperation in the defence industry and research.
  • Identified areas include shipbuilding, ship repair, aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul, as well as joint research in underwater technologies.
  • This signifies a mutual interest in enhancing defence capabilities through joint projects and research initiatives.
• Focus on Defence Start-ups:
  • Exploration of collaboration between defence start-ups from both countries signifies a forward-looking approach to addressing security challenges in the evolving security landscape.
  • This indicates a recognition of the importance of innovation and technology in defence capabilities.
• Regional Security Significance:
  • Both ministers agreed that a robust India-Australia defence partnership not only benefits both nations but also contributes significantly to the overall security of the Indo-Pacific region.
  • The meeting highlighted the broader regional implications and shared responsibility in maintaining regional stability and security.

What is the 2+2 Dialogue?

• 2+2 Ministerial is the highest-level institutional mechanism between the two countries.
• It is a format of dialogue where the defence/foreign ministers or secretaries meet with their counterparts from another country.
• India has 2+2 dialogues with four key strategic partners: the US, Australia, Japan, and Russia.
• Besides Russia, the other three countries are also India’s partners in the Quad.

SOURCE: https://ddnews.gov.in/international/india-australia-bolster-defence-cooperation-during-22-ministerial-dialogue#:~:text=As%20part%20of%20the%20India,relations%20between%20the%20two%20nations

RELEVANCE TO UPSC SYLLABUS: GS 3: ECONOMIC GROWTH; EMPLOYMENT; LABOUR AND PRODUCTIVITY

THE CONTEXT: Infosys chairman N.R. Narayana Murthy sparked a debate by urging young Indians to work 70 hours per week to develop the country. He cited Japan and Germany as examples of countries that grew because their citizens worked for longer hours to rebuild their nations in the aftermath of the Second World War.

ISSUES

• Against law of economics: According to Keynesian law of economics, the output is determined by aggregate demand of goods, and the demand for labour is entirely dependent upon this demand. Firms that employ more labour while aggregate demand has not increased will find themselves with unsold goods. So, an offer by workers to work longer hours will not ensure that they will find employment so long as firms are unwilling to hire them.
• Not aligned to Indian conditions: The high working hours that contributed to

other countries are unlikely to serve the purpose in Indian conditions. In the economic rise of the mentioned countries, it was post-war reconstruction that provided the demand for greater output.

• Informal nature of economy: In India, major segment of economy is informal in nature which is another hurdle in reaping the benefits of increasing worker productivity.
• Asymmetric demography: There is asymmetric growth of the working-age ratio in India as major working population is likely to be concentrated in some of India’s poorest states. The full economic growth can fully realized only if India is able to create gainful employment opportunities for this working-age population.
• Lack of skills: Most of the new jobs that will be created in the future will be highly skilled and lack of skill in Indian workforce is a major challenge. India may not be able to take advantage of the opportunities, due to a low human capital base and lack of skills.
• Lack of capital: Indian workers do not actually lag behind other countries when it comes to clocking in long hours at work. But there is a lack of sufficient capital that can help boost their productivity. Among the top 10 biggest economies, India has the highest weekly working hours and the lowest per capita GDP.

CONDITIONS IN OTHER COUNTRIES

• Germany and Japan had experienced a decline in their workforces due to greater mortality, both from combat and the bombing after second world war. So, when it came to rebuilding these economies, the demand for labour was abnormally high. In the case of west Germany, there was the Marshall Plan by which the United States had assisted the country’s revival.
• South Korea too was recovering from a war, though a different one, and its resurgence was supported by considerable foreign aid received from the U.S.
• Prior to the resumption of production, these cities would have had to be cleared of rubble, a task requiring massive deployment of labour given the scale of the devastation.
• However, a political aspect beyond finance, common to all these three countries, is a strong nationalistic element that is likely to have accompanied their post-war reconstruction.
• There is insufficient recognition of the fact that the manufacturing success of the east is underpinned by prior success in agriculture.

THE WAY FORWARD

• Employment generation: The nation needs to create enormous job to absorb the addition of young people into the workforce. Promoting business interests and entrepreneurship would help in job creation to provide employment to the large labour force.
• Enhance human development parameters: India ranks 130 out of 189 countries in UNDP’s Human Development Index, which is alarming. Therefore, health and education parameters need to be improved substantially to make the Indian workforce efficient and skilled.
• Use of global market to grow domestic economy: There is a need to use the global market demand to grow the domestic economy for which India’s goods would have to be globally competitive. Here, the experience of South Korea is relevant. As most of the produced inputs into production are available to all countries via trade, a country’s competitiveness is determined by the productivity of its workforce. The strength of a workforce is related to its health and skill. Here, India’s workers are at a disadvantage compared to the most successful economies of Asia. Thus, there is need to enhance skills for maximum utilization of global economy.
• Expand the domestic market: There is a need to expand the domestic market which can increase the aggregate demand. For example, there is need to cut cost of food production to increase the real income of the Indian households. This would lead them to spend on non-agricultural goods and services. This would generate the demand needed to spur production in the rest of the economy.

THE CONCLUSION: India represents a unique case and any arbitrary comparison with other countries would only lead to irrational policy prescriptions. There is a need to enhance social investments potential for increased labour productivity to achieve more sustainable and desirable outcome.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

1. Faster economic growth requires increased share of the manufacturing sector in GDP, particularly of MSMEs. Comment on the present policies of the Government in this regard. (2023)
2. Is inclusive growth possible under market economy? State the significance of financial inclusion in achieving economic growth in India. (2022)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION

According to the International Labour Organization, despite long working hours, Indian economic growth is not substantial. How can India translate its worker productivity to economic growth? Explain

Refer to mains focus article for more:

https://blog.lukmaanias.com/2023/10/13/labour-force-participation-is-up-unemployment-is-down-what-about-the-quality-of-work/

https://blog.lukmaanias.com/2023/11/09/the-problem-with-the-70-hours-a-week-line/

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/making-sense-of-the-employment-challenge/article67555366.ece

RELEVANCE TO UPSC SYLLABUS:GS3: ENVIRONMENT: CONSERVATION, ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE AND ISSUES

THE CONTEXT:  Stubble burning by farmers in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh (UP) creates seasonal pollution in northern India. This situation is very serious in northwest India and critical in the National Capital Territory Region.

WHAT IS STUBBLE BURNING?

Stubble (parali) burning is a method of removing paddy crop residues from the field to sow wheat from the last week of September to November.

• It is a process of setting on fire the straw stubble, left after the harvesting of grains, like paddy, wheat, etc.
• It is usually required in areas that use the combined harvesting method which leaves crop residue behind.
• The process of burning farm residue is one of the major causes of air pollution in parts of north India, deteriorating the air quality.
• The rice stubble burning is highest in the state of Punjab followed by Haryana, whereas Uttar Pradesh ranks higher in wheat stubble burning.

HISTORY:

Dry fodder: Till a few decades ago, crop residue, including stubble, was used as dry fodder for livestock or as fuel for the kitchen or incorporated in-situ in soil. It wasn’t burnt, at least not on a large scale.

During the 1990’s: Things started changing in the 1990s. Two factors contributed:

• Free or highly subsidised power supply for groundwater extraction.
• Power supply to the farm sector in Punjab has been free since 1997, while in Haryana, it is subsidised.
• With access to assured irrigation, paddy acreages in Punjab grew from 50 per cent of the net sown area in the mid-1990s to 75 per cent in recent years.
• In Haryana, this jumped from 30 per cent to 40 per cent.

• In the absence of cheap labour, machines like the Combined Harvester appeared:
  • Paddy harvesting and threshing are labour-intensive and this pushed up the demand for labour.
  • This machine only picked the plant’s top part (panicle) and left the remaining stalk of about 2-3 feet (stubble) standing in the field.
  • Clearing this stalk required a separate round of harvesting, collection and disposal and the easy solution was to set it on fire.
  • Manual harvesting: In Manual harvesting, stalks are harvested close to the ground. They were later collected at one place and grain was recovered through manual beating.
  • The remaining stalk was piled in a corner of the field where it decomposed slowly.
  • This occupied a small area and farmers did not mind sparing that for storage of paddy straw.

IMPACT:

• There have been incidences of stubble burning wherever a combined harvester has been used.
• Such incidents are being reported from paddy fields in central and eastern Indian states as well.

Pollution: Stubble burning emits toxic pollutants in the atmosphere containing harmful gases like:

• Carbon Monoxide (CO), methane (CH4), carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds (VOC).
• These pollutants disperse in the surroundings and eventually affect air quality and people’s health by forming a thick blanket of smog.

Soil fertility: Soil becomes less fertile and its nutrients are destroyed when the husk is burned on the ground.

Heat penetration: Stubble burning generates heat that penetrates into the soil, causing an increase in erosion, loss of useful microbes and moisture.

Silica content in paddy straw: Paddy straw has high silica content and is not preferred as animal feed. If ploughed back into the field, it interferes with subsequent crop operations. Only some farmers use farm machines like happy seeder and straw management machines to incorporate the stubble back into the soil instead of setting it on fire.

INITIATIVES:

• Applying a decomposer to encourage in-situ management of stubble.
• Using the direct seeding of rice (DSR) technique.

Baling machines (balers) for paddy straw:  These machines are already in use in Punjab and Haryana, which has made it feasible to put paddy and other crop straws in the value chain.

• The total cost of procuring the entire stubble burnt in the field in Punjab comes to Rs 2,000 crore and, in Haryana, about Rs 1,000 crore.

Production of biofuel: A small market for paddy straw sold in compact bales has already emerged in both the states (Haryana and Punjab) for production of biofuel such as Bio CNG and ethanol and as direct fuel in brick kilns, furnaces, and thermal plants. Some enterprising farmers have sold parali(stubble) at Rs 180 per quintal this season.

MEASURES TO REDUCE POLLUTION DUE TO STUBBLE BURNING:

The Commission on Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has developed a framework and action plan:

In-situ Crop Residue Management: CRM machines procurement, setting up of Custom Hiring Centers, high yield and short duration paddy varieties, staggering of harvesting schedule, extensive use of bio-decomposer by IARI.

Ex-situ Crop Residue Management: Biomass Power Projects, Co-firing in Thermal Power Plants, Feed stock for 2G Ethanol plants, Feed stock in Compressed Biogas plant, fuel in industrial boilers, WTE plants, packaging materials etc.

• Prohibition of stubble /crop residue burning.
• Effective monitoring /enforcement.
• Schemes to reduce the generation of paddy straw.
• IEC activities for the plan of action.
• Standard protocol for recording and monitoring of fire counts.

THE WAY FORWARD:

Finding an alternative to paddy: An alternative crop like maize will also produce large amounts of stubble like paddy, and only a small part of that will have demand as dry fodder.

Reducing the duration of the rice crop: It is believed that early harvest would leave a longer period for the next crop. It would address the farm-fire problem. It will mitigate the environmental problem to a small extent.

Rethinking the policy: Rethinking the policy of providing free power. This is also needed to avert the over-exploitation of groundwater.

Direct Cash/benefit transfer (DBT): A simple shift to a metered supply of power will not be acceptable without compensating farmers’ income for the cost of power. One possibility is to give a direct cash/benefit transfer (DBT) instead of a power subsidy. By indexing the DBT amount to inflation in power tariffs, this amount can grow annually and remain relevant for farmers. This will make diversification away from paddy feasible.

Creating a market: Create a market for paddy straw/stubble. Unless stubble is made valuable for farmers, they will continue to burn it. We need to create an effective market for stubble that at least compensates them for the extra effort and cost involved in its harvest, collection and disposal.

Subsidised supply of machinery: Further modifications and subsidised supply of machinery for in-situ use of paddy stubble will also be very helpful in preventing farm fires in some areas.

Happy seeder: Mounted on a tractor, this machine is used to cut and lift straw, sow wheat and rice in soil and deposit straw over the sown area, instead of burning the stubble.

Law against the burning: A law against the burning of any crop straw should be strictly enforced.

THE CONCLUSION: With market avenues for crop residue, legal backing against polluting practices and administrative support, the proposed system can work to prevent stubble burning while saving the health of millions of lives and contributing to the economy.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS:

1. Q) What are the major reasons for declining rice and wheat yield in the cropping system? How crop diversification is helpful to stabilize the yield of the crop in the system? (2017)
2. Q) How do subsidies affect the cropping pattern, crop diversity and economy of farmers? What is the significance of crop insurance, minimum support price and food processing for small and marginal farmers? (2017)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:

1. Q) Comment upon the various measures taken by the Union and the state governments to address the problem of stubble burning. What more needs to be done according to you to find a permanent solution to this problem? Explain

SOURCE: How to solve the problem of stubble burning | The Indian Express

TOPIC 1: RHODODENDRON

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT  

THE CONTEXT: The rhododendron flower in Uttarakhand, is portrayed as an integral part of the region’s culture, rituals, mythology, and even culinary practices.

RHODODENDRON AS A CULTURAL SYMBOL:

• Cultural and Ritual Importance:
  • The rhododendron is deeply embedded in Uttarakhand’s culture, being an essential part of local rituals and mythology.
  • Its presence in rituals and temples signifies purity and endurance, demonstrating the reverence people hold for this flower.
• Pilgrimage Significance:
  • The flower is central to the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra, a significant pilgrimage in Uttarakhand that occurs every 12 years.
  • This underscores the strong bond between the local people and their natural environment.

UTILIZATION BEYOND AESTHETICS:

• Culinary and Medicinal Use:
  • Beyond its visual appeal, the rhododendron finds usage in regional cuisine, with its blossoms being used to create sweets, drinks, jams, and juice.
  • Its distinct flavour and purported cooling properties make it popular among locals and visitors alike.
• Environmental Concerns:
  • Climate change-induced alterations in temperature and precipitation patterns are impacting the rhododendron’s growth and flowering cycles.
  • Consequently, conservation efforts are gaining importance, with initiatives in place to safeguard these Himalayan flowers, including the establishment of conservation zones and promoting eco-friendly travel practices.

ECONOMIC AND TOURISTIC VALUE:

• Cultural Tourism:
  • The rich cultural connection with the rhododendron offers a unique opportunity for cultural tourism.
  • Visitors are drawn not only to the natural beauty but also to the rituals and traditions associated with the flower.
• Local Economy:
  • The utilization of rhododendron in cuisine and traditional practices also contributes to the local economy, providing opportunities for culinary ventures and indigenous products.

IMPLICATIONS:

• Cultural Heritage Preservation:
  • The importance of preserving not just the flower itself but also the associated cultural heritage and traditions has been emphasized.
  • The emphasis on conservation and sustainable practices reflects a holistic approach to safeguarding this floral emblem and the surrounding ecosystem while acknowledging its cultural significance.
• Sustainable Development:
  • Balancing conservation with tourism and economic activities is crucial to ensure sustainable development, where efforts to protect the rhododendron align with the promotion of eco-friendly practices.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/the-power-of-the-rhododendron/article67529485.ece

TOPIC 2: ONATTUKARA SESAME

TAG: GS 3: AGRICULTURE

THE CONTEXT: Efforts are being made to expand the cultivation of Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged Onattukara sesame in the Kerala region.

INITIATIVE TO EXPAND SESAME CULTIVATION:

• Increase in Cultivation Area:
  • The Onattukara Vikasana Agency (OVA) plans to significantly increase the area under sesame cultivation.
  • It aimed to expand it to 2,000 hectares from the current 600 hectares in the region encompassing three districts of Kerala: Alappuzha, Kollam, and Pathanamthitta.
• Incentive Scheme:
  • To encourage farmers, a financial assistance program has been announced, offering ₹40 for a cent of land for cultivating sesame within the Thekkekara Krishi Bhavan limits.
  • This incentive is expected to attract individuals, farming collectives, Kudumbashree groups, self-help groups, and joint liability groups towards sesame cultivation.
• Collaborative Efforts:
  • The initiative is a joint venture involving local Krishi Bhavan, Onattukara Vikasana Agency (OVA), Onattukara Regional Agricultural Research Station (ORARS), Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kayamkulam, and Mavelikara Thekkekara Panchayat.
  • Collaboration between these entities indicates a concerted effort to promote sesame cultivation.
• Support Mechanisms:
  • Farmers and groups engaging in sesame cultivation are offered additional support.
  • It also includes access to workforce from Thekkekara Karshika Karma Sena and tractor rental at a nominal charge of ₹750 per hour.

SIGNIFICANCE OF ONATTUKARA SESAME:

• Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:
  • The Onattukara sesame holds a GI tag, signifying its unique characteristics and origin from a specific geographical location, adding value to its identity and quality.
• Medicinal and Nutritional Value:
  • Studies by the Kerala Agricultural University reveal the medicinal value of Onattukara sesame.
  • It contains high levels of Vitamin E, antioxidants, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and palmitoleic acid, promoting good health.
• Varieties Cultivated:
  • Apart from the traditional Ayali variety, farmers in the region are cultivating varieties like Kayamkulam-1, Thilak, Thilathara, and Thilarani, developed by the Onattukara Regional Agricultural Research Station (ORARS).

POTENTIAL BENEFITS:

• Economic Development:
  • Expanding sesame cultivation holds the potential to boost local economies, generate employment opportunities, and contribute to the agricultural sector’s growth in the region.
• Health and Nutritional Benefits:
  • Highlighting the nutritional and medicinal values of Onattukara sesame could create consumer awareness, potentially increasing demand for this particular variety.
• Collaborative Approach:
  • The joint efforts involving various agricultural institutions, local governance bodies, and farmers’ groups indicate a coordinated strategy towards agricultural development and sustainability.
• GI Tag and Quality Assurance:
  • The GI tag signifies quality, authenticity, and unique characteristics associated with the geographical region, contributing to the promotion and branding of Onattukara sesame.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/measures-on-to-expand-cultivation-of-gi-tagged-onattukara-sesame/article67551308.ece/amp/

TOPIC 3: INDIA-UK FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (FTA)

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: External Affairs Minister of India discussed the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Britain’s Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary recently.

EXPLANATION:

• The agreement is under negotiation and has not been signed yet.
• When signed, the India-UK FTA will serve as a template for an agreement with the European Union (EU).

INDIA-UK FREE TRADE AGREEMENT:

• Strategic Importance as a Template for EU Agreement:
  • The FTA between India and the UK is seen as a model for a similar pact with the European Union, India’s second-largest trade partner.
  • It signifies a shift in India’s trade strategy towards Western nations and African countries rather than solely focusing on the East, as previously done under the UPA government.
• China Factor and Supply Chain Disruptions:
  • The disruption in supply chains during the pandemic has prompted Western companies to reconsider their over-dependence on China, leading to a ‘China-plus one’ strategy.
  • This shift has motivated countries like Australia and the UK to seek stronger economic ties with India.
• Brexit-Induced Insecurities for the UK:
  • Brexit has created uncertainties for the UK, making an FTA with India crucial to compensate for the loss of access to the European Single Market.
  • However, concerns exist regarding offering work permits to Indian service sector workers due to political reasons.
• Potential Gains and Challenges for India:
  • For India, the FTA presents an opportunity to revive declining sectors like apparel and gems/jewellery by reducing tariffs in the UK.
  • However, concerns have been raised about the impact on Least Developed Countries (LDCs) like Bangladesh if India gains zero-duty access for its textiles.
• Beneficial Aspects for the UK:
  • The UK aims to gain deeper access to the Indian market, especially for goods like cars, Scotch whisky, and wines, which currently face significant tariffs.
  • Elimination or reduction of tariffs on these goods could enhance British exports to India.
• Tariff Disparity and Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs):
  • There exists a substantial tariff disparity between goods imported from India into the UK and vice versa.
  • The FTA negotiations might focus on reducing these tariff barriers.
  • Additionally, addressing non-tariff barriers such as regulations and standards could be crucial for Indian exporters, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing.
• Carbon Tax and Border Adjustment Mechanism:
  • The UK’s plan to impose a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) similar to the EU’s strategy might affect India’s exports, especially in sectors like cement, chemicals, steel, and others.
  • This imposition aims to reduce dependence on high carbon-emitting imports and could potentially impact Indian exports to the UK.

IMPACTS AND CHALLENGES:

• Strategic Shift: India’s reorientation towards Western nations and away from over-dependence on China is evident. However, concerns persist regarding the impact on LDCs, especially in terms of textiles.
• Potential Imbalance: While India aims to boost declining sectors, the disparity in tariffs and non-tariff barriers presents a challenge. Addressing these barriers will be critical for ensuring mutual benefits.
• Carbon Tax Implications: The UK’s plan for a carbon tax and CBAM could pose challenges for India’s exports, especially in energy-intensive sectors.
• Negotiation Dynamics: The negotiations hold importance for both countries, but balancing mutual benefits while addressing concerns of sectors vulnerable to tariff changes and non-tariff barriers is crucial.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-economics/proposed-india-uk-fta-its-politics-and-why-the-uk-may-benefit-more-9031599/

TOPIC 4: 30th ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION (APEC) ECONOMIC LEADERS’ MEETING

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: The 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting concluded in San Francisco recently with the adoption of the Golden Gate Declaration. The declaration underscores the commitment to creating a resilient and sustainable future for all member economies.

EXPLANATION:

• For the first time since 2011, USA hosted annual APEC
• Theme of the meeting was creating a “Resilient and Sustainable Future for All”.

GOLDEN GATE DECLARATION:

• The declaration aims to harness the technological and economic progress to continue to unleash the enormous potential and tremendous dynamism across regions, spur economic growth.
• The declaration was adopted after the two-day meeting, during which the leaders focused on the subjects of sustainability, climate, just energy transition, interconnectedness and building inclusive and resilient economies.
• The importance of the rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization at its core, which continues to catalyze APEC region’s extraordinary growth has been reaffirmed.
• APEC economies vow to accelerate the transition towards low and zero emissions vehicles; sustainable aviation fuels; and low and zero emission maritime shipping and port decarbonization, reads the document.

APEC:

• It was formed in 1989 with 12 members.
• Now, it has 21 members.
• Grouping of economies around Pacific Ocean aiming to promote trade, investment, and economic development in region.
• Accounts for nearly 62% of global GDP, half of global trade and covers 38% of global population.
• Operates on basis of non-binding commitments with decisions reached by consensus. India is an observer since 2011.

SOURCE: https://www.wionews.com/world/apec-summit-live-updates-biden-meets-mexican-president-lopez-obrador-659895

TOPIC 5: GOVERNOR’S ROLE IN LEGISLATION

TAG: GS 2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

THE CONTEXT: Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi has withheld assent for certain Bills passed by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. In this article, we will analyse the governor’s role in legislation.

EXPLANATION:

• The role of a Governor in the legislative process within a state is a crucial aspect of India’s federal structure.
• The Governor, as the constitutional head of a state, plays a significant role in the enactment of laws.

GOVERNOR’S ROLE IN LEGISLATION:

• Options When Receiving a Bill for Assent:
  • Article 200 of the Indian Constitution provides a structured approach for the Governor’s actions concerning bills, emphasizing the Governor’s role as a link between the State Legislature and the Union.
  • It also outlines four alternatives available to a Governor upon receiving a bill from a State Legislature:
    • Give Assent: The Governor approves the bill, making it law.
    • Withhold Assent: The Governor refuses to approve the bill, effectively rejecting it.
    • Return for Reconsideration: If it’s not a Money Bill, the Governor can send the bill back to the State Legislature for reconsideration.
    • Reserve for President’s Consideration: Certain bills need to be reserved for the President’s consideration, such as those that reduce High Court powers or conflict with Union laws.
  • Exercise of Discretionary Powers:
    • According to judicial precedents like the Shamsher Singh case, the Governor typically acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers while withholding assent or returning a bill.
    • Discretionary powers might be exercised in rare cases where the Governor believes a bill contravenes the Constitution and should be reserved for the President’s consideration.
  • Recommendations and Unimplemented Suggestions:
    • Reports like the Sarkaria Commission and the Punchhi Commission have suggested limiting the Governor’s discretionary powers, emphasizing adherence to ministerial advice.
    • Recommendations also proposed time limits for decision-making on bills but have not been implemented.
  • Resolution of Impasses:
    • The politicization of the Governor’s role has been a persistent issue.
    • Suggestions include consulting Chief Ministers before a Governor’s appointment, and the possibility of impeachment by the State Legislature to remove an uncooperative Governor.
    • Amendments are proposed to ensure responsible cooperation between the Centre and States in matters related to Governors’ appointments and functioning.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE GOVERNOR

• Article 153 says that there shall be a Governor for each State. One person can be appointed as Governor for two or more States.
• A Governor is appointed by the President and is a nominee of the Central Government.
• It is stated that the Governor has a dual role.
• He is the constitutional head of the state, bound by the advice of his Council of Ministers (CoM).
• He functions as a vital link between the Union Government and the State Government.
• Articles 157 and 158 specify eligibility requirements for the post of governor. A governor must:
• Be a citizen of India.
• Be at least 35 years of age.
• Not be a member of the either house of the parliament or house of the state legislature.
• Not hold any office of profit.
• Governor has the power to grant pardons, reprieves, etc. (Article 161).
• There is a CoM with the CM at the head to aid and advise the Governor in the exercise of his functions, except some conditions for discretion. (Article 163).
• The Governor appoints the Chief Minister and other Ministers (Article 164).
• Governor assents, withholds assent, or reserves the bill for the consideration of the President passed by the Legislative Assembly (Article 200).
• Governors may promulgate the Ordinances under certain circumstances (Article 213).
• Governor’s role:
• The Governor holds a constitutional position and is expected to perform specific functions, including granting assent to bills passed by the state legislature and ensuring the proper functioning of state administration.
• The Governor’s actions are perceived as a hindrance to these responsibilities.
• FOR FURTHER RINFORMATION PLEASE REFER TO THE DNA ARTICLE OF 1^ST OCTOBER 2023.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/the-role-of-the-governor-in-legislature-explained/article67552112.ece/amp/

RELEVANCE TO UPSC SYLLABUS: GS 2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE: IRRATIONAL FREEBIES, FREEBIES AND ITS IMPLICATION ON ECONOMY; ELECTORAL REFORMS

THE CONTEXT

The ongoing assembly elections in five states are seen as a prelude to the general election expected in the first half of 2024. Competitive populism seems to have replaced communalism in these campaigns. Whether its ruling party or opposition, India’s political landscape stuck with the dilemma of populist policies, which may end up shifting the country from reforms to retrogression.

 MORE ON THE NEWS

• Polling has concluded in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram while campaigning is peaking in Rajasthan and Telangana, which will vote on November 25 and 30, 2023.
• Competitive populism has been the defining theme of campaigning so far, and attempts at communal polarisation have been relatively understated.
• The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, the main contestants in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, have sought to outdo each other in promising a widening array of welfare schemes.
• In Telangana, the Congress, which is mounting a serious challenge to incumbent Bharat Rashtra Samithi, has promised to expand the State’s saturated welfare regime even further.
• Incumbents in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the Congress and the BJP, respectively, have relied on new welfare architectures to fight for another term.
• Tribal voters have received special attention from the BJP and the Congress. Prime Minister launched a ₹24,000-crore PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan for last-mile welfare scheme delivery and protection for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups. Congress and BJP have both claimed a better track record in delivering on election promises they make.

WHAT IS COMPETITIVE POPULISM?

• Competitive populism is the idea of framing the policies and campaigns by the political parties that focuses more on the individual problem rather than the country as a whole.
• The thrust is majorly on promising schemes for the poor, senior citizens, women and children, patients, farmers, the homeless and differently-abled people, pensioners and home makers.
• This results in the implementation of short term plans and lack proper outcomes, resulting in the wastage of financial resources.

 ISSUES WITH COMPETITIVE POPULISM

Financial issues: Competitive populism raise questions about welfare schemes without specifying details about resource mobilisation. Example: Loan waiver schemes for farmers cause big relief from farmers’ perspective but cause huge problems in Indian economy by widening the fiscal deficit. Many of our states are deep in debt. The national average of liabilities of states is as high as 31% of their total GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product).This creates a financial situation that is untenable in the long run.

Temporary solutions: Competitive populism among political parties offers in the run up to elections are just temporary solutions. It does not address structural changes needed to sustainable development.

Loss of trust of people: Competitive populism causes the loss of trust and confidence of people on Government thus affecting the mechanism of good governance in India at all levels of administration.

Centralisation of power: This competitive populism leads to centralisation of power, not just institutionally but also within the Party. It implies that the voter is increasingly likely to attribute the delivery of economic benefits to one leader rather than the party as a whole.

 THE WAY FORWARD

Empowering Election Commission of India: ECI should be provided more powers to regulate and monitor the announcement of freebies by political parties during elections. This would include giving the ECI more powers to de-register parties, impose penalties on violation of model code of conduct.

Voter awareness: There is a need for educating voters about the economic and social consequences of freebies and false promises. This can be done by creating awareness campaigns to empower voters to make rational and ethical choices.

Right approach for welfare schemes: Welfare schemes can result in more equitable development outcomes, but a more thoughtful and researched approach would be healthier for public finances.

Capacity creation: There is a need for skill development rather than providing unemployment allowances that will further breed an aversion to work. There is need of building social infrastructure such as rural schools and public healthcare over vote catching vows that are seldom fulfilled.

 THE CONCLUSION

With the campaign going for competitive populism, the impact of these promises on the economy would be vast. In this condition, there is a need to focus on inclusive development that would create a more conducive environment for economic growth and social progress rather than freebies.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION

Q. In what way could the replacement of price subsidy with direct benefit Transfer (DBT) change the scenario of subsidies in India? Discuss. (2015)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. Regular electioneering forces parties to indulge in competitive populism to differentiate themselves and attract voters. Can simultaneous elections help in overcoming this challenge? Argue.
2. Critically examine the socio-economic implications of competitive populism which is a recent phenomenon devised by political parties to attract voters.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/raining-promises-the-hindu-editorial-on-competitive-populism-in-the-assembly-elections-in-five-states/article67551104.ece

RELEVANCE TO UPSC SYLLABUS: GS 2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE: LOCAL RESERVATION IN JOBS, ARTICLE 14,16,19.

THE CONTEXT: The Punjab & Haryana High Court has struck down the Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act, 2020 stating that it is violative of the Part-III of the constitution.

LOCAL RESERVATIONS ATTEMPT IN STATES:

• Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act, 2020 requires firms with 10 or more employees to reserve 75% of all jobsoffering a salary of less than Rs. 30,000 a month for eligible candidates of State domicile.
• Job reservation Bills or laws for domiciles have also been announced in other States including Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand.
• The job quota Bill passed in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 2019, also reservingthree-fourths of private jobs for locals.

WHY  THE COURT HAS DECLARED THE LAW AS “UNCONSTITUTIONAL”?

• The term fraternity connoting a sense of common brotherhood is to embrace all Indians. In this respect, a blind eye could not be turned to other citizens of the country irrespective of the State they belong to.
• The court stated that the legislation is violative of right to equality under Article 14. The Court referred to Navtej Singh Johar and others vs. Union of India, where it states ‘miniscule minority have a right to participate as a citizen and an equal right of enjoyment of living regardless of what majority may believe’.
• The Court said that freedom given under Article 19 of the Constitution could not be taken away. The Court particularly referred to the freedoms guaranteed by Article 19(1)(d) and 19(1)(g).

1. The Act is imposing unreasonable restrictions regarding the right to move freely throughout the territory of India or to reside and settle in any part or the territory of India.
2. As per Article 19(6), the right of the State is to impose restrictions regarding professional or technical qualifications and not domicile requirements. It can, thus, be said that the Act as such cannot be said to be reasonable in any manner and it was directing the employers to violate the constitution provisions, the Court concluded.

• Article 35 of the Constitution bars state from legislating on requirement of domicile in employment under Article 16(3). The same further provides that there has to be equality of opportunity in matters of public employment.
• The power under Article 16(3) gives power only to the Parliament for making any law prescribing in regard to the class or classes of employment or appointment to an office under the Government or any local or other authority.
• The bench said that the concept of constitutional morality has been openly violated by introducing a secondary status to a set of citizens not belonging to the State of Haryana and curtailing their fundamental rights to earn their livelihood.

ISSUES WITH LOCAL RESERVATION:

Violation of fundamental rights of Constitution: The Act was a violative of fundamental rights as Article 14, Article 16 and Article 19.

Treated as secondary citizen: 75% reservation for the locals was discriminatory as it discriminates against the individuals on account of the fact that they do not belong to a certain State. It has a negative discrimination against other citizens of the country as treating them as secondary citizens.

Fuels Sons-of-the-Soil Theory: The ‘Son of the soil’ theory puts forward the idea of reservation based on regionalism. Reservation law based on domicile law will fuel such theories across States and in the long run destabilise the foundations of Indian democracy i.e., ‘Unity in diversity’.

Affects industrialisation: Raising the son of the soil issue and preventing free movement of manpower resources in the State from other regions can have an adverse effect on the existing industries in the State.  It could trigger an exodus of large domestic and multinational investors across sectors such as auto, IT that rely on highly skilled manpower.

THE WAY FORWARD

Implementation of reservation: The reservation policy could be implemented in a way that does not hamper the free movement of manpower resources in the Country. The reservation policy could be revisited periodically to assess its impact on the economy and industries in the state.

Protect fundamental rights: It is important to ensure that any policy decision taken is in compliance with the Constitution of India and does not violate the fundamental rights of citizens.

Skill impartation: To ensure job creation state governments should provide youths with skill training and proper education as key focus areas, enabling the masses to compete in the free market.

Engagement with industries: Government should involve industry’s engagement in the State because reservation affects productivity and industry competitiveness. The State governments can come up with certain incentives to companies which are investing a certain amount of money for training the local youths.

THE CONLCUSION: Enactment of local reservation in state is a violation of fundamental right of the citizens. Thus, High Court concluded that Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act, 2020 is ” unconstitutional and violative of Part III of the Constitution of India. In this respect, state governments should enable the reservation system in such a way that it serves its original purpose of making India a more just society.
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

1. Whether the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) can enforce the implementation of constitutional reservation for the Scheduled Castes in the religious minority institutions? Examine. (2018)
2. “The reservation of seats for women in the institution of local self-government has had a limited impact on the patriarchal character of the Indian political process”. Comment. (2019)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. What are the challenges associated with the reservations for locals in the private sector? Suggest measures to generate enough job opportunities in the Indian economy.
2. Local reservation in private sector fuels the concept of sons of soils theory”. Critically examine the statement and give your views.

SOURCE: https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/punjab-and-haryana-high-court/punjab-haryana-high-court-struck-down-75-reservation-for-haryana-domicile-in-private-sector-unconstitutional-242457#:~:text=The%20Court%20said%20that%20freedom,Constitution%20could%20not%20be%20curtailed

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Fractals can offer a new way to see the quantum realm. In this article, we will see in detail how fractals contribute to new ways of working in the quantum realm.

FRACTAL DIMENSIONS AND QUANTUM SYSTEMS:

• Introduction to Fractal Dimensions:
  • Fractal dimensions are non-integer dimensions that offer a unique way to study quantum systems.
  • They are a response to the inherent uncertainty present in these systems.
• Dimensionality’s Significance:
  • The behaviour of quantum systems differs concerning their dimensions.
  • For instance, electrons in 1D and 2D systems exhibit distinctive characteristics.

QUANTUM SYSTEMS IN NON-INTEGER DIMENSIONS:

• Fractal Geometry in Quantum Studies:
  • Physicists explore quantum systems in dimensions like 1.55 or 1.58, between one and two dimensions, using fractal geometry.
• Fractality and Its Significance:
  • Fractals, exhibiting self-similarity at different scales, are employed to study quantum systems in these non-integer dimensions.

MACROSCOPIC AND MICROSCOPIC FRACTALS:

• Macroscopic Fractals:
  • They’re visible in various natural phenomena like fingerprints, trees, shells, river networks, clouds, tumours, etc.
• Microscopic Fractals in Quantum Realm:
  • Studies reveal fractal behaviour in the magnetic properties of materials like neodymium nickel oxide and in graphene’s electron density patterns.

APPLICATIONS OF FRACTALITY:

• Fractals in Physics:
  • Initially applied to describe Brownian motion, fractals uncover new orders in systems, enabling insights into familiar shapes in unfamiliar dimensions.
• Practical Applications:
  • Fractality aids in data compression, antenna design, studying celestial bodies, chromatography, ion-exchange processes, and cellular biology.

IMPLICATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS:

• Unveiling Complexity:
  • Fractals offer insights into complex structures and processes in various realms, providing new perspectives on natural phenomena.
• Interdisciplinary Significance:
  • Their interaction with different processes widens their implications, facilitating a deeper understanding of the quantum realm and other natural systems.

WAY FORWARD:

• Fractal dimensions provide a comprehensive view and serve as a tool for understanding the intricacies of quantum systems.
• It explains the significance of non-integer dimensions in quantum studies, highlighting the unique behaviour exhibited by particles in these dimensions.
• Furthermore, it bridges the gap between macroscopic and microscopic fractals, elucidating their presence in both observable natural patterns and quantum phenomena.
• The practical applications of fractality across multiple disciplines underscore their interdisciplinary importance, ranging from data compression to celestial body study.
• In essence, the piece captures the role of fractals in unravelling the mysteries of quantum physics and their broader relevance across various scientific fields, reflecting the intricate relationship between fundamental theories and practical applications in scientific exploration.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/fractal-dimensions-quantum-physics-explained/article67535596.ece

TAG: GS 2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Punjab and Haryana High Court quashed a law passed by the Haryana government in 2020 that provided 75 per cent reservation in private jobs to residents of the state.

EXPLANATION:

• The Punjab and Haryana High Court’s ruling quashing the Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act, 2020 has far-reaching implications and raises several significant points.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS:

• Unconstitutionality and Violation of Fundamental Rights:
• The court ruled the Act as unconstitutional and violative of Part III of the Indian Constitution, which encompasses fundamental rights.
• This Act was seen as discriminatory against individuals who are not residents of a specific state and impinged upon their rights.
• State Intervention in Private Sector:
• The judgment highlighted the overreach of the state government into the private sector by attempting to mandate the hiring of local candidates.
• It was perceived as an intrusion into the freedom of private employers to recruit based on their requirements.
• Freedom to Conduct Business:
  • The court emphasized Article 19 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to carry out business and trade.
  • The Act was seen as an impediment to this freedom for private employers, impacting their ability to hire based on merit and suitability for the job.

ETHICAL AND PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS:

• Equality and Common Citizenship:
  • The Act was criticized for creating divisions among people based on their state of origin, which contradicts the idea of common citizenship enshrined in the Constitution.
  • It was argued that such laws create disparities among citizens and go against the principle of equality.
• Skill Diversity and Employment Needs:
  • The court illustrated how skill diversity exists across regions, and mandating local hiring could hinder businesses from accessing a diverse skill set essential for their operations.
  • It emphasized that a skilled workforce might be sourced from different parts of the country, and restricting hiring based on domicile is counterproductive.
• Challenges of Unemployment:
  • While the Haryana government argued that the Act aimed to address local youth unemployment, the court observed that such measures cannot infringe upon the rights of others.
  • It questioned the feasibility of such discriminatory practices in addressing unemployment concerns.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE AND FUTURE STEPS:

• Legal Recourse:
  • The government expressed intentions to approach the Supreme Court for an appeal (Special Leave Petition – SLP) against the High Court’s decision.
  • This signifies a potential continuation of the legal battle over the policy’s validity.
• Reviewing Options:
  • The government spokesperson mentioned assessing the detailed court order before deciding on the next course of action.
  • This indicates a need to reconsider strategies regarding employment policies in light of the court’s decision.

CONCLUSION:

• The High Court’s decision to quash the Haryana law reflects a significant ruling on constitutional and fundamental rights issues.
• It underscores the importance of maintaining a balance between addressing local unemployment concerns and ensuring equality and freedom in employment opportunities.
• This ruling may influence future state policies concerning employment quotas and rights of private businesses in recruitment practices across India.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/hc-quashes-haryana-govts-75-percent-quota-in-private-sector-jobs-9031094/

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.

THE CONTEXT– The first International Energy Association (IEA) Summit on Critical Minerals and Clean Energy was held at Paris, France on September 28, 2023. At the heart of its agenda remained the discussions on the challenges and opportunities in meeting the rising demand for minerals required for clean energy technologies.

As economic transformations accelerate, securing access to these materials will both impact and help shape geopolitics in the years to come. This article delves into the developments concerning energy geopolitics from multiple dimensions and analyses the options available to India in securing its national interests.

WHAT IS GEOPOLITICS?

The term “Geopolitics” can be broadly understood as the influence of geography and economics on the power status of a country and its relationships as well as decisions in the bilateral and/or multilateral arena.

Geopolitics seeks to study the effects of the Earth’s geography (human and physical) on politics and international relations.

It is concerned with questions of influence and power over space and territory. It uses geographical frames to make sense of world affairs.

WHY IS ENERGY AN IMPORTANT PART OF GEOPOLITICS?

• Since the industrial revolution, the geopolitics of energy- who supplies it and securing ways for reliable access to those resources- has been influencing the geoeconomics of the nations and the world as a whole.
• Energy is a fundamental resource that drives the global economy and shapes international relations which makes it a crucial component of geopolitics.
• The availability, accessibility, and affordability of energy resources can have significant impacts on a country’s economic growth, political stability, and national security.
• Energy resources are finite and unevenly distributed across the world, which has led to competition among countries for access to these resources. This competition has often resulted in geopolitical tensions, conflicts, and even wars. For instance: Gulf war of 1990s. One of the major factors behind Iran’s annexation of Kuwait was its interest in accessing the rich oil reserves of the latter.
• Heartland Theory (Halford Mackinder) and Rimland Theory (Nicholas Spykman) concerning geopolitics highlighted the importance of gaining control over resource-rich regions if a country was to establish and expand influence/hegemony in the world. In this context, countries rich in oil, gas and other energy resources enjoy an edge over resource-strained countries in terms of power and influence.
• For any country to secure its national interests such as energy security and industrial development, having a reliable supply chain of those energy resources is necessary which dictates the decisions of the country in bilateral/multilateral relationships.

CONTEMPORARY DEVELOPMENTS INVOLVING ENERGY AS PART OF GEOPOLITICS

Presenting a region-wise discussion on the geopolitics of energy-

EUROPE AND BLACK SEA REGION

Impacts of Russia-Ukraine war: The energy dynamics of the world have been shaped drastically and multidimensionally because of the Russia-Ukraine war-

• Weaponisation of energy by Russia- It was no accident that Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, when it is the coldest and European demand for gas for heating buildings is the highest. Russia cut gas flows to the EU by around 80% in 2022, leaving the bloc with a significant shortfall in its energy mix, and a pressing need to find energy alternatives from other places.
• Russia cut supplies to Europe in retaliation for western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine. This resulted into surge in the prices of electricity, often linked to the price of gas. And that has pushed energy security to the top of the political agenda.
• Attack on Nord Stream pipelines- Russia has been blamed for blast of the Nord Stream pipeline in Baltic Sea which supplied gas from Russia to the European nations like Germany. Extensive damage to Nord Stream 1 and 2 in the Danish exclusive economic zone has been reported in the wake of Russia-Ukraine war in 2022. This has raised energy security challenges for the European countries.
• Discounted Russian oil and geopolitics- The energy resource-rich Russia took advantage of the war to increase its revenue and geopolitical influence through the sale of discounted oil to countries like India and China.

However, under the pressure from Western sanctions on crude oil, Russia in February 2023 decided to cut its production and supply of crude oil. Such disruptions in the energy supply chains and heavy dependence of nations on oil/gas imports leave them in a vulnerable situation.

• Energy resources in the Black Sea- The Russia-Ukraine war which begun as Russian response to Ukraine’s intent to become a member of NATO, also has energy geopolitics as its core. Given the huge potential reserves of oil and natural gas in the Black Sea region, Russia intends to secure its access to the energy resources.

ARCTIC REGION

In a changing Arctic, this potentially resource-rich region could become another venue for geopolitical tensions. Russia has launched an ambitious plan to remilitarize the Arctic. Specifically, Russia is searching for evidence to prove its territorial claims to additional portions of the Arctic, so that it can move its Arctic borderline — which currently measures over 14,000 miles in length — further north.

• Climate Change and new energy resources- The rapid loss of Arctic Sea ice at a much fast rate than the rest of the world has exposed new lands with high potential for energy resources like oil, natural gas, shale gas and methane hydrates. The United States Geological Survey estimates that the Arctic contains approximately 13% of the world’s undiscovered oil resources and about 30% of its undiscovered natural gas resources.
• Race to control the Arctic energy resources- A race for access to the new potential energy reserves in the Arctic has been shaping the geopolitical agenda and moves of countries like the USA, Russia, China etc. Each party wishes to gain control over these energy resources that would translate into increased geopolitical influence of countries in the future.
• New trade routes for energy- The thawing ice cover in the Arctic is opening new trade routes which are likely to be used as alternative energy trade routes between the countries in the Northern Hemisphere. Control of these routes could bring significant advantages to countries and corporations looking for a competitive edge.

SOUTH CHINA SEA (SCS)

Disputes between China and Southeast Asian countries:

• Since the exploration in the early 20th century, more than 10 billion tonnes of Cenozoic oil and gas fields have been discovered, making the SCS region one of the giant oil and gas areas.
• Estimates by the US Geological Survey and others indicate that about 60%-70% of the region’s hydrocarbon resources are gas.
• Optimistic Chinese estimates of the region’s oil potential indicate as high as 213 billion barrels of hydrocarbons which are untapped. This figure is comparable with any high-value hydrocarbon producing region of the world, including the Persian Gulf region.
• Energy security and hegemony in the international energy trade has been one of the factors behind increasing Chinese muscular power in the SCS region. E.g. growing standoffs between the Philippines and China.

GULF REGION

• In the early twentieth century, the switch from coal to oil formed the basis to a century of geopolitical upheaval in the Middle East.
• Gulf war (1990s)- One of the major factors behind Iran’s annexation of Kuwait was its interest in accessing the rich oil reserves of the latter.
• Cartelisation- The control of OPEC and OPEC+ over the production of oil and the decision of its members to cut production and supply of crude oil has always been a cause of worry for the countries that remain dependent on imports of oil to meet their growing energy demands. The production cuts lead to hike in the oil prices.
• Ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict- Iran, a major oil producer, backs the Hamas group which is at war with Israel. As the Hamas attack on Israel intensified, experts have expressed serious concerns on its impact on oil prices, gold prices, inflation and eventually the economy.
• India-Middle East-Europe Corridor- This new counter-BRI initiative, launched at the sidelines of the recent G20 Summit (2023), has energy security and trade among its core objectives. Such regional projects shape the dynamics of international trade in energy. The IMEC will involve rail connectivity, shipping lines, high-speed data cables, and energy pipelines.

o    The volatile situation in the Middle East with the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict could hit the corridor plans.

o    This ambitious project aims to create a seamless trade route connecting India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and Europe. The corridor spans diverse nations with varying political dynamics, interests and previous tensions.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND GEOPOLITICS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY:

RENEWABLE ENERGY

While the global community has ramped its efforts towards green transition to decarbonise economy and achieve climate goals at the earliest, the geopolitics around renewable energy and just transition has been a big challenge, especially for developing countries and LDCs.

• CBDR and Climate Finance- Compelled by the limited financial resources, the developing nations and LDCs seek increased financial assistance in the form of Climate Finance to facilitate shift towards renewable energy and to reduce share of fossil fuels in the energy mix. However, the promise of raising $100 billion as climate finance by the developed countries has remained unfulfilled.
• Technological Supremacy of West- The slower development of renewable energy sources (solar, wind, bio-energy, etc.) and higher costs of renewable energy are attributed to the lack of technology at the disposal of the Third World countries. The West having developed advanced technology for exploitation of green hydrogen, waste-to-energy and hybrid renewable energy, has been reluctant to share their technical know-how with the less developed nation, thus, establishing their supremacy and using it as a weapon of geopolitics.
• Critical Minerals Race- From 2017 to 2022, green energy projects alone boosted demand for lithium by roughly 200 percent, cobalt by 70 percent and nickel by 40 percent.
• Chinese monopoly- The uneven geographical distribution of critical minerals and near-monopoly of China in their production, refining and exports raise apprehensions regarding reliable, efficient supply chain of critical minerals.

Such dependencies create a high risk of supply disruptions and increase the Union’s vulnerability and security risks.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), China is home to about 35% of the world’s nickel, 58% of lithium, 65% of cobalt, and 87% of rare earth elements (REE) i.e. cerium, lanthanum, praseodymium etc.

• The European Critical Raw Materials Act was voted on in the European Parliament during the September 11-14, 2023, seeks to diversify its supply chain for reliable supply of critical minerals. Most importantly, it aims to reduce its heavy dependence on China.

• Deep sea mining race- In an attempt of diversify the supply chains and explore new regions for untapped critical minerals (in the seabed), countries such as Australia, India, USA have joined hands to counter the Chinese monopoly. The deep-sea mining for polymetallic nodules and other critical minerals by countries has surged, and in response, the reports of EEZ encroachments have also witnessed a rise.
• Elitist nature of the Minerals Security Partnership- The MSP is elitist in its very idea of formation and induction of members. Countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, the Democratic Republic of Congo, which have abundant reserves of critical minerals are not part of this strategic grouping formed by US.

MSP is a strategic grouping of 13 member states including Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, the United Kingdom, US, the European Union, Italy and India.

CARBON BORDER ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM (CBAM)

The European Union (EU) has launched a carbon border tax on carbon intensive imports of products such as cement and fertilizer with the intent to prevent carbon leakage and incentivise green manufacturing.

• Challenges for developing countries like India- India and other developing countries which are trade partners of the EU raise concerns regarding the discriminatory nature of this carbon levy, given the fact that fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas still contribute nearly 60% of India’s energy mix.
• It is a challenge for India to make sudden transition towards renewable energy generation to drive the green manufacturing. Thus, the EU’s CBAM is touted as a geopolitical tactic used by the EU to further its interests at the stake of the interests of the less-competitive countries.

HOW IS INDIA ENSURING ENERGY SECURITY AND PROTECTING ITS INTERESTS THROUGH GEOPOLITICS?

As per the ‘2023 World Energy Outlook’ published by the OPEC, India’s primary energy demand will nearly more than double to 38.5 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (mboe/d) in 2045. India’s energy demand will also reach 10 per cent of global demand, up from 6.6 per cent currently.

The surging energy demands in the country and climate action have influenced the foreign policy of India in a bid to secure its national interests and ensure energy security:

• Discounted Russian oil – Taking advantage of the discounts offered by Russia on crude oil in the aftermath of Russia-Ukraine war, India began purchasing Russian oil so as to diversify its trade partners in the field of energy resources. Russia has emerged as the largest oil importer of India, accounting for about 40% of India’s crude imports.
• India and Russia recently discussed the possibility of exploring new transport corridors like the Northern Sea Route (NSR) and the Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC) between Vladivostok and Chennai and both sides also agreed that Indian seafarers will be trained on Polar and Arctic waters at the Russian Maritime Training Institute in Vladivostok, which is equipped with simulators.
• India invested to develop Chabahar port in Iran. This will help bypass Pakistan and have access to oil and mineral rich Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asian countries.
• International Solar Alliance- The International Solar Alliance (ISA) founded by India in 2015, is an action-oriented, member-driven, collaborative platform for increased deployment of solar energy technologies as a means for bringing energy access, ensuring energy security, and driving energy transition in its member countries.
• Global Biofuels Alliance (launched on the sidelines of G20 Summit in New Delhi 2023)- India as a founder member of GBA, has been focussing on scaling up the share of biofuels through sharing of technical know-how and encouraging investments in the R&D in waste-to-energy. The efforts by India to ramp up biofuels in energy basket of India aims to scale down the share of fossil fuels in energy mix.
• Green Hydrogen Alliances- Recently, India and Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of a green hydrogen supply chain which seeks to expand the cooperation among the two nations in the co-production of green hydrogen and the creation of secure, reliable, and resilient supply chains for materials used in green and clean hydrogen production and renewable energy.

CHALLENGES FOR INDIA

HIGH IMPORT-DEPENDENCE FOR CRUDE OIL

• India’s oil import dependency was 84.4 per cent in 2020-21, 85 per cent in 2019-20, and 83.8 per cent in 2018-19.
• The share of Persian Gulf countries in India’s crude imports has remained at around 60% over the last 15 years.
• Also, Russia has emerged as the largest oil sourcing country for India in 2023, which has its own set of challenges in the wake of potential supply chain disruptions and growing bonhomie between Russia and China. The geodynamic equations and sanctions by the West on Russia are potential threats to energy security interests of India.

NUCLEAR SUPPLIERS GROUP

• The nuclear energy generation in India is hindered by the limited domestic reserves of uranium (about 2% of the world’s total uranium reserves) and reliance on imports of nuclear fuel and nuclear technology.
• India’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group is stonewalled by China which hurts the energy interests of India. China plays the Pakistan card and NPT entry as conditions for India to become a member of the NSG. India has been seeking NSG membership to gain access to foreign-sourced nuclear material and technology.

LACK OF DOMESTIC RESERVES OF CRITICAL MINERALS

• India lacks reserves of critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt.
• The complex supply chains, disruptions sue to political instability in Africa, Chinese dominance in production and processing of about 90% of critical minerals and heavy dependence of India for critical minerals are among the major challenges facing industrial development and green transition in the country.
• Countries such as Democratic Republic of Congo lead in the reserves of cobalt (about 70% of total reserves).
• Russia is a significant producer of nickel, palladium, titanium sponge, & scandium and Ukraine is a major producer of titanium; the Russia-Ukraine war has disrupted the supply chains.

HIGH COMPARATIVE COSTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY

• While renewable energy sources may appear to be cheaper, there are some hidden and indirect costs that make them far less financially attractive.
• Given the intermittent nature of sources like solar and wind, energy storage solutions such as batteries, become crucial.
• While the initial costs of renewable installations might seem competitive, the associated storage costs can be significant, especially when we factor in the lifespan and efficiency of current battery technologies. This is particularly relevant when comparing the continuous power generation capabilities of fossil fuel plants to the on-and-off nature of renewables.

2070 CARBON-NEUTRALITY AS CHALLENGE

• There are numerous hurdles in India’s target for carbon-neutrality by 2070.
• One, it would require about $10 trillion investment and given the constraints in climate finance mobilisation, it seems an arduous task.
• Secondly, phasing out coal completely is difficult, given the requirements of industries and slow progress in addition of renewable energy. Also, the intermittent nature of renewables makes coal a viable option.
• It also requires innovation and collaborations in the desired technologies to meet the target in the long run.

THE WAY FORWARD

India must secure its energy interests through the following measures:

• Strategic Petroleum Reserves- All oil importing member countries of the International Energy Agency (IEA) have an obligation to hold emergency oil stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of net oil imports. India with the help of imported oil has been building its strategic petroleum reserves at Vishakhapatnam, Mangalore and Padur. India should also consider having strategic reserves of coal as well as natural gas.
• Strategic autonomy- India must proactively exercise its strategic autonomy in maintenance of bilateral and multilateral relations to secure the national interests of the country in energy sector. Therefore, India must maintain its healthy relations with the Middle East, Russia as well as the USA for diversification of risks associated with suppliant chain management of energy resources and critical minerals supply.

The 3-year India-Australia Critical Minerals Investment Partnership and purchase of discounted Russian oil in this context are the right measures.

• Critical Minerals Partnerships- India’s membership in the Minerals Security Partnership, state-owned joint venture KABIL’s agreement with Argentina to tap the critical minerals are the much-needed initiatives towards reliable and efficient critical minerals supply chain. Such opportunities must be leveraged well by the Indian government and investors.
• Commercial mining of critical minerals- The rising demand of critical minerals for green energy transition and inadequate, slow progress in exploration and production of potential domestic reserves of critical minerals have driven India’s amendments in the Minerals and Mines (Development and Regulation) Act 1957, to boost commercial mining of select critical minerals in the country. Private participation in mining of critical minerals with increased investments in the R&D is imperative.
• Deep Ocean exploration- India must ensure robust implementation of the crucial policies such as Deep Ocean Mission, O-SMART and Samudrayaan Mission (Matsya 6000) to explore, tap and exploit the polymetallic nodules and other energy resources to fulfil the burgeoning energy demands of the country.
• Geospatial Energy Mapping- The Geospatial Energy Map of India launched by IRSO and Niti Aayog (2021) attempts to identify and locate all primary and secondary sources of energy and their transportation/transmission networks to provide a comprehensive view of energy production and distribution in a country. It should be used effectively by the private sector and other stakeholders in research and development of energy resources.

THE CONCLUSION- Energy and geopolitics are intertwined. With new discoveries of energy resources (shale gas in the USA, lithium reserves in India, etc.) and innovations in associated technologies, the energy sector dominates in the negotiations and agreements between the nations and will continue to have its influence on foreign policy of the nations in future as well. India must carefully weigh its options and make the best out of its deals, agreements at the bilateral, regional, or multilateral forums.

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTIONS:

Q. Climate change is changing the energy geopolitics globally, with significant implications for India. Comment.

Q. The melting of the Arctic has been shaping the energy dynamics of the world. Discuss in the context of importance of Arctic region for India.

Q. The Russia-Ukraine war has dramatically transformed the energy dynamics of the world. In this context, comment on India’s approach to fulfil its national interest.

THE CONTEXT: The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), both globally and in India, focuses on population ageing as part of its strategic plan for emerging population concerns. The recently released UN report highlights the rapid growth of the elderly population in India since 2010, while the number of individuals below 15 has declined. This article comprehensively analyses the report and other related issues of the elderly from the UPSC perspective.

ABOUT THE REPORT

The report released in September 2023, used data from the 2011 Census, the 2017-18 Longitudinal Ageing Survey in India (LASI) conducted by the Health Ministry, population projections of the Government of India and the World Population Projection 2022 report, among other sources. Though the pace of ageing in India is moderate, with the proportion of the aged increasing to 20 percent by 2050, it highlights various key indicators of demographic variations among aging population in India and suggest measures to provide a healthy and dignified life to elderly.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT

PROJECTION OF ELDERLY POPULATION

• The decadal growth rate of the elderly population of India currently estimated to be at 41%.
• With this rate, the percentage of elderly population in the country projected to double to over 20% of total population by 2050.
• By 2046, it is likely that elderly population will have surpassed the population of children (aged 0 to 15 years) in the country.
• The report also projected that the population of people aged 80+ years will grow at a rate of around 279% between 2022 and 2050 with a predominance of widowed and highly dependent very old women.

VULNERABILITIES OF ELDERS

• More than 40% of the elderly in India are in the poorest wealth quintile, with about 18.7% of them living without an income.
• Such levels of poverty may affect their quality of life and healthcare utilisation.

HIGHER LIFE EXPECTANCY OF WOMEN

• Women, on average, had higher life expectancy at the age of 60 and at the 80, when compared to men, which varies across States and Union Territories.
• The sex ratio (females per 1,000 males) among the elderly has been climbing steadily since 1991, with the ratio in the general population stagnating.

GENDERED POVERTY

• Poverty is inherently gendered in old age when older women are more likely to be widowed, living alone, with no income and with fewer assets of their own, and fully dependent on family for support.
• Major challenges facing India’s ageing population are the feminisation and ruralisation.

REGIONAL VARIATIONS

• Most States in the southern region and select northern States such as Himachal Pradesh and Punjab reported a higher share of the elderly population than the national average in 2021, a gap that is expected to widen by 2036.

OLD AGE DEPENDENCY

• In the southern region, the old-age dependency ratio (elderly people per 100 people between 15 and 59 years) was higher than the national average at around 20 as is true of western India at 17.
• Overall, Union Territories (13) and the north-eastern region (13) reflected lower old age dependency ratios.

LOW AWARENESS LEVEL

• A little more than half of the elderly (55%) are aware of the old-age pension scheme (IGNOAPS); 44% about the widow pension scheme (IGNWPS); and 12% about the Annapurna Scheme.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE REPORT

By 2050, the share of older persons in India will double to 20.8 percent, with the absolute number reaching 347 million. This rise in the ageing population will have significant implications for health, economy, and society in India. The elderly population in India is expanding rapidly and may surpass the children’s population by mid-century. This makes it imperative for the government to draw broad policy guidelines for better care to the elderly.

INTERNATIONAL POLICY FRAMEWORKS ON AGEING

WORLD ASSEMBLY ON AGEING

• The First World Assembly on Ageing was held in 1982, which established the International Plan of Action on Ageing. This plan emphasized the rights of older persons, including independence, participation in society, access to care, dignity, and self-fulfilment.
• The Second World Assembly on Ageing took place in Madrid in 2002. This assembly aimed to address the global ageing agenda and its impact on development. The main outcome documents from this assembly were the Political Declaration and the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA), 2002.
• The UN Resolution (75/131) expressed concern about the world not being sufficiently prepared to respond to the rights and needs of older people. It emphasized the need for a whole-of-society approach to address the challenges of ageing.

UNITED NATIONS DECADE OF HEALTHY AGEING

• The World Health Organization (WHO) initiated the Decade of Healthy Ageing (2020-2030), focusing on four areas: age-friendly environments, combating ageism, enhancing functional ability, and improving long-term care systems. The goal is to ensure older people can live a life commensurate with their basic rights, fundamental freedoms, and human dignity.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE FOR THE CARE OF ELDERLY

The care of the elderly is imperative for governments because they represent a significant portion of the population, having contributed to the societal, cultural, and economic foundations of the nation in their prime years. As they age, they face unique vulnerabilities, from health challenges to economic insecurities.

Without state intervention, they might lack access to essential services, leading to increased socio-economic disparities.

In recent years, the Indian government has initiated several measures to enhance the welfare and well-being of the elderly.

• Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY): Launched in 2017, this program provides free physical aids and assisted living devices for senior citizens belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.
• Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY): Started in 2017, this is a pension scheme tailored for senior citizens, offering a guaranteed rate of return over its tenure.
• Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund: Established in 2015, this fund channels unclaimed amounts from various financial schemes for the welfare of senior citizens and their promotion of healthcare and social security.
• Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (Formerly National Action Plan for Senior Citizens (NAPSrC): provides a comprehensive action plan for services like health, housing, and welfare to senior citizens, including protection against abuse.
• Livelihood and Skilling Initiatives for Senior Citizens – Senior Able Citizens for Re-Employment in Dignity (SACRED); Action Groups Aimed at Social Reconstruction (AGRASR Groups): Elderly Self-Help groups etc. are other initiatives by the government to aid the elderly in leading a dignified life.

Such initiatives reflect the government’s holistic approach to elderly care, encompassing economic well-being, health, and social security.

CORPORATE SECTOR AND THE WELFARE OF SENIOR CITIZENS

The government has implemented several programs and schemes for senior citizens’ welfare. However, given the increasing numbers of the elderly, the private sector can also play a significant role in addressing their vulnerabilities. Under Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013, corporate entities are mandated to spend 2% of their net profits averaged over three preceding financial years for social development.

Ageing issues have been added as a focus area for corporate social responsibility (CSR) spending, which includes initiatives like vocational skills development, livelihood enhancement projects, setting up old age homes, day care centers, and benefits for armed forces veterans and war widows.

HelpAge India, one of the nation’s leading NGOs working for the elderly, partnered with HDFC Ltd. Through this partnership, HDFC funded Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) which provide primary healthcare services to destitute elders in remote areas.

Tata Steel Rural Development Society (TSRDS): This CSR arm of Tata Steel has been active in setting up old age homes in various areas, providing senior citizens with shelter, food, medical care, and recreational activities.

Apollo Hospitals’ “Project Arogya”: Apollo Hospitals, in association with NGOs, has set up clinics that offer geriatric care, covering consultations, diagnostics, and health checks at subsidized rates for the elderly.

These case studies exemplify how the corporate sector, in collaboration with NGOs and on their own, are creating tailor-made solutions for the burgeoning elderly demographic in India, ranging from healthcare to technology solutions.

COMMUNITY BASED ORGANISATIONS AND ELDERLY CARE

Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) play a pivotal role in the welfare of the elderly in India. They act as a bridge between the grassroots level and larger NGOs or governmental organizations. Few notable CBOs and their contributions to the welfare of the elderly in India:

• Agewell Foundation: Founded in 1999, this network of over 1500 NGOs and 6500 volunteers works at the grassroots level across India to address issues faced by the elderly. They focus on health, legal literacy, economic security, and human rights for senior citizens.
• Dignity Foundation: Operating primarily in urban settings, this organization provides a platform for senior citizens to share their concerns. They offer programs ranging from helplines, health workshops, and even a magazine dedicated to the elderly.
• Harmony for Silvers Foundation: Founded by Tina Ambani, this foundation publishes “Harmony”, a magazine dedicated to issues related to senior citizens. They also organize initiatives and programs tailored for the elderly.
• Nightingales Medical Trust: Based in Bangalore, this trust focuses on health and medical services for the elderly. They run memory clinics for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients and offer physiotherapy, geriatric care, and other healthcare services.
• Positive Ageing Foundation: This Delhi-based organization focuses on comprehensive care for the elderly, dealing with health, finance, legal issues, and emotional well-being.
• The Anugraha Foundation: Based in Pune, they focus on holistic development and care of the elderly, especially those suffering from Alzheimer’s and related disorders.

These CBOs, through their dedicated services and programs, play an integral role in enhancing the quality of life for the elderly, advocating for their rights, and ensuring they remain integrated and valued members of society.

REACH AND UTILIZATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES AND HEALTHCARE BY OLDER PERSONS

• Knowledge of Social Security Schemes and Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act (MWPSC), 2007: Only 55% of the elderly are aware of the old-age pension scheme (IGNOAPS), 44% about the widow pension scheme (IGNWPS), and 12% about the Annapurna Scheme. The report presents the percentage of elderly individuals aware of these schemes based on various background characteristics.

• Utilization of Social Security Schemes: Despite awareness, there are gaps in the actual utilization of these schemes. For instance, even among those aware of the schemes, actual utilization is low. This gap could be due to supply system factors, demand system factors, or a combination of both.
• Access to Healthcare Facilities: Healthcare utilization among the elderly varies between in-patient and out-patient care. About 8% of the elderly accessed in-patient care, while 59% accessed out-patient care in the 12 months preceding the survey.

          For in-patient care, 37.7% accessed public facilities and 57% accessed private facilities. For out-patient care, 22.9% accessed public facilities, and 63.3% accessed private facilities.

• Health Insurance Coverage: The coverage of health insurance schemes is highest in the age group of 60–69 years (20.4%). Elderly men (19.7%) had a greater share of coverage than elderly women (16.9%). There wasn’t much variance between urban and rural areas regarding health insurance scheme coverage.

The findings three primary factors determining the utilization of various social security schemes for the needy elderly: knowledge/awareness, reach/access, and actual use, according to the report suggest that while awareness is low, there’s also a gap between awareness and use. This makes it imperative for future policies to address the gap by taking required actions to increase awareness among target beneficiaries.

COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE ELDERLY

Senior citizens were particularly vulnerable during the pandemic due to their age, health co-morbidities, and economic vulnerabilities. The lengthy lockdowns affected their access to healthcare, ongoing medical treatments, and availability of medicines. Many faced increased fear and anxiety due to isolation, lack of physical activity, and forced loneliness. Many elderly households were pushed below the poverty line during the pandemic, impacting both their lives and livelihoods.

Poverty, lack of social security in old age, poor public health facilities, illiteracy and digital ignorance created additional challenges. Service delivery to those living independently or in institutions such as old age homes was also proving to be difficult, and here, efforts of nongovernmental organization (NGOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) were invaluable.

While governments are able to plan and implement such programmes, NGOs and CBOs are able to supplement and complement government efforts by reaching the grassroots level, especially in remote areas.

CASE STUDY: ROLE OF HELPAGE INDIA

During the first wave of the pandemic, HelpAge India’s helpline staff, along with volunteers (including student volunteers), called members of senior citizens’ associations to spread awareness about the government’s guidelines. HelpAge India’s pandemic response focused on several areas:

• Food and Nutrition: In collaboration with corporate partners, HelpAge India distributed 150,000 meals to old age homes, day care centers, and urban destitute elderly. This included 70,000 meals in Delhi/NCR and 24,000 in Telangana. The meals and hygiene kits were initially distributed in urban slums, semi-rural areas, and old age homes.
• Communication: The organization emphasized spreading awareness about COVID-19 protocols.
• Medical Health Units (MHUs): During the lockdowns, MHUs initiated public health awareness campaigns to educate the elderly about the pandemic.
• Vaccination Drive: HelpAge India teams actively participated in the government’s vaccination drive, conducting outreach programs to maximize the number of older persons getting vaccinated. They also provided communication material to address vaccine hesitancy and inform about post-vaccination symptoms.
• Livelihoods: To support the decreased income of Elder Self-Help Groups (ESHGs) during the pandemic, a corporate-supported program was initiated that provided ₹5,000–₹5,500 as a direct benefit transfer.

Support and Collaboration: HelpAge India’s decentralized procurement procedure helped reduce response time. They partnered with mobile health units (MHUs) and local partners (NGOs/CBOs and senior citizens associations) to ensure the last mile distribution and delivery of services. Elder self-help groups (ESHGs) were formed in partnership with other voluntary organizations and community members.

Helpline Services: During the second wave, HelpAge India’s helpline provided guidance on legal aspects, counselling, moral support, and facilitated direct interventions. In Delhi, the helpline assisted 60% of older persons in securing hospital beds and followed up with them for treatment. The helpline team also coordinated with local police and medical units for blood plasma, oxygen, and assisted the local administration in other areas.

The pandemic highlighted the increased vulnerability of older individuals, especially those with non-communicable diseases. The interruption in the primary healthcare system particularly affected the elderly. The pandemic underscored the need for better mental health and counselling services, along with curative care.

The Way Forward according to UNFPA:

1. Role of the Government:

• Financial and technical support: For any pan-India development initiative (including elder care), the government need to come up with a clear and cogent policy-based technical, financial and administrative support backed by effective technology-led communication strategy.
• Enhancing collaboration among stakeholders: the government needs to focus on systematic coordination, convergence and collaboration across key stakeholders to avoid duplication of effort, operations at cross-purposes and bureaucratic hold-ups.

Departments within the government need to converge their efforts to ensure that their respective programmes are elderly friendly and delivered in a holistic fashion. For example, programmes of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare should prioritize the training of service providers and supervisors on geriatric care.

• The government, private sector and relevant institutions can work together to encourage research and knowledge building on the implications of prevailing and emerging social, political, economic, technological, market and business, financial, health and institutional processes and safety nets on ageing including services and products for the elderly.
• District Development Officers in close collaboration with PRIs must develop better convergence of development initiatives in villages aimed at improving lives and living standards of elderly taking a comprehensive view rather than individual projects.

2. Others:

• Apart from government sources, there is significant scope for mobilizing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for this purpose as elder care.
• Community Based Organisations (CBOs) can also be further promoted to enable regular interface between project beneficiaries and managers at central and state levels so that inputs from the community can enrich project design, implementation and create opportunities for mid-course correction for better outcomes and improved outreach.
• Active PRI involvement is essential for community transformation aimed at building a supportive environment for senior citizens. The innovative interventions related to the elderly by PRIs such as Kudumbashree, Asraya and Palliative Care in Kerala, which can be replicated in other states as well.
• Indian culture stands on the concept of filial piety, where caring for the elderly is considered a duty of the younger generation. Intergenerational solidarity and the relationship between generations need to be nurtured for ensuring the wellbeing of the elderly.

THE CONCLUSION: The impending rise in the old age population in India in the coming decades will bring a demographic shift which can have significant implications for the health sector, economy, and society. The UNFPA Report 2023 serves as a reference document for stakeholders to develop programs and initiatives that cater to the needs of the elderly. Caring for the elderly not only upholds their rights to a dignified life but also promotes societal values of respect, gratitude, and inter-generational cohesion.  Furthermore, their wisdom, experiences, and skills are invaluable assets, which can be harnessed for the greater societal good.

Mains Practice Questions:

Q.1 The UNFPA Report 2023 highlights the vulnerabilities faced by the elderly in India. In this context discuss the government initiatives for the aging population in India.

Q.2 Discuss the reasons for the ‘feminisation’ and ‘ruralisation’ of older population in India.

THE CONTEXT: India clocked in year-on year GDP growth as of this financial year’s April-June quarter (Q1), 2023 at 7.8%, according to the National Statistical Office (NSO), but there is allegation that the government is favoring the higher estimate of GDP by using a statistical tool called ‘discrepancy’. Following article explain how GDP is calculated in India and associated issues from UPSC CSE PERSPECTIVE.

CURRENT ISSUE IN DEBATE

• After the release of National Statistical Office (NSO) data it created controversy over GDP data. Here, Opposition alleged that the Q1 GDP data was overstating the GDP by a full percentage point.
• Another criticism came from some economists who pointed to the two main ways in which India calculates its GDP and argued that they did not match up and alleged that government is favouring the higher estimate of GDP by using a statistical tool called “discrepancy”.
• As consumers, most Indians might find a real GDP growth rate of 7.8% an obvious That’s because the retail inflation rate in these three months was 4.7%, 4.3% and 4.9%, respectively.
• If one was to “deflate” nominal GDP using consumer price inflation, the real GDP would fall to less than 4%.
• But then if one goes by wholesale inflation, the real GDP will actually be much higher than 8%. That’s because wholesale inflation was negative in all the three months -0.8%, -3.6%, and -4.2%, respectively.
• The fact is that India’s inflation indices need to be updated. In particular, experts have been repeatedly arguing that the wholesale price index must be discarded altogether in favour of a new Producer Price Index.
• Presently WPI is collected and processed by the Department of Commerce and Industry and largely follows the IIP (Index of Industrial Production) frame, which itself is subject to criticism.
• Moreover, WPI does not provide information on rural and urban as well as the state level estimates, which are all relevant for public policy.
• Again, one would expect that the discrepancy level (as a percentage of the total GDP) would be higher in quarterly GDP estimates and lower in annual GDP estimates because with time, more reliable data is available and estimates can be expected to come close to each other.
• However, the credibility of India’s GDP estimates depends on the quality of underlying data be it the WPI inflation or consumer expenditure or Index of Industrial Production (IIP). Hence, policymakers need to address the quality of Indian macroeconomic data to ensure credibility of India’s GDP estimates.

GDP AND ITS CALCULATION METHOD

• The GDP is the most basic way to assess the performance and size of any economy both from one year to another as well as across different countries. Technically GDP is defined as the total market value of all final goods and services in an economy.
• Real GDP versus Nominal GDP: The overall GDP that one observes by adding up the market value is called the nominal GDP. But to arrive at the real GDP, statisticians remove the effect of price inflation from nominal GDP. This is done by using what is called a GDP deflator or price deflator.

HOW IS GDP CALCULATED?

• The current GDP estimates place India as the fifth largest economy in the world. However, it is estimated that India is on the path to becoming the third-largest economy around 2027.
• The primary responsibility for the measurement of GDP is with the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
• The country’s GDP is presently computed with the base year of 2011-12.

Three ways to calculate GDP. These methods are:

1. The Output Method (all value added by each producer)

2. The Income Method (all income generated)

3. The Expenditure Method (all spending)

Output Method

The Output Method measures GDP as the value of

• Output (what is produced)
• minus the value of goods and services used up in producing these outputs (the inputs or Intermediate Consumption)
• plus, all Taxes on Products like VAT
• minus all Subsidies on Products like renewable energy subsidies

Income Method

The income method measures GDP by adding together:

• The Gross Profit of companies and the Self-Employed
• plus the wages of employees (Compensation of Employees)
• plus all Taxes on Products like VAT
• minus all (like renewable energy subsidies)

Expenditure Method

In the expenditure approach, as the name implies, we measure how much is spent on goods and services. It is important that spending is only counted once. We estimate:

• Consumer spending by individuals (Personal Consumption Expenditure)
• plus Net Expenditure by Central and Local Government
• plus all Capital Spending (such as buildings and machines)
• plus Net Exports

HOW IS GDP CALCULATED IN INDIA?

• To assess India’s productivity, the GDP is calculated using the factor cost method across eight industries and the expenditure method is used to analyse how different areas of the economy are performing.
• There are four parts to the expenditure method: i) Private Consumption ii) Gross Investment iii) Government Spending iv) Net Exports
• Private consumption includes things like buying a car or eating out where only final consumption is considered.
• Gross investment is the total expenditure made for buying capital goods over a time period, without accounting for depreciation.
• Government purchases includes salary to employees, direct benefit transfer (DBT) payments, pensions, subsidies and other ways that the government spends its money for the public good.
• While calculating Net exports, the value of imports needs to be subtracted from the value of exports. Imports are already accounted for within the first part of the expenditure method, private consumption.

What is the factor cost method of calculating GDP?

The GVA figure of India’s economy is arrived at by calculating the net change in value for each sector over a designated time period.

The eight industry sectors that India considers are:

• Agriculture, forestry, and fishing
• Mining and quarrying
• Manufacturing
• Electricity, gas and water supply
• Construction
• Trade, hotels, transport, and communication
• Financing, insurance, real estate, and business services
• Community, social and personal services

The GDP number from the two methods may not be an exact match but the level of discrepancy should be minimal.

HOW GDP CALCULATION METHODOLOGY CHANGED IN INDIA AFTER 2015?

In 2015 Central Statistics Office (CSO) introduced few changes in the GDP calculation. They are mentioned below:

• Change of base year from 2004-2005 to 2011-2012: The change was done on recommendation of National Statistical Commission which had advised to revise the base year of all economic indices every five years.
• Replacing Factor Cost with Market Prices: The change was made to measure the GDP at basic prices i.e by the GVA method instead at factor cost. It includes not only the cost of production but also product subsidies and taxes. It was recommended by the United Nations System of National Accounts in 2008 which makes India’s GDP growth numbers comparable with that of developed nations in future.
• Broadening of data pool: The new data is pooled from the annual accounts of companies filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA21) which includes more than 5 lakh companies instead of earlier data from Annual Survey of Industries (ASI). It also takes into account the population census (2011), agriculture census (2010-11) and livestock census (2012). Also, there is improvement in coverage of financial corporations and in coverage of local bodies and autonomous institutions.
• Changes in calculation of agricultural income: Earlier data only included value added in farm produce, but the new data includes value addition in Livestock as well.
• Changes in calculation of labour income: In the changed method, Effective Labour Input (ELI) method is used which distinguishes workers on productivity by assigning weights to different categories of workers rather than earlier Labour Input (LI) method which used to had same parameter for each worker making them all equal.

WHY IS GDP USED BY MOST COUNTRIES AS A MEASURE OF NATIONAL INCOME ACCOUNTING?

GDP AS A MEASURE OF ECONOMIC WELL-BEING

• GDP is important because it gives information about the size of the economy and how an economy is performing.
• GDP serves as a gauge of our economy’s overall size and health.
• In broad terms, an increase in real GDP is interpreted as a sign that the economy is doing well.
• When compared with prior periods, GDP tells us whether the economy is expanding by producing more goods and services or contracting due to less output.
• Economists study GDP and related statistics to help inform their research.

INFORMED POLICY DECISIONS

• It provides valuable insights into the economy’s health and helps policymakers make informed fiscal and monetary policy decisions.
• Policymakers look to GDP when contemplating decisions on interest rates, tax and trade policies. Policymakers can use GDP data to guide fiscal and monetary policy decisions.
• State and local governments rely on GDP and similar statistics to help shape policy or decide how much public spending is affordable.
• For example, if GDP falls, policymakers may need to introduce policies to stimulate growth. Policymakers and investors can identify economic trends and patterns by comparing GDP data from one period to another.

STANDARD OF LIVING

• GDP is an important indicator of living standards, directly correlating with per capita income and household consumption.
• It measures how much output each person in the country contributes to the economy on average.
• GDP per capita measures a country’s economic output per person. It represents the total monetary value of goods and services generated within a country’s borders over a given period, divided by its total population.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARISON

• GDP data aids in comparing the economic performance of different countries and used as a benchmark for international comparisons and can influence decisions about investment and trade.
• By comparing GDP data across countries, policymakers and investors can identify economic strengths and weaknesses and make informed decisions.
• Most of the international institutions also uses GDP data for countries. For example, The World Bank and IMF provide annual GDP data for most countries.
• National statistical agencies provide official GDP data for their respective countries and may have more detailed information on the components of GDP.

EVALUATE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• Investors can use GDP data to evaluate the potential for investment opportunities in different sectors of the economy.
• For example, a high GDP growth rate in a particular sector may suggest investment potential.

ISSUES IN GDP ESTIMATION

OUTDATED BASE YEAR

• The country’s GDP is presently computed with the base year of 2011-12 which is now more than 10 years old.
• GDP estimates based on an outdated base year would not adequately capture new activities being undertaken in the economy.

VARIATION IN GDP FIGURES DUE TO DISTINCT METHOD OF CALCULATION

• As India’s GDP is calculated using three methods.
• Each method produced distinct result led to variation in data due to their assessment method which create confusion.

DON’T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT SURVEYS

• Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has not come out with the results of various surveys like the consumer expenditure survey and the annual survey on unincorporated enterprises which are crucial for the base revision exercise.

IMPACT ON PUBLIC PERCEPTION

• Experts express concern that presenting an overly positive image of economic growth through GDP figures can mask the economic struggles and challenges faced by a significant portion of the population.
• This can impact public perception and policy decisions.

CANT ASSESS INCOME INEQUALITY

• GDP does not account for income distribution in any way i.e distribution of income amongst and within households or different economic classes in given societies is not captured by GDP data.
• Therefore, much of the work done by people today remains under-measured or largely unaccounted for.
• For most studies measuring and accounting for trends in income inequality, survey methods based on consumer spending and consumption behaviour are used and relied upon.

CANNOT CAPTURE WELL BEING AND GREEN GROWTH

• However, GDP has been the main way in which success has been measured but it is designed to measure only production capacity and economic growth.
• GDP was not designed to assess welfare or the well being of citizens. It does not capture green growth and environmental sustainability.
• Therefore, GDP is a limited measure of a country’s development success, as it ignores other important factors.

NO NEW FRESH SURVEYS

• New indicators are required based on fresh surveys. But no new survey of the unorganised sector has been conducted since 2015. Even the census has not been conducted in 2021.
• So the method used is seriously flawed. Finally, projecting the past annual numbers and dividing by four to get the quarterly figure is also seriously flawed when there is a shock to the economy at some point during the year.

DISCREPANCIES IN GDP CALCULATION

• An analysis of the GDP expenditure components reveals a concerning trend that there is an unexplained gap in the GDP calculation.
• It raises questions about the accuracy of the reported economic data.

DISREPANCY TOOL AND ITS CRITICISM

• Discrepancy is the difference between the two GDP estimates using expenditure and income method by GoI.
• India’s GDP is calculated mainly with two different methods: income method and expenditure method. However, the GDP figures from these two approaches may not be an exact match.
• There’s a subhead in the GDP data as ‘discrepancies’. It is used to explain any difference between the GDP calculated through the income and expenditure methods.
• These are not a category of GDP expenditure. These are a sum of errors in various expenditure categories.
• These do not spur growth of the economy as the other expenditures signify. Usually, discrepancies are supposed to be less than 1%. But, in recent years, in Indian data, these have been large.
• This presents a positive image of economic growth on the paper while underlying issues such as rising inequalities, job scarcity, and a decline in manufacturing.
• This led to an unexplained gap in the GDP calculation, which raises questions about the accuracy of the reported economic data.
• One of the other issue of difference is double counting issue in calculation of GDP. This is an error caused due to adding the value of a commodity twice once before adding value.

THE WAY FORWARD

• Revision of base year: There is need to revision of base year at least 2016-17 for which a complete assessment of various data sources presently used for compilation and an examination of the feasibility of using new sources of data is required. It is expected that revision of the base year would result in capturing of a lot of new activities being undertaken in recent years, due to both efforts of the present government and through private initiatives.
• Utilise surveys data: MoSPI must gear itself up to develop systems to be able to utilise surveys like the consumer expenditure survey and the annual survey on unincorporated enterprises. Also, the exercise to examine other available databases, especially the newly created databases from GST and digital payments, should commence immediately.
• Continuous cooperation: It requires continuous cooperation and action on the part of all the actors including the private sector, governments, policymakers and bureaucracy and the citizens through their active participation in the process of GDP calculation.
• Improvement in procedure: There are also requirements for improvements in the procedure for the compilation of GDP in the country. During the last base revision, an effort was made to introduce Supply Use Tables which are critical for the validation of national accounts statistics. Then it could not succeed, however with recent expertise it can be introduced.
• Scrutiny without bias: Intersectional mechanisms to validate growth figures require focus and empirical scrutiny that is independent from political and partisan bias. Such assessments with historical context and time-series validations may help the government to stop its obsessions with justifying short-term trends and focus on larger goals.
• New methodology: India’s GDP numbers need to be recalculated with a change in methodology. The argument that the discrepancies get evened out is not a strong one. To solve the discrepancies there is need of newer techniques to get accurate growth data.

THE CONCLUSION: Using GDP for an idea to economic development isn’t transcendental in nature nor it is an outcome of some perfectly imaginative goal but qualifies as a basic requirement for every social policy to achieve through outcomes. Therefore, policymakers need to address the concerns of India’s GDP estimates and should take suitable measures to incorporate other factors like sustainability to ensure its accuracy and credibility.

QUESTIONS

Q.1 Comment on the effectiveness of GDP as a measure of welfare of the people.

Q.2 Examine the methodology of GDP calculation in India how GDP is calculated in India. Why is it being used by countries as a measure of national income accounting despite its flaws? Suggest measures to ensure its credibility.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

GREEN GDP

• The concept of ‘Green GDP’ was coined in the late 1980s with aspiration to modify GDP to better reflect the impacts of economic activities on the environment. Green GDP takes into account the costs of environmental degradation and climate events.
• The “Green GDP” is derived from Net Domestic Product (NDP), – which is obtained by subtracting the depreciation of produced assets such as machines and buildings from GDP – by deducting the cost of depletion of natural resources and degradation of ecosystems.
• Green GDP = GDP – (Carbon dioxide damage + particulate emission damage) – (Opportunity cost of energy depletion + mineral depletion + net forest depletion) + Expenditure on environmental protection.
• It provides a practical and flexible approach for achieving concrete, measurable progress across its economic and environmental pillars, while taking full account of the social consequences of greening the growth dynamic of economies.
• The focus of Green GDP is ensuring that natural assets can deliver their full economic potential on a sustainable basis.

THE CONTEXT: Globally, close to 800 000 people die by suicide every year; that’s one person every 40 seconds. While the link between suicide and mental disorders (in particular, depression and alcohol use disorders) is well established, many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis. Suicide is an emerging and serious public health issue in India. We have witnessed spate of suicides reported among school students preparing for competitive exams in Rajasthan’s Kota. This article explains the causes and impacts of suicides in India and strategies to address them from the UPSC perspective.

INDIA’S STAGGERING CONTRIBUTION TO THE CRISIS

• In India, the situation is even more alarming. Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reveals that in a recent year, India recorded an average of 381 suicides daily, contributing to 17.8% of global suicides. This positions India as having one of the highest suicide rates in the south-eastern Asian region.
• The number of deaths due to suicides in India reached an all-time high in 2021, according to the latest data from the National Crime Records Bureau.
• In 2021, the rate of suicide – the number of death due to suicides per one lakh population – stood at 12. This is the highest rate of deaths from suicides since 1967, the earliest year for which data is available.
• The highest numbers of suicides were reported in Maharashtra where 22,207 persons killed themselves in 2021. This was followed by Tamil Nadu at 18,925 suicide cases, Madhya Pradesh at 14,965, West Bengal at 13,500 and Karnataka at 13,056.
• Beyond mere numbers, the patterns within these statistics – such as the predominance of youth, the rural-urban divide, and gender-specific trends – highlight the multi-dimensional challenges India faces. The intersection of socio-economic pressures, cultural nuances, and mental health stigma further exacerbates the crisis.
• National Data: India’s national average, as per the latest NCRB report, stands at about 11 suicides per 100,000 people. This figure is higher than the global average, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
• State-wise Data: Disparities exist between states. For instance, southern states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala report higher suicide rates than the national average, while northern states like Punjab and Haryana report rates below the average. States with reported agrarian distress, like Maharashtra, show an uptick in farmer suicides.
• The share of students among India’s overall suicide victims has also increased. It stood at 8% of the total in 2021, having grown by 2.3 percentage points since 2011.

As we delve deeper, we’ll analyze the intricacies of India’s suicide rates, hoping to shed light on the systemic and societal changes needed to mitigate this pressing concern.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

EVOLUTION OF SOCIETAL VIEWS ON SUICIDE IN INDIA:

India’s views on suicide have undergone significant changes over millennia, mirroring its socio-cultural evolution.

Historically, during the Vedic period, there were instances where ‘self-sacrifice’ was not only accepted but celebrated under specific circumstances, like the practice of “Sati” where some widows were expected (or forced) to self-immolate on their husband’s funeral pyre. While the act itself was tragic, it was symbolically viewed as a profound display of loyalty and honor.

In later periods, especially during the time of the Dharmashastras, suicide began to be seen in a more negative light. Traditional texts often prescribed penalties in the afterlife for those who took their own lives, reinforcing the notion that suicide was a grave sin.

INFLUENCE OF CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS, AND TRADITIONAL BELIEFS:

• Hinduism: The ancient Hindu scriptures, the Vedas and the Upanishads, do not specifically discuss suicide, but later scriptures like the Puranas detail consequences in the afterlife for those who end their own lives. The Bhagavad Gita, while not directly referencing suicide, emphasizes the sanctity of life and the importance of performing one’s duty (dharma).
• Buddhism: Buddhism traditionally views life as a cycle of birth and rebirth, with suffering (dukkha) central to human existence. Taking one’s own life interrupts this cycle and is thus considered undesirable. Suicide, by creating more suffering, is seen as contradictory to the Buddhist path.
• Islam: With a significant Muslim population, India’s Islamic community views suicide as haram (forbidden). The Quran explicitly states that one should not kill oneself.
• Jainism: Jainism introduces a nuanced perspective with the practice of ‘Sallekhana’, where an individual voluntarily gives up food and water to embrace death. This is not considered suicide but rather a religious act of purifying the soul.
• Christianity: India’s Christian community views suicide through the lens of the Bible, which emphasizes the sanctity of life. While suicide is not explicitly mentioned, it’s generally perceived as a grave act against God’s gift of life.

Suicides, especially those connected with religious or cultural practices in India, have been a significant concern.

Santhara: A practice in the Jain community where an individual, typically at a very old age, chooses to embrace voluntary death by fasting. This came under scrutiny when the Rajasthan High Court in 2015 declared the practice as illegal, equating it to suicide. However, the Supreme Court, in a subsequent ruling, suspended the High Court’s decision.

The Supreme Court has emphasized the importance of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. While historically, attempting suicide was a punishable offense under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code, the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, decriminalized it, recognizing that persons attempting suicide are in need of care and support.

Émile Durkheim

Émile Durkheim, a pioneering sociologist, identified four distinct categories of suicide in his seminal work, “Suicide” (1897): egoistic, altruistic, anomic, and fatalistic. Let’s discuss these categories within the Indian context:

• Egoistic Suicide: This results from an individual’s detachment from society. When societal bonds weaken, individuals face existential crises leading to such suicides. In India, urbanization and the erosion of traditional joint family systems can be seen as factors intensifying feelings of isolation, especially among the elderly, leading to increased vulnerability to egoistic suicide.
• Altruistic Suicide: Here, individuals are too integrated into societal norms, leading them to end their lives for a perceived greater good. Historically, the practice of ‘Sati’ (widow immolation) and ‘Jauhar’ (mass self-immolation by women to avoid capture) can be viewed through this lens. Although outlawed and largely eradicated, such practices reflect the deep cultural roots of altruistic suicide in parts of India.
• Anomic Suicide: Stemming from sudden disruptions in individuals’ lives, leading to an inability to cope. Economic downturns, job losses, or societal upheavals can lead to this. In the Indian context, the farmer suicides, especially in states like Maharashtra, can be attributed to anomic factors where economic hardships, unpredictable monsoons, and debt burdens precipitate tragic outcomes.
• Fatalistic Suicide: Although Durkheim didn’t extensively discuss this in his work, it implies suicide resulting from oppressive societal norms. In the Indian context, it can be linked to individuals who face insurmountable societal pressures, like LGBTQ+ individuals in traditionally conservative areas or young lovers from different castes or religions facing societal backlash.

Understanding Durkheim’s categories in the Indian context provides a lens to analyze the diverse sociocultural factors influencing suicide. With India’s intricate tapestry of tradition, rapid modernization, and societal norms, addressing the root causes necessitates a deep understanding of these categories and the regional and cultural nuances attached to them.

CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVE ON SUICIDE IN INDIA

Modern India stands at the crossroads of rapid socio-economic development, digital globalization, and deeply rooted traditional beliefs. This unique intersection has shaped the nation’s contemporary views on suicide:

• Media’s Role: With the proliferation of digital media, discussions around suicide are becoming more frequent. However, media coverage can be a double-edged sword. Sensationalized reporting can sometimes inadvertently lead to “copycat” suicides, prompting calls for more responsible and sensitive portrayals of the issue.
• Urban-Rural Divide: Rapid urbanization and the stress of city life have led to an increase in the number of suicides in metropolitan areas. On the other hand, agrarian distress, especially in states like Maharashtra and Telangana, has been a driving factor behind rural suicides.
• Mental Health Awareness: There’s a growing recognition of mental health issues as significant contributors to suicide. Initiatives like the Mental Healthcare Act 2017 reflect a shift towards decriminalizing suicide and emphasizing the importance of mental well-being. Despite this, stigmas persist, especially in rural and conservative pockets, making it challenging for many to seek help.
• Educational Pressures: The increasing importance placed on academic excellence and the competitive nature of entrance examinations have put immense pressure on the youth. Instances of student suicides post-exam results have instigated debates on the education system and its inherent pressures.
• LGBTQ+ Community: With the decriminalization of homosexuality in 2018 (Section 377), there’s been a renewed focus on the mental health challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Despite legal progress, societal acceptance is still evolving, and many from the community grapple with issues of identity, discrimination, and mental health, sometimes leading to self-harm.
• Legislation and Intervention: While suicide was decriminalized in 2017, the act of attempting suicide was only recently decriminalized, marking a shift from punishment to rehabilitation and care. More helplines, NGOs, and counselingcenters are sprouting across urban centers, signaling a more proactive approach to the issue.

AN ANALYTICAL LOOK AT DEMOGRAPHIC VARIATIONS

• Age: The age group of 15-29 years consistently reports a higher incidence of suicide. The pressures of academic performance, early career challenges, and personal relationships often collide during these formative years, increasing vulnerability.

• Gender: While more men commit suicide in absolute numbers, the rate of suicide attempts is reportedly higher among women. The disparity could be due to societal pressures, domestic issues, and the methods used.

• Urban vs. Rural: Rural areas, especially in regions facing agrarian crises, register a higher suicide rate. The stressors here, like indebtedness and crop failure, are starkly different from urban stressors, which often revolve around isolation, professional pressures, and lifestyle challenges.

FEMALE SUICIDES IN INDIA

• Irrespective of education and financial independence, women are still not as empowered as we would like to believe. Gender-based discrimination is still prevalent, and this inherent bias is reflected in the high number of female suicides.
• India’s female suicide burden is enormous. Indian women make up 36 percent of all global suicides in the 15 to 39 years age group – the highest share of any nation in the world.
• National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2021 has thrown light on some grim trends, fuelling concern over mental health and social status of women in India.
• A total of 1,64,033 suicides were reported in the country during 2021, showing an increase of 7.2 percent in comparison to 2020. Housewives constitute a major chunk of these deaths.
• Family problems, illnesses, and marital issues are the principal contributors behind female suicides in India.
• Family problems, illness, love affairs, and failure in exams emerged as the chief causes behind suicide deaths of girls below the age of 18 years in India.
• A seminal Lancet Public Health study (2018) on suicides in Indian women speculates that the increasing number of female suicides may be related to a conflict between women’s increasing education and empowerment and the persistence of their lower status in Indian society.

UNDERLYING CAUSES FOR SUICIDES IN INDIA

SOCIETAL PRESSURE

• Academic and Career Expectations: The hyper-competitive nature of India’s educational system, with a limited number of seats in prestigious institutions and an emphasis on certain lucrative professions, puts immense pressure on students. Failure to meet these expectations can lead to a sense of hopelessness and despair. It is also because of the ‘left behind syndrome’ among the students.

For instance, As many as 23 students have reportedly died by suicide in Kota this year; 15 took the extreme step in 2022.

• Marital and Family Issues: Familial and societal expectations surrounding marriage, including dowry demands and pressures to bear children (preferably male), can create significant distress. Additionally, marital discord, domestic violence, and forced unions contribute to the vulnerability of individuals, particularly women. The National Family Health Survey (2019-21) highlights the challenging circumstances faced by married women, including limited mobility, restricted financial autonomy, and marital control, as well as physical, sexual, and emotional abuse at the hands of their spouses.

For instance, The number of women who died by suicide in India reached a peak of 45,026 in 2021. More than half of them were housewives. The share of housewives in total female suicides is above the 50% mark.

MENTAL HEALTH

• Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders: Mental disorders, particularly depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, are significant contributors to suicides. Often, these conditions remain undiagnosed and untreated.
• Stigma Associated with Seeking Help: The societal stigma surrounding mental health often prevents individuals from seeking help. Many see mental health issues as a sign of weakness or a source of shame, rather than treatable conditions.

ECONOMIC FACTORS

• Financial Stress and Unemployment: Economic disparities and lack of stable employment opportunities, especially in densely populated urban areas, lead to financial instability and resultant stress, driving individuals to despair.
• Farmers’ Suicides and Their Causes: The agrarian sector has witnessed a surge in suicides. Factors include crop failure, rising debts, inability to repay loans, and climate-induced challenges. Lack of access to modern agricultural tools, techniques, and fair pricing further exacerbate their vulnerability.

ACCESS TO MEANS

• Pesticide Ingestion: As previously mentioned, the easy availability of toxic pesticides, particularly in rural settings, provides a lethal means. Restricting access to such substances could act as a preventative measure.
• Hanging: Being a method that requires minimal resources and provides little opportunity for rescue or reversal, hanging becomes a common choice.
• According to the NCRB data, in 2021, 57 per cent of the total suicides occurred by hanging, while 25.1 per cent happened by poison consumption.

CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS

• Honour and Shame Dynamics: In many parts of India, family honor is paramount. Instances of perceived “dishonour,” like inter-caste relationships, can lead to extreme measures, both by the individuals involved and by family members.
• Role of Caste and Communal Issues: Caste-based discrimination and communal tensions have been sources of significant distress in the country. Marginalized individuals, especially from lower castes, often face systemic discrimination, leading to feelings of hopelessness.

For instance, Rohith Vemula, Darshan Solanki, Aniket Ambhore, Payal Tadvi. The common link between these alleged suicides is caste discrimination and harassment.

The interplay of multiple factors, from societal expectations and economic pressures to mental health challenges and access to lethal means, converge to make suicide a pressing issue in India. Addressing it requires multi-pronged, empathetic, and culturally sensitive approach.

THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF SUICIDE

IMPACT ON FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES

• Grief and Trauma: The immediate family members experience profound grief, often accompanied by a sense of guilt, wondering if they could have done something to prevent the tragedy. This prolonged grieving process can sometimes lead to complicated grief or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Stigmatization: In many communities, there’s a persistent stigma associated with suicide. Families of the deceased might face social isolation, with community members either avoiding them out of discomfort or assigning blame.
• Generational Impact: Children who lose a parent or sibling to suicide are at a higher risk for depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation themselves. The trauma can disrupt their developmental process, leading to academic challenges, behavioral problems, and difficulties in forming relationships.
• Breakdown of Family Structures: The emotional toll can strain relationships within the family. Spouses might drift apart, siblings might experience increased conflict, and the overall family cohesion might be compromised.

ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS

• Loss of Income: If the deceased was a primary breadwinner, the family could face immediate economic hardships. This is especially acute in rural areas where farmer suicides leave families with debts and reduced means to earn.
• Medical and Funeral Costs: The process leading to the suicide might involve medical expenses, especially if there was a suicide attempt before the actual act. Moreover, funeral costs can be a burden, further straining the family’s finances.
• Nationwide Economic Impact: On a macro level, the premature loss of working-age individuals impacts the nation’s productivity and potential GDP growth. There are also indirect costs involved in terms of medical care, counseling, and other support services.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS ON SURVIVORS

• Survivor’s Guilt: Those close to the deceased often grapple with intense feelings of guilt, constantly questioning their actions and wondering if they could have intervened.
• Increased Risk of Mental Health Disorders: Survivors, especially immediate family members, have a heightened risk of developing mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, and PTSD.
• Suicidal Ideation: Exposure to suicide increases the risk of suicidal ideation in survivors. They might view suicide as a viable option to escape their overwhelming grief and guilt.
• Need for Therapy and Counseling: The trauma can necessitate long-term psychological support. However, due to the stigma associated with both suicide and mental health services, many might avoid seeking help, exacerbating their distress.

 CHALLENGES IN ADDRESSING THE ISSUE

INSUFFICIENT DATA COLLECTION AND RESEARCH

• Inadequate Reporting: Not all suicides are reported, and many are often misclassified due to societal pressures, stigma, or administrative oversights. The actual numbers could be much higher than what’s officially recorded.
• Lack of Comprehensive Studies: While the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) provides yearly statistics, there’s a dearth of in-depth research studying patterns, causes, and other qualitative aspects of suicides in India.
• Under reporting of Suicide Attempts: Due to legal and societal implications, suicide attempts are often under reported. Without this data, it becomes challenging to understand the extent of the crisis and design effective interventions.

STIGMA AND SOCIETAL NORMS

• Silence Surrounding Mental Health: The cultural and social stigma surrounding mental health issues often prevents individuals from discussing their challenges openly or seeking help.
• Misunderstandings about Suicide: In many communities, suicide is misinterpreted as an act of cowardice, a crime, or a sin, rather than a manifestation of deep psychological distress. Such misconceptions can deter preventive measures.
• Pressure to Conform: Societal norms, especially regarding academic and career achievements, gender roles, and marital expectations, exert significant pressure. Speaking out or seeking help against these norms can be challenging for many.

RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS IN RURAL AND UNDERSERVED AREAS

• Limited Mental Health Professionals: India faces a stark deficit of trained mental health professionals. As per a World Health Organization (WHO) report, there are roughly 0.3 psychiatrists, 0.12 nurses, and 0.07 psychologists per 100,000 people in India. This shortage is even more pronounced in rural areas.
• Inadequate Infrastructure: Many districts, particularly in remote regions, lack dedicated mental health facilities, compelling individuals to travel long distances for treatment.
• Financial Constraints: The cost of mental health care, even if available, might be prohibitive for many, particularly those in the lower socio-economic strata.
• Lack of Awareness: In many rural and underserved communities, there’s a limited understanding of mental health issues. Traditional beliefs, lack of education, and misconceptions can overshadow evidence-based approaches to mental well-being.

 PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

• Mental Healthcare Act 2017: This landmark legislation not only decriminalized suicide but also emphasized the rights of individuals with mental health issues to seek and receive quality care.
• District Mental Health Programme (DMHP): Launched as part of the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), DMHP aims to provide mental health services at the grassroots level, especially in rural and underserved areas.
• National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2022: While still in the proposal phase, there have been ongoing discussions about implementing a dedicated nationwide strategy, involving multi-sectoral collaborations and evidence-based interventions.
• KIRAN: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched a 24/7 toll-free helpline “KIRAN” to provide support to people facing anxiety, stress, depression, suicidal thoughts and other mental health concerns.
• Manodarpan Initiative: Manodarpan was an initiative of the Ministry of Education under Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. It was aimed to provide psychosocial support to students, family members and teachers for their mental health and well-being during the times of Covid-19.

NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOS)

• Vandrevala Foundation: This organization operates a 24/7 helpline providing counseling to individuals in distress.
• Roshni: Based in Hyderabad, Roshni offers tele-counseling services and has been a beacon of hope for many.
• Mann: This NGO focuses on mental health awareness and early interventions among school and college students.
• iCall: Supported by Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), iCall offers email and tele-counseling services to individuals in need.

COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

Grassroot Efforts to Address and Prevent Suicides:

• Farmer Cooperatives: In states like Maharashtra and Telangana, where farmer suicides are prevalent, community-based cooperatives focus on sustainable agriculture, debt relief, and mutual support systems.
• Community Counseling Centers: In various regions, local groups have established centers where community members can seek guidance, counseling, and support.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

Efforts to Destigmatize Mental Health and Promote Well-being:

• Mental Health Festivals: Events like “The Mind Diaries” or “The Happy Place” aim to foster conversations around mental well-being, using art, music, and dialogues.
• School and College Programs: There’s a growing emphasis on integrating mental health awareness within educational curriculums. Initiatives focus on stress management, emotional well-being, and building resilience.
• Corporate Initiatives: Recognizing the stress of modern work environments, many corporate offices in India are now providing employee assistance programs, mental health days, and wellness workshops.

CASE STUDY

Kota is a place best known for its abundance of coaching centres. It is the third most populous city in Rajasthan, and a large chunk of that population is attributed to aspirants of medical and engineering entrance tests. In such a setting, intense pressure and soul-tearing competition are at its peak throughout the year. Students go through a traumatizing experience that compares to the most gruesome trials a human being can go through.

In the wake of this plight, Horlicks put together a campaign #fearlesskota to assuage some of the emotional strain that the young inhabitants of Kota go through.

It was executed by asking the mothers of the kids studying in Kota to pack their personalized symbols of love in Horlicks bottles. From home-made butter to Banana chips, the mothers of these kids packed them a wide array of items that reconnected them with their roots.

INDIA’S SUICIDE RATE AND PREVENTION EFFORTS VS. OTHER COUNTRIES

SUICIDE RATE

• India: As per the World Health Organization’s data prior to 2022, India accounted for a significant proportion of global suicides, with a rate that fluctuated around 16-17 suicides per 100,000 people. The numbers, however, varied substantially based on factors like gender, age, and region.
• Global Average: The global average, in the same time frame, hovered around 10.5 per 100,000.
• Comparative Figures:
  • Russia: Known for one of the highest suicide rates globally, Russia’s rate stood at approximately 26 per 100,000.
  • Japan: While Japan has garnered international attention for its high suicide rate, efforts in recent years brought down the rate to around 14 per 100,000.
  • USA: The U.S. witnessed an increase over the years, reaching approximately 14 per 100,000.
  • Scandinavian Countries: Nations like Sweden and Norway, often lauded for their quality of life, have rates of around 11-12 per 100,000.

PREVENTION EFFORTS

• India:
  • The decriminalization of suicide and the emphasis on mental health through the Mental Healthcare Act 2017 are significant steps forward.
  • The National Mental Health Programme and District Mental Health Programme aim to decentralize mental health services.
  • However, challenges persist in terms of infrastructure, trained professionals, and awareness campaigns.

• Global Comparative Efforts:
• • Japan: The country instituted a multi-pronged strategy, incorporating governmental initiatives, corporate responsibility, and public awareness campaigns. Their efforts have led to a decline in suicide rates.
  • USA: The U.S. has a National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, involving community-based interventions, helplines, and a strong emphasis on mental health research.
  • Scandinavian Countries: These nations prioritize mental well-being, with comprehensive mental health policies, accessible care, and robust public awareness initiatives.
  • Russia: Despite its high rates, efforts such as restrictions on the sale of alcohol and increased mental health services aim to bring down the numbers.

THE CONCLUSION: While India has made strides in recognizing the gravity of the issue and implementing preventive measures, decriminalising suicide and enacting mental Healthcare Act, there’s still a long way to go when compared to other countries. The nation’s unique socio-cultural dynamics necessitate tailored strategies suited to India.

Mains Practice Questions:

Q.1 What are the various causes that are driving India’s students to suicide? What can we do to prevent it?

Q.2 Prioritising inclusion and support is the key to suicide prevention. Discuss.

Q.3 The rate of suicide among Indian men is 2.5 times of that among women. Discuss the reasons.

THE CONTEXT: The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) has been extended in the hill areas of the Manipur state except for some areas in the Imphal Valley and four district of Assam for six more months from starting from October 1, 2023. The extension is due to a surge in ethnic violence and insurgent activities. This article analyses the AFSPA legislation and various issues related to its implementation from the UPSC perspective.

ABOUT THE ARMED FORCES (SPECIAL POWERS) ACT, 1958

• The Act came into force in 1958 in the context of increasing violence in the Northeastern States, which the State governments found difficult to control.
• The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Bill was passed by both the Houses of Parliament, and it was approved by the President on September 11, 1958. It became known as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958.
• AFSPA gives armed forces the power to maintain public order in “disturbed areas”.
• Under the Act, armed forces have the authority to prohibit a gathering of five or more persons in an area, can use force or even open fire after giving due warning if they feel a person is in contravention of the law.
• If reasonable suspicion exists, the army can also arrest a person without a warrant; enter or search a premises without a warrant and ban the possession of firearms.
• Any person arrested or taken into custody may be handed over to the officer in charge of the nearest police station along with a report detailing the circumstances that led to the arrest.

What is a “disturbed area” and who has the power to declare it?

• A disturbed area is one which is declared by notification under Section 3 of the AFSPA. An area can be disturbed due to differences or disputes between members of different religious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities.
• The Central Government or the G
• overnor of the State or administrator of the Union Territory can declare the whole or part of the State or Union Territory as a disturbed area. A suitable notification would have to be made in the Official Gazette in this regard.
• As per Section 3 of the Act, it can be invoked in places where “the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary”.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs would usually enforce this Act where necessary, but there have been exceptions where the Centre decided to forego its power and leave the decision to the State governments.

At present it is applied in which states?

States under AFSPA include:

1. Entire state of Assam

2. Entire state of Nagaland

3. Entire state of Manipur (excluding seven assembly constituencies of Imphal)

4. Arunachal Pradesh (only the Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts plus a 20-km belt bordering Assam).

5. Jammu and Kashmir too has a similar Act.

It was completely lifted from Meghalaya in April 2018. It was repealed in Tripura in 2015.

WHY THE AFSPA IS NEEDED?

NATIONAL SECURITY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY

• With the powers given by AFSPA, the armed forces have been able to protect the borders of the country and internal insurgency for decades.
• For example, without the army’s counter-terrorism measures under the AFSPA, India could have lost Jammu and Kashmir in the 1990s.
• The government at the time had almost given up, but the army stood firm in its constitutional duty to safeguard and retain every inch of Indian territory.
• Therefore, a strict law is needed to tackle the insurgent elements inside the country particularly in the Kashmir and northeastern region for effective Counter-insurgency and to protect borders.

TOUGH MEASURE FOR TERRORISM

• A major reason for the continuation of this Act is violence, extortion and increasing terrorism in the country.
• Here, this Act enhances the ability of the security forces to keep terrorism under check.
• As, terrorism would never have been rooted out in Punjab or Mizoram without the AFSPA and without the tough measures that were taken by the security forces operating under the protection of the Act.
• If AFSPA is repealed, that will create a huge gap in the security grid and will give terrorists, be they in Kashmir and Manipur, the upper hand.

INEFFICIENCY OF ORDINARY LAWS

• The AFSPA is applied to an area only when the ordinary laws of the land are found to be inadequate to deal with the extraordinary situation perpetrated by insurgents spreading terror.
• The AFSPA is in force in areas where abnormality prevails and where the terrorists do not observe the niceties of the Constitution.
• Extraordinary situations demand extraordinary measures, and AFSPA is what is required to deal with anti-Indian terrorists whose stated objective is breaking up the country.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• AFSAP provides a framework for operation requirements in the area where there is absence of a legal statute and which would adversely affect organisational flexibility and the utilisation of the security capacity of the state.
• Therefore, the Act allows armed forces to fulfill their assigned role and allows soldiers to carry out military operations which would otherwise, in the absence of any legal mandate, be legally and morally questionable.

PROTECTS THE RIGHT OF SOLDIER

• AFSPA boosts the morale or mental well-being of the armed forces for ensuring the public order in the disturbed areas and removal of the Act would lead to militants motivating locals to file lawsuits against the army.
• As, soldier is also a citizen with equal obligations and the same rights as any other Indian citizen who voluntarily stripes themselves from fundamental rights. In this respect, AFSPA provide the armed forces the means and essentials to perform the responsibilities and tasks assigned to them.

THE ISSUES IN AFSPA

VIOLATE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS

• There is repeated concern of misuse of powers by armed forces which in turn violates human rights and fundamental rights of the citizen. It is against the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which India has signed.
• There are several instances where the armed forces have found to be misusing the oppressive powers given by the Act like fake encounters, sexually exploiting the women in the disturbed areas.
• Also, the more disturbing fact is that the armed forces escape with impunity for their actions since legal suits cannot be filed against them as per the Act.

MALIGN INTERNATIONAL IMAGE

• India is often considered as a country around the world that gives significance to the rights and liberties of its citizens.
• But, with the actions under AFSPA Act in the states of Manipur, Jammu & Kashmir, Nagaland it is giving the wrong image that law in making a mockery of human rights which is maligning the image of nation in internation arena.
• Over the years, people have campaigned to repeal the Act and even international organizations like Amnesty International have asked the courts in India to look into the matter deeply and conduct investigations regarding rampant misuse of powers by armed forces.

UNCONSTITUTIONALITY OF AFSPA

• AFSPA is increasingly being recognized as a draconian, discriminatory and oppressive law that transforms India from a democratic country to an authoritarian one due to its unconstitutional and undemocratic nature.
• Investigating the constitutionality of AFSPA is a continuing concern within the legal sphere as it is continuously violating Article 14(Equality before law), Article 19(Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech etc) and Article 21(Protection of life and personal liberty) among others.

LAW WITH MINDSET OF COLONIAL ERA

• Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 has also sometimes being compared to the Rowlatt Act where any suspicious person can be arrested only based on doubt like in the AFSPA.
• Under Rowlatt Act too Britishers gave themselves unbridled powers to imprison any person on the basis of any suspicion of them being involved in any terrorist activity against British India for up to 2 years without giving them a chance for a trial.

NOT A BETTER SOLUTION

• Critics argue that this Act has failed in its objective of restoring normalcy in disturbed areas although being in existence for about 50 years.
• Critics also assert that there is no need to run the nation on the basis of the bullet while the issue could be addressed on the basis of the ballet (election).

WHETHER THE AFSPA NEEDS TO BE REMOVED?

With all the prevailing issues of AFSPA, concerns have continuously raised to repeal the Act.

• The core argument raised in the repealing of the Act is based on violation of Article 21 of Indian constitution i.e. the right to life: ‘No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.’
• AFSPA allows even a non-commissioned officer, normally a class 10 pass jawan with about 12 years of service in the ranks, to be above the law and pass a ‘Kill’ decision without giving the other party a fair chance to explain his case. This is a clear infringement of Article 21 (Right to life) because the accused was sentenced to death without being heard.
• Also, the term ‘procedure established by law’ cannot mean any procedure passed as an Act by parliament. There must be rule of law, not rule by law. In the famous case of Maneka Gandhi, it has been held that any procedure established by law if unjust would not be a procedure at all.
• The two sections of the AFSPA that violate ‘due process’ are sections 4a and 7.

1. Under Sec 4 a – Any commissioned officer, warrant officer, non-commissioned officer or officer of equivalent Act, in a ‘Disturbed Area after giving such warning as he may consider necessary, fire upon or otherwise use force, even to the causing of death against any person who is acting in contravention of any law or order.

2. Under Sec 7 – No prosecution, suit or other legal proceedings shall be instituted except with the previous sanction of the central government, against any person in respect of anything done or purported to be done in exercise of powers conferred by this Act.

• ‘Due process of law’ must be ‘fair’ and even a minimalist reading of ‘fairness’ demands that the person be informed of the charge and be given an opportunity to refute t it. This is the principle of natural justice and one canon of natural justice is audi alteram partem i.e. both sides should be heard.
• Even, if the case to impose AFSPA in an area goes to the court, state claims that residents of a state or district under the Disturbed Area Act cannot claim equality before law (Article 14), with residents of areas not under that Act, in being subject to different laws. They substantiate their argument by saying that Article 14 does not forbid ‘reasonable classification’ for the purposes of legislation. However, that argument does not hold good for making a law that violates the ‘Right to Life’.
• Another argument is given that the removal of AFSPA endanger the life of troops since they will now be wary of shooting first, which it will, in some cases. However, if they do commit mistakes as ‘genuine errors’, the law will provide them with a full opportunity to prove it in court.
• Therefore, the time is now ripe for a fresh judicial review of AFSPA by the Supreme Court. India will not get weakened by the removal of AFSPA and in fact, it will be strengthened because the removal of an unjust umbrella will force units to desist from wrong acts and that will increase the willingness of ordinary citizens to abide by the law.

WHETHER AFSPA IS A SOLUTION TO PROBLEMS IN MANIPUR?

• The Hill areas in Manipur will continue to be under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) for another six months from October.
• In this respect, question arises whether the AFSPA is still needed to be extended given the violent ethnic conflict between the Meitei and the Kuki communities since May 2023.
• The Army had sought its re-imposition, as it felt that the absence of the law is hampering its operations against insurgent groups, which may be using the unrest to gain a foothold in the State.
• Government argument in this regard is that AFSPA is meant only to provide legal protection to forces engaged in counter-insurgency operations amidst internal conflict. Even, the notification says the issue of declaring an area as ‘disturbed’ is quite sensitive and it may lead to public criticism and resistance.
• One of the reasons for the government maintaining the status quo on the extent of the ‘disturbed areas’ is that a detailed assessment of the ground situation is not possible at the moment with widespread violence.
• However, the Centre should not delay any serious initiative further to bring about reconciliation between the two communities to deter this violent situation as AFSPA can be a short-term solution but a fresh approach is need to resolve the issue permanently.

THE WAY FORWARD

• Work on root cause: Secessionist movements in the country signify the failure of politics, and it is up to the government to resolve the root causes. There is need to create conditions which can convince the insurgents to stop insurgency, militants to stop militancy, terrorists to stop terror. Until then, AFSPA can function with keeping the army empowered and using the force only as a last resort.
• Ensure responsibility: With current existing provisions of AFSPA or other enabling legal measures it becomes the responsibility of authorized person to execute military operation with restraint. Stringent rules, guidelines and advisories need to be in existence regarding the respect for human rights and fundamental rights.
• Implement committee recommendation: The government and the security forces should also abide by the guidelines set out by the Supreme Court, Jeevan Reddy Commission, and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The Jeevan Reddy committee even recommended that some of the provisions should be transferred to Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and asked to set up ‘grievance cell’ that will do the work to enquire into the complaints filed for violation of basic human rights.
• Need of accountability: Official should be held accountable for their actions and stringent disciplinary actions should be taken after departmental inquiries. This will deter the armed forces from taking immediate actions that are unlawful.
• Reduce the implementation area under the Act on case-by-case basis: The status quo of the Act is no longer an acceptable solution due to numerous human rights violation incidents that have occurred over the years. The government should consider the imposition and lifting of AFSPA on a case-by-case basis and limit its application only to a few disturbing districts instead of applying it to the whole state.

THE CONCLUSION:  The AFSPA has been alleged that it has become a symbol of oppression in the areas it has been implemented. Hence the government needs to address the problems of affected people and reassure them of favourable action. The armed forces must be completely transparent in investigating allegations of violations of human rights. There should be a mechanism put in place to utilize the best use of the army in situations of internal conflict.

MAINS QUESTIONS

Q.1 Critically analyse the implementation of the Armed Forces (special powers) Act, 1958 to ensure territorial integrity and harmony in North-East India.

Q.2 How far do you agree with the view that implementation of the Armed Forces (special powers) Act, 1958 will bring peace and stability in the state of Manipur? Give justification to your view.

THE CONTEXT- A recently published report by Moody’s, a U.S.-based global credit rating agency, has flagged serious concerns about security and privacy vulnerabilities in the Aadhaar, India’s ambitious digital identification programme for residents. The report titled, “Decentralized Finance and Digital Assets”, appreciated the scale and innovative nature of Aadhaar but red-flagged risks from using “centralised” digital ID systems which often lead to exclusion of beneficiaries and denial of entitlements and services promised under welfare schemes by the government.

WHAT IS AADHAAR?

• Aadhaar number is a 12-digit random number issued by the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) to the residents of India after satisfying the verification process laid down by the Authority. Any individual, irrespective of age and gender, who is a resident of India, may voluntarily enrol to obtain Aadhaar number.
• The enrolment process is cost-free and requires a person to provide minimal demographic and biometric information such as ten Fingerprints, two Iris Scans, and facial photograph.
• Aadhaar enrolment is done through existing public and private infrastructure.
• While a Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR) is managed by the UIDAI, ‘Registrars’ who handle enrolment through authorised connections to the CIDR, are UIDAI partners.
• The objectives of UIDAI were to ensure that all residents have a unique ID and to curb corruption in accessing welfare programmes by eliminating “ghost” and “fake” individuals. This is ensured through Aadhar-seeding with the welfare schemes whereby the government linked the database of beneficiaries with the Aadhaar database.
• India is not the only country to have adopted a foundational identity system; countries such as Sweden, Argentina and Nigeria also have similar digital ID schemes in place.

EVOLUTION OF AADHAAR IN INDIA:

2006

Unique Identify (UID) Scheme for poor families was approved by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

2007

The need for creation of a residents’ database was underscored by the Empowered Group of Ministers.

2010

National Identification Authority of India Bill, 2010 was introduced in the Parliament.

2011

Standing Committee on Finance rejected the Bill and recommended the need for a legislation to protect privacy and data of the individuals.

2013

An interim order was passed by the Supreme Court (SC) stating that no person should suffer from not having Aadhaar.

2015

A 3-Judge SC Bench limited the use of Aadhar for certain welfare schemes.

2016

Aadhar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill was introduced as Money Bill in the Parliament which received the Presidential assent

2017

Aadhar was made mandatory by the Central government for welfare, pension and employment schemes as well as for filing the Income Tax Returns (ITR).

2018

5-judge Constitutional Bench having heard 30 petitions challenging validity of the Aadhar, upheld its validity.

Ruled out the need for Aadhar to open a bank account, get a SIM card or school admissions, or to take examinations etc.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT:

Issues stemming from Centralised Digital ID systems:

• Aadhaar touted as the world’s largest digital ID program, assigns unique numbers to over 1.3 billion Indian residents using biometric and demographic data.
• Verification through biometrics and OTPs allows the beneficiaries to access various public and private services. However, Moody’s highlighted the centralised control of Aadhar data by the government through the UIDAI and the potential misuse or exploitation of personal data by a ‘Surveillance State’.
• This violates the fundamental right to privacy enshrined under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and the landmark Puttaswamy Judgement of the apex court of India.

Privacy & Security Concerns

• Since Aadhaar and its seeding with various welfare schemes and public services is built on enormous sensitive data, it is often susceptible to data breaches and data theft.
• The concerns of security and privacy are rooted in the lack of adequate data protection legislation and growing cyberattacks from adversaries, through Dark Net.

Case study- Cyble, a global cyber intelligence agency, in June 2020, highlighted the issue of sale of sensitive data such as Aadhar data, PAN cards etc. on the Dark Web. Cyble hinted at probable leakage of such sensitive data by the private/third party agencies having access to personal data of individuals in the country.

• Sensitive data, such as biometrics, carry a high risk of exploitation. For instance, biometrics can be exploited through “man-in-the-middle” attacks, where attackers gain access to biometric data that they can misuse to access an individual’s financial resources. This is especially concerning in the case of marginalized communities.

Concerns due to Biometric Authentication

• The denial of services to beneficiaries of various welfare schemes such as MGNREGA, PDS, etc. due to difficulties in Aadhar biometric authentication is one of the concerns.
• The labourers from hot, humid climates and manual labourers whose fingerprints are susceptible to change or fade over time, face denial of services/entitlements under MGNREGA, PDS or subsidy schemes.
• The texture of fingerprints alters according to the climate. For instance, in humid climate, fingers become saturated and wrinkled, resulting in acquisition of fingerprints of degraded accuracy.
• On the other hand, hot and arid climate leads to skin dryness, posing challenges for fingerprints authentication. Dry, non-pliable skin fails to lay flat on sensors, preventing the ridges from making sufficient contact. As a result, the resultant fingerprint quality is compromised.
• The failures in authentication in many cases, has also resulted into cancellation of legitimate beneficiary names from some welfare schemes.

Case study of Jharkhand (2021)- People were refused support under PDS due to biometric failure and other technological Aadhar glitches. This led to starvation and death of some people.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE TO MOODY’S REPORT ON AADHAR?

The Indian government held the Moody’s findings as baseless and has reassured confidence in the Aadhaar technology and system. The Moody’s report lacked sufficient reasons and evidence (primary or secondary data or research) to back its findings; hence, its findings have no substance.

• DBT payments under MGNREGA: The Government of India stressed that as far as the question of deniability of services and payments to workers under MGNREGA was concerned, the government has in place the system of DBT wherein the money is directly credited to the accounts of the labourers, and this does not require the worker to authenticate using their biometrics.
• Alternatives to Biometrics in place: Moody’s has ignored that biometric submission is also possible through contactless means like face authentication and iris authentication. In addition, the option of mobile OTP is also available in many use cases.
• Internationally applauded and Recognised system: Recently, the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), in a report prepared by the World Bank, appreciated the implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) such as Aadhaar along with the Jan Dhan bank accounts, and mobile phones, which played a critical role in moving ownership of transaction accounts from approximately one-fourth of adults in 2008 to over 80% now.

In the absence of Aadhar and supporting services, this journey would have taken up to 47 years.

• Safety measures introduced by the UIDAI: Virtual Aadhar is a revocable temporary 16-digit random number linked to the Aadhaar number. When executing authentication or e-KYC services, VID can be utilised instead of Aadhaar number. The UIDAI has warned the “general public not to share photocopy of one’s Aadhaar with any organisation, because it can be misused”. Instead, it recommended that “a masked Aadhaar, which displays only the last four digits of your Aadhaar number,” be used for such purposes.

DECENTRALISED DIGITAL IDs as an Alternative Solution:

Moody’s Report having criticised the centralised Digital IDs such as Aadhar, pitched the concept of Decentralised Digital IDs as an alternative solution. Moody’s emphasises that although DID systems are still in their early stages of development, they hold substantial potential to offer a more robust and private avenue for managing digital identities.

• Decentralized ID systems (DIDs) use cryptography, digital wallets and related technologies to enable multiple entities to contribute credentials and empower individuals to manage their data.
• Unlike traditional systems, DID allows individuals to own and control their digital credentials.
• In DID, a person’s personal data is securely stored in their digital wallet, and the process of verifying their identity does not rely on a single, centralized institution.
• Instead, it occurs on a decentralised digital ledger, such as a blockchain which makes it more secure and reliable compared to the centralised systems such as Aadhar.
• Instead of entrusting a third party to store, manage and transmit data on their behalf, individuals can use decentralized ID systems to exchange credentials directly with one another or a service provider. This helps in reducing the number of intermediaries and increasing efficiency.
• Decentralized ID systems may also enhance effectiveness by reducing the number of times information has to be verified, which could increase convenience, reduce risk and diminish costs.

CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH DECENTRALISED DIGITAL IDs:

• Political risks: While decentralized ID offers a way for individuals to exercise greater control over their personal data, depending on its use context, it could still contribute to polarization. Digital IDs issued by social media companies can contribute to political polarization by reinforcing group identities.
• Data Security Risks: Although decentralized ID aims to minimize data collection and data storage, it still risks increasing the collection of sensitive personal data, opening the possibility of theft or leakage.
• Nascent Stage: DID systems are still in their early stages of development. Therefore, the associated policies, regulations and standards are lacking.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CENTRALISED AND DECENTRALISED DIGITAL IDs:

FINANCIAL SAVINGS due to AADHAR SEEDING:

About 300 schemes of the Central Government and 400 schemes of state Governments have been linked with Aadhaar. The Aadhar-seeding has helped the government in weeding out about 6 crore fake and duplicate beneficiaries due to which savings worth Rs.90,000 crore have been reported as per the UIDAI.

WAY FORWARD:

In order to address the challenges associated with digital IDs such as Aadhar etc., the following measures must be taken into account:

• Robust Data Protection Framework: FATF recommends that digital ID be accompanied by the development of robust, fit-for-purpose regulations. For instance, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) implemented by the European Union in 2018 which applies to all organisations that process the personal data of EU citizens, regardless of the location of the organisation. Individuals are given the right to access, rectify and erase their personal data as well as the right to data portability.

KS PUTTASWAMY JUDGEMENT (2017):

A nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court in Justice K. S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) Vs Union of India unanimously held that the constitutionally protected fundamental right to privacy is an intrinsic part of life and liberty under Article 21.

Therefore, having a robust and comprehensive legislation aimed at protecting the sensitive personal data such as Aadhar, is imperative for ensuring the privacy and security of residents in the country.

• Cybersecurity Augmentation: FATF recommends that government and industry keep pace with technological change by encouraging stakeholder engagement, use of blockchain and cryptography, developing technical and cybersecurity expertise to improve data management, and attempting to educate and raise awareness of the potential of these technologies.
• Decentralised Data Control and Access: As argued by the Moody’s, a person’s personal data is securely stored in their decentralised digital wallet built using blockchain and big data. Also, the process of verifying their identity does not rely on a single, centralized institution. The individuals whose data is being stored and processes must be given effective say in the collection, storage and deletion of data, especially the sensitive personal data like biometrics.

THE CONCLUSION- For an ID system to work for the citizens of a country, accountability and transparency must also be built into the system through meaningful consultations, independent audits and effective grievance redressal.  A well-designed system, with adequate safeguards in place, can facilitate civic empowerment and inclusion, unlocking significant economic value.

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTIONS:

Q. Differentiate between centralised and decentralised digital IDs. Also, analyse the weaknesses in the centralised digital IDs.

Q. The centralised digital IDs pose some security and privacy challenges which can be overcome with adoption of decentralised Digital IDs. Comment.

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Bhutanese Foreign Minister paid a visit to China to hold talks with the Chinese Foreign Minister to establish diplomatic relations and to conclude the boundary negotiations. This is seen as unprecedented on various levels as this visit is the first ever by a Bhutanese Foreign minister to China. This article analyses the various facets of China, Bhutan and India relations from the UPSC PERSPECTIVE.

THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE RECENT MEETING

• China and Bhutan held their 25th round of boundary talks in Beijing and signed a Cooperation Agreement on the “Responsibilities and Functions of the Joint Technical Team (JTT) on the Delimitation and Demarcation of the Bhutan-China Boundary.”
• This advances their 3-Step Roadmap initiated in 2021 for border resolution, building on the positive momentum since their last talks in 2016.

What is the 3-Step Roadmap?

• The 3-Step roadmap MoU was signed by the Bhutanese Foreign Minister and Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister in 2021.
• Here, Joint Technical Team (JTT) aims to implement the roadmap by the Expert Group to draw a line clearly delineating Bhutanese and Chinese territory for the first time. The three steps are:

1. Agreeing to the border “on the table”

2. Visiting the sites on the ground

3. Formally demarcating the boundary

BHUTAN-CHINA RELATIONS

HESITANT DIPLOMATIC TIES

• Bhutan’s relationship with China is determined by its long-standing reservations about opening up to the world. Also, with China’s annexation of Tibet in the 1950s and the subsequent seizure of eight Bhutanese enclaves, Bhutan remains hesitant to establish ties with China.
• Till now, there has been very less number of meetings between both the countries. Bhutan’s bilateral relations with India and China can hardly be independent of broader China-India relations. Bhutan has thus maintained a special relationship with India and a largely neutral relationship with China without any diplomatic ties.
• Its foreign policy is determined by three factors: assuring territorial integrity and sovereignty, maintaining a balance of threat, and abiding by its self-interest.
• However, over the past two decades, Bhutan has been witnessing internal and external changes that are forcing it to settle its longstanding territorial disputes with China, diversify its foreign relations, and accelerate economic growth.

IMPROVING RELATIONS

• For China, diplomatic relations and dispute resolution with tiny-landlocked Bhutan is crucial for its status as an Asian power, and for improving its offensive position vis-a-vis India.
• Hence, bilateral talks began in 1984 where China explicitly narrowed the disputed region to two sectors: In the north, the Pasamlung and Jakarlung valleys; and in the west, Dramana and Shakhatoe, Sinchulungpa and Langmar Po valley, Yak chu and Charithang valleys, and the Doklam plateau.
• Later, Bhutan and China signed an MoU in 1988, finalised an agreement in 1998, and held 24 rounds of negotiations and 11 rounds of Expert Group Meetings (EGM) until 2016.

BORDER DISPUTES

• Starting in 1984, Bhutan and China started bilateral negotiations on their territorial disputes. In 1998, Bhutan suggested an expert technical group that will draw the boundaries by studying maps.
• By 2015, China and Bhutan had finished surveying the technical field survey reports of the Central and Western disputed sectors.
• Despite these engagements and efforts, Chinese intrusions in Bhutanese territories occurred on regular occasions.
• China had encouraged its citizens to settle in the disputed areas and built roads, infrastructure, and permanent settlements within Bhutanese territories.
• A similar intrusion in the Doklam trijunction in 2017 triggered a standoff between India and China. In July 2020, China made new claims in Bhutan’s east—in the Sakteng wildlife sanctuary.
• Between 2020-2021, several satellite images indicated that China is building new villages in Bhutan.

ECONOMIC ANGLE

• The domestic economy has provided an additional incentive for Bhutan to expedite the negotiations with China.  Bhutan now sees China as an inevitable and inalienable part of the new world order for its path to recovery and reforms.
• As a result, China’s exports to Bhutan have increased from ~2 billion in 2020 to ~15 billion in 2022.
• The youth exodus triggered by structural issues and the lack of opportunities has further necessitated the need for reforms.
• Bhutan’s imports are intense with capital and machine goods, durable items, and everyday appliances, indicating that as Bhutan grows, so will its reliance on China. Therefore, Bhutan has been hinting at ending the dispute and opening diplomatic relations with Beijing in recent years.

 INDIA’S PERSPECTIVE ON THE MEETING

• With respect to these developments, India has maintained a strategic silence, indicating that it understands Bhutan’s situation and does not anticipate these developments to harm its interest. This demonstrates its trust in this special relationship while understanding Bhutan’s security and economic challenges.
• India is respecting sovereignty of both the countries, and it has always held that an agreement between Bhutan and China is the sovereign decision of the two countries. India understands the situation and affirms that this is not a coalition against India’s interests, as even if the position does not remain identical to India Bhutan will remain mindful of Indian concerns.
• Also, solving the border issue between Bhutan and China is favourable to India as well for its security and sovereignty reasons.

INDIA-BHUTAN RELATIONS

HISTORICAL RELATIONS

• India and Bhutan have shared a cordial friendship for years. India and Bhutan enjoy a multifaceted relationship which are characterised by understanding and unique ties of friendship and cooperation.
• There is close consultation and co-ordination between the two sides with mutual interest. This “special relationship” is governed by the Indo-Bhutan Friendship Treaty of 1949, which was later updated in 2007.

BUFFER STATE

• Bhutan is not just a neighbour, but a very important and strategic one. Its border with India is over 600 km long, and it plays the role of a buffer between China and India.
• India views Bhutan as a “buffer” state against China’s aggression and military adventures.
• Its adjacent location to the Siliguri Corridor or “chicken’s neck” which connects India to the rest of the North East Region (NER) has reinforced and strengthened these anxieties over a Chinese invasion and a potential isolation of the NER from the rest of the mainland.

INDIA AS EQUAL PARTNER

• Article 2 of the treaty, which earlier stated that Bhutan would be guided by India “in regard to its external relations”, was revised in 2007. It now says that the two sides will cooperate “closely with each other on issues relating to their national interests”.
• India does aim to have Bhutan as an equal partner, as also mentioned in the Friendship Treaty of 2007. It lays emphasis on “perpetual peace and friendship, free trade and commerce, and equal justice to each other’s citizens” between India and the Himalayan kingdom.

ECONOMIC RELATIONS

• India is Bhutan’s biggest development partner. India is the largest source of imports for Bhutan. India imports nearly 70% of Bhutan’s total exports, and their trade has increased from ~94 billion in 2020 to ~134 billion in 2022.
• India’s assistance with hydropower projects and Bhutan’s hydropower exports form a significant component of this economic relationship.
• Similarly, India has offered assistance of nearly 4,500 crores for Bhutan’s current five-year plan.

SECURITY RELATIONS

• Bhutan is also the only South Asian country that has consistently respected India’s security concerns and has resisted joining either projects linking China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in the region or other forms of assistance such as grants and loans.
• Therefore, India’s policy has also tried to accommodate Bhutan’s interests in order to sustain their economic integration and pursuit of common security goals. Both countries also enjoy close security cooperation.
• The Indian Military Training Team continues to train Bhutanese soldiers, and the 2007 agreement legally obliges both countries to respect each other’s interest.

CULTURAL RELATIONS

• Bhutan is a constitutional monarchy and one of the last remaining sovereign Himalayan kingdoms, whereas India is a democracy.
• Despite their differences, both countries share an enduring relationship which is deeply rooted in history, spirituality and common values of Buddhist philosophies.

INDIA’S FOREIGN POLICY

• India and Bhutan relations are also guided by India’s foreign policy, and it aligns with India’s Neighbourhood First policy.
• India’s neighbourhood policy focuses on peaceful relations and collaborative synergetic with its South Asian neighbours.

 INDIA-CHINA RELATIONS

COMPLEX RELATIONS

• India and China share a complex relationship with lots of ups and downs. Though, both countries have established various dialogue mechanisms at different levels to discuss political, economic, consular, and regional issues. India was the first non-socialist bloc country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China in 1950. Both countries have jointly advocated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
• Despite these, both countries does not have peaceful relations, and there is a constant struggle on various fronts.

TRADE

• Bilateral trade has grown significantly, reaching US$100 billion by 2022, with India becoming a large market for project exports from China.
• Also, the economic relations between India and China have undergone significant changes in the past two years.
• India has emphasized that it cannot be business as usual while tensions persist along the border. As a result, tighter restrictions have led to a decline in Chinese investment in India.

IMPORT DEPENDENCE

• India’s significant reliance on Chinese imports has resulted in a substantial trade deficit of $100 billion between the two countries. Annual two-way trade exceeded $100 billion in 2021, with India’s imports accounting for the majority.
• China accounted for over 5% of India’s total exports and more than 14% of imports.
• According to sources, a staggering 70% of electronic components, 45% of consumer durables, 70% of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), and 40% of leather goods come from China.
• Products such as fertilizers are 76% cheaper, electronic circuits 23%, and data processing units around 10% cheaper if made in China.

UNSC ISSUE

• China has repeatedly blocked India’s permanent membership of UNSC. It has also supported and blocked at the United Nations Security Council to designate Lashkar-e-Taiba and other Pakistan-based operatives as international terrorists.
• China believes that granting India a permanent seat at the UNSC will lead to Indian interests being of paramount importance in the geopolitics of the subcontinent,

SIMILAR CULTURE

• Both India and China same similar culture as being part of Asian civilisation. Also, both countries got the independence at the almost same time and share the colonial impact.
• China and India share common thoughts on the future and destiny of mankind.
• The Chinese people have cherished the vision of “a world of fairness and justice for the common good” since ancient times. Ancient Indian literature also records the motto of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”.

BORDER ISSUES

• Two countries share a long border that isn’t fully demarcated, and have overlapping territorial claims. India says it is 3,488km long; China puts it at around 2,000km.
• India-China relations have gone through cycles of conflict and cooperation over nearly 75 years.  There have been several instances of conflict and tensions over the last few decades, including the 1962 Sino-Indian War and border clashes that occurred as recently as 2021 and continue to this day. For example, there is constant issue of Border in Arunachal Pradesh and Doklam.
• Two sides should seize historical opportunities, complete the important process as soon as possible, and designate and develop the friendly relations between the two countries in legal form,

USE OF CHINA’S CURRENCY

• Recent tussle over payment to Russia for oil in Chinese currency yuan amid Russia-Ukraine war has raised another concern in India-China relations.
• India is seeking immediate alternative to reduce its dependence on China to continue trade relations with Russia.

THE CHALLENGES FOR INDIA

With Bhutan’s normalisation of diplomatic relations with China, India will face a new set of challenges.  Some of which are mentioned below:

SECURITY CHALLENGES

• Considering growing relation between China and Bhutan and both moving towards border demarcation can have security challenges for India because of the strategic location of Bhutan.
• One of the important area involves of Doklam which overlook India’s “Siliguri corridor”, if Bhutan and China consider a “swap” between territories in the valleys of the north and on the Doklam plateau in the west.
• It will have huge security implications for India as the Doklam trijunction cuts very close to India’s Siliguri corridor a narrow area that connects the North Eastern States to the rest of India.

DIPLOMATIC CHALLENGES

• By establishing diplomatic relations with China, Bhutan will be the latest and the last South Asian country to enter the competitive India-China dynamic.
• And China has already hinted at new areas of economic, cultural, and people-to-people cooperation following the establishment of diplomatic relations with Bhutan.
• This shows that an emerging new phase of relations will also call for fresh redlines between India and Bhutan. If Bhutan establishes formal diplomatic relations with China, it could affect its traditional pro-India foreign policy and challenge India’s influence in the region.

ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS

• Bhutan and India have a strong economic partnership, mainly based on hydropower cooperation. India is Bhutan’s largest trading partner and the biggest source of foreign direct investment, aid and loans.
• India also imports most of Bhutan’s surplus electricity, which accounts for about 40% of Bhutan’s revenue. If Bhutan diversifies its economic ties with China, it could reduce its dependence on India and affect India’s economic interest.

INFRASTRUCTURE AND CONNECTIVITY

• Bhutan’s participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative might have implications for regional infrastructure development and connectivity.
• India has concerns over the BRI’s strategic and security implications as it can hurt India’s security and sovereign interest.

INFLUENCE IN REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

• Bhutan’s alignment with China could impact India’s influence in regional organizations like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).

 THE WAY FORWARD

• India’s stand: India should strive to understand Bhutan’s reasoning and motivations in its dealings with China. India should respect Bhutan’s sovereignty in dealing with any other countries until it is not harming India’s interests. India must also not allow hyper-nationalism and its antagonism with China to pressure Bhutan. India’s time-tested ties with Bhutan have always anticipated each other’s interests before taking any step that could affect their long-cherished partnership.
• Diplomacy and dialogue: India should continue diplomatic engagement with Bhutan with an open and transparent communication to maintain trust that has been built over the years. This collaborative approach will strengthen the long-standing friendship between the two nations.
• India’s foreign policy: The new phase of cordial diplomatic relations between Bhutan and China calls for the establishment of fresh relations between India and Bhutan.
• Resolving border disputes: India should work closely with Bhutan and China on border negotiations. There should be a mutually acceptable border deal that addresses all three countries interests for a win-win situation.
• Use of multilateral forums: India and China are both members of BRICS, SCO, WTO etc, which reflect common agenda for growth and development.  There is a need to use these forums to resolve each other’s differences with efficient dialogue.
• People to People: There is a need to build people-to-people relationships with Bhutan as the younger Bhutanese are conscious of the importance of the Indian relationship. Bhutan-India relationship has survived mainly because it was built on mutual trust, which means Bhutan has equally driven the relationship. This needs to be continued by reaching out to younger generations.

THE CONCLUSION: The recent visit of Bhutan minister to China underscores increasing signs of normalisation of relations between the two countries. India must approach the boundary negotiations with a greater understanding of Bhutan’s reasoning, and with confidence that India’s long-trusted neighbour will take both India’s interests and its own into consideration before any final agreement.

MAINS QUESTIONS

Q.1 In the context of emerging normalisation of relation between Bhutan and China, India-Bhutan-China relation is set to face another challenge in the new world order. Comment.

Q.2 What are the potential implications of Bhutan-China relationship on the India-Bhutan relations? What steps India should take to balance the relation while prioritizing security, economic diversification, and regional diplomacy?

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Atal Innovation Mission Opens Application for School Innovation Challenge ATL Marathon 2023-24 READ MORE
2. Delhi’s air quality worsens to ‘severe plus’ category; Centre defers stricter curbs, says AQI in region showing declining trend READ MORE
3. Seven years after it was first announced, India to open new consulate in Seattle READ MORE
4. Operation Cactus: When India prevented a coup in Maldives READ MORE
5. Farm fires and weather behind choke; respite likely in 4 days READ MORE
6. UN sounds warning on climate change health threat READ MORE
7. Work starts on shaping first national security strategy, long wait ends READ MORE
8. Asteroid Dinkinesh is actually two space rocks, finds NASA’s Lucy mission READ MORE
9. New Report Calls for GST Slab Rationalisation Amid High State Revenue Deficits, Subsidy Expenditures READ MORE
10. No legal identity for a billion people globally, says UN body READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. The world is getting older. Can India cope? READ MORE
2. Rescuing children from the clutches of mobile phones READ MORE
3. El Nino may be drying out the southern hemisphere — here’s how that affects the whole planet READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Action and authority: On Governors and implementation of decisions by elected regimes READ MORE
2. On government fact-checking units: A government panel to check facts is liable to be misused against critics READ MORE
3. On electoral bonds, Supreme Court must uphold Right to Information READ MORE
4. State regulation of film reviews is a risky business READ MORE
5. Governors need to rise above politics READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Widening welfare READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. India-US dialogue: No irritant should be allowed to affect ties READ MORE
2. US-China Dichotomy: Quietude of the Western Left READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. India’s labour scene is changing READ MORE
2. Create an ecosystem where all can participate in economic growth READ MORE
3. Traditional vs digital bank: Survival of the fittest READ MORE
4. The Evolving Energy Scenario READ MORE
5. Youth Employment in India: Dimensions and Challenges READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Late to action, lots to do READ MORE
2. Climate Change: Is White Hydrogen the New Saviour? READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. AI and the issue of human-centricity in copyright law READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Malware malice: On the Apple cyberattack alert READ MORE
2. India’s Need for a National Security Strategy Cannot Be Ignored READ MORE
3. Is it Time to Call India a Digital Dystopia? READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Farm fires rage on: Stakeholders not doing enough to curb menace READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Ukraine, Gaza are our Kurukshetra now READ MORE
2. Humanity, not identity, defines morality READ MORE
3. All it takes: 1% god’s grace READ MORE
4. Entrepreneurship mirrors essence of dharma READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Only virtues and standards of universal morality are applicable to clashing groups of inimical belief systems in times of distrust. And all-encompassing humanity is the sole criterion for drafting such standards of universal morality. Comment.
2. It is humanity, not identity, that defines morality. Comment.
3. Though Article 200 does not lay down a specific timeframe to give assent to the bill, but a constitutional authority should not circumvent a provision of the Constitution by taking advantage of an omission. Comment on the statement in the light of recent developments.
4. Dharma encompasses not only moral and ethical duties but also one’s responsibility towards society and the greater good. Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is.
• By investing in cutting-edge technology and streamlining their operations, traditional banks can upgrade conventional banking to bring it at par with the digital banking.
• While the digital age offers learning and entertainment opportunities, it’s vital to safeguard our children from over indulging in it.
• Entrepreneurs who prioritise ethics, honesty, and integrity in their business dealings create a foundation of trust with customers, partners, and employees.
• A major issue is how social security can be effectively financed. There are three models to finance SS: contributory scheme, non-contributory scheme and a combination of both.
• Governments must urgently push greater awareness about the Good Samaritan Law.
• It is important to know which model of financing is more appropriate. International evidence suggests that SS coverage can be extended to all by increasing contributory coverage and non-contributory schemes by increasing tax revenue.
• Dharma encompasses not only moral and ethical duties but also one’s responsibility towards society and the greater good.
• Despite surging demand and larger carbon emissions, India can reduce its dependence on energy imports.
• A dignified life for the elderly population needs an urgent cultural, political and policy reimagination.
• The stance of the Western Left vis-à-vis Western imperialism is causing a shift of the entire political centre of gravity to the Right.

ESSAY TOPIC

• The wise win before the fight, while the ignorant fight to win.

50-WORD TALK

• CJI Chandrachud’s ‘tareekh pe tareekh’ anguish over adjournment requests in the Supreme Court is valid. But as masters of their own court, judges should put an end to the growing trend and impose costs if such appeals are made on flimsy grounds. Lawyers must contribute to vitality of the judiciary.
• Xi Jinping wants Chinese women to focus on marriage and having babies. This desperate move to address a shrinking population is nothing but regressive. When India is making efforts to bring more women into the workforce, China’s slide back toward the middle ages is a knockout punch to gender equality.
• Governments of Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Kerala having to move Supreme Court to get governors to clear bills is another sign of politicisation of Raj Bhawans. Governors in many non-BJP-ruled states are making a mockery of democracy by obstructing elected governments’ functioning. SC must step in to check gubernatorial hyperdrive.

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.