CONTENTS

Part One 17
Current Affairs Analysis CONSTITUTION, POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
# GS P a p e r ( P r e l i m s ) & G S P a p e r I I ( M a i n )
02 MEDIA RUNNING KANGAROO COURTS: CJI
#Media Trial #Media-Police Nexus #Judicial Process 17
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MANIPUR TO IMPLEMENT NRC
# GS P a p e r ( P r e l i m s ) & G S P a p e r I I I ( M a i n) #NRC #Inner Line Permit #Citizenship Act #Assam Accord
RBI’S FRAMEWORK ON DIGITAL LENDING 20

#Banking 02 SEVENTH GOVERNING COUNCIL MEETING OF NITI AAYOG

FINANCIAL SERVICES INSTITUTIONS BUREAU (FSIB) #NITI Aayog #Governing Council 22

#Banking 03 CONSTITUTION AS A LIVING DOCUMENT

STATES' RANKING OF NFSA #Dynamic Constitution #Amendments 24

#PDS 04 SUSPENSION & WITHDRAWAL OF MP

PLATFORM OF PLATFORMS UNDER E-NAM #Suspension #Withdrawal #Rules of Procedure 25

#Agriculture 06 UNDERSTANDING BLASPHEMY & HATE SPEECH

MOONG EXPERIMENT IN PUNJAB #Blasphemy #Hate Speech #Freedom 27

#Agriculture 07 RELEASE UNDERTRIAL PRISONERS

RBI’S REPORT ON REMITTANCES #Undertrial Prisoners #DLSA 30

#ExternalSector 08 DEBATE ON FREEBIES

GROSS CAPITAL FORMATION: MEANING, TRENDS AND #Freebies #DPSP #Welfare State #Election Commission 33
PROBLEMS #GCF 08 STANDING COMMITTEE’S CONCERNS ON GRIEVANCE
GOLD BULLION EXCHANGE REDRESSAL MECHANSIM

#Capital Market 09 #Grievance Redressal #CPGRAMS 35

BSNL REVIVAL PACKAGE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (IDENTIFICATION) ACT, 2022

#Telecom 10 #Rights #Measurements 38

INDIA INNOVATION INDEX NEW NOMINATED MEMBERS OF RAJYA SABHA

#Innovation 11 #Nominated Members #Rajya Sabha 40

INDIA’S LARGEST FLOATING SOLAR PLANT STUDY ON DECLINING MUNICIPAL FINANCE

#Energy 12 #Municipal Finance #Constitution 74th Amendment 41

ELECTRICITY AMENDMENT BILL, 2022 NEED TO REDUCE JUDICIAL PENDENCY

#Energy 13 #Judicial Pendency #Judiciary 43

GLOBAL GENDER GAP INDEX 14 CAG PULLS UP ODISHA ON MISSING AFFORESTATION

TARGET #CAG #Performance Audit 44
GLOBAL FINDEX DATABASE 15
ELECTION OF VICE-PRESIDENT
STATE OF FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION IN THE WORLD
#Vice-President #Election Commission #Secret Ballot 45
2020 REPORT 15
PRACTICE QUESTIONS 47
MiCA 15
PRACTICE QUESTIONS 16

49
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS & Security
# GS P a p e r ( P r e l i m s ) & G S P a p e r I I & I I I ( M a i n )
I2U2 & WEST ASIA
#West Asia #Extended Neighborhood 49
G7 & G20
#International Organisations 51
PREVENTION OF MONEY LAUNDERING ACT, 2002 (PMLA)
#Money Laundering 55
DEFENCE EXPORTS 58
INDIA – VIETNAM RELATIONS 60
KARAKALPAKSTAN – UZEBKISTAN 61
PRACTICE QUESTIONS 62
63
SOCIETY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
# GS P a p e r I & G S P a p e r I I ( M a i n)
DRAFT NATIONAL POLICY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
#Disabled 63
LOCALISATION OF SDGs
#Development 69
MISSION SHAKTI
#Women Empowerment 73
MISSION VATSALYA
#Women Empowerment 73
PRACTICE QUESTIONS 74
76
Geography, Environment, Biodiversity &
Disaster Management
# GS P a p e r ( P r e l i m s ) a n d GS P a pe r I & I I I ( M a i n )
FOREST CONSERVATION RULES, 2022
#Forestry #Conservation 76
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AMENDMENT BILL, 2002
#Forestry #Conservation 77
WILDLIFE (PROTECTION) AMENDMENT BILL, 2021
#Forestry #Conservation 78
ANTARCTIC BILL
#Legislation #conservation 80
ILLEGAL MINING
#Conservation 82
E-WASTE MANAGEMENT RULES DRAFT AMENDMENT
#Pollution 83
INDIA’S UPDATED INDCs
#Climate Change 86
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ACT, 1986
#Legislation #amendment 89
BANNI GRASSLAND
#Ecosystem 91
HUMAN-ANIMAL CONFLICT
#Wildlife 91
NEW RAMSAR SITES
#Conservation 92
INTERGOVERNMENTAL SCIENCE-POLICY PLATFORM ON
BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES (IPBES) 93
PRACTICE QUESTIONS 94
95
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
# GS P a p e r ( P r e l i m s ) & G S P a p e r I I I ( M a i n)
CAPSTONE
#Space 95
ISRO’S POEM PLATFORM
#Space 95
NEED FOR SPACE SUSTAINABILITY
#Space 96
SEARCH FOR DARK MATTER
#Space 97
JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE
#Space 98
PRIVATE SECTOR BOOST IN INDIA’S SPACE INDUSTRY
#Space 99
AUTONOMOUS FLYING WING TECHNOLOGY
DEMONSTRATOR #Defence 100
NEW PATHWAY TO REGULATE NITRATE ABSORPTION IN
PLANTS #Biotechnology 101
ARYABHAT-1
#IT 102
KAI CHUTNEY
#Intellectual Property Rights 102
PRACTICE QUESTIONS 103
 105
HISTORY, HERITAGE & CULTURE
# GS P a p e r ( P r e l i m s ) & G S P a p e r I ( M a i n )
NEW FLAG CODE AND INDIAN FLAG
#Modern India 105
NATIONAL EMBLEM OF INDIA
#Art & culture 105
AMIR KHUSRAU
#medievalindia #artandculture 106
CHAMPARAN SATYAGRAHA
#Medieval India #Art & Culture 106
SUN TEMPLE OF KONARK
#Medieval India #Art & Culture 107
ALLURI SITARAM RAJU
#modernindia #personalities 107
KANAGANAHALLI BUDDHIST SITE
#Ancient India #Art & Culture 107
VINAYAK DAMODAR SAVARKAR
#Modernindia #Personalities 108
PRE-INDEPENDENCE TRIBAL MOVEMENT
#tribalmovements #modernindia 108
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Part TWO
Ethics, Integrity and
Aptitude
112
GANDHIAN PERSPECTIVES ON ETHICS
#Ethics #Integrity #Aptitude 113
CASE STUDIES for Practice
MAINS GS PAPER IV 115
Part Three
Essays of the month
117
QUICK BUT STEADY WINS THE RACE # Philosophical
SUBMITTED BY: SHUBHANKAR PRATYUSH PATHAK 118
INTROSPECTION AND PERSEVERANCE IN HARD WORK
ARE KEYS TO SUCCESS #Philosophical
111 SUBMITTED BY: ANKUR PANDEY 120
FARMING HAS LOST THE ABILITY TO BE A SOURCE OF
SUBSISTENCE FOR THE MAJORITY OF FARMERS IN INDIA
#Agriculture #Economy
SUBMITTED BY: MUSKAN ARYA 122
 Part ONE

Current
affairs
analysis
logical .simple .targeted
analysis & explanation
of all relevant news of the month
 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
# GS Paper (Prelims) & GS Paper III (Main)
Lead Article
RBI’S FRAMEWORK ON
DIGITAL LENDING
#BaNKING
RBI has come out with guidelines for the regulation of Digital
Lending. The new regulations have been issued in the wake
of rising number of illegal apps through which loans are
disbursed in India. The rise of such illegal apps has hurt
consumers in form of higher interest rates, unethical
recovery practices etc. Further, unregulated, and unchecked
growth of such apps could undermine financial stability of
Banks & NBFCs.
DIGITAL LENDING ECOSYSTEM IN INDIA
Digital lending refers to online disbursal of loans where
all processes such as credit assessment, including loan
approval and recovery, take place remotely, typically
through mobile apps.
Digital lending eco-system is dominated by Banks, NBFCs
and loan service providers. The loan service providers
may be categorised into two types:
• Entities regulated by financial sector regulators such
as credit information companies, NBFC-Peer to Peer
Lending Platform (NBFC-P2P) regulated by RBI; and
credit rating agencies regulated by SEBI.
• Entities not specifically regulated by any financial
sector regulator.
PRESENT LEGAL REGIME FOR LENDING IN INDIA
Banking Regulation (BR) Act, 1949: All banks (public and
private) including small finance banks, regional rural
banks and co-operative banks are required to get
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
themselves registered with RBI for undertaking digital
lending.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Act, 1934: NBFCs involved in
digital lending are required to be registered with RBI as
per provisions of RBI Act.
Companies Act, 2013: Companies registered under
Companies Act, 2013 can undertake lending. Ex., Nidhi
Companies are registered and regulated by Ministry of
Corporate Affairs.
Chit Funds Act, 1982: Chit Fund companies are regulated
under Chit Funds Act, 1982, a Central Act implemented
by State Governments.
MODELS OF DIGITAL LENDING
Balance sheet lending (BSL) Model: Lend from their own
balance sheets and hence carry credit risk. Ex. Banks and
NBFCs.
Market place lending (MPL) Model: Do not lend their own
money & hence do not carry credit risk. Ex:
• P2P lending platforms which bring together lenders
and lenders through an online platform. Ex: Faircent,
Lendenclub, Cashkumar etc.
• Fintech companies which enter partnership with Banks
and NBFCs to extend loans.
STATUS OF DIGITAL LENDING IN INDIA
Exponential increase: Loans disbursed through digital
mode has increased by 12 times between 2017 and
2020.
Dominant entities: Private sector banks and NBFCs with
55% and 30% share respectively are dominant entities in
digital lending ecosystem
2
 Economic Development
Nature of loans: Major products disbursed digitally by
banks are personal loans followed by loans to MSMEs.
Mode of Disbursal: While public sector banks largely
depend on their own apps/websites for disbursal of
digital loans, dependency of private sector banks on
outsourced/third-party apps is significantly higher.
NEED FOR REGULATION OF DIGITAL LENDING
Rise in illegal apps: According to RBI's working group,
there are approximately 1100 lending apps available for
Indian Android users out of which around 600 apps are
illegal since they are unregistered and are operating
without any regulation or approval from RBI. Ex: Rupee
Day, Real Rupee, First cash etc.
Against Consumer interests: Digital lending apps have
resorted to unfair business conduct, charging of
exorbitant interest rates, and unethical recovery
practices
Risk to financial sector: Indiscriminate lending through
digital apps without proper verification and due credit
appraisal process could affect stability of financial sector.
Breaches/ Data Leaks: Since lending apps collect users’
financial data and other sensitive information, they are
prime targets for cyber-attacks.
RBI'S REGULATIONS FOR DIGITAL LENDING
RBI has identified digital lenders is classified into three
groups:
1. Entities regulated by RBI and permitted to carry out
lending business.
2. Entities authorized to carry out lending as per other
statutory/regulatory provisions but not regulated by
RBI.
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3. Entities lending outside the purview of any
statutory/regulatory provisions.
As of now, RBI's regulations are applicable only to the
entities regulated by it. However, for second category,
RBI has asked concerned regulators to formulate
necessary guidelines. Similarly, for third category, RBI
has recommended that formulation of separate law by
Central Government to curb illegitimate lending activity.
CUSTOMER PROTECTION AND CONDUCT ISSUES
Reducing role of Loan Service Providers (LSPs): Banks
and NBFCs can continue to rely on Loan service
providers for identification and extension of loans to the
customers. However, loan amount should be directly
transferred by Banks and NBFCs into customers' account
rather than transferring it into account of LSPs.
Fees for LSPs: Any fees, charges, etc., payable to LSPs in
credit intermediation process shall be paid directly by RE
and not by the borrower.
Prevent exploitation: All-inclusive cost of digital loans in
the form of Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is required to
be disclosed to the borrowers. This is to ensure that
customers are not exploited through hidden costs and
charges.
Grievance Redressal: Suitable nodal grievance redressal
officer to deal with FinTech/digital lending related
complaints.
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Credit worthiness: Banks and NBFCs should capture the
economic profile of borrower and assess borrower’s
creditworthiness in an auditable way.
Mandatory disclosures: Loan provided through Digital
lending apps should be mandatorily reported to Credit
Information Companies (CICs).
FINANCIAL SERVICES
INSTITUTIONS BUREAU
(FSIB)
#Banking
Central Government has recently decided to replace Banks
Board Bureau (BBB) with Financial Services institutions
3
 Economic Development
Bureau (FSIB) for recommending persons for appointment of
financial services institutions.
BACKGROUND OF BANK BOARD BUREAU
• Banks Board Bureau (BBB) was set up in 2016 as a
non-statutory body to recommend names of whole
time Directors (WTDs) and non-executive Chairmen
(NEC) of Nationalized Banks, Public sector Insurance
Companies and selected financial institutions such as
EXIM Bank, SIDBI, NHB, NABARD, IIFCL and IFCI.
• Last year, BBB was declared an incompetent authority
by Delhi High Court, when a general manager at state-
owned National Insurance Company challenged
appointment of a person junior to him for Director’s
position by BBB. Consequently, 10–11 directors
appointed by BBB had to vacate office.
• To end this logjam, BBB had to be struck down and a
new body, namely, FSIB had to be put in place.
ABOUT FINANCIAL SERVICES INSTITUTIONS BOARD
(FSIB)
• Establishment of FSIB: Set up under the Department
of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance
• Is FSIB a statutory body? No, since it has not been set
up through an act of the Parliament.
• Composition: 11 Members (All Members including
Chairman are part time members)
Public Distribution System
STATES' RANKING OF NFSA
#PDS
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o Chairperson
o 4 Ex-officio persons: Secretary, Department
Financial Services + Secretary, Department of Public
Enterprises + Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of
India + Chairperson of the Insurance Regulatory
and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)
o 3 Expert Members in field of Banking and Financial
Institutions
o 3 Expert Members in field of Insurance.
• Functions:
o Recommend persons for appointment as whole-
time directors (WTDs) and non-executive
chairpersons (NECs) on Boards of Directors in
Public Sector Banks (PSBs), Public Sector insurance
companies (PSIs) and selected financial institutions
such as NABARD, NHB, SIDBI, EXIM, IFCI, IIFCL etc.
o Advise Government on matters relating to
appointments, transfer, or extension of term of
office and termination of services of the said
directors.
o Advise Government on desired management
structure at Board level for PSBs, FIs and PSIs.
o Advise Government on a suitable performance
appraisal system.
o Build a databank containing data related to
performance of PSBs, FIs and PSIs.
o Advise Government on formulation and
enforcement of code of conduct and ethics for
whole-time directors in PSBs, FIs and PSIs.
o Advise Government on evolving suitable training &
development programs for management personnel
in PSBs, FIs and PSIs.
o To help PSBs, Fls and PSIs in terms of developing
business strategies & capital raising plan etc.
• Methodology for making recommendations: FSlB shall
develop an appropriate methodology to search and
recommend high-calibre persons for appointment as
WTDs and NECs
Recently, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public
Distribution has released the first-ever edition of State
4
 Economic Development

Ranking Index for National Food Security Act (NFSA). It • End-to-end computerization of TPDS to enable
attempts to document the status and progress of digitization of beneficiary details which has helped in:
implementation of NFSA and various reform initiatives o Weeding out ghost beneficiaries and reduce
across the country. inclusion and exclusion errors through Aadhaar
National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 provides food seeding of ration cards.
and nutritional security by ensuring access to adequate o Weeding out fake ration cards has allowed for
quantity of quality food at affordable prices. Thus, it inclusion of more genuine people in the net of
strengthens Article 21 enshrined in Constitution. TPDS system.
NFSA ACT, 2013: SALIENT FEATURES o Online allocation of food grains to combat
• Coverage: Up to 75% of rural population and 50% of leakages.
urban population (67% of total population) o Ensured timely availability of food grains at the fair
• Entitlement: price shop (FPS).
o Priority households: 5 kg/person/month o Helped create a robust grievance redressal
o Antyodaya households: 35 kg/household/month mechanism (GRM)

o Nutritional Support: Meals for Pregnant women and • DBT Pilot Project (2015) in 3 Union Territories to
lactating mothers (PWLM) and children (6 months- transfer money directly to beneficiaries. It provided
14 years). greater autonomy and flexibility for beneficiaries. In
the process, cash transfers encouraged a diverse and
o Maternity Benefit of Rs 6000 for PMLM.
nutritious consumption basket, reduced leakages in
o Subsidized prices of Rs. 3/2/1 per kg for rice, wheat,
the system, and promoted financial inclusion.
and coarse grains.
• One Nation One Ration Card where households to
• Women Empowerment: Eldest woman (18 years and access food grains from fair price shops (FPS)
above) considered as head of household for issuing
anywhere in the country after biometric identification.
ration cards. This is especially important for addressing nutritional
• Grievance redressal at the District and State levels. challenges among the large inter-state mobile labour
• Accountability through social audits and Vigilance force in India.
Committees. • Food Fortification: Under a pilot project, fortified rice
• Food Security Allowance in case of non-supply of food. is being distributed to beneficiaries which will help
tackle micronutrient deficiency and result in improved
• Role of NFSA in eliminating hunger and Malnutrition
health outcomes.
• Improved Coverage (67%) in comparison to TPDS. Out
STATE RANKING INDEX FOR NFSA
of maximum coverage of 81.34 crores, 80 crore
people covered so far.
IMPROVED OUTCOMES
• Undernourishment reduced from 22% to 15% in last
decade.
• Percentage of stunted children reduced from 38%
(NFHS-4) to 35% (NFHS-5)
• Paradigm Shift from welfare to rights-based approach.
• Life-cycle approach by guaranteeing access
throughout the life cycle beginning from pregnancy to
old age.
• Addresses 3 dimensions of Food security- Availability,
Accessibility and Affordability.
IMPORTANT REFORMS INTRODUCED UNDER NFSA

FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS 5

 Economic Development
• Objectives: Create an environment of competition,
cooperation, and learning among states with respect
to implementation of NFSA.
• Pillars: States and UTs are ranked based on their
performance in 3 main pillars:
Agriculture
PLATFORM OF PLATFORMS
UNDER E-NAM
#Agriculture
Recently, Union Agriculture Minister launched Platform of
Platforms under E-NAM portal. The new "Platform of
platforms" would enable farmers and traders to avail
various goods and services across agricultural value chain.
WHAT IS E-NAM?
• Pan-India Electronic portal to link the existing APMCs
to create an Integrated domestic market ("One Nation,
One Market").
• Managed by Small Farmers' Agribusiness Consortium
(SFAC).
• States interested to integrate their mandis with E-NAM
are required to carry out following three reforms in
their APMC Act.
a) Single trading license (Unified) to be valid across the
state
b) Single point levy of market fee across the state; and
c) Provision for e-auction/ e-trading as a mode of price
discovery
WORKING MECHANISM
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• Top Ranked States (among General Category States
and UTs): Odisha, UP and Andhra Pradesh.
• Top Ranked States (among Special Category States):
Tripura, HP and Sikkim
ABOUT PLATFORM OF PLATFORMS
It brings together different service providers on the
single platform to streamline supply chain, reduce post-
harvest losses and ensure higher price realisation for
farmers. It provides for:
FPO Module: Enables FPOs to upload pictures of their
produce directly from collection centres without the
need to come to Mandis.
Logistics Module: Link large logistic aggregator platforms
with traders for the seamless transportation of Agri-
produce.
Warehousing based Trading Module: Farmers can sell
their produce directly from warehouses registered under
warehousing Development and Regulating Authority
(WDRA).
Fintech Module: Fintech companies can get integrated
with the E-NAM to provide for services such as
• Price Information to farmers
• Link Farmers with bulk buyers
• Generate credit score for the farmers
• Link Farmers with the Banks to get credit
Integration with other platforms: Platforms that provide
services across agricultural supply chain can also get
integrated with the E-NAM:
• Inputs: Credit, Seeds, Fertilisers, Machineries, Price
information etc
• Information Dissemination: Advisory Services, crop
forecasting, weather updates, capacity building for
farmers etc.
• Post-harvest services: Cleaning, Grading, Sorting &
Packaging Service Provider
• E-commerce: Bring together buyers and sellers
BENEFITS
Farmers will be facilitated to sell the produce outside
their state borders. This will increase farmers' digital
access to multiple markets, buyers and service providers
6
 Economic Development
and bring transparency in business transactions with the
aim of improving price search mechanism and quality
commensurate price realisation.
MOONG EXPERIMENT IN
PUNJAB
#Agriculture
For the first time, Punjab Government has come up with a
policy to directly procure moong (Green Gram) from farmers
to encourage diversification away from Rice and Wheat.
However, the Government has imposed a precondition
farmers will have to take up either PR-126 variety of paddy
crop or Basmati cultivation after moong harvest. These crop
varieties are chosen because they mature very quickly and
consume less water.
STATUS OF FARMERS IN PUNJAB AND HARYANA (BY
ECONOMIST ASHOK GULATI)
• Green Revolution: Low growth in annual income due
to rising input costs, declining yields of rice and wheat,
lower prices received by farmers (Dalwai Panel).
• Slow Increase in income level of farmers in Punjab
relative to all India-level. (All India: 3%; Punjab: 1%)
• Low Per hectare income earned by Farmers in Punjab
(around 1.25 lakhs) in comparison to (Rs 2.25 lakhs)
farmers in TN and AP.
BENEFITS OF MOONG PROCUREMENT
• Encourage Agricultural Diversification: Moong roughly
has a 60-day cultivation cycle, which is why farmers
across the state saw it as a good option to fill up the
gap between wheat harvest and sowing
paddy. Increase in area under Moong by over 77%.
• Address Unsustainable agricultural practices such as
over-exploitation of ground water, decline in soil
fertility etc. Pulses have the natural ability of nitrogen
fixation which will result in improved soil fertility and
decrease in consumption of urea.
• Reduced demand-supply mismatch in Pulses: India is
world’s largest producer of pulses with 23 million
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
tonnes from an acreage of 30 million hectares.
However, India imports almost 25% of its pulses.
Increased domestic production of pulses will save
foreign exchange.
• Reduce food subsidy bill:
• Improved nutritional outcomes: Pulses are the best
vegetarian source of proteins critical for good health.
• Double farmers' income: Increased procurement of
pulses will improve income levels of farmers.
CHALLENGES
• Higher risks faced by farmers: Untimely rains is the
biggest risk faced by farmers as it is important to
harvest moong before the onset of Rainfall.
• Low procurement by Punjab Government: Punjab
government has procured 9,902 quintals of about
93,000 quintals sold by farmers so far. This is due to
strict conditions specified by Government such as low
moisture content and quality of grains.
• Market price below MSP: 80% of total produce that
arrived in the market was bought by private players
up to 30% below minimum support price (MSP).
WAY FORWARD (MONTEK SINGH AHLUWALIA
COMMITTEE)
• Reduce area under Paddy and diversify towards high-
value crops such as fruits and vegetables (Dalwai
Panel- Increase in agri. diversification by 1 ha leads to
increase in income by Rs 1 lakh).
• Special package from Centre to compensating any
possible loss.
• Focus on Secondary Agriculture: Boost to Food
of
Processing Industries, Employment, Forward-
Backward Linkages, Reduce Post-harvest losses.
Promote cultivation of Pulses and Oilseeds through
guaranteed procurement under PM- AASHA.
• Rationalize subsidies and divert the savings towards
diversification and improving the supply chain
management.
7
 Economic Development
External Sector
RBI’S REPORT ON
REMITTANCES
#ExternalSector
In its July bulletin 2022, the RBI has highlighted the results of
fifth round of survey on inward remittances for reference
period 2020-21. This report highlights that despite
pandemic, remittances inflows have registered upward
trend.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT
Major Destinations for Indian Migrants: United Arab
Emirates (UAE), Unites States of America (USA) and Saudi
Arabia have been the three major destinations of Indian
migrants for the past two decades.
Remittances into India: India continues to be largest
remittance recipient country in the world in 2021 ($87bn)
and has been so since 2008. The remittances into India
account for 4% of GDP.
Government Policies
GROSS CAPITAL
FORMATION: MEANING,
TRENDS AND PROBLEMS
#GCF
Government of India has focused on enhanced public
investment to address the twin crisis of demand and supply
and boost economic growth and development. In this
regard, let’s look into recent trends in the Gross Capital
formation and various problems and challenges.
MEANING OF GROSS CAPITAL FORMATION
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
Compositional shift in inward remittances: Share of
remittances from Gulf region in India’s inward
remittances has declined from more than 50% in 2016-
17 to about 30% in 2020- 21. Further, due to steady
migration of skilled workers to the advanced economies,
share of countries such as US, UK and Singapore in the
overall remittances has increased to 36% in 2020-21.
Top 5 Countries receiving Remittances (in absolute
value): India, China, Mexico, Philippines and Egypt.
Top 5 Countries receiving Remittances (in terms of GDP):
Tonga, Lebanon, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and El
Salvador.
Top source countries for inward remittances to India: US
has surpassed the UAE as the top source country,
accounting for 23 per cent of total remittances in 2020-
21. UAE is followed by UK, Singapore and Saudi Arabia.
States receiving highest remittances in India:
Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Importance of Remittances: Remittances in India have
been substantially higher than even Foreign Direct
Investment (FDI) and the flow of remittances is much less
fluctuating than that of FPI.
Gross Capital Formation (GCF) is calculated as Gross
Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) + Changes in Stocks + Net
acquisition of valuables. Gross Fixed Capital Formation
(GFCF) comprises of:
• Construction and Maintenance of fixed assets such
Infrastructure such as Dwellings, Roads, Railways etc.
• Machinery and Equipment (3) Intellectual Property
Rights such as R&D, Software etc.
• Cultivated biological resources - Increment in
Livestock and Plantation.
• Goods which remain unsold in a particular year are
accounted under Changes in stocks.
TRENDS IN GROSS FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION (GFCF)
8
 Economic Development

How increase in Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF)

can boost Indian Economy?

GFCF was around 34% of India's GDP in 2011-12. The

increase in the GFCF in 2011-12 was attributed to
economic stimulus provided by the Government to
counter the economic slowdown due to Global financial
crisis (GFC). Consequently, due to Twin balance sheet
problem, GFCF declined to 30% in 2015-16. In last 2-3
years, Government has increased its investment on
creation of infrastructure leading to increase in GFCF to
around 32% of GDP.
PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES

TABLE: SHARES OF GROSS CAPITAL FORMATION / GDP

Year Agriculture Industry Manufacturing Services Transport Road
(1) (2) (2.1) (3) (3.1) (3.1.1)
2011-12 8.5 38.1 19.2 47.3 8.1 3.7
2014-15 7.7 33.7 17.6 49.0 6.1 1.9
2019-20 6.4 32.5 16.5 52.3 12.9 3.1

Lower Investment: Even though the GFCF has increased
to 32% of GDP, it is yet to reach its higher levels as seen
in 2011-12.
Lower share of foreign capital in GCF at around 2.5% in
2019-20.
• Services: Unlike agriculture and Industrial sector,
share of investment in the services has increased in
the last decade. A major chunk of investment is done on
Transport and communication such as Roads, Railways,
ports, airports etc.

Lopsided Investment: Over 90% of GCF consists of Gross Hence, a major share of GCF is dominated by investment
Fixed Capital Formation. Gross Fixed capital formation in creation of infrastructure projects. The investment in
can be analysed in terms of investment in different agriculture and industry has declined at the cost of
sectors: higher investment in infrastructure leading to poor
income level of farmers and limited success of "Make in
• Agriculture: Government needs to make higher
India".
investment in R&D, irrigation, marketing infrastructure
etc. to double farmers' income. However, there has
been decline in investment in agriculture in the last
GOLD BULLION EXCHANGE
decade.
• Industry: There is a need for higher investment in
#Capital Market
advanced technologies to boost manufacturing sector
and ensure success of "Make in India". However, just
Prime Minister has launched India International Bullion
like agriculture, there has been decline in investment in
Exchange (IIBX), India’s first International Bullion Exchange
Industrial sector in last decade.
in GIFT-IFSC.

FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS 9

 Economic Development
BACKGROUND
Despite being the second largest importer of gold in the
world with a demand of nearly 1,000 tonnes, India lacks
many key elements of the gold ecosystem.
Fragmented market: There is no organised market for
the trading of Gold in India.
Price taker rather than price setter: Even though India is
one of the major importers, India is unable to dictate
prices of gold in the international market.
Poor infrastructure in terms of Quality storage and vault
facilities.
Import of Gold: Currently, Gold is imported on a
consignment model wherein RBI has nominated Banks
and agencies to import Gold and then supply to traders
and jewellers.
DETAILS ABOUT INDIA INTERNATIONAL BULLION
EXCHANGE (IIBX)
India's first international bullion exchange situated in
GIFT-IFSC in Gujarat. The exchange will not only facilitate
trading of gold but would also set up necessary
infrastructure to store physical gold and silver.
Components: Bullion Exchange, Bullion Clearing
Corporation and Bullion Depository.
Eligible participants: Qualified jewellers and Nominated
banks and agencies.
Imports: Allow eligible qualified jewellers as notified by
International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA)
to directly import gold through IIBX.
Trading: Enable trading of bullion through Bullion
Depository Receipts (BDRs) issued in electronic
form by Bullion Depository
Products available for trading: Gold 1 kg 995 purity and
gold 100 gm 999 purity.
Regulation: International Financial Services Centres
Authority (Bullion Exchange) Regulations, 2020 notified
by IFSCA.
BENEFITS
• Gateway for imports where all bullion imports for
domestic consumption shall be channelised through
the exchange.
• Efficient Price Discovery (synchronised prices with
global gold prices).
• Assurance of quality of gold.
• Impetus to the financialization of gold in India.
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
BSNL REVIVAL PACKAGE
#Telecom
Union Cabinet has approved a RS 1.64 lakh crore revival
package for BSNL. The revival package is aimed at infusing
fresh capital for upgrading BSNL services, allocating
spectrum, de-stressing its balance sheet, and augmenting its
fiber network by merging Bharat Broadband Nigam Limited
(BBNL) with BSNL.
MAJOR COMPONENTS OF FINANCIAL PACKAGE
Administrative allotment of Spectrum: To improve
existing services and provide 4G services, BSNL will be
allotted Spectrum in 900/1800 MHz band
administratively at the cost of Rs 44,993 Cr through
equity infusion. With this spectrum, BSNL will be able to
compete in the market and provide high speed data
using their vast network including in rural areas.
Financial support for deployment of 4G technology in
rural India.
Viability gap funding for rural wireline
operations: Despite commercial non-viability, BSNL has
been providing wireline services in rural/remote areas to
meet social objectives of Government. Government will
provide funding to BSNL as viability gap funding for
commercially unviable rural wire-line operations done
during 2014-15 to 2019-20.
De-stressing BSNL balance sheet: Government will
provide sovereign guarantee to BSNL for raising long
term loan. It will enable BSNL to raise capital through
issuance of long-term bonds. This will help restructuring
existing debt and de-stressing the balance sheets.
Augmenting BSNL fiber network: Bharat Net project has
the underlying objective of providing high-speed
broadband to all the panchayats in the country. This
project is presently implemented by Bharat Broadband
Network Ltd (BBNL). To facilitate wider utilization of
infrastructure laid under BharatNet, Bharat Broadband
Network Ltd (BBNL) will be merged with BSNL.
NEED FOR THE REVIVAL PACKAGE
Poor financial position of BSNL: BSNL has faced higher
losses of around Rs 7500 crores in 2020-21 which in turn
has reduced its ability to offer 4G services.
Duopoly in Telecom market: Presently, telecom market is
slowly progressing towards duopoly with 2 telecom
10
 Economic Development
companies having majority share of the market, Reliance
Jio and Airtel. Revival of BSNL is expected to foster
competition, promote innovation and more towards
vision of digital India.
Strategic sector: Telecom being a strategic sector needs
market balancer in form of BSNL.
Social obligation: Government needs a telecom arm for
fulfilling social obligations such as expansion of telecom
services in rural areas and disaster relief. Private sector
cannot be reasonably expected to offer services in an
area that is not profitable for them.
Promote Indigenous Industry: Unlike private sector, BSNL
can procure various telecom equipment from the
indigenous industry leading to overall growth and
development of manufacturing sector.
DETAILS ABOUT TELECOM EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES
EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL (TEPC)
Promote and develop export of Telecom Equipment and
Services. It assists Indian member companies in easy
facilitation of their respective exports.
Targets:
• Exports including mobile handsets are likely to reach
over $20 billion over next 5 years.
• Domestic telecom products growth of over 20% CAGR
likely over next 5 years.
Enablers are factors that underpin innovative capacities,
grouped in five pillars: (1) Human Capital, (2) Investment,
(3) Knowledge Workers, (4) Business Environment, and
(5) Safety and Legal Environment.
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
• Employment generation (direct and in-direct) of 5
million.
• Major domestic telecom needs are targeted to be met
by products manufactured in India in coming years.
INDIA INNOVATION INDEX
#Innovation
NITI Aayog, along with Institute for Competitiveness, has
recently released third edition of India Innovation Index. The
report examines innovation capabilities and performance of
States and UTs. The first edition of the index was launched in
2019.
INDIA INNOVATION INDEX
• Functions:
o Ranking of states and UTs based on their index
scores
o Recognizing opportunities and challenges
o Assisting in tailoring governmental policies to foster
innovation.
• Methodology: Calculated as the average of the scores
of its two dimensions - Enablers and Performance.
Performance dimension captures benefits that a nation
derives from inputs, divided in two pillars: (6) Knowledge
Output and (7) Knowledge Diffusion.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT
11
 Economic Development
States have been bifurcated into three categories: major
states, north-east and hill states, and UTs/small states.
Among major states, Karnataka occupies the first place,
and it is followed by Telangana and Haryana
Among NE and Hilly States, Manipur and Uttarakhand
are top ranked states.
Among UTs/small states are Delhi and Chandigarh are
top ranked states.
Energy
INDIA’S LARGEST
FLOATING SOLAR PLANT
#Energy
India’s largest floating solar power plant of 100 MW
capacity, belonging to National Thermal Power Corporation
has been commissioned at Ramagundam, Telangana. It is
spread over 450 acres on Sri Ram Sagar Project reservoir
located on Godavari River. This is the largest floating solar
plant in the country in a single location as of now.
Q. Consider the following statements:
(Prelims 2022)
1. Gujarat has the largest solar park in India
2. Kerala has a fully solar powered International
Airport
3. Goa has the largest floating solar photovoltaic
project in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 (d) 3 only
DETAILS ABOUT FLOATING SOLAR PLANT
Floating solar plant refers to an array of solar panels on a
structure that floats on a body of water, typically an
artificial basin or a lake. India's first floating PV plant of
10 KW was installed in a lake in Kolkata in 2014. NTPC
has also set up 92 MW Floating Solar at Kayamkulam
(Kerala) and 25 MW Floating Solar at Simhadri (Andhra
Pradesh).
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
OTHER IMPORTANT INDICES TO MEASURE
INNOVATION
Global Innovation Index (GII): Published by WIPO
Global Competitiveness Report: Published by World
Economic Forum
International IP Index: Published by US Chamber of
Commerce's Global Innovation Policy Centre.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR INDIA
India has set up an ambitious renewable energy target of
175 GW by 2022 of which solar comprises 100 GW.
Floating solar would-be huge opportunity for India to
realise this target.
ADVANTAGES
• No land occupancy: Main advantage of floating PV
plants is that they do not take up any land.
• Water Conservation: Installation of solar panels on
lake or reservoir leads of partial coverage of the water
body leading to reduced evaporation.
• Higher Efficiency of Panels: Cooling effect of water on
installed PV modules, helps reduce thermal losses
which increases the efficiency of panels.
• Longer Module Life: Cooling effect on modules slows
down long-term heat induced degradation of solar
modules thereby leading to higher module and plant
life
• Easy Cleaning & Less Water Consumption: Regular
cleaning of solar modules is easier as water is readily
available. Also, water loss is lesser as water used in
cleaning the panels goes back into the reservoir.
CHALLENGES
• Higher Investment: Installing a floating solar power
plant with current technologies requires at least thrice
the investment cost compared to land-based solar
power plants.
• Other challenges: Rusting of components from
constant contact with water; anchoring the floats to
water body so that they can withstand high velocity
winds and floods.
12
 Economic Development
• Low Local manufacturing of floats in India is another
area that will require significant boost to meet such
high requirements.
ELECTRICITY AMENDMENT
BILL, 2022
#Energy
Most DISCOMs incur huge losses, which in turn reduces their
ability to pay dues to power generating companies and
repay loans to Banks. Poor financial health of the DISCOMs
can cause negative domino effect on the economy. Hence, to
improve electricity distribution, Government has introduced
Electricity Amendment Bill, 2022. However, the bill has been
opposed by states and farmer groups.
SALIENT FEATURES OF BILL
Retail Choice to Consumers: Presently, DISCOMs enjoy
monopoly in distribution of electricity which in turn leads
to lack of consumer choice and higher inefficiencies.
Hence, the bill seeks to introduce competition in
electricity distribution by allowing multiple DISCOMs to
operate in a single area. This would give necessary
choice to consumers with respect to electricity
distribution company.
Renewable purchase obligation: The Bill adds that RPO
should not be below a minimum percentage prescribed
by the central government. Failure to meet RPO will be
punishable with a penalty between 25 paise and 50 paise
per kilowatt of the shortfall.
ABOUT RENEWABLE PURCHASE OBLIGATIONS
• DISCOMs required to purchase certain percentage of
electricity from various renewable energy sources.
This obligation to purchase renewable power is called
Renewable Purchase Obligation.
• Framework for RPOs? Laid down under Electricity Act,
2003 and National Tariff Policy 2016
• Types of RPOs: Solar RPO and Non-Solar RPO. In 2020,
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
Government declared that procurement of power
from large Hydropower Projects (more than 25 MW)
and Ocean Energy would be considered as Non-Solar
RPO.
• Who lays down the Targets for RPOs? Annual Targets
laid down by State Electricity Regulatory Commissions
(SERCs). Long term targets laid down by Ministry of
Power.
• Present Targets: Long Term target to be met by 2022.
Total RPO: 21% ( Solar RPO: 10.5% + Non-Solar RPO:
10.5%)
• Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs): DISCOMs that
exceed their RPO obligations can sell RECs to other
DISCOMs that fail to meet RPO target. 1 REC is equal
to 1 Mwh.
• Present Status of RPO: Compliance of DISCOMs with
respect to meeting RPO targets has been consistently
poor. Ex., RPO target for financial year 2019-20 was
set at 17.5% but achievement on pan-India basis was
merely 12.73%. The compliance is less than 55% of
target for about 20 states.
REASONS FOR OPPOSITION TO ELECTRICITY
AMENDMENT BILL, 2022
The Bill has been criticised for being anti-farmer, anti-
constitutional and against interest of States.
Violation of Federal Principle: Electricity is under
concurrent list. However, electricity distribution is
responsibility of state governments. Opposition ruled
states contend that the bill empowers centre to issue
licenses to multiple discoms in a single area and hence
encroaches upon states' powers.
Enabling Multiple discoms operating in a single area may
lead to replacement of public sector monopoly by private
sector monopolies wherein a single, large and deep
pocketed private company may come to control
electricity distribution.
Farmers and poor consumers are apprehensive that it
may lead to end of electricity subsidies.
State-owned DISCOM Employees are fearing about
future job losses.
13
 Economic Development
Inclusive Growth
GLOBAL GENDER GAP
INDEX
World Economic Forum has published "Global Gender Gap
Index" which ranks India at 135 out of 146 countries.
DETAILS ABOUT GLOBAL GENDER GAP INDEX
Note: Above framework could be used while analysing
issues related to women empowerment either in General
Studies Paper or Essay.
HIGHLIGHTS OF GLOBAL GENDER GAP INDEX
At current rate of progress, it will take 132 years to reach
full gender parity at global level.
Top Ranked: No country has yet achieved full gender
parity. Iceland remains the only economy to have closed
more than 90% of its gender gap followed by Finland,
Norway and Sweden.
Bottom Ranked: Afghanistan, Pakistan and Democratic
Republic of Congo.
INDIA'S PERFORMANCE
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
Measures Gender gap between men and women across
four fundamental categories (subindexes):
• Economic Participation and Opportunity
• Educational Attainment
• Health and Survival
• Political Empowerment
India has approximately 662 million women. In 2022,
India’s overall score has improved from 0.625 (2021) to
0.629 (2022). India’s global gender gap score has
oscillated between 0.593 and 0.683 since the index was
first compiled.
Political Empowerment: India ranks highest (48th among
146) among all sub-indices. However, India's rank is
much lower as compared to smaller countries such as
Bangladesh (9th Rank).
Economic Participation and Opportunity: India's rank is
quite lower at 143 out of 146 countries. Only Iran,
Pakistan and Afghanistan are behind India on this metric.
Educational Attainment: India ranks 107th out of 146,
and its score has marginally worsened since last year.
14
 Economic Development
Health and Survival: India is ranked last on this
Prelims Snippets
GLOBAL FINDEX
DATABASE
Recently, World Bank has published Global Findex database
2021 to measure performance of extent of Financial
Inclusion across world.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT
Account ownership: Worldwide, account ownership
increased by 50% in the 10 years spanning 2011 to 2021,
to reach 76% of the global adult population.
INDIA'S PERFORMANCE
Bank Accounts: Almost 78% of adults have opened Bank
accounts in India. 78% of women also have access to
Bank account.
Inactive accounts: India has highest share of inactive
accounts. Almost 35% of accounts in India are inactive.
Reasons for inactive accounts: Banks located at a farther
distance; Not having enough money, lack of trust in
financial institutions; and no need for an account.
STATE OF FOOD SECURITY
AND NUTRITION IN THE
WORLD 2020 REPORT
State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World is an
annual flagship report jointly prepared by Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for
Agricultural Development, UNICEF, World Food Program and
World Health Organization.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT
Extent of Food Insecurity: Around 750 million (10% of
global population) were exposed to severe levels of food
insecurity.
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
parameter.
Progress on SDGs: World is neither progressing towards
SDG target 2.1 (Ensuring access to safe, nutritious and
sufficient food) nor towards target 2.2 of eradicating all
forms of malnutrition.
Food affordability: Cost of a healthy diet exceeds
international poverty line (established at $ 1.90
purchasing power parity (PPP) per person per day).
INDIA'S PERFORMANCE
• Prevalence of under-nourishment: 14%
• Prevalence of wasting in children under 5 years of age:
17%
• Prevalence of stunting in children under 5 years of
age: 34%
• Prevalence of anaemia among women of reproductive
age: 51%
MiCA
Recently, European Parliament has formulated a new law
"Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA)" to regulate
cryptocurrencies. According to experts, it could become a
trendsetter for crypto regulation globally.
SALIENT FEATURES OF MICA
Applicability: Issuers of Crypto assets, crypto exchanges
and service providers that are currently not regulated.
Scope: Covers almost all forms of crypto assets such as
private crypto currencies, stable coins etc. However, as of
now, Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are not covered.
Legal Framework for Crypto assets: All entities issuing
crypto assets would be required to get license and
comply with certain prudential rules. For assets with no
issuer, such as Bitcoin, exchanges will be required to
offer a white paper about potential risks, with possibility
of being liable for misleading contents.
15
 Economic Development

Regulation: European Securities and Markets Authority Countering Money laundering in line with EU Anti-
(ESMA) and European Banking Authority (EBA) would Money-Laundering (AML) framework.
oversee monitoring crypto markets.

Practice questions
MCQs
Q.1) Consider the following statements about Q.3) Consider the following statements about India
Financial Services Institutions Board: Innovation Index:
1. It has been established under Department of 1. The report on India Innovation Index has been
Economic Affairs under Ministry of Finance. launched by Department of Science & Technology.
2. It is a statutory body empowered to appoint 2. Knowledge output and Knowledge Diffusion is a
senior managements of public sector banks, metric for ranking of states under the index.
insurance companies and selected public financial Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
institutions. (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Consider the following statements about
Global Gender Gap Index:
Q.2) Consider the following statements about e- 1. The index has been released by the World Bank.
NAM: 2. Among all the sub-parameters, India’s rank is
1. It is managed by Small Farmers Agribusiness highest in political empowerment of women.
Consortium. (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
2. Aims to link existing APMCs to create an (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
integrated domestic agricultural market.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? Q.5) Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA), a legislation
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only to regulate crypto assets has been enacted by
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 which of the following?
(a) USA (b) European Union
(c) UK (d) China

Descriptive Questions
Q1. How will the provisions of Electricity Amendment Bill, 2022 help address the issues of the electricity ecosystem in
India?

Q2. India has seen an increase in the Gross Capital Formation in recent times. What is significance of Gross Capital
Formation for economic growth of a country. Also, highlight the concerns against the composition of Gross
Capital Formation of India.

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

FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS 16

 CONSTITUTION, POLITY AND
GOVERNANCE
# GS Paper (Prelims) & GS Paper II (Main)
MEDIA RUNNING
KANGAROO COURTS: CJI
#Media Trial #Media-Police Nexus #Judicial
Process
Trial refers to examination before a competent tribunal,
according to the law of the land, of the facts or law put in
issue in a cause, for the purpose of determining such issue. A
trial is the judicial examination of the Issues between the
parties, whether they be issues of law or of fact. However, in
some criminal cases, media activism and pre-trial publicity
blurs the distinction between fact and fiction leading to
unnecessary bias and prejudicial reporting. This negatively
impacts the judicial process of trial along with rights of the
accused. Further, the growing nexus between media and
police ecosystem aids in media trial through half-baked
information especially at trial stage when police has not filed
their reports. It is in this context; Chief Justice of India has
lamented the digital media for running Kangaroo Courts
based on agenda driven debates as it disturbs the balance
between freedom of expression and the right of the accused
to get a fair trial.
“One of the objects of the media (a newspaper) is to
understand the popular feeling and give expression to
it, another is to arouse among the people certain
desirable sentiments, and the third is the fearlessness
to expose popular defects.” –Mahatma Gandhi
MEDIA RUNNING KANGAROO COURTS - CJI
• Chief Justice of India recently highlighted that digital
media in India are running Kangaroo Courts with ill-
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
informed, biased and agenda-driven debates on issues
pending in courts which are affecting justice delivery.
• CJI further stated that media trials cannot be the sole
guiding factor in deciding cases and media has
breached its responsibility, taking democracy two
steps backwards, affecting people and harming the
system.
• It is in this pretext, the growing nexus between police
and media and how selective sharing of information of
ongoing cases by eager police officers not only vitiates
fair trial but also leads to unnecessary trial by media
which ultimately harms the judicial process and the
rights of the accused.
CRIMINAL CONTEMPT
• Biased reporting affecting judicial process is in
violation of Contempt of Courts Act, 1971as defined
through criminal contempt.
• Criminal Contempt means the publication (whether by
words, spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible
representations, or otherwise) of any matter or the
doing of any other act whatsoever which—
(i) Scandalizes or lowers the authority of any court.
(ii) Prejudices, or interferes or tends to interfere with,
the due course of any judicial proceeding; or
(iii) interferes or tends to interfere with, or obstructs
or tends to obstruct, the administration of justice
in any other manner
KANGAROO COURTS
• Oxford Dictionary defines Kangaroo Court as an
unofficial court held by a group of people to try
someone regarded, especially without good evidence,
as guilty of a crime or misdemeanor.
17
 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
• Thus, it refers to proceedings or activities where a
judgment is made in a manner that is unfair, biased,
and lacks legitimacy.
FREEDOM OF PRESS
• Supreme Court of United States in New York Times v
Sullivan held that free press creates a fourth institution
outside government as an additional check on three
official branches – legislature, executive and judiciary.
• Objective of Free Press: Freedom of press and media
helps to provide comprehensive and objective
information on all aspects of country’s social,
economic and political life. Media and Press serves as
a powerful antidote to any abuse of power by
government officials and as a means for keeping the
elected officials responsible to the people whom they
are elected to serve.
• Article 19: In India, freedom of press (print, digital and
social media) is implied from the freedom of speech
and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) but
has not been mentioned specifically in the Constitution
of India.
• Sakal Papers v Union of India: Supreme Court held that
freedom of press is regarded as a species of which
freedom of expression is a genus.
• Brij Bhushan v State of Delhi: held that in India under
Art.19(1)(a) freedom of speech and expression
authoritatively includes the freedom of press print and
electronic media.
• Reasonable Restrictions provided under Article 19(2)
are also applicable to the media as media cannot use
freedom of expression to invoke violence, provide
false information to provoke people for protest or
incite violence, against sovereignty and integrity of
India, the security of the State, friendly relations with
foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in
relation to contempt of court, defamation or
incitement to an offence.
SUPREME COURT ON MEDIA PUBLICITY IMPACTING
FAIR TRIAL
• Reliance Petrochemicals v. Indian Express Newspapers
Bombay (Pvt.) Ltd., the Supreme court held that the
Courts must not be swayed by public opinion or any
media on a particular matter.
• Ankul Chandra Pradhan v. Union of India: Supreme
Court has stated that publicity is no reason for denial
of a fair trial.
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
• State of Maharashtra v. Rajendra Jawanmal Gandhi:
Supreme Court stated that a media trial goes against
rule of law and can result in miscarriage of justice and
has stated that Judges are not to succumb to the
media pressure.
• Sahara India Real Estate Corp. v. SEBI: Supreme Court
believed that there had to be a delicate balance
between the right to a fair trial and the right to
freedom of expression.
HOW TRIAL BY MEDIA AFFECTS JUDICIAL TRIAL IN
CRIMINAL COURTS?
• Role of media (print and digital) is to provide unbiased
information to the public about general events
happening in the society. These events include
criminal cases filed against accused.
• Affects Administration of Justice - excessive publicity in
the media about a suspect or an accused before trial
prejudices a fair trial and amounts to undue
interference with the administration of justice. This
may lead to contempt of court against the media.
• Nexus of Police & Media -The media in such incidents
ends up sensationalising the case based on half-baked
information received through its police nexus. Such
selective information provided by the police at initial
trial stage is presented by the media in a selected and
prejudicial manner.
• Shape Political Opinion -There are moments when
certain police narrative is fed to the media to achieve
certain political purpose or shape political opinion in
the society. Such selective information at times also
communalises the atmosphere leading to a charged
atmosphere of hate and abuses which is encashed
during elections.
• Police providing different facts to media and Courts -
Another problem with media trial is that the
information or evidence which is provided to the
media in criminal cases to sensationalise the issue is
seldom presented in the Court as evidence due to lack
of corroborative value. This discrepancy helps media
not only to sensationalise the case but also harms the
reputation of the accused without the Court proving
him guilty.
• Unregulated divulgence of case details by an eager
police force and disproportionate reliance on this
information by the media impacts the entire judicial
process, prejudices the minds of the judges and affects
18
 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
the statements of the witnesses. All these ultimately
affect the outcome of the trial in Court.
• Violates presumption of innocence and tarnishes
image of the accused – In criminal law, an accused is
considered innocent unless proven guilty. Thus, one
sided reporting of events by media violates the
presumption of innocence of the accused and disturbs
the entire trial process. This also affects
statements given by other suspects, victims of the
crime and persons closely related to the case since the
accused has already been painted guilty by the media.
• Biased Media Reporting affects fair and equitable trial
and leads to social and economic boycott of the
accused -as they are ostracized in public, it affects their
privacy rights and makes them vulnerable to societal
abuse. Such accused when released after facing long
years of trial often face social ostracization and
difficulties in retaining employment, making them
vulnerable to crime and exploitation.
• Example - Bhima Koregaon - While the investigation
was underway, the police exposed letters supposedly
written by these activists that were still undergoing
forensic analysis. While these letters received
extensive news coverage, none of them was presented
as evidence in court.
• Competition within Media Industry leads
Politicisation of events -Due to compulsion
competition in the industry (improve TRP ratings) and
corporate and political nexus, media professionals
ends up sensationalizing the issue. This helps to
change perception of public and judges and overall
impacts the trial process.
• Thus, there is a need to follow the Guidelines issued by
Ministry of Home on sharing sensitive information by
the police to the media.
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS HAS ISSUED GUIDELINES
(2010) ON MEDIA POLICY
• Only designated officers should disseminate
information to the media on major crime and law and
order incidents, important detections, recoveries and
other notable achievements of the police.
• Police Officers should confine their briefings to the
essential facts and not rush to the press with half-
baked, speculative or unconfirmed information about
ongoing investigations.
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
• The briefing should normally be done only at the
following stages of a case:
1. Registration
2. Arrest of accused persons
3. Charge-sheeting of the case
4. Outcome of case such as conviction/acquittal etc.
• In a case that attracts the interest of the media, a
the
specific time may be fixed every day when the
designated officer would make an appropriate
statement on the investigation.
• In the first 48 hours there should be no unnecessary
release of information except about the facts of the
incident and that the investigation has been taken up.
• The general tendency to give piecemeal
information/clues, on a daily/regular basis, about the
progress/various lines of investigation, should be
strongly discouraged so that the investigations are not
compromised, and criminals/suspects do not take
undue advantage of information shared by the Police
authorities about the likely course of the investigation.
• Meticulous compliance with the legal provisions and
Court guidelines regarding protection of the identity of
juveniles and rape victims should be ensured, and
under no circumstances should the identity of
juveniles and victims in rape cases be disclosed to the
to media.
of • Due care should be taken to ensure that there is no
violation of the legal, privacy and human rights of the
accused/victims.
1. Arrested persons should not be paraded before the
media.
2. Faces of arrested persons whose Test Identification
Parade is required to be conducted should not be
exposed to the media.
• No opinionated and judgmental statements should be
made by the police while briefing the media.
• In cases where National security is at stake, no
information should be shared with the media till the
whole operation is over or until all the accused
persons have been apprehended.
• There should not be any violation of court directions
and other guidelines issued by the authorities from
time to time on this matter.
• Preferably, there should be one officer designated as
the Public Relations Officer to handle the immediate
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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
information needs of all media persons and give the • State Governments should enforce their media policy
correct and factual position of any crime incident. based on the Guidelines of MHA and should also
PROBLEMS IN IMPLEMENTING MHA GUIDELINES ON create a dedicated media cell to ensure proper
MEDIA POLICY information is given to media especially in sensitive
criminal cases.
• Centre’s Lack of Jurisdiction: These guidelines are to be
implemented by respective state governments as • It is in this regard the opinion expressed by India’s CJI
'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects under on digital media holding Kangaroo Courts with zero
State List of 7th Schedule to Constitution and, accountability becomes extremely important.
therefore, State & UT Administrations are primarily
responsible for prevention, detection, registration,
investigation and prosecution of all crimes within their
MANIPUR TO IMPLEMENT
jurisdiction.
NRC
• Poor Implementation by States: Media Policy
guidelines issued by most state on media policy have
#NRC #Inner Line Permit #Citizenship Act
weak implementation mechanisms and their contents #Assam Accord
largely remains unknown to the public.
• Lack of Dedicated Media Cell -Most police departments Manipur Assembly has resolved to implement National
do not have dedicated media cells due to weak Register of Citizens (NRC) and establish a State Population
enforcement of media policy and this allows officers at Commission (SPC) based on the demand of local
all levels in the police to share information with media. communities of Manipur as they fear outsiders are
Moreover, even if found out, no disciplinary or strict swamping out their numerically weaker indigenous
communities. Although Manipur has been brought under the
action is taken against such police officials.
protective shield of Inner Line Permit (ILP) but still the local
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? communities such as Non-tribal Meitis and Tribal Nagas are
• Media needs to uphold Principles of Justice - The in favour of a stronger and more effective mechanism to
media’s immense power to shape narratives regarding protect its indigenous populations.
public conceptions of justice makes it a close associate
of the justice system, bringing with it a responsibility to
uphold the basic principles of our justice system.
• There is a need to implement recommendations of
200thLaw Commission Report (Trial by Media: Free
Speech versus Fair Trial Under Criminal Procedure
(Amendment to the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971) to
debar media from reporting anything prejudicial to the
rights of the accused from time of arrest to
investigation and trial in criminal cases.
• R.K. Anand v Delhi High Court – Supreme Court
observed that the media and the judiciary are
institutions inhabiting separate spheres and their
functions do not overlap. One cannot and must not
use the other for discharge of its functions. Media
should only engage in acts of journalism and not act as
a special agency for the court. The impermissibility of
freedom of speech and expression amounting to
interference with the administration of justice due to
the prejudicial nature of certain media coverage was
also highlighted.

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
ABOUT INNER LINE PERMIT & RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
• Inner Line Permit was established by British
government under Bengal Eastern Frontier
Regulations, 1873 to safeguard tribals of eastern part
of Bengal.
• The 1873 regulation is also known as Inner Line
Regulation (ILR) or Inner Line Permit (ILP).
• It requires outsiders to obtain a permit from the
government to enter the designated territory.
• Can be issued for travel purposes solely.
• Main objective of ILP system is to provide a special
protection of distinct identity and safeguard for the
peaceful existence of indigenous people of the state
where it is applicable.
• System of ILP is applicable in Arunachal Pradesh,
Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. State of Manipur
was added in the Inner Line Permit System in
December 2019.
WHY LOCALS ARE DEMANDING NRC IN MANIPUR?
1. Prevent influx from Myanmar - The Meiteis and the
Nagas of Manipur claim that an NRC is necessary
because the political crisis in neighbouring Myanmar
has forced hundreds of people into the State from
across its 398-km international border.
2. Higher Population Growth Rate in the Hill Districts
(closer to Myanmar border) as compared to growth in
the valley suggests high influx on Non-Indians from
Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Growth Rate - Hill Growth Rate – Valley
Districts (Imphal and Jiribam, a
small patch adjoining
southern Assam’s Barak
Valley_
153.3% -- 1971 – 2001 94.8% -- 1971 – 2001
250.9% -- 2001 – 2021 125.4% -- 2001 – 2021
3. Outsiders occupying areas of Manipur – Pro-NRC
groups have identified Bangladeshis and Muslims from
Myanmar who have occupied the constituency of
Jiribam and scattered in the valley areas along with
Nepalis (Gurkhas) whose numbers has increased
tremendously.
4. Smaller Indigenous Communities of Manipur may face
extinction due to greater influx of Muslims,
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Bangladeshis and Gurkhas from Myanmar and
adjoining areas.
5. Permit System Lapsed in 1950 led to greater influx -
Pro-NRC group said that Manipur had a robust pass or
permit system that regulated the entry and settlement
of outsiders. But it was abolished by the then chief
commissioner Himmat Singh in November 1950, a
year after merger of Manipur with Union of India.
6. Protection through Inner Line Permit not enough and
there is a need for stronger protection in the form of
NRC.
SOME OPPOSITION TO NRC IN MANIPUR
• Insurgency in 1980s - A movement started in 1980s in
Manipur to detect and deport foreigners from Manipur
leading to imposition of AFSPA in the state. Following
the incidents, state government signed two
agreements and recognised 1951 as the base year for
identifying and evicting the non-residents from
Manipur.
• Cut-off Date of 1961 - However, this year in June,
Nongthombam Biren Singh’s BJP-led government
approved 1961 as the base year for identifying the
“natives” for the purpose of Inner Line Permit.
• Communities Unhappy with new cut-off date - This has
led to resentment among some of the communities as
most groups are not happy with the cut-off year of
1961 and insist on 1951 as the cut-off year for the NRC
exercise.
ASSAM ACCORD LEADING TO NRC IN ASSAM
• Assam Accord was signed between Government of
India, State of Assam and leaders of Assam movement
i.e. All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and All Assam
Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP) on 15th August, 1985.
The leaders of Assam movement were against granting
of Indian citizenship to illegal migrants from
Bangladesh.
• As per the Accord, 1st January 1966 shall be base date
and year for purposes of detection and deletion of
foreigners.
• Foreigners, who came to Assam between 1st January
1966 and 24th March 1971 shall be detected in
accordance with provisions of Foreigners Act, 1946
and Foreigners (Tribunals) Order 1964.
• Names of Foreigners so detected will be deleted from
the electoral rolls in force.
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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
• Such persons will be required to register themselves
before the Registration Officers of the respective
districts in accordance with the provisions of the
Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939 and the
Registration of Foreigners Rules, 1939.
• On expiry of the period of ten years following 1st
January 1966, the names of all such persons which
have been deleted from the electoral rolls shall be
restored.
• Foreigners who came to Assam on or after March 25,
1971 shall continue to be detected, deleted and
expelled in accordance with law. The Central
Government shall also contribute to the Pension Fund
the equal amount as contributed by an eligible
subscriber.
SECTION 6A OF INDIAN CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955
• Section 6A was added through an amendment in the
Citizenship Act and it pertains to special provision as to
citizenship of persons covered by the Assam Accord.
• It mentions that all those who came to Assam on or
after 1st January 1966 but before 25th March 1971 from
Bangladesh and since then have been ordinarily
resident in Assam, must register themselves with the
government of Assam.
ABOUT MANIPUR
• The North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971
provided for the establishment of the States of
Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya and of the Union
Territories of Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh by
reorganisation of the then State of Assam.
• This led to Constitution (Twenty-seventh Amendment)
Act, 1971 adding Article 371-C providing special
provision with respect to Manipur.
• Earlier Manipur was a Union Territory.
ARTICLE 371-C – SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR MANIPUR
• President through an order may provide for the
constitution and functions of a committee of the
Legislative Assembly of the State consisting of
members of that Assembly elected from the Hill Areas of
that State.
• Governor shall
o annually, or
o whenever so required by the President,
make a report to the President –
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
o regarding the administration of the Hill Areas in the
State of Manipur and
executive power of Union shall extend to the giving of
directions to the State as to the administration of the
said areas.
• Hill Areas of Manipur is predominantly inhabited by
members of Scheduled Tribes. To safeguard their
interests, special provisions were made in the
Government of Union Territories Act, 1963 for a
Committee of the Legislative Assembly of the Union
territory of Manipur consisting of members from the
Hill Areas. Once, the Union Territory of Manipur
became a state, the safeguard provided to the people
of Hill Areas was ensured through 27th Constitutional
Amendment and accordingly provisions were made in
Article 371C of the Indian Constitution.
• Expression "Hill Areas" mentioned in Article 371C
means such areas as the President may, by order,
declare to be Hill Areas in the state of Manipur.
SEVENTH GOVERNING
COUNCIL MEETING OF NITI
AAYOG
#NITI Aayog #Governing Council
Prime Minister of India chaired 7th Governing Council
meeting of NITI Aayog and lauded collective efforts of all the
States in the spirit of cooperative federalism to address
various challenges including fighting COVID despite resource
limitations. PM credited the state governments for focusing
on grassroots delivery of public services through cooperation
across political lines. Chief Ministers of Delhi, Bihar,
Telangana and Tamil Nadu did not attend the meeting of
Governing Council. Participating states also highlighted some
concerns and challenges faced by states.
GOVERNING COUNCIL OF NITI AAYOG
• Composition: Governing Council of NITI Aayog,
comprising Chief Ministers of all States and UTs with
legislatures and Lt Governors of other UTs, came into
effect in 2015 via a notification by Cabinet Secretariat.
• Meetings of Governing Council have been held under
chairmanship of Prime Minister with Chief Ministers/Lt
22
 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
Governors of the States/UTs and other members of
the Governing Council.
• Governing Council is premier body tasked with
evolving a shared vision of national priorities and
strategies, with the active involvement of States, in
shaping the development narrative. The Governing
Council, which embodies the objectives of cooperative
federalism, presents a platform to discuss inter-
sectoral, inter-departmental and federal issues to
accelerate the implementation of the national
development agenda.
IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MEETING –
SUGGESTIONS OF PRIME MINISTER
• Seventh Governing Council discussed four key agenda
items:
1. Crop diversification & achieving self-sufficiency in
pulses, oilseeds, other agri-commodities
2. Implementation of National Education Policy (NEP)
in school education.
3. Implementation of National Education Policy in
higher education.
4. Urban Governance.
• Agriculture Sector - PM suggested focusing on
modernized agriculture, animal husbandry and food
processing to become self-sufficient and a global
leader in agriculture sector.
• Rapid Urbanization - can become India’s strength
instead of weakness by leveraging technology to
ensure ease of living, transparent service delivery, and
improvement in the quality of life for every citizen of
urban India.
• Each State to focus on promoting its 3Ts –Trade,
Tourism, Technology
• Vocal for Local - States must focus on reducing
imports, increasing exports and identifying
opportunities for the same in every state. People
should be encouraged to use local goods wherever
possible.
• Need to improve GST Collections - Increasing GST
collection requires collective action by the Centre and
States. It is crucial for strengthening our economic
position and becoming a USD 5 trillion economy.
• National Education Policy (NEP) – has been formulated
after considerable deliberations and there is a need to
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
involve all stakeholders in its implementation and
develop a clear, time bound roadmap for the same.
CONCERNS HIGHLIGHTED BY CHIEF MINISTERS OF
SOME STATES
• Punjab - Providing legal guarantee for Minimum
Support Price on crops to safeguard farmers’ interest
and ensure foolproof marketing system for alternative
crops.
• Chhattisgarh - Extending GST Compensation Cess to
states beyond June 2022 as centre has not made
arrangements to compensate revenue loss of approx
Rs. 5000 crores.
• Kerala – Need to review imposition of GST on essential
commodities and continue GST Compensation cess for
another 5 years. Centre should refrain from making
laws under state list and legislation on concurrent list
must be enacted in consultation with states.
• West Bengal - States should not be pressurised to
implement National Education Policy
• Odisha – States has been historically neglected in
areas such as telecom, railways and banking and has
sought centre’s focus in these areas. The CM further
suggested increasing support to states in dealing with
natural disasters, ensure disaster resilient
infrastructure for Odisha to deal with recurrent
cyclones. Another important suggestion was that NITI
Aayog could take up the role of Ombudsman to
resolve disputes between states and centre in
implementation of central schemes.
• Providing crop insurance
WAY FORWARD
The Governing Council of NITI Aayog has emerged as
another important platform to discuss inter-state issues
at the national level and has helped to strengthen
cooperative federalism. Despite the success, state
governments have also stated their concerns against the
central policy. However, allegations of discrimination by
centre raised by Chief Minister of Telangana and absence
of other Chief Ministers to discuss important regional
issues raises questions on increasing confrontational
federalism in India.
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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
CONSTITUTION AS A
LIVING DOCUMENT
#Dynamic Constitution #Amendments
LDF Government compelled Kerala Minister Saji Cherian to
resign over his remarks on Constitution. Mr. Cherian had
said that the Constitution is British-crafted anti-working class
and is a tool to exploit the common man. There is a view that
contempt of the constitution cannot be termed as a serious
felony because Indian Constitution is a liberal document
subject to changes based on socio-economic or political
situations. This has allowed more than hundred
amendments in the Constitution. Even judicial interpretation
has expanded the understanding of various provisions of the
Constitution including fundamental rights and directive
principles. Let us go through the salient features of Indian
Constitution along with important constitutional
amendments carried over years.
EVOLUTION OF THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION
The evolution of Indian Constitution can be traced from
the Government of India Act, 1935 which contained the
following features:
• Established Indian Federation – having British India
Provinces & Indian States as units.
• Provincial Autonomy – Provinces were no longer
delegates of Centre but were autonomous units of
federation.
• Distribution of Legislative Power between Centre &
Provinces – It provided for Federal List (exclusive
jurisdiction of Centre), Provincial List (exclusive
jurisdiction of Provinces), Concurrent List (both Centre
& Provinces had jurisdiction)
• Governors acted on the advice of Ministers
responsible to Provincial Legislatures.
• Bicameral Central & Provincial Legislature – Legislative
Assembly for five years and Legislative Council as
permanent body not subject to dissolution.
• Federal Court – headed by Chief Justice of India had
original jurisdiction in any dispute between Federation,
Provinces or Federated States.
• Provided for Service Commission – to appoint All India
Service Officers
SALIENT FEATURES OF THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION
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• Nature of Polity - It ensures that India is a SOVEREIGN
SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
• Type of Govt. - It establishes a Parliamentary form of
government where the executive remains accountable
to the legislature.
• Single citizenship – establishes political identity of
citizen and their relations with the state
• Fundamental Rights - It protects the fundamental
rights of citizens against state’s excess and ensures
citizens’ liberty against draconian powers of state.
However, it also provides for reasonable restrictions to
be placed in citizens’ freedom.
• DPSP - Provides for an enabling framework to work
towards aspirations and goals of society through
Directive Principles of State Policy.
• Federalism - As a federal polity, it ensures autonomy
for states – legislative, administrative and financial –
which is protected through State List under Seventh
Schedule.
• Independent Judiciary along with the power of judicial
review ensures check of unaccounted power of state,
helps to interpret the constitution and the laws and
protect rights of citizens.
• Balance of Power – Rather than ensuring strict
separation of power as practiced in United States of
America, Indian constitution ensures balance of power
between legislature, executive & judiciary.
• Amendment process of the constitution is calibrated
and hence different types of majority are needed
(simple, special 2/3rd majority, half of state’s ratification
in certain entrenched provisions) to amend different
provisions of the constitution. However, basic
structure of the constitution cannot be amended by
the Parliament.
• Entrenched Provisions which cannot be easily
amended are:
o Manner of election of President
o Extent of executive powers of union and states
o Supreme Court & High Courts
o Distribution of Legislative, Administrative & Taxing
Powers – Union & States
o Representation of States in Parliament
o Amending A-368 itself
• Ensure free and fair election process through an
independent Election Commission.
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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
• Keeps a check on public finance through the
Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
• Protect the vulnerable section of the society through
Constitutional Bodies: National Commission for
Scheduled Caste, National Commission for Scheduled
Tribes, National Commission for Backward Classes
along with Article 15 (right against discrimination) & 17
(Abolition of Untouchability).
IMPORTANT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
• Constitution 1st Amendment: Addition of Ninth
Schedule (Impacted Judicial Review)
• Constitution 7th Amendment: Resulted in State’s
Reorganisation
• Constitution 14th Amendment: Allowed UT of
Puducherry to have Legislative Assembly for the first
time
• Constitution 24th& 25th Amendment: Changed the
relationship between Fundamental Rights and
Directive Principles
• Constitution 26th Amendment: Abolished Privy Purse
and ceased recognition of Rulers of erstwhile Princely
States by adding Article 363A.
• Constitution 42nd Amendment: Referred as Mini
Constitution made several changes in Preamble, DPSP,
Added Fundamental Duties and Tribunals etc.
• Constitution 44th Amendment: reversed some
changes made by Constitution 42 Amendment –
nd
most notably omitted Article 31 on Compulsory
acquisition of property and removed Right to Property
from fundamental right to constitutional right under
Article 300A.
• Constitution 52nd Amendment: Added Tenth Schedule
which provided for disqualification of members on
grounds of defection.
• Constitution 61st Amendment – changed the voting age
from 21 years to 18 years.
• Constitution 69th Amendment – National Capital
Territory of Delhi to have Legislative Assembly
• Constitution 73rd and 74th Amendment –ensured
constitutional status to Panchayats and Municipalities
thereby strengthening grass root democracy in India
• Constitution 91st Amendment – Limited the size of
Council of Ministers in Parliament and State
Assemblies to 15% of the total number of members of
Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. It also
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omitted Paragraph 3 of Tenth Schedule pertaining to
split of 1/3rd of members of political party.
• Constitution 101st Amendment – Parliament enacted
the landmark GST Laws in India.
• Constitution 102nd Amendment –Constitutional status
was bestowed upon the National Commission for
Backward Classes
• Constitution 103rd Amendment – Provided Reservation
of 10% over the existing reservation in educational
institutions and public service to Economically Weaker
Sections (EWS) of the society.
• Constitution 104th Amendment - amended Article 334
to extend reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and
Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Lok Sabha & State Legislative
Assemblies (SLA) reservation for another 10 years up
to 25th January 2030. However, the amendment did
not extend the reservation for Anglo-Indians in Lok
Sabha & SLA under Article 334 for another 10 years.
• Constitution 105th Amendment - By amending Article
338B, 342A and 366(26C) the amendment allows states
and union territories to prepare their own list of
socially and educationally backward classes.
WAY FORWARD - Constitutional Amendments have not
only infused life in the Indian Constitution but it has also
addressed contemporary challenges of the Indian Society
thereby fulfilling the mandate of social, economic and
political Justice as provided in the Preamble to the Indian
Constitution.
SUSPENSION &
WITHDRAWAL OF MP
#Suspension #Withdrawal #Rules of
Procedure
Members of Parliament both in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
have been suspended due to their unruly behaviour on
certain issues like price rise. Rajya Sabha passed the motion
to suspend senior Aam Aadmi Party member Sanjay Singh
for unruly behaviour in the well of the house. Whereas the
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla suspended four Congress MPs
for the remaining part of the current session for
misconduct. Some MPs have been suspended for a week
25
 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
whereas some MPs have been suspended for the rest of the
session.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUSPENSION AND
WITHDRAWAL
• Withdrawal (Absent from remaining sitting on that
Day) – Under the Rules of Procedure of Lok Sabha and
Rajya Sabha, if the Speaker/Chairman is of the opinion
that the conduct of any member is grossly disorderly,
may direct such member to withdraw immediately
from the House. This would mean that such member
shall remain absent during the remainder of the day’s
sitting. (Rajya Sabha – Rule 255; Lok Sabha – Rule 373)
• Suspension of Member (for specific period, may result
in suspension for the entire session) - Under the Rules
of Procedure of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, MPs can
be suspended from the service of the House for a
period not exceeding the remainder of the session.
(Rajya Sabha – Rule 256; Lok Sabha – Rule 374).
However, the suspension can be revoked through
another motion passed in Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha.
POWER OF CHAIRMAN - RULES OF PROCEDURE AND
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS IN THE COUNCIL OF STATES
The Rules of Procedure of Rajya Sabha also provides for
the withdrawal & suspension of Members of Rajya Sabha.
It is slightly different from Lok Sabha.
• Withdrawal of Member regarding disorderly conduct in
the House.
• Suspension of Member - shall take place after Rajya
Sabha adopts a motion for suspension for remaining
session.
• Council can terminate the suspension by passing
another motion.
• So, unlike Lok Sabha, the motion for suspension of
member of Rajya Sabha is not moved by the Chairman
but is adopted by the Council.
POWER OF SPEAKER - RULES OF PROCEDURE AND
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS IN LOK SABHA
• Maintaining Orderly Business
• Withdrawal of Member in case of disorderly conduct in
the House for the remaining day
• A motion of is moved by Speaker - if passed by the
House - results in suspension of the member for the
remainder of the Session of the House.
• The suspension of such member can be terminated on
presenting of another motion in the House.
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• Speaker appoints a committee to investigate the
conduct and activities of MP, whether it is derogatory
to the dignity of the House and inconsistent with the
Code of Conduct.
• Committee on Ethics can also be asked to give its
recommendations.
• Consequent to the findings of committee a motion for
expulsion is adopted by the house.
COMMITTEE ON ETHICS
• Consists of 15 members nominated by Speaker.
Chairperson of the Committee is appointed by
Speaker from amongst the Members of the
Committee.
• Functions of Ethics Committee are:
(a) to examine every complaint relating to unethical
conduct of a Member of Lok Sabha referred to it
by the Speaker and make such
recommendations as it may deem fit.
(b) to formulate a Code of Conduct for Members
and suggest amendments or additions to the
Code of Conduct from time to time.
• Committee can conduct a preliminary enquiry on
matters referred to it.
• Committee can take up the matter for further
investigation if needed.
• Report of the Committee shall be presented to the
Speaker who may direct that the report be laid on
the Table of the House.
• As per Members of Lok Sabha (Declaration of Assets
and Liabilities) Rules, 2004 - every elected candidate
of Lok Sabha shall, within 90 days from the date on
which he makes and subscribes an oath or
affirmation for taking his seat, furnish information
pertaining to his/her Assets and Liabilities.
OTHER REASONS FOR DISRUPTIONS
• Discussion on matters of controversy and public
importance -Eg: Demand for discussion on Pegasus
Snooping and Farm Laws.
• Opposition members coming together as a group to
block key Bills in Rajya Sabha.
• Application of Anti-Defection - Application of Whip by
Political Parties to vote in a certain way stifles
individual opinion of members and place political
party’s privilege and desires over individual.
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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
• Disruptions help Ruling Party to evade responsibility
on governance and policy measures: Governments in
some instances schedule transaction of business of
each Session in such manner to pave the way for
greater disruptions in Parliament. Such disruptions
make it impossible for the Speaker/Chairman to
conduct the Question Hour/Zero Hour and allow
governments to avoid answering questions posed to
them.
• Lack of dedicated time for unlisted discussion -
increase in the number of parties in the House has led
to a proportionate reduction in the amount of time
available to each party for discussion.
• Rare resort to disciplinary powers by
Speaker/Chairman - As a result, most members
engaging in disorderly conduct are neither deterred
nor restrained from engaging in such conduct.
IMPACT OF DISRUPTION
• Decline in overall productivity of the assembly and
Parliament.
• Bills are passed hurriedly and without much debate or
scrutiny.
• Less number of Bills is referred to Parliamentary or
State Legislative Committees.
• Passing of Budgets by states and Parliament without
much debate and discussion.
• Declining functioning of Parliament and State
Assemblies reflects disregard for parliamentary
practices and democratic norms.
WHAT CONTINUED PARLIAMENTARY DISRUPTIONS
REFLECT?
• Break in Parliamentary Proceedings and that of State
Assemblies impacts their productivity which is
unhealthy for Indian democracy.
• Increasing unparliamentary behaviour during the
session shows lack of respect for democratic norms
and decorum.
• Disregarding the Speaker/Chairman leads to
disciplinary actions against erring Members including
their suspension from discussion.
WHY IS DECLINING WORKING HOURS OF PARLIAMENT
& STATE ASSEMBLIES A CONCERN?
• Lack of debates on key issues impacts governance.
• Lack of discussion in turn affects lives of citizens in
multiple ways.
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• Shows lack of concern by elected members and their
performance deficit goes unaccounted
• Results in passing of budget of various departments
without any discussion. This leads to disproportionate
and unbalanced allocation of resources
• Budget passed without discussion shows lack of
coordination with opposition members
• Increasing use of Ordinance route to pass legislation
by Centre and states.
UNDERSTANDING
BLASPHEMY & HATE
SPEECH
#Blasphemy #Hate Speech #Freedom
WHAT DOES THE NEWS HIGHLIGHT?
• Blasphemy refers to the action or offence of speaking
sacrilegiously about God or sacred things. Indian penal
laws has prescribed punishment for acts which can be
termed as blasphemous or hurting religious
sentiments from Section 295 to Section 298 of the
Indian Penal Code (IPC).
• The term hate speech though not defined under the
Indian Penal Code, Constitution of India or other laws
but can be regulated through Article 19(2) which allows
state to impose reasonable restrictions on such
speech which may incite violence or disturbs public
order and Section 153 and 153A of IPC.
• Reasonable Restrictions under Article 19(2) -
Constitution acknowledges that liberty cannot be
absolute or uncontrolled and thereby enabled the
legislature to impose reasonable restrictions on the
exercise of the right to freedom of speech and
expression in the interests of
(i) the security of the state and sovereignty and
integrity of India,
(ii) friendly relations with foreign States,
(iii) public order,
(iv) decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of
court,
(v) defamation or incitement to an offence.
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 Constituti0n, Polity and
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BLASPHEMY LAWS UNDER IPC
Section 295 - Injuring or defiling place of worship, with
intent to insult the religion of any class
• Whoever destroys, damages or defiles any place of
worship, or
• any object held sacred by any class of persons with the
intention of thereby insulting the religion of any class
of persons or
• with the knowledge that any class of persons is likely
to consider such destruction, damage or defilement as
an insult to their religion
• shall be punished with imprisonment of either
description for a term which may extend to two years,
or with fine, or with both.
Section 295A - Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to
outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its
religion or religious beliefs
• Whoever, with deliberate and malicious intention of
outraging the religious feelings of any class of citizens
of India,
• by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by
visible representations or otherwise, insults or
attempts to insult the religion or the religious beliefs of
that class
• shall be punished with imprisonment of either
description for a term which may extend to three
years, or with fine, or with both.
Section 296 - Disturbing religious assembly
• Whoever voluntarily causes disturbance to any
assembly lawfully engaged in the performance of
religious worship, or religious ceremonies
• shall be punished with imprisonment of either
description for a term which may extend to one year,
or with fine, or with both.
Section 297 - Trespassing on burial places, etc.
• Whoever, with the intention of wounding the feelings
of any person, or of insulting the religion of any person
or
• with the knowledge that the feelings of any person are
likely to be wounded, or that the religion of any person
is likely to be insulted thereby,
• commits any trespass in any place of worship or on
any place of sepulture (burial), or any place set apart
for the performance of funeral rites or as a depository
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
for the remains of the dead, or
• offers any indignity to any human corpse, or causes
disturbance to any persons assembled for the
performance of funeral ceremonies,
• shall be punished with imprisonment of either
description for a term which may extend to one year,
or with fine, or with both.
Section 298 - Uttering words, etc. with deliberate intent to
wound religious feelings
• Whoever, with the deliberate intention of wounding
the religious feelings of any person,
• utters any word or makes any sound in the hearing of
that person or makes any gesture in the sight of that
persons or places any object in the sight of that
person,
• shall be punished with imprisonment of either
description for a term which may extend to one year,
or with fine, or with both.
LEGALITY OF BLASPHEMY LAWS UNDER IPC
Ramji Lal Modi case (1957)
• The legality of Section 295(A), which had been
challenged in the Ramji Lal Modi case (1957), was
affirmed by a five-judge Bench of the Supreme Court.
• Supreme Court held that while Article 19(2) allows
reasonable limits on freedom of speech and
expression for the sake of public order, the
punishment under Section 295(A) deals with
aggravated form of blasphemy which is committed
with the malicious aim of offending the religious
sensibilities of any class.
Superintendent, Central Prison, Fatehgarh vs Ram
Manohar Lohia
• Supreme Court stated that link between speech
spoken and any public disorder caused because of it
should have a close relationship for retrieving Section
295(A) of IPC.
• By 2011, it concluded that only speech that amounts to
"incitement to impending unlawful action" can be
punished.
• That is, the state must meet a very high bar before
using public disturbance as a justification for
suppressing expression.
HATE SPEECH
Section 153A - Promoting enmity between different
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 Constituti0n, Polity and
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groups on ground of religion, race, place of birth,
residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to
maintenance of harmony
• Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by
signs or by visible representations or otherwise,
• promotes or attempts to promote, on grounds of
religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste
or community or any other ground whatsoever
• disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will
between different religious, racial, language or
regional groups or castes or communities, or
• commits any act which is prejudicial to the
maintenance of harmony between different religious,
racial, language or regional groups or castes or
communities, and which disturbs or is likely to disturb
the public tranquility
• organizes any exercise, movement, drill or other
similar activity intending that the participants in such
activity shall use or be trained to use criminal force or
violence
• against any religious, racial, language or regional
group or caste or community
• and such activity cause fear or alarm or a feeling of
insecurity amongst members of such religious, racial,
language or regional group or caste or community,
• shall be punished with imprisonment which may
extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
• Section 153A (2) - Offence committed in place of
worship, etc –
• Whoever commits an offence (as stated above) in any
place of worship or in any assembly engaged in the
performance of religious worship or religious
ceremonies
• shall be punished with imprisonment which may
extend to five years and shall also be liable to fine.
STEPS TO DEFINE HATE SPEECH AS A SEPARATE
OFFENCE
• Ministry of Home Affairs has constituted a committee
headed by Prof. (Dr.) Ranbir Singh, to recommend
changes in criminal law is seeking to formulate new
provisions that will make hate speech a separate
offence.
• T.K. Viswanathan Committee (2017) suggested adding
two new provisions in IPC - Sections 153C and 505A.
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• Section 153C would target speech that gravely
threatens any person or group with intention to cause
fear or alarm, or incite violence towards them, and
prescribe a sentence of two years in prison and a fine.
• Section 505A, on the other hand, proposes to punish
speech or writing that causes fear or alarm among a
group, or provokes violence against it, on grounds of
race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, place of birth
or disability.
LINK BETWEEN SECTION 153A & 295A
• Hate speech can be said to be the violation of Article
19(1)(a) whereby reasonable restrictions clause is
attracted and state can take reasonable measures to
curb such speech which might disturb public order.
• Section 153A and 295A of Indian Penal Code restricts
and punishes various elements of hate speech (done
purposely to incite feelings) by explaining the
constituents of such activities which might be
prejudicial to public harmony or such deliberate or
malicious acts which insults religious beliefs.
• However, the problem so far has been the disparity in
interpretation of the laws (Section 153A and 295A of
Indian Penal Code) and their implementation by
administrative authorities.
WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO DEFINE HATE SPEECH UNDER
INDIAN LAWS?
• Increasing instances of hate speech as per NCRB data -
while there were only 323 cases registered in 2014, it
had increased to 1,804 cases in 2020.
• Incites Hostility and disturbs public order and
communal peace
• Increasing use of Section 295A of IPC - Section 295(A) is
now usually used to penalise religious dissent, satire,
and any comedic content with religious references.
• Section 295(A) used for political ends – The provision is
also used to silent dissenters or to achieve political
ends leading to further infractions within the society.
• Boundary for Disagreements must be drawn -
Democracy thrives on disagreements provided they do
not cross the boundaries of civil discourse. Critical and
dissenting voices are important for a vibrant society.
However, care must be taken to prevent public
discourse from becoming a tool to promote speech
inimical to public order.
• Indian Regulations do not draw a line between
criticism and premeditated hate speech: Failing to
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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
articulate these distinctions diminishes fair use of
Section 295(A) and makes it more difficult to define
and penalise the actual crime of hate speech.
• Protect Vulnerable Sections - Laws strive to harmonise
the freedom of expression with right to equality, hence
seeks to prevent such speech which marginalizes the
vulnerable sections of the society. To protect this
group from discriminatory attitudes and practices, it is
necessary to curb such forms of expression that have
the potential of inciting fear, hatred and violence and
such speeches must be regulated by law.
• Grounds to Restrict Hate Speech - Human Rights
Council’s ‘Report of Special Rapporteur on the
promotion and protection of the right to freedom of
opinion and expression on content regulation on
internet, expressed that freedom of expression can be
restricted on the following grounds
(i) child pornography
(ii) hate speech
(iii) defamation
(iv) direct and public incitement to commit genocide
(v) advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that
constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility
or violence
• Brij Bhushan v. State of Delhi – Supreme Court in 1950
stated that public order was allied to the public safety
and considered equivalent to security of the State. This
interpretation was validated by the First Constitution
Amendment, when public order was inserted as a
ground of restriction under 19(2).
• The importance of allowing expression, howsoever,
unpopular has been stressed by J.S. Mill in the
following words, in his work ‘On Liberty’ – “If all mankind
minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person
were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more
justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had
the power, would be justified in silencing mankind.”
RELEASE UNDERTRIAL
PRISONERS
#Undertrial Prisoners #DLSA
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During First All India District Legal Services Authorities (DLSA)
Meet, Supreme Court Judges including Chief Justice of India,
Prime Minister and Law Minister urged to release undertrial
prisoners. Prime Minister emphasized that access to judicial
system was equally important as delivery of justice for any
society especially at district level and the DLSAs needs to take
up the responsibility of providing legal aid to undertrial
prisoners in their area. DLSA are constituted under the Legal
Services Authorities Act, 1987.
ABOUT UNDERTRIAL PRISONERS
• Undertrial prisoners are those accused facing trial in
any court and during such trial are kept in judicial
custody in prison.
• According to Prison Statistics India report published by
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in 2020
o 76% of prison inmates are undertrial prisoners
o Number of undertrial prisoners has increased by
11.7% from 2019.
o Highest Number of Undertrials lodged in District Jail
(50%), followed by Central Jails (36.1%) and Sub Jails
(11.9%)
• When undertrial prisoners are kept in prison, it alters
basic criminal jurisprudence which believes that an
accused unless proven guilty cannot be considered as
a criminal in the eyes of law.
PROBLEMS FACED BY UNDERTRIAL PRISONERS
• Undertrials are subjected to psychological and physical
deprivations of jail life, usually under more difficult
conditions than are imposed on convicted defendants.
• Significantly affects their socio-economic standing –
Loss of job and the social stigma in the society
increase the burden of their detention as such burden
generally falls heavily on the innocent members of the
family.
• Lack of legal aid - majority of the undertrial prisoners
lacked legal awareness and necessary means to
approach the courts. Thus, there is a need to improve
access to justice especially for the vulnerable sections
as it will also help to achieve the goals of Article 39A.
WHAT ROLE CAN DISTRICT LEGAL SERVICES
AUTHORITIES PLAY IN RELEASE OF UNDERTRIAL
PRISONERS?
• According to CJI, strengthening the district judiciary
was the “need of the hour” as it is the first point of
contact for much of the population.
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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
• The district judges, as chairpersons of Undertrial
Review Committees (UTRCs), can expedite the release
of undertrial prisoners.
• National Legal Service Authority (NALSA) through its
State Legal Services Authority (SLSAs) and DLSAs is
already working in this regard through Under Trial
Review Committee (UTRCs) by making available free
legal aid/legal counsel to the undertrials.
DISTRICT LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY
• The State Government shall, in consultation with the
Chief Justice of the High Court, constitute a body to be
called the District Legal Services Authority for every
District in the State to exercise the powers and
perform the functions conferred on them.
• A District Authority shall consist of the following:
(a) the District Judge who shall be its Chairman.
(b) such number of other members, possessing such
experience and qualifications, to be nominated by
that Government in consultation with the Chief
Justice of the High Court.
(c) The State Authority shall, in consultation with the
Chairman of the District Authority, appoint a
person belonging to the State Judicial Service not
lower in rank than that of a Subordinate Judge or
Civil Judge posted at the seat of the District
Judiciary as Secretary of the District Authority to
exercise such powers and perform such duties
under the Chairman of that Committee.
FUNCTIONS OF DISTRICT AUTHORITY
• It shall be the duty of every District Authority to
perform such of the functions of the State Authority in
the District as may be delegated to it from time to
(a) Co-ordinate the activities of the Taluk Legal
Services Committee and other legal services in the
District and
(b) To organise Lok Adalats within the District.
• District Authority shall, wherever appropriate, act in
coordination with other governmental and non-
governmental institutions, universities and others
engaged in the work of promoting the cause of legal
services to the poor and shall also be guided by such
directions as the Central Authority or the State
Authority.
THE UNDERTRIAL REVIEW COMMITTEE (UTRC)
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• Under Trial Review Committees (UTRCs) are headed by
the District & Session Judges, who are also the
Chairperson of the DLSAs, have been established in all
the districts.
• UTRCs are an oversight mechanism that is headed by a
judicial officer and find representation from the district
administration, probation, police and prison
departments.
• They periodically visit jails to conduct reviews of cases
of undertrials who have visibly stayed longer in prison
than necessary.
• The mechanism calls upon these actors to guarantee
fair trial rights as enshrined in the Constitution and
other statutes to those who have not been able to
exercise them.
IMPORTANT ROLE PLAYED BY UTCRS IN RELEASING
UNDERTRIAL PRISONERS
• During last year, a total of 21,148 meetings of UTRCs
were held resulting in release of 31,605 undertrial
inmates.
• Union Minister for Law and Justice appealed the State
Legal Services Authorities to further intensify their
efforts to provide legal counsel/aid to the under-trial
prisoners so that in co-ordination with the Under Trial
review Committee maximum number of undertrial
prisoners are released.
• He further appealed the High Courts to ensure during
this period, regular meetings of UTRC headed by the
concerned District Judge is conducted so that
maximum number of undertrial prisoners languishing
in our jails are recommended for release before 15th
August 2022.
WAY FORWARD
• According to CJI, Modern India was built around the
goal of removing the disparities in the society. Project
Democracy is about providing a space for participation
of all. Participation will not be possible without social
emancipation. Access to justice is a tool for social
emancipation.
• Justice Chandrachud added that justice should not be
limited to the socio-economically privileged sections
and it was the duty of the state actors to secure a “just
and egalitarian” social order.
ABOUT LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY ACT, 1987
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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
• Constitutes Legal Services Authorities at National and
respective State level to provide free and competent
legal services to the weaker sections of the society.
• Provides Opportunities to Secure Justice – to citizens
despite economic or other disabilities.
• Organises Lok Adalats and other Alternate Dispute
Resolution mechanisms - to provide quick, inexpensive
and effective resolution of disputes and promote
justice on a basis of equal opportunity as per Article
14.
• Minimises Load on Regular Courts by settling disputes
at ground level.
• Authorizes formation of Supreme Court Legal Services
Committee, High Court Legal Services Committee and
Taluk Legal Services Committee.
FUNCTIONS OF NATIONAL LEGAL SERVICES
AUTHORITY
• Frames effective and economical schemes - to make
legal services available to the weaker sections of the
society.
• Take necessary steps towards Social Justice Litigation -
consumer protection, environmental protection or any
other matter of concern to the weaker sections of the
society.
• Train Social workers in Legal Skills for promotion of
justice.
• Undertake and Promote Research in the field of legal
services with special reference to the need for such
services among the poor.
• Monitor and Evaluate implementation of the legal aid
programmes and schemes at periodic intervals and
provide for their independent evaluation.
• Provides Grants-in-aid for specific schemes to various
voluntary social service institutions and the State and
District Authorities.
• Develop Programmes for Clinical Legal Education with
the help of Bar Council of India and promote guidance
and supervise the establishment and working of legal
services clinics in universities, law colleges and other
institutions.
• Enlist Support of Voluntary Social Welfare Institutions
working at the grass-root level, particularly among the
Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, women
and rural and urban labour.
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• Co-ordinate and monitor the functioning of State
Authorities, District Authorities, Supreme Court Legal
Services Committee, High Court Legal Services
Committees, Taluk Legal Services Committees,
voluntary social service institutions and other legal
services organisations.
LEGAL SERVICES & FREE LEGAL AID
• As per Legal Services Authorities Act, “legal services”
includes any service in the conduct of any case or
other legal proceeding before any court or other
authority or tribunal and the giving of advice on any
legal matter.
• Free legal aid is the provision of free legal services in
civil and criminal matters for those poor and
marginalized people who cannot afford the services of
a lawyer for the conduct of a case or a legal
proceeding in any Court, Tribunal or Authority.
• These services are governed by Legal Services
Authorities Act, 1987 and headed by the National Legal
Services Authority (NALSA).
• Provision of free legal aid may include:
o Representation by an Advocate in legal proceedings.
o Payment of process fees, expenses of witnesses
and all other charges payable or incurred in
connection with any legal proceedings in
appropriate cases.
o Preparation of pleadings, memo of appeal, paper
book including printing and translation of
documents in legal proceedings.
o Drafting of legal documents, special leave petition
etc.
o Supply of certified copies of judgments, orders,
notes of evidence and other documents in legal
proceedings.
• Free Legal Services also include provision of aid and
advice to the beneficiaries to access the benefits under
the welfare statutes and schemes framed by the
Central Government or the State Government and to
ensure access to justice in any other manner.
ELIGIBLE PEOPLE UNDER SECTION 12 OF LEGAL
SERVICES AUTHORITIES ACT WHO ARE ENTITLED FOR
FREE LEGAL SERVICES ARE
• A member of a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe.
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 Constituti0n, Polity and
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• A victim of trafficking in human beings or begar (Article
23 of Constitution).
• A woman or a child.
• A mentally ill or otherwise disabled person.
• A person under circumstances of undeserved want
such as being a victim of a mass disaster, ethnic
violence, caste atrocity, flood, drought, earthquake or
industrial disaster; or
• An industrial workman; or
• In custody, including custody in a protective home
within the meaning of clause (g) of Section 2 of the
Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956(104 of 1956); or
in a juvenile home within the meaning of clause(j) of
Section 2 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 1986 (53 of 1986);
or in a psychiatric hospital or psychiatric nursing home
within the meaning of clause (g) of Section 2 of the
Mental Health Act, 1987(14 of 1987);or
• A person in receipt of annual income less than the
amount mentioned in the following schedule (or any
other higher amount as may be prescribed by the
State Government), if the case is before a Court other
than the Supreme Court, and less than Rs 5 Lakh, if the
case is before the Supreme Court.
DEBATE ON FREEBIES
#Freebies #DPSP #Welfare State #Election
Commission
Supreme Court in a petition has asked Centre to find out
from the Finance Commission if there is a way to curb
political parties from promising and distributing “irrational
freebies” during election campaigns. Chief Justice of India
N.V. Ramana flagged the issue as “serious” and asked for
means to control the promise of “freebies” to entice voters.
WHAT ARE FREEBIES OR POPULIST MEASURES?
• Political parties in their election campaign promises
many free services for citizens to entice the voters
such as promise to offer free electricity, free water
supply, monthly allowance to unemployed, daily wage
workers and women, providing laptops, smartphones,
bicycles etc.
• At times even central government is accused of
handing out freebies through the Union Budget
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
announced annually. Such budgets are termed as
populist budget as it makes provisions for spending on
welfare policies to please people without having any
enduring positive impact on the economy.
DOES DPSP FAVOURS PROVIDING FREEBIES?
• The term “freebies” as used in the petition filed in
Supreme Court refers to irrational promises made by
the political parties especially during elections to lure
voters. Thus, there is a need to differentiate between
welfare schemes to further the mandate of DPSP and
irrational freebies which ultimately distorts the
financial health of states if such freebies as poll
promises are distributed among citizens.
• Preamble to the Indian Constitution provides for
social, economic and political justice whereas the
directive principles under PART IV of the constitution
calls for affirmative action to fulfill the ideals of socio-
economic justice.
• Further Article 38, 39 and 47 calls for taking welfare
measures for the protection of vulnerable sections of
the society including focus on nutrition, health and
education.
Article 38 - State to secure a social order for the
promotion of welfare of the people
1. State shall strive to promote the welfare of the people
by securing and protecting as effectively as it may a
social order in which justice, social, economic and
political, shall inform all the institutions of the national
life.
2. State shall strive to minimise the inequalities in
income, and endeavour to eliminate inequalities in
status, facilities and opportunities, not only amongst
individuals but also amongst groups of people
residing in different areas or engaged in different
vocations.
Article 39 - Certain principles of policy to be followed by
the State - The State shall direct its policy towards
securing—
(a) that the citizens, men and women equally, have the
right to an adequate means of livelihood.
(b) that the ownership and control of the material
resources of the community are so distributed as best
to subserve the common good.
(c) that the operation of the economic system does not
result in the concentration of wealth and means of
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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
production to the common detriment.
(d) that there is equal pay for equal work for both men
and women.
(e) that the health and strength of workers, men and
women, and the tender age of children are not
abused and that citizens are not forced by economic
necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their age or
strength.
(f) that children are given opportunities and facilities to
develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of
freedom and dignity and that childhood and youth are
protected against exploitation and against moral and
material abandonment.
Article 47 - Duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition
and the standard of living and to improve public health -
• The State shall regard the raising of the level of
nutrition and the standard of living of its people and
the improvement of public health as among its
primary duties and the State shall endeavor to bring
about prohibition of the consumption except for
medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs
which are injurious to health.
UPTO CENTRAL & STATE GOVERNMENT
• Thus, central government is entitled to fulfill
aspirations of such section of the society which is
vulnerable and needs state’s support. So, it is upto the
respective central and state government to ensure
balance between provision of welfare policies along
with ensuring economic prudence.
• It is because of this aspect, Directive Principles are
non-justiciable part of the Constitution and
government cannot be forced to provide for welfare
measures to different sections of vulnerable
populations.
• However, there is no law which either defines freebies,
incentives or such poll promises which can be
considered as irrational affecting fiscal prudence of
states.
VIEWS OF ELECTION COMMISSION (EC) ON FREEBIES
• Political Decision Beyond EC’s Jurisdiction - Election
Commission said that offering freebies either before
or after elections is a policy decision of any political
party. The electoral laws do not allow EC to regulate or
question policy decision which may be taken by the
winning party when they form the government.
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• Regulating Freebies by EC would be overreach of EC’s
Power - Regulating policy decisions of political parties
including decisions on freebies without enabling
provisions in the law, would be an overreach of
powers of EC.
• Policy affecting finance to be decided by state govt: EC
told Supreme Court that whether such policies are
financially viable or has adverse effect on economic
health of State or Union is a question that must be
considered and decided by voters of India.
CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY BUREAUCRATS
• Several bureaucrats in their meeting with Prime
Minister have expressed concern over populist
schemes announced by political parties during state
elections.
• It was highlighted that the announcements and
schemes made in several states were economically
unsustainable and there was a need to convince the
states to take a balanced call, weighing the political
urgency with fiscal health.
BENEFITS PROVIDED BY FREEBIES (ILLUSTRATIONS)
• Public Distribution System under National Food
Security Act - world’s largest food security programme’
by distributing free food grain, through the Pradhan
Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) to around
80 crore ration cardholders.
• PMGKAY Provided Nutrition during Pandemic -
PMGKAY kept citizens away from the brink of
starvation during the novel coronavirus
pandemic. Subsidised foodgrains distributed under
the PDS not only contribute to ensuring basic food
security but also act as an implicit income transfer
allowing the poor to afford commodities that they
otherwise could not.
• Assures Remunerative Prices for Farmers through MSP
- PDS also plays an important role in our country
where public procurement at minimum support prices
(MSPs) is one of the main instruments of support to
farmers. The PDS allows foodgrains to be available for
cheap for consumers while assuring remunerative
prices to farmers.
• Contributes to Human Development (Midday Meal
Scheme) - Despite the ‘subsidy’ burden incurred due to
welfare schemes, it contributes to human
development and protection of the basic rights of the
people to nutrition, work, etc., essentially the right to
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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
life with dignity. Mid-day meals in schools have been parameters of states Lack of regulation for
proven to contribute to increased enrolment and irrational freebies promised
retention in schools and addressing classroom during elections apart from
hunger. existing welfare schemes.
• Provided Right to Work – Under Mahatma Gandhi Although freebies or populist measures are not
NREGS, a rural household is eligible for at least 100 prohibited by any law, political parties must take a
days of guaranteed wage employment against their rational stand during political campaign considering its
demand for wage employment. impact on government finances.
Positives Negatives

Fulfills Constitutional
Mandate: Allows central &
state governments to
fulfill mandate of DPSP to
ensure social & economic
justice.
Transfer of grants to less
developed states based
on Finance Commission’s
recommendations allow
such states to implement
welfare policies for the
weaker sections.
Welfare Schemes Helps
Weaker Section - Welfare
schemes in different areas
such as agriculture,
education, health services
ultimately benefit weaker
sections. Welfare schemes
such as free or subsidised
rations under Public
Distribution System (PDS),
cooked meals under the
mid-day meal scheme,
supplementary nutrition
through anganwadis, and
work provided through
Mahatma Gandhi National
Rural Employment
Guarantee Act
(MGNREGA).
Improves human
development
Burdens Finance: Irrational
or unnecessary freebies
STANDING COMMITTEE’S
puts strains on financial
health of state and central
CONCERNS ON GRIEVANCE
government. REDRESSAL MECHANSIM
#Grievance Redressal #CPGRAMS
Disturbs level playing
field for Voter - Promise of
distribution of freebies
disturbs the level playing Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievance and Pensions has
field as voters are enticed to informed Parliamentary Standing Committee that the
vote for a particular political government is working to develop a “technology solution,”
party. where grievances published in newspapers and on social
media platforms can be suo motu registered on Centralised
Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS)
Not a Corrupt Practice -
for action by the authorities concerned. The information was
Promise of irrational freebie
mentioned in 119th Action Taken Report of the Committee on
in the party manifesto
“Strengthening of Grievance Redressal Mechanism of
cannot be declared as
Government of India.” Earlier, the Department Related
“corrupt practice” under
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public
Section 123 of
Grievances, Law and Justice brought 111th Report on
Representation of People
‘Strengthening of Grievance Redressal Mechanism of
Act, 1951 – S. Subramaniam
Government of India’. The Committee has identified the
Balaji v Govt. of Tamil Nadu
shortcomings and suggested measures to facilitate effective
and efficient redressal of public grievances. The Committee
Model Code of Conduct believes that an efficient and effective grievance redressal
cannot be legally mechanism ensures accountability and increases citizen
regulated - Although satisfaction, both of which are key elements of good
Manifesto of Political Party governance.
is covered under the Model
IMPORTANCE OF GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL
Code of Conduct but
MECHANISMS
Election Commission cannot
1. Grievance Redressal Mechanism of an organisation is
regulate its content
an instrument to measure its efficiency and
including freebies as MCC
effectiveness.
does not have a legal
backing. 2. Provides important feedback on the working of the
organisation.
3. Ensures timely delivery of services

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL MECHANISM OF THE discussion to ensure grievance handling has been
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AT THE APEX LEVEL done in a fair, objective and just manner.
• There are primarily two designated nodal agencies in • DPG can also suggest suitable recommendations to be
Central Government managing these grievances. adopted by the concerned Ministry/department which
These agencies are: must implement them within one month.
1. Department of Administrative Reforms and Public GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL MECHANISM (CPGRAMS)
Grievances, Ministry of Personnel, Public • CPGRAMS is an online portal available to public 24x7
Grievances and Pensions to lodge their grievances against the authorities on any
2. Directorate of Public Grievances, Cabinet subject related to service delivery. It is a single portal
Secretariat. connected to all the Ministries/Departments of
DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS & Government of India and States.
PUBLIC GRIEVANCES (DARPG) • CPGRAMS also facilitates tracking grievances through a
• Nodal agency in respect of policy initiatives on public system generated Unique Registration Number.
grievances redress mechanism and citizen centric • The system enables Ministries/ Departments to take
initiatives. appropriate action and upload the Action Taken
• Role of DARPG - undertake citizen centric initiatives in Report (ATR) on the system which can be viewed by
the fields of administrative reforms and public the citizens online with the help of the unique
grievances to registration number.

o ensure quality delivery of public services to the • Public grievances usually come in two forms: 1.
citizen in a hassle-free manner and Through CPGRAMS; and 2. Through post.

o eliminate the causes of grievances.
• Allocation of Business Rules, 1961, allocates to DARPG
the responsibility for Policy, Coordination
Monitoring of issues relating to
o Redress of Public Grievances in general.
• The grievances received by post are digitized and sent
both through the System as well as by post to the
Ministry/ Department/ State Government concerned.
and
CONCERNS EXPRESSED & RECOMMENDATIONS
PROVIDED BY THE COMMITTEE

o Grievances pertaining to Central Government Recommendations of

Concerns Expressed
Agencies. Standing Committee

• In accordance with federal principle of governance, Disposing Grievance Comply Instructions of

grievances relating to States are forwarded to without proper closure DARPG – and Ministries or
concerned State Government for appropriate action. along with suggestion to Departments must give valid
• DARPG has established the Centralised Public visit another agency or reasons for closure.
Grievance Redress & Monitoring System (CPGRAMS). subordinate office.

DIRECTORATE OF PUBLIC GRIEVANCES (DPG) Most grievances received CPGRAMS should play the
• DPG was set up in Cabinet Secretariat in 1988. DPG on CPGRAMS relating to role of facilitator for the
was set up initially to look into individual complaints states are disposed and public without impinging on
pertaining to four Central Government Departments, not forwarded to the nature of federalism and
but now is handling grievances pertaining to 16 respective states forward grievances to
Central Government Organisations. respective state government

• DPG has been envisaged as an appellate body or their department.

investigating grievances where the complainant had The performance of states on

failed to get redress at the hands of internal machinery the portal can be left to them
and the hierarchical authorities. but the facilitation
responsibility of the Centre
• Unlike the Department of AR&PG, DPG has been
empowered to call for the files and officers for cannot be shed when a
public grievance is

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
registered. operationalized in all procedure of handling
organizations. Also, wide grievances of the Ministries/
Lack of Awareness Incorporate following in
variations are apparent Departments/ Organisations
among people about newer versions of
across the Ministries/ in the Government of India.
grievance redressal CPGRAMS - Opening
Departments and other
mechanisms in most channels for effective
organizations in respect
government communication, Promoting
of the extent of
departments and their productive relationship,
commitment, framework
subordinate offices. Mitigating and preventing
and processes instituted
adverse impact on
and the capacity to
stakeholder caused by
handle grievances.
department’s operations, and
more importantly Making
stakeholders part of the DARPG in collaboration The Committee
process. with BSNL, recommends DARPG to
No efforts are made to Need for More Analysis of operationalized a Feed create a Dashboard on the
hold satisfaction Grievance Prone Areas and Back Call Centre on website pertaining to
surveys to ascertain Departments - Major areas disposed COVID-19 grievance redressal
outcome of measures of grievances as recorded in related public grievances comprising performance
to redress grievances. CPGRAMS are employee received in CPGRAMS. indicators such as
related grievances, • average complaints per
harassment, atrocities, day,
corruption, civic amenities, • disposal rate,
labour issues etc.
• average disposal time,
Considerable variation Best Suggestions from • Excellent/ Satisfactory
across organisations in Public must be rewarded - Feedback,
respect of number of feedback and suggestions on
• Complaint shared from
grievances recorded, performance of grievance
different channels.
disposed off and pending redressal system should be
taken from public to improve Ministries/Departments Ministries /Departments to
effectiveness, efficiency and do not detect public undertake a regular review
credibility of grievance grievances appearing in of grievances, which are
redress mechanism and newspapers for Suo- raised in print and electronic
grievance prevention moto redressal. media and include the
possibilities. Best suggestions analysis in the quarterly
should be rewarded and report submitted to the
their implementation and DARPG. It should also ensure
value addition should be that the review undertaken
highlighted for improving by them and the action taken
credibility of the system. on the suggestions are put
on its website.
Location specific Strengthen Public Interface
complaints are tough to Mechanisms for redress like WAY FORWARD
redress Lok Adalats and Jan Sunvais, • Timely ventilation and redressal of grievances are
taking it to the doorstep of necessary for any citizen friendly administration -
the people needing redress. Therefore, the Committee recommends that there
should be an overall review/evaluation of the
CPGRAMS has not been There should be an overall
procedure of handling grievances of the ministries/
uniformly review/evaluation of the

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
departments/ organisations in the government of (ii) identify suspected repetition of similar offences
India. by the same person and
• Gradual move towards One Nation –One Grievance (iii) to establish a previous conviction.
redressal portal is a welcome step - However, the REASONS TO INTRODUCE THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
committee recommends the department to ensure (IDENTIFICATION) ACT, 2022
that certain features are incorporated while
integrating CPGRAMS with state portals, namely, Identification of Criminal Procedure
identifying right stakeholders for redressal, facility of Prisoners Act, 1920 (Identification) Act, 2022
auto forwarding delayed or specific kind of grievances • Identification of • In present time, modern
to right team/person, among others. Prisoners Act, 1920 technology allows to
was enacted to capture and record

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
authorise the taking of appropriate body
measurements and measurements with help

(IDENTIFICATION) ACT, photographs

convicts and
of
other
of forensic experts.
• Provides for legal sanction
2022 persons. for taking appropriate
• The term body measurements of
#Rights #Measurements
"measurements" used persons who are required
in the 1920 Act is to give such
Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 provides legal limited as it only measurements.
sanction to law enforcement agencies for “taking allows taking finger • Improve efficiency of
measurements of convicts and other persons for the impressions and foot- investigation and will also
purposes of identification and investigation of criminal print impressions of help in increasing the
matters”. It came into effect from August 4, 2022. limited category of conviction rate.
Aim of the Act - Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, convicted and non-
• It is for these reasons, the
2022 provides legal sanction to law enforcement agencies convicted persons and
Act seeks to
for “taking measurements of convicts and other persons photographs on the
order of a Magistrate. (i) Expand Scope of
for the purposes of identification and investigation of
‘‘measurements’’ to
criminal matters”. While the legislation was enacted • 1920 Act limited the
include finger-
earlier this year, the Ministry of Home Affairs notified it to category of prisoners
impressions, palm-print
come into effect from August 4, 2022. It also repeals the whose records could
and foot-print
existing Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920. be taken. Thus, it was
impressions,
The 2022 Act defines Measurement – and it includes considered necessary
photographs, iris and
finger-impressions, palm-print impressions, foot-print to expand the ‘‘ambit
retina scan, physical,
impressions, photographs, iris and retina scan, physical, of persons’’ whose
biological samples and
biological samples and their analysis, behavioural measurements can be
their analysis, etc.
attributes including signatures, handwriting or any other taken as this will help
the investigating (ii) Empower National
examination of accused by the medical practitioner at the
agencies to gather Crime Records Bureau
request of police officer or examination of person
to collect, store and
accused of rape by medical practitioner. sufficient legally
admissible evidence preserve the record of
HOW WILL THE MEASUREMENTS HELP? measurements and for
and establish the
Measurements and photographs for identification have sharing, dissemination,
crime of the accused
three main purposes: person. destruction and disposal
(i) establish the identity of the culprit against the of records.
person being arrested (iii) Empower a Magistrate
to direct persons

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
accused of criminal
activities to give
measurements.
(iv) Empower police or
prison officer to take
measurements of any
person who resists or
refuses to give
measurements.
WHOSE MEASUREMENT CAN BE TAKEN?
• According to IDENTIFICATION OF PRISONERS ACT,
1920, following persons may be required to give
photographs and specified details:
(i) persons convicted of certain offences (such as
offences punishable with a minimum of one year
of rigorous imprisonment)
(ii) persons ordered to give security for good
behaviour or maintaining peace under the Code of
Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Cr. PC), and
(iii) persons arrested in connection with an offence
punishable with at least one year of rigorous
imprisonment.
• According to CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (IDENTIFICATION)
Act, 2022 – following person would be required to give
his/her measurements who has been –
(a) convicted of an offence punishable under any law for
the time being in force
(b) ordered to give security for his good behaviour or
maintaining peace under Criminal Procedure Code
o to ensure the person does not disturb public
tranquility/peace
o to ensure the person does not indulge in seditious
activities,
o to ensure the person does not get involve in rioting
o to ensure the person does not promote enmity
between different groups on grounds religion, race,
place of birth, residence, language etc.
(c) arrested in connection with an offence punishable
under any law for the time being in force or detained
under any preventive detention law.
• Further, a person shall also allow his measurements to
be taken by a police officer or a prison officer in such
manner as may be prescribed by the Central
Government or the State Government.
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• Arrested persons will not be obliged to give their
biological samples unless they have committed an
offence against a woman or a child, or an offence
punishable with a minimum of seven years of
imprisonment.
NATIONAL CRIME RECORDS BUREAU (NCRB) TO
COLLECT SUCH MEASUREMENTS
• National Crime Records Bureau shall, in the interest of
prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of
any offence under any law for the time being in force:
(a) Collect the record of measurements from State or
UT Administration or any other law enforcement
agencies.
(a) Store, preserve and destroy the record of
measurements at national level
(b) Process such records with relevant crime and
criminal records; and
(c) Share and disseminate such records with any law
enforcement agency
• The record of measurements shall be retained in
digital or electronic form for a period of 75 years from
the date of collection of such measurement.
• Destruction of Records – A person whose
measurements were taken but
o has not been previously convicted of an offence
punishable under any law with imprisonment for
any term; and
o is released without trial or discharged or acquitted
by the court after exhausting all legal remedies.
then all records of measurements so taken shall be
destroyed from records unless directed otherwise
by the Magistrate.
RESISTANCE BY PERSON IN GIVING HIS
MEASUREMENTS
• Refusal to give measurements under the Act will be
considered an offence under Section 186 of Indian
Penal Code which makes it an offence for obstructing
public servant in discharge of their duties.
• Thus, if a person resists the authorities to collect his
measurements, then it will be lawful for the police
officer or prison officer to take such measurements in
such manner as prescribed.
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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
BAR OF SUIT
• No suit or any other proceeding shall lie against any
person for anything done or intended to be done in
good faith under this Act or any rule made thereunder.
Right to Privacy Judgment
Supreme Court in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd) case ruled
Right to Privacy as an integral part of Right to Life and
Personal Liberty as guaranteed under Article 21 of the
Constitution. The Court held that these rights are
recognised by the Constitution as inhering in each
individual as an intrinsic and inseparable part of the
human element which dwells within. However, right to
privacy is not absolute and state can make law to restrict
right to privacy. A law on invasion of life or personal
liberty must meet the three-fold requirement of
1. Legality, which postulates the existence of law i.e.
state action must have a legislative mandate
2. Need, defined in terms of a legitimate state aim i.e.,
there must be a legitimate state purpose
3. Proportionality which ensures a rational nexus
between the objects and the means adopted to
achieve them.
This judgment forced the government to change its view
on privacy of citizens. This was further helped by
Judgment in Aadhaar as it prohibited authentication of
Aadhaar details by private organisations including
corporates. (Ex. Airtel, Vodafone, Reliance etc.)
CONCERNS AGAINST THE ACT
• Concerns on Triple Test for Privacy: K.S. Puttaswamy
Judgment held that state can interfere in privacy of
individuals if it satisfied three test: 1. Legality 2. Need
& 3. Proportionality. The law satisfies first two test of
legality and need as measurements are taken in
pursuance of a legitimate aim of state and is backed by
a law passed by Parliament. However, it is the third
test of proportionality which has been challenged on
multiple counts.
• Inclusion of Derivate Data Questionable: derivative
data such as “analysis” and “behavioural attributes”
have raised concerns that data processing may go
beyond recording of core “measurements.”
• Predictive Policing - That is some of these
measurements could be processed for predictive
policing and these records may be used against
political or other activists including protestors.
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
• Manner of Data Collection - Concerns have also been
raised on the manner of data collection as resistance
by person is a punishable offence under IPC.
• Process to destroy records will be easier said than
done and will be a cumbersome process.
• Against Right to be forgotten - retaining the people’s
measurements for 75 years from the date of collection
is in violation of the Right to be forgotten which is an
essential part of right to privacy under Article 21 as
highlighted in K.S. Puttaswamy Judgment.
• Law criticised for being disproportionate and
overburdening the system - The necessity of taking
measurements for investigation of offences is unclear,
and such discretion is likely to result in abuse of the
law at lower levels and overburdening of the systems
used for collection and storage of these
“measurements.” Given that these records will be
stored for 75 years from the time of collection, the law
has been criticised as being disproportionate.
• Taking Measurements even for Petty Offences - for
investigation of offences is unclear and will probably
lead to overburdening of systems used for collection
and storage of these “measurements.”
• Threat of Mass Surveillance – Collection of Data
through measurements can also result in mass
surveillance, with the database under this law being
combined with other databases such as those of the
Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems
(CCTNS).
• Bars court proceedings for things done in good faith.
NEW NOMINATED
MEMBERS OF RAJYA SABHA
#Nominated Members #Rajya Sabha
Article 80 of Indian Constitution provides for composition of
Council of State. Twelve members are to be nominated by the
President having special knowledge or practical experience in
the field of Literature, science, art and social service and not
more than 238 representatives of States and UTs are to be
elected by the elected members of Legislative Assembly of
State in accordance with system of proportional
representation by means of single transferable vote.
Accordingly, President has nominated 4 new members to
40
 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
Rajya Sabha namely musician Ilaiyaraaja, track-and-field
icon PT Usha, Telugu screenwriter V Vijayendra Prasad, and
philanthropist and spiritual leader Veerendra Heggade. They
are from the four southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala,
Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
Rajya Sabha
• Rajya Sabha should consist of not more than 250
members - 238 members representing States and UTs,
and 12 members nominated by President.
requires the elected member to do so within 90 days
of his making or subscribing oath/affirmation.
• Under Rule 3 of the Members of Rajya Sabha
(Declaration of Assets and Liabilities) Rules, 2004, only
elected members of the council are liable to furnish
the declaration of their assets and liabilities, and
assets of their spouse and dependent children.
• American Senate has no nominated members; all its
members are elected.

• Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is not subject to • First woman nominated member of Rajya Sabha was
dissolution. However, one third of members retire Rukmini Devi Arundale (1952-56 & 1956-62).
every second year, and are replaced by newly elected BENEFITS OF HAVING CONCERNS FOR HAVING
members. Each member is elected for a term of six NOMINATED MEMBERS NOMINATED MEMBERS
years.
• Rationale of having • Politicisation of
• Vice President of India is ex-officio Chairman of Rajya
nominated members is Nominated Route to
Sabha. House also elects a Deputy Chairman from
to provide eminent Rajya Sabha – Eg:
among its members.
persons a place in Former Chief Justice of
• There is also a panel of "Vice Chairmen" in Rajya Rajya Sabha without India becoming member
Sabha. The senior most minister, who is a member of going through process of Rajya Sabha.
Rajya Sabha, is appointed by the Prime Minister as of election. • Lack of participation and
Leader of the House.
• Such eminent poor attendance of such
ABOUT NOMINATED MEMBERS OF RAJYA SABHA personalities provide nominated members
• Conditions of Appointment: Should be a citizen of insights and their further defeats the
India above 30 years of age & possessing such other constructive feedback purpose of nomination.
qualifications as may be prescribed by law of on several issues • Prioritising personal
Parliament. improves quality of work over sessions of
debates and helps to Rajya Sabha.
• Enjoy all powers, privileges and immunities available to
fine tune certain
any elected members of Parliament.
legislations from their
• Can take part in proceedings of House in normal area of expertise.
manner.
• While the nominated members of Rajya Sabha have a
right to vote in the election of the Vice-President of
India, they are not entitled to vote in the election of the
STUDY ON DECLINING
President of India.
MUNICIPAL FINANCE
• They can participate in the impeachment process of
the President.
#Municipal Finance #Constitution 74th
• A nominated member of a House shall be disqualified
Amendment
for being a member of the House if he joins any
political party after the expiry of six months from the Economic & developmental promise envisaged for Urban
date on which he takes his seat after complying with Local Bodies (ULB) through Constitution 74th Amendment
the requirements of Article 99. seems to be weakening due to increasing strains in municipal
• A nominated member has also been exempted from finance specially post GST implementation and Covid
filing his assets and liabilities under Section 75A of the pandemic. Recently, the Indian Institute for Human
Representation of the Peoples Act, 1951 which Settlements (IIHS) analysed data from 80 ULBs across 24
States between 2012-13 and 2016-17 to understand ULB

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
finance and spending and found some key trends on
declining municipal finances.
1. ULBS’ OWN SOURCES OF REVENUE WERE LESS THAN
HALF OF THEIR TOTAL REVENUE
• ULBs’ key revenue sources - taxes, fees, fines and
charges, and transfers from Central and State
governments, which are known as inter-governmental
transfers (IGTs).
• ULB’s own share of own revenue - taxes on property
and advertisements, and non-tax revenue from user
charges and fees from building permissions and trade
licencing.
• Property Tax - the single largest contributor to ULBs’
own revenue, accounted for only about 0.15% of the
GDP. The contribution from property tax for Indian
ULBs is lower than developing and developed
countries whose share of property tax to their GDP
stands at 0.6% and 1% respectively.
• Lower Ratio of ULB’s Own Revenue v Total revenue
reflects financial health & autonomy - This ratio also
reflects the ULBs’ ability tap unclaimed sources and
their dependency on IGTs. Cities with a higher share of
own revenue are more financially self-sustaining.
• Findings – ULBs own revenue was 47% of their total
revenue. Of this, tax revenue was the largest
component - around 29% of the total. There was a 7%
increase in own revenue from 2012-13 to 2016-17, but
ULBs still lacked revenue buoyancy as their share in
GDP of own revenue was only 0.5% for the five-year
period. Tax Revenue is said to be buoyant if the tax
revenues increase more than proportionately in
response to a rise in national income or output.
• Way Forward: ULBs must leverage their own revenue-
raising powers to ensure fiscal sustainability and have
better amenities and quality of service delivery.
2. MANY ULBS ARE HIGHLY DEPENDENT ON INTER-
GOVERNMENTAL TRANSFERS (IGTS)
• Transfers from Central government are based on
recommendations of Finance Commissions through
grants towards specific reforms.
• Transfers from State government are as grants-in-aid
and devolution of State’s collection of local taxes.
• Most ULBs were highly dependent on external grants
between 2012-13 and 2016-17 where IGTs accounted
for about 40% of the ULBs’ total revenue.
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• Concern - dependence on IGTs dipped over the years
due to modest increase in own revenue, the scale of
IGTs in India remained at around 0.5% of GDP, which is
far lower than the international average of 2% to 5% of
GDP.
• Way Forward – Revenue assigned to ULBs from state
governments needs to increase along with allocating a
share of the State and Centre’s GST proceeds to ULBs.
3. DIFFERENCE IN TAX REVENUE FOR LARGER AND
SMALLER CITIES
• Dependency on Tax Revenue & Grants based on city
size - Tax Revenue is largest revenue source for larger
cities, while smaller cities are more dependent on
grants. There are considerable differences in
composition of revenue sources across cities of
different sizes.
• Class of Cities & their dependencies - Class I-A cities
(population of over 50 lakh) primarily depend on their
own tax revenue, while Class I-B cities and Class I-C
cities (population of 10 lakh-50 lakh and 1 lakh-10 lakh,
respectively) rely more on IGTs.
• Increase in Tax & Non-tax revenue for Class I-A cities:
In five-year period studied, tax revenue in Class I-A
cities grew by about 11%, while non-tax revenue grew
by about 30%. The external revenue dependency of
these larger cities gradually reduced over time, from
around 27% in 2012-13 to about 15% in 2016-17.
• Own revenues of Class I-B & Class I-C cities remained
stagnant even while these cities grew in size.
4. OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (O&M) EXPENSES
ARE ON THE INCREASE BUT STILL INADEQUATE
• Increase in O&M Expenditure for ULBs: O&M
expenses are crucial for upkeep of infrastructure and
maintaining quality of service delivery. Share of O&M
expenses in ULBs’ total revenue expenditure increased
from about 30% in 2012-13 to about 35% in 2016-17.
• O&M Expense inadequate: Despite increase in share
of O&M expense of ULBs, studies found that it
remained inadequate. For instance, O&M expenses
incurred in 2016-17 covered only around a fifth of the
requirement forecast by the High-Powered Expert
Committee for estimating the investment
requirements for urban infrastructure services.
• Cost Recovery for essential services inadequate: such
as water supply, solid waste management,
transportation and wastewater management.
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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
• Non-tax revenues were short of the O&M expenditure
by around 20% and this shortfall contributed to the
increasing revenue deficit in ULBs.
• Concern - O&M expenses should ideally be covered
through user charges which are part of non-tax
revenue. However, total non-tax revenues, of which
user charges are a part, are insufficient to meet
current O&M expenses.
• Way Forward - Increasing cost recovery levels through
improved user charge regimes would not only improve
services but also contribute to the financial vitality of
ULBs.
WAY FORWARD
• Scale of municipal finances in India is undoubtedly
inadequate and ULB’s realised own revenue resources
are far below the estimated potential.
• Tapping into property taxes, other land-based
resources and user charges are all ways to improve
the revenue of a ULB.
• IGTs assume significance in the fiscal composition of
ULBs, and a stable support from Central and State
governments is crucial till ULBs improve their own
revenues.
• Measures need to be made to also cover O&M
expenses of a ULB for better infrastructure and
service.
NEED TO REDUCE JUDICIAL
PENDENCY
#Judicial Pendency #Judiciary
Judicial system in India is under tremendous pressure to
large pendency of cases. As of May 2022, over 4.7 crore cases
are pending in courts across different levels of the judiciary.
Of them, 87.4% are pending in subordinate courts, 12.4% in
High Courts, while nearly 1,82,000 cases have been pending
for over 30 years.
REASONS FOR INCREASING PENDENCY IN INDIA
“Subordinate Judiciary-Access to Justice 2016” Report of
Supreme Court, capacity constraints are the main
reasons for high level of increasing pendency of lower
Courts.
• Subordinate judiciary works under a severe shortage
of courtrooms, secretarial and support staff including
Judges.
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
• Number of hearings and the time period taken to
dispose of cases across the system suggest that there
is a serious problem of cases management in
procedure law in India.
• These infrastructural issues adversely affects the
effective functioning of of Courts.
• Adjournments are granted too easily and freely and in
the absence of a fixed time table to dispose of cases
leads to delays in disposing the case.
• Judicial manpower needs to be augmented according
to increase in crime rate.
STEPS TO REDUCE DELAY IN CASE DISPOSAL
• Filling judicial vacancies – at all tiers of judiciary
• Diverting cases from the courts to alternate dispute
resolution forums: such as Mediation, Lok Adalats and
specialised Tribunals.
• Introduction of Fast-track Courts, jail-adalats, prison
courtand plea-bargaining.
• Reducing Disposal Time for Cases - Disposal time is
measured as the time span between the date of filing
and the date when the decision is passed.
• Improve Case Clearance Rate (CCR) - CCR is the ratio of
the number of cases disposed of each year to the
number of cases instituted in that year, expressed as a
percentage. It is mainly used to understand the
efficiency of the system in proportion to the inflow of
cases. (Both Disposal Time and CCR can be bettered by
appointing more Judges in District & Subordinate Courts,
High Courts and Supreme Court.)
• Short and Long Term Goals - Reducing case pendency
in the short term and achieving long term goal of
reducing case life cycle between one and two years.
• Streamline Judicial Appointments – by identifying
vacancies across sections of lower and higher
judiciary.
• Appointing Retired Judges to High Court and Supreme
Court to reduce backlog. For this, Supreme Court has
also altered the Memorandum of Procedure.
• Shifting Court workloads through creating Special
Courts (255th Law Commission): based on specialised
areas such as commercial cases can be transferred to
the commercial division and the commercial appellate
division of High Courts. Similarly Special Courts within
High Courts can be set up to address litigations
pertaining to land, crime, Traffic Challans etc.
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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
• Merge and rationalize tribunals to enhance efficiency –
Tribunals Reforms Act
• Creating Indian Courts and Tribunal Services (ICTS) – It
will focus on administrative aspects of the legal
system. Major roles to be played by ICTS will be:
(i) Provide administrative support functions needed
by the judiciary
(ii) Identify process inefficiencies and advise the
judiciary on legal reforms
• Increase number of working days for judiciary to
increase productivity – reducing length of summer and
winter vacations in High Courts and Supreme Court.
• Undertrials languishing in prison - As per Prison
Statistics India 2020 Report, Number of undertrial
prisoners has increased by 11.7% from 2019.Highest
Number of Undertrials lodged in District Jail (50%),
followed by Central Jails (36.1%) and Sub Jails (11.9%)
CAG PULLS UP ODISHA ON
MISSING AFFORESTATION
TARGET
#CAG #Performance Audit
CAG has found concentration of plantation activities in easily
accessible areas like land along the pathways, leaving the
degraded patches in the middle of dense forest unplanted in
Odisha — one of reasons cited for missing plantation target
in the State. The audit agency further said as the database of
degraded forest and non-forest land was not available with
the department, target for compensatory afforestation
programmes under Compensatory Afforestation Fund
Management and Planning Authority was not achieved
within the stipulated period of three years and hence, could
not compensate the forest cover against the diversion of
forest land.
AUDIT AS PER CAG’S (DUTIES, POWERS AND
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE) ACT, 1971
• Completeness and accuracy of accounts is examined
in audit to verify that there is proper voucher or proof
of payment.
• Section 13 of Act enjoins on Comptroller and Auditor
General duty to audit all expenditure from
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
Consolidated Fund of India, of each State and UT
having a Legislative Assembly.
AUDIT OF EXPENDITURE IS COMPREHENSIVE AND
INCLUDES
1. Audit against provisions of funds: Audit against
provision of funds is aimed at ascertaining whether
the moneys shown in the accounts as having been
disbursed, were legally available for and applicable to
the service or purpose to which they had been applied
or charged.
2. Regularity audit - The objective of regularity audit is to
see whether the expenditure conforms to the
authority, which governs it.
3. Propriety audit - Propriety audit is directed towards
examining the propriety of executive action beyond
the formality of expenditure to its wisdom, faithfulness
and economy, and bringing to notice cases of waste,
losses and extravagant expenditure.
4. Efficiency-cum-performance or value for money audit -
is a comprehensive appraisal of the progress and
efficiency of the execution of development and other
programs and schemes wherein an assessment is
made as to whether these are executed economically
and whether they are producing the results expected
of them.
5. Systems audit - organization and systems governing
authorization, recording, accounting and internal
controls are analysed and performance evaluated with
reference to standards of quality.
COMPENSATORY AFFORESTATION FUND ACT, 2016
• Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 provide
for establishment of funds under the public accounts
of India and the public accounts of each State and
crediting thereto the monies received from the user
agencies towards compensatory afforestation,
additional compensatory afforestation, penal
compensatory afforestation, net present value and all
other amounts recovered from such agencies under
Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
• Constitution of an authority at national level and at
each of the State and UT Administration for
administration of the funds and to utilise monies so
collected for undertaking artificial regeneration
(plantations), assisted natural regeneration, protection
of forests, forest related infrastructure development,
Green India Programme, wildlife protection etc.
44
 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
• Need for CAMPA FUND: Because of developmental
needs and creating infrastructure like dams, mining
etc many a times a forest land must be diverted for
non-forest produce which might result in loss of
biodiversity. To compensate for the losses incurred,
the government made compensatory afforestation
mandatory.
WHAT IS COMPENSATORY AFFORESTATION?
• Forest conservation Act mandates that whenever
forest land is diverted for non-forest purposes, an
equivalent area of non-forest land has to be taken up
for compensatory afforestation.
• Funds for this are to be imposed on whomsoever is
undertaking the diversion. The land chosen for
afforestation, if viable, must be in proximity of
reserved or protected forest for ease of management
by forest department.
• At the time of submission of project proposal to apply
for forest clearance the applicant must attach an
undertaking stating that they will bear the cost of
compensatory afforestation as per existing rules &
scheme.
• Forest department must provide details regarding
area identified for afforestation. It is only after this,
that the proposal goes to higher authorities for
recommendations and approval.
• 2002: Supreme Court (SC) In TN Godhavarman Vs
Union of India case, ordered that a Compensatory
Afforestation Fund had to be created in which all the
contributions towards compensatory afforestation and
net present value of land had to be deposited.
IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTS - COMPENSATORY
AFFORESTATION FUND ACT, 2016
• National Compensatory Afforestation Fund
Management and Planning Authority's Chairperson -
Union Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate
Change
• State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management
and Planning Authority's Chairperson - Chief Minister
of the State or a UT having no legislature, Lieutenant
Governor or Administrator.
• Accounts of National Authority shall be audited by
Comptroller and Auditor-General of India. Accounts of
National Authority as certified by CAG or any other
person appointed by him in this behalf together with
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
the audit report shall be forwarded annually to the
Central Government by the National Authority.
• National Authority shall prepare, its annual report,
giving a full account of its activities during the previous
financial year and forward a copy thereof to the
Central Government, in such form and at such time,
for each financial year.
• Central Government shall cause the annual report and
audit report together with a memorandum of action
taken on the recommendations contained therein to
be laid as soon as may be after the reports are
received before each House of Parliament.
ELECTION OF VICE-
PRESIDENT
#Vice-President #Election Commission
#Secret Ballot
Election Commission issued a certificate announcing election
of NDA candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar as 14th Vice-President
of India. Oath of office as per Article 60 of Indian
Constitution was administered by President Murmu.
CRITERIA TO HOLD OFFICE – ARTICLE 66(3)
A person cannot be elected as Vice-President unless he
(a) is a citizen of India.
(b) Has completed the age of 35 years.
(c) Is qualified for election as a member of the Council of
States (Rajya Sabha). i.e., he should be a citizen of
India, 30 years of age and an elector of the
Parliamentary constituency in a State or Union
Territory which he seeks to be elected to represent.
(d) A person is not also eligible if he holds any office of
profit under the Government of India or a State
Government or any subordinate local authority.
TERM OF OFFICE OF VICE-PRESIDENT – ARTICLE 67
• Vice-President shall hold office for a term of five years
from the date on which he enters his office unless
o Vice-President by writing under his hand addressed
to President, resign his office
o Vice-President is removed from his office by a
resolution of Council of States passed by a majority
45
 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
of all the then members of Council and agreed to by
House of People.
• Vice-President shall, notwithstanding the expiration of
his term, continue to hold office until his successor
enters upon his office.
• No resolution for the purpose removal from office
shall be moved unless at least fourteen days notice
has been given of the intention to move the resolution.
ELECTION TO BE DONE BEFORE EXPIRY OF THE TERM
OF VICE-PRESIDENT
• Term of office of Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Vice-
President of India ended on 10th August 2022.
• As per Article 68 of Constitution of India, an election to
fill vacancy caused by expiration of term of office of
outgoing Vice-President was required to be completed
before expiration of the term.
• Election Commission conducted election for the Office
of Vice-President of India on 6th August 2022.
EC EMPOWERED TO CONDUCT ELECTIONS TO THE
OFFICE OF VICE-PRESIDENT
• Article 324 of Constitution along with Presidential &
Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952 and Presidential &
Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974, vests
superintendence, direction and control of conduct of
election to the office of Vice-President in Election
Commission.
• Election Commission is mandated to ensure that
election to the office of Vice-President of India must be
a free and fair election and the Commission is taking
all necessary steps for discharging its constitutional
responsibility.
• Section 4(3) of Presidential and Vice-Presidential
Elections Act, 1952 provides that notification for
election shall be issued on or after sixtieth day before
expiration of term of office of the outgoing Vice-
President.
INDIRECT ELECTION OF VICE-PRESIDENT – ELECTORAL
COLLEGE
• As per Article 66 of Constitution of India, Vice-
President is elected by members of Electoral College
consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament
in accordance with system of proportional
representation by means of the single transferable
vote and the voting at such election shall be by secret
ballot.
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• Electoral College to elect a person to the office of the
Vice-President consists of all members of both Houses
of Parliament.
• In this system, elector has to mark preferences against
the names of the candidates.
• For 2022, 16th Vice-Presidential Election, the Electoral
College consists of:
(i) 233 elected members of Rajya Sabha
(ii) 12 nominated members of Rajya Sabha, and
(iii) 543 elected members of Lok Sabha.
• Electoral College comprises of a total of 788 members
of both Houses of Parliament. Since, all the electors
are members of both Houses of Parliament, the value
of vote of each Member of Parliament would be same
i.e.,1 (one).
• Election Commission, in consultation with Central
Government appoints the Secretary General of Lok
Sabha and Rajya Sabha, by rotation, as the Returning
Officer.
• Accordingly, Secretary General of Lok Sabha was
appointed as Returning Officer for present election to
the Office of the Vice-President of India.
• Political parties cannot issue any whip to their MPs in
matters of voting in Vice-Presidential election.
IMPORTANCE OF SECRET BALLOT
• Constitution has provided that election to office of
Vice-President shall be by secret ballot.
• Therefore, the electors are expected to scrupulously
maintain secrecy of vote. There is no concept of open
voting in this election and showing the ballot to
anyone under any circumstances in the case of
Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections is totally
prohibited.
• Voting procedure laid down in 1974 Rules provides
that after marking the vote in the Voting
Compartment, the elector is required to fold the ballot
paper and insert it in the Ballot Box.
• Any violation of voting procedure will entail
cancellation of ballot paper by Presiding Officer.
ELECTION PETITION TO BE FILED IN SUPREME COURT
• As per Section 18 of Presidential and Vice-Presidential
Elections Act, 1952, offence of ‘bribery’ or ‘undue
influence’ as defined in Sections 171B and 171C of IPC,
by the returned candidate or any person with the
consent of the returned candidate are among the
46
 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
grounds on which the election can be declared void by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in an election petition.

practice questions
MCQs
Q1. Consider the following statements: 2. Constitution 52nd Amendment – changed the voting
1. The Inner Line Permit was established by the age from 21 years to 18 years.
British government under the Bengal Eastern 3. Constitution 61st Amendment – Added Tenth
Frontier Regulations, 1873 to safeguard tribals of Schedule which provided for disqualification of
eastern part of Bengal. members on grounds of defection.
2. Presently, the Inner Line Permit is applicable in 4. Constitution 69th Amendment – National Capital
Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Territory of Delhi to have Legislative Assembly.
Mizoram. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 4 only
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 only (c) 1 and 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) 3 and 4 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Q4. With respect to nominated members of Rajya
Q2. Consider the following statements: Sabha, consider the following statements:
1. The meeting of Governing Council of NITI Aayog is 1. A nominated member of a House shall be
chaired by the Prime Minister. disqualified for being a member of the House if he
2. Governing Council of NITI Aayog comprises Chief joins any political party after the expiry of six
Ministers of all the States and Union Territories months from the date on which he takes his seat
with legislatures and Lt Governors of other Union after complying with the requirements of Article
Territories. 99.
3. The platform of the Governing Council of NITI 2. A nominated member has been exempted from
Aayog is used by states to facilitate cooperative filing his assets and liabilities under Section 75A of
federalism but states cannot raise any of their the Representation of the Peoples Act, 1951 which
concerns. requires the elected member to do so within 90
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? days of his making or subscribing oath/affirmation.

(a) 1 and 3 only Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(b) 1 and 2 only (a) 1 only

(c) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3 (c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q3. Consider the following pairs:

1. Constitution 26th Amendment – Abolished Privy Q5. Consider the following statements about the
Purse and ceased recognition of Rulers of erstwhile Vice-President of India:
Princely States by adding Article 363A. 1. Vice-President shall hold office for a term of six
years from the date on which he enters upon his
office.

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
2. Vice-President is elected by the members of representation by means of the single transferable
Electoral College consisting of the members of vote through open ballot.
both Houses of Parliament. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
3. Voting at the election of Vice-President takes place (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 1 only
in accordance with the system of proportional (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 2 only

Descriptive Questions
Q1. How has regular conduct of performance audit by Comptroller and Auditor General helped to improve the
outcome of various government schemes and programmes? Explain with examples.

Q2. Continuous amendment of Constitution of India ensures its dynamic nature but also poses a danger of rewriting
constitution in the name of amendment. Give your opinion on the matter.

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

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 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS &
Security
# GS Paper (Prelims) & GS Paper II & III (Main)
I2U2 & WEST ASIA
#West Asia #Extended Neighborhood
In the context of the Russia – Ukraine war both the US and
Russia are trying to strengthen their relations with the
countries with which they have historical ties in the region.
In this context Presidents of Both Russia and US visited the
West Asia, which highlights the importance of the region
owing to its Geo-Politics and its importance in supplying Oil
to stabilize the Global crude Prices which have shot up
because of sanctions on Russia.
FACTORS THAT SHAPED GEO-POLITICS OF WEST ASIA
• Arab - Israel rivalry owing to the Post War history of
creation of Jewish State Israel from the Arabic
Palestinian territory.
• Arab – Iran Rivalry which is based on the Shia – Sunni
rivalry and is a race for regional hegemony amongst
the Muslim world countries of the region.
• Israel – Iran rivalry which started post the Iranian
revolution of 1979 and has been escalating because of
Iran’s Nuclear Program.
GREAT GAME
• Presence of US, Russia and China further complicate
the regional Geo-Politics.
• United States of America - US has had historical
relations with Israel (Owing to its Jewish demography)
and Arabic monarchies (ever since the discovery of Oil
in 1938) like Saudi Arabia and UAE. Post Iranian
revolution of 1979, US cut its ties with Iran and has
focused on isolating Iran for its Nuclear program.
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• Russia is aligning with Iran on the issues of
Afghanistan and Syria. Russia has also supported the
Assad regime in Syria.
• China has signed 25-year strategic cooperation pact
with Iran which has economic as well as strategic
dimensions.
EMERGING GEO-POLITICS
• The new race of Geo-politics in the region is between
US-Israel-Arab on one side, while Russia-Iran and Syria
with tacit presence of China on the other.
US-ISRAEL-ARAB AXIS
• Abraham Accords –The US has mediated to Normalize
Arab – Israel relations by establishing diplomatic
relations between Israel and UAE and backdoor
engagements between Israel and other Arabic
monarchies.
• This move of US was primarily seen in the context of
US steadily withdrawing from the region to focus on
the Indo-Pacific, to contain the rise of China.
• However, with Russia-Ukraine war and consequent Oil
shock and its impact on Global Economy, US president
Biden recently visited West Asia.
• The goals of the visit outlined by the US were –
o To counter Russia’s aggression
o To be in the best position to outcompete China
o And to work for greater stability in the region. US
would not leave the middle east, and make space
for Russia, China and Iran.
• US has revived stagnant ties with Saudi Arabia (The
killing of Washington post Journalist Jamal Khashoggi
49
 International Relations & Security

has strained ties), built a new coalition with GCC plus
countries.
• Committed to stopping Iran from procuring nuclear
weapons.
SIMILARITIES BETWEEN I2U2 AND QUAD
I2U2/
MIDDLE EAST QUAD VS INDO – PACIFIC QUAD

• US has attempted to make the case that Gulf OPEC

countries must help keep the price of oil low to avoid India and US are common members – signifying strategic
a global crisis due to the Russian war in Ukraine. closeness

• The first summit of the I2U2- US and Israel

Israel would view it as a counter to Iran, While US sees
strengthened cooperation with India and UAE on
IPQ as a counter to China
water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food
security
Both are not seen as military alliance
RUSSIA – IRAN – CHINA
• After Biden’s visit Russian president Putin visited Iran IPQ has been focusing on global concerns like – Climate
which is also significant development. Change, COVID vaccines etc.
• Russia committed to need for a political resolution to
the Syrian crisis without external interference. Similarly, I2U2 has also called for Economic and
• Iran endorsed the Russia attack on Ukraine and the Infrastructure cooperation.
threat by NATO, while, Iran has been providing drones
to Russia. IPQ countries take part in MALABAR exercise, While Israel
has invited UAE as an observer to the Blue Flag Air force
• Both Russia and Iran have been on the same page
with India and US.
over the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.
• China has signed a 25-year strategic cooperation pact
For India both are partnerships beyond neighborhood
with Iran and is one of the biggest importer of Iranian
having implications on the neighborhood.
Crude Oil. Further West Asia is crucial to its BRI
Project.
Both aim at broader goal of countering Chinese
• Russia – China have been on the same side which influence.
visible in the collaboration post Russia- Ukraine war.
ABOUT I2U2 DIFFERENCES

• The arrangement is far from a non-security

I2U2 /
mechanism for cooperation on development issues INDO – PACIFIC QUAD
MIDDLE EAST QUAD
between four countries – I2 – India and Israel, U2 –
USA & UAE.
A new concept – formed Has developed gradually over
• Foreign Ministers of the grouping first met in October
because of Abraham past 15 years.
2021 and now the summit signals plans for
Accords
cooperation have grown, and the US had highlighted
that the I2U2 could become for the Gulf region what
Strategic Focus is yet to be Definite Strategic focus – Free
the Quad for the Indo-Pacific has developed too.
outlined. and Open Indo- Pacific
• Specifically, Summit announced two projects for India:
• UAE would invest $2 billion to develop food parks in Role of other members is Focuses on ASEAN centrality
India, where US and Israel will supply technology and yet be outlined
expertise.
• The group would help develop a $300 million hybrid It focuses on Economic It focusses on goals to be
renewable energy project in Gujarat- wind and solar collaboration through achieved through G2G
energy with a battery storage capacity Private companies collaboration

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 International Relations & Security
If it aims to counter Iran, IPQ has been strengthened
India already has strong by the India – China border
relations with Iran tensions.
No parallel military AUKUS can be seen as a
partnership with common parallel military partnership
objectives to the IPQ.
POSITIVE IMPLICATIONS OF I2U2 FOR INDIA’S
INTEREST
• It would fill the gap the United States is leaving in the
Middle East.
• It has the potential to transform the region's
geopolitics and geoeconomics.
• The group can deepen its engagement on issues that
concern India — trade, energy ties, fighting climate
change and enhancing maritime security.
• It coincides with stronger relationship that India has
with both Israel and the Gulf countries.
• It would further deepen India’s cooperation with one
of the most important partner UAE.
• It strengthens India- US engagement as strategic
partners.
• It can be effective in countering China economically
and politically.
AREAS OF CONCERNS
• Role of other Arabic Gulf powers like Saudi Arabia is
yet to be ascertained in this partnership.
• An area of concern is that Except India the other three
countries are adversaries of Iran.
• Causes concerns for India - Iran relations which are
collaborating on strategic projects like Chabahar and
connect Central Asia policy.
• New Quad is yet to clarify its strategic objectives.
• US policy towards India has not been very concrete. It
created a Parallel AUKUS in the Indo-Pacific. US
withdrew from Afghanistan without taking India into
confidence.
• In this backdrop the US needs to further clarify India’s
role in its strategic ambitions in the Middle east.
WAY FORWARD
• New Quad has come at a time when Israel Arab
relations are improving, China’s presence in the
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middle east is increasing and US is withdrawing from
the region.
• In such a scenario India’s membership of the New
Quad in the middle east can be crucial to India’s
interest in the peace and stability of the region.
• However, there are concerns that India’s membership
of the MEQ can have adverse impact on India’s
relations with Iran. However, India has carefully been
treading a path of pursuing its interests in the region,
without taking sides on the existing fault lines.
Thus, India’s membership of MEQ which has outlined a
soft agenda of cooperation seems to be in line with its
policy of “non-interference” in the internal affairs, pursuit
of strategic autonomy and extension of Bilateralism to
Minilaterals.
G7 & G20
#International Organisations
ABOUT G7
• The Grouping began as Group of Six in 1975- with a
meeting of leaders of US, UK, West Germany, Italy,
France and Japan, because of the Oil crisis and global
currency exchange issues that decided to meet
annually.
• The Group of 7 (G7) is an informal group of seven
countries — the United States, Canada, France,
Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, the
heads of which hold an annual summit with European
Union and other invitees
• Together the member countries represent 40% of
global GDP and 10% of the world’s population
• G7 has no legal existence, permanent secretariat or
official members
• Leaders of G7 countries meets annually and discusses
emerging global issues
• India has been a special invitee to the G-7 on several
occasions in past two decades- including 5
consecutive years from 2005-2009 during global
economic crisis. This year Indian PM was invited at
summit.
KEY OUTCOMES OF 48TH G7 MEET
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 International Relations & Security
• India, Indonesia, Argentina, Senegal, South Africa and
Ukraine were invited as guests.
• Criticised Russian aggression of Ukraine.
• Statement on Global Food Security: In the context of
rising food prices and shortage, G-7 parties remained
on target to raise $100 billion and lift 500 million from
malnutrition by 2030.
• Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment,
plan to mobilise $600 billion over the next five years
to counter BRI.
• Statements on Climate change and on Just Transition
partnerships between the G7 and India, Indonesia,
South Africa, Senegal and Vietnam.
• A Statement on Resilient democracies, which India
also signed on to, committing to ensure free and fair
elections, protection of civil society, promoting human
rights online and offline, and achieving gender
equality.
CHALLENGES FACED BY G7 GROUPING
• Changing Economic Situation: When constituted the
G7 countries accounted for close to two-thirds of
global GDP.
• They now account for less than a third of global GDP
on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis, and less
than half on market exchange rates (MER) basis
• Seven largest emerging economies (E7, or “Emerging
7”), comprising Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico,
Russia and Turkey, account for over a third of global
GDP on purchasing power parity (PPP) terms, and over
a quarter on MER basis. India’s economy is already the
third largest in the world in PPP terms.
• It is projected that India’s GDP will increase to $17
trillion in 2030 and $42 trillion in 2050 in PPP terms, in
2nd place after China, just ahead of USA.
LIMITATIONS OF G7
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• It is a “First World Elite Club” that has not grown its
membership to include emerging economies like India
and China.
• By cutting out Russia and China, the G-7 ensure the
polarisation of the world into the two blocs, even as
ties between Russia and China get stronger.
• G-7 countries are also military partners means that
the economic agenda of the grouping often takes a
backseat over political issues
• G7 failed to head off the economic downturn of 2007-
08, which led to the rise of the G20.
• G7 has not raised concerns with respect to
contemporary issues, such as the COVID-19 pandemic,
climate change, the challenge of the Daesh, and the
crisis of state collapse in West Asia.
• It had announced its members would phase out all
fossil fuels and subsidies but has not so far
announced any plan of action to do so.
• Unlike other institutions, G7 is not a formal institution
with a charter and a secretariat.
• Lacks representation – Russia, China and India which
are influential global players with important role in
global economy are not members of this group.
• US president Donald trump had challenged the unity
of G7 members stating that contending that U.S. allies
took advantage of the United States.
• There is a growing sense that China poses a “threefold
threat” to G7 countries—economically, ideologically,
and geopolitically.
• TO counter BRI – G7 leaders announced at 2022
summit - Partnership for Global Infrastructure and
Investment.
WHAT IT MEANS FOR INDIA?
• India’s tightrope walk between the West and Russia-
China has just become more difficult- the G7
statement indicates a point of no-return
• The US-China rivalry is likely to step up in the Indo-
Pacific with the new economic initiatives planned:
from Indo-Pacific Economic Forum to the PGII to
counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative- India joined
the IPEF but India has not signed on to the PGII plan
yet.
• India’s partnerships with countries like Indonesia,
Brazil. South Africa, ASEAN etc that are still seeking to
balance ties with both blocs will get stronger.
52
 International Relations & Security
• India’s role as the balancing power in the room is
evident: at the BRICS summit last week, India ensured
that anti-West language did not enter the text, while at
the G-7 outreach, it ensured that statements
condemning Russia and China were not part of the
documents that India signed.
WHY WE NEED A NEW INSTITUTION
• A new mechanism is required to handle the emerging
global challenges - Trade war, economic slowdown,
Political turmoil in countries, counterterrorism & non-
proliferation.
• There is need for including in it the seven future
leading economies, plus Germany, Japan, the U.K.,
France, Mexico, Turkey, South Korea, and Australia
• Finding effective solutions to burning issues like
Ukraine war, Global economic slowdown, Iran's
nuclear program, peace and stability in Afghanistan,
Gulf and West Asia, reduction in tensions in Korean
peninsula and South China Sea.
G20 AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO G7
• Power and prestige of Group of Twenty (G20), a forum
for finance ministers and central bank governors from
nineteen of world’s largest countries and EU, has
surpassed that of G7.
• Emerging powers including Brazil, China, India,
Mexico, and South Africa, whose absence from G7 was
often noted, all belong to G20. Russia remains a
member of G20.
• Group’s member states represent about 85% of global
GDP and three-fifths of the world’s population.
• G20 was most effective during 2007–08 global
financial crisis.
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CHALLENGES WITH G20
• This could become a forum for Great Power Rivalry
because of Presence of US, China and Russia in the
aftermath of Ukraine crisis.
• At 2014 summit, hosted by Australia, leaders adopted
a plan to boost their economies by a collective 2.1%,
which they did not achieve.
• United States blocked a planned reference in the
communiqué to the need to “resist all forms of
protectionism.” a communiqué to which all its
members agreed
• In Argentina summit the G20 members adopted a
communiqué to which all its members agreed.
However, this communique did not include issues like
trade, climate change, and migration.
• G20 has raised Voice for urgent restoration of the
dispute settlement system to “contribute to
predictability and security in the multilateral trading
system”.
• Despite being a member of G20, US under Donald
trump had blocked the appointment to WTO appellate
body. The new President Biden has yet not taken any
action on this issue.
• G20 countries agreed to raise IMF reserves with a new
SDR allocation of US $650 billion, critics have argued
that given the scale of financing challenge in emerging
economies, it is not enough.
• G20 members have failed to break the impasse on
climate goals—many countries disapproved of the
idea of committing to keeping global warming below
1.5oC and phasing out coal. US, EU, Japan, and Canada
want the G20 to cap temperature rise at less than 1.5
degrees and phase out coal by 2025
‘D10’ COALITION OF DEMOCRACIES
• The combination of G7 and 3 other invitees- India,
Australia and South Korea has drawn attention to an
expanded ‘D10’ coalition of democracies
• First proposed by Boris Johnson, the original purpose
of D10 was aimed to address China’s growing
technological clout in 5G as well as supply chain
vulnerabilities that were exposed during pandemic
• But gradually, with the Joe Biden’s efforts, the group is
being seen as an alternate democratic arrangement
against the authoritarian states such as China
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 International Relations & Security

ADVANTAGES OF PROPOSED D10 COALITION Financial crisis – 2008

• The proposed 5G alliance (as proposed by UK) may
bring technology and Investment to India Represents 85% of the Role in Global GDP has
global GDP reduced from 60% to 40%
• Membership in coalition of 10 large democracies not
only increase the soft power of India but also gives a
Has representation from S. Dominated by Transatlantic
platform for India to pursue reforms in UNSC. (This
America, West Asia and membership
coalition will give an opportunity to convince the
Africa
major powers to make the way clear for India’s
candidature as a permanent member of UNSC) China is a member More anti – China in its
• It acts as a bulwark against Chinese expansionism in orientation – PGII etc.
Indian ocean and its Wolf warrior diplomacy in the
India’s neighbourhood Can act as platform for Represents the interest of
• Eventually if this coalition turns into a trade bloc, that resolution of WTO disputes. Developed countries at
will improve trade and investment opportunities for WTO, World Bank, IMF
India (In the backdrop of lingering EU-India trade deal
In the context of Big Power Only represents the
and pull out of RCEP)
Rivalry – Indo –Pacific, Western interest in the Big
CHALLENGES Ukraine crisis can act as an Power Rivalry (Eco -
• Economic Interconnectedness transcends across any important platform Chamber)
rigid divisions of Democracies and dictatorships negotiation between US -
• despite being a U.S. ally and a democracy, South Russia and China
Korea is wary of joining a formal D10 or Quad-plus
CHALLENGES OF G20
alliance because its economy is interwoven with that
of China • This could become a forum for Great Power Rivalry
because of Presence of US, China and Russia in the
• EU is wary of any such coalition (D10) since it recently
aftermath of Ukraine crisis.
signed EU-China new investment treaty
• The United States blocked a communiqué to the need
• Even Indian can’t afford to alienate friendly
to “resist all forms of protectionism” a communiqué to
undemocratic powers like Vietnam, Iran or Russia,
which all its members agreed.
which are important for India’s ambitions of becoming
a ‘leading power’ in the world • In Argentina summit the G20 members adopted a
communiqué to which all its members agreed.
• US and European powers are themselves not
However, this communique did not include issues like
disassociated with undemocratic allies. U.S.’s allies in
trade, climate change, and migration.
West Asia remain notoriously authoritarian, and
European countries still cultivate client dictatorships in • US is reluctant to approve the appointment to WTO
Africa. appellate body.

COMPARISON BETWEEN G20 & G7 • The G20 countries agreed to raise International
Monetary Fund (IMF) reserves with a new SDR
G20 G7 allocation of US $650 billion, critics have argued that
given the scale of financing challenge in emerging
Includes emerging It is a “First World Elite Club” economies, it is not enough.
economies like India and
• The G20 members have failed to break the impasse
China
on climate goals—many countries disapproved of the
idea of committing to keeping global warming below
Russia – China along with Does not include Russia
1.5 degrees Celsius and phasing out coal.
US and EU are members. and China.
• US, EU, Japan, and Canada want the G20 to cap
Formed after Global Remanent of Cold war temperature rise at less than 1.5 degrees and phase
out coal by 2025

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 International Relations & Security
PREVENTION OF MONEY
LAUNDERING ACT, 2002
(PMLA)
#Money Laundering
In Vijay Madanlal Choudhary vs Union of
India, the apex court, upheld several provisions of
the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002,
including those which relate to the power of arrest,
attachment, and search and seizure conferred on
the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 was enacted
to fight against the criminal offence of legalizing the
income/profits from an illegal source. The Prevention of
Money Laundering Act, 2002 enables the Government or
the public authority to confiscate the property earned
from the illegally gained proceeds.
OBJECTIVES
• Prevent money-laundering.
• Combat/prevent channelising of money into illegal
activities and economic crimes.
• Provide for the confiscation of property derived from,
or involved/used in, money-laundering.
• Provide for matters connected and incidental to the
acts of money laundering.
OFFENCES
Under PMLA, the commission of any offence, as
mentioned in Part A and Part C of the Schedule of PMLA
will attract the provisions of PMLA. Some Acts and
offences, which may attract PMLA, are enumerated
below:
• Part A enlists offences under various acts such as:
Indian Penal Code, Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances Act, Prevention of Corruption
Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, Copyright Act,
Trademark Act, Wildlife Protection Act,
Information Technology Act.
• Part B specifies offences that are Part A offences, but
the value involved in such offences is Rs 1 crore or
more.
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
• Part C deals with trans-border crimes and reflects the
dedication to tackle money laundering across global
boundaries.
AUTHORITIES ENTRUSTED FOR INVESTIGATION
• Enforcement Directorate in Department of Revenue,
Ministry of Finance, Government of India is
responsible for investigating the offences of money
laundering under the PMLA.
• Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND) under the
Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance is an
independent body reporting directly to the Economic
Intelligence Council (EIC) headed by the finance
minister. FIU-IND is the central national agency
responsible for receiving, processing, analysing, and
disseminating the information relating to suspect
financial transactions. It is also responsible for:
• Coordinating and strengthening the efforts of national
and international intelligence,
• Investigations for pursuing the global efforts against
money laundering and related crimes.
• The scheduled offences are separately investigated by
agencies mentioned under respective acts, for
example, the local police, CBI, customs departments,
SEBI, or any other investigative agency.
ACTIONS AGAINST PERSONS INVOLVED IN MONEY
LAUNDERING
• Seizure/freezing of property, records and attachment
of property obtained with the proceeds of crime.
• Any person who commits the offence of money
laundering shall be punishable with –
• Rigorous imprisonment for a minimum term of three
years and this may extend up to seven years.
• Fine (without any limit).
AMENDMENTS TO PMLA ACT 2019
Amidst the growing number of financial crimes and high-
Act,
profile cases, the 2019 Act attempts to make the existing
provisions stricter and better armoured to detect
and
suspicious transactions. Additionally, the Act, along with
the other amendments, has a greater aim of targeting
money laundering and terrorist financing. The 2019 Act
attempts to remove the ambiguity in the existing
provisions by amending eight clauses of the PMLA.
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 International Relations & Security
KEY FEATURES
• Proceeds of crime: Expanded ambit of “proceeds of
crime.” The scope now includes properties and assets
created, derived, or obtained through any criminal
activity related to the scheduled offence, even if it is
not under the PMLA.
• The 2019 Act clarifies that it would be incorrect to
interpret money laundering as a one-time,
instantaneous offence that ceases with the
concealment, possession, or acquisition or use or
projection of the proceeds of crime as untainted
property or claiming it as untainted.
• A person shall now be considered guilty of the offence
of money laundering for as long as the said person is
enjoying the “proceeds of crime” – thus, making the
offence of money laundering a continuous offence.
• Legislative intent here appears to be to prosecute and
attach all proceeds of crime, however remotely
related. A key proposed change in the definition of
“proceeds of crime” would allow the ED to proceed
against assets of equivalent value located even
outside the country.
• Empowers Enforcement directorate: Empowers ED to
undertake search actions even in the absence of a
report under Section 157 of the Code of Criminal
Procedure, 1973 (CrPC). The 2019 Act broadens the
existing powers of the ED under the PMLA provisions –
by bringing Sections 17 and 18 at par with Section 19 –
where there is no pre-condition to forward a report
under Section 157 of CrPC or to seek warrants from
the Court for making an arrest. An arrest can be made
for an offence under the PMLA even in the absence of
a First Information Report (FIR).
• Special Courts - Also includes a crucial amendment
that empowers the Special Court to restore
confiscated assets to the rightful claimants even
during the trial. The amended Section 8(8) now allows
the Special Court, if it deems fit, to consider the claims
for the purposes of restoration of such properties also
during the trial. Earlier, the assets could be restored
only after completion of the trial.
S. No. PMLA act Provision Issue raised under petitions
1. • Section 3 - Defines money • Enlarged ambit of Section 3 • Section 3 has a wider reach and
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
ALLEGATION ALLEGED AGAINST MISUSE OF PMLA
• ED does not disclose the Enforcement Case
Information Report (ECIR) (an equivalent of the FIR) is
considered an “internal document” and not given to
the accused.
• This amounts to denial of basic rights of knowledge to
the accused.
• Registering of ECIR is at ED’s discretion and after ECIR
is registered, ED begins to summon accused persons
and seeks details of all their financial transactions and
of their family members.
• The accused is called upon to make statements which
are treated as admissible in evidence without
disclosing them the charge under which they are
booked by ED.
• Throughout this procedure, the accused does not
even know the allegation against him, as the only
document which contains the allegation is the ECIR,
which is not supplied to the accused persons.
• PMLA does not distinguish between an accused and a
witness while they are summoned. This is important
because procedure under criminal law makes a
distinction between the accused and a witness.
• Selection of cases by ED have been politically
motivated based on affirmation from the central
government.
WAY FORWARD
1. Following recommendations of FATF in domestic
economic laws.
2. Empowering regulators like RBI, SEBI etc to be vigilant
towards money laundering.
3. Permanent cadre of Enforcement Directorate.
4. Use of Big Data analytics, Artificial Intelligence in
tackling money laundering.
5. Evolving sectoral action plans to tackle money
laundering in sectors which are prone to generation of
money laundering such as Narcotics, Organised
Crime, Educational Institutions etc.
JUDGEMENT ON PMLA ACT 2019
Supreme Court Judgement
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 International Relations & Security

Laundering. under 2019 amendment which captures every process and

• Defines the crime as - any process or included any of the activity of activity, direct or indirect, in
activity connected with the proceeds concealment or possession or dealing with the proceeds of
of crime including its “concealment, Acquisition individually was crime, and is not limited to the
possession, acquisition or use” and opposed in the petition. final act of integration of tainted
projecting or claiming it as untainted • It can be misused against a property in the formal economy.
property. person for mere concealment • The court interpreted the word
or Possession. “and” in the concerned laws as
“or” to give full effect to the
legislative intent.

2. • Section 5 lays down powers It was argued that the powers of Before resorting to action of
regarding provisional attachment attachment were sweeping with provisional attachment, registration
and confiscation of properties no safeguards. of scheduled offence or complaint
following approval from a high- filed in that regard, is not a
ranking ED officer if there are precondition.
reasons to believe that any person is
in possession of proceeds of crime.
• Through an amendment in 2015, the
law empowered ED to make
emergency attachment of properties
for a period of 180 days without a
preregistered criminal case.

3. Sections 16, 17 and 18 authorise ED to Issue were Raised - Against 2019 Court rejected the objections, noting
enter any place of interest and conduct amendment that did away with the process of searches and seizure
search and seizure the requirement of informing a under PMLA is not only for the
court before search and seizure. purpose of inquiring into the
offence of money laundering, but
also for prevention

4. Power to Arrest - Section 19 of the Act No arrest should take place Court highlighted that PMLA
empowers ED to make arrests after without registration of a formal intended not only to prosecute
recording reasons to do so and complaint persons involved in money
forwarding the report to the laundering but also prevent the
adjudicating authority. crime, and the power to make arrest
is quintessential to achieve this
objective of the law.

5. Summons and self-incrimination - • It was argued that this was • Court rejected this contention.
Section 50 of PMLA authorises an ED violative of Article 20(3), which • If the statement made by the
officer to summon any person to provided protection against person reveals the offence of
record statements during investigation self-incrimination. money-laundering or the
and that the person should disclose • It was also argued that ED existence of proceeds of crime,
true and correct facts known to his officers should be considered that becomes actionable under
personal knowledge, or face police officers for the the Act itself, and ED is at liberty
punishment. purposes of such inquiries, to act against such persons.
and therefore, statements • ED officers are not Police Officers.
made before them should be

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 International Relations & Security

inadmissible as evidence.

6. • Reverse burden of proof - PMLA, in • Stands in contravention to the • The court held that although
sections 24 and 45, invokes the common law principle of presumption of innocence is a
principle of reverse burden of proof, “innocent until proven guilty.” human right, it can be interdicted
in contrast to common law principle by a parliamentary law.
of “innocent until proven guilty”. • An accused would get enough
• A court will presume an accused to opportunity before the authority
be involved in money laundering or the court to discharge his
unless proved contrary. burden by showing he is not
involved

7. Section 45 - It imposes the two The twin provisions provide wide The court emphasised that money
conditions for bail in PMLA cases — discretionary power to the court laundering cannot be considered
• first, an opportunity for a prosecutor which needs to be satisfied about less severe than terrorism, and
to oppose the bail, and the innocence. therefore, tough bail conditions
were justified.
• second, the prima facie satisfaction
of a court on the presence of
reasonable grounds that the
accused is not guilty of money-
laundering and that he is not likely
to commit any offence while on bail.

DEFENCE EXPORTS
• Remaining 70 % share is from private sector.
• Most India’s defence export is in the aerospace
India’s defence exports touched a record Rs 13,000 crore
sector, where Indian firms have been manufacturing
in the 2021-2022 fiscal year. Private sector is playing a
several parts, including fuselage for foreign
key role in boosting exports.
companies.
EXPORT TARGET - $5 BILLION BY 2025
• In 2020, government had set a target of Rs 35,000 • All fuselages of American attack helicopter Apache
crore ($ 5 billion) export in aerospace, and defence sold across the world are now made in India by a joint
goods and services in the next five years. venture between Boeing and Tata.
• This is part of the turnover of Rs 1.75 lakh crore ($ 25 • Companies like Adani Defence and Lohia Group are
billion) in defence manufacturing by 2025 that the making fuselages for several Israeli drones.
government is aiming to achieve. • Vietnam is procuring 12 Fast Attack Craft under a $100
REASONS FOR LACK OF FOCUS ON DEFENCE EXPORTS million credit line announced by India and discussions
EARLIER are continuing to identify systems under the second
• Moral reasons: The ideology that India being a pacifist, line of credit of $500 million.
moral and responsible state should stay away from
• HAL has pitched its helicopters and the Tejas LCA to
the dirty business of selling arms.
several Southeast Asian and West Asian nations and is
• Corruption in defence exports: Defence exports often
in the race to supply the LCA to Malaysia.
involve commissions and bribes.
• India inked $375 million BrahMos deal with
COMPOSITION OF EXPORTS
Philippines.
• There has been rise in defence PSU share from 10% to
30% on account of Rs 2,500 crore deal that India made • Biggest beneficiary of India’s defence exports in last
with Philippines for Brahmos missiles. five years has been Myanmar.

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 International Relations & Security
• According to SIPRI report on international arms
transfer trends, roughly 50% of India’s defence
exports from 2017 to 2021 were to Myanmar, followed
by Sri Lanka at 25%, and Armenia at 11%.
IMPORTANCE OF INCREASING DEFENCE EXPORTS
• Critical defence systems are not supplied by exporting
countries.
• Technology denial regimes which limit transfer of
technology.
• Play a crucial role in improving India's strategic
relations with countries in strategically important
geographies. Ex. Philippines in Indo-Pacific.
• From being an importer of Defence equipment,
Exports can play a crucial role in earning much
needed foreign exchange. A similar strategy is being
deployed in the petroleum sector where despite being
one the largest importer, India focuses on Exporting
refined products.
• It can have a Rub-off effect on other manufacturing
sectors like - Aircraft industry etc.
• Given security context of India's location and its focus
on militarisation, focus on defence export would help
in indigenisation of Defence production overall.
• PM highlighted that changing geopolitical reality was
that many smaller nations were now worried about
security and would look towards India as it had
strength of low-cost, high-quality production.
• Private sector can play an important role in Defence
production and exports.
• Great powers like US, Russia and West European
countries are exporters of Defence equipment. With
India wanting to play a key role in Global affairs
defence exports would raise its prestige.
REASONS FOR LACK OF FOCUS ON DEFENCE EXPORTS
• Moral reasons: The ideology that India being a pacifist,
moral and responsible state should stay away from
the dirty business of selling arms.
• Corruption in defence exports: Defence exports often
involve commissions and bribes.
• Lack of availability of critical systems for exports.
CHALLENGES IN INCREASING DEFENCE EXPORTS.
• Licensed production: large proportion of defence
manufacturing in India involves licensed production
which can act as a barrier to market-based
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
development of the defence industry. For ex. UK is not
allowing export of Tejas to Argentina as it uses
components made in the UK.
• Reputational setbacks from past exports: Nepal had
blamed Indian INSAS rifles provided by DRDO for its
ineffectiveness in handling insurgency. In 2015,
Ecuador terminated contract with HAL for 7 locally
designed Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters after four
of them crashed within a short time.
• Breaking monopoly of major defence exporters: like
US, Russia & Israel would be difficult. India will have to
either cut into share of biggest exporters collectively
accounting for 90.3% of trade.
• Defence trade thrives on exporting country’s sphere of
influence. Countries in India's sphere of influence
have small defence budgets. India will need one or
two major customers like all major exporting
countries have, to boost its exports.
• World’s largest importers of arms include countries
like Egypt, China & Pakistan which India will not export
to, even if they are willing.
• Countries like Saudi Arabia, Australia, Algeria, South
Korea, Qatar & UAE are unlikely to abandon western
suppliers and turn to India for meeting their
requirement.
• After sales service ecosystem: Comprehensive after
sales services is crucial for emerge as a reliable
supplier of defence systems.
STEPS TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT
• Measures announced to boost exports since 2014
include simplified defence industrial licensing,
relaxation of export controls and grant of no-objection
certificates.
• Specific incentives were introduced under the foreign
trade policy and the Ministry of External Affairs has
facilitated Lines of Credit for countries to import
defence product.
• In addition, defence attaches in Indian missions
abroad have been empowered to promote defence
exports.
• The Defence Ministry has also issued a draft Defence
Production & Export Promotion Policy 2020.
• To boost indigenous manufacturing, the Government
had issued two “positive indigenisation lists”
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 International Relations & Security
consisting of 209 items that cannot be imported and
can only be procured from domestic industry.
• In addition, a percentage of the capital outlay of the
defence budget has been reserved for procurement
from domestic industry.
• For the year 2021-22, about 63% of the capital outlay
or about ₹70,221 crore will be done from domestic
defence industry.
• SPRINT CHALLENGES: Launched to boost to usage of
indigenous technology by inducting at least 75 new
indigenous technologies/products in Indian Navy.
Launched by NIIO in association with Defence
Innovation Organisation (DIO).
• iDEX Initiative
• Technology Development Fund was established
Ministry of Defence to promote self-reliance.
INDIA – VIETNAM
RELATIONS
India and Vietnam are celebrating 50th anniversary of their
diplomatic relations. The two countries are a natural
outcome of a growing convergence of their strategic and
economic interests, and their common vision for peace,
prosperity and their people.
TRADE AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS
• During FY 2020–2021, bilateral trade between India &
Vietnam reached US$11 billion, with Indian exports to
Vietnam amounting to US$5 billion and Indian imports
from Vietnam at US$6 billion.
• India’s trade deficit with Vietnam reduced from US$
2.2 billion during FY 1920 to US$ 1.1 billion in FY 20-21.
• In FY 2020-21, for India, Vietnam was 15th largest
trading partner globally and 4th largest within ASEAN,
following Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia.
INVESTMENTS
• India’s investments in Vietnam are estimated at
around US$ 1.9 billion including investments routed
through third countries
• As of 2020, Vietnam has 6 investment projects in India
with total estimated investment of US$ 28.55 million.
DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
• India has aided Vietnam within ASEAN framework.
• Under Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) framework,
India has been taking up Quick Impact Projects, each
valued at US$ 50,000, in different provinces of
Vietnam for development of community
infrastructure.
STRATEGIC RELATIONS
• As an extension of its Act East policy, Vietnam has
become a valuable partner in India’s political and
security engagements in the Indo-Pacific region.
• The two countries are working to address shared
strategic concerns (such as energy security and open
and secure sea lines of communication) and make
policy choices without undue external interference.
• Both India & Vietnam face territorial disputes with and
shared apprehensions about their common
neighbour, China.
• Vietnam is of great strategic importance because its
position enables it to control South China Sea.
MARITIME ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN INDIA-VIETNAM
• India’s aspiration to counter an assertive China by
strengthening Vietnam’s military power.
• With India’s increasing trade with East and Southeast
Asia, India has begun to recognise importance of its
sea lines of communication beyond its geographical
proximity; South China Sea occupies a significant
geostrategic and geo-economic position, resulting in
India’s renewed interests in South China Sea.
• India desires to intensify its presence to track
potential developments in maritime domain that
could affect its national interests.
• Indian Navy underlines importance of a forward
maritime presence and naval partnership that would
be critical to deter potential adversaries.
• India’s maritime strategic interests in the region are
well established, including the fact that almost 55% of
India’s trade with Indo-Pacific region passes through
South China Sea.
• India sees an open & stable maritime common being
essential to international trade and prosperity;
therefore, it has an interest in protecting sea lanes.
STRATEGIC COOPERATION
• Both signed Joint Vision for Defence Cooperation and
a MoU on mutual logistics support in 2022.
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 International Relations & Security
• A U.S.$100 million Defence Line of Credit has been
implemented, India has announced early finalisation
of another U.S.$500 million Defence Line of Credit to
enhance Vietnam’s defence capability.
• India is providing comprehensive underwater combat
operation training to Vietnamese sailors at INS
Satavahana in Visakhapatnam
• Vietnam is also exploring the possibility of acquiring
Indian-manufactured surveillance equipment such as
unmanned aerial vehicles.
COOPERATION ON REGIONAL FORUMS
• Both have found mutual convergences on cooperation
in Indo-Pacific region and are synergising their efforts
to work in bilateral, sub-regional and multilateral
frameworks, such as Indian Ocean Rim Association
(IORA), BIMSTEC, Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, ADMM-
Plus or ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus.
Prelims Topics
KARAKALPAKSTAN –
UZEBKISTAN
18 people were killed and 243 wounded during in
government crackdown on protests in Uzbekistan’s
autonomous province of Karakalpakstan.
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
• Both countries are also looking at collaboration
around the seven pillars of Indo-Pacific Oceans
Initiative (IPOI).
CHALLENGES
• India is one of the three countries (with Russia and
China) with which Vietnam has a Comprehensive
Strategic Partnership.
• Cultural attitudes place India lower in the hierarchy
than Vietnam’s most important partners.
• Vietnamese attitude towards China is to cooperate
and struggle at the same time.
• Vietnam did not take any stand in the India-China LAC
conflict, even when Vietnam wants India’s cooperation
on countering China in the South China sea.
• Indian investments in Vietnam lag not just China but
also Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.
The protests were against the government’s plan to take
away the autonomy of the region.
POINTERS
• The name Karakalpakstan is derived from the
Karakalpak people, an ethnic minority group of
around 2 million.
• Karakalpak translates to ‘black hat’, referring to their
traditional headgear.
• Turkic language – Karakalpak – is closely related to
Kazak
• Karakalpak people settled around the Amu Darya
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 International Relations & Security

practice questions
MCQ’s
Q.1) Which of the following countries are the c) Uzbekistan d) Tajikistan
members of G7 Grouping?
a) Japan, Canada and Italy Q.4) Which of the following countries is/are the
b) US, Germany and South Korea members of the I2U2 coalition?
c) France, Italy and Mexico 1. USA 2. UK
d) Russia, UK and Germany 3. Iraq
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Q.2) Which of the following countries are the a) 1 only b) 1 and 2 only
members of G20 Grouping? c) 2 and 3 only d) 1, 2 and 3
a) Argentina, Turkey, UAE and India
b) Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Vietnam and Japan Q.5) Which of the following countries share a
c) Mexico, South Korea, Russia and China border with the Persian Gulf?
d) European Union, Uruguay, Australia and 1. Iraq 2. Syria
Singapore 3. Yemen
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Q.3) Karakalpakstan sometimes seen in the news is a) 1 only b) 1 and 2 only
located in which of the following countries? c) 2 and 3 only d) 1, 2 and 3
a) Kyrgyzstan b) Kazakhstan

Descriptive Questions
Q1. In the changing world order G20 is more relevant to handle the emerging issues as compared to G7. Discuss.
Q2. Discuss the context, significance and challenges of the formation of I2U2/ West Asian Quad.

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

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 SOCIETY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
# GS Paper I & GS Paper II (Main)
DRAFT NATIONAL POLICY
5. Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS):
FOR PERSONS WITH
6. Scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons for
DISABILITIES
#Disabled
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
(DEPwD) under Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
released the draft National Policy for Persons with
Disabilities. This policy, once approved, will replace the
National Policy for Persons with Disabilities, 2006.
CONTEXT OF THE NEW POLICY
1. India signed the UN Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities in 2007.
2. Enactment of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act,
2016 in line with the above convention.
3. Adoption of National Education Policy, 2020
4. Disability was earlier viewed only from medical
perspective. However, there has been a paradigm
shift in understanding disability. Today, it is viewed as
socio-medical issue.
STEPS BY GOVERNMENT FOR EMPOWERMENT OF
DISABLED
1. Creation of dedicated Department of Disability under
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Rights of
Persons with Disability, 2016.
2. Accessible India Campaign to make public
infrastructure accessible.
3. Unique Disability Identity Card Project for creating a
national database for persons with disabilities based
on certification by competent authorities.
4. Disability Pension
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Provides financial assistance to NGOs for education
and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.
Purchase/Fitting of Aids/Appliances (ADIP Scheme):
Provides grants to various implementing agencies
(NGOs/National Institutes/DDRCs/ALIMCO etc.) for
purchase/fitting of aids & assistive devices for
physical rehabilitation of PwDs.
SALIENT FEATURES OF RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH
DISABILITIES ACT, 2016
Widened scope of disabled: The RPwD Act recognises
21 categories of disabilities. This will result in significant
increase in number of disabled in the country.
• Added acid attacks victims, speech and language
disability and specific learning disability etc.
• New categories of disabilities such as three blood
disorders – Thalassemia, Hemophilia and Sickle Cell
Disease.
• Dwarfism and muscular dystrophy have been
indicated as a separate class of specified disability.
Additional Benefits:
1. Reservation in higher education.
2. Reservation in government jobs.
3. Reservation in allocation of land
Rights and Entitlements of PwDs:
• Right to equality and non-discrimination:
Appropriate government to take measures to ensure
that PwDs enjoy their rights equally with others.
• Community life: PwDs shall have right to live in
community.
• Protection from cruelty and inhuman treatment:
Appropriate government to take measures to
protect PwDs from being subjected to torture,
inhuman, degrading and cruel treatment.
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 Society and Social Justice
• Protection from abuse, violence and exploitation:
Executive Magistrate/Police officer to take
cognisance of such complaints, any penal/registered
organisation may inform such cases to local
Executive Magistrate.
• Protection and safety during emergency and natural
disasters: District, State, NDMA to take appropriate
measures to ensure inclusion of PwDs in disaster
activities.
• Home & Family: No children with disabilities to be
separated from his/her parents on ground of
disability.
• Reproductive rights: No persons with disabilities to
be subject of any medical procedure which may lead
to infertility without free and informed consent.
• Legal Capacity: Persons with disabilities to have right
to inherit property, control their financial affairs,
have access to bank loans and other financial credit.
Penalties for offences committed against PwDs:
1. Violation of provisions of the Act and rules
thereunder.
2. Fraudulently availing benefit meant for persons with
benchmark disabilities.
3. Punishment for atrocities.
CHALLENGES TO INCLUSION AND EMPOWERMENT OF
PwDs
1. PwDs due to socio-psychological and cultural reasons
face stigma, discrimination and neglect.
2. Widespread underestimation of the abilities and
potential of persons with disabilities due to public
perception and prejudices, thereby creating a vicious
cycle of under achievement.
3. According to Census 2011, literacy rate among PwDs
is about 55%. Only about 5% of PwDs are graduate
and above.
4. Changing the mindset and perception of society for
developing empathetic understanding of problems of
PwDs.
5. Infusing self-esteem and self-confidence in PwDs so
that they know that their limitations can be overcome
to a large extent by self-effort and better
environment.
6. Creating an accessible built infrastructure,
transportation system, ICT ecosystem etc by adopting
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universal design principles through appropriate
technology adoption.
7. Challenges of financing disability:
a. Large population of PwDs are poor and added
costs on account of disability management push
them further into extreme poverty. Even middle-
class families find it difficult to meet its medical,
rehabilitative, transportation and other needs.
b. Annual expenditure of Central and State
Governments for PwDs is not commensurate with
their requirement. Budget allocation
c. Not all states have notified rules for the
implementation of Rights of Persons with
Disabilities Rules
8. Not all states have constituted State Advisory Boards,
District Level Committees, Designate District Level
Courts, appointed independent commissioners for
PwDs.
9. States/UTs should expedite the pace of
implementation of UDID project
10. Quantity of disability pension needs to be enhanced
to enable Divyangs life a dignified life.
PRINCIPLES OF NEW DRAFT DISABILITY POLICY
1. PwDs are valuable human resource.
2. PwDs are entitled to all rights and freedom equally
with others.
3. Discrimination on grounds of disability is violation of
inherent dignity.
4. There is diversity of PwDs
5. Need to promote and protect human rights across all
categories of PwDs including those requiring high
support.
Accessibility is about giving access of a product,
service or facility to the individual. This implies
whether all users can access an equivalent user
experience when they encounter a product, service or
facility.
When we consider PwDs, accessibility draws
significance as it is the primary tool for their
empowerment and inclusion.
The concept of barrier free was environment was
understood earlier with built environment (Buildings
etc). Slowly other dimensions of accessibility such as
transportation and ICT ecosystem were considered as
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 Society and Social Justice
part of the concept of design for all.
FOCUS AREAS OF DRAFT NATIONAL POLICY FOR
PERSONS WITH DISABILITY
1. Prevention, Early Identification & Intervention:
a. A comprehensive national program on prevention of
disability to be developed for entire gamut of
disabilities covered under RPwD Act
b. Need to upscale research-based survey on
occurrence of disability at different localities.
c. Primary health workers, ASHA, Anganwadi workers,
Primary School teachers etc to be sensitised about
causes of disability, early identification, rehabilitation,
prevention of disability.
2. Developing a network of Cross Disability Early
Intervention Centres (CDEICs) in every district to
provide following services in accessible and
appealing environment under a single roof:
a. Screening & Identification: Identification of risk cases
and referring for rehabilitative services.
b. School Readiness: Preparatory classrooms
c. Outdoor Common Services: Sports arena,
sensory/thera-park.
d. Therapeutic Services: Such as physiotherapy, speech
therapy, occupational & behavioural therapy etc.
e. Counselling Services: Parental counselling and
training, peer counselling.
o CDEICs need to equip with rehabilitation
professionals and personnel like psychologist,
special educator, activity teacher, nurse,
paediatrician and other experts.
o Networks of CDEICs should be extended to all the
districts across the country.
o ASHA and Anganwadi workers need to be
equipped for early reporting of risk cases and
sensitising parents.
o CDEICs should be integral part of awareness
measures at sub- district and village level.
3. Certification of disability:
a. District medical authorities to ensure that certificate
is issued within 30 days of receipt of application.
b. States/UTs to ensure availability of specialist at every
certifying healthcare institution based on cluster
approach or hiring.
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c. States/UTs to fix one day in fortnight for certification
of disabilities at every certifying healthcare
institution.
d. Every district hospital to have equipment and
facilities for testing blood disorder, locomotor, visual
and hearing disability. Sign language interpreter to be
deputed at every district hospital.
4. Education:
a. States/UTs to insert a provision regarding compliance
of provisions of RPwD Act, 2016 by educational
institutions while recognising them.
b. Every district to have nodal officer to oversee
admission of students with disabilities in inclusive
setup without discrimination.
c. Provision of special schools or home-based learning
system for children with disabilities who cannot join
inclusive education. Ultimate objective of special
schools/home-based learning will be prepared
children with disabilities to join inclusive education.
d. Monitoring of learning outcomes of children with
disabilities.
5. Skill Development and Employment
a. A dedicated national level employment portal for
PwDs to be developed, meeting highest standards of
accessibility. This portal will have all information
related to employment (job listing (both private and
public), recruitment process) and skill development.
This portal will
b. Every government and private establishment will
report their vacancies to Ministry of Labour &
Employment for updating in the portal.
c. Above portal will act as employment exchange for
PwDs by providing additional facility of registration of
PwDs with their UDID number.
6. Sports, Culture & Education
a. Setting up of dedicated disability centers, in each
zone, with state-of-the-art facilities for training of
PwDs with residential support.
b. Encouraging Paralympic games at district, state and
national levels.
c. Ensuring accessibility of all mainstream sports
facilities under Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
and Sports Authority of India.
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 Society and Social Justice
d. Culture Ministry to develop a scheme for promoting
fine arts and performing arts among PwDs.
Acknowledging and propagating literary work of PwD
and propagated at all levels.
e. Upscaling cultural programs like Divya Kala Shakti
focussed on dance and music but fine arts, painting,
sculpture etc.
f. Cultural program involving PwDs with disabilities to
be held at State/District level which would
7. Accessibility:
a. All local body building byelaws will incorporate
accessibility standards under the harmonised
guidelines for barrier free environment and space
standard for PwDs/elderly or under National Building
Code.
b. All Centre/States/UTs to ensure that every new public
building conforms to the accessibility standards at
the planning stage and cost estimate will take into
consideration accessibility features as per applicable
norm.
c. Architects/Civil Engineers to be sensitised to ensure
inculcation of accessibility, universal design culture in
all public infrastructure.
d. Curriculum for engineering to have a component of
accessibility and universal design.
e. States/UTs will work out an action plan for making all
their existing building accessible in a time bound
manner.
f. All new passenger buses to have accessibility
features and existing passenger busses to be phased
out.
g. Efforts to promote accessible passenger cars for
PwDs, accessible cab facilities at airports, railway
stations etc. Drivers of such vehicles to be sensitised
and trained about needs of PwDs.
h. All airports, railways, ship vessels, metro to meet the
accessibility standards.
i. All websites of both government & private will meet
GoI guidelines
8. Disaster Management
a. Ensuring preparedness during normal times with
proper coordination with various stakeholders.
b. Sensitisation of local level authorities in handling
PwDs and their specific requirements.
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c. Active role of State Commissioners of PwDs and
District level authorities in maintenance of basic data,
list of voluntary organisations and disability
associations, protocols in management
d. Involvement of PwDs and their associations in
planning, implementation and monitoring of disaster
risk reduction.
e. Declaring a focal point for inclusive DRR for state
level, regional level and other organisations at local
level. A system of collaboration between the focal
points will also be established by NDMA.
f. Collecting sex, age and disability segregated data by
disaster management authorities at district, state and
national level.
g. Conducting regular audits to ensure that all services
related to disaster risk management are accessible
and usable by NDMA/SDMA.
h. Training of manpower in the field of disaster risk
reduction in the context of implementing disability
inclusive DRR by NDMA/SDMA.
i. Priority to PwDs for evacuation is disaster situations
and relief under disaster management fund.
9. Social Security
a. Encourage States/UTs to develop appropriate social
security policy for PwDs.
b. States/UTs to consider universal coverage of PwBDs
under disability pension scheme subject to their
economic capacity and development.
c. Covering all PwDs under food security program.
d. Provision of community centers for providing
shelters with food and clothing facility to homeless
persons with disabilities.
e. Developing a comprehensive insurance program for
PwDs for their health and life. IRDAI to sensitise
insurance providers for ensuring PwDs are not
discriminated against while seeking insurance
coverage.
f. Provision of higher interest for savings of PwDs.
g. Developing schemes by States/UTs for providing
caregiver allowance.
h. Streamlining grant of guardianship as a support
mechanism to PwDs.
i. Creating better employment opportunities for PwDs
and covering all PwDs in the age group of 18-59 years
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 Society and Social Justice
by States/UTs for support by unemployment
allowance.
j. Enhancing coverage of ADIP Program in effective
manner and developing a mechanism for providing
support
10. Strengthening institutional mechanism and capacity
development:
a. Each Central Ministry/Department should have a
nodal officer on disability matters to be responsible
for coordinating with DEPwD.
b. Priority to be given for implementation of
recommendations of Central Advisory Board on
Disability, highest policy recommending body on
disability sector.
c. National institutes/Composite Regional Centers
(CRCs) to serve as focal point at the regional level to
coordinate with concerned authorities on disability
matters.
d. National institutes and Composite Regional Centers
(CRCs) should be involved under PM-DAKSH portal.
e. Setting up of at least one National Institute or
Composite Regional Center in every State/UT.
f. Supporting District Disability Rehabilitation Centres in
every district to provide single window facility for
Divyangs at district level. Each DDRC should have
facilities of Cross Disability Early Intervention.
g. DDRCs should be located adjacent to District
Hospitals/Health Care institutions. Each DDRC should
be manned by rehabilitation personnel/community
based inclusive development professionals.
h. Rehabilitation centres at sub-divisional level on the
model of DDRCs based on population of PwDs.
i. Staff and personnel of DDRCs and State run
rehabilitation centers including NGOs should be
trained under National Institutes/Composite Regional
Centers.
j. Rehabilitation Council of India to take measures to
develop well trained pool of rehabilitation
personnel/professional to meet the requirement of
all categories of PwDs.
k. Setting up a University in Disability Studies and
Rehabilitation Sciences to serve as a national
resource centre on human resource development,
inclusive universal design and assistive technology.
11. Protection of rights of PwDs:
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a. Need to develop a system to capture data relating to
number of cases filed by PwDs in special courts,
police stations and time taken for disposal of such
cases.
b. On receipt of complaints by office of Chief
Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD),
action to be initiated within a week. Hearing and
disposal of grievances of disabled should be in time
bound manner.
c. Office of State Commissioner need to be given due
support of staff and other infrastructure.
d. Common online platform for registering of complaint
by PwDs. These complaints will automatically forward
to CCPD, or respective State Commissioner based on
the nature of the complaint.
e. Sensitising public and private authorities to create an
inclusive society. State commissioners along with
State Governments need to conduct sensitizing
workshop for District/State authority periodically.
f. States/UT to constitute District level committees
which could act as grievance redressal mechanism at
the district level.
g. States/UTs to designate special court in every district
and appoint special Public Prosecutor for facilitating
speedy trials of cases concerning rights of PwDs.
h. National Legal Aid and State Legal Aid Authority need
to develop schemes for PwDs for enabling them
access to justice.
i. Executive Magistrate may be designated in every
district to deal with violence, abuse and exploitation
of PwDs.
j. Administration and police to be given orientation
training about the rights of PwDs and their role and
responsibility to protect their rights.
12. Disability Data Management:
a. Unique Disability ID Card project should be linked
with all service delivery mechanism through
appropriate Application Programming Interface (API)
integration.
b. User establishments of UDID database to ensure
privacy of PwDs while disseminating information.
c. All educational institutions starting from preparatory
school, Institutions offering distance learning/home-
based learning, all government run healthcare
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 Society and Social Justice
institutions should capture UDID data and maintain
disability disaggregated data.
d. DOPT to develop a common database of employees
with disabilities and their year-wise recruitment in all
Central Government establishments and capture
UDID number.
e. All schemes and programs for individual citizens
should capture disability disaggregated data on
disability.
13. Research & development:
a. Finding incidence and prevalence of different
disabilities, region-wise based on scientific data,
causes and possible interventions for minimising
disability.
b. Developing low cost, indigenous aids and assistive
devices for which ALIMCO should play a lead role.
c. Developing mechanism/tool for accessible education,
sports, culture, health services.
d. Framing a mechanism for accreditation of indigenous
research products in disability sector for research
finding to get translated into real outcomes for
enhancing quality of life of PwDs.
e. Identifying premier research institutions that are
capable of undertaking quality research in disability
sector in consultation with Department of Science &
Technology.
14. Promoting Atmanirbhar Bharat in Disability Sector:
a. Fully indigenise high end prosthesis i.e., below knee
and above knee with local procurement of input raw
material.
b. Modernisation of ALIMCO with advanced equipment
to increase production capacity of better-quality aids
and assistive devices, to reduce import of these.
c. ALIMCO to enforce rigorous quality control on its
vendors and market products through chain of
retailers. ALIMCO will undertake upgradation of
knowledge and skills of its workforce to align it with
the primary aim of improved product design and
development and manufacturing new products.
d. ALIMCO to apply best management practices to
minimise cost for aids and assistive device and
improve its share.
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e. ALIMCO to develop a network of retailers and set up
repairing units through these networks.
15. International cooperation:
a. MoUs with other countries for facilitating cooperation
in research in access to scientific and technical
knowledge, for promoting accessible and assistive
technology and other areas.
4. Financing
a. States/UTs/local governments to earmark sufficient
funds for disability sector every year.
b. Efforts need to be made to sensitise corporate sector
for facilitating higher funds for empowerment of
PwDs.
c. All States/UTs to set up State Fund and popularise
the fund for receiving donation for public for utilising
it for empowerment of PwDs.
d. Public private partnership needs to be explored for
providing services to Divyangjan.
CONCERNS AGAINST THE POLICY
• Limited focus on political empowerment of disabled:
Exclusion of disabled people from political space
happens at all levels of the political process. For ex.
Inaccessibility of voting process, barriers to
participation in party politics or lack of representation
at local level. Political parties do not find the disabled
as the large electorate. The policy is silent on political
empowerment of disabled. Ex. Chhattisgarh started
the initiative of nominating at least one disabled
person in each panchayat.
• Doctors especially those engaging with disabled were
not involved during the framing of the policy.
• Lacks inter-ministerial coordination: There is no
coordination with Union Health Ministry’s draft of
accessibility standards for healthcare.
• Does not provide pathways to mandate health
professionals to acquire the right medical diagnostic
equipment.
• Does little to ensure accessibility requirements are
included in public procurement laws and policies.
• Policy is silent on repealing all types of guardianship
that affect deaf blind people and persons with
intellectual or psychological disabilities.
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LOCALISATION OF SDGs
• Size, population & diversity and heterogeneity in
terms of physical features, ecology, natural resource
#Development base, economic development, socio-economic
attainments and stage of demographic transition.
This diversity necessitates developing differential
LOCALISATION OF SDGS
strategies for attainment of SDGs.
SDG localisation can be defined as the process of
• Large population: Uttar Pradesh alone will be 5th
recognising sub-national contexts in the achievement of
largest country in terms of population, population of
2030 Agenda and ensuring that sub-national
all districts in India is comparable to some country or
governments drive the agenda right from the
other. Therefore, local development solutions and
envisioning for the future of setting of the goals and
interventions which are cognisant of this scale need
targets, devising policies and strategies, establishing
to be developed.
institutional mechanism for driving the agenda,
• Planning at national level for achieving SDGs will be
budgeting, monitoring and building partnerships to
ineffective in responding to diverse development
achieve the goals envisioned.
status wherein advanced states is much better than
In a country like India, achieving the SDGs is only
bottom performing states.
possible through localisation, given the diversity of
• Decentralising governance closer to people allows for
issues at the local level and the magnitude of the
developing strategies that:
challenges.
o Better reflects ground realities
ROLE OF SUB-NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS IN
o Enable agile decision making to emerging
LOCALISING SDGS
challenges.
• In India's polity is federated polity, States are best
o Helps in ensuring wider ownership of sustainable
placed to put people first and ensure that no one is
left behind. development agenda.

• They have the constitutionally mandated role in • Localisation of the SDGs promotes cooperative and

designing and delivering developmental schemes and competitive federalism in the country. It enables the

programs to people. governments at different levels to shoulder their

responsibilities more effectively than any single
• Total expenditure of the States exceeds that of the
central government.
Centre by 70%.
• Localisation allows developing local solutions to local
• Ability to achieve SDGs will depend on ability and
challenges by empowering the state/UTs and the local
actions of States, districts, cities and panchayats.
governments to identify and address developmental
NEED FOR SDG LOCALISATION
issues. States & UTs can learn from each other,
• Constitutional imperative and mandate for localising thereby optimising time, efforts and resources.
the SDGs at the sub-national levels. Several subjects
• Localisation of SDGs is an excellent opportunity for
of significance that have a direct bearing on SDGs
governments at all levels to improve their capacity.
come under the State List or the Concurrent List. Ex.
For ex. In Statistical systems as SDGs require
Public health, education, agriculture, water, transport,
collection, collation and analysis of data where there
public order, local government etc. Constitutionally, it
has been no historical collection of data.
not possible to make progress on any of these
subjects without anchoring the work at State level.

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 Society and Social Justice
PILLARS OF INDIAN MODEL OF SDG LOCALISATION
There are four pillars upon which the success of the
Indian model for localising SDGs rests:
Pillar I: Creating institutional ownership.
Pillar II: Establishing a robust review and monitoring
system
Pillar III: Developing capacities for integrating the SDGs
in planning and monitoring
Pillar IV: Adopting a 'whole of society' approach.
CREATING INSTITUTIONAL OWNERSHIP
• Political ownership (or ownership at the highest level)
of the 2030 Agenda is important for localising the
SDGs: Localising SDGs requires a 'whole of
government' and 'whole of society' approach which
cannot be realised without political ownership.
• Institutional structures dedicated to SDGs are integral
to effective localisation of the Goals in the States: An
institutional architecture with an anchor or nodal
institution/department that is empowered to
convene/coordinate and advise is a pre-requisite for
actions on SDGs. The institution anchoring action on
SDGs must have a 'bird's eye view' of all the
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dimensions of SDGs- economic, social &
environmental and undertake critical analysis to
guide actions related to the macro picture.
• Dedicated SDG centres/units play a critical role:
• Ownership can be ensured by aligning the long-term
vision, strategy, plans and budgets of the states and
UTs to the SDGs
• Integrating SDGs at the lowest levels of governance is
critical.
ESTABLISHING A ROBUST REVIEW & MONITORING
SYSTEM
• Need for establishing a system for reviewing and
monitoring progress on SDGs, ‘what gets measured
gets done.’
• Localising SDGs at the sub-national level required
capacity advancement at investment in statistical
systems.
• Use of IT tools in important.
• Special surveys may need to be designed to ensure
that ‘no one is left behind.’
• Inculcating healthy competition among districts is
useful.
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DEVELOPING CAPACITIES FOR INTEGRATING THE SDGS
IN PLANNING AND MONITORING
• Extent to which states can drive the SDG agenda is
dependent on two factors: (a) ownership & (b)
capacities at all levels.
• All levels of the government need to have capacities
for integrating SDGs in planning, implementation and
monitoring
• Progress on 2030 Agenda requires a diverse capacity
set
• Process of institutionalising SDGs at the sub-national
level mandates building local capacities.
DEVELOPING CAPACITIES FOR INTEGRATING THE SDGs
IN PLANNING AND MONITORING
• Partnership among various stakeholders is critical to
achieving the SDGs. Different categories of partners
bring in their own skill set and expertise to the table
and augment capacities which may be lacking with a
particular institution in a particular domain.
• Civil Society Organisations bring out voices of most
vulnerable sections of the population to the
government and other stakeholders. The promote
human rights of the most marginalised. Play an
effective role in mobilising public opinion and action
and influencing behaviour changes at local population
level. There is tremendous potential for CSOs, those
working in remote regions to participate in SDGs.
• Private Sector is critical for promoting sustainable
growth, developing affordable and innovative
solutions to development challenges, generating
skilling and employment opportunities and
contributing to progress. Corporate Social
Responsibility provides an important framework for
private sector to contribute to SDGs.
• Collaboration with academia, universities and
research institutions is important for benefitting from
cutting edge innovation and research.
WAY FORWARD
• SDG reform action plan must transform all aspects of
public governance at all levels to be more inclusive
and work synergistically towards sustainable
development.
• Institutional architecture developed for localising SDG
needs to drive a holistic development path focusing
on the interconnectedness of social, economic and
environmental needs.
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• Monitoring of SDGs at the national and sub-national
levels needs to intensify, focusing on issues that are
at risk of missing the SDG goalposts.
• Capacity building is an extremely critical cross-cutting
entry point for any progress on SDGs.
• Developing long-term strategic partnerships should
be priority in the Decade of Action on 2030 Agenda.
LOCALISING OF SDGs in PRIs
• Ministry of Panchayati Raj is committed to the
achievement of SDGs through Rashtriya Gram Swaraj
Abhiyaan Scheme.
• RGSA scheme mandates to capacitate elected
representatives for good governance through
attainment of SDGs through participatory local
planning at Gram Panchayat level.
• 17 SDGs have been reorganised into 9 goals through
participatory local planning at Gram Panchayat level.
• Through the 9 identified goals, MoPR has been
progressing in attaining the SDGs, but it is felt that
more focused approach is required in localizing the
concept of SDGs at the grassroots level.
• Whole of Government Approach:
a. Localising SDGs in PRIs is to be recognised as
responsibility of all ministries.
b. States to issue clear guidelines to line departments
for working in convergence with PRIs.
c. Flagship schemes of ministries address various
SDGs. Hence, pro-active participation of ministries
along with PRIs is necessary to take outcomes to
next level.
• Local Indicator Framework: The process of linking
global indicators till the grassroot levels until
Panchayats is ensured through localisation of SDGs.
o Vision statement for each theme is broken down to
Local Targets for Gram Panchayats to work on.
Most targets link to the National Targets.
o The targets are measured by indicators. These
indicators are to form Local Indicator Framework.
The LIF is in line with National Indicator Framework
as would apply at Gram Panchayat level and some
LIF are unique to Panchayat only.
o 9 Themes have been identified for Panchayats:
1. Poverty free and enhanced livelihood in villages.
2. Healthy Village
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 Society and Social Justice
3. Child Friendly Village
4. Water Sufficient Village
5. Clean and Green Village
6. Self-sufficient infrastructure in Village
7. Socially secured Village
8. Village with Good Governance
9. Engendered Development in Village
Panchayat Dashboard to be developed at all Panchayats
to reflect information of progress in Panchayat on SDGs.
Best Practices portal to be linked to this dashboard. It
will provide a workboard for panchayats to prepare
GPDP.
Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP): The GPDP
helps Panchayats in converging all the resources in
setting local development agenda and finding local
solutions to development issues. GPDP developed
should be reflective of localisation of SDGs in rural areas
and try of attain the targets of Local Indicator
Framework (LIF).
Quality Circles: It is the essential mechanism for
concurrent and continuous handholding and follow up.
It enables regular, relevant, continuous program inputs,
flexibility, mid-course corrections, feedback, process and
output follow-up, monitoring and convergence. Quality
circles enable exchange of information between PRIs
and various partners.
• Quality Circle to be established with Panchayat
Presidents representing from Gram Panchayats in the
area, along with the field next level official and area
Elected Representative of Block and District. NGOs
and other partners working with Gram Panchayats to
also be invited as part of Quality Circles.
• Quality Circles are to be at block/sub-block level and
should meet every 2 months.
Other steps required:
1. Adoption of best practices and their documentation.
2. Incentivisation is necessary for action on SDGs and
for recognition of efforts by Gram Panchayats.
3. Partnerships: From whole of government to whole of
society approach needs to be followed with
collaboration from NITI Aayog, Ministries, States,
Universities, Women, Youth, Private Sector and Civil
Society etc.
4. Roles & responsibilities need to be clearly spelt out
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for preventing overlap, finding gaps to fill and engage
in planned manner.
5. Convergence: Convergence in actions of all actors
should be explored to make all actors contribute and
multi-dimensional impact.
6. Capacity building & Training: Effective Capacity
Building & Training can bring sea changes. Design of
Capacity Building & Training and IEC needs to be
highly effective that the programme impacts the
participants with the burning desire & motivation to
work on the issues.
7. Evidence based monitoring at national level, state
level and local level for continuous assessment.
REVAMPED RASHTRIYA GRAM SWARAJ ABHIYAN
• The scheme will help more than 2.78 lakh Rural local
bodies including Traditional bodies to develop
governance capabilities to deliver on SDGs through
inclusive local governance with focus on optimum
utilisation of available resources.
• Priority will be given to subjects of national
importance:
(a) Poverty free and enhanced livelihood in villages.
(b) Healthy Village
(c) Child Friendly Village
(d) Water Sufficient Village
(e) Clean and Green Village
(f) Self-sufficient infrastructure in Village
(g) Socially secured Village
(h) Village with Good Governance
(i) Engendered Development in Village
• As panchayats have representation of
SCs/STs/Women and are institutions closest to
grassroots, strengthening Panchayats will promote
equity and inclusiveness, social justice and economic
development of the community.
• Increased use of e-governance by PRIs will help
achieve improved service delivery and transparency.
• Establish institutional structure for capacity building
of PRIs at national, state and district level with
adequate human resource and infrastructure.
• Panchayats will progressively be strengthened
through incentivisation based on nationally important
criteria to recognise roles of Panchayats in attainment
of SDGs and to inculcate spirit of healthy competition.
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 Society and Social Justice
• No permanent post will be created under the scheme
but need based contractual human resources may be
provisioned for overseeing the implementation of the
scheme and providing technical support to States/UTs
for achieving goals under the scheme.
MISSION SHAKTI
#Women Empowerment
Ministry of Women and Child Development has issued
detailed guidelines for Mission Shakti aimed at
strengthening interventions for Women Safety, Security and
Empowerment.
OBJECTIVES OF THE SCHEME
• Mission Shakti is a scheme in mission mode aimed at
strengthening interventions for women safety,
security and empowerment.
• Seeks to realise Government’s commitment for
‘women-led development’ by addressing issues
affecting women on a life-cycle continuum basis and
by making them equal partners in nation-building
through convergence and citizen-ownership.
• Seeks to make women economically empowered,
exercising free choice over their minds and bodies in
an atmosphere free from violence and threat.
• Seeks to reduce care burden on women and increase
female labour force participation by promoting skill
development, capacity building, financial literacy,
access to micro-credit etc.
SALIENT FEATURES
• Mission Shakti has two sub-schemes: Sambal and
Samarthya.
• Sambal sub-scheme is for safety and security of
women.
• Samarthya sub-scheme is for empowerment of
women.
• Components of Sambal:
o Existing schemes of One Stop Centre, Women
Helpline, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.
o A new component of Nari Adalats has been added.
They are women’s collectives to promote and
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facilitate alternative dispute resolution and gender
justice in society and within families.
• Components of Samarthya:
o Erstwhile schemes of Ujjwala, Swadhar Greh and
Working Women Hostel.
o Existing schemes of National Creche Scheme for
children of working mothers and Pradhan Mantri
Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) under umbrella
ICDS have now been included in Samarthya.
o A new component of Gap Funding for Economic
Empowerment has also been added.
ABOUT NARI ADALATS
• Aims at providing with an alternate Grievance
Redressal Mechanism for resolving cases of petty
nature (harassment, subversion, curtailment of rights
or entitlements) faced by women at Gram Panchayat
level.
• They will be formed of committed and socially
respected women chosen for that purpose.
• This platform will also be utilized for engaging with
the public for awareness generation and getting
feedback for improvement in the schemes and for
effective public delivery of services.
• These will be provided logistic support through Gram
Panchayats in convergence with the Ministry of
Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Rural Development, and
Common Service Centres (CSCs) run by the Ministry of
Electronics and Information Technology.
• Initially, it will be launched in identified States/UTs,
preferably where Elected Women Representatives
(EWRs) are heading the Gram Panchayats (GPs) in
Aspirational Districts.
• Under this component, no remuneration to the
selected members shall be provided. However, out-of-
pocket expenses will be provided by the Ministry for
organising the meetings and for providing the badge/
uniform to the members.
MISSION VATSALYA
#Women Empowerment
Ministry of Women and Child Development has issued
detailed guidelines for Mission Vatsalya aimed at
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 Society and Social Justice

strengthening interventions for Women Safety, Security and SALIENT FEATURES

Empowerment. • Promotes family based non-institutional care of
OBJECTIVE children in difficult circumstances based on the
• Secure a healthy and happy childhood for each child principle of institutionalisation of children as a
in India. measure of last resort.

• Ensure opportunities to enable them to discover their • Components under Mission Vatsalya: Improve
full potential and assist them in flourishing in all functioning of statutory bodies; Strengthen service
respects in a sustained manner delivery structures; Upscale institutional
care/services; Encourage non-institutional
• Foster a sensitive, supportive and synchronised
community-based care; emergency outreach services;
ecosystem for development of children.
Training and capacity building.
• Assist States/UTs in delivering the mandate of Juvenile
• Mission Vatsalya will be implemented as a centrally
Justice Act, 2015.
sponsored scheme as per prescribed cost sharing
• Achievement of SDG goals. ratio between the Centre and States/UT governments.

practice questions
MCQs
Q.1) Consider the following statements about Q.3) Consider the following statements about NARI
Mission Vatsalya: Adalats:
1. It is a scheme under NITI Aayog. 1. They provide women with an alternate Grievance
2. It aims to improve the implementation of Juvenile Redressal Mechanism for resolving cases of petty
Justice Act. nature.
Which of the following statements is/are correct? 2. This platform will also be utilised for engaging
(a) 1 only with the public for awareness generation and
getting feedback for improvement in schemes.
(b) 2 only
3. They will be given statutory status under Legal
(c) Both 1 and 2
Services Act.
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only
Q.2) Consider the following statements about
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Mission Shakti:
1. Sambal and Samarthya are two broad sub-
schemes under the mission. Q.4) Consider the following statements about
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016:
2. Sambal ensures safety and security of women.
1. Acid attack victims are treated as disabled under
3. Samarthya is aimed at empowerment of women.
the act.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
2. Provides for reservation in public education and
(a) 1 only
employment for disabled.
(b) 2 and 3 only
3. Persons with disability will be provided education
(c) 1 and 3 only in special schools only.
(d) 1, 2 and 3 Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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 Society and Social Justice

(a) 1 and 2 only 1. It is a scheme of Ministry of Rural Development.

(b) 3 only 2. It aims to empower panchayats to attain SDG
(c) 1 and 3 only goals.
(d) 1, 2 and 3 Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
Q.5) Consider the following statements about (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Restructured Rashtriya Gram Swaraj
Abhiyaan:

Descriptive Question
Q1. Localisation of SDGs is essential for a overall attainment of SDGs in India. In this context, highlight the role of

Restructured Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyaan for localisation of SDGs in rural areas.

Q2. The draft disability policy has aims to empowerment of disabled. Highlight positives and concerns against it.

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

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

FOREST CONSERVATION
embedded the need for Gram Sabha consent as a
procedural requirement for prior approval by

RULES, 2022 environment ministry.

• Undertaking compensatory afforestation in other
#Forestry #Conservation States/UTs: Under the rules, compensatory
afforestation can be undertaken in another State/UT
(having forest cover less than 20% of its geographical
MOEFCC recently notified the Forest Conservation Rules,
area) in case forest land is diverted is in a hilly or
2022 superseding earlier rules for forest diversion under the
mountainous State/UT (having forest cover of more
Act. Forest Conservation Rules deals with restrictions on de-
than 2/3rd of its area) or in other State/UT (having
reservation of forests or use of forest for non-forest
forest cover of more than 1/3rd of its geographical
purposes. The rules are based on the principle of polluter
area).
pays and requires forest diversion to be compensated by
compensatory afforestation. The rules are to operationalise • Accredited compensatory afforestation: This
the provision of the act. mechanism allows people to raise vegetation on their
land and sell it to persons who need to meet
SALIENT FEATURES
compensatory afforestation targets under the Act.
• Project Screening Committee: The rules propose This land must at least be of 10 hectares and comprise
constitution of a project screening committee in each trees that are at least 5 years old and have a density
State/UT for an initial review of proposal involving of 0.4 or more. Earlier, a project developer had to
diversion of forest land. The 5-member committee will provide land which is not notified as forest against
meet at least twice every month and will advise state forest diversion and had to bear the cost of raising
governments on projects in a time-bound manner. compensatory afforestation over the same piece of
Dilution of Forest Rights: Onus of ensuring forest rights of land.
forest dwellers are rehabilitated is with state
governments. Earlier, compliance with FRA was • Centre will formulate an accredited compensatory
mandatory before the Centre granted stage II forest afforestation mechanism for people interested in
clearance to any project.
using their land for the scheme.
• Dilution of Gram Sabha powers: The procedural
• The total amount of land that needs to be
requirement for consent of Gram Sabha has been
done away with. Forest Conservation Rules, 2016 had compensated can be reduced if the plantations or

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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management
accredited compensatory afforestation are made
available in a wildlife corridor or contiguous to a
forest.
• Land Bank: States/UTs may for the purpose of
compensatory afforestation can create a land bank
under control of forest department. The minimum
size of the land bank is 25 hectares. In case the land
bank should be in continuity of a land declared or
notified as forest, protected area, tiger reserve or
within a designed or identified tiger or wildlife
corridor, there shall be no restriction on size of the
land, there shall be no restriction on size of the land.
The lands covered under accredited compensatory
afforestation may be included in the land bank.
BENEFITS
• Earlier, compensatory afforestation had to be done in
the same state where forest land was diverted, this
posed developmental challenges in north-east and
Himalayan states as they had limited land to divert to
forest.
• Accredited compensatory afforestation is expected to
act as incentive for persons to develop plantations
and take up agroforestry. This will especially provide a
new stream of income in rural areas, create
employment and regeneration of wastelands.
• Incentive for compensatory afforestation near forests
and protected areas will incentivise larger forests,
movement of wildlife and biodiversity protection.
• Ease of doing business for people taking
infrastructure development and industrial projects.
CRITICISM
• Union government may permit the clearance of a
forest without first informing its residents. This is in
abrogation of spirit of Forest Rights Act.
• The dilution of consent of Gram Sabha erodes say of
local people in forest diversion. Approaching the Gram
Sabha after the final approval is granted will only
make its role irrelevant and powers of rightsholders
under FRA redundant.
• State governments will come under pressure to speed
up the process of diverting forest land at the expense
of livelihoods of tribals and forest dwellers.
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BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
AMENDMENT BILL, 2002
#Forestry #Conservation
MOEFCC introduced amendments to Biological Diversity
Act, 2002.
BASICS OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY ACT
• This act was enacted to provide for
(a) Conservation of biological diversity
(b) Sustainable use of biodiversity
(c) Fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out
of biodiversity and its knowledge.
• This act seeks to fulfil India’s obligations under the
UNCBD and Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit
Sharing.
• Provides for a decentralised three-tiered mechanism
comprising NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY AUTHORITY at
national level, STATE BIODIVERSITY AUTHORITY at
State level and Biodiversity Management Committee
at local level.
• Biodiversity Management Committees are integral
part of the local self-governing bodies, including
panchayats and municipalities. Each BMC prepares
People’s Biodiversity Registers which keeps a record of
all flora and fauna including details of traditional
knowledge available in the region.
• The Act provides a mechanism for accessing and
sharing of biological or genetic resources and fair and
equitable benefits sharing, with the Biodiversity
Management Committees.
• National Biodiversity Authority, State Biodiversity
Authority and Biodiversity Management Committees
are inter-connected and ensure access and benefit
sharing while accessing biological resources for
research, patent, transfer of results and commercial
utilisation of biological resources.
• Benefits may be shared in various forms such as: (a)
Monetary compensation (b) sharing of intellectual
property rights (c) technology transfer.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT
• Simplifies compliance requirements for domestic
companies.
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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management
• Users of codified traditional knowledge and AYUSH
practitioners will be exempted from sharing benefits
with local communities.
• Removes research and bio-survey activities from the
purview of benefit sharing requirements.
• Decriminalisation of the offences under the Act and
proposes monetary penalties.
• Adjudicating authority: The bill changes
adjudicating authority from the judge to a government
official. The penalty decision will be based on an
inquiry instead of a judgement.
• Benefit sharing will be based on terms agreed
between users and BMCs represented by the National
Biodiversity Authority. BMC will directly not undertake
BENEFITS OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Representatives of Indian system of medicine, seed,
industry and research sector have been urging to
simplify, streamline and reduce compliance burden to
encourage conducive environment for collaborative
research and investments, simplify patent application
process, widen the scope of levying access and benefit
sharing with local communities and for further
conservation of biological resources.
THE AMENDMENT SEEKS TO
• Reduce pressure on wild medicinal plants
encouraging cultivation of medicinal plants.
• Encourages Indian system of medicine.
• Facilitate fast-tracking of research, patent application
process, transfer of research results while utilising
biological resources available in India without
compromising objectives of UNCBD and its Nagoya
Protocol.
• Decriminalise certain provisions and adjudicatory
process.
• Bring more foreign investments in the chain of
biological resources, including research, patent and
commercial utilisation, without compromising the
national interest.
ISSUES WITH THE AMENDMENT
• The term ‘codified traditional knowledge’ has not been
defined under the Amendment. UNCBD and Nagoya &
Cartagena Protocol also do not define this term. A
broad interpretation of this might exempt almost all
traditional knowledge from benefit sharing
requirements.
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• The Bill removes the direct role of local bodies and
benefit claimers in determining mutually agreed
terms. Thus, reducing the powers of Biodiversity
Management Committees.
• There is no provision for a mechanism for obtaining
prior informed consent of the local and indigenous
communities. Under the Nagoya Protocol, prior
informed consent of indigenous and local
the
communities is a must.
• Mere monetary compensation will not deter large
corporates from appropriating the traditional
knowledge of local communities.
WILDLIFE (PROTECTION)
AMENDMENT BILL, 2021
#Forestry #Conservation
MOEFCC introduced amendments to Wildlife Protection
Act, 1972.
ABOUT WILDLIFE PROTECTION ACT, 1972
• WPA provides legal framework for the
1. Protection of various species of wild animals and
by
plants,
2. Management of their habitat (Provides a legal
framework for National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries,
Community Reserves and Conservation Reserves)
3. Regulation and control of trade in wild animals,
plants and their parts and products.
4. Framework for tiger protection: Constitution of
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA),
constitution of Tiger reserves etc.
OBJECTIVES
• Ensuring international trade in wildlife is legal,
sustainable and traceable by implementing the CITES
as India despite being a party to CITES has not
implemented all provisions of CITES related to trade in
wildlife trade.
• Protection of native Indian gene pool.
• Improved care of seized and surrendered wild
animals.
• Ensuring deterrence by enhancing fines.
• Rationalisation of schedules to the existing Act.
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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management
SALIENT FEATURES
• Amendment to the Preamble of WPA: Proposes to
include aspects of ‘conservation’ and ‘management’ of
wildlife in the preamble in addition to protection. The
word ‘Wildlife’ is used in the act which includes both
wild animals and plants.
• Provisions for Standing Committee of National Board
of Wildlife: Allows for rules to be framed for
prescribing terms and conditions of committees, sub-
committees or study groups.
• Standing Committee for State Board for Wildlife: The
present WPA does not have provision for Standing
Committee for State Board for Wildlife, unlike the
NBWL. The Standing Committee of State Board will be
headed by State Minister of Forest/Wildlife and will
have 10 members.
• Rationalisation of Schedules of Act: Rationalises the
Six Schedule presently in the WPA into three
schedules – Schedule I for species enjoying highest
protection, Schedule II for species subject to lesser
protection and Schedule III for plants.
• Compliance with Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and
Resettlement Act (LARR): Makes the provisions of WPA
in accordance with LARR.
• Invasive alien species: Inserts provisions to enable
control of invasive alien species.
• Inclusion of new Chapter VB for proper
implementation of provisions of CITES
• Amendment for better management of protected
areas
• Expansion of Permitted activities: Certain permitted
activities such as grazing or movement of livestock,
bonafide use of drinking and household water by local
communities shall be considered as non-prohibitive
under WPA.
• Seized Animals: Inserts a provision for better care of
seized live animals and disposal of seized wildlife
parts and products.
• Insert a provision to allow for transfer or transport of
live elephants by persons having ownership of
certificates in accordance with conditions prescribed
by Central Government.
CONCERNS AGAINST THE AMENDMENTS AND
SUGGESTIONS
• CITES: Despite being a party to the CITES Convention,
which requires parties to take appropriate measures
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to enforce its provisions and prohibit trade in violation
thereof. Non-compliance by a country to adopt
appropriate legislation to implement CITES may result
in a recommendation to suspend trade in CITES listed
species. However, the amendment will make the
principal act too unwieldy and complicated and could
introduce contradictions since WPA 1972 has always
been prohibitive whereas CITES is facilitative and
enabling.
• Invasive Alien Species: The proposal to protect native
Indian gene pool by controlling invasive alien species
is welcome. However, the definition of invasive alien
species only considers species from outside India as
invasive. Species which are native in some part of the
country can be invasive in other parts of the country.
There must be scientific and transparent process for
proposing, evaluating, listing invasive alien species.
• Standing Committee of State Board of Wildlife:
Standing Committee will be packed by official
members, exercise all powers of the SBWL and take
decisions independent of SBWL itself. SBWL will end
up becoming a rubber stamp. Thus, the membership
of Standing Committee of SBWL should be proposed
in the act itself with non-official members,
environmentalist being part of it.
• The ease of access to drinking and household water
by local communities in protected areas is welcome
but rules governing this need to be carefully framed
since any activity can get justified for this use.
• Rationalisation of Schedules:
1. Number of species are missing all the three
schedules.
2. Some species that should be in Schedule I is in
Schedule II.
Standing Committee has proposed restructuring of
Schedule I and II in a manner that makes them easy to
read and look up. Ex. Species are arranged under
broad groups (Taxa) and listed by common names of
species in alphabetical order.
• Transfer of Live Elephants: Number of religious and
cultural institutions own elephants which play a crucial
role in daily worship and rituals. There is a need to
balance to ensure age-old traditions are not interfered
and at the same time addressing concerns that
nothing should be done to give an impression that
private ownership of elephants and trade in them is
going to be encouraged.
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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management

OTHER SUGGESTIONS conservation, protection and management. Standing

Parliamentary Standing Committee Science & Committee has suggested giving of statutory status to
Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. This institute needs
have recommended the following: significant strengthening and expansion which must be
supported fully from the budget of the MOEFCC.
1. Human Animal Conflict: The bill is silent on Human-
Animal conflict. Standing Committee has
recommended for specific provisions in the WPA 1972.
ANTARCTIC BILL
• Human-Animal Conflict (HAC) is a complex issue
therefore needs legislative backing to effectively #Legislation #conservation
manage it.
• HAC requires to be disaggregated into those conflicts
Lok Sabha passed Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022 moved by
that endanger human life and property (Elephants
Union Minister of Earth Sciences. The Bill aims at having
and large carnivores) and those that damage human
India’s own national measures for protecting the Antarctic
property (Crop damage).
environment as also dependent and associated ecosystem.
Suggestions for specific provisions for HAC under WPA, Main aim of the bill is to ensure de-militarization of
1972 Antarctic region along with getting it rid of mining or illegal
• State Government to constitute a Human-Animal activities. It also aims that there should not be any nuclear
Conflict Management Advisory Committee for test / explosion in the region.
ensuring planning, monitoring and mitigation of HAC Bill is in pursuant to India’s accession to Antarctic Treaty,
within the State. Protocol on Environment Protection (Madrid Protocol) to
• HAC Conflict Management Advisory Committee shall Antarctic Treaty and to Convention on the Conservation of
be headed by Chief Wildlife Warden (Chairperson) and Antarctic Marine Living Resources.
will consist of specialists like two wildlife ecologists,
wildlife veterinarians, NGOs, representatives of State
Police Departments and a sociologist.
• Functions of HAC Conflict Management Advisory
Committee:
o Assess extent of HAC and finalise an adaptive
action plan covering all aspects of funds and advice
on quantum of compensation to affected people.
o Formulate site-specific plans including creation of
viable wildlife corridors to ensure long term
resolution of conflict.
o Develop specific protocols and SOPs including
prescription of scientific capture, translocation and
population management techniques based on best
practices, in compliance with the WPA and
maintenance of law & order in the affected local
area or location.
o Convene and meet at, short notice, to monitor and
evaluate emergency situations that require timely
actions to be taken.

Wildlife Science: India has built up impressive capabilities

in wildlife sciences. This infrastructure needs to be
mobilised more meaningfully in the cause of wildlife

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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management

KEY FEATURES o Obtaining and reviewing relevant information

• Applicability: Provisions of the Bill will apply to any provided by parties to Treaty, Convention, and
Protocol.
person, vessel or aircraft that is a part of an Indian
expedition to Antarctica under a permit issued under o Negotiating fees/charges with other parties for

the Bill. Areas comprising of Antarctica include: activities in Antarctica.

o Continent of Antarctica, including its ice-shelves,

• Need for permit: A permit by the Committee or
written authorisation from another party to Protocol
and all areas of the continental shelf adjacent to it.
(other than India) will be required for various activities
o All islands (including their ice-shelves), seas, and air
such as:
space south of 60°S latitude.
o An Indian expedition to enter or remain in
• Central committee: Central government will establish Antarctica.
a Committee on Antarctic Governance and Environmental
o A person to enter or remain in an Indian station in
Protection to be chaired by the Secretary of Ministry of Antarctica.
Earth Sciences. Ten members, not below the rank of
o A vessel or aircraft registered in India to enter or
joint secretary, will be nominated from various
remain in Antarctica.
Ministries and organisations such as defence, external
o A person or vessel to drill, dredge or excavate for
affairs, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research,
mineral resources, or collect samples of mineral
and National Security Council Secretariat. Two
resources.
experts from Antarctic environment and geo-political
o Activities which may harm native species.
fields will be nominated by the central government.
o Waste disposal by a person, vessel or aircraft in
• Functions of Committee on Antarctic Governance and
Antarctica.
Environmental Protection:
Before a permit is granted by the Committee, the
o Granting permits for various activities.
applicant must carry out an environmental impact
o Implementing & ensuring compliance of relevant assessment of the proposed activities. Moreover, a
international laws for protection of Antarctic permit must not be granted unless a waste
environment. management plan has been prepared for the
expedition by the Committee.

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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management

ILLEGAL MINING
• Prohibited activities: Prohibits certain activities in
Antarctica including:
o Nuclear explosion or disposal of radioactive wastes, #Conservation
o Introduction of non-sterile soil, and

o Discharge of garbage, plastic or other substance

A deputy superintendent of police (DSP) posted in Haryana’s
into the sea which is harmful to the marine
Nuh district was run over by a dumper truck carrying stones
environment.
during a raid to check illegal mining in Tauru.
• Offences and penalties: The Bill specify penalties for
Mining scams in India refers to a series of alleged
contravention of its provisions. Ex. conducting a
widespread scams in various ore-rich states of India. Such
nuclear explosion in Antarctica will be punishable with
issues span encroachment of forest areas, underpayment of
an imprisonment of 20 years which may extend to life
government royalties, conflict with tribals regarding land-
imprisonment and a fine of at least Rs 50
rights. The spill-over of the effects of legal mining into issues
crore. Drilling for mineral resources or introducing
such as Naxalism and the distortion of the Indian political
non-native animals or plants in Antarctica without a
system by mixed politics and mining interests, has gained
permit will be punishable with imprisonment up to
international attention.
seven years and a fine between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 50
CAUSES OF ILLEGAL MINING
lakh. Central government may notify one or more
Sessions Courts to be Designated Court and specify its • Lack of coordination within Ministry of Environment
territorial jurisdiction to try offences punishable under and forests leading to illegal mining & consequential
the Bill. ecological damage.

BENEFITS • Lack of timely checks by Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM)

• Provides a harmonious policy and regulatory
framework for India’s Antarctic activities through well-
established legal mechanisms.
• Will help in efficient and effective operations of Indian
Antarctic Program.
• Facilitate India’s interest and pro-active involvement in
the management of growing Antarctic tourism and
sustainable development of fisheries resources in
Antarctic waters.
• Help in increased international visibility, credibility of
India in Polar governance leading to international
collaboration and cooperation in scientific and
logistics fields.
INDIAN RESEARCH FACILITIES AT ANTARCTICA
India today has two operational research stations in
Antarctica named
1. Maitri (Commissioned in 1989)
2. Bharati (Commissioned in 2012).
India has successfully launched 40 annual scientific
expeditions to Antarctica till date. With Himadri station
in Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, Arctic, India now belongs to
the elite group of nations that have multiple research
stations within the Polar Regions.
• Boundary of leased-out area are not clearly defined.
• Lack of timely renewals for mining.
• The responsibility is on the mine owners, who don’t
apply in time, and various regulatory authorities
where the applications are not processed in time.
• Demand of cheaper mineral worldwide.
• Poor monitoring systems.
• Collusive corruption b/w miners and bureaucrats.
STATISTICS
• Himachal Pradesh (8500 cases in 2017)
• 90 mines are functioning in Goa without the
mandatory permission from the National Board for
Wildlife
• Illegal mining worth over Rs 22,000 crore in Jharkhand,
60000 crores in Odisha.
• Of a total of 187 mining lease holders in Keonjhar, and
Mayurbhanj districts, Sundergarh 102 were found to
have had no environmental or forest clearance.
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES
1. Mining Surveillance System (2016): satellite-based
monitoring system functioning on alarm led
warning.

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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management

2. Mining Tenement System: computerisation and 5. In 2017, SC directed companies and leaseholders
automation in the functioning at directorates of will have to pay public exchequer a compensation
mining and geology equivalent to 100% value of the minerals they
3. Drone monitoring at mining areas. extracted illegally.

4. Random checks and raids

WAY FORWARD acres of land, crucial to a State with paddy as its main
• State governments and Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) crop. Besides, forests are ecologically sensitive due to the
should co-ordinate more. rich biodiversity they offer and due to the presence of a
large migratory corridor for elephants.
• National, state and district level mine mapping.
• Computerized weigh bridge system to track mineral
right from mine gate to port to avoid leakages.
• Railways needs to have a strict system to ensure that
illegal mining ore is tracked.
• Port authorities need to check cargos while being
loaded at the dockyards.
• Separate cadre of mining security force can be
created.
• Inclusive mining to protect rights of tribal population
and ensure economic expansion.

Hasdeo Aranya region

Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly has unanimously E-WASTE MANAGEMENT
passed a private member resolution urging Centre to
cancel allocation of all coal mining blocks in the
RULES DRAFT
ecologically sensitive Hasdeo Aranya area.
AMENDMENT
Hasdeo Aranya (Aranya means forest) lies in catchment
area of Hasdeo river and is spread across in North- #Pollution
Central Chhattisgarh.
Hasdeo river is a tributary of Mahanadi River which The government’s proposed changes to the rules governing
originates in Chhattisgarh and flows through Odisha into
disposal and recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) in India
Bay of Bengal.
could backfire, experts have warned.
Hasdeo forests are catchment area for Hasdeo Bango
DEFINITION OF E-WASTE
Dam built across Hasdeo river which irrigates six lakh

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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management

Electronic waste (e-waste), that is, waste arising from predominantly being done by the informal or
end-of-life electronic products such as computers and unorganized labour through highly environmentally
mobile phones, is one of the fastest growing waste degradative ways, which cause serious health
streams in the world today. hazards.
Current Status: • High rate of collection but low recovery: Rate of e-
• Annual global production of e-waste is estimated to waste collection is very high in India owing to its
surpass 50 million tons in 2020. valuable content. Since most e-waste recycling is done
by the informal sector in India, wherein recovery of
• India is among top five e-waste producing countries in
valuable materials ranges between 10–20% only.
the world with estimated annual production of 2
million tons. • Exposure of vulnerable section to toxic elements:
Informal sector comprises of unskilled workers,
• Like some other developing countries, e-waste
sometimes even children who live near dumps or
management in India is dominated by the informal
landfills of untreated e-waste and work in dangerous
sector with estimates of more than 90% of the waste
working conditions without any protection or safety
being processed informally. Spent goods are
gear.
dismantled and viable working parts refurbished, with
rest making their way into chemical dismantling units. • Environmental degradation:
Many of these units are run out of unregulated o Non-environmentally sound practices such as
sweatshops that employ child labour and hazardous burning cables to recover copper and unwanted
extraction techniques. This electronic detritus materials in open air – caused environmental
contaminates soil and aggravates plastic pollution. pollution and severe health hazards to the
• E-waste contains several precious metals, rare earth operators.
metals, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, plastic, wood o Practices like disposal of unsalvageable materials in
and glass. fields and riverbanks has led to leaching of heavy
• Unscientific practices in processing of e-waste are metals/chemicals into land and water.
associated with several environmental and health o Some e-waste is extremely complex in constitution
externalities. and hence difficult to recycle, while other does not
IMPORTANCE OF E-WASTE AND ITS SOUND even have environmentally sound recycling
MANAGEMENT technologies.
• All e-waste is valuable as it is highly rich in metals such • Lack of infrastructure:
as copper, iron, tin, nickel, lead, zinc, silver, gold, and
o Gap between e-waste that is being collected and
palladium. Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) contain rare
recycled by authorized dismantlers/recyclers and
& precious metals such as ruthenium, rhodium,
the total quantum of e-waste being generated is
palladium, osmium, iridium and platinum – which are
huge.
together referred to as the Platinum Group Metals
o Existing recycling facilities face issues from lack of
(PGM).
suitable environmentally sound technologies to
• E-waste, if handled and disposed of in an inefficient
lack of steady supply of raw materials.
manner can lead to extremely damaging impact on
human health and environment. o This is mainly because consumers, owing to lack of
awareness about the hazardous impact of
• This is mainly because e-waste comprises hazardous
inappropriate e-waste recycling, sell their electronic
constituents such as lead, cadmium, chromium,
waste to informal recyclers for quick money as it is
brominated flame retardants or polychlorinated
easier and faster.
biphenyls (PCBs) that contaminate soil, water and
food. o Registered recycling units are deprived of a regular

CHALLENGES IN E-WASTE MANAGEMENT supply of e-waste which is crucial for their

sustenance. Currently, authorized e-waste recycling
• Primarily conducted by informal sector: Unfortunately,
facilities capture only small amount of the total e-
the collection and recycling of e-waste is

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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management
waste generated and the rest makes its way into
informal recycling.
• High cost of setting up recycling facilities:
o Advanced recycling technology is expensive and
makes large investments risky, especially when
sourcing of e-waste is a challenge.
o Most formal recycling companies in India limit their
role to only pre-processing of e-waste, wherein the
crushed e-waste with precious metals is exported
to smelting refineries outside India. An end-to-end
solution for e-waste recycling is still not available in
India.
NEW AND FUTURE INITIATIVES
• Since implementation of E-waste (Management and
Handling) Rules, 2011 & recent E-waste (Management)
Rules, 2016 there has been a growing change in
perception of e-waste in the waste recycling market in
India.
• Electrical and electronic waste with its rich content of
valuable metals is increasingly being seen as a harvest
point for urban mining.
• Environment Ministry brought E-waste (Management)
Rules, 2016, introduced a system of Extended
Producer Responsibility (EPR) compelling makers of
electronic goods to ensure a proportion of goods they
FUTURE INITIATIVES ARE LISTED AS FOLLOWS
sold every year was recycled.
• Addressing the informal sector
• A proposed framework by Centre for regulating e-
waste in India has upset a key link of India’s electronic
waste collection system and threatens the livelihood
of thousands of people.
DRAFT NOTIFICATION FOR E-WASTE MANAGEMENT
• By 2023, consumer goods and electronics
• Access to environmentally sound technologies
manufacturers must ensure that at least 60% of
their electronic waste is collected and recycled,
with goals to raise those percentages to 70% and
80% in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
• The notification lists a wide variety of electrical
products, including computers, landline and mobile
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phones, cameras, recorders, music systems,
microwaves, refrigerators, and medical equipment.
Companies will have to register on an online portal
and specify their annual production and e-waste
collection targets.
• Establish a system of certificate trading that will let
businesses temporarily fill gaps. This system is like
trade of carbon credits. The regulations specify a
procedure for businesses to get Extended Producer
Responsibility (EPR) certificates.
• These certificates certify quantity of e-waste
collected and recycled in a particular year by a
company and an organisation may sell surplus
quantities to another company to help it meet its
obligations.
• New Rules emphasizes on the EPR, recycling and
trading. This follows from the government’s
objective to promote a Circular Economy.
• Companies that don’t meet their annual targets will
have to pay a fine or an ‘environmental
compensation’, but the draft doesn’t specify the
quantum of these fines.
• Implementing Authority: CPCB (Central Pollution
Control Board) will oversee the overall
implementation of these regulations.
• State governments have been entrusted with
responsibility of earmarking industrial space for e-
waste dismantling and recycling facilities,
undertaking industrial skill development and
establishing measures for protecting the health
and safety of workers engaged in the dismantling
and recycling facilities for e-waste.
o Bridging the gap between formal and informal
sectors.
o Improving the working conditions and minimising
the work related to toxic exposure at the e-waste
collection, processing, recovery and disposal sites
o Cost-effective technologies for recycling e-waste
such as Li-ion batteries, printed circuit boards, etc.
o R&D on innovative technologies for
o processing e-waste and effective metal extraction
methodologies
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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management
• Development of sustainable e-waste business models
and implementation of pilot projects for different
innovations.
INDIA’S UPDATED INDCs
#Climate Change
Recently, India’s updated climate pledge to the Paris
Agreement received Union Cabinet’s nod. The pledge will lay
out India’s clean energy transition pathway from now
through 2030 and will be communicated to United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The country submitted its first pledge in 2015. As per Paris
Agreement’s provisions, countries must ‘update’ their pledges
every five years to make higher commitments to greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions reductions.
Paris Agreement is a global treaty wherein some 200
countries agreed to cooperate to reduce GHG emissions and
rein in climate change. The agreement seeks to limit global
warming to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, compared to
pre-industry levels.
PARIS AGREEMENT
Paris Agreement addresses crucial areas necessary to
combat climate change. Some of the key aspects of the
Agreement are:
1. Long-term temperature goal (Art. 2): Paris
Agreement, in seeking to strengthen the global
response to climate change, reaffirms goal of
limiting global temperature increase to well below 2
degrees Celsius, while pursuing efforts to limit
increase to 1.5 degrees.
2. Global peaking and 'climate neutrality' (Art. 4): To
achieve this temperature goal, Parties aim to reach
global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs)
as soon as possible, recognizing peaking will take
longer for developing country Parties, to achieve a
balance between anthropogenic emissions by
sources and removals by sinks of GHGs in the
second half of the century.
3. Mitigation (Art. 4): Paris Agreement establishes
binding commitments by all Parties to prepare,
communicate and maintain a nationally determined
contribution (NDC) and to pursue domestic
measures to achieve them. It prescribes that Parties
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shall communicate their NDCs every 5 years and
provide information necessary for clarity and
transparency. To set a firm foundation for higher
ambition, each successive NDC will represent a
progression beyond previous one and reflect highest
possible ambition. Developed countries should
continue to take lead by undertaking absolute
economy-wide reduction targets, while developing
countries should continue enhancing their
mitigation efforts, and are encouraged to move
toward economy-wide targets over time in the light
of different national circumstances.
4. Sinks and reservoirs (Art.5): Paris Agreement
encourages Parties to conserve & enhance, as
appropriate, sinks and reservoirs of GHGs) of the
Convention, including forests.
5. Voluntary cooperation/Market- and non-market-
based approaches (Art. 6): Paris Agreement
recognizes possibility of voluntary cooperation
among Parties to allow for higher ambition and sets
out principles – including environmental integrity,
transparency and robust accounting – for any
cooperation that involves internationally transferal
of mitigation outcomes. It establishes a mechanism
to contribute to mitigation of GHG emissions and
support sustainable development and defines a
framework for non-market approaches to
sustainable development.
6. Adaptation (Art. 7): Paris Agreement establishes a
global goal on adaptation – of enhancing adaptive
capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing
vulnerability to climate change in the context of the
temperature goal of the Agreement. It aims to
significantly strengthen national adaptation efforts,
including through support and international
cooperation. It recognizes that adaptation is a global
challenge faced by all. All Parties should engage in
adaptation, including by formulating and
implementing National Adaptation Plans, and should
submit and periodically update an adaptation
communication describing their priorities, needs,
plans and actions. Adaptation efforts of developing
countries should be recognized.
7. Loss and damage (Art. 8): Paris Agreement
recognizes importance of averting, minimizing and
addressing loss and damage associated with
adverse effects of climate change, including extreme
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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management
weather events and slow onset events, and role of
sustainable development in reducing the risk of loss
and damage. Parties are to enhance understanding,
action and support, including through Warsaw
International Mechanism, on a cooperative and
facilitative basis with respect to loss and damage
associated with the adverse effects of climate
change.
8. Finance, technology and capacity-building support
(Art. 9, 10 and 11): Paris Agreement reaffirms
obligations of developed countries to support efforts
of developing country Parties to build clean, climate-
resilient futures, while for first time encouraging
voluntary contributions by other Parties. Provision of
resources should aim to achieve a balance between
adaptation and mitigation. In addition to reporting
on finance already provided, developed country
Parties commit to submit indicative information on
future support every two years, including projected
levels of public finance. The agreement provides that
Financial Mechanism of the Convention, including
Green Climate Fund (GCF), shall serve the
Agreement. International cooperation on climate-
safe technology development and transfer and
building capacity in developing world are also
strengthened: a technology framework is
established under agreement and capacity-building
activities will be strengthened through enhanced
support for capacity building actions in developing
country Parties and appropriate institutional
arrangements.
9. Climate change education, training, public
awareness, public participation and public access to
information is to be enhanced under the Agreement.
10. Transparency, implementation and compliance:
Paris Agreement relies on a robust transparency and
accounting system to provide clarity on action and
support by Parties, with flexibility for their differing
capabilities of Parties. In addition to reporting
information on mitigation, adaptation and support,
Agreement requires that information submitted by
each Party undergoes international technical expert
review. The Agreement includes a mechanism that
will facilitate implementation and promote
compliance in a non-adversarial and non-punitive
manner.
11. Global Stocktake: A “global stocktake”, to take place
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in 2023 and every 5 years thereafter, will assess
collective progress toward achieving the purpose of
Agreement in a comprehensive and facilitative
manner. It will be based on best available science
and its long-term global goal. Its outcome will inform
Parties in updating and enhancing their actions and
support and enhancing international cooperation on
climate action.
INDIA’S NATIONAL DETERMINED CONTRIBUTION
India’s first pledge, also known as a Nationally
Determined Contribution (NDC), had three primary
targets.
1. Reduce emissions intensity of the economy by 33–35
per cent below 2005 levels.
2. 40% of installed electric power from non-fossil-based
energy resources by 2030.
3. Create an additional (cumulative) carbon sink of 2.5-3
gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO2e) by
2030 through additional forest and tree cover.
PANCHAMRIT STRATEGY
In 2021, Indian Prime Minister announced the following
new five-point set of targets at COP 26 in Glasgow:
• India will increase its non-fossil fuel energy capacity to
500 gigawatts (GW) by 2030.
• It will meet 50 per cent of its energy requirements
from renewable sources by 2030.
• The total projected carbon emissions will be reduced
by 1 billion tonnes from now through 2030.
• The carbon intensity of its economy will be brought
down to less than 45 per cent.
• India will achieve its target of net zero by 2070
• A press statement on August 3 confirmed that three of
these five targets had been approved by the Union
Cabinet.
• The country will target about 50% of cumulative
electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-
based energy resources by 2030.
UPDATED NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTION
India’s NDC, or nationally determined commitments,
have been updated with two promises, both of which are
enhancements of existing targets, and would be
submitted to UN climate body.
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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management

Paris Agreement requires every country to set self-
determined climate targets which must be progressively
updated with more ambitious goals every few years.
Accordingly:
• India will now reduce its emission intensity by at least
45%, instead of just 33 to 35%, from 2005 levels by
2030.
• Ensure that at least 50% of its total electricity
generation, not just 40 per cent, would come from
renewable sources by 2030.
• Forestry target has not been touched.
• To put forward and further propagate a healthy and
sustainable way of living based on traditions and
values of conservation and moderation, including
through a mass movement for ‘LIFE’– ‘Lifestyle for
Environment’ as a key to combating climate change.
India’s emissions intensity was 24% lower than 2005
levels in 2016 itself. It is very likely that 33 to 35%
reduction target has already been achieved or is very
close to being achieved. A further reduction of 10-12%
from here, to meet the new target, does not appear too
challenging, even though these reductions get
progressively tougher to achieve.
The other target — having at least 40% of electricity
coming from non-fossil fuels — has officially been
reached. According to latest data, 41.5% of India’s
current installed electricity capacity of 403 GW is now
powered by non-fossil fuels. Renewables (wind, solar and
others) alone account for more than 28% of this capacity
while hydropower contributes over 11%. With most new
capacity additions happening in renewable energy
sector, a 10% rise in share of non-fossil fuels in electricity
generation is not an unrealistic target.

INDIA'S CLIMATE TARGETS: EXISTING AND NEW Whether

Promise
Existing: New: included in INDC
Target (for
First NDC Updated Progress
2030) Non-fossil fuel electricity installed Not Included
(2015) NDC (2022)
capacity to reach 500 GW
Emission 33-35 per 45 per cent 24 per cent
intensity cent from from 2005 reduction At least 50 percent of total Included
reduction 2005 levels levels achieved in installed electricity generation
2016 itself. capacity to come from non-fossil
Estimated to fuel sources.
have reached 30
Reduction of one billion tonnes of Not Included
per cent
carbon dioxide equivalent from
Share of 40 per cent 50 per cent 41.5 per cent cumulative projected emissions
non-fossil achieved by the between now and 2030
fuels in end of June this
installed year At least 45% reduction in emission Included
electricity intensity of GDP by 2030
capacity Net Zero Status by 2030 Never intended to
Carbon sink Creation of Same as Not clear. be part of NDC
2.5 to 3 earlier
billion Two prominent promises made in Glasgow have not
tonnes of been converted into official targets.
additional • Prime Minister had announced that India’s non-fossil
sink through fuel electricity generation capacity would touch 500
afforestation GW in 2030.

INDIA’S PROGRESS • India would cut at least one billion tonnes of carbon

Upward revision of two climate targets — those relating dioxide equivalent from its net projected emissions
to reductions in emissions intensity and proportion of between now and 2030.

non-fossil sources in electricity generation — do not 500 GW non-fossil fuel electricity capacity target for 2030
come as a surprise. India is on way to achieve its existing is not easy. Of the current installed capacity of 403 GW,
targets well ahead of the 2030 timeline. over 236 GW, or 58.5% comes from fossil fuel sources,

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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management
while non-fossil fuels, which include not just renewables
like solar, wind hydropower, nuclear and others, make
up only 167 GW. Capacity additions from non-fossil
sources would have to triple in next 10 years to reach
500 GW target.
Total installed electricity capacity has more than doubled
in last 10 years (from 199 GW in 2012 to 403 GW now),
but it is not only because of non-fossil fuel sources. While
renewables have seen an impressive increase, installed
capacity from fossil fuels have also doubled during this
period.
The promise to reduce at least one billion tonnes of
carbon dioxide equivalent from cumulative projected
emissions till 2030 was even more problematic. It was
also the target with least clarity.
It was the first time that India had enunciated any
climate target in terms of absolute emission reductions.
But it appears it was announced without much
preparatory work. India does not have any official
projection of its emissions in 2030. Emissions pathway
from now to 2030 is not clear. In the absence of a
baseline, the target would have been meaningless.
ENVIRONMENT
PROTECTION ACT, 1986
#Legislation #amendment
Environment Ministry proposes to soften the provisions
of the Environment Protection Act (EPA) by replacing a
clause that provides for imprisoning violators with one
that only requires them to pay a fine. This, however,
doesn’t apply to violations that cause grave injury or loss
of life. The proposed fines, in lieu of imprisonment, are
also 5-500 times greater than those currently levied.
ABOUT EPA 1986
• The Act establishes “framework for studying, planning,
and implementing long-term requirements of
environmental safety and laying down a system of
speedy and adequate response to situations
threatening the environment.”
• It authorizes central government:
o To protect and improve environmental quality,
control and reduce pollution from all sources, and
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prohibit or restrict the setting and/or operation of
any industrial facility on environmental grounds.
o To establish authorities charged with mandate of
preventing environmental pollution in all its forms
and to tackle specific environmental problems that
are peculiar to different parts of the country.
o In case of any non-compliance or contravention of
the current provisions of the EPA, or of the rules
under this Act, the violator can be punished with
imprisonment up to five years or with a fine up to
Rs 1,00,000, or with both.
o In case of continuation of such violation, an
additional fine of up to Rs 5,000 for every day
during which such failure or contravention
continues after the conviction for the first such
contravention can be levied.
o If violation continues beyond a period of one year
after the date of conviction, the offender can be
punished with imprisonment for a term which may
extend to seven years.
CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS RELATED TO
ENVIRONMENT
• EPA Act was enacted under Article 253 of Indian
Constitution which provides for enactment of
legislation for giving effect to international
agreements.
• Article 48A of Constitution specifies that State shall
endeavour to protect and improve environment and
to safeguard the forests and wildlife of country.
• Article 51A further provides that every citizen shall
protect the environment.
CHANGES PROPOSED IN EPA 1986
• The ministry has proposed removal of imprisonment
as a penalty for the “less severe’’ contraventions. EPA
provisions will be in force for penal provisions of the
single use plastic ban which has come into force from
1st July.
o Proposed to replace imprisonment with monetary
penalty for the “less severe” contraventions under
the EPA.
• Serious violations of EPA which lead to grievous injury
or loss of life shall be covered under the provision of
Indian Penal Code.
• The penalty amount for repeated offense would be
equivalent to the damage caused. There is
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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management
imprisonment only after a defaulter fails to pay
penalty and additional penalty.
• The Centre has increased the penalty amount to Rs 5
lakh extended up to Rs 5 crore but has removed the
provision of jail term from the first default
• Government proposes appointing an adjudicating
officer who will impose these penalties, the proceeds
of which will be forwarded to an ‘Environmental
Protection Fund’ set up for the purpose.
• Creation of an “Environmental Protection Fund’’ in
which the amount of penalty will be remitted
o This would be utilized for remittance to the affected
parties. The amendment said the Centre would
prescribe the way the Fund would be administered
and the way the money shall be drawn.
• MoEFCC has introduced provision in the Acts that any
aggrieved party can now approach the National Green
Tribunal to appeal against the order passed by any
adjudicating officer.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THESE AMENDMENTS
• Move aimed at reducing fear of imprisonment among
industries.
• Decriminalization’ is not a dilution and makes no
difference since very few criminal cases are filed
under these Acts.
• According to the National Crime Records Bureau
(NCRB), 992 cases were registered under the
Environment (Protection) Act in 2020
• Criminal provisions of the Environment, Air and Water
Acts have never worked because the Code of Criminal
Procedure is too complicated to deal with
environmental matters. It takes years or even decades
until someone is finally persecuted.
• An analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment
(CSE) found that Indian courts took between 9-33
years to clear a backlog of cases for environmental
violations.
• Civil cases under the NGT, for example, have met with
resolution, companies have been held liable, been told
to cough up compensation for restoration.
• Criminal prosecution under these laws is extremely
difficult because it involves complaining to the judicial
magistrate, who will set up a trial, after which a
judgment will be announced.
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• Practically, those suffering because of pollution want
its source to be removed, for the resource to be
restored, and compensation for whatever damage has
occurred. Not necessarily to try and arrest the
polluter.
ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THESE AMENDMENTS
• Series of dilutions come in just two years after of
controversy over EIA
• Doing away with imprisonment could affect the
implementation of these Acts and encourage a
pollute-and-pay attitude.
• The concept of compensatory penalties being directed
to specific funds does not ensure that the money
reaches aggrieved parties as some existing remedial
funds have shown.
• There are numerous funds that are not effective –
such as the Compensatory Afforestation Fund and
Environment Relief Fund (ERF).
• Penalties will be increased is a good thing but even
these amounts may not be enough to capture the
losses to both people and the environment.
• Penalties alone are no deterrent for big corporates
and industries.
• The factors listed for compensation do not include the
assessment of losses that the ecosystem and
biodiversity would have borne, or the costs involved in
offsetting these losses such as through restoration
activities.
• Proposed amendments don’t adequately outline how
the funds will be used, or the reasoning behind the
revised penalty figures.
• The Act does not address modern concepts of
pollution such as noise, overburdened transport
systems and radiation waves which are also an
important cause for the deteriorating environment.
• Union government didn’t provide a longer timeframe
for public comments (currently, comments on these
Acts are open till July 21).
WAY FORWARD
• Viewing these proposals as the government’s
acknowledgement that pollution control and liability is
an issue that needs attention.
• It is also important to debate these proposals by
asking first, how it will address the long legacy of
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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management

pollution, livelihood loss and loss of life arising out of • India lost 307 elephants in past 3 years, due to
past illegalities. poaching, poisoning, train accident and electrocution.
• Asking whether changing liability from criminal to civil • 222 elephants lost their life to electrocution in past
will necessarily change the deliberate and conscious three years.
nature of violations that have been in practice for
• 41 cases were reported in Odisha, 34 in Tamil Nadu
decades.
and 33 in Assam.
• There is a need to involve the citizens in
environmental protection to check arbitrariness and • 45 elephants have died in train accidents.
raise awareness and empathy towards the • 12 train fatalities were reported in Odisha while 11 in
environment. West Bengal.
• 29 elephants lost life to poaching. Out of this number,
BANNI GRASSLAND 12 deaths occurred in Meghalaya and 7 in Odisha.

#Ecosystem • 11 elephants died due to poisoning, of which 9 deaths

occurred in Assam.

The grasslands of Gujarat constitute about 4.33 per cent
(8,490 sq km) of total geographical area, distributed in
eight districts and three different climatic regions —
Kutch, Saurashtra and central Gujarat. Most grasslands
in Gujarat (41 per cent) are found in the Kutch district.
Banni grassland was declared a Protected Forest in 1955,
under the Indian Forest Act, 1927.
HUMAN-ANIMAL
Human-Animal Conflict:
• As per government’s data, 125 people got killed in
“tiger attacks” in last three years. 61 deaths occurred
in Maharashtra and 25 in Uttar Pradesh.
REASONS FOR ANIMAL-HUMAN CONFLICT
• Human population explosion: Many human
settlements are springing up at the edges of protected
areas, as well as local people encroaching on forest
grounds for farming and gathering food and fodder,

CONFLICT
#Wildlife
Union Minister of State for Environment presented data on
tigers in Lok Sabha recently. According to him, 329 tigers got
lost in India in past 3 years. Poaching and other natural or
unnatural causes were responsible for the loss.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MINISTRY’S DATA ON TIGERS
putting further strain on forest's scarce natural
resources.
• Agricultural expansion and cultivation up to forest
boundaries: Increases availability of easily accessible
food crops for wildlife in the farms outside forests
bringing them in conflict with people.
• Lack of protected area: Only around 10% of world's
surface area is covered by protected zones. In India,
35% tiger ranges currently lie outside protected areas.

• In 2019, India had lost 96 tigers; In 2020, it lost 106 • Rapid and unplanned urbanisation: Rapid
tigers while 127 tigers were lost in 2021. urbanization and industrialisation have led to
diversion of forest land to non-forest purposes, as a
• Out of 329 deaths, 68 tiger died due to natural causes,
result, the wildlife habitat is shrinking.
5 due to unnatural causes, 29 due to poaching and 30
due to seizure. • Infrastructure development in forest areas like
electrification penetrating forest areas & increasing
• Currently, 197 tigers have been put to scrutiny.
road density.
• Number of poaching cases has decreased from 17 in
• Destruction of natural animal corridors
2019 to 4 in 2021.
MINISTRY’S DATA ON ELEPHANTS

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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management
• Increasing penetration of invasive alien species: Due
to proliferation of invasive alien species in forests,
wildlife do not get to eat their traditional feed in
search of which they get out of forest areas.
• Climate change is causing the threat of Human-
Wildlife conflict to escalate. Wildlife attacks on
livestock may intensify in some regions as climate
change forces predators and livestock to increase
their spatial overlap and interactions.
So, human-animal conflict in increasing across the
globe, but we do not see these kinds of news from
other countries:
• That is because in almost all developed nations these
species are kept in control so they don’t destroy large
crop areas.
• In developing countries, local people take matters into
their own hands.
• Most countries follow “Boars eating crops, people
eating boar”: this is what allows farmers tolerate these
otherwise problematic animals.
• India does not allow rural people to hunt animals, but
neither does the government cull animals regularly
despite their numbers shooting up.
WAY FORWARD
• Institutionally controlling the vermin population.
• Getting rid of the wildlife-territorial dichotomy of
management.
• Forestalling the destruction of natural habitat.
• Developing forage and water bodies inside forests.
• Stalling the growth of invasive alien species in forests.
• Developing buffer zone around forests and according
legal protection to corridors which connect protected
areas.
• Developing nature-based solutions to reduce Human-
Animal Wildlife conflict. For ex use of Honeybees to
control Elephants in Project Rehab.
It is our greed that has destroyed vast tracts of forests
and thousands of elephants and other animals over the
last few decades. The poor farmer who inadvertently kills
FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS
one elephant to feed us while making enough money for
him is much less responsible.
NEW RAMSAR SITES
#Conservation
Three wetlands from Tamil Nadu and One each from
Mizoram & Madhya Pradesh have been identified under
Ramsar Convention, which is also called as “Convention
on Wetlands”. Thus, India has added Five new Ramsar
Wetlands Sites of international importance. With the
latest addition, total number of Ramsar Sites in India has
reached to 54, as opposed to 49 earlier.
NEW RAMSAR SITES
• Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest, Tamil Nadu:
o A Freshwater marsh in Chennai (Only surviving
wetland ecosystem Chennai).
o Counted among last remaining natural wetlands of
South India.
• Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu:
o A protected area located in Kancheepuram District
of Tamil Nadu. Located at 75 km from Chennai.
• Pichavaram Mangrove, Tamil Nadu:
o Located near Chidambaram in Cuddalore District of
Tamil Nadu.
o Covers an area of 1100 hectares and thus counted
among largest mangrove forests in country.
• Pala wetland, Mizoram:
o Largest natural wetland in Mizoram.
o It is surrounded by green woodlands and known
for rich diversity of animal species including several
species of animals and birds.
• Sakhya Sagar, Madhya Pradesh:
o This lake is an integral part of Madhav National
Park in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh.
Ramsar convention was established by UNESCO in, 1971.
It is an intergovernmental environmental treaty, named
after Ramsar city in Iran because it was signed there. The
convention came into effect in 1975. It encourages
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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management
international cooperation and national action to
conserve wetlands and sustainably use their resources.
Under it, wetlands of international importance are
identified worldwide.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL
SCIENCE-POLICY
PLATFORM ON
BIODIVERSITY AND
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
(IPBES)
A report released by the Intergovernmental Science-
Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
(IPBES) has stated that about 50,000 wild species globally
can meet the needs of billions of people.
KEY FINDINGS
• Dependence on Wild Species:
o About 70% of world’s poor population is directly
dependent on wild species.
o 20% source their food from wild plants, algae and
fungi.
• Wild-Species-Important Source of Income:
o Use of wild species is an important source of
income for millions of people worldwide.
o Wild tree species account for two thirds of global
industrial roundwood, trade in wild plants, algae
and fungi is a billion-dollar industry, and even non-
extractive uses of wild species are big business.
• Local Variations: About 34% of marine wild fish stocks
are overfished and 66% are fished within biologically
sustainable levels. There are significant local and
contextual variations.
• Unsustainable Logging of Tree Species:
o Survival of an estimated 12% of wild tree species is
threatened by unsustainable logging.
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o Unsustainable gathering is one of the main threats
for several plant groups, notably cacti, cycads and
orchids.
o Unsustainable hunting has been identified as a
threat for 1,341 wild mammal species – with
declines in large-bodied species that have low
natural rates of increase also linked to hunting
pressure.
• Rural People are at Risk of Unsustainable Use:
o Rural people in developing countries are most at
risk from unsustainable use of Wild Species, with
lack of complementary alternatives often forcing
them to exploit wild species already at risk.
o About 50,000 wild species are used through
different practices, including more than 10,000 wild
species harvested directly for human food.
• Cultural Significance leading to Exploitation:
o Certain species have cultural importance as they
offer multiple benefits that define tangible and
intangible features of people’s cultural heritage.
o The use of wild species is also a source of culturally
meaningful employment for such communities, and
they have engaged in the trade of wild species and
materials since millennia.
o Wild rice (Zizania palustris L.) is a cultural keystone
species, providing physical, spiritual and cultural
sustenance for many indigenous peoples in the
Great Lakes region of North America
• Drivers and Threats: Drivers such as land- and
seascape changes, climate change, pollution and
invasive alien species that impact the abundance and
distribution of wild species and can increase stress
and challenges among the human communities that
use them.
• Illegal Trade:
o Global trade in wild species has expanded
substantially in volume, value and trade networks
over the past four decades.
o Illegal trade in wild species represents the third
largest class of all illegal trade – with estimated
annual values of up to USD199 billion. Timber and
fish make up the largest volumes and value of
illegal trade in wild species.
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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management

practice questions
MCQs
Q.1) Which of the following statements is/are Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
correct in regards to Antarctic bill 2022 ? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
1. The provisions of the Bill will apply to any person, (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
vessel or aircraft that is a part of an Indian
expedition to Antarctica under a permit issued Q.4) Consider the following statements:
under the Bill. 1. The EPA Act was enacted under Article 253 of the
2. The central government will establish a Committee Indian Constitution which provides for the
on Antarctic Governance and Environmental enactment of legislation for giving effect to
Protection. international agreements.
3. The Bill prohibits certain activities in Antarctica. 2. Article 47A of the Constitution specifies that the
Select the correct answer using the code given below: State shall endeavor to protect and improve the
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only environment and to safeguard the forests and
(c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 wildlife of the country.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q.2) Consider the following statements regarding (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
Forest Conservation Rules, 2022: (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
1. The rules propose constitution of a project
screening committee in each State/UT for an initial Q.5) With reference to Paris Agreement, consider
review of proposal involving diversion of forest the following statements:
land. 1. It reaffirmed the goal of limiting global
2. Onus of ensuring forest rights of forest dwellers temperature increase to well below 2 degrees
are rehabilitated is with state governments. Celsius, while pursuing efforts to limit the increase
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? to 1.5 degrees.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only 2. To achieve this temperature goal, Parties aim to
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions
(GHGs) as soon as possible.
Q.3) Consider the following statements: 3. It established a mechanism to contribute to the
1. The Hasdeo Aranya lies in the catchment area of mitigation of GHG emissions and support
the Hasdeo river South Chhattisgarh. sustainable development
2. The Hasdeo river is a tributary of the Mahanadi Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
river which originates in Chhattisgarh and flows (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only
through Odisha into the Bay of Bengal. (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Descriptive Questions
Q1. Antarctica Bill, 2022 is a much delayed but a right step in the right direction. Discuss.
Q2. Menace of illegal mining cannot be resolved only through legal means. Do you agree?

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

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

CAPSTONE
• Its location at a precise balance point in the gravities
of Earth and the Moon, offers stability for long-term
#Space missions like Gateway and requires minimal energy to
maintain. CAPSTONE’s orbit also establishes a location
that is an ideal staging area for missions to the Moon
NASA has launched Cislunar Autonomous Positioning and beyond.
System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment,
• The orbit will bring CAPSTONE within 1,000 miles of
CAPSTONE, a microwave oven-sized CubeSat weighing just
one lunar pole on its near pass and 43,500 miles from
25 kg. As a pathfinder for Gateway, a Moon-orbiting outpost
the other pole at its peak every seven days, requiring
that is part of NASA’s Artemis program, CAPSTONE will help
less propulsion capability for spacecraft flying to and
reduce risk for future spacecraft by validating innovative
from the Moon’s surface than other circular orbits.
navigation technologies and verifying the dynamics of this
• At the Moon, CAPSTONE will enter NRHO, where it will
halo-shaped orbit.
fly within 1,600 km of the Moon’s North Pole on its
MISSION OBJECTIVES
near pass and 70,000 km from the South Pole at its
• Verify characteristics of a cis lunar near rectilinear farthest.
halo orbit for future spacecraft
The spacecraft will repeat the cycle every six-and-a-half
• Demonstrate entering and maintaining this unique day and maintain this orbit for at least six months to
orbit that provides a highly efficient path to Moon’s study dynamics.
surface and back
• Demonstrate spacecraft-to-spacecraft navigation
services that allow future spacecraft to determine ISRO’S POEM PLATFORM
their location relative to the Moon without relying
#Space
exclusively on tracking from Earth
• Lay a foundation for commercial support of future
Recently, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
lunar operations
achieved the feat of successfully launching the PSLV Orbital
• Gain experience with small, dedicated launches of
Experimental Module or ‘POEM’.
CubeSats beyond low-Earth orbit, to the Moon, and
ABOUT POEM
beyond
CAPSTONE ORBIT • PSLV Orbital Experimental Module is a platform that
will help perform in-orbit experiments using the final
• The orbit, formally known as a near rectilinear halo
and otherwise discarded stage of ISRO’s workhorse
orbit (NRHO), is significantly elongated.
rocket, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
• Halo orbits are those influenced by the gravity of two
• The PSLV is a four-stage rocket where the first three
bodies — in this case, the Earth and the moon. The
spent stages fall back into the ocean, and the final
influence of these two bodies helps make the orbit
stage (PS4) — after launching the satellite into orbit —
highly stable, minimizing the amount of propellant
ends up as space junk. However, in the PSLV-C53
needed to keep a spacecraft circling the moon.

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 Science & Technology

NEED FOR SPACE

mission, the spent final stage was utilized as a
“stabilized platform” to perform experiments.
• POEM will also derive its power from solar panels
mounted around the PS4 tank and a Li-Ion battery. It
will navigate using four sun sensors, a magnetometer,
gyros & NavIC.
Note: ISRO first demonstrated the capability of using PS4
as an orbital platform in 2019 with the PSLV-C44 mission
that injected Microsat-R and Kalamsat-V2 satellites into
their designated orbits. The fourth stage in that mission
was kept alive as an orbital platform for space-based
experiments.
SUSTAINABILITY
#Space
U.K. hosted the fourth summit for Space Sustainability in
London in collaboration with the Secure World Foundation.
During the summit, the UK launched a new ‘Plan for Space
Sustainability’. The UK calls for an “Astro Carta” for space
sustainability, based on the Artemis Accords model for
sustainable space exploration.

ABOUT PSLV Outer space is considered a shared natural resource. The

• Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle is the workhorse launch
vehicle of ISRO since 1994. It is the 1st operational
launch vehicle of India.
• The PSLV is a launch system primarily developed to
launch remote sensing satellites into sun synchronous
orbits.
• PSLV is a 4-stage that uses alternate combination of
liquid and solid fuelled rocket stages.
• While the 1st and 3rd stages are solid fuelled, the 2nd
and the 4th stages are propelled by liquid fuel.
• Strap-on motors are used in the 1st stage of PSLV
(solid stage) to provide additional thrust to the rocket.
• Additional thrust is needed in the 1st stage as the
rocket must overcome the air resistance in the
atmosphere to be launched in the orbit.
United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer
Space (COPUOS) in 2019 adopted a set of 21 voluntary, non-
binding guidelines to ensure the long-term sustainability of
outer space activities.
CHALLENGES IN ACHIEVING SPACE SUSTAINABILITY
• Orbital crowding: With the emergence of large
constellations and complex satellites, there is a risk of
collisions and interference with radio frequencies.
• Legal and insurance-related conflicts: Overcrowding
poses a direct threat to the operations and safety of a
mission and is likely to cause legal and insurance-
related conflicts.
• Space debris: After the completion of a mission, an
‘end-of-life protocol’ requires space objects to be
moved to the graveyard orbit or to a low altitude.
Neither of the options is sustainable in the long run.

• PSLV can deliver payloads of up to: • Solar and magnetic storms: These storms can
potentially damage communication systems. Such
o 3,250kg to Low Earth Orbit
space weather threats need to be addressed along
o 1600 kg to Sun Synchronous orbit
with the efforts to identify the terrestrial carbon
o 1400 kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit footprint of outer space missions.
DETAILS OF UK SPACE SUSTAINABILITY PLAN
Launch Velocity in Weight
Stages Orbit
Vehicle km/sec (Kg) • To review regulatory framework of UK’s orbital
activity.
4-stage 1750 SSPO • To work with organisations such as G-7 and UN to
PSLV XL 7.5
S-L-S-L 1425 GTO emphasise international engagement on space
sustainability.
3-stage 5000 LEO
GSLV MK II 10 • To try and develop safety and quality-related metrics
S-L-C 2500 GTO that quantify sustainability of activities.
• To induce additional funding of $6.1 million on active
3-stage 8000 LEO
GSLV Mk III 10 debris removal.
S-L-C 4000 GTO
• Active debris removal and in-orbit servicing.

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 Science & Technology
• Encouraging space research and development of
technology to ensure reuse and recycling of satellites
at every stage.
• UK confirmed investments in its National Space
Surveillance and Tracking Program, which works on
collision assessment services for UK-licenced satellite
operators.
RECENT INITIATIVES OF INDIA ON SPACE
SUSTAINABILITY
• Project NETRA: ISRO has initiated ‘Project NETRA’ to
monitor space debris.
• Recently India and U.S. signed a new pact for
monitoring space objects at the 2+2 dialogue.
• Increased private participation: With Indian National
Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (In-SPACe),
India expects an increased role of the private sector in
India’s space activities
• SPADEX: To provide in-orbit servicing, ISRO
developing a docking experiment called 'SPADEX'. It
looks at docking a satellite on an existing satellite,
offering support in re-fuelling and other in-orbit
services while enhancing the capability of a satellite.
Hence, the SPADEX can increase the longevity of a
mission and provide a futuristic option to combine
missions/experiments.
• Despite these, India’s debris footprint is minuscule.
For example, India has 114 debris among the 25,182
pieces of sizes larger than 10 cm, in the lower earth
orbits.
WAY FORWARD
• Active role of the United Nations Office for Outer
Space Affairs (UNOOSA) is needed to set equitable
standards for the ease of activities.
• Many of the measures for sustainability are resource-
consuming and expensive for medium-and-small
space programs. Hence, there is a need for addressing
the principles and rules that guide the activities in
outer space with better clarity.
• Encourage the private sector with a set
sustainability guidelines to ensure optimum utilisation
of resources and increase the safety and productivity
of missions
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SEARCH FOR DARK
MATTER
#SPACE
Data from third run of LHC could provide evidence of
physics beyond the Standard Model of Particle Physics
such as dark matter and dark energy.
Standard Model explains how basic building blocks of
matter interact, governed by four fundamental forces
(strong, weak, electromagnetic and gravitational force).
OBSERVATIONS RELATED TO DARK MATTER
Historically the evidence for dark matter came from
galaxy clusters. Galaxy clusters are made up of hundreds
of galaxies, that are held together by the gravitational
pull. They move around each other and how fast they
move depends on the total mass of the cluster. The more
is mass the faster the galaxies move.
However, galaxies and galaxies clusters move way too
fast to explain this with mass that we can attribute to the
visible matter.
Similarly, velocity of the stars orbiting around centre of
galaxy depends on total mass in the orbit. Stars in outer
part of galaxy just orbit too fast around centre. The
velocity must drop with distance from centre, but it
doesn’t. Instead, velocity of stars becomes approximately
constant at far distance from galactic centre.
Gravitational lensing: Galaxies and galaxy clusters bend
light that come from an object behind them. The object
behind them appears distorted and the amount of
distortion can help predict the mass of the lens. Again,
the visible matter isn’t enough to explain the
observation.
Fritz Zwicky conjectured in 1930s that there must be
more matters in galaxies clusters, just that we can see it.
This extra matter which invisible and undetected has
been termed as Dark Matter.
DARK MATTER
• Roughly 27% of universe is dark matter which is
responsible for holding the galaxies together. The
of matter we know and that makes up all stars and
galaxies only accounts for 5% of the content of the
universe.
• Dark matter interacts with gravity.
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 Science & Technology
• It has not yet been observed directly. It doesn't
interact with matter and is completely invisible to light
and other forms of electromagnetic radiation making
it impossible to detect.
• Scientists are confident it exists because of the
gravitational effects it has on galaxies and galaxy
clusters.
DARK ENERGY
• The expansion of universe is accelerating. Previously it
was thought that pull of gravity will either slow down
or even retract the expansion.
• Dark energy has been hypothesised as a repulsive
force — a sort of anti-gravity.
• As is it evident, our universe is expanding, indicating
that Dark Energy has a greater abundance than dark
matter.
• Roughly 68% of universe is dark energy. It is a
property of space so does not get diluted as space
expands. As more space comes into existence, more
of this energy-of- space appears. As a result, dark
energy causes the universe to expand faster and
faster.
• While Dark matter exerts a “pull” on the universe, Dark
Energy has a contrasting expansionary effect.
• Einstein's gravity theory makes a prediction: "empty
space" can possess its own energy. Because this
energy is a property of space itself, it would not be
diluted as space expands. As more space comes into
existence, more of this energy-of-space would
appear.
JAMES WEBB SPACE
TELESCOPE
#SPACE
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope was launched on
25th December on an Ariane 5 rocket from French Guiana,
South America. James Webb Space Telescope’s revolutionary
technology will study every phase of cosmic history — from
within our solar system to the most distant observable
galaxies in the early universe.
• Considered a successor of the Hubble Telescope.
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• Most powerful infrared telescope of National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
• Collaboration among NASA, European Space Agency
(ESA) and Canadian Space Agency.
• Expected to reveal new and unexpected discoveries,
and help humanity understand origins of universe and
our place in it.
FACTORS MAKING JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE
REVOLUTIONARY
• Earth reflects radiation in the far infrared region. So,
telescopes cannot operate near this region from
ground or low earth orbit. Technology to make
telescope see the universe in this region is very
sophisticated.
• Hubble telescope, most power telescope operational
till date, is positioned in low Earth orbit and hence
can’t operate in infra-IR region.
• James Webb Space Telescope will operate in Far
infrared region and will be positioned in L2.
• Webb will directly observe a part of space and time
never seen before. Webb will gaze into the epoch
when the very first stars and galaxies formed, over
13.5 billion years ago. Ultraviolet and visible light
emitted by very first luminous objects has been
stretched or “redshifted” by universe’s continual
expansion and arrives today as infrared light. Webb is
designed to “see” this infrared light with
unprecedented resolution and sensitivity.
• Webb will be a powerful tool for studying the nearby
universe. Scientists will use Webb to study planets and
other bodies in our solar system to determine their
origin and evolution and compare them with
exoplanets, planets that orbit other stars.
JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE WILL
1. See the already known universe with higher sensitivity
2. See far side of the universe, unknown till date.
• INSTRUMENTS: It has four science instruments:
• Near-Infrared Camera
• Near-Infrared Spectrograph
• Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI)
• Near-Infrared Imager
• WAVELENGTHS: Visible, Near Infrared, Mid
Infrared (0.6-28.5 micrometres)
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 Science & Technology

• LOCATION IN SPACE: Orbiting the Sun around the compared to the camera on Hubble.
second Lagrange point (L2).
Webb also carries a large sun shield.
Using a technique called transmission spectroscopy, the
observatory will examine starlight filtered through Webb’s near- and mid-infrared
planetary atmospheres to learn about their chemical instruments will help study the first
compositions. formed galaxies, exoplanets and birth of
SCIENCE GOALS FOR WEBB Distance stars.

• End of Dark Ages: First Light and Reionization - JWST Hubble can see the equivalent of
will be a powerful time machine with infrared vision “toddler galaxies” while Webb Telescope
that will peer back over 13.5 billion years to see the will be able to see “baby galaxies”.
first stars and galaxies forming out of the darkness of
the early universe.
• Assembly of Galaxies: JWST's unprecedented infrared PRIVATE SECTOR BOOST IN
sensitivity will help astronomers to compare the
faintest, earliest galaxies to today's grand spirals and INDIA’S SPACE INDUSTRY
ellipticals, helping us to understand how galaxies #Space
assemble over billions of years.
• Birth of Stars and Protoplanetary Systems: JWST will
Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood stated earlier
be able to see right through and into massive clouds
this month that the government would soon come up with a
of dust that are opaque to visible-light observatories
new space policy that could initiate the rise of India’s own
like Hubble, where stars and planetary systems are
“SpaceX-like ventures”.
being born.
NEED FOR PRIVATE SECTOR IN SPACE INDUSTRY
• Planetary Systems and Origins of Life: JWST will tell us
more about the atmospheres of extrasolar planets, • Increasing Demand: Private sector investment will
and perhaps even find the building blocks of life provide additional boost and
elsewhere in the universe. In addition to other increase entrepreneurship in the space sector after
planetary systems, JWST will also study objects within recent decision of central government on opening the
our own Solar System. sector for private participation.

WEBB VS HUBBLE TELESCOPE
JWST will observe primarily in infrared
range and provide coverage from 0.6 to
28 microns.
Instruments on Hubble see mainly in
ultraviolet and visible part of the
Wavelength spectrum. It could observe only a small
range in the infrared from 0.8 to 2.5
microns.
Infrared region of electromagnetic
spectrum covers wavelength range from
approximately 0.7 to a few 100 microns.
Webb’s primary mirror has a diameter of
6.5 metres while Hubble’s mirror was
Size
much smaller – 2.4 metres in diameter.
So, Webb will have a larger field of view
• Overall growth of space sector: ISRO has a strong
association with the industry, particularly with Public
Sector Undertakings (PSUs) like Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited and large private sector entities
like Larsen and Toubro.
• Very less global contribution: India’s share is
estimated at $7 billion (just 2% of the global market).
INTERNATIONAL TRENDS AND EXPERIENCE
• SpaceX and its high-profile projects have highlighted
increasing significance of private players in the space
sector.
• Enhancing space technology through private sector
would be beneficial to bolster connectivity and
combat climate, related implications through a more
secure and effective means.
• Private sector could meet the demand of spacecraft
and equipment manufacturing.

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 Science & Technology
• India has an advantage on IT services and
telecom that could be leverage through private
participation.
CONCERNS OF PRIVATE PARTICIPATION IN SPACE
INDUSTRY
• Data Risk: Though space it gives an opportunity to
entrepreneurs but raw data of ISRO in the hands of
public is sensitive and consists of danger of misuse or
improper utilization of data.
• Regulation: Though it’s a profitable investment,
regulation of private sector participation is not easy.
The time taken for regulatory clearances and unstable
political institutions can cause delays and hurdle in
decision making of investors.
• Revenue loss: ISRO will lose a fair amount of money it
is earning through its space activities. This will reduce
government revenue.
• Unfair commercial practices: Allowing private sector
may lead to lobbying and unfair means to get space
projects or launch of any satellite for their own profit.
It may also lead to leakage of sensitive information by
private players to other countries and companies to
make profit.
RECOMMENDATIONS
• A facilitating foundation: There needs to be a neutral
facilitating foundation without any self-interest.
• Demarcating space and defence: To avoid conflict of
interest and ensure national security.
• Promoting start-ups: A dedicated fund vehicle can be
set up which would disburse money based on a
national prize event, like Google’s XPRIZE.
• ISRO & Antrix providing mentorship: Dedicated
infrastructure to enable technology development (e.g.,
Berlin Alderson) should be allocated to space ventures
emerging from India to assist them in the start-up
stage.
• Space laws: Enactment of space legislations to define
regulatory, legal, and procedural regimes with
transparent timelines for pursuing space activities by
the private space industry is currently at a nascent
stage. Space Activities Bill needs to be enacted.
• Manufacturing in space sector: out programs like
‘Make in India’.
• Establishing think-tanks: There is scope to establish an
independent, wholly space- activities-focused think-
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tank like the European Space Policy Institute,
constituting distinguished experts in the space field
while preserving its independence in the preparation
of its various research outputs, research materials and
expert gatherings.
HOW IS PRIVATE SECTOR’S INVOLVEMENT REGULATED
IN INDIA
• In 2020, Union government announced reforms in
space sector enabling more private players to provide
end-to-end services.
• Announcement for establishment of Indian National
Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe)
was made. It was mandated task of promoting,
authorising and licensing private players to carry out
space activities. As an oversight and regulatory body,
it is responsible for devising mechanisms to offer
sharing of technology, expertise, and facilities free of
cost (if feasible) to promote non-government private
entities (NGPEs).
• IN-SPACe’s Monitoring and Promotion Directorate
oversees NGPE’s activities as per prescribed
regulations and reports back in case any corrective
actions or resolutions are required. ISRO shares its
expertise in matters pertaining to quality and
reliability protocols, documentations and testing
procedure through IN-SPACe’s ‘interface mechanism’.
• Constituted in 2019, New Space India Ltd (NSIL), is
mandated to transfer the matured technologies
developed by the ISRO to Indian industries. All of them
are under the purview of the Ministry of Defence.
AUTONOMOUS FLYING
WING TECHNOLOGY
DEMONSTRATOR
#Defence
India successfully conducted maiden flight of an unmanned
autonomous flying wing technology demonstrator. This is
the first yet vital step towards building a full-fledged stealth
combat drone capable of firing missiles and dropping
bombs. The design, DRDO scientists say, has the potential to
deliver high fuel efficiency and stealth, if executed with
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 Science & Technology
precision, as demonstrated by some of advanced bombers
in the USA’s arsenal like B-2 bomber.
AUTONOMOUS FLYING WING TECHNOLOGY
• It is a combat drone that is a flying wing type, also
called as Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV).
• Flying wing structure of technology demonstrator is a
tailless fixed-wing aircraft which houses its payload
and fuel in its main wings and does not have a defined
fuselage-like structure found in the conventional
aircraft.
• The design has potential to deliver high fuel efficiency
and stability if executed with precision.
• The flying wing type of aircraft has a key operational
advantage because it has low reflective cross sections
resulting in low radar signature, making it a stealth
machine. Because of the shape, the aircraft also has
very low drag or air resistance. However, this unique
design also comes with its issues related to stability
and thus requires additional systems.
• The airframe — basic mechanical structure of the
aircraft, undercarriage — landing gear used for take-
off and landing and entire flight control along with
avionics systems used for demonstrator have been
developed indigenously. The vehicle is powered by a
small turbofan engine which is an airbreathing type jet
engine.
• Several scenarios, both in India and abroad, have
highlighted strategic importance of having stealth
combat drones in the arsenal. While Indian armed
forces currently operate a mix of indigenously
developed and imported drones, a fully homegrown
stealth combat machine is the need of the hour.
DRDO & DRONES
• DRDO has in the past developed various drones, like
Nishant, Rustom, Tapas and Lakshya among others,
which have different capabilities and operational
roles.
• Last year, DRDO unveiled its anti-drone technology
aimed at neutralising enemy attacks. The system has
capability of counter attacks, including detection, soft
kill — for jamming the communication links of drone)
and hard kill — and laser based hard kill to destroy
the drone to neutralise the adversary drones.
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NEW PATHWAY TO
REGULATE NITRATE
ABSORPTION IN PLANTS
#Biotechnology
Researchers led by those from National Centre of Biological
Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru
(NCBS-TIFR), have found a new pathway that regulates
nitrate absorption in plants.
ABOUT THE NEW FINDINGS
• The gene MADS27, which regulates nitrate absorption,
root development and stress tolerance, is activated by
the micro-RNA, miR444, offers a way to control these
properties of the plant.
• The researchers studied this mechanism in both rice
(monocot) and tobacco (dicot) plants.
• At one level, it is known that hormone auxin is
responsible for well-developed roots across all plants.
Several genes are known to help with auxin
production, improved nitrate transport and
assimilation in plants.
• In addition to this route, several gene regulatory
switches that regulate nitrate absorption and root
development, such as the micro-RNA, miR444, are
known in monocot plants, such as rice.
• The micro-RNA ‘miR444’ is specific to monocots. When
this is not made, its target, MADS27, is produced in
higher abundance, and it improves biosynthesis and
transport of the hormone auxin, which is key for root
development and its branching
• This regulatory miR444 switch is known to turn off at
least five genes called MADS box transcription factor
genes. The speciality of the MADS box transcription
factors is that they function like switch boxes of their
own. They bind to their favourite specific DNA
sequences, and they switch the neighbouring genes
“on.”
THREE-PRONGED EFFECT
Researchers have studied a target gene of miR444 called
MADS27, a transcription factor which hasn’t been studied
well before. They have found that this transcription
factor has a three-pronged effect on the plant.
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 Science & Technology

• Regulates nitrate absorption by switching
proteins involved in this process.
• Leads to better development of the roots by
regulating auxin hormone production and transport.
“on” • Helps in abiotic stress tolerance by keeping the main
stress player proteins “on.”
• This is a new finding with a three-pronged effect, and
it provides an alternate means of regulating and
optimising nitrate absorption.

ARYABHAT-1
NITRATES USE IN PLANTS
• Nitrogen is one of the most important macronutrients
needed for development of a plant. It is a part of #IT
chlorophyll, amino acids and nucleic acids.
• It is mostly sourced from soil where it is mainly
• Researchers at Indian Institute of Science have built a
absorbed in the form of nitrates and ammonium by
prototype of an analog chipset called ARYABHAT-1
roots. Nitrates play a role in controlling genome-wide (Analog Reconfigurable Technology and Bias-scalable
gene expression that in turn regulates root system Hardware for AI Tasks).
architecture, flowering time, leaf development, etc.
• It will be faster and require less power than the digital
• Thus, while a lot of action takes place in the roots to chips found in most electronic devices.
absorb and convert nitrogen into useful nitrates,
• It would be helpful for Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based
absorbed nitrates in turn regulate plant development
applications like object or speech recognition e.g.,
apart from being useful as a macronutrient.
Alexa or Siri.
• Presence of nitrates is important for plant
• Different machine learning architectures can be
development and for grain production. However,
programmed on it and operate across a wide range of
overuse of nitrates in fertilizers can lead to dumping
temperatures.
of nitrates in soil which leads to accumulation of
nitrates in water and soil. This accumulation adds to
soil and water pollution and increased contribution to KAI CHUTNEY
greenhouse gases.
#Intellectual Property Rights
• To avoid this, there should be optimal use of nitrates.
Also, since whole process of nitrate absorption takes
Scientists in Odisha are currently polishing their findings
place in roots, a well-developed root system is needed
in preparation for a presentation for the Geographical
for this to take place optimally.
Indications (GI) register of Kai chutney.

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 Science & Technology

• GI tag, when used under food category, will aid in
development of a defined hygiene protocol for
preparation of Kai chutney for general use.
• Geographical Indications labels enhance reputation,
value of local products and support local businesses.
• Red weaver ants' sting causes a strong pain and
scarlet lumps on skin; hence people frequently keep a
safe distance from them. Despite this, the mouth-
watering meal created from weaver ants—Kai
chutney—is a favourite among the tribes of the
Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.
• This savoury food item, rich in proteins, calcium, zinc,
vitamin B-12, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium,
copper, fibre and 18 amino acids, is known to boost
the immune system.
• Weaver ants, Oecophylla smaragdina, are abundantly
found in Mayurbhanj throughout the year. They make
nests with leaves of host trees.

practice questions
MCQs
Q.1) Consider the following statements regarding a 1. It is rich in proteins, calcium, zinc, vitamin B-12,
local dish “Kai-Chutney”: iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, copper,
1. It is rich in proteins, calcium, zinc, vitamin B-12, fibre and 18 amino acids
iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, copper, 2. It has been recently awarded GI Tag by Ministry of
fibre and 18 amino acids Commerce and Industry.
2. It has been recently awarded GI Tag by Ministry of Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Commerce and Industry. (a) 1 Only
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (b) 2 Only
(a) 1 Only (c) Both 1 and 2
(b) 2 Only (d) Neither 1 Nor 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 Nor 2 Q.4) Which of the following statements are
incorrect regarding James Webb Telescope:
Q.2) Consider the following statements about (a) It is considered a successor of the Hubble
"Dark matter", sometimes in news: Telescope.
1. Dark matter is theorized to be responsible for (b) It is the most powerful infrared telescope of
observed faster movement of galaxies from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
calculated speed of galaxies. (NASA).
2. It exerts pull on the galaxies in the Universe. (c) The telescope is the project of NASA alone.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (d) It is expected to reveal new and unexpected
(a) 1 only discoveries, and help humanity understand the
(b) 2 only origins of the universe and our place in it.

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) Consider the following statements related to
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle:

Q.3) Consider the following statements regarding a 1. It is used for launching satellites in sun
local dish “Kai-Chutney”: synchronous orbits only.

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 Science & Technology

2. It is a four-staged launch vehicle with the first and Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
third stages using solid rocket motors; and the (a) 1 and 2 only
second and fourth stages using liquid rocket (b) 2 only
engines. (c) 2 and 3 only
3. The launch vehicle has no utility after the (d) All of the above
satellites are placed in the orbit.

Descriptive Questions
Q1. What is space sustainability? What are the threats to space sustainability? Highlight the steps taken by India for

space sustainability.

Q2. Describe how James Webb Space Telescope is more advanced than the Hubble Space Telescope. How will this

telescope broaden our understanding of universe.

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

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 History, HERITAGE & Culture
# GS Paper (Prelims) & GS Paper I (Main)
NEW FLAG CODE AND
INDIAN FLAG
#Modern India
Government of India has amended Flag Code of India, 2002
allowing for the National Flag to be made from polyester
and other machine-made fabric, besides the traditional
hand spun and handwoven khadi.
RATIONALE
Government has said this change would make the
national flag affordable for people and help ensure the
success of the Centre’s ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ programme.
WHAT IS THE ISSUE?
• Firms in the Khadi and Village segment have shown
concern about the recent order.
• It would break association between Tricolour, the
Independence movement and khadi.
• Allowing tricolour production using non-khadi fabric
would end up benefiting countries like China.
FLAG CODE OF INDIA
• Since January 26, 2002.
• Brings all laws, conventions, practices, and
instructions for the display of the National Flag.
• Governs the display of the National Flag by private,
public, and government institutions.
• As per Clause 2 of the Flag Code, there shall be no
restriction on the display of the National consistent
with the dignity and honour of the National Flag.
• Original flag code of India 1947 was amended in 2002
after a Supreme Court judgment.
ABOUT INDIAN NATIONAL FLAG
• Present national flag is based on Swaraj flag of Indian
National Congress designed by Pingali Venkayya (INC).
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• Adopted as our national flag at a Congress Committee
meeting in Karachi in 1931.
• July 22, in 1947, Constituent Assembly of India
adopted National Flag.
LAWS RELATED TO NATIONAL FLAG
• Fundamental Duty in Constitution Art 51A(a): To abide
by Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions,
National Flag and National Anthem.
• Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use)
Act, 1950.
• Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
IMPORTANT FACTS
• Made of hand spun and hand-woven wool/cotton/silk
khadi bunting and now also polyester.
• Rectangular in shape (3:2)
• Flag shall not be flown at half-mast.
• Flag shall not be used as a drapery (except state
funeral)
• Flag shall not be used as a portion of costume or
uniform.
NATIONAL EMBLEM OF
INDIA
#Art & culture
Prime Minister unveiled national emblem atop new
Parliament building that is being constructed at Central
Vista.
ABOUT NATIONAL EMBLEM
• Adopted as State Emblem of India on January 26,
1950. However, constituent Assembly adopted this on
December 30, 1947 (Proposed by Jawaharlal Nehru).
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 History, Heritage & Culture
• Based in Sarnath Buddhist Complex in Varanasi, Uttar
Pradesh.
• Motto on emblem is स�यमेव जयते (Satyameva Jayate):
"Truth Alone Triumphs", from "Mundaka Upanishad",
a part of Upanishads.
• Emblem forms a part of official letterhead of
Government of India and appears on all Indian
currency along with passport.
ARTISTIC ELEMENTS
• Sarnath capital of King Ashoka (Mauryan Dynasty)
features four Asiatic lions standing back-to-back,
symbolising power, courage, confidence, and pride,
mounted on a circular base. At bottom is a horse and
a bull, and at its centre is a Dharma chakra.
• The abacus is girded with a frieze of sculptures in high
relief of Lion of North , Horse of West, Bull of South
and Elephant of East, separated by intervening
wheels, over a lotus in full bloom, exemplifying
fountainhead of life and creative inspiration. Carved
from a single block of sandstone, polished capital is
crowned by Wheel of Dharma.
• Bell-shaped lotus beneath the abacus has been
omitted in the emblem.
LION CAPITAL OF ASHOKA
• It was erected after Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism
and commemorated site of Gautama Buddha's first
sermon some two centuries before.
• It was situated near Dhameka Stupa in Sarnath
(Varanasi, UP), same place where Gautama Buddha is
believed to give hist first sermon.
AMIR KHUSRAU
#medievalindia #artandculture
Artists have decided to bring the audio-visual theme based
gazals on the songs/poetry written by medieval India’s
famous poet/writer Amir Khusrau.
ABOUT AMIR KHUSRAU
Amir Khusrau (1253–1325 AD), was an Indo-Persian Sufi
singer, musician, poet, and scholar who flourished under
Delhi Sultanate. In Indian subcontinent's cultural history,
he is a legendary person. He was a mystic and a spiritual
follower of Delhi's Nizamuddin Auliya. He mostly wrote
poetry in Persian, although he also wrote in Hindavi.
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AMIR KHUSRAU - AN EPITOME OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
• Amir Khusrau was a Sufi musician, poet, and
philosopher from South Asia.
• He was a spiritual follower of Delhi's Nizamuddin
Auliya.
• Khusrau is sometimes referred to as "India's Parrot."
• His music may be heard in a number of dargahs
throughout the country.
• Khusrau is known for being the "Father of Qawwali."
• He is credited with inventing sitar and making a
substantial contribution to the creation of ghazal.
• He is credited with infusing Persian and Arabic
influences into Indian classical music and being
creator of khayal and Tarana genres of music.
• He wrote legendary love story between Laila Majnu
and Ashiqa.
• He was a classical poet who served in royal courts of
Delhi Sultanate for more than seven rulers.
• His connections with numerous sultans allowed him
to travel & reside in many regions of India, exposing
him to a variety of local customs. This aided him in
assimilating a wide range of musical influences.
CHAMPARAN
SATYAGRAHA
#Medieval India #Art & Culture
In Champaran district of Bihar, Europeans forced cultivators
to grow indigo, a blue dye, and this imposed on them untold
sufferings. They could not grow the food they needed, nor
did they receive adequate payment for the indigo.
CHAMPARAN SATYAGRAHA
• A Bihar farmer, Rajkumar Shukla, pleaded Mahatma
Gandhi, to visit and personally investigate the matter.
Gandhi ji visited Champaran with Rajkumar Shukla.
• Magistrate ordered Gandhi to not stay in Champaran.
He was latter summoned but released.
• Gandhi investigated the matter through cross-
examination of about 8,000 cultivators.
• Gandhi concluded that ignorance of cultivators was
the main reasons why it was possible for European
planters to repress them. Gandhi therefore set up
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 History, Heritage & Culture
voluntary organizations to improve economic and
educational conditions of the people. They opened
schools and taught how to improve sanitation.
• British government realized Gandhi's strength and his
devotion to causes. They themselves then set upon a
committee to enquire into grievances of the
cultivators. They invited Gandhi to serve on that
committee, and he agreed. The result was that within
months Champaran Agrarian Bill was passed. It gave
great relief to cultivators and land tenants.
SUN TEMPLE OF KONARK
#Medieval India #Art & Culture
Archaeological Survey of India has begun the restoration at
Sun Temple of Konark (Odisha).
ABOUT KONARK TEMPLE
• Sun Temple at Konark, located on eastern shores of
Indian state of Odisha.
• Europeans called it as Black Pagoda due to its dark
colour and its magnetic power that drew ship into
shore and cause shipwrecks.
• Listed as World Heritage site by UNESCO.
• Sun Temple is an exceptional testimony, in physical
form, to 13th-century Hindu Kingdom of Odisha,
under the reign of Narasimha Deva I (AD 1238-1264)
of Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
• Belongs to cult of Surya, Sun God. Thus, it is directly
and materially linked to Brahmanism and tantric belief
systems.
• Built in Kalingan temple architecture, with all its
defining elements in complete and perfect form.
FEATURES
• A chariot of the Sun God, with twelve pairs of wheels
drawn by seven horses evoking its movement across
heavens. It is embellished with sophisticated and
refined iconographical depictions of contemporary life
and activities.
• Vimana (principal sanctuary) was surmounted by a
high tower with a shikhara (crowning cap), which was
razed in 19th century.
• To the east, jahamogana (audience hall) dominates
ruins with its pyramidal mass.
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• Farther to east, natmandir (dance hall), today
unroofed, rises on a high platform.
• Various subsidiary structures are still to be found
within the enclosed area of the rectangular wall, which
is punctuated by gates and towers.
ALLURI SITARAM RAJU
#modernindia #personalities
Prime Minister to launch year-long celebrations to
remember contributions of Alluri Sitarama Raju. As part of
Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Government is giving due
recognition to the contribution of freedom fighters and
making people across the country aware of them.
ABOUT ALLURI SITARAMA RAJU:
• Born in Andhra Pradesh (Late 19th century)
• He was a sanyasi and gained a mystical aura among
hill and tribal peoples with his austerity, knowledge of
astrology and medicine, and his ability to tame wild
animals.
• Role as Freedom Fighter:
o He helped tribal people of eastern Andhra Pradesh
into a highly effective guerrilla resistance against
British.
o He became involved in anti-British activities in
response to 1882 Madras Forest Act, which
effectively restricted free movement of Adivasis
(tribal communities) in their forest habitats and
prevented them from practicing a traditional form
of agriculture known as podu (shifting cultivation).
o He became leader in anti-British Rampa
Rebellion/Manyam Rebellion of 1922.
o He asserted that India could be liberated only by
use of force, not non-violence.
KANAGANAHALLI
BUDDHIST SITE
#Ancient India #Art & Culture
Archaeological Survey of India has launched a conservation
plan for “Kanaganahalli Buddhist Site”. Work has started on
Rs 3.5 crore conservation project.
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 History, Heritage & Culture
ABOUT THE SITE
• Kanaganahalli Buddhist Site was excavated by ASI
during 1994-2001. However, it was left neglected for
around 20 years.
• This is an ancient Buddhist site, situated on the bank
of River Bhima River near Kanaganahalli in Kalaburagi
district in Karnataka.
• Kanaganahalli Buddhist Stupa was constructed using
locally available limestone. Most drum slabs, dome
slabs, inscribed sculptures, and other structural
remains were recovered in broken.
• In 1986, Kali temple situated in Chandralamba temple
complex in Sannati got collapsed. While clearing
debris, Ashokan edicts were discovered from complex.
• During excavation, an abandoned well was discovered
which turned out to be “Maha Stupa”. The Maha Stupa
is referred as “Adholoka Maha Chaitya” in the Ashoka’s
inscriptions.
• It is likely that, Maha Stupa have been developed in
three constructional phases: Mauryan Phase, Early
Satavahana Phase and Later Satavahana phase,
during 3rd Century B.C. to 3rd Century A.D.
• While Stupa is believed to be the largest of its time,
the stone-portrait is the only surviving image of
Mauryan Emperor which had inscription ‘Raya Asoko’
in Brahmi on it.
VINAYAK DAMODAR
SAVARKAR
#Modernindia #Personalities
National memorial and museum dedicated to Mahatma
Gandhi has brought out a special edition of its monthly
magazine dedicated to Hindutva leader Vinayak Damodar
Savarkar.
ABOUT V D SAVARKAR
• Born in 1883 at Nashik in Maharashtra.
• Founded Abhinav Bharat Society (initially as Mitra
Mela, 1899) along with brother G D Damodar in 1904.
It was a secret society which also had connections
with London.
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• He was involved with India House (founded by Shyamji
Krishna Varma in London to promote nationalist ideas
among youth).
• Savarkar went to London in 1906. He soon founded
the Free India Society, along with Madam Bhikaji Cama
based on the thoughts of the Italian nationalist
Giuseppe Mazzini
• Functioned as president of Hindu Mahasabha from
1937 to 1943. He called against Quit India Movement.
• Savarkar was convicted and sentenced to 50-years
imprisonment also known as Kala Pani and
transported in 1911 to the Cellular Jail in the Andaman
and Nicobar Islands. Released in 1924.
• He later joined Tilak’s Swaraj Party.
• He advocated for the use of Hindi as a national
language. He also fought against untouchability and
caste-based discrimination.
LITERARY WORKS
• The History of the War of Indian Independence (on
revolt of 1857)
• ‘Hindutva: who is Hindu?’
• A biography of Mazzini
PRE-INDEPENDENCE
TRIBAL MOVEMENT
#tribalmovements #modernindia
Draupadi Murmu has been elected as India’s first President
from Tribal community. She belongs to Santhal tribal
community. Her election to Presidentship brings us to
relevance of Indian tribal revolts and movement in Modern
Indian History.
SANTHAL TRIBE
• Also called as Santal which literally means a calm,
peaceful man.
• Language: Santhali, written in a script called Ol Chiki
developed by Santhal scholar Pandit Raghunath
Murmu. Santhali has been included as part of 8th
schedule of Constitution of India.
• Habitation: Mostly found in Jharkhand, Odisha and
West Bengal. Earlier they were nomadic before
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 History, Heritage & Culture

settling in the Chotanagpur plateau. Later, migrated to • Baha : Ritual for first fruit of Mahua and ceremonial
Odisha and West Bengal. hunting
• Demographic: 3rd largest tribal community after
Gonds and Bhils. But they have higher literacy rate
compared to other tribes in Odisha, Jharkhand and
West Bengal. This was a result of a pro-school
education awareness since at least the 1960s.
• Many from the community have entered creamy layer
of Indian society.
• Important personalities: (1) Jharkhand CM Hemant
Soren is a Santhal (2) Comptroller and Auditor General
of India (CAGI) Girsh Chandra Murmu etc.
• Cultural features of Santhals
SANTHAL REVOLT OF 1855-56
A. Religion: They are nature worshippers and could be
Background:
seen paying obeisance at Jaher (sacred groves) in
their villages. River Damodar is considered holy • After getting political and economic control of Bengal,
(crematory rites). Bihar and Odisha because of victory in Battle of Buxar,
East India company imposed permanent settlement
B. Attire: Dhoti and gamuchha for men and a short-
there (Lord Cornwallis).
check saree, usually blue and green, for women,
who generally put on tattoos. • They invited many Santhals to settle in a specific forest
area (Damin-i-Koh) in Rajmahal hills.
• Santhal Society
• But Santhals were exploited by the zamindars and
A. Marriage system: Including elopement, widow
English police.
remarriage, levirate, forced (rare) and the one in
which a man is made to marry the woman he has Revolt:
impregnated. Divorce is not a taboo in the Santhal • June 1855 many two Santhal leaders Sidhu and Kanhu
society. Either of the couple could divorce the Murmu declared rebellion against the East India
other. company. Farmers, villagers and women took wide
B. Profession: Most Santhals are agriculturists, participation. They fought the police, damaged
depending on their farmlands or forests. communication systems, and used guerrilla warfare.
• Artforms • British used martial law to curb the rebellion and was
successful by January 1856.
o Musical instruments: kamak, dhol, sarangi and
flutes. TRIBAL FREEDOM FIGHTERS

o Their homes, called Olah, have a particular three- Leader of Bastar rebellion in
colour pattern on the outer walls. Gunda Dhur Chhattisgarh in 1910. Bastar
o The bottom portion is painted with black soil, the Rebellion is also known as Bhumkal.
middle with white and the upper with red.
Led the Halba rebellion in
Major Festivals & Rituals
Chhattisgarh (1774-1779). Aimed to
• Jantal : First eating of rice Ajmer Singh
create an independent tribal state
• Magha-sim : Dancing and merrymaking called Halba Dongar.
• Erok-sim : For sowing seeds
Led the Munda rebellion (Ulgulan).
• Iri-guldi-sim : Offering small millets to deity Birsa Munda
Also, known as Dharti Aaba.
• Saharai : Cattle worship
• Hariham-sim : At the time of Sprouting seedling Tilka Manjhi Executed an armed rebellion against

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 History, Heritage & Culture

the British in 1785. He led the Santhal Covered many parts of present-day
rebellion from 1771 to 1785. Odisha and was led by Buddho
Kol Mutiny
Bhagat. It began because of large-
(1831)
He was a tribal leader from Bhils. He scale transfers of land from Kol tribe
Govind Guru led the Bhil rebellion 1913 in to outsider Sikh and Muslim farmers.
Rajasthan.
EIC wanted to build a road linking
Brahmaputra valley with Sylhet in
He was a tribal civil rights activist
from Southern Odisha region. He was Khasi Uprising response to which Khasis, Garos,
Lakshman (1830s) Khampis and Singhpos organized
a Gandhian leader. Led Tribal
Naik themselves to revolt under Tirath
Movement Odisha during Quit India
Singh.
Movement.
Led by Birsa Munda with an aim to
Leaders of Santhal Rebellion during Munda Revolt establish Munda rule by killing
Sidhu n Kanu
1855. (1899-1900) thikadars (revenue farmers),
jagirdars, rajas and hakims.
Alluri Sitaram Led the Rampa rebellion (Manyam
Occurred in Manipur against British
Raju Rebellion) in 1922. Kukis Revolt
policies of recruiting labor during the
(1917-19)
First World War.
• Chero and Kharwar revolt in
Tribal Naga Led by Jadonang in Manipur against
Chotanagpur plateau.
Movements as Movement British rule. Aimed to establish Naga
• Bhils revolted in Vindhya and
part of 1857 (1905-31) Raj.
Satpura regions under the
Freedom Led by Gaidinliu in Manipur which
leadership of Bhagoji Naik and Heraka Cult
Struggle led to formation of Naga Association
Kajar Singh. (1930s)
in 1946.
TRIBAL REBELLIONS Bhils were tribes around Khandesh
Bhil uprising
REBELLLION/ who revolted against EIC fearing
KEY POINTS (1817-19 &
MOVEMENT agrarian hardships in 1817. During
1913)
Taken by tribesmen of Midnapore 1913 revolt aim at forming Bhil Raj.
Chuar Uprising
district against famine, enhanced Gond Aim was to bring together the
(1766-72 &
land revenue and economic distress uprising(1940s) believers of Gond dharma.
1795-1816)
under British rule.
Taken by Ho and Munda tribe who
Ho uprising revolted against Company’s forces.
(1820-22 & Ho tribals were led by Raja Parahat
1831) against occupation of Singhbhum by
British.

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 History, Heritage & Culture

practice questions
MCQs
Q.1) Consider the following statement: 2. He is regarded as father of Qawwali and also
1. Indian National flag was adopted by the developed many style of Hindustani music.
constitutional assembly on 26th January 1950. Which of statement given above is/are correct?
2. Constitution lays down rights on Indian citizen to (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
hoist the national flag. (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
3. Current colour scheme of Indian National flag was
adopted in Karachi Session of Indian National Q.4) Consider the following statements Rampa
congress. rebellion of 1922:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1. Alluri Sitarama Raju was the leader of the rebellion
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only 2. It was against the agricultural policies of Britishers.
(c) 3 only (d) 1 and 3 only Which of statement given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
Q.2) Consider the following statements: (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
1. Satyameva Jayate under National emblem of India
was taken from the Chandyogya Upanishads. Q.5) Consider the following statements
2. It was used as a National emblem by the Indian 1. Konark sun temple was built during the reign of
government before the independence. Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 2. Temple was built in the Kalinga style of temple
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only architecture.
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Which of statement given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
Q.3) Consider the following statements with (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
reference to Amir Khusrau:
1. He belong the reign of Mohammad Bin Tughlaq
but he was patronised by Sikandar Lodhi.

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

FOCUS | August 2022 | RAU’S IAS 111

 Part TWO

Ethics, Integrity
& Aptitude
Coverage from varied sources
 Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude
GANDHIAN PERSPECTIVES ON ETHICS
#Ethics #Integrity #Aptitude
“The very essence of our civilisation is that we give
permanent place to ethics, truth, non-violence, tolerance,
justice and integrity and morality in all our efforts—public
or private.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhiji set high ethical and moral standards for himself,
which reveals his commitment and devotion to eternal
principles. A month before his assassination Gandhiji
said, “It is the duty of all leading men, whatever their
persuasion or party, to safeguard the dignity of India’’.
It goes to the credit of Gandhi that he evolved a
philosophy and lifestyle which was permeated with
ethical, moral, spiritual insights and scientific truth. He
did not see any difference in them and what he asserted
in his autobiography, ‘What I want to achieve–what I have
been striving and pining to achieve these thirty years–is
self-realisation, to see God face to face, to attain
Moksha,’ reveals the ethical, moral and spiritual
foundations of his striving all through.
Technology vs Morality of the Individual
Gandhiji continues to challenge many postulations and
keeps on reminding humanity that there is a ‘truth’
beyond all what we perceive and hold to be ‘truth.’ By
making truth as the axis of all his endeavors, Gandhi was
seeking the spirituality of truth itself which is the very
basis of science. He thereby convincingly challenges
those who espouse the notion that spirituality and
science need to be at war with each other. He reminds us
here of Einstein’s statement that imagination is greater
than knowledge.
When he emphasised the power of love, compassion,
truth, non-violence, even many of his close friends raised
their eyebrows. His plans to take on non-violently the
mightiest of Empires of the day, many doubted his
wisdom. His claim that India could win the freedom
without resorting to violence and war, it looked
laughable.
Religion vs science
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Gandhi was not interested in the argument whether
religion is forerunner of science or science has always
been nurturing religion or religion and spirituality are
older to science. He could see how science outgrew the
importance of religion in the life of individuals as more
and more intelligent men of science and technology
devoted their time in unravelling and developing
scientific truth and capability. The champions and
custodians of the spiritual domain relapsed into just
meditative and contemplative lifestyles thereby
becoming status quoits. Science and technology with its
manifold focus and application came into the daily life of
people with surprising and hitherto unbelievable results.
The primacy of religion steadily eroded while science
forged ahead with unstoppable speed and energy.
Satyagraha: Blending of Ethical, Social and Political
concerns
Gandhi’s seminal contribution lies in blending science
and spirituality as revealed in the philosophy and
practice of Satyagraha. The Satyagraha as enunciated by
Gandhi seeks to integrate spiritual values, community
organisation and self-reliance with a view to empower
individuals, families, group, villages, towns and cities.
Robert Payne in his perceptive study of Gandhi remarks,
“Gandhi was continually experimenting with truth and
inventing new forms of force. And just as Satyagraha was
never “truth force,” so it was never “nonviolence” or
“passive resistance”, although it included them in its
ever-widening orbit.”
It may be remembered that:
1. Satyagraha was never used by Gandhi to score
political points.
2. Gandhi’s Satyagraha movement was principle-
centered and spiritually guided.
3. Gandhi’s Satyagraha was never aimed as a coercive
tactic.
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 Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude
4. Gandhi’s language, body language and activities
were dignified and always left room for dialogue and
reconciliation.
5. Gandhi’s Satyagraha always highlighted moral
principles.
6. Gandhi had the courage to withdraw his movement
when he realised that unprincipled elements would
infiltrate and would use the base for selfish or
opportunistic goals.
Ethical and spiritual living
The ancient Vedic philosophy of “Sarva Dharma
Samabhav” or “Respect for all religions” formed the basis
of Gandhiji’s religious humanism which was rooted in
ethical, moral and spiritual considerations. Spiritual living
is responsible living. Gandhi said, “I am responsible not
only for myself but for all of you just as all of you are
responsible for me. When we live truly selfless life, we
never think in terms of personal profit or pleasure but
always in terms of global prosperity and world peace.
For even these grand goals ultimately depend not on
government but on selfless efforts of little people like
you and me of the long run, friendly persuasion is the
only effective teacher. Human beings can always grow”. If
the man gains spirituality, Gandhi said, “whole world
gains with him”.
The casteless and classless society he was striving to
establish aims at the realisation of both material and
spiritual moorings. He described the society that he was
aiming as Ram Rajya- a Divine Rajya, the Kingdom of
God. His Ram is the Almighty God which guides him to
noble action and whose presence can be felt
everywhere. The Ram Rajya he was advocating was an
ideal social order where an ideal King rules over his
subjects without any distinction whatsoever. Truth,
dharma and justice to be the dominant characteristics of
such a society. The poorest of the poor to have equal say
in the governance. Nobody will be discriminated against
anybody.
Relevance of Gandhi’s Talisman
It may be of use here to remember in this context the
advice Gandhi gave to the new rulers of India, which is
now known as Gandhi’s Talisman.
FOCUS | AUGUST 2022 | RAU’S IAS
Gandhi said in his advice: “I will give you a talisman,
whenever you are in doubt or when the self becomes too
much with you, apply the following test: Recall the face of
the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have
seen and ask yourself if the step you contemplate is
going to be of any use to him, Will he gain anything by it?
Will it restore him to a control over his own life and
destiny? In other words, will it lead to Swaraj for the
hungry and spiritually starving millions?”
Seven Sins according to Gandhi
1. Wealth without work
2. Pleasure without conscience
3. Knowledge without character
4. Commerce without morality
5. Science without humanity
6. Religion without sacrifice, and
7. Politics without principle
Epitome of integrity
He never asked others to do anything which he did not
do. It is history how he conducted his affairs. He never
treated even his own children in any special manner
from other children. In the Ashram settlements they also
grew up along with the other children, sharing same kind
of food and other facilities and attending the same
school. When a scholarship was offered to him for one of
his sons to be sent to England for higher education,
instead of giving it to his own children, Gandhi gave it to
some other boy. Of course, he invited strong resentment
from two of his sons and there are many critics who
believe that Gandhi neglected his own children, and he
was not an ideal father. The voluntary abdication of his
highly attractive income from his legal profession and
taking to a simple life and his profound conviction of
equality of all men and women show the essential
Gandhi who grew into a Mahatma.
The ethical and moral standard he set for himself reveals
his commitment and devotion to eternal principles and
only someone like him who regulated his life and action
in conformity with the universal vision of human
brotherhood could describe his life, ‘My Life is My
Message’.
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 Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

CASE STUDIES for Practice

MAINS GS PAPER IV

Case Study 1: A new manufacturing company is b) Degradation of land and water in the area will

engaged in manufacturing of industrial products using irreversibility destroy the ecology and also the way

nanotechnology. It has done lot of investment in R&D by of life of farmers. Further it will also threaten food
involving domestic and foreign scientists and experts. security.
However, many states have not given permission to c) Right cognition – consternation against
operate due to the environmental concerns on nanotechnology despite no concrete basis.
nanotechnology raised by many environmentalists. But
d) Workers engaged in the factory and ancillary units
one state government acceded to the request, brushing
have been denied right to work.
aside all opposition.
I will act under the principle of ethical governance to
The new unit became operational in the state. It has
have empathetic, compassionate, sensitive & responsive
given employment to many young engineers, scientists,
governance -
technicians and other graduates. On one hand the
pollution caused by the industrial effluents was affecting a) Law and order must immediately be restored as
the land, water and crops in the area. On the other hand, factory has already been closed.
concerns of nanoparticles affecting the environment was b) Compensation and medical help can be given to
also growing. This gave rise to a widespread agitation victim of mob confusion and protest.
against the company. There were incidences of violence
c) Workers unemployed must be upgraded in skill to be
necessitating stern police action. Following the public
absorbed elsewhere or given some credit facility for
outcry, the State government ordered the closure of the
self-employment.
factory. However, there is no established research on
environmental and health hazard of nanotechnology. d) Scientific measures must be taken to restore soil and

The closure of the manufacturing unit resulted not only water health in the region.

in the unemployment of young talented youths but there e) Clear scientific facts on nanotechnology must be put
would also be setback to the research in new emerging in public domain.
technologies. f) Clear regulations on products manufactured using
As a senior officer entrusted with the responsibility of nanotechnology. Eg: mention on packaging and
handling this issue, how are you going to address it? labeling.
SOLUTION g) The root cause of the problem – discharge of
This case presents the challenge of balancing untreated effluents, must be addressed. In this
environmental justice with growth and industrialization. regard two steps have to be taken –
The competing rights of citizens have to be fulfilled by • Environmental regulation and monitoring have to be
government to honor its social contract with the citizens. strengthened.
I as a senior officer entrusted with the responsibility of • Technology to treat factory discharge cost effectively
handling this issue will have to consider demands and has to be developed.
grievances of various stakeholders –
Gandhiji once said “I bow my head in reverence to our
a) Living in pollution free environment is a ancestors for their sense of the beautiful in Nature”.
fundamental right of citizens. Learning from him we must take holistic view of

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 Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude
development to ensure rights of all citizens are
protected.
Case Study 2: You are a struggling cricketer but still has
been given a position in playing eleven as a last chance
to prove your form on account of good performance in
the past. Match has reached to a crucial stage from
where it can swing any side. You got the opportunity to
runout a set batsman of the opponent team by throwing
the ball to the wicketkeeper. However, you observed that
the batsman actually fell after colliding with the bowler. It
caused considerable time loss to the batsman, who
otherwise would have reached to within the crease well
on time. The wicketkeeper is shouting at you to pass the
ball. However, you suddenly get into the situation of
ethical dilemma. You don’t want to take advantage of the
situation. However, wining this match is important for
your career. If you don’t pass the ball selector will not be
pleased.
What are various dilemmas you are facing in the
situation? What will you do in the situation? Give reasons.
SOLUTION
I have the responsibility to help my team win. I have
ethical dilemma on various levels –
a) Ensuring better performance of my team Vs
integrity.
b) Value of loyalty towards my team Vs honesty and
spirit of the game.
c) Professional wellbeing by good performance of the
team Vs personal wellbeing by maintaining integrity
absence of crisis of conscience.
FOCUS | AUGUST 2022 | RAU’S IAS
In the given situation, I will try to express values and
listen to my inner conscience. I will decide to not throw
the ball based on following reasons:
a) Maintaining the integrity of the rules and
conventions of the game is important.
b) As per Kant’s categorical imperative one must
behave as creature of kingdom of end – do what is
right irrespective of result.
c) Kant also famously said, “Two things awe me the
most, the starry sky above me and the moral law
within me”. Mohan might also be feeling pride for his
morality.
d) Gandhiji also emphasised on ‘means over end’.
e) Using utilitarian principle, winning by hook or crook,
reduces the popularity of the game.
f) My happiness depends on my value expression.
g) Escaping moral erosion gives a sense of achievement
h) Psychologically honesty is morally uplifting. It boosts
dignity and self-respect.
i) Sir Walter Scott wrote, “Oh! What a tangled web we
weave, when first we learn to deceive”.
j) The message inscribed in our constitution is ‘Satya
Mev Jayate’ (truth alone triumphs).
Happiness does not come only through winning the
game. Happiness also comes through maintaining our
integrity and virtues. As Aristotle said, ‘virtues like
happiness must be desired for itself’.
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 Part Three

Essays
of

the month
Selected essays from Rau’s GSI students
 Essays OF THE MONTH
QUICK BUT STEADY WINS THE RACE
#PHILOSOPHICAL
SUBMITTED BY: SHUBHANKAR PRATYUSH PATHAK
Disclaimer: The viewpoints in the topic are strictly
personal of the writer above. The role of Rau’s IAS
Study Circle is to present the write-up in its original
form, hence the study circle neither endorses nor
rejects any viewpoint in the submission. The purpose is
only to showcase the manner of writing.
Therefore, it is the sole responsibility of the reader to
use his/her intellect to check the veracity
viewpoints.
The 21 century is the age of the internet
st
and driven by Industrial Revolution 4.0. In
the story of the rabbit and the tortoise,
the rabbit, after gaining a considerable
lead, proceeds to rest and allows the tortoise to win due
to his complacency.
Today, however, life is fast, and people have big
ambitions. Those who are in the lead want to extend it,
and those who are behind in the race are running faster
than ever before. Sky is the limit today, and nobody can
afford a moment to take a pause.
The age-old proverb – “Slow and steady wins the race”
has been modified for the 21st century – “Quick and
steady wins the race”.
In this context, let us analyse whether the phrase still
holds true for the world today, or has it lost relevance.
Historical Perspective – The Portuguese were the first
Europeans to arrive in India. The Dutch and the British
took more than a century to arrive after them. Despite
having such a vast experience of India, how did the
Portuguese lose ground in India?
Similarly, after the second Carnatic War, the French were
in firm control of Hyderabad and Arcot. But, within a few
years, they lost all the advantages to the Britishers.
If we analyse carefully, the British supremacy over their
fellow Europeans was due to their quick decision-
FOCUS | AUGUST 2022 | RAU’S IAS
making abilities. The likes of Robert Clive provided the
leadership which the others could not muster.
The importance of swift action and foresightedness can
be seen throughout history – from Industrial Revolution
till WWII, and later during the Cold War.
It thus becomes important to observe how the
contemporary world is the outcome of rapid, but
of careful, decision-making, and quick implementation.
Contemporary World: Faster than ever before –
During the 1980s, few professors in an academic
institution in USA, were working for a project sanctioned
by the US military. They gave birth to the “World Wide
Web”, which was later declassified, and the internet was
born.
The internet revolution required hardware that people
could use to access the vast information on the virtual
world. Three men in a garage started a company that
built smart hardware solutions. The company was Apple,
and it captured the imagination of the time.
To run the hardware, many software companies were
born which included the likes of Microsoft, Cisco
Systems.
Similarly, using all above mentioned technologies, Mark
Zuckerberg built Facebook and connected people with
each other. It is not difficult to identify the theme. The
US raced ahead of the world in terms of technology and
maintained and strengthened its position as the world
superpower.
Let us look at another case study – China. China’s
economy was in shatters post failed experiments of the
Great Leap Forward and cultural Revolution initiated by
Mao Zedong.
Deng Xiaoping introduced several changes in the
Communist economy of China. He allowed private
ownership of land and industries, modernised
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 Essays OF THE MONTH
agriculture, strengthened defence forces and
encouraged science and technology.
With consistent policies and quick actions, China
became the manufacturing hub of the world within two
to three decades. The standard of living improved and
the faltering economy became one of the largest in the
world.
What do we find common in USA and China? Both these
revolutions have taken place in the last 30 years, with
results being witnessed within a decade of proper
implementation. Long-standing vision, quick decision-
making, effective implementation, and adequate
support are the key ingredients in their success.
Let us now turn our attention towards India. What have
been our achievements and efforts in this regard, and
where does India stand in a fast-changing and complex
world.
The story of India –
India has seen major progress on many indicators, and
especially socio-economic ones, in the last few decades.
India is among the fastest growing economies in the
world, it has pulled a minimum of 273 million people out
of poverty since 2005-2015 as per UNDP and the world
is looking at India with a sense of hope and
opportunities.
However, India has had its share of struggles.
During the 90s, India faced a major economic crisis. With
less than a week’s import cover left, India had to accept
the conditional support of IMF and change its economic
structure. In the same decade, India faced political
instability and the world blockade led by the US post the
Pokhran tests. India also had to fight a war with its
hostile neighbour in probably the most challenging
terrain of the world. Despite all the hurdles India sailed
through the waves of uncertainty.
With the leadership of PM Narasimharao and the
ambitious vision of Manmohan Singh, Indian economy
transformed from being government dictated to being
facilitated and enabled by the government.
Indian democracy proved its mettle time and again
during the 90s to always being represented by the
popular wishes of the public.
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India successfully conducted operation SHAKTI under
the able leadership of PM A. B. Vajpayee and APJ Abdul
Kalam. India also won the war against Pakistan and till
date controls the highest battlefield in the world – the
Siachen Glacier.
All these incidents and achievements were possible due
to visionary leadership and quick action under immense
pressure.
However, instead of learning from its recent past, India
has somehow managed to lay behind in many arenas –
India was extremely late in adopting 4G and seems to be
missing the bus in the race for 5G implementation.
Similar issues like the late boom of start-up industry in
India, the slow decision-making on future of sick PSUs
such as BSNL and Air India and the late adoption of
Crypto Currency etc. call for attention.
What can be the solution to these challenges? How
should India tackle the challenges?
India: Looking forward to sea of opportunities –
Many problems can be associated to slow decision-
making capacity of the political and permanent
executive due to risk-averse nature and red-tapism. The
21st century requires a 21st century bureaucracy – an
entrepreneurial bureaucracy. It is also important for the
political executives to back the officers in driving the
change and create a healthy atmosphere for
bureaucracy to make a difference.
India has worked on these aspects in the recent years.
The most remarkable being the immediate
announcement of Chandrayaan – 2 after heart-breaking
fate of Chandrayaan – 1. This decision was fully backed
by PM Narendra Modi who congratulated ISRO and
Chairman K. Sivan and encouraged them for their
endeavours.
Similarly, the recent strategic disinvestment policy
announced in the Budget 2021-22, growth of IT and
services sector in India, the rise of urbanisation from
11% in 1901 to estimated 42% in 2021, introduction of
PM Jan Dhan Yojana, UPI, Bharat Net and adoption of
the progressive National Education Policy 2020 are signs
of positive attitude towards firm and quick policy
decision-making.
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 Essays OF THE MONTH
However, at the same time, it is extremely important to
not lose moral values and ethics in the zeal of taking fast
decisions and quick implementation.
We have discussed the historical aspect of quick
decision-making followed by two recent case studies of
US and China. We then moved on to the specific case of
India, looking at the challenges and how to tackle the
decision-making paralysis.
21st century is often said to be the Asian century
dominated by the dragon and the elephant.
INTROSPECTION AND PERSEVERANCE IN HARD WORK
ARE KEYS TO SUCCESS
#Philosophical
SUBMITTED BY: ANKUR PANDEY
Disclaimer: The viewpoints in the topic are strictly
personal of the writer above. The role of Rau’s IAS Study
Circle is to present the write-up in its original form, hence
the study circle neither endorses nor rejects any viewpoint
in the submission. The purpose is only to showcase the
manner of writing.
Therefore, it is the sole responsibility of the reader to use
his/her intellect to check the veracity of viewpoints.
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was rightly said the
people’s president. He used to participate
in events and communicate with people in
general and youngsters in particular. In
one such event in Chennai, a small boy asked him in
2002 that how can India become great again, as it used
to be in the past? Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam replied that it is
the people like you, with ignited minds, who will make
the nation great.
Another student asked as to what we should do to make
the nation great. Dr. Kalam gave the four-point formula –
First, there should be a great vision. Second, you should
continuously acquire knowledge. Third, you should work
hard. Fourth, you should display perseverance. This is
the mantra of success, he said.
FOCUS | AUGUST 2022 | RAU’S IAS
While China is on its way to make this a reality, India still
has a lot of catching up to do. However, India has shown
a lot of courage and determination, especially in the
fight against climate change, Covid-19 pandemic where
it chose to save lives in the short term and livelihood in
the medium term.
The world today recognises the strength of India. With
demographic dividend on its side, India will realise the
dream of becoming a super-power with quick decision-
making and effective implementation.
In this essay, we will try to understand the message of
Dr. Kalam, how introspection and perseverance can lead
to success. After that, we will apply these abstract ideas
to demonstrate the present situation and ultimately how
we can make the nation great again.
Introspection and Perseverance: A civilizational idea
Introspection refers to be aware of oneself. It means
evaluating oneself and assessing our actions. At the
same time, perseverance is our ability to display
persistence and handle setbacks.
Since ancient times, India was a land of great scholars
and rishis. They became great not because of some
supernatural boon but by constant introspection and
perseverance in hard work.
A case in point can be Gautama Buddha. He had a
thoughtful mind since childhood. He left home at the age
of 29 and spent the next seven years introspecting and
finding the truth. He got many setbacks in the process,
but he displayed great perseverance and, at the age of
36, attained success by getting enlightenment.
Similar to Gautam Buddha, Ashoka, in the war of Kalinga,
introspected that it is wrong to kill so many people for
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 Essays OF THE MONTH
territorial conquest. After the war, he adopted the policy
of Dhamma and spread his message by using stone
pillars. Despite the enormous moral baggage of the past,
he continued to do hard work, which ultimately led to an
informed citizenry and good governance (a success for
any king).
Moreover, the practice of meditation and the rich text of
Aranyaka (books written in the forest) is a clear indication
of the importance of constant introspection in living a
happy life.
The power of perseverance can be seen in the recurrent
incursions and large-scale loot by Turkish invaders. In
1000-1025 A. D., Mahmud of Ghazni invaded India 17
times. Temples were destroyed, treasuries looted, and
villages burnt. It was a testing time for India. In 1033 A. D.
Sohail Deopasi, a ruler of Bharuch in Central UP defeated
a large army led by a nephew of Mahmud. This sent a
clear message that India is not weak and can respond.
Interestingly, no foreign invasion happened after the
battle of Bharuch, and there was a period of peace for
the next 150 years.
Introspection and Perseverance – Success stories in
Recent times
After getting Independence in 1947 from colonial rule,
we have started our collective journey to make the
nation great again.
At the time of Independence, India was a developing
country characterized by shortages of food, medicine,
and other essential things. Five-year Plans gave the
vision and committed leadership, along with the people
of India, have worked hard despite so many obstacles.
Constant introspection of our weaknesses led to GREEN
REVOLUTION, which made India self-sufficient in terms
of food grains. Similarly, we have achieved great strides
in nuclear technology, space science, and other sectors.
This was possible only because we were determined to
do hard work despite the constraints of resources.
Building on this tradition, the government of India has
brought several economic reforms like GST, IBC, RERA,
Jam trinity, MPC, etc. These reforms are a step in the
direction of India becoming a $5 trillion economy. These
reforms would not have been possible if it were not for
proper introspection and perseverance. Inefficient fund
delivery led to the introduction of JAM. Shortcomings in
SARFAESI Act led to the introduction of IBC etc.
FOCUS | AUGUST 2022 | RAU’S IAS
The government of India is working hard to build upon
these reforms and amending them wherever required
constantly.
After understanding the role of introspection and
perseverance in hard work, let us now look into some of
the renewed challenges faced by our nation.
Renewed Challenges – Need for Introspection and
Hard wok
India needs to enhance its discussions on critical topics if
we want to become a great nation. Today majority of our
people are young. How to use these people as a
demographic dividend by proper skilling and investment
in health care? We should work hard on there reforms as
there is a limited window of opportunity.
India is a water-scarce nation. This water crisis is going to
be aggravated in the coming years. How can we shift to
less water-consuming lifestyles? What policies should the
government adopt? Can we learn from other similarly
situated nations? These are the key questions that need
to be introspected.
It is rightly said that success often requires breaking our
habits. We need to move from this business as usual
attitude. We cannot continue to waste food when there
are so many hungry people in our country.
Thus, after acknowledging that many issues need to be
resolved, a start can be made by setting up and bringing
sensible reforms in our institutions like Election
Commission, Judiciary, and Parliament. Strong
institutions are not only drivers of economic growth but
also protectors of democracy.
We need constant introspection in every field and learn
from others. E.g., we should introspect why we cannot
attract businesses that are moving out of China, why we
are importing 80% of our toys from China, despite so
much potential. Similarly, we should learn from
Singapore, which has become a great transshipment hub
just under 30 years of Independence.
No doubt, we have great potential and a rich heritage. If
properly utilized, we can dominate the world landscape.
Coherent vision has been set up in the form of New India
and Aatmanirbhara Bharat. Now we should build upon
this and follow the mantra of success given by our
people’s president. We should become the ignited minds
and fulfill the trust that has been put upon us by Dr. APJ
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 Essays OF THE MONTH

Abdul Kalam by making the nation great again within our lifetime.

FARMING HAS LOST THE ABILITY TO BE A SOURCE OF

SUBSISTENCE FOR THE MAJORITY OF FARMERS IN
INDIA
#Agriculture #Economy
SUBMITTED BY: MUSKAN ARYA

Disclaimer: The viewpoints in the topic are strictly The problem of making agriculture from a mere
personal of the writer above. The role of Rau’s IAS Study subsistence model to a revenue-generating one requires
Circle is to present the write-up in its original form, hence a multi-prolonged strategy—issues from procurement of
the study circle neither endorses nor rejects any viewpoint seeds and inputs to the final selling. 'Ashok Dalwai's
in the submission. The purpose is only to showcase the report on Doubling of Farmer's income laid a major
manner of writing. emphasis on input cost reduction. Along with this,
sustained credit support from the formal sector and
Therefore, it is the sole responsibility of the reader to use
effective implementation of schemes with timely
his/her intellect to check the veracity of viewpoints.
disbursements are necessary.
Agriculture has always been vital to India.
India has been bestowed with a variety of climates. The
Agriculture with its allied sectors is the
first step towards making farming sustainable should be
largest source of livelihood in India. 70% of
to adopt agro-climatic condition-based farming. The
the rural households still directly depend
majority of farmers take a decision to sow the crop
on agriculture. India has been blessed with a varied
depending on the Minimum Support Price (MSP)
climate structure and a wide variety of soils. Land is
announced by the government and prevailing market
naturally suitable for cultivating a number of crops to
conditions. To induce farmers to adopt sustainable
add diversity to our food basket. Yet this sector suffers
agricultural practices, the government should increase
from both structural and implementation problems,
procurement of other crops on MSP. Climate suitable
which have deterred it as a source of profitable
crops should be adopted by increased MSP as incentive
employment. In India, 82% of farmers are small and
for such crops. A positive step in this direction has been
marginal farmers (1-2 hectares of landholding). Their
taken by Haryana Government, where they will pay ₹
heavy dependence on rainfall (seasonal), indirect credit,
7000 per hectare for non-paddy crops. Ensuring a supply
and dependence on intermediaries for foodgrain
of superior quality seeds locally, extending formal farm-
procurement make it a complex mix. A further problem
based credit, insurance coverage at low premium rates
of high input costs, lack of availability of technology, less
(micro-insurance), and certainty of procurement by the
diversification, heavy dependence on pesticides and
government on MSP (crops other than rice) will boost the
fertilizers make the industry unsustainable. The distress
confidence of farmers to shift their pattern. Adopting
can be seen in the number of farmer suicides witnessed
agriculture suitable to climate will help us reduce
in India. According to NCRB 2019 data, farming is the
resource exploitation, improve our soil condition and
cause of 7% of suicidal deaths in the country. On
crop diversity, ultimately improving the nutritional intake,
average, 28 farmers end their lives every day in India.
especially by pulses.

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Majority of farmers being small and marginal, they can
be organized in the Joint Liability Group (JLG). The
concept is similar to that of self-help groups, where like-
minded people come together to progress together.
Such JLGs would enhance the credit procurement power
of the group, machines lent can be used effectively, and
ultimately it will help in better bargaining power while
selling in the market. Collective sharing of the loans and
the liability to pay will keep all members accountable and
reduce the excessive burden on one. The timely
repayment of loans will lead to better credit trust among
the banks and farmers. There has been a rise of 38%
NPAs in agricultural loans; this problem will be effectively
tackled. Further, once JLGs are successfully operating,
they can be formally registered with State Governments
and upgraded to farmer producer groups or companies.
A major cause of distress among the farmers is the
repayment of loans taken from informal sources.
Farmer's land in a debt trap due to no document
availability and spiraling interest rate. There are only
48,000 rural bank branches for 6 lakh plus villages in
India. Further, the branches are skewed-greater
presence in green revolution success areas. To make
formal credit accessible, bank branches, especially of
Small Finance Banks (SFBs) should be opened. SFBs have
a 75% priority lending commitment to agriculture.
Furthermore, microfinance institutions and post office
banks should be encouraged. In areas that are far off,
mobile banking should be adopted. This will also benefit
farmers who cannot visit the branches often. PMGDISHA
is a scheme of government by which it aims to train
members from rural households to use the internet,
including basic banking features. To enhance the
coverage, bank applications should have regional
language options. Further, the group of youth in the
villages can be trained as Bank Mitras and act as a linking
pin in the model. This will enhance rural employment
generation as well.
Further, research and development by agricultural
universities in terms of seeds, practices, and crop
protection should be encouraged. A gradual shift to
organic inputs like biopesticides and biofertilizers should
be encouraged. Under the Soil Health Card Scheme of
the government, at least twice a year, testing of soil
should be done. Farmers should be explained about the
condition of their soil and ways to enhance production.
Continuous research in the development of superior
FOCUS | AUGUST 2022 | RAU’S IAS
quality seeds will help to make agriculture a more
sustainable option. In West Bengal, 'Muktoshri' arsenic-
resistant variety of paddy was grown. This will help to
tackle bioaccumulation. Such seeds should be available
to farmers efficiently and effectively. For this community,
seed banks can be set up. Such banks can be maintained
at Panchayat Level, and agro-climatic suitable crop seeds
can be made available. Women SHGs can be roped to
take charge. Further pooling of good-quality seeds by
farmers can also be a solution.
Agriculture in India accounts for maximum use of water,
accounting for 75% of water used, both from
underground and surface water. Further, the subsidized
electricity and diesel pump sets worsen the exploitation.
Subsidy of the government here is a huge burden on the
exchequer as well. For this, a community partnership for
managing water resources, especially by raving
traditional sources-baolis, tanks, ponds, should be
undertaken. MGNREGA has reaped success stories in
various pockets of the country to make villages
sustainable in water consumption by building
infrastructure. Rainwater harvesting, agroforestry (Har
Medh Par Ped) and sustaining water use is the effective
way forward. Further, gradually the government can
lower subsidy and divert it towards setting up of drip
irrigation and sprinkler irrigation systems can be done.
In order to make agriculture a revenue-generating
model, it is necessary to reduce its crop dependence
nature. Agriculture in India is majorly rainfed, and this
brings in high chances of crop failure due to less rain.
Sources of non-crop incomes are dairy, poultry,
sericulture, agriculture, aquaculture, jatropha plantation,
sea-weed cultivation, etc. The government has been
productive in introducing a number of initiatives like
Apiary on wheels to train farmers in beekeeping, but a
regular and sustained approach is required. Recently, the
government has introduced Shaphari Scheme to make
shrimp production regulated and antibiotic-free. Such
initiatives to check the quality, ensure pricing, and
preventing farmers from being exploited are required to
be carried on a large scale.
Further, a biogas plant can be set up by aggregating 2-3
villages with the help of the government to utilize the
agriculture residue, get biogas as a cleaner fuel, and use
the residue cultured as manure. India is 2nd largest
producer of sugarcane in the world. To prevent distress
selling and revive the sugar industry, ethanol production
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from it should be encouraged. This will further Revival of rural income will help to improve the socio-
supplement the trending of the fuel program of the economic conditions of people residing in rural areas
government. (majority). It will keep a check on urban migration, open
opportunities for better access to health and education,
Lastly, training farmers to adopt such practices and
and improve the country's social fabric. The dream of
making them understand the benefits holds the key to
economic and social justice in Preamble should keep the
bring change. Regional languages should be used to
rural area in focus. In this way, we will realize the dream
communicate with farmers through local newspapers,
of Atmanirbhar Bharat through Atmanirbhar Villages.
community radios, street plays, mobile apps, etc. NGOs,
student groups from agriculture and science
backgrounds can be referred to spread information.

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