Mains 2022 Class 61 80 Merged

All-Inclusive GS-2 & GS-3 MAINS 2022
Class-61
Class-1 Classes 1-60 are repetition of Mains 2021
Rights and Duties

Right is an entitlement हक Original Constitution
Duty is an obligation कर्तव्य → Gave Rights to people (FR) (justiciable rights of people)
Citizenship is a blend → Directions to govt (DPSP) (non-justiciable rights of people)
of rights and duties
42nd amendment during Emergency
Part-3: FR 1950 → Gave Duties to people.
Part-4: DPSP 1950
Part-4A: FD 1976 → Govt pushed the idea that Duties are more important than Rights.
Can Rights exist without Duties? Rights are claims of Right vs Luxury:
❑ Right is different from luxury:
❑ FRs are in Constitution since 1950, citizens against State,
▪ Availability of water is right.
FDs were added only in 1976. because rights are ▪ 24x7 piped water is luxury.
❑ USA, UK don’t have FDs for citizens. essential for survival. ❑ People demand rights, not luxuries.
Rights can be: Duty can be towards:

Human rights Right to life Humanity help road accident victim
Fundamental rights Right to equality Family education to children,
Constitutional rights Right to vote geriatric care for parents
Legal rights Right to Information Act 2005 Society promote harmony and brotherhood
Right to Work (MGNREGA 2005) Nation protect sovereignty, unity and integrity
Right to Food (NFSA 2013) of India
Examples for People not performing their duties:

❑ People don’t help road accident victims
❑ Old parents are often expelled from house by their children
❑ Instead of promoting brotherhood, people forward social media posts that promote hatred.
❑ Instead of protecting unity of India, politicians give hate speech that creates social divisions.
❑ Instead of developing scientific temper, people spread pseudo-science (cow dung gives oxygen to patient)
❑ Instead of protecting heritage, there are campaigns to pull down monuments like Taj Mahal
Should enjoyment of rights be made dependent on performance of duties?

Yes, because we can’t demand our rights if we don’t do our duties
❑ Media has Right to free speech, and also duty to respect people’s privacy.
❑ If it does not respect people’s privacy, its right to free speech may be taken away.
No, because rights are not dependent on duties.
❑ If media is violating privacy, or spreading fake news, then laws should be used to punish it, for
that particular offence.
MK Gandhi: JF Kennedy (former US Prez):

▪ The true source of rights is duty. Do not ask what the country can do for
▪ Real rights are a result of performance of duty. you but ask what you can do for the
▪ If we all discharge our duties, rights will not be far to seek. country
Conclusion:
❑ As per various SC judgements, FR have been given primacy over DPSP and FD.
❑ Any shift in policy, giving primacy to duties of people, will be a disservice to millions, for whom realisation
of even FRs is still a work in progress.
Mains 2022 GS-2 & GS-3 Class-61 Page-01 © All Inclusive IAS
Rights are independent of duties: (Rights don’t depend on duties)
❑ Rights come from birth, duties need capability:
▪ Everyone has rights, but only capable people can perform duties
▪ Every child has right to education, but every parent is not capable to provide it.
❑ Rights are precursor to duties
▪ Duties can be performed only after basic rights are given
▪ Duty to develop scientific temper can be performed only if one gets education
❑ Rights are justiciable, duties are not:
▪ People can approach courts to get their rights enforced.
▪ Non-fulfillment of duties cannot be the reason for non-enforcement of rights
Some examples that indicate link between rights and duties

Rights Duty Interlink
Children have Right to education Parents have Duty to provide Poverty does not allow parents to
(Article 21-A) education (Article 51-A k) get children educated.
People have Right to vote Govt has Duty to conduct free & fair If elections are not free & fair, they
(Article 326) elections (Article 324) lead to pseudo-democracy
People have Right to equality Govt has Duty to apply law in similar When govt applies laws selectively,
(Article 14: Equality before law and manner to everyone. people lose right to equality
equal protection of law) (Article 14)
Right to vote (in China):

▪ Constitution gives Right to vote to citizens above age 18.
▪ Officially, 9 political parties exist.
▪ Practically, only one party holds effective power.
If there is no opposition to chose, its not democracy.
Prelims 2021: Article 14

A legislation which confers on Equality before law
executive or administrative
The State shall not deny to
authority an unguided and
uncontrolled discretionary power in any person equality
matter of application of law violates before the law or the
which of the following Articles? equal protection of the
(a) Article 14 (b) Article 28 laws within the territory
(c) Article 32 (d) Article 44 of India.
Points to ponder:
❑ What makes a nation strong? Rights of its people, or duties of its people?
❑ Why do thousands of students migrate to USA and Europe every year, and settle there?
❑ Because people enjoy rights! Because govt there performs its duties!
Frequent protests, through which people demand their Rights, makes India weak. Do you agree?
❑ People elect govt, so that govt can protect their rights.
❑ When People demand their rights, govt comes under pressure to perform.
❑ When govt performs better, country becomes stronger.
Think: why do we elect MP/MLA? Remember: Govt/Bureaucrats are given power,

So that our favourite MP/MLA can enjoy luxuries, not as a reward to enjoy, but as tool to serve
or so that he can protect our rights?
Hint:
Question:
A sweeper did not notice national flag in garbage.
Who ‘needs’ Rights the most: The weak or the powerful?
Hence he was fired from his contractual job.
Who ‘must’ abide by Duties: The weak or the powerful?
What will help him feed his family: rights or duties?
Way forward:
❑ Deliver basic rights to people, so that they become capable enough to perform their duties.
❑ Implement existing laws impartially, so that people get motivated to perform their duties.
❑ Address real issues like casteism, communalism, regionalism which hinders rights of people.
❑ Follow Rule of Law (class-27) in true spirit, so that rights don’t depend on party in power (West vs India)
Remember:
❑ Rights are claims of citizens against the State
❑ Right to Constitutional remedies is the heart and soul of the Constitution - Dr B.R. Ambedkar
❑ The purpose of including DPSP in Constitution is to establish social and economic democracy.
Food for thought: Govt derives its powers from people, not the other way round.
❑ In dictatorship
▪ people depend on ruler for their rights.
❑ In democracy
▪ People have inherent rights, not dependent on anyone's benevolence.
▪ Govt is bound by the Constitution to protect people's rights.
Remember at least this:

❑ Both are important as
▪ Constitution mentions both FR and FDs
❑ One is not dependent on the other as
▪ Constitution does not link FRs and FDs
Example to show inter-relation between FR, FD, DPSP:
FR: 21A: State to provide free & compulsory education to all children of 6-14 age
86th
Amendment FD: 51A: To provide education to children of 6-14 years age
2002
DPSP: 45: Care & education to all children till 6 years of age
Some laws to quote:

❑ Good Samaritan rules notified under Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
❑ Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007
❑ Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971
❑ Flag Code of India, 2002
❑ SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
❑ Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961
❑ IPC section 509: Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of woman.
Also see:
Free Speech Class-28 page-2 Censorship
Class-26 page-10 Sedition
What is free speech?
❑ Ability to express opinion without fear
❑ Article 19 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
▪ Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression
❑ Article 19(1) (a) of Indian Constitution:
▪ All citizens shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression
Differentiate between Free Speech, and its misuse:

❑ Free speech is about asserting our rights, its not about supressing other's rights
❑ Free speech is about spreading real news, its not about creating fake news
❑ Free speech is about expressing our opinion, its not about threatening others for their opinion
Restrictions on free speech:

CONSTITUTION reasonable restrictions under Article 19 (2)
▪ India's sovereignty, integrity, security
▪ Friendly relations with foreign states
▪ Public order, decency, morality
▪ Defamation, Incitement to offence
▪ Contempt of Court
LAWS: (from class-55)
▪ Section 124A of IPC (Sedition law): to supress disaffection against British govt.
▪ Section 295A of IPC (Blasphemy law): against actions that insult religious feelings.
▪ Section 499/500 of IPC (Defamation law): it makes defamation a criminal offence.
▪ Official Secrets Act 1923: discretion to decide what is 'secret document' lies with govt.
Benefits of Free speech:

❑ Free speech is essential for democracy
▪ It allows people to call for change of govt
❑ Free speech is basis for other rights
▪ Freedom of Press, Right to fight elections
❑ Media can highlight problems in administration
▪ mid-day meal benefits not reaching children
▪ Aadhaar authentication issues
❑ People can speak about issues facing their community
▪ day-to-day discrimination faced by weaker sections
▪ #MeToo movement exposed silent suffering of women
For what purpose do people misuse Free speech: (learn by chronology)

❑ To spread misinformation through social media:
▪ Cow dung releases oxygen to treat Covid
❑ To spread fake news through social media
▪ class-45 page-10
❑ To create hate on basis on caste, religion, region
▪ WhatsApp forwards against Brahmins, Dalits, Muslims, Biharis, etc.
❑ To promote secessionist tendencies: (create separate country for self, or for others)
▪ Demands for Khalistan
If left unchecked, misuse of Free speech can create problems like:
❑ Erode people’s faith in govt
▪ As per I&B ministry, Sudarshan TV's "UPSC Jihad"
programme showed UPSC in poor light
❑ Impact friendly relations with foreign states
▪ Indian diplomacy faced issues in Middle East after June
2022 hate speech episode
❑ Reinforce social divisions
▪ Some Panchayats openly call for social/economic
boycott of Dalits/Muslims
❑ Create Law and order problem
▪ When Hate is left unchecked, it grows into violence/riots
Way forward:
❑ Reasonable restrictions on free speech must be imposed.
❑ Educate people about importance of free speech, and consequences for its misuse.
❑ Encourage fact-checking of free speech that spreads fake news and misinformation.
❑ Punishment for misuse of free speech should be impartially implemented
Students are advised to

Right to Dissent get more points from:
Free speech (class-61)
Dissent: expressing opinion at variance with those officially held. Censorship (class-28)
Sedition (class-26)
Right to Dissent: entitlement to disagree; implicit part of free speech u/a 19(1)
Importance of dissent:
▪ Dissent helps check abuse of power by people in power
▪ Elections have no meaning if government can’t be criticized
Issues:
▪ Arresting dissenters has chilling effect on free speech (process is punishment).
▪ Diversion of investigative agencies to tackle dissenters, weakens national security.
▪ Use of anti-terror tools like Pegasus, to suppress dissent weakens democracy.
"I may disagree with what you say, but I shall defend to death, your right to say it"
(The Friends of Voltaire, by Evelyn Beatrice Hall)
Enforcement of FDs
News: A petition in SC seeks to enforce FDs by law
Steps taken to make people obey FDs:
❑ Schools: FDs are part of school curriculum
❑ Awareness: In 2020, Dept of Justice launched awareness
drive about FDs
❑ Law: Certain laws enforce some fundamental duties
Enforceable/Justiciable by courts: Enforceable by law:

One can move court against their violation Parliament can make law to enforce them
✓ FR X FD, DPSP ✓ FR, FD, DPSP
Should FDs be enforced by law?

Yes:
❑ Rights and duties are corelative.
▪ If people want to enjoy rights, they must perform duties.
❑ They strengthen the nation
▪ To protect unity and integrity of India.
❑ They protect the environment, which benefits entire humanity
▪ To protect and improve natural environment.
❑ They help govt maintain law and order
▪ Duties promote discipline in society.
▪ Duties act as warning against anti-social activities.
No:
❑ Duties need capability:
▪ poverty violates basic human rights. Expecting poor to perform duties is impractical.
❑ Duties are difficult to enforce:
▪ prosecuting someone for not promoting "brotherhood" is difficult
❑ Law could be misused:
▪ violation of FDs can be used as excuse to curtail people's rights
❑ Vague and ambiguous:
▪ words like "noble ideals" and "humanism" are difficult to define
Ranganath Mishra judgment 2003:

❑ SC did not order that FDs should be enforced by law.
❑ SC merely mentioned that it was brought to the notice of the court that Justice Verma Committee 1998
recommended "FDs should be enforced by legal and social sanctions"
https://indiankanoon.org/doc/504576/
Also see:
Netizen = Net Citizen (Citizen of the Net) Digital Citizen ▪ Class-48 pg-05, Right to Internet
Actively involved in online communities
▪ Class-16 pg-02, Presidio Principles
Digital citizen: People who use internet, to engage in society, politics and government
Digital citizenship: People’s role in society by use of digital technologies
How to be a good digital citizen:

❑ Communicate respectfully (raise your issues, politely)
❑ Stand up against cyberbullying (of self and others)
❑ Respect other’s privacy (don’t share pic without consent)
❑ Respect IPR intellectual property rights (because digital content is easy to copy)
What are Digital rights:

▪ Digital rights are extension of human rights in digital world.
▪ People have same rights in digital world as in physical world.
▪ e.g. freedom of expression, right to privacy
Should Digital Rights be framed separately? Yes

▪ People become aware of their rights.
▪ Policymakers and companies get guidelines while
dealing with new technology e.g. blockchain.
Some basic digital rights and principles:

▪ Inclusive: Everyone should have access to internet and digital skills.
▪ Law: What is illegal offline should also be illegal online.
▪ Rights: Technology should protect people's rights, not inhibit them (Free Speech vs Surveillance/Censorship)
▪ Choice: People should have freedom to choose between different service providers
▪ Privacy and Data security: Users should have control over their own data
▪ Society: Technology should unite, not divide people
▪ Sustainability:
▪ People must know the environmental impact of energy consumed by their devices
▪ Blockchain transactions consume lot of electricity (Bitcoin uses > 110 Terawatt Hours/year)
▪ Democracy:
▪ Tech must support democracy (enable people to voice their concerns)
▪ Tech must not weaken democracy (Russian interference in 2016 US elections)
Challenges in protecting Digital rights:

❑ Easy access to technology makes it easy to violate law
▪ a single college student was able to violate privacy of thousands of women through Bulli bai app
❑ Vastness of internet makes it difficult to monitor illegal content
▪ social media is full of hate content, but taking down all of it is impractical
❑ Digital divide worsens economic inequalities
▪ People with internet have better access to health, education, jobs
❑ Digital illiteracy makes people vulnerable to fraud
▪ Lack of safe surfing habits makes people fall prey to phishing, OTP scams, etc
Initiatives:
▪ GDPR General Data Protection Regulation by EU
▪ Presidio Principles by WEF's Global Blockchain Council
▪ Christchurch Call by New Zealand to eliminate online extremist content
▪ India's National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
▪ India’s National policy on universal electronic accessibility
Way forward:
▪ Clearly lay down digital rights
▪ Establish a dedicated data protection regulator
▪ Increase international cooperation with like-minded democracies
Fundamental Rights:
Articles 14-18: Right to equality
Articles 19-22: Right to freedom
Articles 23-24: Right against exploitation
Articles 25-28: Right to freedom of religion
Articles 29-30: Cultural and educational rights
Article 32: Right to constitutional remedies
Fundamental Duties:
It shall be the duty of every citizen of India:
1) To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the
National Anthem;
2) To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom;
3) To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;
4) To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so;
5) To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India
transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices
derogatory to the dignity of women;
6) To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture;
7) To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, wildlife and to
have compassion for living creatures;
8) To develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform;
9) To safeguard public property and to abjure violence;
10) To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the
nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement;
11) Who is a parent or guardian, to provide opportunities for education to his child, or as the case
may be, ward between the age of six to fourteen years.
Fundamental duty #11 was added by 86th constitution amendments in 2002
Directive Principles of State Policy:
❑ Constitution divides rights into justiciable and non-justiciable (as advised by Sir B N Rau)
❑ Source: Instrument of Instruction of 1935 GoI Act and Irish Constitution
❑ Article 37: DPSP are fundamental to governance and it shall be the duty of the state to apply
them in making laws.
❑ 1971 25th Amendment:
▪ No law for DPSP article 39 b&c shall be void for violating FR of articles 14, 19, 31
❑ 1976 42nd Amendment:
▪ extended scope of 25th Amendment to all DPSP
❑ 1980 Minerva Mills case:
▪ extension given by 42nd amendment held unconstitutional by SC.
▪ SC also said that absolute primacy of one over other will disturb harmony of Constitution
❑ Present position is that FR enjoy supremacy over the DPSP. Parliament can amend the FR for
implementing DPSP (without damaging basic structure of Constitution)
Features of Fundamental Rights:
❑ All FRs are available against actions of State
▪ State is defined in Article 12
▪ It includes Govt and all its agencies, even private companies working on behalf of govt
❑ Some FRs are also available against actions of private individuals
▪ 15(2), 17, 23, 24
❑ FRs are not absolute but qualified
▪ State can impose restrictions. Courts can decide if its reasonable.
❑ They are not permanent or sacrosanct
▪ Parliament can amend or repeal FRs, but without affecting basic structure
❑ Negative and positive in character:
▪ Some are negative i.e. they impose restriction on State, e.g. 22
▪ Some are positive i.e. they give privileges to people, e.g. 26
❑ Supreme Court is defender and guarantor of fundamental rights
▪ Under Article 32, one can directly move SC
▪ To enforce FRs, jurisdiction of SC is original, but not exclusive. (concurrent to HC u/a 226)
❑ Article 13: laws inconsistent with FRs shall be void.
▪ Hence, it provides for judicial review. SC has this power u/a 13, and HCs have this power
u/a 226
❑ Their application to armed forces etc. can be restricted by Parliament (Article 33)
❑ Their application can be restricted during martial law (Article 34)
❑ Some are self-executory, some can be enforced by law
▪ Parliament, not states can make law to enforce FRs (Article 35)
Features of Fundamental Duties:

✓ FDs are non-justiciable (Justiciable: One can move court against their violation)
✓ FDs are enforceable by law (Parliament can make law to enforce them)
✓ Our Constitution says nothing about their enforcement.
✓ FDs help courts in examining constitutional validity of law.
✓ FDs apply only to citizens, not foreigners.
✓ FDs were introduced by Indira Gandhi govt on recommendation of Swaran Singh Committee
✓ FDs are inspired by USSR constitution.
X Enjoyment of FRs is dependent on fulfilment of FDs
Rights outside part-III:
(aka constitutional rights or legal rights or non-fundamental rights)
❑ 265 → No tax except by authority of law
❑ 300-A → No person shall be deprived of his property save by authority of law
❑ 301 → Trade, commerce and intercourse throughout the territory of India shall be free
(25-01-2022)
Class-62
Class-1
Anti-conversion laws
News: Some state laws have put restriction on religious conversion Religious conversion often
2022 March: Haryana assembly passed anti-conversion law comes in news as:
Ghar Wapsi (Hinduism)
2022 May: Karnataka brought ordinance to bring anti-conversion law Love Jihad (Islam)
“Freedom of Religion Act” is the official name of some anti-conversion laws Missionaries (Christianity)
Anti-conversion laws in India:

No Central law: Attempts were made, like Freedom of Religion Bill 1979, but failed.
State laws: UP, MP, Haryana, Karnataka, etc have enacted anti-conversion laws.
In 1930s/40s, some princely states ruled by Hindu royal families, brought anti-conversion laws, to protect
Hindu identity against Christian missionaries.
Are anti-conversion laws needed?

❑ Yes: They help stop conversions by fraud and force.
❑ No: Laws already exist to protect people against fraud, coercion, etc. e.g. intimidation (Section 506 IPC),
threat of divine displeasure (Section 508 IPC) etc.
Problem with anti-conversion laws: (2020 UP law)

❑ Burden of proof:
▪ Burden of proof, that the conversion was lawful, lies on the person who caused the conversion.
▪ It ignores the person who was actually converted.
❑ Vague nature:
▪ “Convincing” someone for conversion has been made illegal.
▪ This creates wide scope for misuse. (Article 25 gives right to propagate religion)
❑ Mass conversion:
▪ Defines 'mass conversion' as two or more people converting.
▪ Thus, it makes conversion by any family as illegal.
❑ Conversion for marriage:
▪ The law makes it illegal if conversion is done for marriage. (Marriage will be declared void).
▪ It is in potential conflict with liberty guaranteed u/a 21.
Important judgements:
▪ 1977 Stainislaus case: Article 25 gives right to propagate religion, not right to convert others.
▪ 2018 Hadiya case: In choices of faith, belief and marriage, individual autonomy is supreme.
Conversion and marriage: Hadiya case 2018 (can be used to conclude the answer)
Girl converted to Islam, married Muslim boy. Father approached HC against ‘forced’ conversion. HC lodged
her in hostel, terminated her marriage, gave her to father. SC overturned HC order. SC said:
❑ Constitution protects personal liberty from disapproving audiences.
❑ Right to marry person of one’s choice is integral to Article 21. (Prelims 2019)
❑ Freedom of faith is essential to individual’s autonomy.
❑ In choices of faith, belief and marriage, individual autonomy is supreme.
❑ Choosing a faith is substratum of individuality and sans it, right of choice becomes a shadow.
किसी आस्था िो चुनना व्यक्तिवाद िा आधार है , और इसिे बिना, चुनने िा अधधिार छाया िन जािा है
Article 25 of Indian Constitution:
Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion
Subject to public order, morality and health and to the other provisions of this Part, all persons are equally
entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate religion
Conscience: अंिःिरण / अंिरात्मा िी आवाज Profess: खुले आम स्वीिर िरना Practice: आचरण िरना Propagate: प्रचार िरना
Article 18 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

Everyone has right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion
(i.e. we all have right to our own beliefs, to have a religion, have no religion, or to change it)
Harm principle: Food for thought:

Each individual is free to take actions that ❖ What is religion? How many religions are there?
are not harmful to oneself and others ❖ Religion creates people, or people create religion?
Religion Anti-conversion laws:

❑ by X Centre ✓ States
❑ Bans religious conversion? No
❑ Bans conversion by fraud, force, etc.
Mass religious conversion:

❑ In 1935, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar said
that he was born a Hindu but
would not die a Hindu.
❑ In October 1956, he converted to
Buddhism with > 5 lakh people
❑ In December 1956 he died as a
Buddhist.
Sacrilege / Blasphemy:
❑ Disrespecting religious place / object
❑ IPC section 295: intentional damage
to any religious object
❑ IPC section 295A: words that insult
religious sentiments
Hate Speech:
❑ Not defined in any law
❑ Existing laws can be used
❑ IPC section 153A and 153B punishes
acts that cause hatred between two
groups
Cooperatives
What is a cooperative?
▪ A Cooperative is a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise
▪ It is a voluntary association of people to fulfil common socio-economic needs
▪ Members pool their resources, manage them, and share the benefits
Producer's coop, Consumer's coop, Coop Group Housing society, Marketing coop, Coop Credit society, etc.
Popular examples:
Amul Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers Union
NAFED National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation
IFFCO Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative
Constitution Law Ministry Body

97th Amendment 2011 Multi-State Cooperative Ministry of Cooperation National Cooperative
7th schedule: State list Societies Act 2002 Development Corporation
Importance of cooperatives:
❑ Social cohesion: brings people together
❑ Social empowerment: being part of a group increases bargaining power of low income groups
❑ Women empowerment: helps in women employment e.g. Lijjat papad by Shri Mahila Griha Udyog
❑ Promotes equality: all members are equal and have equal voting power (one person one vote)
❑ Leadership: many new leaders emerge from cooperative societies
❑ Rural development: Success of coop means success of marginalised sections particularly in rural India
❑ Financial inclusion: people can get loan at low interest rate, reducing the role of moneylenders. e.g.
cooperative banks disburse more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore loans every year
Challenges:
❑ Low capital: since members are mostly from low income groups
❑ Undemocratic functioning: instead of collective decision making, few people take all decisions
❑ Small size: most cooperatives are small, hence can't benefit from economies of scale
❑ Politicisation: Most cooperatives are dominated by local politicians
❑ Regional imbalance: Cooperatives in eastern India are not as developed as those in western India
❑ Low competitiveness: due to lack of professional guidance, managerial expertise and skilled manpower
Way forward:
❑ Merge small/inefficient societies with stronger ones.
▪ Big societies have more resources, can employ competent manpower, improve competitiveness.
❑ Frame a new National Cooperation Policy
▪ After consulting with all stakeholders
❑ Bring transparency in functioning of cooperatives.
▪ Make RTI applicable to all cooperatives.
❑ Increase awareness among members and public.
▪ When members become aware of their legal rights, they will question autocratic functioning of
leaders.
Ministry of Cooperation:
❑ In 2021, a new Ministry of Cooperation was formed (earlier Dept of Coop came under MoA&FW)
❑ It aims to realize vision of "Sahkar se Samriddhi" (prosperity through cooperation)
❑ It will strengthen the legal, policy, and administrative framework for cooperative movement in India.
❑ It will improve ‘Ease of doing business’ for cooperative societies, improving their competitiveness.
❑ It will use cooperatives to make each village prosperous, and through this, make India prosperous.
June 2022 news:
❑ Govt has allowed cooperatives to access GeM portal as buyer.
❑ 8.5 lakh registered cooperatives and their 27 Crore members will benefit from it.
97th Amendment 2011: (added new FR, DPSP, Part)

Article 19(1)(c): guarantees freedom to form cooperative societies
Article 43-B: State shall promote formation and functioning of cooperative societies
Part-IX-B: Provisions for regulation, Board members, audit of accounts, etc.
Why was 97th amendment introduced?

Because certain weaknesses were seen in functioning of cooperatives:
❑ State laws: Some state laws were weak and needed reforms.
❑ Low accountability: Elections were often postponed, thus administrators remained in-charge for long
time. This reduced their accountability to members.
Hence, to ensure accountability, improve functioning, and create deterrence for violation, 97th amendment
was introduced.
2021 Supreme Court ruling: (In 2021, SC struck down certain provisions of 97th Amendment)
❑ 'Cooperatives' is in State list under 7th schedule.
❑ But 97th amendment was not ratified by half the state legislatures.
❑ Hence, SC ruled that Part IX-B is operative only to Multi-State Cooperative Societies
Brief timeline: (not important)

1904: Cooperative Credit Societies Act
1919: Cooperatives became provincial subject
1984: Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act (1984/2002)
2002: National Policy on Cooperatives
2011: Forming cooperatives became FR by 97th Amendment
Wiretapping
Interception
Line bugging
Phone Tapping
What is Phone tapping?
❑ Secretly listening to communication between two or more parties.
❑ It is regulated by:
▪ Section 5(2) of Indian Telegraph Act 1885
▪ Section 69 of Information Technology Act 2000
▪ Information Technology Rules 2009
Legal provisions Did you know?
❑ Phone tapping can be done by: ➢ “Off-air phone-tapping” can be done
▪ Centre: 10 agencies like ED, CBI, IB, NIA, RAW, etc. without involving telecom operators!
➢ It is illegal to do so, and created a huge
▪ States: State police
storm in army exactly 10 years ago!
❑ Grounds for phone tapping:
▪ Sovereignty and integrity of India
▪ Friendly relations with foreign states
▪ Public order and safety, etc.
❑ Order for phone tapping is given by:
▪ Home Secretary in Centre
▪ Home Secretary in States
Role of telecom service providers:

▪ Orders for phone tapping are given to Telecom service providers.
▪ Service providers are bound by law to comply with such orders.
Safeguards:
▪ Time limit: Tapping permitted for 60 days only. Can be renewed, but not beyond 180 days.
▪ Review Committee: headed by Cabinet Secretary in Centre, and Chief Secretary in States.
▪ Written record: Orders and reason for phone tapping must be conveyed in writing.
▪ Freedom of press: Press messages of accredited correspondents shall not be intercepted.
Constitutional provisions:
❑ 7th Schedule:
➢ Communication comes under Union list
❑ Article 21:
➢ Right to privacy is violated by unlawful phone tapping
❑ Article 19(1):
➢ Freedom of speech is violated if people can’t communicate without fear
Important judgements:
SC in PUCL case 1997: Illegal phone-tapping violates right to privacy u/a 21
Andhra HC in KLD Nagasree case 2006: Phone-tapping can be done only in case of public emergency or safety
Way forward / Should phone-tapping be outlawed? No

❑ Surveillance laws are necessary
▪ They help to expose corruption, track organised crime, etc.
❑ Misuse of law cannot be a ground for its repeal
▪ Rather create checks to prevent misuse
Class-63
Class-1
Inter-State Border Disputes
Lord Curzon (Viceroy 1899–1905) once said:
Modern boundaries as Europeans knew it were unknown in the Asiatic world before colonialism arrived.
Background
❑ Traditional idea of territory:
➢ Closely administered central area, with gradual loosening of grip towards frontiers.
➢ People belong to land; multiple tribes belong to same land, so there is high tolerance
❑ Modern idea of territory:
➢ Centre and borders are administered with equal intensity. No ambiguity over land is allowed.
➢ People possess land; only one tribe can own particular land, hence disputes
Hence, traditional idea of territory is elastic, and not in congruence with modern demarcation of borders.
Solution
❑ Modern boundaries can be drawn for administrative efficiency.
❑ But people's relation with land must not be disturbed.
❑ Modern borders can co-exist with land-people relations e.g. Free Movement Regime with Myanmar
Except Tripura and Manipur, NE states were once part of Assam.

1963: Nagaland was carved out of Assam's Naga hills
1972: Mizoram was carved out of Assam's Mizo hills
1972: Meghalaya was carved out of Assam's Garo, Khasi, Jaintia hills
1972: Arunachal was carved out of Assam's NEFA
Assam-Arunachal:
❑ Arunachal claims that many forest areas of tribals were wrongly given to Assam in 1972
❑ Namsai Declaration (July 2022) reduced number of disputed villages to 86 from 123
Assam-Nagaland:
❑ Both states accuse each other of encroaching upon land
Assam-Mizoram:
❑ In colonial times, Mizoram was known as Lushai hills, a district of Assam
❑ 1875 notification mainly differentiated Lushai Hills and Cachar (of Assam)
❑ 1933 notification mainly differentiated Lushai Hills and Manipur
❑ Mizoram does not want to follow 1933 notification as Mizos were not consulted
Assam-Meghalaya:
❑ Meghalaya claims that Assam's Karbi Anglong was part of Khasi and Jaintia Hills
❑ In March 2022, agreement was reached to solve dispute in 6 out of 12 areas
Some other inter-state boundary disputes:
Region Currently in Claimed by
1947: part of Bombay State; 1956: made part of Mysore
Belgaum Karnataka Maharashtra
Languages (2011 census): 40% Kannada, 39% Marathi
Survey of India report claims that Himachal has encroached on some
Parwanoo Himachal Haryana
of Haryana’s land at Parwanoo.
Sarchu Himachal Ladakh Himachal accuses Ladakh of encroaching upon its land.
Reason for inter-state boundary disputes: (History, Geography, Polity, Culture)

❑ HISTORICAL REASONS
❑ British practice of recreating borders for administrative convenience based on annexations.
❑ 1956 State Reorganization mostly used district boundaries created by British
❑ GEOGRAPHICAL REASONS
❑ Shifting rivers, thick forests, difficult terrain makes demarcation difficult
❑ POLITICAL REASONS
❑ Some parties provoke people for political gains
Negative impact of inter-state border disputes:

❑ Economic impact: companies are reluctant to invest in disputed areas, this impacts regional development
❑ Loss of life: July 2021 violence at Assam-Mizoram border led to death of 5 policemen
❑ Regionalism: border disputes give rise to strong community sentiments and spoil inter-state relations.
❑ Social impact: feeling of alienation develops in certain groups, leading to social divisions and hatred
❑ Security: security of region is endangered with insurgents and criminals gaining upper hand
Constitutional mechanisms to solve boundary disputes: (Think of three organs of Govt)

❑ Article 263 → Inter-State Council can give recommendations to solve inter-state disputes (but not binding)
❑ Article 3 → Parliament can change boundary/area/name of any state
❑ Article 131 → Supreme Court can hear cases of dispute between two or more states
Way forward:
❑ Involve all stakeholders to find solution that is acceptable to everyone.
❑ Demarcate borders without impacting people’s relation with land.
❑ Make borders irrelevant by protecting ethnic/linguistic group’s cultural rights.
North Eastern Space Application Centre (HQ Meghalaya, est. 2000)

❑ JV of Department of Space and North Eastern Council
❑ Uses space science for development of North-East
❑ e.g. land mapping, flood early warning, etc.
Importance of maps:
❑ Maps are useful in boundary ‘demarcation’. Satellite images provide most accurate maps.
❑ But ‘disputes’ arise because communities lay claim over same area (i.e. our area vs your area)
❑ Hence, maps have limited role in solving border disputes.
From Prelims Static class-01
State reorganization
1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 2011
Himachal
1952 1962 1972 1982 1992 2002 2012
Mani, Megha, Tripura
1953 1963 1973 1983 1993 2003 2013
Andhra Nagaland
1954 1964 1974 1984 1994 2004 2014
Telangana
1955 1965 1975 1985 1995 2005 2015
Sikkim
1956 1966 1976 1986 1996 2006 2016
Haryana
1957 1967 1977 1987 1997 2007 2017
Arunachal, Goa, Mizo
1958 1968 1978 1988 1998 2008 2018
1959 1969 1979 1989 1999 2009 2019
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
Gujarat, Maharashtra Uttara, Chhat, Jhark
1948 Dhar Commission by Govt; JVP committee by Congress X Linguistic basis;

(Linguistic Provinces Commission) ✓ Administrative convenience
1953 First linguistic state Andhra created Report in 1955;
States Reorganisation (Fazal Ali) Commission Accepted linguistic basis
1956 States Reorganisation Act 1956 14 states and 6 UTs created
7th Constitution Amendment Act 1956
1960 Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960 Bombay divided into
Maharashtra and Gujarat
1966 Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 Punjab divided to create
Shah Commission Haryana and Chandigarh
Speaker
Article 93: Lok Sabha must chose Speaker and Dy Speaker as soon as possible.
i.e. electing Speaker & Dy Speaker is mandatory, its not a choice.
Speaker derives powers and duties from:

❑ Constitution of India
❑ Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of Lok Sabha
❑ Conventions of Parliament (precedents / unwritten understanding about how something should be done)
Functions/Duties/Powers of Speaker (not merely a presiding officer):

❑ He can suspend MPs for 5 sittings or remainder of session
❑ He decides on disqualifications under 10th schedule
❑ He decides whether a bill is a money bill or not
❑ He is the final interpreter of Constitution/Rules/Convention within the House
❑ He is guardian of powers and privileges of LS members and its committees
❑ He appoints chairperson of all committees of LS
Independence/impartiality is ensured by:

❑ Vote: cannot vote in first instance.
❑ Salary: 'charged' on CFI, not subject to vote of Parliament.
❑ Criticism: His work cannot be discussed/criticised, except on substantive motion.
❑ Tenure: Removal by effective majority, not ordinary majority.
Example of Britain:
1) Speaker resigns from his party.
2) Political parties don’t field candidates against the Speaker in General Election.
Hence, the Speaker continues in that position, as long as he wants.
But in India, Speaker depends on party for next election, hence acting impartially is difficult.
India's 4th President Shri V.V. Giri observed: (for Speaker)

❑ Speaker is guardian of privileges of Lok Sabha, not political party.
❑ The holder of such extensive powers must discharge duties impartially.
Way forward:
❑ Follow British convention
▪ Speaker resigns form party, and is assured of win in next election
❑ Elect Speaker from opposition party
▪ To divide cake impartially, let one person cut it, let another person chose any part
❑ Disqualifications under 10th schedule:
▪ Could be decided by President/Governor on recommendation of EC (recommended by 2 nd ARC)
Such steps can boost people’s trust in parliamentary democracy.
Speaker should not only be neutral, but must be seen to be neutral.
Food for thought:

❑ Ruling party has majority in LS. Hence, it can easily get bills passed.
❑ So, who is the Speaker should not matter. Then why such tussle?
Hint: passing bills is not the only work of LS. By raising uncomfortable issues, MPs hold govt accountable.
Speaker has major role in allowing MPs to speak, allowing questions, suspending/disqualifying MPs, etc.
Some controversies: (Students should not write them unless specifically asked)
❑ Deputy Speaker post lying vacant for past three years.
❑ Frequent suspension of opposition MPs.
❑ Aadhaar Bill certified as Money bill by Speaker.
❑ FB whistleblower Sophie Zhang was not allowed to appear before Standing Committee on IT.
❑ Unparliamentary words: corrupt, ashamed, eyewash, drama, hypocrisy, incompetent, snoopgate, etc.
1st Speaker: G.V. Mavalankar
SPEAKER: 1st Dy Speaker: Ananthasayanam Ayyangar
Election: Speaker vacates his seat when:
✓ Date fixed by President X The house is dissolved
✓ by LS, from amongst its members ✓ He ceases to be a member of the House
Resigns from party? ✓UK X India ✓ He is removed by effective majority of LS
Does the Speaker vote? When House is dissolved:
➢ Does not vote in first instance. Speaker continues in office until immediately before the
Votes in case of tie (casting vote). first meeting of the new House (given in Constitution)
➢ When resolution for his removal
is being considered, he does not Speaker:
preside, hence votes in first X Holds office during pleasure of President
instance, not in case of tie. X Must become MP within 6 months of becoming Speaker
Prelims 2017: Consider the following statements: Prelims 2000:

1. In election for Lok Sabha or State Assembly, winning The Speaker can ask a member
candidate must get at least 50 per cent of the votes polled, to of the House to stop speaking
be declared elected. and let another member
2. According to the provisions laid down in Constitution, in Lok speak. This phenomenon is
known as
Sabha, Speaker's post goes to the majority party and Deputy
(a) decorum
Speaker's to the Opposition. (b) crossing the floor
Which of the above statements are correct? (c) interpellation
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (d) yielding the floor
Deputy speaker: Speaker Pro Tem:

➢ Date of election fixed by Speaker ✓ appointed by President
➢ Usually the post goes to main opposition party ✓ usually senior-most member
➢ Seat vacant since 26th May 2019 (as on 8th March 2022) ✓ has all powers of Speaker
➢ Automatically becomes Chairman of any parliamentary ✓ presides over first sitting of new LS,
committee of which he is member. to administer oath to new members,
and let the house elect Speaker.
Note: ✓ Ceases to exist once new Speaker is
Speaker and Deputy speaker don't take any separate elected.
oath (other than as MP)
Judicial Independence
Role of judiciary: SC protects FRs in two ways
▪ Resolve disputes as per law (a) issue writs like Habeas corpus, mandamus, etc.
▪ Protect rights of the individual (b) judicial review to declare laws unconstitutional
▪ Interpret and protect the Constitution
Food for thought:

➢ Why is judiciary needed in a democracy? Why can't popularly elected govt decide everything?
➢ Even if there is judiciary, what’s wrong if courts give rulings as per wishes of party in power?
➢ If courts don’t rule in favour of democratically elected govt, are courts being anti-people/anti-democracy?
Hint: revise the topic ‘Rule of Law’ (Prelims polity class-5 and Mains class-27)
NCERT:
❖ Principal role of judiciary is to protect rule of law and ensure supremacy of law.
❖ It safeguards rights of individual, settles disputes in accordance with law and ensures that democracy does
not give way to individual or group dictatorship.
❖ In order to be able to do all this, it is necessary that the judiciary is independent of any political pressures.
Independence of judiciary means:

❑ Other organs of govt should not restrain functioning of judiciary
❑ Other organs of govt should not interfere with decision of judiciary
❑ Judges are able to function without fear or favour
Why is independence of judiciary needed?

❑ In any society, disputes are natural.
❑ But disputes must be settled by an independent body.
❑ If adjudicating body is not independent:
▪ Order wont be respected by party that loses the case
▪ Adjudication is of no use if the result is known
Independence of judiciary is ensured by:

❑ Appointment: Legislature is not involved in appointment. Political loyalty is not a criteria for selection.
❑ Tenure: Fixed tenure ensures that judges function without fear and favour.
❑ Removal: Very difficult removal process have been prescribed in Constitution (special majority).
❑ Finances: salaries and allowances of judges are not subjected to approval of legislature.
❑ Contempt: judiciary has the power to penalise those who are guilty of contempt of court.
❑ Criticism: Parliament cannot discuss the conduct of the judges except when the proceeding to remove a
judge is being carried out.
Judicial Independence vs Judicial Accountability:

❑ Independence: (a) not dependent on Executive/Legislature (b) deliver justice without impartially
❑ Accountability: (a) Removal of judges by Parliament (b) Transfer by collegium (c) In-house proceedings
Independence does not mean absence of accountability. Both are necessary.
To maintain people's faith in courts, an independent and accountable judiciary is sine-qua-non.
Judicial Accountability
Annual Report of Odisha High Court:
❑ Odisha HC has become first in India to publish an annual report.
❑ It gives district wise data on cases and judges.
❑ It also provides insights about delays due to abolition of Odisha Administrative Tribunal.
Judicial Accountability:
❑ Judges being responsible for the orders they give.
❑ It is a two-fold mechanism:
▪ Judges giving reason for their decisions
▪ Disciplinary action for deviation from constitutional and legal standards
Need for judicial accountability:

❑ Appointment & transfers:
➢ Collegium system is opaque, reasons for decision are not made public.
❑ Case allocation:
➢ CJI’s conduct as ‘Master of Roster’ was questioned at the unprecedented press conference by
four senior-most SC judges in 2018
❑ Pendency:
➢ 4.7 crore court cases are pending across India
❑ Orders:
➢ SC has repeatedly criticised HC judges for poor quality of judgements
❑ Post-retirement:
➢ Judges accepting lucrative positions after retirement raises question on their impartiality.
Provisions to ensure Judicial Accountability

❑ Constitution:
➢ Article 124 & 218: impeachment of SC/HC judges
➢ Article 235: HCs control over subordinate judiciary (can be used to enforce accountability)
❑ Law:
➢ RTI is partially applicable to judiciary (class-54 page-6)
➢ Judges (Inquiry) Act 1968 outlines process to investigate misbehavior or incapacity of a judge
❑ Judiciary:
➢ in-house proceedings and transfer by collegium (students can quote example from Prelims class)
Way forward:
❑ Permanent Committee to enquire complaints against judges must be established.
❑ Annual report by SC and all High Courts must be made mandatory.
❑ Live-streaming of all court cases should be undertaken.
❑ Cooling-off period for judges on the lines of civil servants.
❑ British practice of automatic nomination to upper house could be explored. (Each and every judge of the
Supreme Court has the right to sit in the House of Lords for the rest of his or her life.)
Transparency in working of courts is the best way to extract accountability from judiciary.
As remarked by Justice Chandrachud in the live-streaming case "Sunlight is the best disinfectant".
Charges against SC/HC Judge From Prelims class-3
Three options
Transfer HC judge to In-House Procedure Removed by President None

smaller HC by Collegium by SC on Parliament’s removed
recommendation so far
Madras HC CJ
2019 Ranjan Gogoi 1993 V. Ramaswami:
Tahilramani to
2020 NV Ramana 1st judge against whom proceedings initiated;
Meghalaya
Resolution failed to get 2/3
2011 Soumitra Sen:
RS passed resolution; Resigned
In-house procedure: Complaint HC Judge HC CJ SC Judge
against
❑ Adopted in 1997 by Full Court of SC
Committee HC Judge SC Judge SC Judge
❑ Mentioned in Constitution/law? No
members CJ of other HC CJ of other HC SC Judge
❑ CJI examines → Committee → asked to resign
(three) CJ of other HC CJ of other HC SC Judge
Constitutional provisions on removal of SC/HC Judge:
❑ Proved misbehaviour or incapacity (not defined)
❑ Special majority in both houses
CJI / SC Judge ❑ Parliament to frame process [Judges (Inquiry) Act 1968]
HC CJ Special majority Removed by
Distinguished jurist Guilty in both houses President
Forms
100 LS Speaker/ committee
(or 50 RS) Chairman Not guilty
MPs Reject
Class-64
Class-1
Judicial Infrastructure
(in lower courts)
Judicial infrastructure can be categorized as:
❑ Physical infra: courtrooms, lawyers’ chambers, residential units
❑ Digital infra: video-conferencing devices, broadband connectivity
❑ Human resources: judges, lawyers, support staff
Data:
▪ 24,520 Judicial officers (Sanctioned strength)
▪ 19,350 Judicial officers (working strength, hence 5k vacancy)
▪ 20,143 Court halls
▪ 17,800 Residential units for judicial officers
▪ 16% courts don't have gents toilets
▪ 26% courts don't have ladies toilets
▪ 49% courts don't have library
▪ 68% courts don't have separate record room
▪ 73% courts don't have computer on judge's table
Delay in Justice:
▪ Justice delayed is justice denied.
▪ More than 4 crore cases are pending in lower courts.
▪ Lack of court infra is major reason for delay in justice.
▪ For judicial pendency, see class-2, page-2
Present mechanism to develop court infra:

❑ States are responsible to develop court infra
❑ Centre helps by a centrally sponsored scheme since 1993
“Development of Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary”:
▪ Court buildings, Digital computer rooms, Toilets
▪ Residential quarters for judicial officers
▪ Lawyers’ halls
National Judicial Infrastructure Authority of India:

❑ Proposed by CJI N.V. Ramana
❑ Rejected by Centre & many states
❑ Statutory body to improve court infra
❑ Benefit: institutionalisation of mechanism through
dedicated agency
Issues:
❑ Funds from Centre:
▪ Allocation of funds to states is arbitrarily determined by Department of Justice
▪ India spends less than 0.1% of GDP on judiciary
❑ Use of funds by States:
▪ CSS requires states to match Central funds in ratio 60:40
▪ States are unable to do this, hence funds go unspent or lapse
▪ In 2019-20, 91% of central funds were unused in 5 states (only 85 crore of 980 crore were used)
❑ Transfer of judges:
▪ District judges don't pursue infra projects due to frequent transfers
❑ Ad-hoc implementation:
▪ Infra projects are initiated in an unplanned manner
Way forward
❑ Centre-State coordination
▪ Dept. of Justice must coordinate with States, for proper implementation of the central scheme
❑ Update infra status on court websites
▪ Accountability can be ensured if status of infra projects is regularly updated on court websites
❑ Performance audit of utilisation of funds
▪ Before allocating new funds, detailed audit must be conducted
❑ Develop new and upgrade existing
▪ Simultaneous efforts to modernise existing courtrooms with better technology
❖ Providing speedy, fair and affordable justice is a non-negotiable sovereign function

❖ It is high time that infra in lower courts gets the attention it deserves.
❖ As CJI NV Ramana said “Institutionalising the mechanism for judicial infra is the best gift we can give to our
country in this 75th year of Independence”
eCourt project: (PIB 22-07-2022 https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1843360)

❑ Launched in 2007 as part of National eGovernance Plan
❑ It aims to improve access to justice using technology
❑ Phase-1 2007-2015: 14,249 Court sites were computerized
❑ Phase-2 since 2015: 18,735 Court sites have been computerised so far
❑ Progress:
▪ High-speed broadband in 99.3% courts complexes
▪ Case Information Software has been developed
▪ National Judicial Data Grid provides case status to lawyers and litigants
▪ 20 Virtual Courts in 16 States / UTs for traffic offences
▪ Live streaming of proceedings started in certain HCs.
▪ E-filing system for Vakalatnama, eSigning, oath, online payment, etc initiated
▪ 'Judgment & Order Search' portal created to search for orders of HCs
From Prelims Polity class-6

NJIA Miscellaneous
National Judicial Infrastructure Authority of India National Litigation Policy:
❑ Central body, headed by CJI, for better infra in courts to reduce govt litigations
❑ States are responsible to develop court infra
❑ Centre helps by a centrally sponsored scheme since 1993 Legal Info Mgmt & Briefing System LIMBS
Development of Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary portal to monitor govt litigations
National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms 2011: eCourts project:
Increase access to justice, reduce delays, enhance accountability portal providing case status, cause
Administrative Mechanism for Resolution of Disputes: list, orders, etc. of district and Taluka
for resolution of Inter-Ministerial/Departmental disputes courts
National Judicial Data Grid: Re-engineering committees in HCs:

Web portal to show number of cases pending in any court in eliminate redundant processes and
the country make court process ICT enabled.
FASTER: Fast & Secured Transmission of Electronic Records Interoperable Criminal Justice System:
To transmit e-copies of stay orders, bail orders, etc ❑ Central Sector Scheme; lead by NCRB
❑ integrate e-courts, e-prison, CCTNS,
SUVAAS: SC Vidhik Anuvaad Software
AI tool to translate SC judgments to vernacular languages e-prosecution, e-forensic, etc.
SUPACE: SC Portal for Assistance in Court's Efficiency: Sentinel on the qui vive
AI tool collects relevant facts & laws and shows them to judge SC's role to guard democracy and rights
YouTube Prelims Polity Class-3
Hindi: 1:27:20 https://youtu.be/yJQZsDNbzO8?t=5240 Cases where compromise
English: 1:15:40 https://youtu.be/jT-2p_V_4W8?t=4540
Lok Adalat is not allowed
✓ Civil; ✓ Criminal; ✓ Pending cases; ✓ Pre-litigation; X Non-compoundable; X Divorce cases
Article 14: Article 39-A: (42nd CAA)

Equality before law free legal aid to poor & weaker sections
Lok Adalats:
❑ By NALSA, SALSA, DLSA
❑ under Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987
❑ Chairman: Judicial officer
❑ Members: Lawyer and social worker
❑ final and binding; no appeal
Prelims 2005:
Consider the following:
1. Disputes with mobile cellular companies
2. Motor accident cases
3. Pension cases
For which of the above are Lok Adalats held?
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2
(c) 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Prelims 2010:
Prelims 2009: With reference to Lok Adalats, which of the
With reference to Lok Adalats, consider the following statements is correct?
following statements: (a) Lok Adalats have the jurisdiction to settle
1. An award made by a Lok Adalat is deemed matters at pre-litigating stage and not those
to be a decree of a civil court and no matters pending before any court
appeal lies against thereto any court. (b) Lok Adalats can deal with matters which are
2. Matrimonial/Family disputes are not civil and not criminal in nature.
covered under Lok Adalat. (c) Every Lok Adalat consists of either serving or
Which of the statements given above is/are retired judicial officers only and not any
correct? other person.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (d) None of the statements given above is
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 correct.
Prelims 2013:
NALSA With reference to National Legal Services
Authority, consider the following statements:
❑ National Legal Services Authority
1. Its objective is to provide free and competent
❑ Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987
legal services to the weaker sections of the
❑ Provide free legal aid; Organize Lok Adalats
society on the basis of equal opportunity.
❑ Patron-in-Chief → CJI
2. It issues guidelines for the State Legal Services
❑ Chairman → SC Judge (serving-retd.)
Authorities to implement the legal
programmes and schemes throughout the
NALSA: National Level
country.
SLSA: State level (HC C.J.)
Which of the above statements are correct?
DLSA: District level (District Judge)
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 & 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
I read I forget, I see I remember See explanation of this PDF on www.youtube.com/c/allinclusiveias
Prelims 2021 Current Affairs Polity Page-29 © All Inclusive IAS
Prelims 2020: Note for students:
Legal Services Authorities provide free legal ❑ All states have different income ceiling.
❑ UPSC framed this question based on eligibility
services to which of the following type of
criteria for Delhi
citizens? ❑ Still, one could have attempted the question
1. Person with an annual income of less based on options (3) and (4) as the 1987 act does
than Rs. 1,00,000 not mention OBCs and Senior Citizens.
2. Transgender with an annual income of
less than Rs. 2,00,000 Eligibility for free legal aid (www.nalsa.gov.in)
3. Member of Other Backward Classes ❑ SC, ST, Women, Child, Disabled
(OBC) with an annual income of less ❑ Industrial workman; Person in custody
❑ Victim under article 23 of Constitution
than Rs. 3,00,000 ❑ Victim of mass disaster/ethnic violence/ etc
4. All Senior Citizens ❑ Earning less than 5 lakh/year for Supreme Court
Select the correct answer using the code ❑ Earning less than <state govt limit> for other courts
given below: General Rs 1 lakh
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 and 4 only Eligibility Senior citizen Rs 2 lakh
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1 and 4 only criteria in Delhi Transgender Rs 2 lakh
Initiatives launched by Ministry of Law & Justice in 2017 :
❑ Tele-Law initiative: Lawyers at SLSA give legal aid through CSCs
❑ Pro bono legal service: Lawyers give free legal advice to poor people
❑ Nyay-mitra scheme: Focus on cases older than 10 years
Common Service Centres:
❑ Initiative of Meity.
❑ For delivering Govt e-services in rural areas
❑ Set up in 2006 as part of National e-Governance Plan
ADR
Alternate Dispute Resolution
to solve conflicts outside
ordinary law courts
Amendments to Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996:

❑ 2015: imposed time limit of 12 + 6 months for arbitral award
❑ 2019: removed time limit for international arbitration; allowed appointment of arbitrators by
‘arbitral institutions’ designated by SC/HC; provided for setting up Arbitration Council of India
❑ 2021: removed qualification criteria for arbitrators; stay on arbitral award if induced by fraud
Arbitration Council of India:
❑ for grading arbitral institutions and accreditation of arbitrators
❑ Chairman: SC Judge / HC CJ / HC Judge / Eminent person
❑ Chairman appointed by Central Government in consultation with CJI
❑ Ex-officio members: Secretary (Dept. of Legal Affairs); Secretary (Dept. of Expenditure); CEO ACI
❑ Two full time and one part-time members from academia/industry
UN Convention on International Settlement Clarification for Polity class-2:
Agreements Resulting from Mediation: In the list “Minister cannot be part of
❑ aka Singapore Convention on Mediation
following committees” given on page-14,
❑ First UN treaty to be named after Singapore
❑ Came into force in September 2020 please add “Committee on Public
❑ India has signed it? Yes Undertakings”
For online justice delivery,
Alternative Dispute Resolution refer class-54 page-3
❖ Litigation in courts is marred by delays, complex procedure, poor judge to population ratio, etc.
❖ ADR mechanisms solve conflicts outside ordinary law courts.
❖ It mainly includes Arbitration, Conciliation and Mediation.
Note: For Benefits & Issues, students can reproduce points from Tribunals (Class-3 page-2)
The points may not exactly fit in, but will work.
Benefits of ADR:
❑ Specialisation: expertise is required to decide complex cases of technical nature.
❑ Relief to Courts: they reduces case burden on courts
❑ Flexibility: not bound by rigid rules of procedure; good for changing socio-economic scenario;
follows principle of natural justice (no strict application of archaic laws)
❑ Less Expensive: ensures cheap & quick justice. (as experts have subject area knowledge)
Issues with ADR:

❑ Against separation of power: Executive does work of judiciary
❑ Lack of independence: they don't enjoy same constitutional protection as high courts,
hence are vulnerable to political influence.
Election Laws Amendment Refer class-10 for

electoral reforms
and RPA 1950/51
Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021:
❑ It amends RPA 1950 & 1951 to implement certain electoral reforms.
❑ Link electoral roll with Aadhaar:
▪ Aadhaar number may be required for authentication of name in electoral roll.
❑ Qualifying date for name in electoral roll:
▪ Provides four dates instead of one. (January 1, April 1, July 1, October 1)
❑ Gender neutral:
▪ Replaces the word ‘wife’ with ‘spouse’ in both the Acts
Benefits of linking electoral rolls with Aadhaar:

❑ Helps in de-duplication of electoral rolls, as currently many people are enrolled as voter in multiple places.
❑ Helps in preventing bogus voting and frauds
Concerns:
❑ Aadhaar is not mandatory
▪ Hence, people without Aadhaar number may face harassment by officials.
❑ Aadhaar is not a proof of citizenship
▪ Only citizens can vote. But many non-citizens have Aadhaar.
▪ Using Aadhaar for authentication will enable non-citizens to enrol as voter.
❑ Misuse of data:
▪ Aadhaar number can reveal if the voter has accessed welfare subsidies.
▪ This data can be used for targeted election campaigns.
Way forward:
❑ Error-free electoral roll is sine qua non of free and fair election.
▪ Hence, use of Aadhaar to clean electoral rolls is a step in right direction.
❑ However, a robust data protection law should be introduced at the earliest.
▪ It will help in addressing concerns about possible misuse of data.
Social
Public Interest Litigation (PIL) Action
Litigation
SC has expressed concern at the mushrooming growth of frivolous PILs.
Public Interest Litigation:

❑ Litigation in SC/HC to secure public interest.
❑ It is a relaxation from the rule of locus standi.
Locus standi: petitioner must be directly/indirectly affected by defendant
Constitutional basis of PIL? Article 32 & 226

People have right to move SC/HCs against violation of rights.
However, PIL is not defined in any article of Constitution or law.
Significance of PILs:
❑ Makes judiciary more accessible
▪ Public spirited citizens can file petition on behalf of those who cannot easily approach courts.
❑ Strengthens democracy
▪ Court mandated election candidates to file affidavit about their income, assets, education, etc.
❑ Ensures accountability of public authorities
▪ Prison officials misusing their powers, to torture inmates taken up in Sunil Batra case 1980
❑ Social justice for weaker sections
▪ Free legal services to poor & needy is essential element of justice (Hussainara Khatoon case 1979)
❑ Protects Environment:
▪ MC Mehta case 1987: SC brought principle of absolute liability (instead of strict liability)
▪ (For absolute liability, see class-40 pg-11)
❑ Fills void left by Executive:
▪ Vishaka case 1997 on preventing sexual harassment at workplace. It led to enactment of Sexual
Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
Problem with PILs:

❑ Misuse by Public:
▪ Many PILs are filed for personal or political interest
▪ PIL to bar media from reporting mass covid deaths
❑ Stalls development:
▪ Some PILs are used to delay development activities.
▪ Kudankulam Nuclear plant was opposed by several PILs in 2011
❑ Clogs wheels of justice:
▪ More than 25,000 PILs are filed in Indian courts every year
▪ Frivolous PILs encroach on judiciary's precious time to deliver justice
❑ For business rivalry:
▪ Some PILs are filed by industrial groups to gain advantage over rivals
▪ 2011 Kalyaneshwari case PIL was filed by rivals to promote their products as asbestos substitutes.
❑ Against Separation of Power:
▪ Courts use PILs to enter into the domain of policy-making
▪ e.g. Ban on BS-IV vehicles from April 1, 2020
❑ Judicial activism:
▪ PIL is the chief instrument through which judicial activism has flourished in India
▪ e.g. Compulsory singing of National Anthem in cinema halls (2016-18)
Way forward:
❑ Identify frivolous PILs
▪ Follow SC guidelines to separate genuine PILs from motivated ones.
o Public interest and urgency must be involved
o Credentials of petitioner must be verified before entertaining the plea
❑ Impose penalty on those misusing PILs
▪ ₹ 1 lakh penalty has been imposed on several occasions for frivolous PILs
❑ Accountable Executive
▪ If Executive functions responsibly, courts won't be needed to fill the void
Brief Background:
1979 Hussainara Khatoon vs. Bihar case
❑ Newspapers published reports of undertrials in jail for more than the maximum punishment.
❑ Advocate Kapila Hingorani filed case in SC, before bench of Justice P N Bhagwati.
❑ 40,000 prisoners were subsequently released.
1980 Sunil Batra vs. Delhi Administration

❑ A prisoner of Tihar jail sent a piece of paper to Justice Krishna Iyer of SC
❑ It described physical torture of the prisoners.
❑ Justice Krishna Iyer got it converted into a petition.
❖ Before 1979, only affected persons could approach the courts .

❖ Justices PN Bhagwati and Krishna Iyer were among the first to admit PILs.
❖ They did not insist on procedural technicalities and even ordinary letters were treated as writ petition.
❖ Subsequently, PIL became the most important vehicle of judicial activism.
A bribe is a bribe,
Election freebies be it in cash or kind.
Election freebies: given free of charge, with intention to get favourable vote.
Political parties are outdoing each other in promising election freebies.
Arguments in support of freebies Arguments against freebies

People get basic needs like water, electricity for free Free encourages excess use, leading to wastage of resources
It is govt’s duty to meet basic needs at nominal charges
People’s standard of living rises by laptop, mobile Poverty struck people have other priorities
Freebies make people happy Once in 5 year gifts are no substitute to development,
cannot alleviate daily suffering
India is a welfare state and freebies reduce economic Basic welfare delivered through PDS/schools/hospitals is of
inequality. poor quality.
If companies can be given 'incentives' to invest, Investment benefits everyone,

why can't poor be given 'freebies' to vote? but vote benefits only political party
Bulk order boosts factory output Assured sale reduces competitiveness
Some other arguments against freebies:

❑ Undermines democracy:
▪ It is like bribing the voter; Performance of party in power is ignored by voters
▪ Freebies shake the root of free and fair elections (SC in Subramaniam Balaji case 2013)
▪ Use of govt funds by party in power disturbs level playing field
❑ Burdens state finances: (Fiscal stress)
▪ States have limited financial resources
▪ Freebies are passport to fiscal disaster, can cause sub-national bankruptcy (15th FC chair NK Singh)
❑ Damages environment:
▪ Free water & electricity leads to wastage of natural resources
❑ Against development:
▪ Capital expenditure takes back seat due to paucity of funds
▪ Freebies divert attention from real developmental issues
❑ Domino effect:
▪ Other parties/states also come under pressure to announce freebies.
❑ Spoils people:
▪ People expect freebies in all elections
▪ Credit culture is destroyed if people are repeatedly given loan waivers
SC in Subramaniam Balaji case 2013:

❑ Election freebies shake the root of free and fair elections.
❑ SC directed EC to frame guidelines on election manifestos.
❑ EC made changes to Model Code of Conduct. Manifesto must:
▪ Reflect reason for the promise
▪ Indicate the ways and means to meet the expenses
Can EC regulate freebies?
Yes:
❑ Article 324 empowers EC to conduct free and fair elections.
❑ Section 123 of RPA 1951 declares gifts that influence voters
as 'corrupt practice’
No:
❑ EC lacks authority to regulate any act which is done before
the announcement of election date.
❑ EC lacks power to deregister political parties for making any
‘irrational promises’ to voters.
❑ There is no objective criteria to grade which freebies are
justified and which are not.
Way forward:
▪ Give legal status to MCC; empower EC to deregister parties if they violate MCC
▪ Ban new schemes 6 months before elections, ban anything that's free in party manifestos
▪ Spread public awareness about negative economic impact of freebies (its taxpayer's money!)
Why Parties give freebies? Why People vote for freebies?

➢ To hide their poor performance ➢ People lack knowledge to evaluate performance
➢ To alter voter's mindset from real issues ➢ People like anything that's for free
Food for thought

❑ Money came from people, money went to people.
▪ So what’s wrong with freebies?
❑ Simply spending money, launching schemes, creating infra, is not enough.
▪ Money needs to be spent wisely.
▪ e.g. Sri Lanka spent money on ‘infra’, but it turned into liability, instead of asset.
❑ MNREGA creates assets that benefit locals
▪ People ‘earn’ by working.
❑ Right to Education ‘empowers’ youth
▪ Free mobiles cannot replace quality education.
Example of UP Assembly election 2022:

❑ BJP: LPG cylinders on Holi/Diwali; Free electricity to farmers; 2 crore mobile/tablets for students
❑ INC: 3 LPG cylinders/year; Farm loan waiver; Free travel for women in bus; mobile/scooty for girl students
❑ AAP: 300 units free electricity; Farm loan waiver; Free travel for women in bus; ₹ 1000/month to all women
But, at whose expense? What if this money is used for ‘real development’ (empowerment of the weak)
Note: Students must be clear about the difference between:

❑ Duty of govt: Food, work, education, health
❑ Right of people: NFSA 2013, MNREGA 2005, RTE Act 2009
❑ Scheme of govt: PM-JAY (₹ 5 lakh health insurance to about 10 crore families)
❑ Freebies for vote: free electricity/water/transport/mobile/scooty
❑ Some developed countries also give freebies,
▪ but that is given ‘after’ basic rights are delivered
▪ Also, motive is not votes, but environment, etc.
❑ In India, is the govt fulfilling its duty, and people getting their rights,
that we are jumping to freebies?
 Note:
❑ Election freebies is currently a hot political topic.
❑ Hence, newspapers are filled with such articles/news.
❑ Students are advised not to mention any such statement,
or name any political party or leader in their answer.
Lending a hand is better than giving dole Article 38:

❑ Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day ➢ State shall promote
➢ Teach him fishing, you feed him for a lifetime welfare of people.
❑ Empowering the weak is better ➢ State shall endeavour to
➢ than doing favours out of sympathy. eliminate inequalities in
❑ Krishna did not fight on behalf of Arjun, status
➢ rather he empowered Arjun to fight.
❑ Schemes redistribute the wealth
➢ But laws empower the weak (NFSA, MNREGA, RTE, RTI)
❑ Public money must be spent to empower the public,
➢ not to show greatness of govt.
Students can also refer class-21 page-9 (redistribution vs empowerment)
Elections cannot be said to be 'Free and fair' in following cases:
❑ Manipulating district boundaries to get undue advantage
(Gerrymandering)
❑ Massive financial advantage with any party
▪ People are influenced by online/offline campaigns, all
this needs money
▪ More money → more campaign → more votes
❑ Use of government resources to advantage of the ruling party
(Offence under RPA 1951) (HC disqualified PM for this in 1975)
❑ Govt officials favouring ruling party
▪ Bureaucrats play key role in elections
▪ Police vans are allegedly used to transport money for
party in power
Right to vote is not democracy if:

❑ If elections are not free and fair.
❑ If there is no opposition to chose.
❑ If people are influenced by money/muscle power.
Democracy calls into activity character of people.
If people vote on the basis of freebies/caste/religion etc,
then democracy becomes defective.
Class-65
Class-1
Also see
Role of Social Media in Elections class-45 page-07
“Fake news”
Importance of social media in elections:
❑ Direct two-way communication between leaders and people in real time.
❑ Feedback from public can be obtained by opinion polls, online survey, user comments, etc.
❑ Fact checking of claims made by political leaders by sharing video proof on social media.
❑ Cost-effective method of reaching masses, instead of expensive print media ads.
Need to regulate:
❑ Social media has become the dominant tool for shaping public opinion.
❑ It has changed the way elections are fought and won in India.
❑ Its impartial regulation is necessary for free & fair elections.
Steps taken:
Given the importance of social media in elections, EC has taken following steps:
❑ Candidates’ social media handle must be mentioned in election affidavit
▪ But, campaigning is done through lakhs of accounts of party workers.
▪ Compare: how many candidates you follow vs how many campaign messages you receive
❑ MCC, silence period, and other electoral regulations apply to social media as well
▪ But, fake accounts are used to bypass all regulations
❑ Expenditure on social media ads is counted as election expense of candidate
▪ But public opinion is shaped through posts/forwards, and not ads on social media
Issues:
❑ Difficult to monitor:
▪ WhatsApp group messages cannot be monitored, unless some group member files complaint.
❑ Fake news:
▪ Unverified info spreads freely on social media without any checks.
❑ Use of proxy accounts:
▪ Candidates use fake accounts to spread malicious messages, and campaign during silence period.
❑ Online abuse:
▪ Trolling of people with dissenting opinion
❑ Misuse of data:
▪ Cambridge Analytica scandal exposed how all parties do targeted messaging on social media.
▪ Digital footprint is used to create psychological profile for electoral gains.
❑ Echo chambers:
▪ Algorithm used by FB creates echo chamber where people only see viewpoints they agree with.
❑ Biased action by platforms (Facebook, Twitter, etc)
▪ Sophie Zhang case revealed how FB allows govt to manipulate political discourse in its favour.
Way forward:
❑ Fight misinformation:
▪ Govt should encourage fact-checking websites which debunk misinformation with proof.
❑ Protect data:
▪ A data protection law should be brought to prevent misuse of user data for political purpose.
❑ Increase transparency:
▪ All complaints received by platforms, and action taken in each case, must publicly accessible.
Food for thought: In election matters, why some people become so emotional?
EXECUTIVE
Permanent Executive (Civil Servants) Political Executive (Ministers)
SELECTED; procedure conducted by UPSC ELECTED; procedure conducted by EC
CANDIDATES compete, only some emerge winner CANDIDATES compete, only some emerge winner
SUPPORTERS don’t fight among themselves SUPPORTERS fight; violence occurs; society is divided
WINNERS are bound by Rule of law; WINNERS are assumed to be above law;
expected to serve everyone impartially expected to rule in favour of certain sections
Following points are broadly based on
Global State of Democracy Report 2021
Democracy
Democratic Decline:
❑ Democratically elected govts are adopting authoritarian tactics:
Politicization of judiciary; Manipulation of Media; Restriction on civil rights; Weakening of civil society
❑ Such actions enjoy significant public support.
❑ Brazil & India are the most worrying examples.
Class-63 page-06: Judiciary ensures that democracy does not give way to individual or group dictatorship.
Threat to Democracy:
❑ Non-acceptance of election result by some groups in public
▪ Trump supporters stormed Capitol building after his defeat in 2020 Presidential elections
❑ Disinformation on Social media to manipulate public opinion
▪ Russian interference in 2016 US presidential elections
❑ Rising polarization in society on political lines
▪ Polarisation makes it difficult for opposing parties to reach agreement
▪ Polarisation refers to splitting of public opinion into two opposing extremes
❑ Marginalisation of minorities encourages tyranny of majority
▪ Biased laws, or discretionary application of law, violates equality
▪ Sri Lanka briefly banned burials citing covid spread
❑ Commercialisation of news reduces public trust in media
▪ Weaking of fourth pillar of democracy reduces govt's accountability
❑ Politicization of judiciary weakens rule of law (gives way to Rule of Men/Group)
▪ Independent judiciary ensures that democracy does not give way to dictatorship
Way forward: To curb rising authoritarianism following steps can be taken:

❑ Invest in democracy education at all levels of schooling.
❑ Strengthen checks & balances that are essential in democratic systems.
❑ Bring reforms to close the gap between what people want and what govt delivers.
❑ Learn from other countries’ experience in fighting disinformation.
Five core attributes of democracy:

❑ Representative govt: Inclusive suffrage, Free political parties, Clean elections
❑ Fundamental Rights: Equality & Social rights, Access to Justice
❑ Impartial administration: Predictable enforcement, Absence of corruption
❑ Checks on govt: Judicial independence, Media integrity, Effective Parliament
❑ Participatory engagement: Direct democracy, Civil society participation
Why is democracy preferred form of govt?

❑ Reduces possibility of rash decision-making
▪ Sudden decisions by Executive are less likely, as decisions are taken after consultation
❑ Gives opportunity to correct mistakes
▪ People can protest against decisions, judiciary can strike down Executive decisions
❑ Promotes peace and stability
▪ Internal armed conflicts are rare as people’s rights are respected
❑ Ensure global security
▪ Democracies are less likely to go to war, as people can overthrow warmonger leaders
Quotes:
❖ In a democracy, dissent is an act of faith. - JW Fulbright
❖ Democracy is good. I say this because other systems are worse. - JL Nehru
❖ I understand democracy as something that gives the weak the same chance as the strong. - MK Gandhi
❖ Best argument against democracy is a 5-minute conversation with the average voter. - Winston Churchill
❖ Democracy cannot succeed unless people choose wisely. Therefore, the real safeguard of democracy is
education. - Franklin D. Roosevelt
IT Rules, 2021
Why were IT Rules 2021 needed?
❑ Failure of self-regulation by social media companies.
❑ Weak grievance redressal mechanism on social media platforms.
❑ Social peace is disturbed by spread of malicious messages on social media.
❑ Proliferation of child porn and sexual violence content on social media.
Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021:
❑ Framed under section 87 (2) of IT Act, 2000; replaces IT Rules 2011
Also, for Social media intermediaries:

❑ Remove intimate pictures within 24 hours of
complain
❑ Remove unlawful info on govt orders, that is
against interest of sovereignty and integrity of
India, public order, decency, morality, etc.
❑ Safe harbour provisions won't apply if rules are
not followed (immunity from legal prosecution for
any content posted on their platform)
Some issues:
❑ Rules remove protection given by law (Section 79 of IT Act 2000)
▪ If intermediaries don't follow the rules, they wont enjoy safe harbour protection
❑ Rules go beyond the powers delegated under parent act
▪ Rules define new types of entities and state their obligations
❑ Identification of the first originator of information
▪ Enabling traceability impacts privacy of individuals, makes them vulnerable to cyber attacks
❑ Excessive govt control
▪ Rules can be misused to curb criticism and dissent against govt
Way Forward:
❑ Bring data protection law
❑ Bring law that is debated in Parliament, instead of using rule-making powers
❑ Application of rules should be impartial, to ensure equality as per Article 14
Amendments to 2021 rules:

(They were proposed, were withdrawn, hence not important for Mains exam)
❑ 'Grievance Appellate Committee' to appeal against decision of intermediary
▪ Issue: it will make govt controller of permissible speech on internet (like China?)
❑ Resolve all complaints within 72 hours
▪ Issue: shortened timeline will not allow fair scrutiny (high load during elections)
Civil Society
Civil Society
❑ Voluntary groups that contribute to the functioning of society.
❑ It is the 'third sector' of society, other than the govt and business.
❑ e.g. groups for political reforms, civil rights, environment protection,
women's rights, NGOs, etc.
‘Civil Society’ became popular in 1980s when it started

non-state movements defying authoritarian regimes,
especially in Eastern Europe and Latin America.
Importance of Civil society:

Students can reproduce points from class-31 pg-03. Also:
Role in democracy:
❑ Democracy is not limited to elections
❑ Democracy is about citizens holding power-holders accountable
Role during Covid lockdown:
❑ Govt took help of 92,000 Civil Society organizations to deliver food, shelter, etc. to the needy (source: PIB)
Role in Lokpal Act:
❑ Civil society played key role in drafting The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013
❑ Joint Drafting Committee (5 ministers + 5 members of civil society) held more than seven meetings.
❑ Though India got the Act in 2013, it was only in 2019 that we got the first Lokpal.
Two examples from 2nd ARC 2007: (Ethics in Governance, Fourth Report)
❑ Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sanghthan in Rajasthan:
▪ used Jan Sunwai (public hearings) to expose corruption in local public works
❑ Parivartan NGO in Delhi:
▪ used RTI to expose corruption in PDS shops (grain diverted to open market)
Issues:
❑ Misuse of govt funds by some NGOs
❑ Money laundering by some non-profit organisations
❑ Stalling of development projects through public protests, filing PILs, etc.
Should Civil society be banned?

Civil society is sometimes seen as a threat to national security. Should it be banned? No, because
❑ Executive is accountable to people through civil society, media, legislature, judiciary, etc.
▪ Democratic govt cooperates with CS, while authoritarian govt criticizes CS.
❑ Hence friction is natural between Executive and other pillars of democracy.
▪ Absence of friction means absence of checks on Executive’s powers.
❑ All pillars must be equally strong for democracy to function optimally.
▪ When everyone is equally strong, no one can misuse power.
Note: never say that any law/institution should be repealed/banned. Always do constructive criticism, show
scope of improvement, and positively conclude the answer.
Article 19: guarantees right to form associations and freedom of speech & expression
Remember: Free speech is about asserting our rights, its not about supressing other's rights (class-61 pg-04)
Hence, groups can be formed to fight against rights violation, but not to advocate rights violation.
Chronology: groups openly advocate rights violation → govt loses authority → people take security in own
hands → social divisions strengthen → nation weakens
Class-66
Class-1
Not to be confused with
Civil Society (class-65 pg-4) Pressure Groups Example of three techniques:
❑ Group of people who pressurize govt to promote own interest.

❑ They are also called as ‘interest group’ or ‘vested group’.
❑ They influence policy making & policy implementation, by:
❑ Legal methods: petition, debate, form public opinion, etc.
❑ Illegal methods: threat, violence, corruption, etc.
Techniques used: They broadly use three techniques:

❑ Electioneer: place in public office, people with similar interest
❑ Lobby: influence public officials
❑ Propaganda: influence public opinion
Are they different from political parties? Political Pressure

Parties Groups
❑ Yes, they are different because they don’t fight elections.
Fight elections Yes No
❑ But, many Pressure groups do election campaign for political Do election campaign Yes Maybe
parties, and also frame/influence govt policies. Influence govt policy Yes Yes
Some types of pressure groups:
❑ Religious organizations: RSS, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind
❑ Business associations: FICCI, ASSOCHAM
❑ Trade unions: AITUC (CPI), INTUC (INC), Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BJP)
❑ Farmer groups: All India Kisan Sabha, Bhartiya Kisan Union
❑ Professional associations: Indian Medical Association, Bar Council of India
❑ Student organizations: NSUI (INC), ABVP (BJP), SFI (CPM)
Importance of Pressure Groups:

❑ Consultations in law-making:
• Legislators & ministries hold formal/informal discussions with PGs while drafting bills
• e.g. pre-budget discussions of industry groups with Finance Minister
❑ Brings political socialisation:
• They increase people's knowledge about political issues in the country
• e.g. seminars/magazines/websites/WhatsApp groups are run by many PGs
❑ Pulse of the people:
• Opinion & demands of people are brought to govt's notice by PGs
• e.g. through public protests, farm/labour unions voice public sentiments
Problem with Pressure Groups: (students can create points corresponding to importance)
❑ Narrow interest:
• PGs push their own interests, but govt policy has to consider all sections of society
❑ Misinformation:
• PGs may spread misinformation in public to suit their own agenda
❑ Violent protests:
• Some groups incite public to violence which creates law & order problem
Civil Society Pressure Groups
Helps in functioning of society, Creates pressure on govt,
by protecting civil rights to protect own rights
Tries to serve society, Tries to shape society,
considering everyone is equal considering own ideology/interest as superior
Remains equally active irrespective of party in power Role changes with party in power
(protest against govt or cooperate with govt)
The above comparison does not mean that CSO are good, and PG are bad. What matters is the objective:
Promote rights (of self/others) or Suppress rights (of others)
Citizen Charter
From Polity Prelims class-5 Components:
➢ Vision & Mission
Improvement in quality* of public service delivery ➢ Services provided
➢ Standard of services (time, quality, etc.)
Citizen Redress Capacity ➢ Grievance redressal
Empowerment satisfaction enhancement
➢ Expectations from client
Legally enforceable? No
Rights of Citizens for Time Bound services
Citizen’s Public Service Bill 2011, brought, but lapsed in 2014
Grievance Delivery
Charter Redress Capacity
➢ 1990s: concept developed in UK
INTEGRATED APPROACH
➢ 1997: India adopted
*Quality as defined by User (and NOT Deliverer) of the services ➢ Initiatives launched by DARPG
Sevottam model for excellence Department of Administrative Reforms and
in public service delivery Public Grievances (Mo.P.PG.P)
❖ Citizen’s Charter is a document of commitments made by a govt organization to citizens/client groups in

respect of the services provided.
❖ Basic objective of CC is to empower citizens in relation to public service delivery.
Six principles of Citizens Charter:

1) Quality: Improving the quality of services
2) Choice: Wherever possible
3) Standards: Specify what to expect and how to act if standards are not met
4) Value: For the taxpayers money
5) Accountability: Individuals and Organisations
6) Transparency: Rules, Procedures, Schemes, Grievances
Importance:
❑ It brings transparency in working of public office
• People know the purpose of public office (vision, mission, services offered, etc)
❑ It makes administration accountable to people
• People raise questions when deadlines are not met by officials
❑ It makes PSUs competitive
• Due to better customer service, PSUs lose less clients to private companies
❑ It helps fight corruption:
• When citizens know their rights, they can’t be asked for bribe.
Problems faced in implementing Citizen’s charter:

❑ Excessive Centralization (One size fits all approach):
• Same CC for all offices under parent organization overlooks local issues.
❑ Lack of consultation:
• Staff, Public, and Civil society are not consulted when CCs are drafted.
❑ Poor design and content:
• Absence of critical information that people need to hold agencies accountable.
❑ Not updated:
• Charters are rarely updated, making it a one-time exercise, frozen in time.
❑ Lack of awareness:
• Efforts are not undertaken to educate public about charter
• Even staff is not aware about goals and features of charter
❑ Funds not earmarked:
• for orientation of staff or awareness generation in public
Based on CAG audit report on
Aadhaar released in April 2022 Aadhaar
Audit findings:
❑ No proof of residency: (182 days in last one year)
• Aadhaar act mandates that only 'Residents' can be issued Aadhaar.
• But Aadhaar is issued based on a casual self-declaration by the applicant
• There is no system to verify the declarations made by the applicant
❑ De-duplication Problem:
• Uniqueness of identity is the most important feature of Aadhaar.
• But in many cases multiple aadhaar numbers were issued to same biometrics.
❑ Issue of Bal Aadhaar numbers:
• Children less than age 5 are issued Aadhaar without confirming uniqueness of identity.
• This is a violation of the Aadhaar Act.
❑ Faulty document management:
• Many Aadhaar numbers are not paired with the documents of the Aadhaar holder.
❑ Authentication errors:
• UIDAI lacks mechanism to understand reason for authentication errors.
❑ Faulty Enrolment Process:
• UIDAI charged people for updates when poor quality data was fed during enrolment.
❑ No data archiving policy:
• UIDAI lacks a data archiving policy which is vital for a biometric databases.
Recommendations by CAG: (Students can use audit findings to frame points)

❑ Authenticate residence status on the basis on some documents, not just self-declaration.
❑ Curb duplication by an automated system
❑ Explore ways to establish unique identity of children less than 5 years age
❑ Review charges for biometric update as people are not at fault for poor quality of data capture
❑ Frame a suitable data archival policy to mitigate the risk of data vulnerability
Some other challenges: (not in CAG report)

▪ Enrollment: low enrollment (50-60%) in NE, except Tripura (94%) (2020 data)
▪ Authentication: fingerprints of laborers get eroded; connectivity issues in villages
▪ Officials: govt. officials need to be trained in secure use of Aadhaar data
▪ Privacy: fear of misuse/surveillance if data gets into hands of enemy country.
Aadhaar
Data collected:
❑ Demographic: Name; DoB/Age; Gender; Address
❑ Biometric: Ten fingerprints; two iris scans; facial
photography
Required for:
❑ IT return, PAN, Welfare schemes (PDS, NREGA, etc.)
Not required for:

❑ Bank, Sim card, school admission, registration of
birth/death
Virtual ID:
A temporary 16 digit number generated online
Does not reveal Aadhaar number
Paperless Offline e-kyc:

Can be authenticated without biometrics
Does not reveal Aadhaar number
Appellate Tribunal:
Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal
Prelims 2018: Prelims 2018:

Consider the following statements: The identity platform 'Aadhaar' provides open
1. Aadhaar card can be used as a proof of "Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)".
citizenship or domicile. What does it imply?
2. Once issued, Aadhaar number cannot be 1. It can be integrated into any electronic
deactivated or omitted by the Issuing device.
Authority. 2. Online authentication using iris is possible.
Which of the statements given above is/are Which of the statements given above is/are
correct? correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Incorrect statements Correct statements

It is a 12 digit number issued to Indian citizens. It is a 12 digit number issued to residents of India.
But, NRI are allowed to get Aadhaar.
It is issued by UIDAI, which is a statutory body It is issued by UIDAI, which is a statutory body
under Home Ministry under Meity.
To protect citizen's privacy, UIDAI is exempt from UIDAI is not exempt from RTI Act, 2005, though
RTI Act, 2005 some restrictions apply.
Blue Aadhar is issued to handicapped people who Blue Aadhar is issued to children up to 5 years of
cannot provide biometrics age.
Aadhaar-PAN linking is not compulsory Aadhaar-PAN linking is compulsory.
Also see class-8
Panchayats State Elec Comm
73RD AMENDMENT ACT OF 1992
Significance:
❑ Added new part & schedule to Constitution
• Added Part-IX (Articles 243 to 243-O) and 11th schedule
❑ Gave constitutional status to panchayats
• States are now bound by Constitution to form panchayats, hold elections, etc.
❑ Strengthens grassroot democracy
• It transforms representative democracy into participatory democracy
❑ Implements DPSP Article 40
• State shall organise village panchayats as units of self-government
Salient features:
❑ Mandatory creation of PRIs
• Article 243-B mandates creation of Panchayats at three levels (village, intermediate, district)
❑ Election to panchayats: (5-year term)
• Direct election for all members at all three levels
• State Election Commission to conduct elections
❑ Reservation of Seats:
• SC/ST reservation on basis of proportion in population
• Women to have at least 1/3rd seats reserved
❑ Finances:
• State legislature may authorise panchayat to levy, collect and appropriate taxes/duties/tolls/fees
• State Finance Commission to review financial position of panchayats
Compulsory Provisions Voluntary Provisions
❑ Organize Gram Sabha for village or group of villages ❑ Giving powers & functions to Gram Sabha
❑ Organize panchayats at village, intermediate, ❑ Devolution of powers to perform functions listed in
district levels 11th Schedule
❑ Direct election of all members ❑ Manner of election of chairperson of village
❑ Indirect election of chair at inter & district level panchayat
❑ Reserved seats for SC/ST/Women ❑ Reserved seats for backward classes
❑ Establish SFC (5 years) to review financial position ❑ Authorize Panchayats to levy/collect/appropriate tax
Reason for ineffective performance:

❑ Inadequate devolution of power by States:
• States have not devolved 3Fs (functions, funds, functionaries) to PRIs
• Many state laws have not defined powers of Gram Sabha, or procedure for their functioning.
❑ Excessive control by bureaucracy:
• In some states, Panchayats are placed in subordination to bureaucracy.
• Sarpanches have to visit Block Offices for funds and approvals.
❑ Problem with funds:
• 90% of funds are tied to schemes of Centre/States, leaving little fiscal choice with PRIs
• Panchayats are reluctant to impose tax on people they live with (also due to low paying capacity)
• SFC not appointed on time; its recommendations are not implemented by States.
❑ Poor Infrastructure:
• Many Panchayats lacks full time Secretary, office buildings, database for planning, monitoring etc.
• Members lack education/training, hence unable to perform functions efficiently.
❑ Proxy representation:
• Sarpanch-pati (husband of elected woman) exercise real political power
❑ Elite capture:
• Dominant group in village captures most of the resources devolved to panchayats
❑ Politicization of Panchayats:
• Panchayats represent political parties, instead of institute of local self-govt
Some initiatives:
Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyaan
❑ Umbrella scheme for capacity development of Panchayati Raj Institutions
eGramSwaraj
❑ Portal to show progress of various activities of Panchayati Raj Institutions
People's Plan Campaign / Sabki Yojna Sabka Vikas
❑ Preparation of Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) in campaign mode
❑ Facilitates convergence between PRIs and departments of State govt
Bhuvan Panchayat
❑ ISRO satellite data helps in decentralized planning by Panchayats
Panchayat Audit: AuditOnline
❑ It helps in financial audit of accounts of all three levels of Panchayats
Way forward:
(Students may frame points from issues)
❑ Capacity development of PRIs to enable them to perform functions efficiently.
❑ Involve people in planning process to know about area specific needs.
❑ Use technology (ICT, GIS) to plan, implement, and monitor projects.
❑ Mandatory Social audit through Gram Sabha (on lines of MNREGA)
Also see
class-32 pg-07
NCST
As per a parliamentary committee's recent report,
NCST is dysfunctional for last 4 years.
Issues highlighted by Parliamentary committee:
❑ Number of meetings:
• NCST met only 4 times last year
❑ Huge vacancies:
• Due to lack of applicants as the eligibility criteria is set too high.
❑ Pendency of complaints:
• More than 50% of complaints are yet to be resolved
❑ Pending reports:
• Since 2018, Commission's reports are pending with MoTA, not yet tabled in Parliament.
• e.g. impact of Polavaram Project in Andhra on tribal population
❑ Action by ministries:
• Ministries are not very forthcoming about the acceptance of Commission's recommendations
Recommendations of Parliamentary committee

❑ Fill vacancies immediately as recruitment rules have been suitably revised.
❑ Review budgetary allocation for the Commission so that its functioning does not suffer.
Powers of NCST: (Constitutional body u/a 338-A)

❑ NCST has power to regulate its own procedure.
❑ NCST has powers of a civil court while investigating any matter/complaint.
❑ NCST is consulted by Centre/States on all major policy matters affecting STs.
From Prelims class (society page-05) Report of NCST:

89th Amendment 2003: ❑ NCST submits annual report to the President.
▪ amended Article 338, inserted 338A ❑ President places the reports before Parliament.
▪ replaced "NC for SCST" by two separate ❑ A memo explains the action taken, and reasons
Commissions NCSC NCST for action not taken, on NCST's report.
Article 338 : NCSC
Article 338A : NCST (89th amendment 2003) In 2005, President allocated some functions to NCST for
Article 338B : NCBC (102nd amendment 2018) welfare of STs:
NCST under MoTA, other two MoSJ&E NCST must recommend measures to be taken for:
▪ Conferring ownership rights of minor forest produce to
National Commission for... STs living in forest areas
▪ evaluate working of safeguards, etc ▪ Improve livelihood strategies for STs
▪ evaluate planning, progress, etc ▪ Rehabilitation of STs displaced by development projects
▪ inquire into specific complaints ▪ Ensure full implementation of PESA 1996
▪ give recommendations (non-binding) ▪ Reduce and ultimately eliminate practice of shifting
▪ any other matter referred by President cultivation by tribals
Class-67
Class-1
Agnipath
Agnipath?
Tour of duty scheme to recruit soldiers below the rank of commissioned officers, into the 3 armed forces.
Features:
❑ Recruit 17.5 - 21 age people (23 years upper limit only for 2022 batch)
❑ Creates a new rank in armed forces (different from existing ranks)
❑ Compulsory exit after 4 years of service
Benefits:
❑ Benefits for govt: Low salary expense; Low pension bill
❑ Benefits for Armed forces: Tech savvy armed forces; Younger armed forces
❑ Benefit for youth: 4-year employment for youth; Skill India certificate will help get livelihood after exit
(But no gratuity, no pension, no ex-Servicemen status)
Concerns:
❑ Might not attract best candidates
• as youth will prefer more permanent avenues like police and paramilitary
• e.g. youth prefers civil service over contractual govt jobs
❑ Less training time:
• 6 months training is no replacement for current system of 2-3 years training.
• Russian soldiers with short training period performed disastrously in Ukraine.
❑ Militarization of society:
• Unemployed youth are easy prey of crime syndicates and radical political outfits
Way forward:
❑ Learn from the working of the new scheme, and incorporate necessary changes.
❑ Use innovative methods to inculcate loyalty and camaraderie in quick time.
❑ Steps must be taken to provide assured placement to all Agniveers after four years (placing 20-30k
talented Agniveers should not be difficult as govt is creating lakhs/crores of new jobs every year)
https://indianairforce.nic.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/AgneepathFAQs.pdf
❑ Benefits to Nation:
❑ National integration based on equal opportunity, irrespective of gender & region
❑ Nation building through youth with military ethos in society
❑ Benefits to Armed forces:
❑ Improved battle preparedness through more energetic and trainable youth.
❑ Youthful profile by balancing of youth and experience
❑ Benefit from Skill India by recruiting from Tech institutes
❑ Benefits to Individuals:
❑ Opportunity to fulfil dream of joining the Armed forces
❑ Imbibe military discipline, motivation, skill, fitness.
❑ Smooth integration into society with skill certification.
❑ Good financial package making him more stable than civilian counterparts
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1833747
❑ Average age profile of Armed forces would come down by 4-5 years.
❑ Availability of trained personnel in times of external/internal threats and natural disasters.
❑ Attractive monthly package with Risk and Hardship allowances.
❑ Life insurance of Rs 48 lakh during service.
❑ ‘Seva Nidhi’ will help pursue dreams without financial pressure (normally the case for financially deprived
strata of society)
https://joinindianarmy.nic.in/writereaddata/Portal/Notification/861_1_Terms_and_Conditions_for_Agnipa
th_Scheme.pdf
❑ All Agniveers will be discharged after 4 years of service
❑ 25% will be given opportunity to apply for regular cadre (another 15 years)
❑ Soldiers in regular cadre will be enrolled only after 4 years as Agniveer.
From Prelims class
Following info is more relevant for interview, instead of Mains.

Year Customised Package In Hand (70%) Contribution Contribution to corpus
(Monthly) to Agniveer Corpus Fund (30%) fund by GoI
1st year 30,000 21,000 9,000 9,000
2nd year 33,000 23,100 9,900 9,900
3rd year 36,500 25,580 10,950 10,950
4th year 40,000 28,000 12,000 12,000
Total contribution in Agniveer Corpus Fund after four years Rs 5.02 Lakh Rs 5.02 Lakh
Exit After 4 year Rs 11.71 Lakh as SevaNidhi Package (Including, interest accumulated on the above amount as per the
applicable interest rates would also be paid)
https://www.joinindiannavy.gov.in/en/page/agni
veer-mr.html
Agniveer (MR) – Chef:
→ Prepare food, account for ration
→ Get training in fire arms, etc.
Agniveer (MR) – Steward:
→ Serve food in mess as waiter, do housekeeping
Agniveer (MR) – Hygienist:
→ Maintain hygiene in wash-rooms,
https://indianexpress.com/article/explaine
d/agnipath-scheme-why-age-relaxation-
can-also-become-a-problem-7976158/
Army recruitment:
2015 72k
2016 52k
2017 50k
2018 53k
2019 80k
2020 Nil
2021 Nil
The above numbers are only for Army.
46k Agniveers in 2022 are for all 3 services.
Agnipath recruitment scheme: Why it can help cut the rising salary, pension bill
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/agnipath-recruitment-scheme-why-it-can-help-cut-the-rising-
salary-pension-bill-7970128/
Calculations done by Army in 2020 considered a three-year model. The comparison of cost incurred by the
Government for a Sepoy with 17 years Terms of Engagement as compared to (Tour of Duty) Sepoy with 3
years service, shows that the prospective lifetime savings for just one Sepoy is Rs 11.5 crore. Thus savings for
only 1000 jawans could be Rs 11,000 cr which could then be utilised for the much needed modernisation of
Indian Armed Forces.”
Argument Counter-argument
❑ It’s a new entry scheme ❑ It’s an exit scheme with fancy name. Soldiers were recruited earlier as well.
for soldiers. ❑ The only changes are early exit and no gratuity/pension/ex-Servicemen status
❑ Improves battle ❑ Size of army will reduce by half, impacting border security
preparedness of Army ❑ Hence, it will not be able to fill combatant shortage
❑ It will make army more ❑ Skill to use technologically advanced equipment increases with experience.
tech savvy ❑ Recruitment is of 10th /12th pass, not specialists from universities.
❑ It will reduce ❑ Soldiers were recruited earlier as well.
unemployment ❑ 46k vacancies this year is lowest since 2015.
❑ On exit, youth may get ❑ Paramilitary and police forces will reduce direct recruitment, i.e. lateral
preference in paramilitary recruitment, if any, will be at cost of direct recruitment.
& police forces
❑ Society will benefit from ❑ Unemployed combatant youth could fall prey to lure of crime syndicates and
military discipline & skills radical political outfits
❑ Private sector will get ❑ Problem faced by private sector is lack of skills, not lack of discipline
disciplined youth
❑ ₹ 11 lakh on exit is a good ❑ ₹ 11 lakh is not a reward. It is salary that was not paid for 4 years.
amount to start business ❑ Skills given do not include managerial/administrative/business skills.
❑ Insurance for death and ❑ Previous system had better financial assistance (one time + monthly)
disability
❑ Salary and Pension bill will ❑ MPs/MLAs get lifetime pension for each term
reduce
CAPFs
Suicide and Fratricide cases in CAPFs are on the rise.
Reason for suicide/fratricide in CAPFs:

❑ Strenuous environment impacts mental health
• Long exposure to counter-insurgency & counter-terror environment
❑ Lack of sleep due to extended hours of duty
• 85,000 vacancies in CAPFs are unfilled (2022 data)
❑ Commandants are burdened with administrative work
• This leaves little time to know the troops
❑ Abuse by superiors
• Perceived humiliation/harassment by superiors serves as final trigger for suicide/fratricide
❑ Delay in promotion and lack of career progression
• Top posts are occupied by IPS officers, not force's own officers
❑ Lack of grievance redressal
• Senior officers hesitate to address grievances due to lack of insight about the issues.
❑ Family issues
• Inability to take care of family in times of need
Impact:
❑ Low morale of personnel
❑ Incidents of indiscipline, fratricide, suicide
❑ Inadequate maintenance of arms and equipment
Steps taken to improve mental health of personnel:

❑ Defence Institute of Psychological Research
▪ is conducting studies to help in stress management
❑ CRPF conducts weekly "Chaupals"
▪ informal meeting where personnel can informally share personal problems
❑ Stress management workshops
▪ regular workshops and lectures are conducted to reduce mental stress
Suggestions:
❑ Early identification and counselling of stressed soldiers
❑ Use technology to reduce burden on manpower (use of cameras and sensors)
❑ Stress management sessions and mental health programs by qualified psychiatrists
Central Armed Police Forces: CAPFs:

Border Guarding Forces Border guarding: BSF, ITBP, SSB, AR
(AR) Assam Rifles - Myanmar border; insurgency in NE Internal security: CISF, CRPF
(BSF) Border Security Force - Pak & Bangla borders Special Task: NSG
(ITBP) Indo-Tibetan Border Police - China border
(SSB) Sashastra Seema Bal - Nepal & Bhutan borders
Forces for Internal Security Data:
(CISF) Central Industrial Security Force ❑ 47,000 resigned or took voluntary
(CRPF) Central Reserve Police Force retirement during 2016-2020
Special Task Force ❑ 345 suicides during 2017-2019
(NSG) National Security Guard ❑ 25 fratricides during 2019-2021
BSF
❑ Centre has extended BSF’s jurisdiction in some border areas.
❑ It will enable BSF to search, seize and make arrest in more areas.
❑ It does not give BSF power to investigate crimes.
Why was this step taken?
❑ Unconventional threats are rising in border areas
• Drones dropping weapons, drugs, etc.
❑ Limitation of State police
• Preoccupied with regular policing functions
Problem with such step:
❑ Coordination issues
• due to overlapping jurisdiction of state police and BSF
❑ Lack of sensitivity to local needs
• Police has better understanding of local culture, which central forces lack
❑ Lack of accountability
• Locals can easily complain against abuse of power by police, but not by BSF
❑ Challenges Federalism
• Law & Order is state subject
• Centre's involvement in policing infringes upon power of states
Assam Rifles
❑ It is the oldest paramilitary force of India
❑ It was formed in 1835 as Cachar Levy to protect British tea estates against tribal raids
❑ It played important role in 1962 China war, 1988-90 peacekeeping in Sri Lanka, etc.
❑ Today it plays important role in:
• Securing Myanmar and China borders
• Conducting counter-insurgency ops in NE
Some issues:
❑ Dual control with MHA and MoD
❑ Retirement age is 60 years, while its 35 years in Army
❑ Demand for One Rank One Pension on lines of Army
❑ Lack of avenues for promotion as top posts are filled from Army
Issue of Dual control:
❑ It is the only paramilitary force with a dual control structure.
❑ Administrative control is with MHA
• MHA controls salaries, infra, etc.
❑ Operational control is with MoD (Army)
• MoD controls deployment, posting, transfer
• The force is commanded by Lieutenant General from Army.
• All its senior ranks, from DG to IG and sector headquarters, are held by Army officers.
❑ Both ministries have been pushing to get full control of AR.
Martyr / Shaheed
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/indian-army-martyr-term-objection-7842487/
Explained: Why Indian Armed Forces don’t use the term ‘martyr’ for personnel who die in the line of duty
❑ The word ‘martyr’ has religious connotations
• It referred to sacrifice made by people for their religious beliefs, particularly in Christianity.
❑ The word ‘shaheed’, is used as a Hindustani alternative to the word ‘martyr’
• It is linked to the concept of Shahadat in Islam.
❑ Hence, use of such words for Indian armed forces is found wrong as:
• Armed forces of India are not associated with any one religion
• Armed forces personnel do not lay down their lives for religious principles
❑ In February 2022, Army issued a letter to all its commands asking them to desist from using such words.
• They have been asked to use phrases such as ‘laid down their lives’, ‘killed in action’, ‘supreme
sacrifice for the nation’, ‘fallen heroes’, ‘Indian Army braves and fallen soldiers’, ‘battle casualty’,
‘bravehearts’, ‘braves whom we lost’, and veergati/veergati prapt/veer.
Refer class-46 pg-02 for use
Emerging Technologies of tech in securing borders
Emerging Technology:
❑ Technologies under active development, which can have significant impact on existing processes.
❑ Technology whose development and applications, are still largely unrealized.
❑ AI, Blockchain, Robotics, 3D printing, Nanotechnology, Gene editing, etc.
How is technology impacting national security?

❑ Newer threats are emerging
• Use of Drones for cross-border smuggling of arms/drugs, breaching VVIP security, etc.
❑ Difficulty in regulating private sector
• Innovations in private sector can have defence application, which is difficult to regulate.
❑ Use by non-state actors
• ISIS and Al-Qaeda use social media to recruit terrorists.
❑ Threat to public order
• Deepfake videos can be used to spread misinformation and instigate the masses
❑ WMDs Weapons of mass destruction
• Bio-chemical weapons can be used to indirectly wage war against nations
Some more examples

❑ Drones: (class-17)
• Cross-border smuggling of weapons, drugs, fake notes, etc.
• Recce/attack on sensitive installations (VVIP, military)
❑ Robots and Autonomous systems:
• Can guard in extreme climatic conditions and difficult terrain (Desert, mountains)
❑ Quantum communication:
• Chinese satellite Micius provides secure communication that cannot be intercepted.
❑ Quantum computer:
• Can break highly encrypted messages
❑ All weather satellite surveillance
• RISAT satellites use microwaves to give live data even during night and cloudy conditions
❑ Satellite internet:
• Starlink is providing high-speed secure internet to Ukraine forces
Steps taken by DRDO

❑ Development-cum-Production Partner (DcPP) policy
• Involves private sector from beginning itself, to reduce development-to-induction time.
❑ No fee for Transfer of Technology (ToT) by DRDO to its industry partners
• This will enhance capabilities and competitiveness of Indian industries in global market.
❑ Technology Development Fund
• Provides financial support to private sector, to develop innovative defence products
Way forward:
❑ PPP model for R&D with private sector.
❑ Joint projects with universities and start-ups.
❑ International collaboration with like-minded countries.
❖ Technology is a double-edged sword.

❖ It is a crucial asset, as well as threat, to national security.
❖ Leadership in technology is an important asset for major global powers.
❖ Hence, India should invest its resources to gain upper hand in cutting edge technologies.
Technology in Law Enforcement
Awareness generation
▪ Use Social media to increase awareness about laws (Mumbai police is quite popular on Twitter)
▪ Aware citizens can report traffic rules violation on FB page of Delhi Traffic Police
Make police more accessible
▪ Online filing of lost report, facility to download FIR, etc.
▪ e.g. Saanjh portal of Punjab police provides many citizen-centric services
Emergency assistance
▪ Mobile app for sharing location in real-time and police assistance
▪ e.g. Himmat app of Delhi Police
Preventing crime
▪ Identify crime patterns and crime hot spots using data analytics and AI
▪ e.g. Punjab found that snatching incidents peak at 8 pm in rural areas and 10 pm in cities
Preventing riots
▪ Social media chatter can alert about potential riots
▪ Countering rumours and fake news can help maintain law & order
Evidence collection / Scientific investigation
▪ Forensic evidence collection helps in faster identification of suspects
▪ Body-worn cameras for better evidence collection and reduce chances of bribe
Suspect tracking
▪ Facial recognition technology e.g. NAFRS
▪ AI can be used to match finger prints, voice samples, etc.
▪ Mobile monitoring to track suspects using IMEI number, Call Detail Records, etc.
Cyber-crimes
▪ Separate cell in police to tackle cyber-crime complaints
▪ Strengthen cybersecurity like Cyberdome initiative of Kerala police
Traffic management
▪ License plate reader for traffic rules violation (red light jumping, over speeding, etc)
▪ Smart traffic signals that adjust timing as per traffic load
▪ Drones to monitor traffic movement and crowd management
Challenges:
❑ Funds for deploying new technology, and its maintenance
❑ Training of police personnel for efficient use of technology
❑ Preventing data misuse and ensure privacy of citizens
❑ Mass surveillance through mobile tracking and facial recognition
❑ Controlling dissent by confiscating & analysing mobile/laptop devices.
❖ Technology can act as a force multiplier for police forces in India.

❖ Police to population ratio in India is less than 150 per lakh people (UN recommends 222)
❖ Technology in itself is not a panacea for better policing
❖ Technology adoption must be accompanied by reforms to free police from political control.
❖ Technology is a double-edged sword in law enforcement
❖ It can be used to improve law & order, or be misused establish a police state.
(Police state: Govt that controls activities of citizens using law enforcement agencies)
From Prelims class
Class-68
Class-1
Money Laundering
Black money:
❑ Income not reported to government
❑ Source of Black money:
▪ Hiding income from legal activities (eg under-reporting factory production, selling of property)
▪ Hiding income from illegal activities (eg bribe, trafficking drugs/arms/humans)
What is Money laundering? (ML is aka Jama Kharchi)

❑ Converting black money to white money
Why is it done?
❑ To reduce tax outgo, by under-reporting income
❑ To keep illegal activities hidden from govt (bribe, trafficking)
❑ To enjoy benefits of illicit money without fear
How is Money laundering done? Placement Layering Integration

1) Placement → Placing money into financial system
▪ Black money is introduced into the financial system
▪ eg through Shell companies, through cryptocurrency, etc.
2) Layering → Transferring money to hide origin of funds
▪ Multiple transactions are done to hide origin of funds
▪ Money goes out of India, flows between various companies, comes back to India as foreign
income / FDI / political donations by Indian subsidiary of foreign company, etc.
3) Integration → Returning money for the launderer to spend
▪ Purchase of luxury assets, industrial investments, etc.
Tech and ML:

❑ Encrypted messaging apps helps in exchange of info about ML.
❑ Purchasing Cryptocurrency to place money into the financial system.
❑ Large volume of small digital transactions are done to break big amount. (Smurfing)
Globalisation and ML
❑ International organised crime networks use ML to conceal proceeds of crime.
❑ Tax havens like Cayman Island, Panama etc. provides assistance in ML and tax evasion.
❑ Distribution of assets across countries prevents punitive action by authorities due to coordination issues.
Measures at national level

❑ PMLA 2002 criminalises money laundering as a cognisable, non-bailable offence.
❑ Financial Intelligence Unit coordinates efforts of national and international agencies against ML.
Measures at international level:

❑ 1988 Vienna Convention:
▪ It was the first major initiative against money laundering.
❑ 1989 FATF:
▪ Inter-governmental body to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing.
❑ 1997 ICIJ: (International Consortium of Investigative Journalists)
▪ Investigates matters of cross-border crime & corruption
▪ Exposed tax evasion and ML through Panama Papers, Paradise Papers, Pandora Papers
PMLA 2002
Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002
❑ Defines money laundering:
▪ Anyone connected with proceeds of crime shall be guilty of money laundering
❑ Objectives:
▪ To prevent money laundering
▪ To seize property obtained from laundered money
❑ It was enacted to fulfil India’s international commitment to combat money laundering.
▪ 1998 UNGA special session asked members to enact laws against money laundering
Issues with amendments in PMLA?

❑ Burden of proof is on accused, not ED:
▪ But in criminal laws, accused is innocent until proven guilty.
❑ Violates Article 20 - accused is forced to be witness against himself:
▪ Section 63: info must be given by accused. False or no info will constitute another offence.
▪ Article 20: No person accused of any offence shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.
▪ Compelling the accused to be witness against himself violates right against self-incrimination.
❑ Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR):
▪ ECIR (equivalent of FIR), is considered an “internal document” and not given to the accused.
▪ Hence, accused does not even know allegations against him.
❑ Low conviction rate:
▪ 2014-2022 data: 3000 raids conducted, 888 chargesheets filed, only 23 people convicted.
❑ Process itself is punishment:
▪ PMLA can be misused against political rivals or dissenters, as process itself is the punishment.
News:
❑ Since 2015, PMLA has been amended, through Money Bills. For Money bill, refer class-5 pg-03.
❑ In July 2022, SC upheld constitutional validity of PMLA amendments and ED’s power under the act.
❑ SC is yet to decide if it was correct to amend PMLA through Money Bill.
July 2022 SC ruling:

❑ Burden of proof:
▪ Presumption of innocence is a human right, but it can be interdicted by law.
▪ Centre had told SC that presumption of innocence is not a constitutional guarantee.
❑ Enforcement Case Information Report
▪ ECIR cannot be equated with an FIR
▪ Providing ECIR to accused is not mandatory
▪ It is enough to just disclose grounds for arrest
❑ Upheld ED's powers
▪ to arrest, seize property, etc.
Note for students:

❑ Money laundering is not just about having vaults of cash, its about converting illicit money into assets.
❑ Similarly, corruption is not just about bribe, its about Quid pro quo, crony capitalism, favouritism, etc.
Myth Fact
Black money is held in ❑ Most black money is held in assets like gold, property, etc.
cash ❑ That's why demonetisation did not wipe out black money
Ending cash, or becoming ❑ Corruption happens through Quid pro quo, crony capitalism, favouritism.
digital, will end corruption ❑ Petty bribes are paid in cash, but big-ticket scams are not based on cash.
All corruption involves ❑ Quid pro quo, crony capitalism, favouritism involves no cash
transfer of cash ❑ In 2014, Baba Ramdev said ban Rs 500/1000 notes as people can’t take Rs
100 crore bribe in Rs 20 notes.
Works under: Director:
CBI → CVC (in corruption cases) ❑ Appointed as per Lokpal Act 2013
→ DoPT (for all other matters) ❑ Selection Committee: PM, LoP, CJI
CBI: Consent:
❑ 1941: Special Police Establishment against corruption ❑ CBI needs state govt consent, for new cases,
in War & Supply department during WW-II from that state.
❑ 1946: Delhi Special Police Establishment Act 1946 ❑ General consent:
▪ CBI derives powers from this act ❑ no need to take consent each time
▪ But CBI is “not” statutory body ❑ Many states have withdrawn it,
❑ 1963: named as CBI by a Home Ministry resolution alleging misuse for political purpose.
❑ Consent not needed:
ED ❑ if directed by SC/HC
Enforcement Directorate: (1956) ❑ for UTs
❑ under Dept of Revenue, FinMin
❑ to investigate money laundering and foreign Term of Directors of CBI & ED:
exchange violations ❑ Both have term of 2 years
❑ It enforces laws: ❑ Since 2021, they can be given three extensions
▪ Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 of one year each.
▪ Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 ❑ So, they can now remain as Director for 5 years
▪ Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 max.
Civil Service Board Prelims 2016:

Consider the following statements
▪ In 2013, SC asked all states to create CSB
1. The Chief Secretary in a State is appointed by the
▪ All states have not formed CSB
Governor of that State.
▪ In 2020, Punjab was 20th
2. The Chief Secretary in a State has a fixed tenure
▪ Headed by:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
▪ Centre: Cabinet Secretary
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
▪ States: Chief Secretary
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
▪ Decides on postings, transfers, etc.
Commissionerate system

Submarines
Importance of submarines
❑ Surprise attack:
• They can remain submerged for many days, and attack with low chances of detection
❑ Intelligence gathering:
• They can monitor naval activity of other countries (Chinese subs are doing this in IOR)
❑ Sea port security:
• They can lay mines around enemy ports and in shipping channels.
❑ Escort Aircraft carriers:
• They conduct reconnaissance missions before surface force enters an area.
❑ Nuclear triad:
• They reduce possibility of enemy destroying all nuclear assets.
• Hence, they present credible nuclear deterrence (second strike capability).
Project 75 / Kalvari-class submarines

❑ Six diesel-electric submarines, based on Scorpène-class, for Indian Navy.
❑ Being constructed at Mazagon Dock in Mumbai, under Transfer of Technology from DCNS France.
❑ Timeline:
▪ 2005: Transfer of Tech agreement signed
▪ 2015: 1st sub launched
▪ 2022: 6th sub launched (5th & 6th are yet to be commissioned)
❑ There are plans to fit them with Air-Independent propulsion (imported or those made by DRDO)
❑ Navy recently invited bids for Project 75-I
❑ But condition is to have sea-proven fuel cell based AIP system
❑ Hence, many potential bidders have withdrawn from the process
Air Independent Propulsion Technology

❑ Diesel-electric sub:
❑ Must surface every 2-3 days, to get oxygen from air, so that diesel engine can recharge batteries.
❑ This make them prone to detection by enemy, and hence expose their location.
❑ Diesel-electric sub with AIP system:
❑ sub can remain submerged for much longer time (2-3 weeks).
❑ This increases their lethality by better under-water endurance and stealth.
Types of submarines
SSK: diesel-electric submarine
SSN: powered by nuclear reactor, can remain submerged for weeks, can launch conventional missiles
SSBN: powered by nuclear reactor, can remain submerged for weeks, can launch nuclear missiles
Nuclear submarines: Number of submarines:

❑ (Russian) INS Chakra-I : 1987-1990 ❑ China 70: SSK (50) + SSN (12) + SSBN (7)
❑ (Russian) INS Chakra-II : 2012-2021 ❑ India 16: SSK (15) + SSN (0) + SSBN (1)
❑ (Russian) INS Chakra-III : 2025 (expected)
❑ (Indian) INS Arihant :
▪ 2009 launched, 2016 commissioned Nuclear triad:
❑ (Indian) INS Arighat : ❑ ability to launch nuclear missile by land, air, submarine.
▪ under trials ❑ India has nuclear triad?
❑ Advanced Technology Vessel Project:
launched in 1984; to build nuclear submarines Yes (2016 Arihant commissioned)
Aircraft carrier
India's first indigenous Aircraft Carrier, INS Vikrant, has been
commissioned.
Aircraft Carriers:
❑ A large ship that allows fighter jets to operate.
❑ As floating airbase, it allows countries to project airpower
worldwide, without depending on local air bases.
Notable role:
1971 Indo-Pak war:
➢ INS Vikrant enforced naval blockade of East Pakistan
1941 Pearl Harbour attack:
➢ Japan used six ACs to carry 400 planes to attack US base
Significance of Aircraft Carriers (for India):

❑ To counter China’s increasing presence in IOR
❑ China plans to have 5 carriers by 2030
❑ Helps secure India's interests in the maritime domain
❑ Gives ability to project air power over long distances
❑ Necessary for regional power to become global superpower
Does India need three ACs / IAC-2 / INS Vishal ?

❑ Yes:
❑ India has a long coastline of 7517 km
❑ Peninsular India needs protection from two sides 2004 Ordered
❑ With two carriers guarding IOR, third carrier can be under 2009 Construction began
2013 Launched
maintenance or be sent to project power globally. 2022 Commissioned
❑ No:
❑ They are very expensive to build and maintain
❑ In the East, India already has an unsinkable AC in the
form of A&N islands. (class-45)
Challenges with Aircraft Carriers:

❑ Huge cost
❑ More than $2 billion for INS Vikramaditya
❑ More than $3 billion for INS Vikrant
❑ Technologically challenging In-service ACs:
❑ Only few countries have been able to manufacture ACs 11 - USA
❑ Need compatible jets 02 - UK, India, China, Italy
❑ AC is useless if the jets it hosts are not capable enough 01 - Russia, France, Spain, Brazil,
❑ Jets take-off with less missiles due to limitations on Thailand
aircraft weight.
❑ Sitting duck Currently, only USA & France
❑ Needs to be escorted by destroyers, frigates and have nuclear-powered ACs.
submarines.
❑ AC are often considered as sitting ducks for anti-ship Carrier Battle Group:
missiles. AC and its escorts ships/subs
CATOBAR: STOBAR:
Catapult Assisted Take Off, Barrier Arrested Recovery Short Take Off, Barrier Arrested Recovery
▪ Jets launch using catapult (steam or electric powered) ▪ Jets launch by their own power using ski-jump
▪ Jets land using arrestor wires. ▪ Jets land using arrestor wires.
▪ More expensive to install and maintain due to catapult. ▪ Less expensive due to absence of catapult.
▪ Heavy jets can be launched, can carry more weapons. ▪ Needs lighter jets, can carry limited weapons.
▪ Used by USA, France. ▪ Used by India, China, Russia
Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft
Fifth-generation fighter (FGFA) Sukhoi/HAL FGFA (India-Russia)
❑ They are the most advanced fighters in operation based on improved Sukhoi Su-57
❑ Most of their technologies were developed in 21st century 2007: Joint study started
❑ Some features: stealth, super-cruise, advanced avionics, 2010: Contract signed
highly integrated computer for situation awareness. 2018: India pulled out
❑ FGFAs in operation: HAL AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft)
1) USA F-22 Raptor 2010: Feasibility studies started
2) USA F-35 Lightning-II 2013: Design phase began
3) China Chengdu J-20 2016: Design accepted by IAF
4) Russia Sukhoi Su-57 2025: First flight of prototype expected
India needs FGFA because: Since FGFA will take time, focus should be on:
▪ China already has FGFA ▪ Expand fleet: faster induction of Tejas & Rafale
▪ Pak is in talks with China to buy FGFA ▪ Upgrade fleet: better avionics and missiles on Su-30
▪ Su-30 & Rafale are 4.5 generation fighters ▪ More air bases: especially along China border
And some usual points:

▪ Cost, Technology, training, etc.
▪ Involve academia, private companies, other countries
Also see:
Weapons of Mass Destruction Class-44 pg-08 NPT
Class-11 pg-05 Bio-terror
Weapons of Mass Destruction:
Nuclear, Biological, or Chemical (NBC) weapons intended to harm large number of people and infra.
UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004):
Countries should take steps to prevent proliferation of WMDs to non-state actors.
WMDs and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Act, 2022
❑ 2005 Act prohibits unlawful activities related to WMDs (and their delivery systems)
• It has provisions to prevent export, or transfer to non-state actors/terrorists, any material/tech
related to WMDs
❑ Recently, UNSC & FATF have recommended steps to prevent financing of proliferation of WMDs
• Hence, to fulfil our international obligation, 2022 amendment has been brought.
❑ Objectives of 2022 amendment:
1) prohibit financing of any activity related to WMD
2) empower Centre to seize any assets related to such financing
Chemical weapons:
❑ intentional release of chemicals to inflict death or harm on humans.
❑ Choking agents, like phosgene, attacks respiratory system
❑ Blister agents, like mustard gas, burns skin and blinds people
❑ Nerve agents, like Novichok, interferes with brain's messages to muscles
❑ Chemical Weapons Convention 1993
▪ Countries must destroy and prohibit, all chemical weapons.
▪ 193 members, including India.
Biological weapons:
❑ Intentional release of disease causing organisms or toxins
❑ They are made of two parts: a weaponized agent and a delivery mechanism.
❑ Biological Weapons Convention 1972
▪ Countries must destroy and prohibit, all biological weapons.
▪ 184 members, including India.
Cluster bomb & Vacuum bomb

Russia has been accused for using cluster bombs and vacuum bombs in the ongoing Ukraine war.
Cluster munitions:
❑ Weapon that scatters small bombs over a large area
❑ It is a non-precision weapon, to kill humans or damage infra, over a large area.
❑ Issues:
• It indiscriminately kills large number of civilians
• Unexploded sub-munitions pose threat to people long after war is over
❑ Convention on Cluster Munitions 2008
• Prohibits countries from making/using cluster bombs
• 110 members (Russia, Ukraine, India are not members)
Thermobaric bomb (vacuum bomb) (aerosol bomb or fuel air explosive)

❑ They use oxygen from air for a large, high-temperature blast.
❑ They work through two explosions:
❑ 1st explosion: releases cloud of fuel & metal over large area
❑ 2nd explosion: ignites the aerosol into a giant fire ball
❑ Blast waves can destroy buildings and vaporise humans
❑ There is no specific convention to ban them.
Defence
Integrated Guided Missile Development Plan (1982-2008) Prelims 2014:
With reference to Agni-IV missile, which
Purpose Range Fuel Nuclear of the following statements are correct?
1,2 Liquid 3 is Dhanush 1. It is surface-to surface missile.
Prithvi Surface-to-surface 100, 350 ✓
3 solid (Navy) 2. It is fuelled by liquid propellant only
Akash Surface-to-Air 30, 70 Solid X 3. It can deliver one-tonne nuclear
Trishul Surface-to-Air 9 Solid X warheads about 7500 km away.
Namika, Helina, Select the correct answer
Nag Anti-Tank 20 Solid X
Sant, Dhruvastra (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only
Agni Surface-to-surface700-5000 Solid ✓ (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Agni-1: 700 km
Agni-2: 2000 km
Agni-3: 3000 km
Agni-4: 4000 km
Agni-5: 5000 km
Agni-P: advanced
version of Agni-1
Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme:

❑ Two tiered defence.
❑ For endo-atmospheric defence- Ashwin (Advanced Air defence)
❑ For exo-atmospheric defence- Pradyumna (Prithvi Air Defence)
❑ They were first tested in 2007 and improved continuously.
❑ Latest version can shoot down targets moving at 10 km/s in orbits as high as 1200 km.
❑ Used in 27 March, 2019 Mission Shakti.

Prelims 2021 Current Affairs Science & Tech Page-46 © All Inclusive IAS
❖ Pinaka: Indigenous multi barrel rocket
launch system; range 40 km
❖ Ulka, Fluffy, Abhyas: aerial targets for
practicing anti-missile systems
❖ Saras: indigenous passenger aircraft
❖ Apache: fighter helicopter of USA,
purchased by India
❖ Chinook: helicopter of USA; has two
horizontal rotors; purchased by India
❖ C-17, C-130, C-295: military transport
aircrafts
❖ Derby and Python-5: Air-to-Air Missiles SAAW
❖ Netra: Airborne Early Warning And
Control made by ISRO. Radar on airplane
❖ Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon: glide bomb;
for ground targets; range 100 km
❖ Arjun: Main Battle Tank Fighter jets:
Arjun France: Rafale, Mirage 2000
❖ Dhanush: artillery gun Russia : Sukhoi-30, MiG-29
❖ Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of India : Tejas
Torpedo: for anti-submarine ops; range None is 5th generation
600 km
SMART
Iron dome:
anti-missile/rocket
system of Israel
Aircraft carriers:
❑ 1961-1997: INS Vikrant (from UK)
❑ 1987-2017: INS Viraat (from UK)
❑ 2013- : INS Vikramaditya (from Russia)
❑ 2022- : INS Vikrant (IAC-1)

BrahMos: ❑ Supersonic: > Mach 1
Rudram: (Range 200 km)
❑ by India and Russia ❑ Hypersonic: > Mach 5
❑ 1st indigenous anti-radiation missile
❑ against electronic surveillance ❑ 300-500 km; Mach 3
❑ Can be launched from fighter jets ❑ world's fastest cruise missile
❑ DRDO; started in 2012; 2016 first flight ❑ Fuel: 1st stage Solid, 2nd stage Liquid
❑ Many tests; induction in IAF by 2022 ❑ can be launched from any platform
❑ Hypersonic version being developed
QRSAM: Barak 8: S-400: Shaurya missile:

❑ by DRDO ❑ LRSAM, MRSAM ❑ Russian SAM ❑ by DRDO
❑ 30 km; Mach 4 ❑ by India and Israel ❑ 400 km; Mach 6 ❑ Surface-to-Surface
❑ For moving army ❑ SAM; 150 km; Mach 3 ❑ China, India, etc. ❑ 2000 km; Mach 7
❑ Nuclear capable

Which one of the following is the best What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defence”
description of ‘INS Astradharini’, that (THAAD), sometimes seen in the news?
was in the news recently? (a) An Israeli radar system
(a) Amphibious warfare ship (b) India's indigenous anti-missile Programme
(b) Nuclear-powered submarine (c) An American anti missile system
(c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel (d) A defence collaboration between Japan and
(d) Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier South Korea
Nuclear submarines: Varunastra:

❑ (Russian) INS Chakra-I : 1987-1990 ❑ indigenous anti-submarine torpedo
like underwater cruise missile; 40 km
❑ (Russian) INS Chakra-II : 2012-2021
❑ (Russian) INS Chakra-III : 2025 (expected) Nuclear triad:
❑ (Indian) INS Arihant : 2009 ❑ ability to launch nuclear missile by land,
❑ (Indian) INS Arighat : under trials air, submarine.
❑ Advanced Technology Vessel Project: ❑ India has nuclear triad?
launched in 1984; to build nuclear submarines Yes (2016 Arihant commissioned)
Nanosniffer: Coastal Radar Stations:

❑ Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Seychelles; plan for more
❑ Indigenous; by IITs (not DRDO)
❑ Gives result in seconds.
Navy's centres to monitor traffic in IOR:
❑ Can detect nano-gram quantity of explosives
❑ Info Management & Analysis Centre (after 26/11)
❑ world’s first Explosive Trace Detector using
❑ Info Fusion Centre for Indian Ocean Region
microsensor technology
❑ Both in Gurugram
Project-75:
❑ Six scorpene submarines built in India with French help.
❑ Kalvari (2015), Khanderi (2017), Karanj (2018), Vela (2019), Vagir (2020), Vagsheer.
❑ Diesel powered, not nuclear. Air Independent Propulsion enables 21 days underwater stay.
Project-75i: Innovations For Defence Excellence (iDEX)

Project-17A, 18, 28: ❑ Promote innovation, involve private
❑ similar to Project-75
❑ frigates ❑ initiative launched in 2018
❑ Subs may be bigger

Class-69
Class-1
Gaganyaan
Challenges:
❑ Replicating human environment:
▪ Maintaining optimum temperature & humidity, supplying oxygen, removing CO2, etc.
▪ Human waste storing/recycling technology, with limited power/weight.
❑ Dangers from space environment:
▪ There is no atmosphere to protect astronauts from Sun's radiation
▪ Space radiation can damage human DNA, cells and tissues.
❑ Launch and re-entry systems:
▪ GSLV Mk-III has completed only 4 launches (PSLV has done 55 launces)
▪ High temperature at atmospheric re-entry is a complicated process
▪ eg Space Shuttle Columbia was destroyed due to high re-entry temperature (February 1, 2003)
❑ Competing needs for funds and manpower:
▪ Defence satellites for border security, Navy communication, etc urgently needed
▪ International projects like NISAR satellites with NASA
▪ Commercial projects like developing SSLV for more profitable launches for other countries
Due to the complicated nature of mission, two un-manned missions will be conducted before the final
manned mission. (#1 empty, #2 robot vyommitra, #3 humans)
https://www.isro.gov.in/frequently-asked-questions/gaganyaan
Gaganyaan: Program to demonstrate indigenous capability to undertake human space flight mission to LEO.
Likely benefits of Gaganyaan programme:
❑ Develop advanced technologies for human space exploration
❑ Conduct scientific experiments in interest of the nation.
❑ Inspire youth to take up career in S&T
❑ Use human spaceflight programme as a potent foreign policy tool (just like SAARC / South Asia satellite)
❑ Develop capability to collaborate in global space station development
New technologies required for Gaganyaan programme:
❑ Human rated launch vehicle
❑ Crew escape systems
❑ Habitable orbital module
❑ Life support system
❑ Crew selection and training and associated crew management activities
Plans after Gaganyaan programme:
❑ Develop capability for sustained human presence in space.
❑ Develop Indian space station to conduct scientific and industrial research.
Indian Human Spaceflight Programme
Timeline of Indian Human Space flight Programme:

Reusable
Launch
Vehicle
Target
ISRO recommends ❑ GSLV Mk-III
manned space mission ❑ Crew module Atmospheric
 RLV-TD Re-entry Experiment
Future → work starts under name RLV-TD (looks like space
"Orbital vehicle" shuttle, not for present
Gaganyaan mission)
Space Capsule
Recovery Experiment
❑ Pad Abort Test
❑ Gaganyaan
Biggest challenge announced
was launch vehicle.
Developed by 2014
Rakesh Sharma: Manned mission to space:

Gaganyaan programme:
❑ the only Indian citizen in space
❑ two unmanned missions USSR, USA, China
❑ 3 April 1984 in Soyuz T-11
❑ one manned mission
❑ three Indians;
❑ in LEO (400km); April 12, 1961 1st man in space Yuri Gagarin
1963 st
1 woman in space Valentina Tereshkova
❑ for 7 days
❑ by GSLV Mk-III 1965 1st space walk Alexei Leonov
July 20, 1969 1st man on moon Neil Armstrong
PSLV GSLV
Small Satellite Launch Vehicle;

SSLV Under development; for small satellites. Prelims 2018:
With reference to India's satellite launch vehicles,
❑ NSIL will get it made with private players consider the following statements:
❑ Will have 3 stages, all will use solid fuel 1. PSLVs launch the satellite useful for Earth
❑ 500 kg satellite mass into 500 km LEO resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are
designed mainly to launch communication
Prelims 2007: satellites.
Consider the following statements: 2. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain
1. In the year 2006, India successfully tested a full permanently fixed in same position in the sky,
fledged cryogenic stage in rocketry. as viewed from a particular location in Earth.
2. After USA, Russia and China, India is the only 3. GSLV Mk III is a four-staged launch vehicle with
country to have acquired the capability for use of the first and third stages using solid rocket
cryogenic stage in rocketry. motors; and the second and fourth stages using
Which of the above statements are correct? liquid rocket engines.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only Which of the above statements are correct?
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 2 (d) 3 only

Also see:
Artemis Accords Class-45 pg-6 for space treaty
What are Artemis Accords? Class-58 pg-6,7 for moon
❑ Bilateral agreements of US with countries for space exploration.
❑ They are based on principles like: peaceful use, interoperability, emergency assistance, releasing scientific
data, safe disposal of debris, etc.
Aim of Artemis program:

❑ Return humans to moon by 2025
❑ Use moon as base camp for future missions to Mars and beyond.
Criticism:
❑ It reinforces US hegemony
▪ The accords are bilateral agreements, and not any international treaty.
❑ It excludes China due to 2011 Wolf amendment
▪ It prohibits NASA from cooperating with China
❑ It violates Outer Space Treaty
▪ Outer Space Treaty forbids nations from staking claim to another planetary body
▪ But the accords allows nations to lay claim to resources extracted from celestial objects
India should join because:

❑ Learning opportunity for Indian Space programs:
▪ Gaganyaan mission may benefit from manned flight component of Artemis program
▪ Lupex mission of India-Japan for moon may get a boost from Artemis program
▪ Chandrayaan-2 could not meet mission objectives (failed to soft land on moon)
❑ Indian companies will benefit:
▪ Indian companies will become part of global supply chain of space components
▪ Indian space start-ups may benefit from capital and tech inflow
❑ India may be left behind
▪ India may not join Russia-China led ILRS program
▪ Japan, S. Korea, UK, France, Australia, etc have joined Artemis program.
▪ By not joining either, India will have no option but to go alone.
India should not join because:

❑ It is not international treaty:
▪ Artemis accords are bilateral agreements with USA, not international treaty/convention
❑ Indian Space Program will suffer:
▪ India will need to align its resources with Artemis program
▪ This will create shortage of funds and manpower for programs like Chandrayaan, Gaganyaan, etc.
❑ Maintain strategic autonomy:
▪ India should join neither US led Artemis, not Russia led ILRS.
▪ India should make project based associations with countries, e.g. LUPEX
▪ (But future of space is not about sending a rover to moon, its about setting up human
habitations on moon, bringing back minerals, using moon as base for Mars mission, etc.)
Extra info: Moon Treaty 1979
(Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and other Celestial Bodies)
❑ Moon should be used for benefit of all countries
❑ Lunar resources should be equitably shared by all countries
❑ No country can lay sovereign claim to lunar resources
❑ Bans altering environmental balance of celestial bodies
❑ Bans any military use of celestial bodies
Moon Treaty is not relevant because:
❑ Only 18 countries have joined the treaty
❑ USA, Russia, China, did not sign it.
❑ India signed it, but did not ratify.
Perhaps, India should formally exit the treaty, and join Artemis program.
Liquid Mirror Telescope
International Liquid Mirror Telescope
❑ It has a 4 metre wide rotating mirror, with a thin film of liquid mercury
❑ It has been set up at Devasthal in Nainital, Uttarakhand
❑ It has been jointly developed by India, Belgium, Canada, Poland and Uzbekistan.
❑ It is expected to start giving scientific data from October 2022.
Liquid-mirror telescope:
❑ Telescope whose mirrors are made of reflective liquid.
❑ Mercury is the most commonly used liquid.
How its different:

❑ Conventional telescope
▪ They have highly polished glass mirrors.
▪ They are steered/tilted to focus on targeted celestial object.
❑ Liquid Mirror Telescope:
▪ They use reflective liquid, instead of glass.
▪ They are stationary, hence cannot be steered/tilted to study particular object.
Construction:
It has a very simple construction, mainly three components are required:
❑ Dish with liquid metal (mostly mercury)
❑ Air bearing on which the dish sits
❑ Drive system (to rotate the dish)
Working:
❑ Dish is rotated at a constant speed around a vertical axis.
❑ Due to rotation, surface of liquid assumes parabolic shape.
❑ This parabolic reflector acts like a mirror of a reflecting telescope.
Advantage:
❑ Low cost: They cost just 5% of similar sized conventional telescope.
Disadvantage:
❑ They can only be pointed straight up. Hence, objects cannot be physically tracked.
Application / use:
(Students can simply write some general applications of telescope in astronomy like)
❑ Conduct astronomical observations
❑ Observe cosmic events like supernova
❑ Discover new objects in space like new planets
❑ Generate data to understand expansion of Universe
Extra info: Advantages of Space based telescope compared to Ground based telescope:
❑ No distortions (refraction, flickering) due to atmosphere.
❑ No light pollution from artificial sources of light.
Note: LMTs are Ground based telescopes.
From Prelims PT365 Science class-8 (pg-87)
Telescopes
 Great Observatories program: (NASA)

Four powerful space-based telescopes
▪ 1990 Hubble Space Telescope
▪ 1991 Compton Gamma Ray Observatory
▪ 1999 Chandra X-ray Observatory
▪ 2003 Spitzer Space Telescope
Hubble James Webb

1990 2021
LEO, 570 km L 2, 15 lakh km
Visible light Infrared
2.4m mirror 6.5m mirror
Both are reflecting telescopes
First space observatory? No Replacement of Hubble? No
Geospatial: Data associated with Geospatial Geographic Information System (GIS):
a particular location on earth. IT system that displays geospatial data
Applications of GIS:
❑ City/Village Planning:
▪ Bhuvan Panchayat of ISRO helps Panchayats in planning process
❑ Disaster Management:
▪ Identify of flood/landslide prone areas, areas on path of upcoming cyclone, etc.
❑ Navigation:
▪ Mobile GPS systems are useful because they host lots of GIS data
▪ Traffic layer feature of Google maps helps police identify real time congestion on roads
❑ Natural resource management:
▪ India-WRIS portal helps in integrated water resource management
❑ E-Commerce:
▪ Amazon/Zomato and other logistic services use GIS data for fast and accurate delivery.
❑ More transparency in govt projects:
▪ Geo-tagging of assets created under MNREGA
Issues:
❑ Security threat:
▪ Sensitive areas (VVIP area, Military bases) are exposed by satellites images
▪ Terrorist don’t need to do physical recce if they use Google maps, Google Street view
❑ Privacy concerns:
▪ Google Street view (recently launched in India) exposes people’s face, car number plate, etc.
❑ Need for regular updation:
▪ Data on map is useless if its not regularly updated
National Geospatial Policy 2021:
(It liberalizes geospatial sector and democratizes datasets generated by use of public funds)
❑ It lets Indian companies collect map data and license it to foreign firms.
❑ Geospatial data produced using public funds will be shared as per 2012 policy (National Data Sharing and
Accessibility Policy 2012)
❑ Standardised storage format of geospatial data to make it interoperable.
❑ Standardised curriculum will be developed for geospatial data education.
❑ Significance:
▪ It will reduce duplication of efforts when multiple agencies collect same data.
▪ Licencing provisions will bring innovation to the sector, eg Google Street View
Google Street View:
❑ 360-degree view photo, taken by camera mounted on car, moving around city roads.
❑ Launched by Google in partnership with Indian companies (Mahindra and Genesys)
❑ Allows people to see exactly how a place looks like, even before going there.
❑ Not allowed for restricted areas like defence establishments.
❑ Issues: people’s face, car number plate, house number, can be misused. (Hence Google blurs them)
European Organization for Nuclear Research
CERN 1954, at France-Swiss border near Geneva
❑ CERN uses complex scientific instruments to study fundamental particles.
❑ Subatomic particles are collided at close to speed of light.
❑ This increases our knowledge of fundamental laws of nature.
❑ Mainly two type of instruments are used:
▪ Accelerators boost particles to high speed, and makes them to collide.
▪ Detectors records the results of these collisions.
Achievement/Contribution/Significance of CERN
❑ High energy Physics:
▪ created antihydrogen atoms in 1995 (antimatter of hydrogen)
▪ confirmed existence of Higgs Bosons in 2012
❑ World Wide Web:
▪ It began as a CERN project named ENQUIRE
▪ It was developed to help scientists share information
❑ Computing:
▪ LHC grid uses power of computers around the world
▪ It was developed to process huge data collected in experiments.
❑ Medicine:
▪ X-ray machines that use fraction of the dose used by others.
▪ Hadron therapy for cancer treatment (proton beam precisely targets tumour)
India's contribution:
❑ Since 1960s, scientists from TIFR and Raja Rammana centre have been working at CERN.
❑ In 1991, India and CERN signed a Cooperation Agreement
❑ LHC's magnet positioning system and many other components were supplied by India.
❑ In recognition of such contributions, India got Associate member status in 2016
❑ Today, India contributes about 1% to CERN's budget.
❑ More than 400 Indian scientists and engineers are working at CERN
❑ Statue of Shiva/Natraj performing Tandav dance was gifted to CERN in 2004.
Higgs boson (popularly called as God particle)
❑ Proposed in 1964 by Peter Higgs and others to explain why certain particles have mass
❑ Its existence was confirmed in 2012 at CERN through ATLAS & CMS experiments at Large Hadron Collider
From Prelims class LHC
CERN: Large Hadron Collider:

❑ European Organization for Nuclear Research ❑ World's largest & highest-energy particle collider.
❑ 1954; HQ in Switzerland ❑ Has 27 km long ring of superconducting magnets.
❑ India: associate member ❑ High energy particle beams made to collide at near speed of light.
❑ Israel: the only non-European full member. ❑ Built by CERN
❑ 27 km long accelerator; 4 detectors ❑ France–Switzerland border near Geneva.
Neutrino
Neutrinos:
❑ Elementary particle with spin of 1/2
❑ Electrically neutral
❑ Mass is so small that it was long thought to be zero.
❑ Interaction with matter is extremely weak. Hence, matter is almost transparent to them.
Creation:
Neutrinos are created by various radioactive decays like:
❑ Natural nuclear reactions eg in the core of a star
❑ Artificial nuclear reactions eg in nuclear reactors/bombs
❑ When cosmic rays or accelerated particle beams strike atoms
Importance:
❑ Their study can help answer fundamental questions on origin of Universe and energy production in stars
❑ They can help study places that other radiation (light or radio waves) cannot penetrate
❑ Interior structure of earth can be better studied by neutrinos
Detection
❑ Difficult to detect because
▪ they do not carry electric charge, and have very low mass
▪ Hence, they very weakly interact with matter.
❑ Detectors are built underground
▪ to isolate the detector from cosmic rays and other background radiation.
India and Neutrino research:

❑ 1965 Kolar Gold Fields (underground lab):
▪ First cosmic ray neutrino interaction was detected
▪ By physicists from India, Japan, UK
❑ India-based Neutrino observatory:
▪ to be constructed in Tamil Nadu
India-based Neutrino observatory:

❑ Project includes:
▪ Construction of an underground laboratory
▪ Construction of an Iron Calorimeter detector for neutrinos.
▪ Setting up Centre for High Energy Physics at Madurai for maintaining the underground lab
❑ Benefits:
▪ Allow scientists to conduct advanced physics experiments (can write points from Importance)
▪ Inspire youth to undertake research in basic sciences as career
❑ Issues:
▪ Tiger reserves (Bandipur, Megamalai) are in close proximity to the site
▪ Watershed of nearby rivers (Sambhal, Kottakudi) may be impacted
Fifth state of Matter
SOLID LIQUID GAS PLASMA

Particles in Particles Particles 4th state of matter. Bose-Einstein
fixed flow around flow freely Superheated matter. condensate
position each other with high Electrons ripped away. 5th state of
energy Equal +ve and -ve matter.
99% of visible universe
Four natural states of matter: Solid, liquid, gas, plasma. Prelims 2013:
Fifth state of matter: Bose-Einstein condensate The efforts to detect existence of Higgs
❑ Predicted by Einstein in 1924 based on paper by S.N. boson particle have become frequent news
Bose but was made for the first time only in 1995. in recent past. What is the importance of
discovering this particle?
❑ At near zero kelvin, molecular motion almost stops. 1. It will enable us to understand as to
❑ There is almost no kinetic energy. why elementary particles have mass.
❑ Atoms clump to form just one ‘super atom’. 2. It will enable us in near future to
❑ They are extremely sensitive. Smallest disturbance develop technology of transferring
matter from one point to another
increases the temperature and ends the BEC state. without traversing the physical space
❑ Recently also made in Cold Atom Lab in ISS between them.
Boson: 3. It will enable us to create better fuels
❑ discovered by Satyendra Nath Bose for nuclear fission.
❑ follows Bose–Einstein statistics Select the correct answer
❑ e.g. Photons, Higgs Bosons (God particle) (a) 1 (b) 2,3 (c) 1,3 (d) 1, 2, 3
Neutrinos Experiments related to neutrinos:

❑ IceCube: thousands of sensors below Antarctic ice (2.5km)
Neutrinos are second most ❑ ANITA: ANtarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna
abundant particles in the Radio telescope in Helium balloon over Antarctica
universe, after Photons ❑ INO: Indian Neutrino Observatory (Bodi West hills, Theni, TN)
Prelims 2010:
India-based Neutrino Observatory is included by the Planning Commission as a mega science
project under the 11th Five-Year Plan. In this context, consider the following statements:
1. Neutrinos are chargeless elementary particles that travel close to the speed of light.
2. Neutrinos are created in nuclear reactions of beta decay.
3. Neutrinos have a negligible, but non-zero mass
4. Trillions of neutrinos pass through human body every second.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only (b) 1, 2 and 3 only (c) 2, 3 and 4 (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Prelims 2015:
In the context of modern scientific research, consider the
following statements about 'IceCube', a particle detector
located at South Pole, which was recently in the news:
1. It is the world's largest neutrino detector,
encompassing a cubic kilometre of ice.
2. It is a powerful telescope to search for dark matter.
3. It is buried deep in the ice.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 (b) 2,3 (c) 1,3 (d) 1, 2 and 3
Dark matter:
❑ It is not in the form of stars and planets that we see.
Dark energy, Dark matter ❑ It is not in the form of dark clouds of normal matter,
(matter made up of particles called baryons.)
❑ It is not antimatter, because we do not see the
Dark Energy: unique gamma rays that are produced when
1) Big bang antimatter annihilates with matter.
2) Universe started expanding ❑ It is not large galaxy-sized black hole, because there
3) But there is so much matter are not many gravitational lensing events.
4) Gravity must slow down expansion ❑ It does not interact (absorb, reflect, emit) with
5) But speed of expansion is increasing electromagnetic waves.
6) Reason: dark energy ❑ Existence inferred by gravity and maths
Universe = 68% dark energy + 27% dark matter + 5% normal matter
Dark matter is
Dark energy is responsible for
responsible for holding together
accelerated galaxies
expansion of
Universe Cake is Milky way
Galaxy Gems are Stars
Anti-matter ❑ Antimatter is made of antiparticles

❑ Same mass but opposite charge
❑ Proton → antiproton
❑ Electron → antielectron (positron)
❑ every basic particle has antiparticle
Baryon asymmetry:
Universe doesn’t have equal amount of matter & anti-matter
How is it made? When matter and

❑ Big bang, cosmic rays, antimatter come into
radioactive decays, etc contact, they annihilate,
❑ In particle accelerators, disappearing in a flash
also, but extremely less. of energy.
Positron excess:
❑ excess number of positrons between 10-300GeV
energy found in space.
❑ Reason? cosmic rays in space interact with matter to
produce electrons and positrons.
Prelims 2012:
A team of scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory including those from India created the
heaviest anti-matter (anti-helium nucleus). What are the implications of the creation of anti-matter?
1. It will make mineral prospecting and oil exploration easier and cheaper.
2. It will help probe the possibility of the existence of stars and galaxies made of anti-matter.
3. It will help understand the evolution of the universe.
Select the correct answer:
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Class-70
Class-1
Virtual Private Network

What is VPN:
Virtual tunnel which securely transfers data between
user and some external server.
News:
❑ Govt has instructed VPN providers to save and store user info for 5 years
▪ User name, physical addresses, e-mail ID, phone number, reason for using VPN, etc.
❑ But many VPN providers have a strict no-log policy to maintain user privacy
▪ Hence, many VPN providers have stopped their services in India. e.g Express VPN, NordVPN,
SurfShark
Benefits of VPN:
❑ Sensitive data can be securely transferred
▪ Work-from-Home was possible mostly because of VPN use by private/public companies
▪ Journalists can research against repressive regimes
❑ IP address & browse history of user is hidden, increasing user privacy on internet
▪ Hence, third parties cannot track users by cookies or IP address.
❑ User location can be changed by switching to server in another country
▪ This helps people access geographically restricted content.
▪ It can allow people in China to access sites blocked by govt.
❑ Kill switch ensures that connection is always secure
▪ It terminates internet connection if VPN connection is lost/interrupted.
Problem with VPN:
❑ Many free VPNs are not secure
▪ They usually have third party trackers.
❑ Govt regulations may force VPN provider to store user data
▪ This defeats the whole purpose of using VPN.
❑ Misused by criminals
▪ To communicate securely or commit online crimes by remaining anonymous.
Way forward:
❑ Bring Data protection law at the earliest.
❑ Launch consultative process with all stakeholders: VPN providers, private companies, and users.
Net neutrality
Net neutrality:
❑ All Internet traffic should be treated equally.
❑ ISP should not give preference to any specific content.
❑ ISP should provide all traffic at same speed under same conditions.
Arguments in support of Net neutrality:

❑ ISP are not content moderators:
▪ ISP are just intermediaries, helping data transfer.
▪ ISP don't have power to censor or moderate content on internet.
❑ ISPs may push biased/partial info to consumers
▪ Facebook Zero gives free internet access to access Facebook
▪ People access free content more, thus see biased/partial information more often.
❑ To protect small businesses:
▪ Without NN, ISP may slow down services offered by new e-commerce websites.
▪ Big players like Amazon and Flipkart may get priority in data transfer.
❑ To protect freedom of speech & expression:
▪ News channels who don't pay extra may get their websites slowed down.
Arguments against Net neutrality:

❑ Internet bandwidth is limited, hence important content must be prioritised.
▪ Telemedicine data must be given preference over YouTube videos.
❑ Differential pricing is not wrong. It is a common marketing strategy.
▪ Consumers pay more for faster internet
▪ Similarly, companies should be allowed to pay more for faster transfer of their data.
▪ It will enable companies like Netflix to give better service to customers.
Way forward:
❑ ISPs must disclose their traffic management policies.
❑ Certain emergency data must be prioritised, e.g. tele-medicine data
❑ Clearly lay down types of data that must be prioritised.
❑ Bring law to enforce net neutrality.
Zero-rating:
❑ Providing free internet access under certain conditions (Airtel Zero & FB Zero were in news in 2014-16)
❑ Airtel Zero: Apps would pay Airtel so that people could access those apps for free (no data charge).
❑ Facebook Zero: Under Free Basics program, Reliance Communications users would get free access to FB.
❑ Facebook Zero is available in some countries.
❑ There, many people don't pay for internet, as they get all info from FB.
❑ Hence, many people believe that Facebook is internet, and everything on it is true.
❑ That is how FB shapes people's opinion, especially in developing world.
TRAI released ‘Prohibition of Discriminatory Tariffs for Data Services Regulations, 2016’
❑ Telecom operators can't charge for data based on content.
❑ Discriminatory treatment of content is prohibited (i.e. can’t speed up or slow down based on content)
❑ Exceptions: Telemedicine, Court orders to block certain content, Content Delivery Networks, etc.
TRAI also recommended establishing a multi-stakeholder body to enforce NN by ISPs.
https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/dot-seeks-trais-view-to-regulate-internet-calling-messaging-
apps-like-whatsapp-signal/2651043/
DoT seeks Trai’s view to regulate internet calling, messaging apps like WhatsApp, Signal
The Department of Telecom has sought views of sector regulator Trai to prepare a framework for regulating
internet calling and messaging apps like WhatsApp, Signal, Google Meet etc, a government official said on
Wednesday. The Department of Telecom (DoT) has last week sent back a recommendation of the Telecom
Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on internet telephony issued in 2008, for review, and has asked the
sector regulator to come up with comprehensive reference due to the change in technical environment amid
the emergence of new technologies.
“The Internet Telephony recommendation of Trai was not accepted by the DoT. The Department has now
sought comprehensive reference from Trai for internet telephony and over-the-top players,” the official, who
did not wish to be named, told PTI. Telecom operators have been asking the government to apply the
principle of “same service same rules” for the industry. They have frequently asked that internet calling and
messaging apps should pay the same level of licence fee, comply with regulation of legal interception, quality
of service etc, as applicable on telecom operators and internet service providers (ISPs).
In 2008, Trai had recommended that ISPs shall be allowed to provide internet telephony including calls on
normal telephone networks but they will have to pay interconnection charges, install lawful interception
equipment as per the requirement of security agencies etc.
The issue was raised by telecom operators in 2016-17 as well, when the issue of net neutrality was being
discussed by the regulator and the government. However, the government did not impose any restriction on
call and messaging service being provided by apps. The regulator, however, eased the cost burden on
telecom operators by removing interconnect usage charges to bring their calling cost at par with that of
calling apps. IUC is a charge that is paid by a telco to another operator when its customers make voice calls to
subscribers of the rival network. However, calling and messaging apps never had to pay any such charge.
Content Delivery Network

(CDN):
Geographically distributed
servers to speed up delivery of
web content by bringing it closer
to users.
Non-Fungible Token
❑ NFT is a unit of data that certifies a digital asset to be unique.
❑ It uses blockchain technology to certify authenticity of a digital file.
❑ The digital file may contain painting, photo, music, video, etc.
Benefits:
❑ Authenticity:
▪ It helps in confirming authenticity of digital files
❑ Monetisation:
▪ It helps artists to monetise their creations, thus boosting creator economy.
Concerns:
❑ Environmental costs:
▪ Huge amount of electricity is consumed due to use of blockchain technology
❑ Legal vacuum:
▪ Tax implications are not clear if payment is made by cryptocurrency.
❑ Money laundering:
▪ Useless digital files could be sold for high amounts, to help in layering for money laundering.
Its an emerging technology and needs close monitoring.

Though NFT market exploded to $25 billion in 2021, some experts believe that NFTs are a bubble that might
burst soon.
Non-Fungible Token.
Problem: how to differentiate between real and fake. Fungible:

Solution: give a certificate of authenticity to the real one. → replaceable by another identical item
Problem: someone can create fake certificates. Non-fungible:
Solution: use blockchain technology to certify authenticity. → not replaceable by another identical item
NFT: unit of data that certifies a digital asset to be unique. Non-fungible token:
→ proof that the digital product is original
Data Centre
Data Centre:
❑ Dedicated building for storing, processing and distributing
large amounts of data.
❑ Location selection criteria:
▪ 24x7 power supply for uninterrupted operations
▪ Fibre connectivity to transfer large amounts of data
▪ Availability of skilled IT manpower
▪ Cool climate to reduce power for cooling servers
(many new data centres are in extremely cold
places like Scandinavian countries)
Why India needs more Data centres:

❑ To comply with govt directives:
▪ RBI's data localisation norms makes it mandatory to store payment data within India.
❑ Rising internet penetration:
▪ There are 70 crore active internet users in India
▪ This figure may rise to 90 crores by 2025 (Report by Internet and Mobile Association of India)
❑ Growing digital economy:
▪ India is witnessing explosion of data due to smartphones, e-commerce, content creator
economy, etc.
❑ Emerging technologies:
▪ Cloud Computing, Internet of Things, etc will increase data requirements many-fold.
Challenges:
❑ India lacks data protection law:
▪ Overseas investors may hesitate to invest in absence of clear data protection laws
❑ Lack of supporting infra:
▪ Reliable power is still not available in most parts of India
❑ Environmental concerns:
▪ Huge amount of electricity is consumed by Data centres.
▪ Coal is used to generate most of electricity in India, this increasing emissions.
❑ Import dependence of hardware posses security threat:
▪ India imports most of its electronic hardware from China
▪ Hardware may have backdoors to leak critical data to China
MeitY's Draft Data Centre Policy 2020

❑ Provide infra status to Data Centres at par with road, rail, power
▪ It will help in availing long term credit at easier terms
❑ Formulate Data Centre Incentivization Scheme
▪ Tax incentives for companies can boost investment
❑ Demarcate specific zones with good supporting infra for Data centres
▪ It will help companies in finding optimum location
❑ Set up four Data Centre Economic Zones as a Central Sector Scheme
▪ Favourable ecosystem will be created as in case of Special Economic Zones
❑ Captive power generation units
▪ Encourage dedicated power unit in Data Centre Economic Zones
❑ Declare Data centres as Essential Service under ESMA 1968
▪ This will ensure continuity of services even during calamity/crisis.
▪ Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1968 (ESMA)
Computer Vision
Computer vision:
❑ It is a branch of AI that enables computers to derive
meaningful information from photos and videos.
❑ It helps to automate tasks done by humans.
Applications:
❑ Autonomous cars:
▪ Identifying the road, other vehicles, trees, road signs, etc.
❑ Medicine:
▪ diagnosing disease/tumour from x-ray or CT scan images
❑ Security:
▪ Facial recognition can help identify/track suspects
▪ Motion detection by camera can alert in case of any intrusion
▪ Border surveillance especially in difficult terrain or extreme weather conditions
❑ Manufacturing:
▪ Defect identification can help automate quality control process
❑ E-commerce:
▪ Google lens uses pic of any object to find it on e-commerce website for purchase
❑ Exposing fake news:
▪ Reverse image search tech helps locate real source of images and thus expose fake news
Note: “Computer Vision” is NOT related to “Computer Vision Syndrome”
Computer vision syndrome (aka Digital Eye Strain)

❑ eye related problems that result from prolonged use of digital
devices
❑ Research shows that 50%-90% of people who use computers have at
least some symptoms.
❑ Even young kids are spending considerable time on mobile / tablet /
laptops.
What can be done:

❑ Reduce glare/brightness of screen, use anti-glare filter
❑ Use blue cut filter or glasses to reduce blue light
❑ Do not use digital screens in room with dim lights
❑ Use 20-20-20 break Rule i.e. every 20 minutes focus on 20 feet away
object for 20 seconds.
Open Source Software
Open Source Software:
❑ They allow source code to be edited and reused
❑ They do not have copyright constraints
❑ eg Linux, Android, Firefox, WordPress, MySQL
Benefits:
❑ Source code can be customized to suit local requirements
❑ More innovation through wider collaboration
❑ Source code is free from any royalty.
❑ Less costs and no vendor lock-in
Issues:
❑ Lack of user-friendly interface affects productivity and adoption
❑ Security threat is higher as source code is openly available
❑ Lack of warranty which is provided by vendor in case of proprietary software / CSS
Role in govt:
❑ National Policy on IT 2012
❑ It states adopting open source technologies as one of its objectives
❑ Policy on Open Source Software 2014
❑ Govt shall prefer OSS in comparison to Closed Source Software
❑ Examples
❑ Digilocker, CoWin, Aarogya Setu have been built using OSS
Web 3.0
Web 3.0
❑ It is the name given to the next generation of Internet architecture.
❑ It will use technologies like blockchain to create a decentralised Internet.
❑ It will decentralise the internet, away from control of tech giants like Google, FB, Amazon.
Prelims 2022:
▪ Web 3.0 technology enables people to control their own data.
▪ In Web 3.0 world, there can be blockchain based social networks.
▪ Web 3.0 is operated by users collectively rather than a corporation.
Benefits of Web 3.0

❑ End control by Big Tech:
▪ FB / Twitter will not be able to delete any posts.
▪ As users will be able to directly interact without intermediaries
❑ Users will gain control over their data:
▪ This will help reduce data mining done by companies
Issues:
❑ Difficult to regulate due to decentralised nature
▪ This will increase instances of cybercrime, hate speech, misinformation, fake news.
❑ Environmental impact:
▪ Blockchain is electricity intensive technology.
❑ Scalability issues:
▪ If every info is held in blockchain, it will make data storage and data transfer unsustainable.
India: opportunity & threats

❑ Opportunity:
▪ Large number of web developers
▪ New opportunity for tech entrepreneurs
❑ Challenges:
▪ Low digital literacy; unsafe web browsing practices
▪ Faster brain drain as best talent may move abroad for better packages
Way forward:
▪ Regulatory sandbox to encourage innovation while protecting public interest.
▪ Regularly updated curriculum in universities and professional courses.
▪ Incentives to tech industry to set up research bases in India.
Metaverse / VR / AR
Benefits/Applications of Metaverse/VR/AR
❑ Healthcare:
▪ VR can help in training of doctors/nurses through animations
▪ AR can help in telemedicine and robotic surgery
▪ Immerse patient in virtual world to treat for depression or phobia
❑ Education:
▪ EdTech companies are using animations to make learning fun for students
❑ Defense:
▪ Simulation of various combat situations e.g. pilot training
▪ Helmet-mounted display can increase situational awareness of soldiers
❑ E-commerce:
▪ Customers can visualise how furniture will look in their room, or how specs will look on their face
❑ Tourism:
▪ Guided tour of Archaeological sites can give info to tourists about monuments history.
❑ Recreation:
▪ Virtual Reality Headset with certain games as in Microsoft Xbox-360
❑ Miscellaneous:
▪ Urban planning, Disaster Management, Building architecture, etc.
Metaverse:
❑ Metaverse is a life like digital space.
❑ People will have virtual representations of themselves.
❑ They can buy land, go shopping, study, work, interact with others, etc.
❑ Tech industry believes that Metaverse will be the successor to internet.
Why there’s an increased interest in Metaverse?

❑ Web 3.0 will decentralise the internet, away from control of tech giants like Google, FB, Amazon.
❑ Creator economy is booming and creators can benefit by selling their creations on metaverse.
❑ New technologies like NFTs allows proof of ownership of digital assets like paintings.
❑ Cryptocurrencies are truly global and allows digital transactions irrespective of physical location of users.
Concerns associated with Metaverse?

❑ It will lower socialisation:
▪ People will prefer virtual interactions while ignoring their real world needs.
❑ Security concern:
▪ Cybercrimes could take on new forms in these new virtual worlds.
❑ Lack of regulation:
▪ Social media platforms like FB promote hate content to increase user engagement.
▪ Such behaviour in Metaverse will only increase social division in real world.
❑ Environmental impact:
▪ Lot of electricity is used in technologies like AI systems, AR/VR, Crypto currency, NFT etc.
Way forward:
❑ Regulate after consulting all stakeholders
❑ Coordinate with other countries
❑ Bring data protection law
❑ Update IT laws as per evolving technologies
❑ Train police to tackle tech related crimes
Metaverses have huge potential to revolutionise healthcare, education, etc.

But as long as they are run purely for profit motive, the benefits would likely be lesser.
Note: Creator economy is a software-facilitated economy that allows creators to earn revenue from their
creations, through YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, etc)
Metaverse
❖ Metaverse: a virtual universe (in future)

(like an advanced version of Second life)
❖ Related techs: Augmented reality, Virtual reality
❖ Not to be confused Multiverse
(hypothetical group of multiple universes)
NAFRS
National Automated Facial Recognition System:
➢ initiative of NCRB
➢ use database to identify people on CCTV videos, etc
➢ example of use of AI for surveillance, dead bodies, etc.
National Crime Records Bureau:
➢ 1986; MHA; initiatives like CCTNS 2009, ICJS 2019, etc
Crimes and criminal Tracking Network System:
➢ national database of crimes and criminals
➢ connects databases, police stations, etc.
Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS)
➢ integrating CCTNS with e-Courts, e-prisons, etc.
Class-71
Class-1
Women in STEM
STEMM: Science, Tech, Engineering, Medicine, Mathematics
Science, Tech, Engineering, Mathematics:

▪ Graduates: 43% are women
▪ Researchers: 16% are women
▪ Faculty: 15% are women
Reason for less number of Women in STEM:

(Learn chronologically: Parents don't allow → no course in college → can’t study → incidents)
❑ Patriarchal mindset:
▪ Belief that women can't do work in intellectual fields like science
❑ Courses not offered:
▪ Girls college mostly have Arts related courses, rather than science
❑ Restrictions on lab timings:
▪ Many colleges restrict women’s access to lab/library to official hours, while men can work anytime.
❑ Unsafe campuses:
▪ Even campuses are not safe for women, as seen in recent sexual assault case at IIT Madras
Some general points to encourage women participation in workforce:

❑ Change public perception through movies (Mission Mangal) to highlight contribution of women scientists.
❑ Give examples of Kalpana Chawla, Gagandeep Kang, Soumya Swaminathan and others.
❑ Strict implementation of Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act 2013 (POSH Act 2013)
❑ Ensure safe public transport, or company provided facility (cab/bus).
Steps taken:
❑ SERB-POWER
• It offers fellowships and research grants to women researchers.
• POWER: Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research
❑ KIRAN scheme
• It gives career opportunities to women scientists who had a break in career.
• KIRAN: Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing
❑ CURIE Programme
• To improve R&D infra in women universities
• CURIE: Consolidation of university research through innovation & excellence in women universities
❑ GATI Programme
• It will rate institutes on gender equality in science programs
• GATI: Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions
❑ Vigyan Jyoti scheme:
• It encourages girl of class 9-12 to pursue career in S&T
❑ Age relaxation:
• CSIR gives 5 year age relaxation to women to pursue doctoral and postdoctoral research.
WASH and gender equality
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH):
▪ Availability of safe drinking water
▪ Accessibility to sanitation facilities
▪ Adherence to basic level of hygiene
Lack of access to WASH impacts women more than men, due to biological and cultural factors.
❑ Role of WASH in maternal and new-born health

▪ Collecting and carrying water while pregnant can cause complications
▪ Lack of safe drinking water can be fatal for babies dependent on feeding formula
❑ Role of WASH in women education

▪ During menstruation, girls miss school due to lack of safe toilets.
▪ Learning is affected when children spend time collecting water or finding safe place to urinate.
❑ Role of WASH in preventing violence against women

▪ Risk of harassment when travelling long distance to fetch water or use toilet.
▪ Women consume less water, or hold back urine, which increases health issues.
❑ Role of WASH in financial empowerment of women

▪ Collecting & carrying water reduces time & energy to undertake economic activity
▪ Easy access to water can enable to grow vegetables in kitchen garden, helping family nutrition,
and also opportunity to sell the vegetables.
Way forward:
❑ Safe and affordable sanitary pads must be made available
❑ Ensure water in all toilets constructed under Swachh Bharat Mission
❑ Construction of girls toilets in all schools
❑ All schools and health facilities must have safe WASH facilities.
❑ Launch digital campaign for people to upload pics of non-working toilets
❑ Ensure that no-one practises open defecation.
❑ Inequalities in access to WASH should be progressively eliminated.
We need to recognise that universal access to WASH is essential to tackle poverty, ill-health and illiteracy.
Govt initiatives:
❑ Swachh Bharat Mission:
▪ Entire India was declared open defecation free on 2 October 2019
❑ Jal Jeevan Mission:
▪ aims to provide household with piped water supply by 2024
Care Economy
Care economy?
❑ All kinds of care work, which may be direct/indirect, and paid/unpaid.
▪ Direct activities: feeding a baby or nursing an ill partner
▪ Indirect activities: cooking and cleaning
❑ It can be:
▪ Paid: domestic workers and anganwadis
▪ Unpaid: helping own family members
Benefits of focussing and recognizing care economy:

❑ It can create more jobs:
▪ Employing people to care for children where both parents are working
▪ Employing people to care for elderly or handicapped patients
❑ It can increase people's productivity:
▪ When household work is taken care by workers, people can focus on job better
❑ It can increase Female LFPR:
▪ Women can designate household work to others, and themselves participate in labour market.
❑ New entrepreneurial opportunity:
▪ Startups like Urban Clap can enrol workers for care work and provide services
Issues:
❑ Non-recognition:
▪ Childcare and anganwadi workers have not been recognised as professional workers.
▪ Therefore, they do not have requisite access to workers’ rights and entitlements
❑ Low pay, no job security:
▪ Minimum wages are not given to most of the care workers
❑ No social protection:
▪ Domestic workers do not have social or health protection
❑ Most are women:
▪ Women engaged in family work don't find time/energy to engage in education/job.
▪ This increase feminization of poverty.
Unpaid domestic work
Women spend most of their time and energy in providing unpaid care work.
Issues:
❑ Lack of time and energy for education/job.
❑ This reduces chances of women participating in labour market (reduces Female LFPR)
❑ Impacts financial independence, women empowerment, family income, etc.
Benefits of recognizing/measuring/monetizing unpaid domestic work:

❑ It will expose the gender disparity
❑ As per NSSO Survey, while 90% of women perform domestic work, only 27% men do so.
Problems in recognizing / monetizing unpaid work:

❑ Lack of standardization:
▪ There is huge variation in the kind of work done across households
❑ Measurement challenges:
▪ People may not be comfortable in giving details of time spent on domestic activities
❑ Reinforce notion of pink collar jobs:
▪ It will strengthen the notion that certain work must be done by women only
❑ Commodification of care:
▪ Domestic work is done out of care & concern for own household.
▪ Putting a monetary value on each activity will impact people's emotions.
What can be done?

❑ Periodic surveys must be done
▪ to increase our understanding of the care economy. (What gets measured gets done)
❑ Incentivize companies to create innovative products
▪ to make domestic work easier, eg automatic roti maker
❑ Men should also be given childcare leave,
▪ to reduce pressure on women.
❑ Creche facilities at workplace
▪ so that both care work and professional work can be managed.
Female LFPR
Some data:
PLFS 2020:
▪ 18.6% of working-age women in India participate in labour force.
▪ This is three times lower than men
World Bank:
▪ Indian women’s participation in formal economy is among the lowest in the world.
▪ Only some parts of Arab world perform worse.
Problem with Female LFPR in India:

❑ High Degree of Informalization:
▪ 95% of India’s working women are informal workers (ILO data)
▪ Lack of social protection leads to feminization of poverty
❑ Low and Unequal Pay:
▪ Despite Constitutional safeguards, women as paid less than male counterparts.
❑ Glass Ceiling:
▪ An invisible barrier prevents women from taking up top management positions.
▪ Even women in top leadership roles are paid 15% less than males (IIM-A 2022 study)
❑ Stereotyping of Jobs:
▪ Notion of pink collar jobs like Nursing, teaching, child care, prevents women entry in other fields.
Reason for low Female LFPR:

❑ Poor education of girl child:
▪ Families don't invest in education of girl child as much as boys.
❑ Patriarchy:
▪ Women are not allowed to work, especially after marriage
▪ Childcare is considered as only women's responsibility
❑ Security concerns:
▪ Unsafe public transport
▪ Sexual harassment at place of work
Benefits of increasing Female LFPR:

❑ Less poverty
▪ Higher family income leads to better health and education for children
▪ Less chances of family falling into poverty if male loses job/life
❑ Demographic dividend
▪ Increased human capital will help India realize demographic dividend
❑ Lower fertility
▪ TFR among educated and working is generally lower
❑ Less domestic violence
▪ Women who are financially independent find it easier to move out of abusive marriages
❑ Economic boost
▪ McKinsey report estimates that equal opportunity to women can add US$ 700 billion to Indian
economy
Govt schemes:
❑ POSH Act 2013:
▪ aims to provide safe working environment to women
❑ Maternity Benefit Act, 2017:
▪ maternity leave extended from 12 weeks to 26 weeks
❑ Anganwadi centres under ICDS:
▪ helps in early childhood care, thus giving time to mothers to re-join workforce
Feminization of poverty:
❑ incidence of poverty is greater among women than men.
❑ their poverty is more severe than that of men
Feminization of Agriculture
Feminization of Agriculture:
▪ Increase in women's participation in agriculture (mainly as farm labourers)
▪ India's increasing Female LFPR is mainly due to Feminization of Agriculture.
Feminisation in agriculture is good:

▪ Financial empowerment of women, and increase in household income
▪ Socialization of women with various communities, discussion of common issues, etc.
Feminisation in agriculture is bad:

▪ It does not reflect empowerment as women hold only 13% of operational holdings
▪ Household work still is done by same women, hence farm work in additional burden
▪ They are paid less, and are often abused and exploited by men.
Reasons for feminization of Agriculture:

❑ Men migrate to cities due to agrarian distress
▪ Women remain in village to look after cattle, children, aged parents
❑ Women have less mobility
▪ Not allowed to work far away from home, hence they find work in nearby fields
❑ Women are paid less
▪ Hence they are preferred for labour work
❑ Women are not generally employed in industries
▪ Hence they have no choice but to work in agri sector
Way forward:
❑ Provide alternate avenues of work through MNREGA.
❑ Encourage formation of Self-Help Groups in non-farm sector.
❑ Introduce innovative farm machines, that are better suited for use by women.
❑ Involve civil society to organize women into unions, to assert their rights and rise against exploitation.
Class-72
Class-1
Dowry
❖ Dowry is payment made in cash or kind to bride’s in-laws
❖ It is one of the many problems which arise due to low status of women in society
❖ It is a social evil still prevalent in 21st century India
Reason for dowry / Challenges in stopping Dowry system?
❑ Patriarchy in society:
▪ Women are considered as commodity, which is transferred from one family to other.
▪ This commodity is supposed to bring with it other commodities like fridge, TV, AC.
❑ Part of Religion/culture:
▪ People consider dowry as part of their religion/culture
▪ Even rich people demand dowry despite having no dearth of money
❑ As a status symbol:
▪ Status of a boy's family increases with the amount of dowry he can get in marriage.
▪ There is a competition in society as to who can get more dowry, and have grand wedding.
Impact:
❑ It has polluted the institution of marriage.
❑ It has led to numerous crimes against women (torture, burning, etc)
❑ It has increased female foeticide/infanticide as girls are seen as financial burden
Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961
❑ Any agreement for giving or taking dowry shall be void.
❑ Minimum 5 year imprisonment for :
▪ Giving or taking of dowry
▪ abetting the giving or taking of dowry
Note:
❑ Streedhan and Mahr are NOT considered as dowry
❑ Dowry death is a criminal offence under IPC Section 304-B
What can be done?

❑ Sensitize children in school
▪ through stories, essay writing, etc.
❑ Mobilize public opinion
▪ through daily news channel debates.
❑ Financial empowerment of women
▪ through education, skilling, job, SHG, etc.
Note: Following points can be used (after suitable modification) in questions about women related issues.
❑ Dowry is a social problem.
▪ Social problems need social solution.
❑ Society supports derogatory practices
▪ Virginity test of bride in some communities
❑ Real issue is low status of women
▪ Society protects & felicitates people who commit crime against women
❑ A social movement is needed to uplift the status of women
▪ Inspiration can be taken from 19th century social reformers like RRR & ICVS.
❑ Hence, laws can help, but are not enough.
▪ It is the society’s collective conscience which can stop dowry system.
❑ India needs to develop not just economically, but also socially
▪ A developed country, built on foundation of persecution of weaker section, is bound to fail.
❑ Actions speak louder than words
▪ Fancy speeches and movies cannot uplift status of women.
▪ People who commit crime against women must be punished, not felicitated.
Marital Rape
NFHS-5: 1/3rd married women suffered physical/sexual abuse from husband
IPC section 375: Rape is a criminal offence, but rape within marriage is not criminal offence
Legal recourse:
❑ Civil remedy can be sought under Domestic Violence Act 2005
▪ In 2021 Kerala HC observed that marital rape is a valid ground for divorce.
❑ Criminal proceedings cannot be initiated under IPC.
▪ India is one of the 36 countries where marital rape is not a criminal offence.
Petition to declare marital rape a criminal offence:

❑ Delhi HC gave split verdict. Petition is pending is SC.
❑ Centre has argued that making it a criminal offence may destabilise the institution of marriage
Should marital rape be criminalised?

Yes:
❑ Article 14 gives right to equality
• Married and un-married women, both have equal right to autonomy on their body.
❑ Rape has grave impact on women
• Women suffer injury, both physical and mental.
No:
❑ Difficult to prove:
• Finding evidence, or proving non-consent, will be difficult
❑ Chances of misuse:
• Women may misuse the law, as in domestic violence cases.
International scenario:
❑ Criminal act in: Russia, USA, UK, Israel, France, Germany, etc.
❑ Not criminal act: India, Sri Lanka, Oman, Nigeria, Tanzania, etc.
Recommendations:
JS Verma Committee 2013, UN Human Rights Commission, UNCEDAW, 172nd Law Commission have all
recommended criminalization of marital rape.
❖ Patriarchal mindset of society believes that wife is property of husband, hence husband can treat their
property in any way they want.
❖ We cannot stop making laws to protect the weak, for the fear of misuse.
POSH Act 2013
Kerala HC has ruled that film production units must comply with POSH Act 2013, and set up committees to
deal with cases of sexual harassment.
Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, 2013

❑ Sexual harassment: any unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature.
❑ It defines sexual harassment and lays down procedure for inquiry and action to be taken
❑ It broadened the Vishaka guidelines which were already in place
❑ Covers all women working or visiting any workplace
❑ Internal Complaints Committee
▪ ICC must be constituted at every workplace with 10 or more employees.
▪ ICC has powers similar to civil court to summon any person or require documents.
▪ ICC must finish inquiry within 90 days, or can forward the complaint to police.
Issues:
❑ Setting up ICC at every office with 10 employees may not be feasible
❑ ICC has powers of civil court, but does not require members to have legal background
❑ Action can be taken against women for false complaint, this can deter victim from filing complaint against
influential people in office.
❑ It does not provide protection to men from sexual harassment.
Despite the law, women hesitate from filing complaint:

❑ Fear of retaliation by the harasser or the company.
❑ Social stigma and embarrassment attached with victims of sexual abuse.
❑ Possibility of victim shaming whereby women is blamed for provoking the man.
Note:
❑ It is not the weakness of law
▪ but misplaced morals of society, that makes victim suffer silently.
❑ Due to misplaced morals of society, people often support
▪ lynching, honor killing, domestic violence, victim blaming, rapist felicitation, etc.
Sex workers
Supreme Court ruling in May 2022:
SC invoked its special powers under Article 142 (SC can pass any orders to do complete justice)
❑ SC recognised sex work as a "profession"
• Sex workers have right to live with dignity
❑ Voluntary sex work is not illegal (running brothel is unlawful)
• Police can't take any action against consenting adults
❑ Media should not reveal identity of sex workers
• while reporting on raid on brothels
❑ Govt must provide medical assistance
• to sex workers who are victim of sexual assault.
Issues faced by sex workers:

❑ Social stigma and criminalization of profession
❑ Harassment and abuse by policemen
❑ Difficulty in ensuring education for children
❑ High prevalence of HIV and other STDs
Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956:

❑ It aims to suppress immoral traffic in women and children
❑ It was brought after India signed UN convention against trafficking in 1950
❑ It does not make prostitution illegal.
❑ It makes pimping and running brothel illegal.
Private prostitution is not illegal in India, but soliciting it, doing it publicly, and owning a brothel are illegal.
Way forward:
❑ Implement SC ruling in letter and spirit
❑ Decriminalize all aspects of sex work
❑ Provide alternate employment to those who wish to quit sex work
❑ Sensitize public about their plight through movies like Gangubai Kathiawadi
Elderly
❑ 10% of India's population is elderly.
❑ Most of them are unemployed, and women (feminization of old age).
❑ Family is the main preparator of abuse against senior citizens.
Issues faced by elderly:

❑ Health issues:
▪ Old age related ailments, heart issues, hypertension, etc.
❑ Money crunch:
▪ No pension, inability to undertake economic activity.
❑ Lack of socialization opportunity:
▪ family members don't interact due to paucity of time
❑ Abuse by family members:
▪ Children consider parents as liability, expel them from house.
Govt initiatives:
❑ National Social Assistance Programme 1995
▪ Old Age Pension scheme provides pension to BPL above 60 years of age
❑ Maintenance & Welfare of Parents & Senior Citizens Act 2007
▪ It makes maintenance by children a legal right
Way forward:
❑ Promote Silver economy though schemes like SAGE
❑ Public sensitization through movies like Avtaar (1983) and Baghban (2003)
❑ Promote online communities of elderly for more social interaction
❑ Govt owned/funded Old Age homes with geriatric care.
❑ Strict implementation of 2007 act.
Manual Scavenging
Around 330 people died during "hazardous cleaning" of sewers and septic tanks in the last five years but
“none of them were manual scavengers,” the central government said in the Parliament on 2 August 2022.
Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act 2013

❑ Prohibition: The act prohibits
▪ construction of insanitary latrines
▪ employment of manual scavengers
▪ cleaning sewers and septic tanks without protective gear
❑ Rehabilitation: The act lays down procedure to rehabilitate through
▪ training in alternate employment, financial help, house
❑ Offences under the Act are cognizable and non-bailable.
SC Judgment:
In 2014, SC ordered govt to identify all those who died in sewage work since 1993 and provide Rs. 10 lakh
compensation to their families.
Reasons for prevalence of Manual Scavenging:

❑ Not recognising the problem:
▪ Govts don’t accept the fact that the practice still continues
❑ Outsourcing of work:
▪ Govt outsources sewer cleaning to contractors
▪ In case of cleaner's death, they deny any association with the cleaner
❑ Caste and poverty:
▪ So called lower castes are expected to perform the task
▪ Social stigma does not allow employment in any other job
▪ Then poverty forces person to return to manual scavenging
Way forward:
❑ Acknowledge the problem
❑ Full mechanisation of all sewer cleaning operations
❑ Give free skilling and assured job for rehabilitation
❑ Make National Commission for Safai Karamchari a statutory body again.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/971-people-died-while-cleaning-sewers-since-1993/article65295919.ece
❑ 971 people died while cleaning sewers since 1993
❑ The Minister said no death due to manual scavenging, which is defined as the lifting of human excreta from insanitary
latrines, had been reported.
❑ However, people had died “due to accidents while undertaking hazardous cleaning of sewer and septic tanks”, he
stated.
In spare time, you may read:

1. https://www.thequint.com/videos/manual-scavenger-reality-india-quint-interactive
2. https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/invisible-manual-scavengers-kerala-s-kozhikode-166783
3. https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/madras-high-court-commissioner-shall-forthwith-be-liable-for-any-future-
incident-of-manual-scavenging-207196
Class-73
Class-1
Hate in society Points from this topic can be used in
many answers of Polity, Society, Ethics
❑ Hate:
▪ Strong feeling of dislike towards a group
▪ based on class, caste, region, religion, etc
❑ Hate speech:
▪ Spreading hate to others
▪ through media, social media, speech, etc
❑ Hate crime:
▪ Violent action against people belonging to that group
▪ lynching, rioting, murder, gangrape
❑ Support for hate crime:
▪ Hate is allowed to spread in society, then society supports those who commit hate crime
▪ eg crowdfunding and religious rallies in Shambhulal Regar case (Rajasthan, 2017)
▪ https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/wheels-of-justice-moving-at-slow-
pace-in-rajsamand-hate-killing-case/article65592702.ece
Why hate crimes occur / Why is it difficult to tackle hate?

❑ Cultural indoctrination
▪ People are taught their region/religion/caste is superior to others
▪ Our rights are more important than their rights (Us vs Them mentality)
❑ Radicalisation of youth through social media
▪ Youngsters created ‘Bulli bai’ and ‘Sulli deals’ apps targeting Muslim women
▪ Refer news article "The Digital Pollution" (Indian Express 17-01-2022)
❑ Political reasons (hunger for power)
▪ Loyalty of vote bank is maintained by instigating people on emotive issues
▪ A divided society is easy to rule (Social division helped Britishers then, it helps politicians now)
▪ Britishers wanted to make their rule over India easy, not difficult!!!
❑ Hate speech cases are withdrawn:
▪ Political parties spread hate to come to power, and then withdraw cases against their leaders
▪ Since hate spreaders are not punished, they don’t stop. (Rather it acts as formula for success)
Impact of hate crime:

❑ Society gets divided
▪ Social harmony decreases, chances of riots increases
❑ Innocent people suffer
▪ People are targeted due to their belief system
❑ Problem in housing & jobs
▪ People find it difficult to find house on rent, get job, etc.
❑ Govt resources are diverted
▪ Police spends lots of time and resources in tackling hate crimes
❑ Serious Law & order situation
▪ When oppression exceeds threshold, communities retaliate, which leads to riots
▪ Hate leads to riots, riots lead to hate (unending loop)
❑ Tarnishes India’s global image:
▪ Media reports about govt not controlling hate crimes impacts image and investment
▪ If discrimination based on race is wrong, then so is discrimination by region/religion/caste.
▪ We can’t oppose hate crimes against Indians in the West, while justifying such acts at home.
▪ BBC 07-04-2022: How polarisation is dividing India's Silicon Valley
▪ BBC 14-04-2022: Why people get away with hate speech in India
▪ ToI 04-09-2022: We need to stop dividing country: Nadir Godrej
Remember:
❑ India is not just a piece of land. India is made of Indians.
▪ Dividing Indians is like dividing India
❑ Social division is a threat to territorial integrity
▪ Social division leads to territorial division
▪ eg 1947 India-Pak, 1971 Pak-Bangla
GS-4 / interview:
Q. "zeher hi zeher ko katta hai" can this be applied to control hate/crimes/riots?
A. Two wrongs don't make a right
❑ Darkness cannot end darkness.
▪ Similarly, hate cannot end hate.
❑ Countering hate with hate only worsens the problem.
▪ Action must be taken to STOP hate, instead of promoting it.
❑ Example of Riots:
▪ Police appeals rioters to STOP
▪ If they don’t stop, then force is use to STOP them
▪ Force is not used to punish (punishment is given by court, not police)
▪ What if police counters riot with riot by distributing arms to rival group? Riots will increase
❑ Similar approach is needed to tackle hate speech/crime:
▪ Police must act against all groups to STOP hate.
▪ If any groups is allowed to counter hate with hate, then hate will increase
❑ The above approach has many applications. For example:
▪ We don’t counter Pak’s terrorists with terrorists.
▪ We STOP them by conducting cross-border raids and mobilising international opinion/action
against terrorism (FATF sanctions)
17-01-2022
27-01-2022
06-01-2022
Social Media & Society
Students can reproduce points from:
❑ class-61 pg-4,5 → Free speech
❑ class-65 pg-1,3 → Role of social media in elections; IT Rules 2021
Benefits of social media:

❑ Strengthens democracy
▪ Politicians can directly interact with people from all corners of India
❑ Strengthens freedom of speech and expression
▪ People can voice their opinion without censorship
❑ Increases socialization
▪ Virtual groups can help in socialization of elderly, women, disabled
❑ Helps expose discrimination/exploitation/corruption in society
▪ #MeToo movement exposed silent suffering of women
❑ Helps deliver good governance:
▪ Ministries respond to grievance raised on social media
▪ eg no water in train toilet, Indians stuck abroad, etc
Issues: (for each benefit, students can frame issues)

❑ Weakens democracy:
▪ People use SM to promote secessionist tendency (create separate country for self, or for others)
▪ Demands for Khalistan
❑ Spread of Fake news and misinformation
▪ Cow dung releases oxygen to treat covid
❑ Reduces socialization:
▪ Children spend most of their time on social media, avoiding contact in real world
❑ Increasing hate crimes and polarization of society
▪ Many WhatsApp/Facebook groups are based on group identity
▪ Messages are posted to spread hate against Brahmins, Dalits, Muslims, Biharis, etc.
❑ Can be misused by party in power:
▪ It helps govt identify activists and dissenters
▪ Social media posts can be used to harass people by filing criminal cases
Euthanasia
Euthanasia in India
❑ Active euthanasia: crime under section 302 or 304 of IPC.
❑ Passive euthanasia: legal, but under exceptional circumstances
Arguments in support of Euthanasia:
❑ It will end continuous pain and suffering:
▪ Painless death is better than living with continuous suffering
▪ Motive of euthanasia is to help the person, not harm him.
❑ It brings dignified death:
▪ If one is unable to live with dignity, he should be allowed to die with dignity.
▪ Forcing someone to live without dignity is against liberty.
❑ Resources can treat others: (hospital, doctor, money, time)
▪ Hospital resources should be used for people who want to live (not those who want to die)
❑ Religion sanctions euthanasia:
▪ Sallekhana / Santhara in Jainism, and Prayopavesa in Hinduism allow fast unto death under
certain circumstances
Arguments against Euthanasia:
❑ Against ethics:
▪ Humans cannot play role of god and decide end of life
▪ Medical ethics call for nursing, caregiving and healing and not ending the life of patient.
❑ Vulnerable sections will become victim:
▪ Elderly, bedridden patients, PwDs, may be forced to opt for Euthanasia
❑ Euthanasia is like suicide, which is illegal:
▪ People commit suicide due to depression, same is the case with Euthanasia.
▪ Person asking for Euthanasia should be treated, instead of being killed.
❑ Advancing medical science can offer cure:
▪ Incurable disease may get cure due to advances in stem cell therapy, gene editing, etc.
Euthanasia Euthanasia: (mercy killing)

In 2018 SC allowed living will ▪ Intentionally ending life to relieve suffering
and passive euthanasia ▪ Active Euthanasia → inject some drug to kill; illegal in India
(but under strict guidelines) ▪ Passive Euthanasia → remove life support system; legal in India
▪ Article 21: Right to live with dignity includes right to die with dignity
Living Will: ▪ Aruna Shanbaug case about? Euthanasia (but she died of pneumonia)
person states how he wants to
be treated if he is seriously ill Palliative care reducing suffering of seriously ill
Sallekhana / Santhara: Prayopavesa: Vatakkiruttal:

Jainism; Fast unto death; only in special circumstances Hinduism; Fast unto death Tamil ritual; Fast unto death
Mentioned in Jain texts like Ratnakaranda śrāvakācāra Only in special circumstances By Kings during Sangam age
Prevention is better than cure Immunization Also see class-56 pg-9,10
Benefit of vaccines:
❑ Reduce disease burden:
▪ no TB, hepatitis, tetanus, etc
❑ Less healthcare expenses:
▪ less chances of serious disease, hence less expenses
❑ Better work productivity:
▪ less sick leaves from office, less time to care for sick children
❑ Lowers infant Mortality Rate:
▪ Vaccinating children reduces their chance of falling ill
▪ People produce less children when probability of children’s survivability increases
❑ Sometimes vaccines are the only protection against some disease
▪ e.g. there is no medicine to cure Polio, it can only be prevented
Many disease have been successfully eradicated from India: Polio, Smallpox, Yaws, Guinea worm, etc.
Challenges:
❑ Vaccines not yet developed, or not effective
▪ e.g. vaccines for Malaria, Dengue
❑ Vaccines are not affordable or accessible
▪ e.g. covid vaccines during early days
❑ Vaccine hesitancy
▪ People don't want vaccine, mostly due to misinformation
❑ Mutation in pathogens
▪ Mutations in pathogen may render vaccine ineffective
What can be done?

❑ Allocate more resource for R&D (money, manpower) for vaccine development for neglected diseases
❑ Use patent pools to make vaccines affordable and accessible
❑ Public campaigns to counter misinformation on vaccines, involve celebrities (Amitabh Bachchan for Polio)
Sports
Benefit of Sports?
❑ Personality: Sports are essential for all-round personality development
❑ Entertainment: For General public, sports tournaments are great source of entertainment e.g. IPL
❑ National pride: Achievement in international tournaments brings pride and prestige to the country
❑ Bonding: Sports promote bonding among people
❑ International Relations: refer class-42 pg-02
Reason for poor performance:
❑ Infra: lack of training infra like stadium, swimming pool, etc.
❑ Funds: for equipment, gear, etc.
❑ Technology: Outdated tech still used in training
❑ Bench: Poor bench strength to develop competitiveness
Some underlying/foundational issues of sports sector:
❑ Poverty: focus is on livelihood, sports is secondary
❑ Malnutrition: poor diet reduces competency
❑ Attitude: sports seen as leisure activity, hence not taken seriously
❑ Political interference: Nepotism, discrimination in team selection and in governing bodies
❑ Bureaucratic apathy: May 2022 case of stadium closed early for IAS officer’s evening walk
❑ Lack of recognition: only male cricketers enjoy public recognition
Steps taken:
❑ Ministry: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
❑ Administration: Sports Authority of India
❑ Policy: National Sports Policy
❑ Schemes:
▪ TOPS: Target Olympic Podium Scheme
▪ Khelo India: to spread the culture of sports throughout India
❑ Education:
❑ National Sports Repository System: portal where all stakeholders can register themselves
(sportsperson, sports scientists, coaches, training centres)
❑ National Institute of Physical Education: Deemed university under Min. of Youth Affairs & Sports
❑ Awards: Dronacharya award, Khel Ratna award, etc.
Doping:
❑ Use of prohibited drugs by athletes to improve athletic performance.
❑ Recently, many high profile sportspersons in India failed dope test.
Issues with doping:
❑ Unethical: gives unfair advantage
❑ Reputation: tarnishes image of individual and country
❑ Side-effects: on health of the athlete
Emerging challenge: gene-edited athletes / designer babies
❑ Using CRISPR like gene editing technologies to improve athletic performance
❑ Stronger muscles for weightlifting, longer hands for swimming, stamina for marathon, etc.
National Anti-Doping Bill 2022 was unanimously passed by Parliament in August 2022.
❑ Statutory powers to National Anti-Doping agency to regulate anti-doping activities in sports
❑ It will ensure highest standards of integrity while participating in national & international competitions
Should doping be made a criminal offence? (ie not just disqualification, but jail) (Use points from above)
❑ Countries like Germany and Kenya have criminalised doping.
Class-74
Class-1
CoP-26
Glasgow Climate Pact: (Global agreement reached at CoP-26)
❑ Countries will try to keep the 1.5 °C Paris Agreement target achievable
❑ Developed countries reaffirmed their pledge to provide $100 billion annually to developing countries
❑ Countries completed Paris Rulebook regarding Article 6
❑ For the first time, nations are called upon to phase down unabated coal power and inefficient subsidies
for fossil fuels. [No targets or timelines] [phase-down (reduce) mentioned instead of phase-out (stop)]
India’s Panchamrit at CoP-26:

(At CoP-26, India presented five nectar elements of India’s climate action)
1. Reach 500 GW non-fossil energy capacity by 2030
2. 50% of power from renewable sources by 2030
3. Reduce projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030
4. Reduce carbon intensity of economy by 45% by 2030, over 2005 levels
5. Achieving net zero emissions by 2070
Unabated coal: Use of coal that isn’t mitigated with Article 6 of Paris agreement has three mechanisms
technologies to reduce CO2 emissions, such as CCUS for voluntary cooperation for Carbon market
Common But Differentiated Responsibility: Polluter pays principle:

Developed countries have more responsibility as they are historically Those who pollute must
responsible for climate change and also have more resources to tackle it. bear costs of managing it.
Initiatives at CoP-26 Glasgow Related to? India?
Breakthrough Agenda make clean technologies affordable in each emitting sector by 2030 Yes
Zero-Emission Cars and Vans all sales of new cars and vans to be zero emission in 2035/2040 Yes
Declaration on Forest & Land Stop deforestation and land degradation by 2030 No
Use
Forest, Agriculture and sustainable trade of Forest/Agri commodities No
Commodity Trade (FACT)
Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance Initiative of Costa Rica and Denmark; Phase-out oil and gas No
Clydebank Declaration Create zero emissions (green) shipping trade routes No
NDCs: each country to submit after every 5 years

Global stocktake: review after every 5 years (first in 2023)
Paris Rulebook: guidelines to execute the Agreement
❑ 2015 Paris Agreement: limit global warming to well below 2OC; try for 1.5OC
❑ 2018 Katowice Climate Package: countries adopted majority of Paris Rulebook (some issues unresolved)
❑ 2021 Glasgow Climate Pact: Nations completed Paris Rulebook
Loss & Damage:
Loss & Damage:
▪ Rich countries are historically responsible for climate change.
▪ Developing countries are facing adverse effects of climate change.
▪ Rich countries are liable to developing countries for adaptation & compensation.
Issues related to L&D:
▪ L&D was included in Paris agreement, but without any 'liability or compensation'.
▪ Developing countries demand climate justice.
▪ Developed countries consider it same as adaptation.
Santiago Network (for technical assistance on loss and damage)

❑ It will connect vulnerable developing countries, with developed countries.
❑ They will get technical assistance and resources to address climate related Loss & Damage
❑ 2019: COP 25 in Madrid, Spain
▪ Santiago Network was established, as part of Warsaw International Mechanism
❑ 2021: COP 26 in Glasgow, UK
▪ Parties decided functions of Santiago Network.
Stockholm Conference:
Significance of Stockholm Conference:
❑ UN Conference on Human Environment: 5th June 1972
❑ It was the first UN conference with the word "environment" in title.
❑ It was the first international declaration to protect environment.
❑ Established UNEP
▪ to coordinate environmental issues within the UN system
❑ Civil society participation
▪ It was the first UN event that supported civil society participation.
❑ Later international conventions
▪ UNFCCC, UNCCD, UNCBD have their origin in Stockholm conference
❑ Environmental diplomacy:
▪ It laid down principles for future international cooperation on environmental issues
❑ World Environment Day
▪ celebrated annually since 1973 to increase environmental awareness
❑ India:
▪ enacted WPA 1972
▪ 42nd amendment added environment related FD (51-A) and DPSP (48-A)
▪ established Dept of Env in 1980 and Min of Env in 1985
Ongoing debates:
Some ongoing debates/issues in international climate negotiations:
▪ Target: NDCs for 2030 are inadequate to achieve 1.5OC target by 2100
▪ Finance: Lack of grant-based finance from developed to developing countries
▪ CBDR: Dilution of principles of Common But Differentiated Responsibility
▪ Loss & Damage: developed world not ready to compensate for adverse affects of climate change
Carbon Budget:
Carbon budget
❑ It tell us how much CO2 we can still emit while keeping warming below specific limits.
❑ IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6):
▪ World can emit 400 billion tonnes more CO2 before hitting the 1.5°C limit
▪ Hence, earth's Carbon budget will exhaust in 10 years at current emission levels
Carbon Market
What is a Carbon market?
▪ Market for buying/selling certificates of reduction in carbon emission.
▪ Main idea? reduce emissions where it is least costly to do so.
▪ How? by allowing emitters to trade certificates of emission reduction.
Article 6 of Paris agreement covers market and non-market based mechanisms:

1) Article 6.2: Market mechanism 1:
▪ bilateral trade of emissions.
▪ eg developed country gives money to brick kiln in India, and claim emission reduction as its own
2) Article 6.4: Market mechanism 2:
▪ trade via market (Paris SDM to replace Kyoto CDM).
▪ eg brick kiln will invest in tech to reduce emissions, and then sell carbon credits.
3) Article 6.8: Non-market approach:
▪ Cooperation between countries where no trade is involved
▪ eg collaboration on climate policy or common taxation
SDM: Sustainable Development Mechanism
CDM: Clean Development Mechanism
Key decisions regarding Article 6 were finalized at CoP-26:

▪ Kyoto credits will be carried into Paris mechanism, but must be used by 2030.
▪ Double counting shall be avoided (more than one country claim same emission reduction)
▪ Contributing funds toward adaptation under Article 6.2 is voluntary.
▪ 5% of funds under Article 6.4 must be used for adaptation.
Background (not important for Mains 2022)

Main issues regarding Article 6:
❑ what happens to carbon credits earned in the Kyoto regime but not yet sold
▪ Developing countries have millions of unsold CERs (certified emission reduction) India: 750 million
▪ Developed countries say that verification process under Kyoto was not robust.
❑ what constitutes double-counting, and should it be allowed
▪ Developed countries say that credits can be traded, but should be counted only at one place.
▪ Developing countries say that the country that reduced emissions should be able to show it even
after selling the credits.
Carbon trading in India:

Carbon trading is expected to pick up in India with the passing of Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill,
2022. As of now the mechanisms are:
❑ Renewable Energy certificates:
▪ helps Discoms meet renewable purchase obligations
❑ Energy Saving Certificate: (Perform, Achieve, Trade scheme)
▪ it encourages industries to become energy efficient
Challenges:
▪ Limited participation as only designated entities can participate
▪ Non transparent price discovery mechanism discourages new players
▪ Lack of integration with international trading mechanisms
Deli Metro: a success story
▪ In 2007, DMRC became the first metro to be registered under Kyoto protocol's CDM
▪ Till 2012. it earned Rs 9.5 crore by selling carbon credits earned from regenerative-braking tech
▪ During 2012-18, it earned Rs 19.5 crore by selling carbon credit by modal shift and solar power.
Refer class-36 pg-04
Carbon Inequality
Carbon inequality:
❑ It refers to unequal distribution of carbon emissions
❑ i.e. some groups have more carbon emissions / ecological Footprint than others
❑ Carbon inequality between nations:
▪ Top three emitters (China, USA, EU) contribute 41.5% to global GHG emissions.
❑ Carbon inequality within nations:
▪ Richest 1% people cause twice as much carbon emissions as the poorest 50%.
Wealthy people have higher carbon footprint:

▪ Travelling by private car/cab instead of public transport (or cycle)
▪ Use of air conditioners instead of desert coolers
▪ Consumption of more goods, which are produced in polluting factories
▪ Electricity consumption (produced by coal) per household is more for rich than poor
Climate Equity / Climate Justice

❑ Climate change is a global crisis, but it impacts different groups differently.
❑ Hence, Climate Justice aims to:
▪ reduce unequal burden created by climate change
▪ ensure fair distribution of benefits of climate protection efforts
Some examples:
Climate affects marginalised communities more, even though they have least per capita emissions.
❑ Tribals live in harmony with nature, their impact on environment is minimum
▪ But climate change impacts them the most, as they are directly dependent on environment
❑ Developing countries are dependent on fossil fuels
▪ By targeting coal & oil, their economic growth and poverty alleviation is impacted
❑ Small island developing states have no industries to cause GHG emissions
▪ But they face existential risk due to sea level rise
Common But Differentiated Responsibilities

❑ This principle was formalized at UNFCCC Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, 1992
❑ Developed countries contributed more to environmental degradation
▪ and should have greater responsibility for climate change mitigation.
❑ It is based on polluter-pays principle
▪ as historical contribution to climate change creates responsibility for environmental protection.
Does Paris deal ensure climate justice?

Yes:
▪ Developed countries reaffirmed their pledge to provide $100 billion annually to developing countries
▪ Functions of Santiago Network were finalised
No:
▪ Developing countries will be affected more by phasing down unabated coal.
▪ Santiago network includes technical assistance, not monetary compensation for loss & damage
What can be done? Reproduce the points already learnt, like:

▪ Santiago Network must include compensation for loss & damage
▪ Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR–RC)
▪ Impose Carbon tax on luxury diesel SUVs, instead of banning diesel taxi
▪ Instead of banning brick kiln, help them upgrade
▪ Instead of subsidising high end electric cars, subsidize e-scooters & public transport
Prelims 2021 Current Affairs Environment Page-11 © All Inclusive IAS
Prelims 2021
1971 1981 1991 2001 2011
 Ramsar Convention  Convention on POPs
 For sustainable use of wetlands  aka Stockholm convention
 Only global Env. treaty that deals  POPs are organic pollutants
with a particular ecosystem.
that are resistant to
environmental degradation
th 1992
1972 (5 June) 1982  UN Conference on Environment and Development 2002 2012
 UN Conference on Human  Nairobi Declaration.  Earth Summit 2002  United Nations Conference on
 aka (Rio) Earth Summit
Environment.  To celebrate 10th anniversary of  UNFCCC : (Secretariat in Bonn, Germany)  aka Rio +10 Sustainable Development
 aka Stockholm Conference
Current Affairs
 First declaration of international Stockholm Conference. To reduce emission of GHGs. No limits, no  Johannesburg (South  aka Rio +20
 Envisaged creation of a special enforcement. Rather, provided for updates (Kyoto Africa)  Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
protection of environment.
 Formed UNEP commission for long term strategies. protocol).
 Declaration endorsed by UNEP in 1987  CBD : (Secretariat in Montreal, Canada)
three main goals- (1) Conservation of biodiversity;
(2) Sustainable use of it's components; (3) Fair and
equitable sharing of benefits. Followed by Cartagena
(2000) and Nagoya (2010) protocols.
 UNCCD : (Secretariat in Bonn, Germany)
It is the only internationally legally binding
framework to address desertification. CoP-14 was
held in 2019 in New Delhi.
 Agenda 21 : take actions at all three levels to
Environment
achieve certain goals by 2021. Later revised to 2030.
I read I forget, I see I remember See explanation of this PDF on

1973 1983 1993 2003 2013
 CITES (Convention on  UN appoints World Commission on  Minamata convention on mercury
International Trade in Environment and Development  To protect humans and environment
Endangered species of Wild flora  Later known as Brundtland against mercury emissions.
and fauna)  Japanese city, Minamata, had faced
 aka Washington Convention Commission
severe mercury poisoning.
 To control or prevent  In 1987 it released the report 'Our
-------------------------------------------------------------
international commercial trade in Common Future'.  CoP-19 Warsaw (Poland)
Endangered species or products  Concept of 'Sustainable Development'  Warsaw International Mechanism for
derived from them. crystalized. Loss and Damage.
 Aim not to directly protect, but to  Rich countries liable for climate change
Page-12
reduce economic incentive to impact being faced by poor countries.
poaching by closing international
trade.
1974 1984 1994 2004 2014
1975 1985 1995 2005 2015
 Vienna Convention for protection of  First CoP of UNFCCC held in Berlin, Germany  CoP-21 Paris (France)
ozone layer.  Paris Agreement
 Provided frameworks for reductions  Countries’ INDCs are not binding.
in chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). 
 Became basis for further international Loss & Damage included, but diluted.
action to protect ozone layer.
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1976 1986 1996 2006 2016
 Kigali amendment to Montreal protocol.
Prelims 2021
Kigali is in Rwanda
 After 1987, HFCs replaced CFCs. But
HFCs are powerful GHG.
 India has to phase out HFC by 85% by
2047 over the 2024-2026 level
-------------------------------------------------------------
 CoP-22/CMA-1 Marrakech (Morocco)
1977 1987 2007

 Brundtland report / Our Common Future 1997 2017
 Kyoto protocol signed under UNFCCC  CoP-23 Bonn (Germany), but chaired by
--------------------------------------------------------------
 Montreal Protocol on Ozone Depleting  World’s only legally binding treaty to reduce Fiji
Current Affairs
Substances GHG emissions  Talanoa dialogue: Pacific concept of
 1st universally ratified treaty in UN history.  1st commitment period: 2008-12 “Talanoa” - storytelling that leads to
 Phase out halogenated hydrocarbons that  2nd commitment period: 2013-20 consensus building. In CoP it was used
contain chlorine or bromine (substances for NDC stock-taking.
containing only fluorine don't harm ozone).  Gender Action plan adopted which
 All nations should not be treated equally as
strives for gender-responsive climate
some have contributed more to ozone
depletion. policy equal representation for women
 A nation's obligation to reduce emissions at global climate meet
should reflect its technological and financial
ability to do so.
1978 1988 2008 2018
1998
Environment
 CoP-24 Katowice (Poland)
 Rotterdam convention
 Paris Ag. Work Programme was finalized.
I read I forget, I see I remember See explanation of this PDF on

 To control international trade of certain
 Practical implementation guidelines to
hazardous chemicals
 Created ‘Prior Informed Consent’ procedure. track progress and ensure that climate
action is transparent.
1979 1999 2009 2019
1989  CoP-25/CMA-2 Madrid (Spain) under
 CMS - Convention of Migratory  Basel Convention on the Control of
Species Presidency of Chile.
Transboundary Movements of Hazardous  Adopted the “Chile Madrid Time for
 Cop-13 in Gandhinagar in
Wastes Action” document.
February 2020.  To reduce the movements of hazardous
---------------------------------------------------  Urged to enhance NDCs.
 Convention on Long-Range waste between nations (especially  Established Santiago Network for tech
Page-13
Transboundary Air Pollution. developed to least developed) assistance to poor countries under WIM
 Focused on Europe.  Doesn't address movement of for Loss & Damage.
 India not member. radioactive waste.  Did not finalize rules on Carbon Markets.
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

 Cartagena protocol on biosafety to CBD  Nagoya protocol
 For safe handling, transport and use of Living  fair and equitable sharing
Modified Organism of benefits arising out of
 Established Advance Informed Agreement the utilization of genetic
procedure resources
 Established Biosafety Clearing House
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Class-75
Class-1
Climate Finance
What is climate finance?
It is finance that aims to:
▪ reduce emissions and enhance sinks of GHGs
▪ reduce vulnerability & increase resilience to
adverse effects of climate change
What is the need for climate finance?

▪ To prevent adverse effects of climate change.
▪ To achieve targets set under Paris agreement.
▪ Developing countries lack funds to tackle adverse
effects of climate change.
Financial mechanisms under UNFCCC?

Based on the principle of “common but differentiated
responsibility and respective capabilities” developed
countries provide financial resources to assist
developing countries, by following mechanisms:
▪ Green Climate Fund (GCF) since 2010
▪ Adaptation Fund (AF) since 2001
▪ Global Environment Facility (GEF) since 1994
Principles of Climate Finance:

❑ Additionality:
▪ Climate finance should be additional (not substitute) to existing commitments.
❑ Polluter Pays:
▪ those who produce pollution should bear the costs of managing it
❑ CBDR–RC:
▪ developed countries have more responsibility as they are historically responsible for climate
change and also have more resources to tackle it.
Challenges:
❑ Definition:
▪ No commonly agreed definition of 'climate finance'
▪ Of 5000 adaptations projects supported by OECD, 3/4th lack clear connection to climate change.
▪ Guidelines at CoP-24 allows non-financial efforts (tech transfer) under climate finance.
❑ Amount:
▪ amount mobilized for climate finance is not sufficient
❑ Uncertainty:
▪ USA stopped contributing to GCF under Trump, will resume now
❑ Verification:
▪ No strong verification mechanism to monitor end-use of money.
Way forward:
a) A clear definition of climate finance should be adopted at the earliest.
b) Verification mechanism should be made more transparent.
c) Variety of mechanisms should be explored, like carbon credits, cess, etc.
Also see class-17 pg-5
Sustainable Finance Social Stock Exchange
Sustainable Finance / Green Finance:
▪ investment decisions that take into account environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors
Need / Benefits:
▪ Companies with social objective will have better access to funds
▪ Burden on govt to finance eco-friendly projects will reduce
▪ Social progress will be faster with better health, education, etc.
▪ Environment will benefit, and climate change will slow down.
Challenges:
▪ Measuring impact/benefits of eco-friendly projects is difficult
▪ Greenwashing or false claims about environmental benefits of projects
▪ Lower financial returns as profit is not the primary motive
Steps taken:
❑ RBI
▪ established Sustainable Finance Group
▪ joined 'Network for Greening Financial System'
❑ SEBI
▪ notified Social Stock Exchange framework (class-17 pg-05)
▪ mandated Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting by listed entities
❑ Green Bonds
▪ issued by companies like Power Finance Corporation in 2021
Carbon pricing
What is carbon price?
▪ It is a cost put on carbon pollution, to discourage GHG emissions
▪ Currently, 22% of global GHG emissions come under carbon pricing
How is it imposed?
❑ Carbon tax:
▪ fee imposed on use of carbon-based fuels
▪ e.g. Clean Environment Cess imposed on coal
❑ Emissions Trading: aka cap-and-trade system
▪ Caps GHG emissions and allows low emitters to sell extra allowances to high emitters
▪ e.g. SDM of Paris agreement, CDM of Kyoto Protocol
Other methods:
▪ Offset mechanism: reduction in GHG emission to compensate for emissions made elsewhere
▪ Result Based Climate Finance: payment is made after desired outcome is achieved
▪ Internal Carbon Pricing: companies use it to monitor environmental impact of their activities
Benefits of carbon pricing:
a) It is based on polluter pays principle
b) It engages private sector in saving the climate
c) It makes polluters adopt low emission technologies
d) It helps brings funds for climate-friendly projects
Challenges:
a) It gives polluters a license to pollute, by paying a fee.
b) Carbon tax may not be spent on climate related projects.
c) No uniformity across countries.
d) Polluting industries may simply shift to low-cost jurisdictions. (carbon leakage)
Way forward:
❑ Increasing the role of "Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition", a voluntary international initiative for
successful implementation of carbon pricing.
❑ For successful carbon pricing, 'FASTER' principles developed by World Bank and OECD should be used.
▪ Fairness use polluter pays principle
▪ Align policies with objectives
▪ Stability of policies
▪ Transparency in pricing
▪ Efficiency to lower the cost
▪ Reliability that polluting activities are reduced.
Social cost of carbon

▪ Economic damage that would result from emitting one ton of carbon dioxide
▪ It reflects impact of GHG emissions on human health, environment, economy.
▪ It helps govt evaluate whether policy designed to curb climate change is justified or not.
Sustainable Development Goals
Brundtland Report 1987 defined sustainable development as:
Development that meets needs of present generation, without compromising needs of future generations
Sustainable Development Report 2022:

❑ India rank:
▪ 121 out of 163 countries
▪ Consistently falling: 117:2020 → 120:2021 → 121:2022
❑ India moderately improving in:
▪ SDG 1: Poverty
▪ SDG 3: Hunger
▪ SDG 6: Water & Sanitation
❑ India facing major challenges in:
▪ SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
▪ SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
What is the nexus approach w.r.t. SDG?

Many SDGs are interlinked, or dependent on each other.
Policies must identify linkages (nexus) between different SDGs. For example:
❑ SDG 2 and SDG 8:
▪ Hunger can be eliminated only when people have decent work opportunities
❑ SDG 10 and SDG 16:
▪ Reduced inequalities are necessary for peace
▪ Strong institutions and Justice is necessary for reduced inequalities
❑ Poverty - Education Nexus:
▪ Removing poverty needs quality education for masses.
❑ Health - Sanitation Nexus:
▪ Hygienic sanitation facilities are necessary to prevent communicable diseases.
❑ Education - Electricity Nexus:
▪ States with low literacy rate have low electricity rate in schools.
▪ Electricity → modern methods of teaching → studies become attractive
❑ Health - Electricity Nexus:
▪ Positive relation between electricity consumption and fall in Infant Mortality Rate.
▪ New born emergency services, pediatric care, vaccination, rely on electricity at health centers.
Localization of SDGs
Ministry of Panchayati Raj and UNDP have signed agreement for localisation of SDGs.
Why localise / Why the focus at local level?

▪ SDGs can be achieved only if local context is considered.
▪ Local needs must be the top agenda while planning and implementing programmes.
Role of NITI Aayog wrt SDGs:

▪ Monitor the adoption of SDGs
▪ Promote competitive and cooperative federalism among States and UTs.
Students can write Strategy, Challenges, Examples from Class-31 pg-07 (Aspirational Districts)
Nature Based Solutions Related terms:

▪ Green Infra
Nature-based solutions ▪ Nature-Based Infrastructure
❑ Using nature to increase resilience of infra to climate change. ▪ Nature as Resilient Infrastructure
❑ It includes both natural and green infrastructure.
❑ Natural infrastructure:
▪ Projects that improve existing natural landscapes
▪ e.g. use of wetlands for water treatment
❑ Hybrid infrastructure: (or Green infra)
▪ Projects that combine grey infra with environment
▪ e.g. green roof, vertical gardens, porous pavements
Benefits:
▪ Helps in carbon sequestration
▪ Reduces Urban Heat island phenomenon
▪ Brings balance between development and environment
▪ Makes infra resilient to extreme weather events like urban floods
▪ More space for recreation and tourism in urban areas
▪ Cleaner air in urban areas, higher groundwater levels
Green Shipping Also see Class-60 pg-12 for

Port Authorities Act 2021
How to make shipping eco-friendly:
❑ No Ballast System:
▪ Ballast water transfers microbes from one environment to another.
▪ To prevent this, "No Ballast Ships" should be developed.
❑ Sulphur Scrubber System:
▪ Install Scrubbers to remove Sulphur from exhaust
❑ Cleaner fuel:
▪ Use LNG propulsion instead of diesel
❑ Fuel cell / Solar power:
▪ Use newer technologies to supplement conventional engines
Initiatives by Ministry of Shipping:

▪ monitor environmental pollution
▪ deploy dust suppression systems
▪ waste water treatment plants
▪ garbage disposal system for ports and ships
▪ create Oil Spill Response capability
▪ energy generation from renewable energy sources
▪ providing shore power to ships at berths
▪ increasing green cover within port premises
Clydebank Declaration:
▪ signed by 22 countries at CoP-26, to develop green shipping corridors
▪ Green shipping corridor: shipping route on which zero-emission solutions are demonstrated
Class-76
Class-1
Ethanol Blending
Data:
▪ 10% achieved as of June 2022
▪ 20% target by 2025 (revised target under National Biofuel Policy 2018)
Benefits:
❑ Replace imported crude oil:
▪ Import bill can be lowered by use of domestic biofuel
▪ Inflation can be controlled better due to lower price fluctuation
❑ Sustainability:
▪ Renewable nature of biofuels, unlike limited reserves of crude oil in earth
❑ Less polluting:
▪ Better combustion due to presence of oxygen
❑ Waste to Wealth:
▪ Farm stubble, which is a liability to dispose, can be put to productive use
Steps taken:
❑ Ethanol Blending Program:
▪ Oil Marketing Companies sell petrol blended with ethanol
❑ PM Ji-VAN Yojana:
▪ Financial support (Viability Gap Funding) for 2G ethanol projects
❑ RUCO by FSSAI:
▪ Repurpose Used Cooking Oil
▪ Transfer used cooking oil to biodiesel manufacturers
Challenges: (think chronologically)

❑ Production issues:
▪ Raw material is dependent on agriculture
▪ Inconsistent & seasonal nature of farm stubble
❑ Food shortages, food inflation
▪ Competing demand of foodgrains, for food supply programs
❑ Compatible infra:
▪ Modification of supporting infra like storage tanks, dispensing nozzles, etc.
❑ Technical issues in vehicles:
▪ Ethanol can cause corrosion of engine parts
▪ Engines need modification & fine-tuning to run on highly blended fuels
What can be done?

❑ Frame points from Challenges
❑ Use kitchen waste from cities to make biofuel
❑ Encourage Bi-fuel and Flex-fuel vehicle engines
Note: if question comes on Flex-fuel vehicles, the above points will fit-in perfectly.
Biofuels
Less polluting:
❑ less harmful
pollutants,
❑ better
combustion due
to presence of
oxygen
Prelims 2017:
It is possible to produce algae based
biofuels, but what are the likely
limitations of developing countries in
promoting this industry?
1. Production of algae based biofuels is
possible in seas only and not on
continents.
2. Setting up and engineering the algae
based biofuel production requires
high level of expertise/technology
until the construction is completed.
3. Economically viable production
Algaculture: necessitates the setting up of large
→ algae farming
Oilgae: scale facilities which may raise
→ oil of algae ecological and social concerns.
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Prelims 2010:
Given below are the names of four energy crops.
Which one of them can be cultivated for ethanol?
(a) Jatropha (b) Maize
(c) Pongamia (d) Sunflower
Jatropha:
❑ native of India Americas
❑ drought-resistant
❑ used in medicines, insecticides, fertilizers, etc.
❑ seeds have up to 35% non-edible oil.
❑ used for making ethanol biodiesel
Petrol ≈ Ethanol
Crude oil ≠ ≠ Biomass
Diesel ≈ Biodiesel
Prelims 2014:
Consider the following statements:
1. Maize can be used for the production of starch.
2. Oil extracted from maize can be a feedstock for
biodiesel.
3. Alcoholic beverages can be produced by using
maize.
Which of the above statements are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Blending target by 2030:
➢ Ethanol: (E20) 20% (currently 8.5%) by 2025
➢ Biodiesel: 5% (currently 0.1%)
➢ Price that OMCs pay is set by CCEA
➢ Problem: performance, mileage, etc.
Drop-in fuel:
➢ functionally same to conventional fuel
➢ don't require engine modification
Bi-fuel vehicle: Fuels stored in separate tanks
Flex-fuel vehicle: Fuels store in same tank
(May become mandatory, can run even E85)
Stardust 1.0: in India USA
➢ First commercial space launch vehicle
powered by biofuel;
National Biofuel Policy

1st in 2009; new in 2018
Basic vs Advanced:
1G is Basic;
2G & 3G are Advanced
For using used cooking oil?

RUCO by FSSAI
NBCC under ministry?

X Ministry of Agriculture
✓ Ministry of P&NG
Scheme for 2G ethanol?

PM Ji-VAN Yojana

Coal Gasification
India's first coal gasification based fertiliser plant is being built at Talcher (Odisha).
India's first indigenously designed coal gasification based methanol plant was inaugurated at BHEL, Hyderabad.
Coal Gasification:
▪ Coal is partially oxidized by steam, under controlled conditions, to produce syngas
▪ Syngas is a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide
Benefits of coal gasification:

▪ Eco-friendly/cleaner way of using coal, compared to direct burning.
▪ Underground coal gasification can help exploit non-mineable coal reserves.
▪ Syngas can be used to produce methanol, dimethyl ether (DME), ammonia, urea, fertilizers, etc.
Challenges:
▪ Coal gasification plants are costly to build.
▪ Inadequate expertise in India for coal gasification.
▪ It is a water-intensive process (needs water, creates polluted water)
▪ High ash content in Indian coal makes gasification process challenging.
What can be done?

❑ Increase financial viability:
▪ Tax holiday for coal gasification projects
▪ Viability Gap Funding can be provided
❑ Technology:
▪ Joint R&D projects with international universities
Methanol
Underground coal gasification:

▪ It is an in-situ process which converts coal into product gas.
▪ It is carried out in non-mined coal seams.
▪ Steam and Oxidants are injected into coal seam.
▪ Gases are brought to surface through production wells.
▪ Product gases: CH4 , H2 , CO, CO2 (Methane and Syngas)
Methanol Economy
India's first indigenously designed coal gasification based methanol plant was inaugurated at BHEL, Hyderabad.
Methanol: aka methyl alcohol

▪ It is an organic chemical and simplest alcohol CH₃OH.
▪ Its chemical and physical properties are similar to ethanol.
▪ It is a colourless & flammable liquid with alcoholic odour similar to ethanol
Uses:
▪ It can be used as clean fuel in vehicles and ships
▪ It is also used to generate di-methyl ether (DME), a liquid fuel that is very similar to diesel
▪ Its chemical derivatives are used in production of plastic, paint, foam, polyester, resin, etc.
Production:
❑ Mostly produced from natural gas
▪ But India does not have much natural gas reserves
▪ Using imported natural gas would make it uneconomical
❑ Coal can also be used
▪ India has abundant coal, but it is high in ash content
▪ BHEL has developed method to use coal gasification tech to produce methanol from high ash coal
Benefits:
❑ Blending:
▪ Blending 15% methanol in petrol can reduce emissions by 33%
❑ Near Zero pollution:
▪ Produces negligible particulate matter, soot, SOx and Nox
❑ Misc: Cheaper fuel; Reduce inflation; Reduce CAD/import bill; can export to other countries to help them
reduce emissions
Challenges:
❑ Production issues:
▪ Not much gas reserves, and Indian coal has high ash content
▪ Technology to use high ash coal for methanol is not well developed for commercial use
❑ Compatible infra: (copied from pag-01)
▪ Modification of supporting infra like storage tanks, dispensing nozzles, etc.
❑ Technical issues in vehicles: (copied from pag-01)
▪ Ethanol can cause corrosion of engine parts
▪ Engines need modification & fine-tuning to run on highly blended fuels
NITI Aayog’s road map for Methanol Economy:

▪ Use indigenous technology to make methanol from high ash coal
▪ Use municipal solid waste, biomass to produce methanol
▪ Increase use of methanol and DME in road, rail, ships, gensets, etc.
▪ Substitute 10% of Crude imports by 2030 by using methanol
China:
▪ China uses coal to produce Methanol
▪ China produces 65% of world’s Methanol
▪ Currently Methanol accounts for 10% of transport fuel in China
Mitigation vs Adaptation
Desert
plants
ADAPT to
Mitti Gate conditions
WPA 1972
Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021
Passed by Lok Sabha in 1972. The Bill seeks to:
▪ increase species protected under law
▪ implement CITES
Provisions of the Bill:

❑ It rationalises schedules:
▪ Removes schedule for vermin species
▪ Reduces number of schedules from 6 to 4
❑ Conservation Reserves:
▪ Empowers both Centre and State to notify conservation reserve
❑ It fulfils obligations under CITES:
▪ Central Govt to designate a management authority to grant export/import permits for trade of
specimens
❑ Invasive alien species:
▪ Empowers Central govt to regulate invasive alien species (import, trade, possession)
❑ Surrender of captive animals:
▪ Any person can surrender a captive animal. It will become property of state govt.
Note: features of the amendment bill can be used to explain need for amending WPA 1972
CITES 1973 (Convention on International Trade in Endangered species of Wild flora and fauna)
❑ aka Washington Convention
❑ To control or prevent international commercial trade in Endangered species or products derived from them.
❑ Aim is to reduce economic incentive to poaching by closing international trade.
WPA 1972
❑ For wild animals, birds, plants, environmental security of India
❑ Central govt can declare any area as NP or WS
❑ State govt can declare any area as NP or WS or Conservation reserve or Community reserve (see page-24)
❑ Chief Wildlife Warden (by State govt) can permit hunting/killing of any wild animal if it has become
dangerous or is suffering beyond recovery (particular animal only)
Six schedules of WPA, 1972:

❑ Schedule 1 & 2:
❑ protected, highest penalty
❑ e.g. Tiger, flying squirrel, cobra, mongoose
❑ Schedule 3 & 4:
❑ protected, lower penalty
❑ e.g. Nilgai, Sambhar, wild pigs
❑ Schedule 5:
❑ vermins, can be hunted
❑ Central govt. notifies (but can’t notify animals of Schedule-1 or Part-2 of Schedule-2)
❑ Currently only mice, rat, common crow, flying fox (fruit eating bats)
❑ Schedule 6:
❑ prohibited plants
❑ Pitcher plant, Ladies slipper orchids, Red Vanda, Blue Vanda, Beddomes’ cycad, Kuth
Animal Trophy Pitcher plant
Taxidermy: preserving an animal's body
WPA establishes: (also see page-35)

National Board for Wildlife: Chair PM
State Board for Wildlife: Chair CM
Central Zoo Authority: Chair MoEFCC
Prelims 2017
National Tiger Conservation Authority: Chair MoEFCC
Wildlife Crime Control Bureau: HQ Delhi
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960

❑ "animal" means any living creature other
than a human being
❑ Penalty:
▪ 1st offence ₹ 10-50
▪ Repeat offence ₹ 25-100
❑ #NoMore50 was in news
❑ Animal Welfare Board of India est in 1962;
HQ Ballabhgarh in Haryana (earlier Chennai)
Prelims 2017
Urban Rivers
Sustainable river management:
❑ Making best use of river resources
▪ without compromising on needs of future generations
❑ Historically, Human civilizations developed along river banks
▪ This shows the importance of rivers for human settlements
Challenges in ensuring sustainable river management:

❑ Withdrawing excessive water:
▪ It dries up the river and affects ecological flow (class-39, pg-11)
❑ Sewage water is discharged without treatment
▪ It increases pollution, reduces biodiversity, converts river into drain
▪ It impacts health of those who use river for religious activity (Chhath pooja, idol immersion)
❑ Houses are built on river floodplain
▪ It damages river ecosystem, and makes infra vulnerable to flooding
❑ Irresponsible recreational use:
▪ As per NGT, Art of Living festival damaged Yamuna floodplains in 2017
❑ Building of dams and barrages
▪ It impacts free flow of fishes, accumulates silt, and creates problem in navigation
What can be done?

❑ Frame points from challenges
❑ Get more points from class-15 pg-05
❑ Reduce use of water, Reuse grey water for plants, Recycle black water
❑ Eco-friendly idol immersion:
▪ Lucknow and many cities build artificial ponds for idol immersion
❑ Room for the river project of Netherlands:
▪ Area around river is planned for flood protection, landscaping, etc.
❑ Singapore makes drain water drinkable
▪ 40% of Singapore's water needs are met through wastewater
❑ River Cities Alliance: (Ministry of Jal Shakti)
▪ Platform for river cities to discuss management of urban rivers
▪ Focus is on river-sensitive planning and development
▪ It is open to all river cities of India
Room of the river project, Netherlands
LiFE: Lifestyle For Environment
Lifestyle & Environment
❖ At CoP-26, India launched LiFE initiative for environment-conscious lifestyle
❖ Main idea: it is people’s responsibility to follow a lifestyle which protects environment
❖ Points for exam: No need to rattafy, just think about your daily activities.
Some more points:

▪ Bring Right to repair on lines of EU
▪ Replace use & throw culture with circular economy
▪ Make EPR mandatory (class-37 pg-07)
▪ For electronic products, implement urban mining to recover valuable metals (class-37 pg-06)
▪ Spread education for peaceful co-existence with nature
Class-77
Class-1
Man-Animal conflict
Reason for man-animal conflicts:
❑ Deforestation and Habitat loss:
▪ encroachment on forest land for agriculture, resorts, adventure camping, timber production, etc.
❑ Construction of road and railways:
▪ 35,000 animals were killed due to rail accidents during 2015-19
❑ Lack of food & water in forest
▪ It forces animals to search for food in human settlements
Consequences: (People, animal, govt)

❑ Loss of life and property
▪ Attack on human settlements by tiger, elephant, etc.
▪ Crops in fields destroyed by trampling elephants
❑ People attack animals:
▪ Locals set up traps to prevent wild animals from entering human settlements/fields
▪ e.g. June 2020 Kerala: firecracker filled pineapple, placed for wild boar, killed an elephant
❑ People oppose wildlife conservation efforts:
▪ People oppose forest officials who try to preserve wildlife, and may even support poachers
What can be done?

❑ Create buffer to protect protected areas
▪ Prevent people from undertaking farming activities in NP and WS
▪ Create Eco-sensitive zones around protected area
❑ Construct Wildlife crossings
▪ Wildlife underpass and bridges will allow safe passage to animals, and reduce accidents
▪ e.g. underpass on NH-7 in Kanha-Pench corridor
❑ Augment fodder & water sources within forest
▪ This will reduce chances of animals wandering out of forest
❑ Compensate farmers for crop loss
▪ Schemes like PM Fasal Bima Yojana can be used to reduce resentment in locals
❑ Innovative methods like 'Plan Bee’
▪ Northeast Frontier Railway uses instruments that create buzzing sound of bees, to prevent
animals from coming near rail tracks
African is bigger than Asian:
Cheetah Lion, Elephant, Cheetah, etc.
Asiatic Cheetah is CR
African Cheetah is Vulnerable
Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India: Why Kuno NP?

▪ 50 to be reintroduced in NPs over 5 years ▪ Suitable habitat
▪ From Southern Africa ▪ Adequate prey base
▪ First release site will be Kuno NP ▪ No human settlements (complete relocation of villages)
Why from Southern Africa? Kuno National Park (in northern MP)
▪ Asiatic (Iran) are CR ▪ 1981 WS, 2018 NP; 748 sq. km.
(so sourcing will be problem) ▪ part of Sheopur-Shivpuri deciduous open forest
▪ African cheetahs are ancestral Some animals: (don't learn the following names)
to all other lineages ▪ Leopard, sloth bear, dhole, jackal, hyena, Bengal fox
▪ Chital, Sambar, Chinkara, Blackbuck, wild boar
▪ Mugger crocodile, Gharial, Bengal monitor
Cheetah: Other recommended sites:

▪ Independent India’s only extinct large mammal ❑ Nauradehi WS → MP
▪ Lives in grasslands, scrubs, semi-arid environments ❑ Gandhi Sagar WS (Bhainsrorgarh WS) → MP
▪ Usually does not attack humans and large livestock ❑ Shahgarh bulge → Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
▪ Keystone species (high impact in its ecosystem) ❑ Mukundara TR → Rajasthan
Expected benefits:
❑ Enhance grassland ecosystem
▪ Cheetah being flagship species will help in reviving grasslands and boost biodiversity
❑ Boost Tourism & local economy
▪ Tourists will get a new attraction, and locals will gain financially (Taxi, eateries, crafts)
❑ Help in Cheetah conservation:
▪ By extending the range of cheetahs, their conservation efforts will get a boost
Concerns:
❑ Disturb grassland ecosystem
▪ Cheetahs were absent for long time, ecosystem has adapted. It may now get disturbed.
▪ Competition from other predators, like leopards
(Forest officials are finding it difficult to remove them)
❑ Increase man-animal conflict
▪ When more Cheetahs are introduced, they may venture into human settlements
❑ Quality of Cheetahs being imported:
▪ Captive bred Cheetahs, who don't know hunting, could be delivered to India
4 major causes of biodiversity loss:

Negative effects of Habitat Fragmentation: ▪ Habitat loss and fragmentation
▪ Less movement of animals in search of food. ▪ Over-exploitation
▪ Less movement of animals during natural disaster (like drought). ▪ Alien species invasion
▪ More man animals conflict, more road accidents. ▪ Co-extinction
▪ More pollution in habitats.
▪ Division of large population into small unviable unit, due to less genetic diversity.
▪ Less ability to cope with increased competition or threat.
Eco-Sensitive Zones
In June 2022, SC ordered creation of minimum 1 km ESZ around protected areas
Eco-Sensitive Zones:
❑ They are ecologically fragile areas around National Parks and Wildlife sanctuaries
❑ They are notified by MoEFCC under EPA 1986
Importance:
❑ They act as Shock absorber for protected areas:
▪ They reduce pollution and adverse impact from nearby economic activities
▪ They reduce chances of man animal conflict
❑ They act as Transition zone:
▪ between areas with higher protection to lower protection
❑ They use graded approach to regulation:
▪ While mining is banned, activities like resorts and roads are regulated.
▪ They regulate human activities instead of imposing prohibition.
❑ They become habitat for biodiversity:
▪ Many species find shelter in vegetation of eco-sensitive zones
❑ They promote eco-tourism:
▪ They allow hotels to host tourists for National park. (hotels can't run 'inside' NP)
Issues:
❑ ESZ not defined:
▪ Govt hesitates in notifying ESZ as it might hamper economic activities.
❑ Urban area:
▪ Some PAs are in urban areas, e.g. Guindy NP Chennai, making it difficult to create ESZ
❑ ESZ is very narrow:
▪ Sometimes ESZ is only of few metres, making it irrelevant.
❑ Opposition from locals:
▪ Locals depend on forests for livelihood, hence they perform economic activities close to PA
Eco-Sensitive Zones
National Park/ ➢ Acts 'shock absorbers' to Protected Areas.
Wildlife Sanctuary ➢ Only up to 10 km around PA? No
➢ ‘Corridors’ to prevent biodiversity fragmentation
State govt. ➢ Notified by MoEFCC under EPA, 1986
➢ EPA 1986 does not mention the word “Eco-
Sensitive Zones”.
NP/WS notified by → State → WPA 1972 ➢ "Wildlife Conservation Strategy 2002" envisaged
ESZ notified by → Centre → EPA 1986 10 km EFZ around protected areas. (F = Fragile)
Prelims 2014: ❑ Prohibited: Commercial mining
With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of ❑ Regulated: hotels and resorts
the following statements is/are correct? ❑ Permitted: Ongoing agricultural practices
1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are Prelims 2016:
declared under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. ‘Gadgil Committee Report’ and
2. The purpose of the declaration of Eco-Sensitive ‘Kasturirangan Committee Report’,
Zones is to prohibit all kinds of human sometimes seen in news, are related to
activities in those zones except agriculture. (a) constitutional reforms
Select the correct answer using code given below. (b) Ganga Action Plan 2010 64% Gadgil
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) linking of rivers 2012 37% Kasturi
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (d) protection of Western Ghats
Protected Areas National Park Wildlife Sanctuary

WPA 1972 To protect To protect wildlife or
India has a network of Purpose ecologically its environment
important area
982 Protected Areas including Restricted activities
106 National Parks, Human activity Not permitted allowed
566 Wildlife Sanctuaries, Notified by State govt State govt
97 Conservation Reserves, Boundary NBWL NBWL
214 Community Reserves change recommendation recommendation
covering a total of 1,71,921 km2 Oldest 1936 1936 Vedanthangal
Hailey/Corbett Lake Bird Sanct. (TN)
of geographical area of the country Maximum in MP (11) A&N Islands (96)
which is approximately 5.03%
Conservation Community
Marine Protected Areas: Reserve Reserve
❑ Not specifically mentioned in WPA Purpose Buffer zone / Buffer zone /
migration corridor migration corridor
❑ Est. as NP or WS or Cons. Reserve
Land ownership Only government Private also
❑ 129 = 25 South; 100 A&N; 4 Laksh.
Can be used for Can be used for
Human activity subsistence by subsistence by
communities communities
Critical Wildlife Habitat: Notified by State govt State govt
❑ Within NP and WS 2005 (WPA 2007 (WPA
Since
❑ No human settlement & usage amended in 2002) amended in 2002)
❑ Notified by MoEFCC under FRA 2006 Maximum in J&K (32) Nagaland (114)

Environmental Impact Assessment
What is EIA?
▪ EIA is a process of evaluating the likely environmental impact of a proposed project.
▪ It aims to suitably modify the proposed project, to reduce adverse impact.
Precautionary principle:
❑ It is used to deal with actions that:
▪ are weakly understood, e.g. impact of open pit mining on groundwater level & toxicity
▪ have irreversible implications, e.g. forest submerged by dam cannot be retrieved.
❑ It is the main reason for conducting EIA
▪ as environmental harm is weakly understood and irreparable
❑ In case of environmental decision making, it has four main components:
▪ take preventive action (if there is uncertainty)
▪ burden of proof is on promoter of project (that the project does not harm environment)
▪ explore alternatives (change of site, or change of technology, or modify project size)
▪ increase public participation in decision making (public opinion must be considered)
Existing problems with EIA in India:

❑ Funding:
▪ EIA is funded by project promoter, hence there is clear conflict of interest.
❑ Assessment:
▪ Team conducting EIA lacks in expertise in environmental science.
❑ Reports:
▪ Most reports in English and not in the local language.
▪ Reports are too technical for common people to understand.
Draft EIA notification 2020:

❑ Toxic industries
▪ can be set up as close as 0-5 km from protected areas.
❑ Public consultation:
▪ Public to submit response in 20 days, instead of 30 days.
▪ Public hearing not needed for strategic sectors, widening highways, or projects up to 1.5 lakh m2
❑ Reporting of violation:
▪ Violation of environmental law can be reported only by the violator or the government.
❑ Does not cover all seasons:
▪ EIA need not cover all seasons of the year. This will hide many possible impacts of the project.
❑ Monitoring frequency reduced:
▪ from 6 months to annual. So, environmental damage will go unnoticed for longer time.
❑ Provision for Post-facto clearance:
▪ Projects started without environmental clearance can be given clearance later.
▪ It defeats the purpose of conducting EIA
Conclusion:
❑ Draft EIA will help in improving ease of doing business.
❑ But, its adverse impact on environment can have catastrophic effect in future.
❑ Wider consultations must be held, and objections addressed, before finalising the notification.
Mains 2020:
How does the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020 differ from the existing EIA
Notification, 2006? (Answer in 150 words)
EIA
Environment Impact Assessment (EIA):
❖ evaluating the likely environmental impacts of
a proposed project.
❖ EIA notification is made by MoEF&CC under
EPA, 1986. Current notification is of 2006.
Categories of projects:
❑ Category A : EIA mandatory, so no screening.
❑ Category B : screening classifies projects as:
▪ Category B1 projects: EIA required
▪ Category B2 projects: EIA not required
Who gives
Environmental Category A projects: Category B projects:
clearance? Expert Appraisal Committee → MoEFCC State EAC → State EIA Authority
NGT
How is NGT different from CPCB The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 was
1. NGT has been established by an Act enacted in consonance with which of the
whereas CPCB has been created by an following provisions of the Constitution of India?
executive order of the Government. 1. Right to healthy environment, construed as a
2. NGT provides environmental justice and part of Right to life under Article 21
helps reduce the burden of litigation in 2. Provision of grants for raising level of
the higher courts whereas CPCB promotes administration in Scheduled Areas for
cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims welfare of Scheduled Tribes u/a 275(1)
to improve the quality of air in the 3. Powers and functions of Gram Sabha as
country. mentioned under Article 243 (A)
Which of the above statements is/are correct: Select correct answer using codes given below:
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
❑ Statutory body; NGT Act 2010

❑ Chairperson:
❑ India 1st to set up env tribunal? No Aus/NZ
serving/retd. SC Judge or HC CJ
❑ Civil cases? Yes; Criminal cases? No
❑ Natural justice; ❑ 10-20 Judicial members:
Not bound by Code of Civil Procedure 1908 serving/retd. SC Judge / HC CJ / HC Judge
❑ Delhi (Principal) ❑ 10-20 Expert members
Pune, Kolkata, Bhopal, Chennai ❑ 5 year term; no reappointment
❑ Decision can be challenged 'only' in SC? No
✓Water Act 1974; ✓Water Cess Act 1977; ✓Air Act 1981;
Laws under NGT ✓Forest (Conservation) Act 1980; ✓Environment (Protection) Act 1986;
✓Public Liability Insurance Act 1991; ✓Biological Diversity Act 2002
WPA 1972? No

Also see:
Indian Antarctic Act 2022 class-44 pages 2-5
Aim of the Act:
▪ To have India’s own national measures for protecting the Antarctic environment.
▪ To ensure de-militarization of the region, and end mining or illegal activities.
▪ To ensure that there should not be any nuclear test / explosion in the region.
Significance of the Act:

▪ It will help in efficient operation of Indian Antarctic Programme.
▪ It will increase India's involvement in tourism and fisheries in Antarctica.
▪ It will increase India's credibility in Polar governance
▪ It will increase India's cooperation in scientific and logistics field.
Key Features:
❑ Permit:
▪ Indian expedition to Antarctic will need permit from govt
❑ Jurisdiction of courts:
▪ It extends jurisdiction of Indian courts to Indian expeditions to Antarctica
▪ It will be applicable to Indians and foreigners who are part of Indian expeditions.
❑ Antarctic fund:
▪ It will be created for protecting Antarctic environment.
❑ Environmental protection:
▪ It prohibits nuclear explosion, mining, garbage disposal etc that threaten Antarctic environment
❑ Indian Antarctic Authority:
▪ Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences; Chairperson: Secretary, MoES
▪ Provide transparent process for expeditions
▪ Ensure compliance by Indian citizens in expeditions
▪ Ensure protection of Antarctic environment
Antarctic Treaty 1961

❑ India joined it in 1983
❑ Promote international scientific cooperation
❑ Only peaceful use of Antarctica:
▪ Demilitarize Antarctica
▪ Establish nuclear free zone
India’s research stations in Antarctica:

❑ 1983 DG → 1989 Maitri → 2012 Bharti
❑ Maitri and Bharti are still operational
❑ India has successfully launched 40 scientific expeditions
to Antarctica till date
PPVFR Act 2001
News: Pepsico lost rights over FC-5 potato FL-2027
Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001:

Enacted to give effect to TRIPS agreement. Rights under the Act:
❑ Breeder's rights:
➢ Right to produce, sell, import, export the protected variety.
❑ Researcher's rights:
➢ Can use any registered variety for research (even to develop a new variety)
❑ Farmer's rights:
➢ Farmer who develops new variety can get it registered as a breeder
➢ Allows farmer to save, use, sow, resow, exchange, share or sell farm-saved seeds except
the brand name.
➢ Farmers can claim compensation if registered variety fails to perform
➢ Farmers need not pay fees at any tribunal or court (money from National Gene Fund)
December 2021: PepsiCo's IPR on FL-2027 (FC-5) potato variety was revoked by PPVFR Authority.
Implications of the current verdict

▪ It sets a precedent for protecting farmer's rights.
▪ It may discourage innovation by companies due to weak IPR protection.
▪ It may boost local food processing units (by using same potato as PepsiCo)
Functions of PPVFR Authority:

▪ Registration of new plant varieties
▪ Facilitate commercialisation of new plant varieties
▪ Maintenance of National Gene Bank to store seed material
Class-78
Class-1
Rupee Slide Forex Reserves
Reasons for recent fall of INR

❑ Higher import bill:
▪ Rising price of crude oil, edible oils, etc due to Ukraine war
❑ Higher Current Account Deficit:
▪ Widening CAD due to rising trade deficit
❑ US Fed's tighter monetary policy:
▪ It led to FPI outflow from Indian financial markets
Impact of Rupee depreciation:

❑ Costlier oil:
▪ Larger payments need to be made for importing crude oil and edible oil
❑ Higher inflation:
▪ Costlier crude oil increased transport costs; edible oil lead to food inflation
❑ Further widening of CAD
▪ India is a net importer, so weaker rupee increased import bill even further
❑ Decline in forex reserves ($80 billion fall in 6 months)
▪ Due to selling of dollars by RBI and a higher import bill
Steps taken:
❑ Fiscal policy action by Fin Min:
▪ Customs duty on import of gold increased
▪ Excise duty on export of petroleum items increased
❑ Monetary policy action by RBI:
▪ Policy rates hiked by RBI (Repo rate hiked by 140 basis point in during May-July)
▪ Forex market interventions to reduce volatility and smoothen rupee’s fall.
What can be done?

❑ Cheaper oil:
▪ Import cheaper oil from Russia
▪ Increase ethanol blending to reduce demand for crude oil
❑ Alternative Payment mechanisms
▪ Explore Rupee-Rouble arrangement to settle dues in rupees instead of Dollars
▪ Conduct currency swap with other countries (Framework for CS in SAARC was approved in 2019)
❑ Boost exports
▪ Weaker rupee is good opportunity to increase exports
Prelims 2012: PT-365 Economy class-10 pg-56 Convertibility of Rupee:
The price of any currency in international market is decided by Conversion to other currencies
1. World Bank Current account → fully convertible
2. Demand for goods/services provided by the country concerned Capital account → partially convertible
3. Stability of the government of the concerned country
4. Economic potential of the country in question. Full convertibility:
Which of the statements given above are correct? ➢ Benefit: capital inflow
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only ➢ Problem: more volatility
Prelims 2019:
Which of the following is "not" the most likely measure the Govt / RBI takes to stop slide of Indian rupee?
(a) Curbing imports of non-essential goods and promoting exports
(b) Encouraging Indian borrowers to issue rupee denominated Masala Bonds
(c) Easing conditions relating to external commercial borrowing
(d) Following an expansionary monetary policy
Prelims 2019: FEMA 1999

In the context of India, which of the following factors are ❑ Regulates foreign exchange transactions
contributors to reducing the risk of a currency crisis? ❑ Classifies all forex transaction as capital
1. The foreign currency earnings of India's IT sector or current account transactions.
2. Increasing the government expenditure ❑ All transactions by resident Indian, that
3. Remittances from Indians abroad do not alter his assets or liabilities
Select the correct answer using the code given below. outside India, are current account
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 3 only transactions.
(c) 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
PT-365 Economy class-03 pg-18
Currency Manipulator
❖ A country deliberately influencing exchange rate to gain “unfair trade advantage”.
❖ Designation given by WTO, IMF, WB, UN, etc.? No. It’s just the USA.
❖ Many countries were/are in the list, not a big deal.
For Prelims, please remember:
✓ Stronger rupee means rupee moving
from 60 to 50.
✓ Weaker rupee means rupee moving Taper tantrum
from 60 to 70.
✓ It is generally advantageous for India /
China to have weak currency.
✓ RBI’s dollar reserves are near lifetime
high ($630 billion)
✓ Rupee is near lifetime low ($1 = ₹76)
Fixed Exchange rate system: Managed floating (dirty float): Free Floating:
Currency's value is fixed by Central Bank Central Bank intervenes to Central Bank does
against the value of another currency prevent volatility (India: 1993/94) not intervene
Technically: Devaluation is done intentionally in fixed rate system, but depreciation happens by itself
(market forces) in floating rate system.
For exam: don’t get into this technicality unless the questions demands so.
Hot money
Hot money:
❑ Flow of funds from one country to another, to earn short-term profit
❑ Reason: interest rate differences or anticipated exchange rate shifts.
Prelims 2021: Carry trade:

Indian Government Bond yields are ➢ Borrow money at low interest rate
influenced by which of the following? ➢ Invest that money in assets giving higher return
1. Actions of United States Federal Reserve
When US Fed increases rates:
2. Actions of Reserve Bank of India
➢ US bonds will give more yield (return)
3. Inflation and short-term interest rates
➢ Indian bonds will become less attractive
➢ Global funds will pull money out of Indian bonds.
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only
➢ Rupee will become weaker. Dollar will become stronger.
(c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
➢ To prevent such FPI outflow, RBI may increase rates.
US Fed Taper tantrum of 2013: Prelims 2021:

US Fed announced that it will taper its policy of The effect of devaluation of a currency is that it
quantitative easing necessarily
▪ US Fed will feed less money into the economy 1. improves the competitiveness of the domestic
▪ US Fed will reduce purchase of Treasury bonds exports in the foreign markets.
▪ i.e. demand for Treasury bonds will reduce 2. increases the foreign value of domestic currency
▪ i.e. price of Treasury bonds will reduce 3. improves the trade balance
▪ i.e. yield of Treasury bonds will increase Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Result: FPI outflow from India, Rupee fell (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 (c) 3 only (d) 2 and 3
Sterilization
❑ Huge inflow of foreign currency can damage economy
➢ Currency will appreciate
➢ Inflation
➢ Exports will become uncompetitive
❑ To prevent such damage
➢ RBI will withdraw excess money supply
➢ This is called sterilization
MSS
Market Stabilization Scheme
❑ It was introduced in 2004
➢ due to huge capital inflows since 2002.
❑ In 2016, after demonetization
➢ its limit was increased from 30k crore to 6 lakh crore.
❑ It is a monetary policy tool of RBI
➢ To withdraw excess liquidity (money supply)
➢ By selling Market Stabilization Bonds (MSBs are just like T-bills/G-secs, hence part of govt debt)
❑ Money raised by MSBs is not transferred to govt
➢ It is kept with RBI for buyback

Prelims 2022 Current Affairs Economy Page-17 © All Inclusive IAS
Capital
Account
Assets Current Account vs Capital Account
BoP Goods Merchandise
Current Invisibles like

Account Services Tourism, profit
from assets
Transfer Remittances,
payments Gift, Grants
Can a country have Trade deficit and Current Account surplus simultaneously?
Yes, if earnings from Services and Transfers are more than Trade deficit
Which of the following constitute Capital With reference to Balance of Payments, which of
Account? the following constitutes Current Account?
1. Foreign loans 2. FDI 1. Balance of Trade 2. Foreign Assets
3. Remittances 4. Portfolio investments 3. Balance of invisibles 4. Special Drawing Rights
Select the correct answer. Select the correct answer.
(a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1, 2 and 4 (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3
(c) 2, 3 and 4 (d) 1, 3 and 4 (c) 1 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 4
Capital Account Convertibility

Convertibility of INR:
▪ Current account → fully convertible
▪ Capital account → partially convertible
Capital Account Convertibility:
Freedom to convert domestic currency to foreign currency, and vice-versa, for capital account transactions.
Full CAC: removing all restrictions on convertibility of currency
What would full convertibility mean for rupee?
▪ There will be no limit on inflow or outflow of capital for various purposes.
▪ Rupee exchange rate will be left to market factors without any regulatory intervention.
Advantages of full convertibility:
❑ Sign of Stable and Mature Economy
▪ It will show that Indian economy is strong enough to handle unrestricted movement of capital
❑ Increased Liquidity in Financial Markets
▪ Global investors will find it easier to invest in financial markets in India
❑ Improved Employment and Business Opportunities
▪ FDI will increase, and bring with it advanced tech and job opportunities
❑ Easy Access to Foreign Capital
▪ Indian companies will find it easier to take foreign loans at lower interest rates.
Disadvantages of full convertibility:
❑ High Volatility
▪ Forex rate will become more volatile in absence of regulatory control
❑ Higher currency risk
▪ Size of foreign loan will increase if rupee depreciates
❑ Negative impact on Exports
▪ Export-oriented economies (India, China) prefers weaker currency to boost exports
▪ Rupee appreciation can reduce competitiveness of Indian exports
Is India Ready?
Our ability to adopt full convertibility depends on strength of our economy, including:
▪ Optimum levels of forex reserves
▪ Consistently surplus Current account deficit (CAD); Export competitiveness
▪ Fiscal consolidation; Better control on inflation
To become a global economy, India needs higher integration with global economic system.
Making rupee fully convertible is a step in that direction.
Virtual Digital Assets
Budget 2022 has imposed 30% tax on any income from transfer of any virtual digital asset
Virtual Digital Asset: (general definition)

▪ It is a digital representation of an item that has value in a specific environment.
▪ It can be digitally traded, transferred or used for payment or investment purposes.
Benefits:
❑ Broad definition
▪ Not just crypto, but all types of digital assets are covered
❑ More revenue for govt
▪ Govt will collect more tax, which can help control fiscal deficit
Challenges:
❑ Peer-2-Peer transactions
▪ No mechanism exists to track such transactions
▪ People will use this path to avoid paying tax
❑ Profit from Mining operation
▪ Lack of clarity on costs and profits due to crypto mining activity
❑ Competition from CBDC
▪ Central Bank Digital Currency are not covered under this tax
▪ Tax will disincentivise people from investing in crypto assets
❑ Concerns remain:
▪ Money laundering and terror financing concerns related to crypto assets still remain
Way forward:
▪ Legal status of Crypto assets should be finalized at the earliest.
▪ Central Bank Digital Currency can be launched by RBI to promote financial inclusion.
▪ A comprehensive framework for governing VDAs is necessary for more clarity.
▪ Spread awareness in public about risks due to price volatility of virtual assets.
From Prelims class

Virtual Digital Assets: Why is govt not calling cryptocurrency as currency?
❑ May or may not be using Something is currency only if it is issued by RBI (even if its
crypto/blockchain technology crypto). CBDC will be currency.
❑ Flat 30% tax on digital asset gains
❑ Loss? can't set off against gains Adjusting capital loss: (Long term vs Short term)
❑ Gift? recipient will pay tax (This is not important)
❑ Applicable on CBDC? No ❑ LTCL can be adjusted against LTCG
❑ STCL can be adjusted against both LTCG and STCG
Digital Banks
Note: For any question on Fintech, Neo bank, Digital bank, payments, etc, student can use points from
"Financial Inclusion" in class-21 pg-05
[July 2022] NITI Aayog has proposed a licensing and regulatory regime for digital banks, with “Financial
Inclusion” being the main aim.
Does India need Digital Banks?

❑ Limitations of Neo-Banks:
▪ They are dependent on obsolete core banking system of partner banks
❑ Low credit penetration:
▪ It remains a challenge, especially for 6.3 crore MSMEs
Prevailing model: (Neo-Banks)

❑ Neo-banks model has emerged due to
▪ regulatory vacuum
▪ absence of digital bank licence
❑ NITI report highlights following challenges in ‘partnership model’ of neo-banking:
▪ Limited Revenue Potential
▪ Potential obsolescence of the partner bank’s Core Banking System
▪ High Cost of Capital & No Entry Barrier
The report recommends following approach:

1) Issue ‘Restricted’ licence
▪ Impose restriction in terms of volume/value of customers serviced
2) Create regulatory Sandbox
▪ Include all licensees in a regulatory sandbox enacted by RBI
3) Issue ‘Full-scale’ licence
▪ Subject to satisfactory performance in the sandbox
Financial Services Institutions Bureau
Background for understanding, not to be written in exam:

❑ A General Manager at National Insurance Company challenged the appointment of a person junior to him
for Director’s position by the BBB
❑ Delhi HC ruled that BBB is not the competent authority for selections to insurance companies.
❑ So Centre dissolved BBB, and created FSIB. But practically it was just a name change.
From PT-365 Economy class-4
Banks in India: Banking regulatory powers in India are NOT ownership neutral
❑ All commercial banks are regulated by RBI under BR Act 1949.
➢ 12 public sector banks
❑ Additionally, PSBs are regulated by FinMin under SBI Act 1955,
➢ 22 private sector banks
Banking Companies Act 1970, Bank Nationalisation Act 1980
➢ 46 foreign banks
❑ Hence, PSBs are subject to dual regulation of RBI & FinMin
➢ 56 regional rural banks
❑ All sections of BR Act 1949 do not apply to PSBs, hence:
➢ 1,485 urban cooperative banks
▪ RBI cannot remove directors/management of PSBs
➢ 96,000 rural cooperative banks
▪ RBI cannot supersede Board of PSBs
➢ 2.1 lakh ATMs
▪ RBI cannot liquidate or force merger of PSBs
▪ RBI cannot give/revoke license to PSBs
Banks Board Bureau: Some initiatives to improve conditions of PSBs

➢ It is a statutory body? No! ➢ Mission Indradhanush 2015
➢ Est. in 2016 on recommendation of ➢ Banks Board Bureau
RBI appointed PJ Nayak Committee ➢ Separate posts of Chairman and Managing Director
➢ To select and appointment Board ➢ Enhanced Access and Service Excellence, EASE Reforms Index
members for various FIs in public ➢ Central Repository of Information on Large Credits (CRILC)
sector (Banks, insurance co, AIFIs, etc) ➢ Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016
➢ Recommend measures to improve ➢ Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018
governance in these institutions. ➢ Recapitalisation and Recapitalisation Bonds
➢ Assist in capital raising, deal with bad
loans, etc.
For any Banking related question, use points from:

Class-49 pg-6,7 and Class-50 pg-01
Class-79
Class-1
Open Network for Digital Commerce
ONDC:
❑ It is an open network for e-commerce activities.
▪ It uses open protocols, just like http for internet, and UPI for payments.
❑ Buyer & seller can use any application of their choice to do e-commerce transaction.
▪ Currently, buyer & seller use same application (Amazon/Flipkart) to do transaction.
❑ ONDC will standardize operations like
▪ cataloguing, inventory management, order management, order fulfilment.
❑ More choice for buyers
▪ Buyers can discover multiple sellers for same product
❑ Promotes local sellers
▪ Those not on amazon/Flipkart will also be able to sell online
▪ Buyers will prefer purchasing from local sellers
Challenges
❑ It is a complex project
▪ UPI is only digital. But ONDC also involves logistics
❑ Competition from big players
▪ Making people to shift to new platform will be difficult
❑ More choice may not matter:
▪ More number of sellers may not improve buyer experience as product remains same.
❑ Past failures:
▪ Similar initiative by start-ups have failed in the past.
❑ Trust/Accountability issues:
▪ Lack of mechanism to address customer complaints and returns.
❑ No significant capital infusion:
▪ Amazon/Flipkart spent billions to create a loyal customer base.
▪ No such capital infusion is expected to promote ONDC
E-Commerce
Benefits/importance of e-commerce:
❑ More choice to customers:
▪ People can buy products not available in local area
❑ Job creation through gig economy:
▪ Cab drivers, food delivery boy, household services (Urban Company)
❑ Efficient logistics:
▪ Modern warehouses, inventory management practices, order tracking, etc.
Challenges:
❑ Local businesses suffer due to low demand
❑ Duopoly of Amazon/Flipkart, Zomato/Swiggy, Ola/Uber, etc.
❑ Anti-competitive practices like predatory pricing, fake reviews, etc
❑ Misuse of customer data by companies in absence of data protection law
❑ Supply of fake or substandard products
Steps taken:
❑ ONDC is being created to end dominance of big players
❑ Equalization levy imposed on foreign firms
❑ Consumer Protection Act 2019 covers e-commerce transactions
Emerging trends:
❑ 10 minute delivery:
▪ promotes rash driving, endangers road safety
❑ Drone delivery:
▪ overhead cables, bird hits, crash accidents
Special Economic Zone
Special Economic Zones:
❑ Duty free area deemed to be foreign territory for trade, tariffs, etc.
❑ Can be set up for manufacturing as well as services.
❑ India began setting up SEZs in 2000
❑ They are approved under SEZ Act, 2005
❑ Approx 450 approved, 268 operational
Export Processing Zone: NIMZ SEZ

❑ EPZs were similar to SEZs to today. National Mfg Policy SEZ Act 2005
❑ Asia’s first EPZ was est in 1965 at Kandla 2011
Note: For Industrial growth For exports
New name of Kandla port is Deendayal Port Domestic territory Deemed foreign
It is in Gulf of Kutch, not Gulf of Cambay territory
DESH Bill 2022:

❑ Development of Enterprises and Services Hub
❑ Govt plans to replace SEZ Act 2005 with a new law
❑ Two important changes:
❖ removal of positive net foreign exchange requirement
❖ easier access to domestic markets. Payment need not be in forex.
❑ Many of the proposed changes are necessary to be WTO compliant.
Benefits of creating SEZ Data:

▪ for Company: Simpler compliances, Lower tax, 268 operational SEZs employs 25 lakh people
single window clearances from Centre/states 30% of India’s exports are from SEZs
▪ for Economy: job creation, inflow of forex
But why create separate area? Businesses in India often face challenges like:
➢ absence of quality infra
➢ multiplicity of controls and clearances
➢ unstable fiscal regime (duties on import/export changes frequently)
Challenges faced by SEZs?

❑ Half the land allocated to SEZs remain unutilized
▪ Provide flexibility to use land for purposes like affordable housing.
❑ Full customs duty is charged for domestic sale
▪ Allow best available FTA rates (Free Trade Agreement)
❑ External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) is permitted only for selected SEZ infra
▪ Allow ECB for entire SEZ infrastructure
❑ To be eligible for benefits, SEZ units must have positive Net Foreign Exchange
▪ Eligibility for benefits should be linked to employment generated, investment in R&D, etc.
❑ Constraints of paying only in dollars to consume services from a firm in SEZ
▪ Allow payment in rupee for services (just like goods); amend the SEZ Act
Baba Kalyani committee recommendations:

a) Set up SEZs as 3Es (Employment & Economic Enclaves) i.e. shift focus from exports to economy and
employment.
b) Incentives should be based on investment, employment, technology, value addition, etc.
c) Improve connectivity to remote SEZs.
d) Frame policies to avoid competition with similar schemes like NIMZ.
e) Allow use of rupee in transactions with domestic firms.
With global business turning against China, it important to use full potential of our SEZs to attract companies
looking to shift their manufacturing base outside China.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Concept:
❑ Companies are part of society, they operate in society, and earn from society.
❑ Hence, Companies have moral obligation to work for betterment of society.
CSR in India:
❑ With Companies Act 2013, India became first country to make CSR compulsory.
▪ Before 2013, CSR was considered as a philanthropic activity, done voluntarily.
❑ Role of CSR committee in company:
▪ frame CSR policy and monitor its implementation
▪ recommend amount of funds to be spent
Significance of CSR:
❑ Benefits society:
▪ Health, education, poverty
❑ Benefits nation:
▪ Environment, Heritage conservation, support during disaster mgmt (eg covid)
❑ Benefits company:
▪ Higher investor confidence
▪ Boosts companies brand image in eyes of customers, builds customer loyalty
▪ Low attrition, higher employee motivation, employees speak positively about their workplace
▪ Positive coverage in local and national media
▪ By reducing poverty, new buyers for company's products are created
▪ By skilling the locals today, company gets skilled workforce tomorrow
▪ By planting trees near company office, area becomes less prone to flooding
Challenges:
❑ Regional disparity:
▪ Companies prefer spending CSR money in their main area of operation
▪ But real need of CSR is in remote undeveloped areas
❑ Inadequate capacity:
▪ Companies lack manpower willing to give time for educating or skilling locals
❑ Considered as charity:
▪ Companies simply donate money to PM-CARES, PM Nat. Relief Fund, etc
▪ They don't try to bring any social change at grassroot level
❑ Misuse of funds:
▪ Funds are diverted to shady NGOs in name of CSR activities
▪ Funds spent on social awareness programs are actually used for marketing company products
(sanitation is important, so use this product)
CSR
❑ Companies Act, 2013 made CSR compulsory (Schedule 7 of Companies Act 2013)
❑ India first country to make CSR compulsory. CSR quota includes money spent on:
❑ For Indian and Foreign companies in India. ❑ Health, education, poverty,
❑ Overseen by Ministry of Corporate Affairs environment, heritage, disaster
❑ Violation is civil wrong management, etc.
❑ 2% of average profit of last 3 years. ❑ PM-CARES? Yes
❑ For which companies? ❑ PM Nat. Relief Fund? Yes
❑ Annual sales > 1000 crore ❑ CM Relief Fund? No
❑ Net worth > 500 crore ❑ NDMA / SDMA? Yes
❑ Net profit > 5 crore ❑ Covid related activities? Yes
Civil Aviation
India is 3rd largest domestic aviation market after USA and China
Importance:
❑ Helps in regional development, promotes tourism
▪ UDAN scheme increases air connectivity in tier II and III cities
❑ Connects strategic areas:
▪ eg Hilly areas, N-E India, A&N islands, etc
❑ Efficient logistics can open new business opportunities:
▪ eg Amazon same day delivery; Zomato Legends (inter-city food delivery)
❑ Employment generation
▪ Pilots, crew, ground support, etc.
UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik) Scheme 2016:

▪ Regional Connectivity Scheme to connect un-served & under-served airports at affordable prices
▪ 419 UDAN routes connect 67 airports and heliports
▪ 350 new city pairs are now scheduled to be connected under the scheme,
Steps taken:
▪ 100% FDI under Automatic route for Ground Handling Services
▪ Digi yatra platform: use of facial recognition instead of boarding pass at airports
▪ AirSewa app: all info about air travel in one place
▪ New airports: eg Jewar airport is being developed as India's biggest airport
▪ Airport operations: AAI has leased 8 airports to private companies
Challenges:
▪ High jet fuel price makes air travel expensive
▪ Congestion in major cities like Delhi & Mumbai
▪ Security concerns sometime leads to harassment of passengers, especially PwDs
Tourism
Tourism Development Index: India's rank 54 out of 117
40 World Heritage Sites: 32 : Cultural, 7 : Natural, 1 : Mixed
Significance of Tourism:
❑ Regional development
▪ with tourist inflow, govt develops infra like road, piped water, etc.
❑ Employment generation
▪ guides, eateries, taxi, etc.
❑ Diplomacy
▪ Promotes India's Soft Power
❑ Economy
▪ brings much needed dollar inflow
Scope for Tourism / Some initiatives

❑ Medical Tourism
▪ attract patients from South Asia, Middle east and Africa
❑ Theme-based tourism
▪ Swadesh Darshan Scheme: 15 circuits have been created like Buddhist circuit, N-E circuit
❑ Religious tourism
▪ PRASHAD Scheme: Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive
❑ Film Tourism
▪ India as destination for film shooting, due to variety of terrain (hills to desert)
❑ MICE
▪ Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions
Challenges:
❑ Pandemic
▪ fear of contacting communicable diseases discourages international tourism
❑ Poor infra
▪ poor condition of road, railway stations, public toilets
❑ Condition of historical sites
▪ Most of the historical sites are in dilapidated condition
❑ Vested groups
▪ Campaigns are run to pull down monuments like Taj Mahal
❑ Unsafe place
▪ Multiple reports in international media show India as unsafe place for women
Class-80
Class-1
Techno Diplomacy
New, Emerging and Strategic Technologies (NEST)
MEA has created a new division called NEST to:
➢ engage in technology diplomacy
➢ deal with foreign policy aspect of new and emerging technologies
It will enable more active participation of India in global forums, in the area of technology governance and
promoting our national interests in that context.
Techno-diplomacy
Art of negotiating technology questions as a tool of diplomacy. For example:
▪ conducting negotiations between countries with conflicting technological interests
▪ ability to cooperate on S&T when political relations are extremely difficult
Learn like this: (1) Agree on politics but disagree on Tech (ii) Disagree on politics but agree on Tech
What India needs to do?

❑ Reduce dependence on China:
▪ Indian companies like Paytm have significant Chinese control
▪ This raises concerns like data misuse, cyber-espionage, etc.
❑ Data governance:
▪ USA's Cloud Act and Europe's GDPR restrict use of certain data
▪ India should also frame a competent data protection law
❑ Setting Standards:
▪ New technologies like 5G, IoT will need adoption of some standards
▪ India should be more proactive in organisations like IEEE and ITU
Diaspora
Diaspora: People of Indian ancestry living outside India, e.g. NRIs and OCI
Data:
▪ 1.8 crore: As per UN estimates, India has largest diaspora in the world
▪ $90 billion: Remittances sent to India every year
Significance of Diaspora:
❑ Diplomacy:
▪ They help shape policy of other countries wrt India
▪ e.g. Indian diaspora played critical role in finalizing Indo-US nuclear deal in 2005
❑ Soft power:
▪ Google & Microsoft being headed by Indian origin people boosts India's image
▪ Spread of Indian cuisine, yoga, etc are primarily through diaspora
❑ Employment:
▪ Migration of semi-skilled labour to west Asia eases job crises in India
▪ Around 90 lakh Indians live in West Asia
❑ Remittances:
▪ $90 billion annual remittances help in maintaining forex reserves
❑ Start-ups in India:
▪ They support start-ups as investor and mentor
Steps taken:
❑ Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
▪ Celebrated on 9th January to mark contribution of diaspora to India's development.
▪ (Gandhiji returned from South Africa to Mumbai on 9 January 1915)
❑ Overseas Citizenship of India:
▪ OCI cardholders get many of the rights available to resident citizens.
❑ Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (2004-2016)
▪ For all matters relating to Indian diaspora around the world.
Challenges:
❑ West Asia: Kafala system in GCC is comparable to slavery
❑ USA/Europe/Australia: Racist attacks on Indian diaspora
What more can be done?

▪ Cooperate with host countries to protect rights of overseas Indian workers
▪ Compulsory insurance for risks faced by our overseas workers.
Indentured Labour.
Indentured Labour Migration from India in 19th century
❑ Indentured labour
▪ Bonded labourer under contract to work for an employer for a specific amount of time
▪ Thousands of Indians were taken abroad to work on plantations, mines, rail construction, etc.
▪ Poor economic conditions in UP, Bihar and Tamil Nadu increased people's debt, and forced them
to migrate as indentured labour.
❑ Destination:
▪ Mauritius, Caribbean islands, Ceylon and Malaya.
▪ Working conditions were harsh, and there were few legal rights.
❑ Cultural fusion in Caribbean:
▪ They blended in the local culture
▪ Chutney music in Trinidad and Guyana reflects Indian influence
▪ Muharram in Trinidad was transformed into a carnival called ‘Hosay’ in which workers of all
races and religions participated.
▪ Protest religion of Rastafarianism reflects cultural links with Indian migrants to the Caribbean.
❑ Their descendants:
▪ Most indentured workers stayed there even after their contracts ended.
▪ Consequently, there are large communities of people of Indian descent in these countries.
▪ Nobel prize winner VS Naipaul, some West Indies cricketers are some of the descendants
Shanghai Cooperation Organization
SCO Summits:
▪ 2022 Summit is being held in at Samarkand (Uzbekistan)
▪ 2023 Summit is expected to be hosted in New Delhi (India)
SCO:
▪ It is a Eurasian political, economic and security organization
▪ It is the successor to the Shanghai Five 1996
▪ India and Pakistan joined SCO in 2017
Relevance:
❑ Political cooperation:
▪ Platform for India to advance cooperation with Central Asian countries
▪ India gets opportunity to renew bilateral ties with regional countries
❑ Economic cooperation:
▪ Mineral resource rich central Asian region can help in development of SCO countries
▪ Connectivity to Central Asia and beyond can be boosted by cooperation in SCO
❑ Security Cooperation:
▪ RATS mechanism aims to reduce terrorism, separatism, extremism in the region
Challenges:
❑ Dominated by China:
▪ All SCO members, except India, have joined China's BRI
❑ Presence of Pakistan:
▪ Major action against Terrorism may not be possible due to Pakistan's membership of SCO
❑ Russia-China-Pakistan axis:
▪ Growing closeness between them reduces chances of India's concerns being taken up seriously
❑ Seen as anti-NATO
▪ Projecting SCO anti-NATO block is against India's interest
Way forward:
❑ Connect Central Asia policy:
▪ Improve bilateral relations with Central Asian countries through Trade & Tourism
❑ Get support within SCO:
▪ Coordinate with smaller countries in SCO to lend support to India's concerns
❑ Maintain strategic autonomy:
▪ India should refrain taking any sides: pro-west or anti-west
❑ Remain engaged:
▪ If you are not on the table, you are on the menu
▪ If one wishes to influence a decision, then one must be present at the negotiation table
Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
IPEF:
❑ Economic initiative launched by USA in May 2022
❑ It has 14 founding members, including India
❑ 4 themes of IPEF:
▪ Fair and resilient trade
▪ Supply chain resilience
▪ Infrastructure, clean energy, and decarbonization
▪ Tax and anti-corruption
Significance of IPEF for India:

❑ Alternative to RCEP:
▪ India did not join RCEP. IPEF can be a good alternative to RCEP.
❑ Counter China:
▪ IPEF can help counter China's growing influence in Indo-Pacific
❑ Global Supply chain
▪ IPEF may help India become part of global supply chain, giving boost to exports.
Issues:
❑ No clear objective:
▪ IPEF will not create FTA, nor discuss tariff reductions.
▪ Hence, how it will boost trade is not clear.
❑ Similar to BDN & B3W:
▪ Blue Dot Network and Build Back Better World initiatives have not given any tangible results.
▪ Similarly, IPEF too could fail to challenge China's influence.
❑ Conflict with WTO:
▪ Any preferential within IPEF, without signing FTA, may violate WTO provisions
Comparison with RCEP:

▪ IPEF outweighs RCEP in terms of population and GDP
▪ IPEF has most major members of RCEP, except China
▪ IPEF also includes USA and India, which are not part of RCEP
Criticised by China:
▪ IPEF is seen as a political grouping, created with intention to isolate China
Indian Position:
❑ India has agreed to three pillars relating to:
▪ supply chains
▪ clean energy
▪ tax & anti-corruption
❑ India is still evaluating the pillar on Trade, which includes:
▪ Environment, labour, digital trade and public procurement
▪ Data protection and privacy is one area where India may differ with IPEF
▪ India is in the process of framing laws for data privacy.
❖ India is engaging with the Trade track in IPEF, but will wait for the final framework to emerge.
❖ Indian officials are participating in discussions with an open mind.
World Health Organization
❑ WHO is a specialized agency of UN, responsible for international public health.
❑ Established in 1948, it is headquartered in Geneva, with six semi-autonomous regional offices.
❑ Functions:
❑ It sets international health standards
❑ provides technical assistance to countries
❑ Coordinate response to health emergencies
❑ Structure:
❑ World Health Assembly: member states; supreme decision making body
❑ Executive Board: technical experts; oversee implementation of programs
❑ Secretariat: headed by Director General; implements the programs
❑ Source of funds:
❑ Assessed contributions: paid by member states based on GNP and population.
❑ Voluntary contributions: paid by members states, organizations, individuals, etc.
❑ Achievements:
❑ eradication of smallpox, near-eradication of polio.
❑ Issues: (funds, functions, functionaries)

❑ No stable source of funds; dependent on voluntary contribution (20% assessed, 80% voluntary)
❑ No single document to outline its responsibilities.
❑ Unlike WTO, it has no powers to bind or sanction members, can only advice.
❑ Lacks administrative strength for effective coordination; relies on bureaucracy.
❑ Criticism in handling Covid:
❑ Delay in acknowledging human-to-human transmission. Taiwan informed WHO of it in December
2019, but WHO waited till mid-January for Chinese confirmation.
❑ WHO urged countries not to spread fear by imposing travel restrictions.
❑ Relied on Chinese data, instead of verifying the same. WHO team went to Wuhan only in mid-
February. Praised China for transparency and effective covid control.
Way forward: (In December 2020, India submitted 9 point reform plan)
❑ Empower WHO Director-General
▪ to declare Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) even without consensus in
IHR Emergency Committee.
❑ For funding of WHO programs
▪ un-earmark voluntary contributions, so that money can be used where it is needed the most.
❑ Monitor expenditure
▪ at micro level for greater transparency and accountability in use of funds.
❑ Standing Committee of Executive Board
▪ Should be set up to supervise member’s implementation of WHO's recommendations.
❑ Vaccines:
▪ Set up mechanism for fair and equitable access to vaccines and diagnostic tools (prevent vaccine
nationalism).
Multilateral Banks
Multilateral Development Bank:
▪ International financial institution, formed by a group of countries.
▪ India is a member of major MDBs like WB, ADB, NDB, AIIB, etc.
❑ They help in economic development and poverty reduction.

▪ By giving financial and technical support to developing countries
❑ World Bank is funding more than 700 projects in India
▪ Projects like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, PM Gram Sadak Yojana
❑ India is ADB’s 4th largest shareholder and its top borrower since 2010.
▪ Projects like: Delhi-Meerut RRTS
Challenges:
❑ Dominated by developed countries
▪ USA is largest shareholder of World Bank with 17.25% of its capital shares.
▪ Every World Bank president since its inception has been a U.S. citizen.
❑ Conditions attached with funds
▪ Project execution to be through specific companies only
▪ Sourcing of equipment from certain suppliers only
What can be done:

▪ Use new banks, like NDB, to challenge dominance of WB, ADB
▪ Push for governance reforms to increase representation of developing countries
▪ Form issue based coalition with like minded countries to counter dominance of west.
ECOSOC 54 members elected for 3-year term
UNGA elects them by 2/3rd majority
[April 2022] India got elected to four ECOSOC bodies
ECOSOC:
▪ One of the six principal organs of UN
▪ Responsible for coordination on economic and social issues
▪ Sustainable development:
▪ Its focus is on 3 dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental.
▪ Every year it convenes High-Level Political Forum to review implementation of 2030 SDGs.
▪ Finance & trade:
▪ It engages with multilateral financial & trade institutions like WTO to support developmental
goals.
▪ Humanitarian relief:
▪ Its Humanitarian Affairs Segment strengthens coordination of UN humanitarian efforts
▪ Women rights:
▪ Its Commission on Status of Women has drawn attention to women's rights.
▪ Voice for the Youth:
▪ Its Youth Forum brings youth voices into discussions in global policy-making.

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All-Inclusive GS-2 & GS-3 MAINS 2022

Rights and Duties

Rights can be: Duty can be towards:

Examples for People not performing their duties:

Should enjoyment of rights be made dependent on performance of duties?

MK Gandhi: JF Kennedy (former US Prez):

Some examples that indicate link between rights and duties

Right to vote (in China):

Prelims 2021: Article 14

Think: why do we elect MP/MLA? Remember: Govt/Bureaucrats are given power,

Remember at least this:

Example to show inter-relation between FR, FD, DPSP:

Some laws to quote:

Differentiate between Free Speech, and its misuse:

Restrictions on free speech:

Benefits of Free speech:

For what purpose do people misuse Free speech: (learn by chronology)

Students are advised to

Enforceable/Justiciable by courts: Enforceable by law:

Should FDs be enforced by law?

Ranganath Mishra judgment 2003:

How to be a good digital citizen:

What are Digital rights:

Should Digital Rights be framed separately? Yes

Some basic digital rights and principles:

Challenges in protecting Digital rights:

Features of Fundamental Duties:

Anti-conversion laws in India:

Are anti-conversion laws needed?

Problem with anti-conversion laws: (2020 UP law)

Article 18 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

Harm principle: Food for thought:

Religion Anti-conversion laws:

Mass religious conversion:

Constitution Law Ministry Body

97th Amendment 2011: (added new FR, DPSP, Part)

Why was 97th amendment introduced?

Brief timeline: (not important)

Role of telecom service providers:

Way forward / Should phone-tapping be outlawed? No

Except Tripura and Manipur, NE states were once part of Assam.

Reason for inter-state boundary disputes: (History, Geography, Polity, Culture)

Negative impact of inter-state border disputes:

Constitutional mechanisms to solve boundary disputes: (Think of three organs of Govt)

North Eastern Space Application Centre (HQ Meghalaya, est. 2000)

1948 Dhar Commission by Govt; JVP committee by Congress X Linguistic basis;

Speaker derives powers and duties from:

Functions/Duties/Powers of Speaker (not merely a presiding officer):

Independence/impartiality is ensured by:

India's 4th President Shri V.V. Giri observed: (for Speaker)

Food for thought:

Prelims 2017: Consider the following statements: Prelims 2000:

Deputy speaker: Speaker Pro Tem:

Food for thought:

Independence of judiciary means:

Why is independence of judiciary needed?

Independence of judiciary is ensured by:

Judicial Independence vs Judicial Accountability:

Need for judicial accountability:

Provisions to ensure Judicial Accountability