Role of Anti-Defection Law in Protecting Democratic Integrity
Syllabus :GS2/Governance
In News
- Recently, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister highlighted the anti-defection law’s key role in protecting democracy during a 2024 political crisis.
| What is Defection? – It occurs when a member voluntarily leaves their party, votes against party instructions, or stays absent from the House despite party leadership’s direction to be present. |
Anti-defection Law
- The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, commonly known as the anti-defection law introduced in India in 1985 through the 52nd Constitutional Amendment.
- It was aimed at curbing rampant party-switching by legislators that often destabilised elected governments and undermined democratic mandates.
- The infamous “Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram” phenomenon epitomised the unethical political culture, where legislators frequently switched allegiances for personal gain undermining voter trust and destabilising governments.
Key Provisions
- It provides for the Presiding Officer of the legislature to disqualify any defector on a petition by another member.
- It contemplates two kinds of defection: (a) by a member voluntarily giving up membership of the party on whose symbol he got elected (b) by a member violating a direction (whip) issued by his party to vote in a particular way or to abstain from voting.
Exceptions
- Originally, the Tenth Schedule allowed two exceptions to disqualification: a split by one-third of a legislature party and a merger approved by two-thirds of the members.
- Change by the 91st Amendment (2003): To strengthen the anti-defection law and prevent its misuse, the provision allowing for “splits” (the one-third exception) was removed.
Role of Anti-Defection Law in Protecting Democracy
- Upholding Electoral Mandate: The law prevents legislators from betraying the party under which they were elected, thus honouring the choice of voters.
- Example: Prevents a post-election “deal culture” where MLAs shift loyalties for ministerial perks.
- Ensuring Government Stability: By discouraging sudden party-switching, especially during no-confidence motions or budget votes, the law promotes continuity in governance.
- Promoting Party Discipline: The law enforces discipline through the party whip mechanism, essential for coordinated functioning in a parliamentary democracy.
- Curbing Corruption and Opportunism: By deterring political defection for personal gains, the law attempts to reduce unethical practices like bribery and horse-trading.
Criticisms
- Speaker’s Discretion and Delays: No time-bound requirement to decide on disqualification.
- Political bias often clouds impartial decision-making.
- The Supreme Court in Keisham Meghachandra Singh v. Manipur Speaker (2020) held that Speakers must decide within a reasonable period of 3 months, but it’s not enforceable.
- Opaque Use of Party Whips: Internal party mechanisms of issuing whips lack transparency.
- Ambiguity about whether legislators are properly informed of the whip.
- Judicial Limitations: Courts are reluctant to intervene promptly due to the “autonomy of the legislature”.
- This leads to status quoism, allowing defectors to enjoy power till the term ends.
- Fails to Discourage Wholesale Defections: Law still enables engineered mergers under the garb of “2/3rd” support.
- Recent examples: Goa (2019), Arunachal Pradesh (2016) show how the law can be outmaneuvered by larger parties.
Conclusion and Way Ahead
- Time-bound Decisions: Amend the Tenth Schedule to require decisions is a defined time frame, failing which disqualification is automatic.
- Transparent Whip Communication: Legal mandate for publication of whips (e.g., newspapers, online).
- Independent Tribunal: Instead of the Speaker, a neutral body (perhaps under ECI) should handle disqualifications, as recommended by:
- Dinesh Goswami Committee (1990)
- Law Commission Report 170 (1999)
- National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (2002)
India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks
Syllabus: GS2/International Relations (India and its neighborhood- relations; Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests).
Context: Recently, the India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks were held to review the full spectrum of India-Bhutan development partnership, a critical annual exercise reinforcing the deep ties between the two nations, particularly vital as Bhutan embarks on its 13th Five Year Plan.
More About the News:
- A total of 10 projects, covering sectors such as healthcare, connectivity, and urban infrastructure in Bhutan, were approved.
- India has committed support of ₹10,000 Crore (100 billion) for Bhutan’s 13th Five Year Plan period (2024-2029).
- The two sides agreed to hold the next Development Cooperation Talks in Thimphu at a mutually convenient date.
Brief on India-Bhutan Relations: Diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan were established in 1968, building upon the foundational Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949. This treaty was revised in 2007, granting Bhutan greater autonomy while reaffirming mutual respect for sovereignty and close cooperation. The special bond was further highlighted in 2024 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, Bhutan’s highest civilian decoration, as the first foreign leader to receive it.
- Developmental Partnership: India remains Bhutan’s foremost development partner, having supported its national priorities since its 1st Five-Year Plan (1971). The Annual Plan Talks (Bilateral Development Cooperation Talks) serve as an institutionalized mechanism for deciding priorities and modalities of assistance across various sectors including roads, infrastructure, digital connectivity, hydropower, agriculture, education, health, HR development, and urban development.
- Trade Relations: India has consistently been Bhutan’s top trading partner, both as an import source and an export destination. Trade between the two nations has almost tripled since 2014, reaching USD 1615 million in 2022-23. The 2016 India-Bhutan Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit facilitates a free trade regime and provides Bhutan duty-free transit of goods to/from third countries.
- Energy Cooperation (Hydropower & Renewables): Hydropower is a cornerstone of this cooperation. India has constructed four major hydroelectric projects (HEPs) in Bhutan: Chukha (336 MW), Kurichhu (60 MW), Tala (1020 MW), and Mangdechhu (720 MW). Currently, two more HEPs, Punatsangchhu-I (1020 MW) and Punatsangchhu-II (1020 MW), are under construction, signifying continued collaboration in this vital sector.
- Space Cooperation: Joint initiatives include the inauguration of the South Asia Satellite Ground Station in 2019 and the launch of the India-Bhutan SAT, the first satellite jointly developed by the two nations, in 2022. A Joint Plan of Action on Space Cooperation was also signed in 2024.
- Fin-Tech: Financial technology cooperation has seen the launch of the RuPay Card in Bhutan in two phases (2019 & 2020) for full interoperability, and India’s Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) application was launched in 2021 to promote cashless payments.
- India-Bhutan Foundation: Established in 2003, this foundation fosters exchanges in educational, cultural, scientific, and technical fields.
- Indian Diaspora: Approximately 50,000 Indians currently work in Bhutan in diverse sectors like infrastructure, hydropower, education, trade, and commerce, underlining strong people-to-people ties.
Significance of Bhutan for India: Bhutan holds immense strategic, economic, and diplomatic significance for India:
- Buffer against China: Geographically, Bhutan acts as a crucial buffer between India and China. India closely monitors China’s active negotiations on the boundary issue with Bhutan, especially near the tri-junction, as it sees Bhutan as vital for maintaining the South Asian balance of power and resisting Chinese strategic encroachment.
- Neighbourhood First Policy: Bhutan is a central pillar of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, with its stability reflecting India’s broader vision for regional peace and cooperation.
- Trade and Economic Ties: As Bhutan’s largest trade partner and source of investment, India benefits from the preferential trade and transit agreements. Bhutan is also crucial for India’s efforts to promote sub-regional connectivity in South Asia, particularly through initiatives like BBIN (Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal).
- Connectivity and Act East Policy: Bhutan plays a key role in enhancing India’s connectivity to its Northeast region, helping protect the vulnerable Siliguri Corridor (Chicken’s Neck) – India’s sole land link to the Northeast. It is integral to land-link corridors under India’s Act East Policy, aiming to connect Northeast India with Southeast Asia.
- Diplomatic and Multilateral Support: Bhutan often aligns with and supports India’s positions in various international forums, including the UN, with its commitment to a peaceful and non-aligned foreign policy complementing India’s regional diplomacy.
Challenges in Relations: Despite the strong bond, certain challenges persist in India-Bhutan relations:
- Economic Imbalance: Bhutan faces a significant trade deficit with India, largely due to its high import dependence. Despite preferential agreements, Bhutanese industries struggle to diversify and increase exports.
- China Factor and Border Negotiations: Bhutan and China have held numerous rounds of border talks, including a 2021 MoU on a “three-step roadmap.” India remains concerned about the implications of potential China–Bhutan border agreements, especially in the strategically vital Doklam region.
- Connectivity Gaps: Limited road and rail links between the two countries restrict deeper economic and strategic integration. Bhutan has also expressed reservations about fully joining the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement, citing environmental and cultural concerns.
- Environmental and Sustainability Concerns: Bhutan’s unique development philosophy of Gross National Happiness and its strong emphasis on environmental protection can sometimes lead to differing approaches with India’s infrastructure-led development model (e.g., in highway construction or hydropower projects).
- Strategic Balancing and Autonomy: Bhutan, while maintaining close ties with India, also seeks to assert greater foreign policy autonomy, particularly in global forums.
Way Ahead: While India and Bhutan share a strong foundation of trust and cooperation, evolving economic aspirations and geopolitical realities for both countries present continuous challenges. Managing these dynamics with mutual respect, transparency, and strategic sensitivity is key to sustaining their special relationship. The India–Bhutan relationship stands as a model of good-neighbourly partnership based on mutual trust and benefit, setting an example for regional cooperation.
MNRE Revises Biomass Guidelines to Boost Bio Energy
Syllabus: GS3/Economy (Infrastructure: Energy); GS3/Environment (Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment).
Context: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has recently issued revised guidelines for the Biomass Programme under Phase-I of the National Bioenergy Programme (2021–2026). These revisions, notified around late June 2025, aim to significantly boost bio-energy production in India by addressing existing operational challenges, simplifying processes, and enhancing financial viability for biomass-based projects. This move is crucial for diversifying India’s energy basket, managing agricultural waste, and contributing to net-zero emission targets.
More About the News:
- The revised guidelines, specifically dated around June 27, 2025, are applicable for the period FY 2021–22 to 2025–26.
- Simplified Documentation: Requirements like Techno-Economic Feasibility Report (for loan-based projects), site photographs, and EIA clearance (where previously applicable) have been removed.
- Flexible Sales Agreements: The mandatory two-year sale agreement for briquettes/pellets has been replaced with a more general sale agreement, offering greater market flexibility to developers.
- Performance-Based Central Financial Assistance (CFA): The CFA disbursement mechanism has been made performance-based and transparent.
- Full CFA for plants operating at or above 80% Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF) over a 10-hour continuous operation.
- Pro-rata CFA for CUF below 80% (e.g., 73% CUF receives 91.25% of eligible CFA).
- No CFA if CUF falls below 50%.
- Rationalized Inspection Criteria: The performance inspection requirement has been reduced from three days (16 hours/day) to a single 10-hour continuous operation to verify claimed capacity and operational performance. The inspection can now be carried out within 18 months from either the commissioning date or the date of In-principle approval, whichever is later.
- Technological Integration: The guidelines now promote the use of cost-effective Internet of Things (IoT)-based monitoring solutions or quarterly data submissions, replacing the earlier mandate for expensive SCADA systems. This aids digital monitoring and accountability, especially for smaller operators.
- Exclusivity Clause for Subsidies: Developers from pollution-sensitive regions like Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and NCR districts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh must now choose between MNRE’s biomass subsidy or the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) pelletisation scheme, preventing dual subsidy claims. A notarized undertaking is mandatory.
- Eligibility for Machinery: CFA will only be provided for new plants using dedicated machines for either pellets or briquettes, not hybrid-use machines.
Brief on India’s Bioenergy Push: India, with its vast agricultural land and significant biomass surplus (around 228 MMT out of 750 MMT annually), recognizes bioenergy as a crucial component of its renewable energy matrix. Bioenergy, derived from organic materials like agricultural residues, forestry waste, and organic waste, provides multiple benefits, including clean fuel, reduction in agricultural waste burning, local job creation, reduced energy import bills, and contribution to climate goals. The National Bioenergy Programme (NBP), launched in 2022 (Phase-I from FY 2021-22 to 2025-26), aims to support biomass power, bagasse cogeneration, briquette/pellet manufacturing, and waste-to-energy projects. The revised guidelines are a direct intervention to accelerate the objectives of this program.
Significance of Revised Guidelines:
- Ease of Doing Business: The simplification of documentation, flexible contracts, and rationalized inspection processes significantly reduce bureaucratic hurdles, particularly benefiting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and encouraging new entrants into the sector.
- Boost to Bio-Energy Production: By making it easier and more financially attractive to set up and operate biomass plants, the revisions are expected to accelerate the establishment of new facilities, thereby increasing India’s bio-energy generation capacity.
- Effective Waste Management and Pollution Control: The emphasis on utilizing biomass for energy directly supports the sustainable management of agricultural waste, including crop residue (stubble burning), which is a major contributor to air pollution, especially in northern India. This contributes to cleaner air and better soil health.
- Performance-Linked Incentives: Tying CFA to performance (CUF) ensures that public funds are utilized efficiently, incentivizing developers to optimize plant operations and deliver higher energy output.
- Cost-Effectiveness and Digitalization: Allowing IoT-based monitoring instead of expensive SCADA systems reduces operational costs, making biomass projects more accessible for smaller players and promoting digital accountability.
- Alignment with Climate Goals: Boosting bio-energy contributes directly to India’s ambitious targets of achieving 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030 and its net-zero emissions target by 2070.
- Rural Economy Benefits: Increased demand for biomass creates additional income opportunities for farmers and rural communities, strengthening the rural economy.
Challenges in Bioenergy Sector (Despite Revisions):
- Biomass Supply Chain Issues: Despite surplus, consistent and organized collection, transportation, and storage of biomass remain a challenge.
- Seasonality of Biomass Availability: Agricultural residue is seasonal, posing challenges for continuous operation of biomass plants throughout the year.
- High Capital Costs: Setting up biomass power plants can still be capital-intensive, requiring significant upfront investment.
- Competition for Biomass: Other uses of biomass (e.g., fodder, fertilizer, domestic fuel) can create competition, affecting availability for energy generation.
- Technological Maturity and Efficiency: While improvements are being made, ensuring the widespread adoption of efficient and scalable biomass conversion technologies is crucial.
- Logistical Challenges: Transporting bulky biomass over long distances adds to costs and logistical complexities.
Way Ahead: The revised MNRE guidelines are a proactive and commendable step towards fostering a more robust and efficient bio-energy sector in India. To further accelerate the adoption of bio-energy:
- Strengthening Biomass Supply Chains: Developing robust, localized biomass aggregation and storage infrastructure, perhaps through farmer producer organizations (FPOs) or dedicated biomass supply companies.
- Promoting Decentralized Bioenergy: Encouraging smaller-scale, decentralized bio-energy plants can reduce transportation costs and utilize locally available biomass effectively.
- R&D in Conversion Technologies: Continued investment in research and development for more efficient and cost-effective biomass conversion technologies (e.g., advanced gasification, pyrolysis).
- Awareness and Capacity Building: Educating farmers about the economic benefits of selling crop residue and building capacity for biomass processing.
- Inter-Ministerial Coordination: Enhanced coordination between MNRE, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment, and State Governments to create a holistic policy environment.
These revisions underscore India’s commitment to clean energy and sustainable waste management. By simplifying processes and aligning financial incentives with performance, MNRE aims to unlock the vast potential of bio-energy, paving the way for a greener and more energy-secure future for India.
Hul Diwas
Syllabus: GS1/History (Indian History – freedom struggle – tribal uprisings); GS1/Society (Tribal communities in India, their issues and movements).
Context: Hul Diwas, observed annually on June 30th, commemorates the commencement of the Santhal Rebellion (also known as the Santhal Hul) of 1855-1856. This significant tribal uprising against the exploitative British colonial rule, local zamindars, and moneylenders, predates the Revolt of 1857 and stands as a powerful symbol of tribal resistance and assertion of dignity and rights.
More About Hul Diwas:
- Date of Observance: June 30th every year.
- Commemorates: The beginning of the Santhal Rebellion (Santhal Hul) in 1855.
- Leaders: Primarily led by four Murmu brothers: Sidhu, Kanhu, Chand, and Bhairav, along with their sisters Phulo and Jhano.
- Origin Place: Bhognadih village in present-day Sahebganj district of Jharkhand.
- Significance: It is one of the earliest organized tribal uprisings in India, signifying the Santhals’ fight to reclaim dignity, land, justice, and autonomy from colonial oppression and exploitation by ‘dikus’ (outsiders).
- Legacy: The rebellion, though suppressed, led to the enactment of the Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act of 1876 and the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act of 1908, aimed at safeguarding tribal land rights and cultural autonomy. It also laid the foundation for future tribal movements.
Brief on the Santhal Rebellion (Santhal Hul):
The Santhals are one of India’s largest Scheduled Tribes, predominantly found in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, and Assam. Traditionally agriculturists, they were settled in the Damin-i-Koh region (present-day Jharkhand) by the British in 1832 for forest reclamation and revenue generation. However, this soon led to their severe exploitation.
- Causes of the Rebellion:
- Economic Exploitation: Unfair taxation by zamindars under the Permanent Settlement, exorbitant interest rates by moneylenders leading to perpetual debt, and widespread land alienation (loss of ancestral land through trickery or coercion).
- Judicial and Administrative Injustice: British courts and police favored landlords and moneylenders, ignoring tribal grievances. Traditional tribal justice systems were undermined.
- Cultural and Social Suppression: Influx of outsiders (dikus) disrupted tribal customs, language, and social structures. Tribal women were particularly vulnerable to harassment.
- Sense of Divine Call: Leaders like Sidhu and Kanhu claimed divine revelations, mobilizing thousands of Santhals for the ‘Hul’ (revolution).
- Course of the Rebellion:
- On June 30, 1855, over 10,000 Santhals assembled at Bhognadih and declared their rebellion against the British and their exploitative collaborators.
- The rebels established a parallel governance system in areas they controlled and used traditional weapons like bows, arrows, and axes.
- Initial successes saw them targeting zamindars, moneylenders, and Company officials, capturing several areas.
- The British, initially caught off guard, responded with brutal force, declaring martial law and deploying over 50,000 troops with modern weaponry.
- Thousands of Santhals were massacred, villages were burned, and the leaders Sidhu and Kanhu were eventually captured and executed in 1855 and 1856, respectively.
- Aftermath and Impact:
- Despite its suppression, the rebellion forced the British to acknowledge the grievances of the Santhals.
- The Santhal Parganas district was carved out, and the Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act of 1876 was enacted, prohibiting the transfer of tribal land to non-tribals.
- It inspired subsequent tribal movements and nationalist leaders, cementing its place as a significant precursor to the 1857 Revolt.
- It solidified the identity and pride of the Santhal community, who continue to venerate their martyrs.
Significance of Hul Diwas for UPSC Aspirants:
- Modern Indian History: Understanding tribal movements as a crucial part of the anti-colonial struggle, often predating mainstream nationalist movements. It highlights the diverse nature of resistance against British rule.
- Socio-Cultural Aspects: It sheds light on the socio-economic conditions of tribal communities under colonial rule, the impact of British land revenue policies on indigenous populations, and the assertion of tribal identity and rights.
- Government Policies and Laws: Awareness of the historical context behind protective legislations like the Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act, and subsequently the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, and their continued relevance for tribal land rights (e.g., in the context of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and PESA Act).
- Challenges of Tribal Communities: Hul Diwas serves as a reminder of persistent issues faced by tribal communities, such as land alienation, displacement, and the need for greater autonomy and representation, which remain relevant in contemporary India.
- Inspiration for Governance: The focus on local governance and the fight against external exploitation resonates with modern principles of decentralized governance and community empowerment.
Hul Diwas is not merely a historical commemoration but a living tribute to the courage and resilience of indigenous communities, whose struggles significantly contributed to the broader narrative of India’s freedom movement and continue to shape the discourse on tribal rights and development.
“MY Bharat 2.0 Platform”
Syllabus: GS2/Governance (E-governance – applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; Citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures); GS2/Social Justice (Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources); GS3/Economy (Mobilization of resources; Growth and development).
Context: In a significant stride towards leveraging technology for youth empowerment and nation-building, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) has recently (June 30, 2025) signed an MoU with the Digital India Corporation (DIC) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for the development of MY Bharat 2.0. This upgrade to the existing Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) platform aims to create a more robust, comprehensive, and digitally advanced ecosystem to connect, engage, and empower the youth of India, aligning their aspirations with the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
More About the News:
- Launch of MY Bharat (Initial Platform): The original Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) platform was officially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31, 2023, on National Unity Day. It was envisioned as a one-stop solution for youth empowerment through structured digital engagement, with over 1.76 crore youth and 1.19 lakh organizations already registered.
- MY Bharat 2.0 Development: The MoU for MY Bharat 2.0 was signed on June 30, 2025, marking the formal initiation of the comprehensive upgrade.
- Enhanced Features: MY Bharat 2.0 will introduce significant improvements:
- AI-Driven Tools: Smart CV Builder, AI-powered chatbots, and voice-assisted navigation.
- Personalized Services: Tailored job and education suggestions based on user profiles and goals, and smart matching with relevant schemes and opportunities.
- Improved Accessibility: A fully functional mobile application for both Android and iOS, speech-to-text functionality, and WhatsApp integration to ensure wider reach and usability in multiple Indian languages.
- Dedicated Sections: National Career Services, a Mentorship Hub, and a Fit India section to promote career growth, personal development, health, and wellness.
- Seamless Integration: Interoperability with national digital platforms like Aadhaar, DigiLocker, Bhashini, and MyGov for a unified user experience.
- Performance Tracking: Integrated dashboards for institutions to assess outcomes, and geo-tagging tools for users to identify nearby opportunities.
- Gamified Learning: Interactive learning modules and quizzes to increase engagement and foster continuous learning.
- Objectives: The upgraded platform aims to empower young individuals to become catalysts for community transformation by aligning them with career-building opportunities, skill development, and civic engagement, anchored in the spirit of ‘Seva Bhav’ (spirit of service) and ‘Kartavya Bodh’ (sense of duty).
- Implementing Bodies: The Department of Youth Affairs (under MYAS) is conceptualizing and leading the initiative, with the Digital India Corporation (under MeitY) responsible for its development and technological implementation.
Brief on Youth Development and Digital India:
India possesses the world’s largest youth population, often referred to as the ‘demographic dividend.’ Harnessing this potential is crucial for achieving national development goals, including the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. The Digital India program, launched in 2015, aims to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy by focusing on digital infrastructure, governance, and services. MY Bharat 2.0 is a direct manifestation of this synergy, aiming to leverage digital public infrastructure to empower youth.
- Youth as Catalysts: The platform recognizes youth not merely as beneficiaries but as active participants and leaders in community development and national progress.
- Experiential Learning: It seeks to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical experience by connecting youth with volunteering and learning opportunities in businesses, government departments, and non-profit organizations.
- Skill Development and Employability: By providing access to skill development programs, career guidance, and mentorship, the platform aims to enhance the employability of young individuals.
- Civic Engagement and Volunteerism: MY Bharat encourages a culture of purposeful youth engagement and civic responsibility, fostering community transformation through active participation in various initiatives.
- Digital Transformation in Governance: The development of MY Bharat 2.0 reflects the government’s increasing reliance on technology and digital platforms to deliver services and engage with citizens, particularly the youth.
Significance of MY Bharat 2.0 Platform:
- Empowering the Demographic Dividend: By providing a comprehensive digital ecosystem, MY Bharat 2.0 is poised to effectively harness the potential of India’s vast youth population, converting the demographic dividend into a developmental dividend.
- One-Stop Digital Gateway: It serves as a unified platform for youth to discover opportunities, access resources, track participation, and connect with peers and mentors, significantly simplifying access to information and engagement.
- Enhanced Employability and Skill Matching: The AI-driven tools, career guidance, and smart matching features will help youth find relevant skill development programs and job opportunities, addressing the skill-gap challenge.
- Promoting “Seva Bhav” and “Kartavya Bodh”: By facilitating volunteering and civic engagement, the platform instills a sense of service and duty among youth, fostering responsible citizenship and community leadership.
- Inclusive and Accessible: Multilingual support, voice-assisted navigation, and mobile app availability will ensure that the platform reaches a diverse youth population, including those in rural and underserved regions.
- Data-Driven Youth Policy: The platform’s ability to track engagement and outcomes can provide valuable data for evidence-based policy making in youth development.
- Alignment with National Missions: It directly supports national initiatives like Viksit Bharat by 2047, Skill India, Fit India, and various community development programs.
Challenges and Way Ahead:
Despite its immense potential, the success of MY Bharat 2.0 will depend on addressing certain challenges:
- Digital Divide: Ensuring equitable access and digital literacy for youth across all socio-economic strata, especially in rural and remote areas, remains crucial.
- Quality of Opportunities: The effectiveness of the platform hinges on the quality and relevance of the learning, volunteering, and career opportunities provided by various organizations.
- Sustained Engagement: Keeping youth actively engaged on the platform requires continuous updates, interactive features, and diverse, appealing programs.
- Data Privacy and Security: With increased user data, robust data protection measures and transparent privacy policies are essential to build trust.
- Regional and Local Adaptation: Tailoring content and opportunities to specific regional needs, languages, and local contexts will enhance its relevance.
Way Ahead: For MY Bharat 2.0 to truly realize its vision, continuous investment in its technological infrastructure, active collaboration with educational institutions, businesses, and grassroots organizations, and a robust feedback mechanism will be vital. Promoting awareness campaigns, especially in vernacular languages, and conducting offline outreach programs can help bridge the digital divide and ensure the platform reaches every eligible young Indian, transforming them into active contributors to national progress
Civil Registration System (CRS) and Sample Registration System (SRS)
Syllabus: GS2/Governance (Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential); GS3/Economy (Mobilization of resources; Inclusive growth and issues arising from it).
Context: The Civil Registration System (CRS) and Sample Registration System (SRS) are two fundamental pillars of India’s demographic data collection, crucial for evidence-based policymaking, service delivery, and understanding population dynamics. While CRS aims for universal registration of vital events like births and deaths, SRS provides estimates through a sample survey. Recent developments, including challenges faced by the CRS portal (e.g., reports of fake certificates from July 2025) and the latest SRS reports (May 2025) highlighting key health indicators, underscore the ongoing importance and evolving landscape of these systems.
More About the News:
- Civil Registration System (CRS):
- Recent Issues (July 2025): News reports from early July 2025 have highlighted cases of alleged issuance of over 500 fake birth and death certificates from the CRS portal in Uttar Pradesh, raising concerns about portal security and verification processes. This follows earlier reports (June 2025) of technical issues and disruptions with the centralized CRS portal.
- Latest Data (June 2025): As per the latest data from the CRS released in June 2025, approximately 86.5 lakh deaths were registered in India in 2022, a notable decrease from the peak in 2021.
- Legal Framework: The registration of births and deaths is governed by the Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969, which was amended in 2023. This Act mandates compulsory registration of births, deaths, and stillbirths.
- Implementing Authority: The Office of the Registrar General, India (ORGI), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, oversees the CRS at the national level, with State/UT governments appointing Chief Registrars and local Registrars.
- Digital Initiatives: The CRS portal (crsorgi.gov.in) is the official online platform for birth and death registration and certificate issuance. Efforts are ongoing to integrate it with other national digital platforms like DigiLocker and to enable digital delivery of certificates.
- Sample Registration System (SRS):
- Latest Report (May 2025): The SRS Statistical Report 2021, released by the Registrar General of India in May 2025, shows significant improvements in India’s key maternal and child health indicators, moving towards SDG 2030 targets.
- Key Highlights from SRS Report 2021 (released May 2025):
- Total Fertility Rate (TFR): Consistent at 2.0.
- Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): Declined from 130 (2014-16) to 93 per lakh live births (2019-21).
- Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): Declined from 39 (2014) to 27 per 1000 live births (2021).
- Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR): Declined from 26 (2014) to 19 per 1000 live births (2021).
- Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR): Declined from 45 (2014) to 31 per 1000 live births (2021).
- Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB): Improved from 899 (2014) to 913 (2021).
- Methodology: SRS is a large-scale demographic survey based on a dual recording system of births and deaths in representative sample units across the country. Part-time enumerators (e.g., Anganwadi workers) continuously record events, followed by an independent retrospective survey every six months by supervisors.
Brief on CRS and SRS:
Both the Civil Registration System (CRS) and the Sample Registration System (SRS) are critical for vital statistics in India, maintained by the Office of the Registrar General, India (ORGI) under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Civil Registration System (CRS):
- Nature: A continuous, permanent, compulsory, and universal recording system of vital events (births, deaths, stillbirths, and in some cases, marriages) and their characteristics, as mandated by the RBD Act, 1969.
- Objective: To generate legal documents (birth/death certificates) for individuals and to produce comprehensive vital statistics for socioeconomic planning and governance at all administrative levels (from village/ward to national).
- Scope: Aims to cover every single vital event occurring within the country.
- Implementation: Implemented by State/UT governments through appointed Registrars at various administrative units (panchayats, municipalities, hospitals).
- Utility: Birth certificates are crucial for school admission, Aadhaar, passports, voting; death certificates for property settlement, pension claims, etc. Vital statistics derived from CRS are used for population estimation, health planning, and monitoring demographic trends.
- Sample Registration System (SRS):
- Nature: A large-scale demographic sample survey designed to provide reliable annual estimates of fertility and mortality indicators. It employs a dual record system (continuous enumeration by a local enumerator and a periodic survey by a supervisor) to ensure accuracy.
- Objective: To provide reliable estimates of birth rate, death rate, infant mortality rate, total fertility rate, maternal mortality ratio, etc., at national and sub-national levels, especially in the absence of a fully robust and complete CRS.
- Scope: Covers a representative sample of population units across the country, not the entire population.
- Implementation: Initiated on a pilot basis in 1964-65 by the RGI, becoming fully operational in 1969-70.
- Utility: Crucial for tracking progress on health and demographic goals (like SDGs), assessing the impact of health programs, and informing population policies. It often serves as the primary source for national and major state-level demographic indicators due to its high reliability.
Key Differences and Complementary Nature:
| Feature | Civil Registration System (CRS) | Sample Registration System (SRS) |
| Nature | Universal, mandatory recording of all vital events. | Sample survey for estimating demographic rates. |
| Primary Goal | Legal documentation for individuals; complete vital statistics. | Reliable estimation of demographic rates (birth, death, fertility). |
| Coverage | Aims for 100% coverage of events. | Covers a representative sample of the population. |
| Data Type | Raw counts of registered events. | Rates and ratios estimated from sample data. |
| Timeliness | Continuous (within 21 days of event); but data compilation can have delays. | Annual reports (typically with a lag of 2-3 years). |
| Main Use | Legal proof, individual rights, administrative purposes. | Policy formulation, program evaluation, demographic research. |
CRS and SRS are complementary. While CRS provides real-time, comprehensive data at local levels essential for administration and individual rights, SRS offers reliable estimates of vital rates, filling gaps where CRS data may be incomplete or delayed, and providing benchmark statistics for policy formulation.
Significance for Governance and Policy:
- Evidence-Based Policymaking: Both systems provide critical data for understanding population trends, health outcomes, and socioeconomic indicators. This data is indispensable for planning and allocating resources for health, education, social security, and other development programs.
- Monitoring Health and Development Goals: SRS data, in particular, is vital for tracking India’s progress towards national and international targets, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to maternal and child mortality, and overall health indicators.
- Targeted Interventions: Detailed demographic data helps identify vulnerable populations and regions requiring specific interventions, for example, high-IMR districts or areas with low sex ratio at birth.
- Good Governance: A robust CRS is a hallmark of good governance, ensuring legal identity for all citizens from birth to death, and facilitating access to rights and services. The ongoing efforts to digitize and streamline CRS enhance transparency and accountability.
- Combating Fraud and Enhancing Security: Recent concerns about fake certificates highlight the importance of securing the CRS digital infrastructure, as accurate birth and death records are fundamental for national security, electoral rolls, and preventing identity fraud.
Challenges and Way Ahead:
- Challenges in CRS:
- Completeness of Registration: Despite mandatory registration, under-registration (especially of female and child deaths in rural areas) remains a challenge, leading to incomplete data.
- Data Quality and Accuracy: Issues like delayed registration, incorrect information, and as recently highlighted, fraudulent entries, compromise data quality.
- Interoperability: While progress is being made, seamless integration with other national databases (e.g., Aadhaar, electoral rolls) is still evolving.
- Technical Glitches & Security: Recent reports of technical issues and vulnerability to hacking underscore the need for robust IT infrastructure and cybersecurity measures.
- Challenges in SRS:
- Lag in Data Release: The typical 2-3 year lag in SRS reports means data might not always reflect the most current situation for immediate policy responses.
- Sample Limitations: As a sample-based system, SRS may not provide reliable estimates for smaller districts or specific sub-populations.
- Evaluation: A systematic evaluation of SRS for its completeness and accuracy has not been taken up for quite some time.
Way Ahead:
- Strengthening CRS: Prioritize addressing the technical vulnerabilities of the CRS portal and enhancing its security features. Implement stringent verification protocols to prevent fraudulent registrations.
- Promoting Universal Registration: Launch aggressive awareness campaigns, especially in rural and remote areas, to emphasize the importance of timely birth and death registration. Streamline the process further, leveraging Common Service Centers (CSCs).
- Real-time Data and Interoperability: Continuously work towards real-time data updation and seamless interoperability between CRS and other government databases to enable integrated service delivery and real-time monitoring.
- Continuous Improvement of SRS: Explore possibilities of reducing the data lag in SRS reports. Periodically review and update the SRS sample design to ensure its representativeness and accuracy for evolving demographic landscapes.
- Capacity Building: Train local registrars and health workers on the importance and correct procedures for registration and data collection for both CRS and SRS.
Both the Civil Registration System and the Sample Registration System are indispensable for India’s administrative machinery and its developmental trajectory. Continued investment in their robustness, security, and integration will be pivotal in building a truly data-driven governance model and ensuring every life and death is accounted for.
India Reiterated Its Commitment to the Global South
Syllabus: GS2/International Relations (India and its neighborhood- relations; Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests; Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests).
Context: India has consistently championed the cause of the Global South, viewing itself as a bridge between the developing and developed worlds. Recent high-level engagements, including a significant multi-nation tour by the Prime Minister in early July 2025 to Africa and South America, coupled with the ongoing BRICS Summit and Finance Ministers’ meetings, underscore India’s intensified commitment to advancing the interests and amplifying the voice of the Global South on the international stage.
More About the News:
- PM’s 5-Nation Tour (July 1-9, 2025): Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a nine-day, five-nation tour covering Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia. This extensive visit aimed to strengthen India’s engagement with the Global South, boost economic partnerships, deepen diaspora ties, and participate in the BRICS Summit.
- Focus Areas: Strengthening strategic and economic footprint in Africa & South America, deepening ties with resource-rich nations (e.g., lithium in Argentina), showcasing commitment to multilateralism and global governance reforms.
- Specific Highlights: First bilateral visit by an Indian PM to Ghana in three decades; first PM visit to Trinidad & Tobago since 1999 (marking 180 years of Indian immigration); first bilateral PM visit to Argentina in 57 years; participation in the 17th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro (July 6-7, 2025) with the theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.”
- BRICS Summit and Finance Ministers’ Meeting (July 6-7, 2025):
- PM Modi at BRICS Summit: Reaffirmed India’s commitment to BRICS as a vital platform for cooperation among emerging economies, emphasizing “Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability.” He stressed the need for global governance reforms and greater representation for the Global South, reiterating that “Climate justice is a moral duty, not an option.”
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at BRICS FMCBG Meeting: Called for credible reforms in global institutions facing legitimacy and representation crises, urging BRICS to “lead by example by reinforcing cooperation, advocating credible reforms, and amplifying the voice of the global South.” She also highlighted that while South-South cooperation is essential, the Global South should not be expected to bear the main burden of climate action.
- Continued Advocacy for Global Governance Reforms: India reiterated its call for reforms in the UN Security Council, IMF, and World Bank to ensure better representation of developing countries.
Brief on India’s Engagement with the Global South:
The ‘Global South’ typically refers to countries often described as ‘developing,’ ‘less developed,’ or ‘underdeveloped’ in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, characterized by shared developmental challenges. India’s engagement with the Global South is rooted in its historical leadership in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and its post-colonial solidarity.
- Historical Legacy: India has historically advocated for the interests of newly independent nations, championing decolonization, disarmament, and a more equitable international order.
- Voice of Global South Summits: India has hosted multiple ‘Voice of Global South Summits’ (e.g., 3rd VOGSS on August 17, 2024), providing a platform for developing countries to share perspectives and priorities, with inputs often reflected in G20 discussions (e.g., during India’s 2023 G20 Presidency).
- Development Cooperation: India provides extensive development assistance, including Lines of Credit (LoCs), grants, capacity-building initiatives (e.g., Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation – ITEC program, e-VidyaBharti and e-ArogyaBharti – e-VBAB Network Project), and technology transfer (e.g., UPI, CoWIN platform).
- Economic Partnerships: India’s trade with regions like Africa and Latin America has seen significant growth (e.g., trade with Africa from $5 billion in 2001 to $90 billion in 2020; with Latin America reaching $20.22 billion in 2024).
- Multilateral Leadership: India’s G20 Presidency in 2023 successfully elevated the African Union to a permanent member of the G20, a significant step in reinforcing the Global South’s voice in global decision-making.
Significance of India’s Commitment to the Global South:
- Amplifying Voice: India’s leadership provides a crucial platform for the collective concerns and aspirations of developing nations, especially in forums dominated by developed countries (G7, UNSC).
- Counterbalancing Geopolitical Shifts: In a multipolar world, fostering stronger ties within the Global South enhances India’s strategic autonomy and allows it to navigate complex geopolitical alignments (e.g., balancing relations with both the West and Global South).
- Economic Opportunities: Strengthening trade and investment ties with Global South countries provides India with new markets for its goods and services, access to critical minerals (like lithium from Latin America), and opportunities for energy security.
- South-South Cooperation: India champions partnerships based on mutual respect, shared experiences, and collaborative problem-solving, addressing common developmental challenges like food security, poverty, and climate change.
- Reforming Global Governance: India’s advocacy for reforms in multilateral institutions (UN, IMF, World Bank) aligns with the broader demand from the Global South for a more equitable, representative, and just global order.
- Soft Power and Digital Diplomacy: India’s expertise in digital public infrastructure (DPI) like UPI and its educational diplomacy (e.g., Global South Scholarships) are being shared, enhancing its influence and promoting digital equity.
- Climate Justice: India consistently highlights the historical responsibility of developed nations for climate change and advocates for increased climate finance and technology transfer to the Global South, pushing for “climate justice.”
Challenges in India’s Global South Engagement:
- Economic Asymmetry: Despite growth, many Global South countries still face significant economic disparities and development challenges that require sustained and substantial support.
- Competition from Other Powers: China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its extensive investments in the Global South pose a significant competitive challenge to India’s outreach.
- Institutional and Policy Gaps: India sometimes faces criticisms for lacking a well-defined institutional framework for global development aid, similar to China’s BRI or Japan’s ODA.
- Domestic Constraints: Balancing internal developmental priorities (e.g., poverty, inequality, infrastructure deficits) with global commitments can be challenging.
- Diverse Interests within Global South: The Global South is not a monolithic bloc; countries have diverse interests, wealth, and capabilities, requiring India to tailor its policies and manage varied expectations.
- Climate Action Dilemma: While advocating for climate justice, India and other Global South nations face pressure from the West regarding their reliance on fossil fuels for economic growth, creating friction in climate diplomacy.
- Debt Vulnerabilities: Some Global South countries face debt crises, and traditional development assistance models need to evolve towards more sustainable and innovative financial solutions.
Way Ahead: India’s commitment to the Global South is a cornerstone of its foreign policy, reflecting its aspirations for a more equitable world order. To further solidify this position:
- Institutionalize Development Diplomacy: Establish a clear and structured international development assistance policy, possibly through an “India International Development Agency” or an India-led “Global South Development Fund,” to coordinate and finance sustainable projects.
- Deepen Economic Partnerships: Explore innovative financing models, promote greater trade diversification, and facilitate investment flows that are mutually beneficial and sustainable.
- Strengthen Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Sharing: Continue to expand the successful DPI model (e.g., UPI) to more countries, enabling digital transformation and financial inclusion across the Global South.
- Focus on Capacity Building: Prioritize demand-driven, localized capacity-building initiatives and technical assistance programs that empower communities and foster self-reliance.
- Advocate for Multilateral Reforms: Continue to vigorously push for reforms in global governance institutions to ensure greater representation and a stronger voice for the Global South.
- Strategic Multi-Alignment: Maintain India’s policy of strategic multi-alignment, engaging actively across multiple fronts (Global South, BRICS, G20, and partnerships with the West) to maximize its influence and safeguard its interests.
India’s renewed emphasis on the Global South is not just a diplomatic gesture but a strategic imperative, positioning India as a responsible global actor and a credible voice for a more inclusive and balanced world.
