Topic 1: Electoral Integrity and UP’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2026
Syllabus
- GS-II: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies (Election Commission).
- GS-II: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
Context
- On January 06, 2026, the Election Commission of India (ECI) published the draft electoral rolls for Uttar Pradesh following a Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
- The revision led to the deletion of 2.89 crore names (approximately 18.7% of the previous list), the highest absolute deletion for any state in India.
Main Body: Multi-Dimensional Analysis
- Legal Perspective: * The ECI invoked Article 326 of the Constitution, which restricts voting rights to citizens.
- The SIR was conducted after a gap of 20 years, aiming to purge the “ghost voters” accumulated due to rapid urbanization and migration.
- The Supreme Court is currently monitoring petitions challenging the EC’s powers to conduct such intensive revisions under the Citizenship Act framework.
- Political Dimension:
- Opposition parties (SP, Congress) allege “selective deletion” of marginalized sections (OBCs, Minorities).
- It has triggered a debate on the “burden of proof,” where citizens must now prove their residency using 12 mandated documents if they were “unmapped.”
- Administrative Perspective:
- The ECI reduced the voter cap per polling station from 1,500 to 1,200, necessitating the creation of 15,030 new booths in UP.
- The process utilized 1.72 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and involved a 62-day intensive field verification.
- Social Impact:
- Urban areas like Lucknow (30%) and Ghaziabad (28%) saw the highest deletions, reflecting high mobility and potential disenfranchisement of migrant workers.
Positives, Negatives, and Government Schemes
- Positives: * Cleaning of rolls prevents “voter impersonation” and double-voting.
- Ensures a high “Voter-to-Population” (EP) ratio accuracy.
- Negatives: * Massive scale of deletions risks excluding genuine eligible voters who lack documentation.
- “Unmapped” voters (over 1 crore in UP) face significant administrative hurdles.
- Government Schemes:
- SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation): Enhanced to educate citizens on the claims and objections process (Form 6 and Form 7).
- E-EPIC: Promotion of digital voter cards to streamline verification.
Examples
- Lucknow & Ghaziabad: High deletion rates (30% and 28%) highlighting the challenge of tracking urban floating populations.
- Andaman & Nicobar: Previously recorded the highest percentage of deletions (21%) during the first phase of SIR.
Way Forward
- Transparent Redressal: The ECI must ensure the month-long “Claims and Objections” period (Jan 6–Feb 6) is accessible and non-adversarial.
- Digital Integration: Linkage of electoral rolls with a robust residency database while ensuring privacy safeguards.
- Political Consensus: Periodic meetings with all recognized parties to validate deletion criteria to maintain institutional trust.
Conclusion
The SIR 2026 is a necessary surgical strike against electoral redundancy, but its success depends on ensuring that no “Shuddh Namavali” (Clean Roll) comes at the cost of “Samaveshi Loktantra” (Inclusive Democracy).
Practice Mains Question
“The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls is a double-edged sword that balances electoral purity with the risk of mass disenfranchisement. Critically analyze in the context of the 2026 draft roll publications.” (15 Marks, 250 Words)
Topic 2: Digital Empowerment in Forest Governance (FRA Hackathon 2.0)
Syllabus
- GS-II: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population; e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential.
- GS-III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Context
- On January 06, 2026, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) concluded Hackathon 2.0, a national workshop to develop a unified National Forest Rights Act (FRA) Digital Platform.
- This initiative followed a field visit by innovators to FRA-implemented villages in Nashik, Maharashtra.
Main Body: Multi-Dimensional Analysis
- Technological Dimension:
- AI-Powered Archives: The platform uses Artificial Intelligence to digitize and search handwritten/old forest records.
- WebGIS-based Decision Support System (DSS): Allows spatial visualization of forest land, helping distinguish between Individual Forest Rights (IFR) and Community Forest Resources (CFR).
- Legal & Rights Perspective:
- The platform aims to reduce the massive pendency and high rejection rates of claims under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
- It provides a “single source of truth” to prevent illegal encroachments while protecting tribal land tenure.
- Social & Developmental Dimension:
- Empowers Gram Sabhas by providing them with digital tools to monitor forest resources.
- The “Claimant-centric Chatbot” democratizes access to legal information for non-literate forest dwellers.
- Governance Perspective:
- MoTA is the first ministry to engage all Smart India Hackathon (SIH) finalists to collaboratively co-develop a national platform, shifting from a “winner-takes-all” to a “collaborative innovation” model.
Positives, Negatives, and Government Schemes
- Positives: * Transparency in claim processing and reduction in corruption at the lower bureaucracy level.
- Evidence-based policy making using the “FRA Atlas.”
- Negatives: * Digital Divide: Tribal areas often lack the internet connectivity required to access such platforms.
- Data Accuracy: AI is only as good as the underlying (often disputed) legacy forest records.
- Government Schemes:
- Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY): Integration with digital forest governance.
- Van Dhan Vikas Kendras: These benefit from clearly demarcated community forest rights for minor forest produce (MFP) collection.
Examples
- Nashik Model: The field engagement in Surgana and Igatpuri blocks served as the blueprint for the platform’s UX/UI design.
- FRA Atlas: A spatial tool that allows a District Collector to see overlapping claims in real-time.
Way Forward
- Offline Capability: Develop “edge-computing” or offline modes for the platform in shadow zones.
- Capacity Building: Training “Barefoot IT Volunteers” within tribal communities to assist Gram Sabhas.
- Inter-Ministerial Coordination: Ensure the MoTA platform is synced with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) databases.
Conclusion
The National FRA Digital Platform marks a shift from “analog neglect” to “digital dignity” for India’s tribal population, ensuring that the spirit of the 2006 Act is realized through 21st-century technology.
Practice Mains Question
“How can e-governance initiatives like the National FRA Digital Platform bridge the gap between statutory rights and ground-level implementation for forest-dwelling communities? Discuss.” (10 Marks, 150 Words)
Topic 3: Infrastructure Prowess: The Bengaluru–Vijayawada Economic Corridor
Syllabus
- GS-III: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
- GS-III: Investment Models.
Context
- On January 06, 2026, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) set two Guinness World Records on the Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada (BKV) Economic Corridor (NH-544G).
- The records involved the longest continuous laying of bituminous concrete (28.89 lane km) and the highest quantity laid (10,655 MT) in 24 hours.
Main Body: Multi-Dimensional Analysis
- Economic Impact:
- The corridor reduces the distance between Bengaluru and Vijayawada by 100 km and travel time from 12 hours to 8 hours.
- It links the Koparthy Industrial Node and the Rayalaseema region to major ports, potentially lowering logistics costs by 12-15%.
- Engineering & Innovation:
- Deployment of state-of-the-art machinery: 70 tippers, 5 hot mix plants, and 17 rollers working in a synchronized “moving factory” model.
- Quality assurance was monitored by IIT Bombay, ensuring that speed does not compromise the “international roughness index” (road quality) standards.
- Environmental Dimension:
- A 21 km stretch passes through forest areas, utilizing eco-sensitive designs like underpasses for wildlife.
- A 5.3 km long tunnel was constructed to minimize the surface footprint in hilly terrains.
- Strategic Dimension:
- The project is a key component of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, aiming for multi-modal connectivity between industrial hubs of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Positives, Negatives, and Government Schemes
- Positives: * Boost to regional tourism and “wayside amenities” (10 planned nodes).
- Demonstration of India’s capability to execute “Mega-Infrastructure” at record-breaking speeds.
- Negatives: * Concerns over the “toll-burden” on local commuters.
- Potential fragmentation of habitats despite forest-friendly designs.
- Government Schemes:
- Bharatmala Pariyojana: The umbrella program under which the BKV corridor is developed.
- PM Gati Shakti: Ensuring the highway is synced with industrial corridors and railway freight terminals.
Examples
- Puttaparthi Section: The specific site near Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, where the record was set.
- M/s Rajpath Infracon: The private concessionaire that partnered with NHAI to achieve the feat.
Way Forward
- Asset Monetization: Utilize the ToT (Toll-Operate-Transfer) model to recoup investments.
- Safety First: Implementation of Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) to manage the high-speed 6-lane traffic safely.
- Last Mile Connectivity: Ensuring the 17 interchanges effectively link the hinterland to the main expressway.
Conclusion
The record-setting feat on the BKV Economic Corridor is not just about speed; it symbolizes India’s transition to becoming a global benchmark in infrastructure execution, directly feeding into the goal of a $5 trillion economy.
Practice Mains Question
“Economic corridors are the arteries of a nation’s growth. In light of the recent milestones in the Bengaluru–Vijayawada Corridor, evaluate the role of the PM Gati Shakti framework in revolutionizing India’s logistics landscape.” (15 Marks, 250 Words)
Topic 4: Legislative Privileges and Executive Accountability (The “Phansi Ghar” Controversy)
Syllabus
- GS-II: State Legislature—Structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
- GS-II: Constitutional bodies and the role of the Speaker.
Context
- On January 06, 2026, the Committee of Privileges of the Delhi Assembly recommended “proper action” against former CM Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and others.
- The issue involves the inauguration of a structure within the Assembly premises claimed to be a British-era “Phansi Ghar” (Execution Room), which subsequent investigations by the current Speaker identified as a “Tiffin Room” based on National Archives records.
Main Body: Multi-Dimensional Analysis
- Constitutional Dimension: * Article 194 defines the powers and privileges of State Legislatures. The committee holds that providing “misleading information” to the House or the public about the Assembly’s own history constitutes a breach of the House’s dignity.
- The refusal of the summoned leaders to appear before the committee was termed “contempt of the House,” highlighting the tension between legislative oversight and individual legal protections.
- Historical & Symbolic Dimension:
- The row pits revolutionary symbolism (murals of Bhagat Singh and Rajguru) against evidentiary history. The BJP-led Assembly administration argues that creating “fake” history for political optics devalues actual freedom struggle milestones.
- Political Dimension:
- The AAP views this as a “distraction exercise” intended to bypass discussions on pressing issues like Air Pollution.
- It illustrates the ongoing friction between the ruling party at the Center (represented by the Speaker in the UT Assembly context) and the opposition leaders in Delhi.
Positives, Negatives, and Government Schemes
- Positives: * Ensures that history presented within state institutions is factually audited and verified.
- Reinforces the authority of Legislative Committees to summon members for accountability.
- Negatives: * Can be perceived as “political vendetta” using legislative machinery.
- Resource and time diversion from primary legislative duties (lawmaking and policy debate).
- Relevant Provisions:
- Rule 160 of the Delhi Assembly Rules: Governs the procedure for dealing with questions of privilege.
Examples
- National Archives Reference: The primary evidence used by the Committee to reclassify the “Phansi Ghar” as a “Tiffin Room.”
- High Court Intervention: Kejriwal and Sisodia moved the Delhi HC challenging the committee’s jurisdiction, though no interim relief was granted, setting a precedent for committee supremacy in house matters.
Way Forward
- Independent Historical Commissions: Legislative bodies should involve the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) before declaring structures as “historic” to avoid partisan disputes.
- Codification of Privileges: India should move toward clearly codifying legislative privileges to reduce ambiguity and judicial overreach.
Conclusion
The “Phansi Ghar” row serves as a reminder that the sanctity of a legislature rests on both the physical truth of its heritage and the ethical conduct of its members. Accountability must be balanced with the fair application of house rules.
Practice Mains Question
“The power of legislative committees to punish for contempt is essential for parliamentary dignity but must not be used as a tool for political posturing. Discuss with reference to the recent Privilege Committee reports in State Assemblies.” (15 Marks, 250 Words)
Topic 5: Judiciary, Secularism, and “Imaginary” Public Order (The Deepathoon Case)
Syllabus
- GS-II: Indian Constitution—features, amendments, significant provisions (Article 25-28).
- GS-II: Judiciary—Structure, organization, and functioning.
Context
- On January 06, 2026, the Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) upheld an order permitting the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at the Deepathoon (stone pillar) atop the Thirupparankundram hill.
- The court dismissed the Tamil Nadu government’s appeal, which had cited potential communal disharmony due to the pillar’s proximity to a Dargah.
Main Body: Multi-Dimensional Analysis
- Legal Perspective:
- The court invoked Article 25, stating that the right to perform a customary ritual is protected unless there is a clear, evidence-based threat to public order.
- It termed the State’s fear of communal tension an “imaginary ghost,” ruling that the administration cannot use “potential unrest” as a blanket excuse to curb religious rights.
- Secularism & Shared Spaces:
- Thirupparankundram is a “shared sacred landscape” containing Hindu temples, Jain relics, and a Sufi Dargah.
- The judgment emphasizes “peaceful co-existence” rather than “segregated exclusion,” suggesting that the State’s role is to facilitate rituals of all faiths rather than stopping them.
- Administrative Perspective:
- The court criticized the HR&CE Department and the District Administration for not acting as mediators and instead taking an adversarial stance against the devotees.
Positives, Negatives, and Government Schemes
- Positives: * Protects ancient customs from being erased due to administrative convenience.
- Sets a high bar for the State to prove “law and order” threats before curtailing rights.
- Negatives: * Puts additional pressure on police forces to manage sensitive sites during festivals.
- Could be exploited by fringe groups to escalate presence in shared heritage sites.
- Government Role:
- HR&CE (Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments): Tasked with managing temple rituals while ensuring non-interference with other faiths.
Examples
- 1920 Court Ruling: A historical precedent cited where the temple was granted ownership of most of the hill, while the Dargah retained rights over specific structures.
- ASI Protected Monument: Since the hill is a protected site, the court mandated that the lighting follow Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act guidelines.
Way Forward
- Inter-faith Committees: Establishing permanent local committees involving temple and dargah representatives to manage festival logistics.
- Controlled Rituals: As suggested by the court, limiting the number of participants (e.g., only 10 people) to balance faith and security.
Conclusion
The High Court’s ruling reinforces that in a pluralistic society, the State must govern through mediation and protection rather than prohibition, ensuring that the “lights of faith” do not become a source of “fire of friction.”
Practice Mains Question
“To what extent can the State use ‘public order’ as a ground to restrict religious practices in shared sacred spaces? Analyze in light of recent judicial pronouncements.” (10 Marks, 150 Words)
Topic 6: India Energy Week (IEW) 2026: Global Energy Hub in Goa
Syllabus
- GS-III: Infrastructure: Energy; Conservation, environmental pollution, and degradation.
- GS-III: Growth, development, and employment.
Context
- PIB and the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas officially announced on January 06, 2026, that India Energy Week 2026 will be held in Goa (Jan 27–30).
- The event is projected to attract 75,000+ attendees and 700+ exhibitors from across the global energy value chain.
Main Body: Multi-Dimensional Analysis
- Strategic & Geopolitical Dimension:
- IEW serves as India’s answer to Davos for the energy sector. It positions India as a “credible transition leader” that balances high growth with climate responsibility.
- Host to Ministerial Roundtables involving OPEC+ and IEA leaders, emphasizing India’s role as the world’s third-largest energy consumer.
- Economic Dimension:
- Focus on Green Finance and attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India’s renewable sector.
- Spotlight on the “Make in India” initiative within the energy equipment manufacturing sector (solar cells, electrolyzers for hydrogen).
- Technological Dimension:
- Introduction of new thematic zones for 2026: Nuclear Energy and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
- Showcasing Digitalization & AI in grid management to handle intermittent renewable energy.
Positives, Negatives, and Government Schemes
- Positives: * Accelerates the National Green Hydrogen Mission through global partnerships.
- Boosts Goa’s economy as a hub for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism.
- Negatives: * Bridging the gap between “strategic talk” and “ground implementation” remains a challenge.
- Heavy reliance on traditional hydrocarbons still dominates the immediate energy security agenda.
- Government Schemes:
- PM-KUSUM: Integration of decentralized solar power.
- SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation): Promoting Bio-CNG, a major theme for IEW 2026.
Examples
- International Country Pavilions: 9 countries (including Canada, Germany, and Japan) setting up dedicated tech showcases.
- Ethanol Blending Roadmap: India achieving its 20% blending target ahead of schedule will be a key success story presented.
Way Forward
- Energy Storage Focus: IEW 2026 must prioritize Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES) technologies to make 24/7 renewables a reality.
- Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): Leveraging the new Nuclear Zone to fast-track private participation in civil nuclear energy.
Conclusion
India Energy Week 2026 is not merely a trade fair; it is a declaration of India’s Energy Atmanirbharta. By converging global capital and local innovation in Goa, India aims to write the playbook for a sustainable global south.
Practice Mains Question
“India’s energy transition is unique as it must balance the ‘energy trilemma’ of security, affordability, and sustainability. Evaluate the significance of platforms like India Energy Week in achieving this balance.” (15 Marks, 250 Words)
