1. Digital Version of the Constitution in Nine Languages
1. Syllabus
GS-II: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential.
GS-I: Indian culture and Salient features of the Indian Constitution.
2. Context
On Constitution Day (November 26), the President of India released the digital version of the Constitution of India translated into nine Indian languages, including Bodo and Kashmiri. This initiative, themed “Hamara Samvidhan–Hamara Swabhiman,” aims to enhance constitutional literacy and linguistic inclusivity by leveraging technology to make the supreme legal document accessible to a wider section of the populace in their mother tongue.
3. Main Body in Multi-Dimensional Analysis
This move is a strong expression of e-governance focused on democratic deepening.
- Linguistic Inclusivity & Equity: The translation into languages listed in the Eighth Schedule respects India’s linguistic diversity and fulfils the ideal of constitutional morality, ensuring that citizens do not face a linguistic barrier in understanding their fundamental rights and duties. The updated Punjabi edition after almost 50 years underscores the government’s renewed commitment to regional language parity.
- Constitutional Literacy: The digital format, accessible via an app or website, simplifies the process of reading and researching the Constitution. This is crucial for fostering an informed citizenry, which is the bedrock of a participatory democracy.
- Technology for Governance: This project represents a significant step in the Digital India mission by digitizing a core governance document. It eliminates the cost and bulk of printed copies, making it instantaneously accessible and searchable, even in remote areas.
4. Positives, Negatives, Government Schemes
| Aspect | Description |
| Positives | 1. Accessibility: Overcomes the geographical and financial constraints of accessing printed legal texts. 2. Searchability: The digital version allows for quick reference and search functionality crucial for students and legal professionals. 3. Federalism: Strengthens the connection between the Union’s core document and the linguistic diversity of the states. |
| Negatives | 1. Translation Fidelity: Ensuring absolute legal fidelity and nuance across all nine translations is a massive linguistic and legal challenge. 2. Digital Divide: The benefits remain limited by the digital divide, excluding citizens without reliable internet access or smartphones. 3. Update Mechanism: Requires a robust, instantaneous, and failsafe mechanism to update all nine versions whenever a new constitutional amendment is passed. |
| Government Schemes | 1. Digital India: The overarching mission providing the technological infrastructure. 2. National Translation Mission (NTM): Focused on translating knowledge texts into Indian languages. 3. Constitution Day (Samvidhan Diwas): Commemorating the adoption of the Constitution on November 26, 1949. |
5. Examples
- The translation work draws parallels with the efforts of the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) under the NTM, leveraging expertise in linguistics and legal terminology.
- The digital platform is similar to the e-Courts Project where legal documents and judicial processes are being digitized for public access.
6. Way Forward
The government must accelerate the translation of the Constitution into all 22 languages of the Eighth Schedule. A hybrid distribution model combining the digital app with the distribution of low-cost print-on-demand versions in underserved regions is necessary to ensure genuine inclusivity and bridge the digital divide.
7. Conclusion
The digital, multi-lingual Constitution is a powerful instrument of democratic outreach. By affirming the citizen’s right to access the law in their language, the initiative reinforces the idea that the Constitution is not just a legal text, but a shared national heritage and a tool for every citizen’s empowerment.
8. Practice Mains Question
GS-II: On the occasion of Constitution Day, the launch of the digital, multi-lingual version of the Constitution marks a significant step towards constitutional literacy. Examine the role of e-governance in democratic deepening and discuss the challenges of ensuring linguistic fidelity and overcoming the digital divide in such initiatives. (250 words)
2. Appointment of the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI)
1. Syllabus
GS-II: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary. Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
2. Context
Justice Surya Kant was sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI), succeeding Justice B. R. Gavai. The appointment was made by the President of India, following the established convention of seniority and the procedure laid out in the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) for the appointment of the CJI.
3. Main Body in Multi-Dimensional Analysis
The CJI is the head of the Indian judiciary, wielding both judicial and administrative authority, which makes the appointment a critical event in the constitutional framework.
- Constitutional Basis & Procedure: The appointment of the CJI is governed by Article 124(2) of the Constitution. By convention, the outgoing CJI recommends the name of the senior-most Judge of the Supreme Court who is considered fit to hold the office. This recommendation is processed through the Union Law Ministry and the Prime Minister, and formally appointed by the President.
- Principle of Seniority: The convention of appointing the senior-most judge aims to ensure the independence of the judiciary by insulating the selection from executive interference and ensuring predictability and stability in the highest judicial office.
- The Master of the Roster: The CJI is the ‘Master of the Roster,’ an administrative power that involves allocating cases to different Benches and constituting benches (including Constitutional Benches). This power is essential for judicial administration but has been a subject of debate regarding the potential for arbitrary use.
4. Positives, Negatives, Government Schemes
| Aspect | Description |
| Positives | 1. Independence: The seniority convention minimizes political discretion, upholding judicial independence (a facet of the Basic Structure). 2. Predictability: Ensures a smooth, automatic, and stable succession process. 3. Experience: The senior-most judge has vast experience in the Supreme Court, providing institutional memory and legal gravitas. |
| Negatives | 1. Short Tenures: Seniority often results in very short tenures (often less than two years), hindering the ability of the CJI to implement major, long-term administrative or judicial reforms. 2. Merit vs. Seniority: Merit and administrative capacity may sometimes be overlooked in favour of mere seniority. 3. Administrative Burden: The combination of administrative ‘Master of the Roster’ power and the judicial role can lead to an administrative burden on the CJI. |
| Reforms & Related Concepts | 1. Collegium System: The mechanism evolved through the Judges Cases for appointments and transfers of judges, with the CJI as the head. 2. NJAC (National Judicial Appointments Commission): Struck down by the SC in 2015, it was an attempt to change the method of appointment. 3. MoP Review: Ongoing discussions between the government and the judiciary to finalize a revised MoP for transparency in appointments. |
5. Examples
- CJI Kant, in his early remarks, emphasized the need for a non-divisive approach on the caste census issue, underscoring the CJI’s role as a moral and social compass for the nation.
- The Second Judges Case (1993), which established the Collegium system, marked the judiciary’s assertion of primacy over the executive in judicial appointments.
6. Way Forward
A comprehensive review of the MoP is necessary to balance seniority with merit, possibly by factoring in administrative track record of judges. A discussion on introducing a fixed, minimum tenure (e.g., two years) for the CJI, irrespective of the retirement age, could be considered to ensure continuity in judicial reforms and policy implementation.
7. Conclusion
The appointment of a new CJI is an opportunity for institutional renewal. While the convention of seniority is vital for guarding judicial independence, the challenge remains to structure the office such that the CJI has sufficient time and administrative freedom to implement substantive reforms necessary for improving the efficiency and credibility of the judicial system.
8. Practice Mains Question
GS-II: Critically examine the convention of seniority in the appointment of the Chief Justice of India. Do short tenures impede the potential for institutional reforms? Suggest a balanced model for future appointments. (250 words)
3. Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM)
1. Syllabus
GS-III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development. Science and Technology – Indigenization of technology.
2. Context
The Union Cabinet approved a ₹7,280 crore scheme to promote the domestic manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM). This first-of-its-kind initiative aims to establish 6,000 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) of integrated REPM manufacturing capacity, reducing India’s heavy reliance on imports (currently dominated by China) for these critical strategic components.
3. Main Body in Multi-Dimensional Analysis
REPMs are made from Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and are essential components in high-technology products, making them highly strategic for economic and military security.
- Strategic Importance: REPMs are vital for green technology (wind turbines, Electric Vehicle motors, high-efficiency refrigerators) and defence technology (missile guidance systems, stealth technology, fighter jet components). Dependence on one country (China controls over 90% of global REE processing) creates a significant strategic vulnerability and supply chain risk.
- The Scheme’s Focus: The scheme aims to create a fully integrated domestic supply chain, from mining and processing of REEs to the final production of the magnets. The investment focuses on creating a robust ecosystem for value addition within India, rather than just exporting raw materials.
- Economic Opportunity: The domestic market for REPMs is growing rapidly, driven by India’s climate goals and the FAME II scheme for EVs. Establishing local production will save significant foreign exchange and boost exports, positioning India as a key player in the global REPM market.
4. Positives, Negatives, Government Schemes
| Aspect | Description |
| Positives | 1. Strategic Autonomy: Reduces import dependence on China for critical components, enhancing economic and defence security. 2. Green Economy Boost: Supports the rapid growth of the EV and Renewable Energy sectors. 3. Technology Indigenization: Fosters R&D in magnet technology and REE processing, areas where India currently lags. |
| Negatives | 1. Environmental Challenge: REE processing is highly polluting (acidic/radioactive waste). Adopting strict environmental safeguards is crucial but costly. 2. Processing Bottleneck: India holds 5% of global REE reserves but lacks advanced processing technology and skilled personnel for refinement. 3. Market Domination: Competition from established Chinese players who benefit from massive economies of scale and lower environmental costs will be fierce. |
| Government Schemes | 1. Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: The REPM scheme is aligned with the PLI philosophy of incentivizing domestic, high-value manufacturing. 2. FAME II Scheme: Provides incentives for EV adoption, driving demand for REPMs. 3. Aatmanirbhar Bharat: The guiding principle for self-reliance in strategic sectors. |
5. Examples
- Current wind turbine manufacturing in India relies heavily on imported REPMs. Domestic production will drastically change the cost structure of renewable energy.
- The defence sector‘s push for indigenous missile systems (like the BrahMos and A-SAT) requires advanced REPMs, making this scheme a national security priority.
6. Way Forward
Success depends on rigorous adherence to environmental standards using advanced, less-polluting ‘green’ processing technologies. India must forge international partnerships (with the US, Japan, and Australia via the Quad) to secure technology transfer and create alternative, resilient global supply chains that bypass China’s dominance.
7. Conclusion
The REPM manufacturing scheme is a calculated geopolitical and economic investment. It acknowledges the strategic nature of high-technology materials in the 21st century. By achieving self-reliance in REPMs, India secures its clean energy transition and strengthens its defence industrial base, moving from a commodity exporter to a high-tech manufacturer.
8. Practice Mains Question
GS-III: Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPMs) are key to both the green and defence economies. Discuss the strategic and economic rationale behind the new scheme to boost domestic REPM manufacturing, and highlight the associated environmental and technological challenges. (250 words)
4. Textiles Focused Research, Assessment, Monitoring, Planning, and Start-up (Tex-RAMPS) Scheme
1. Syllabus
GS-III: Indian Economy (Growth and Development). Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. (Textile sector is part of core manufacturing).
2. Context
The Government of India launched the Textiles Focused Research, Assessment, Monitoring, Planning, and Start-up (Tex-RAMPS) Scheme with an outlay aimed at boosting R&D and innovation across the entire value chain of the textile sector. The core objective is to move the industry from generic bulk production to high-value, high-performance specialized textiles (e.g., technical textiles).
3. Main Body in Multi-Dimensional Analysis
The textile sector, contributing significantly to India’s manufacturing output and employment, faces challenges in technology adoption and global competitiveness. Tex-RAMPS is designed as a focused intervention.
- R&D and Innovation Focus: The scheme directly tackles the low expenditure on R&D in the Indian textile industry. It provides financial assistance for research projects in areas like sustainable fabrics, smart textiles (with integrated electronics), and technical textiles (used in medical, defence, and automotive sectors).
- Integrated Approach (RAMPS): The scheme is holistic:
- Research and Assessment: Funding academic and industrial research into new materials and processes.
- Monitoring and Planning: Establishing a framework for tracking industry trends and planning future technology adoption.
- Start-up: Providing a dedicated incubation and funding route for technology start-ups in the textile domain.
- Global Competitiveness: By promoting value-added products, India can compete in the high-end global markets, moving beyond competition based solely on cheap labour. This is crucial for achieving the targeted $100 billion in textile exports.
4. Positives, Negatives, Government Schemes
| Aspect | Description |
| Positives | 1. Value Addition: Shifts the industry towards high-margin products like technical textiles (e.g., fire-resistant, biodegradable). 2. Sustainability: Funds research into eco-friendly and circular economy models for textile waste, addressing major environmental concerns. 3. Employment Quality: Creates demand for skilled workers, designers, and engineers, improving the quality of employment in the sector. |
| Negatives | 1. Dispersed Industry: The largely unorganized nature of the MSME-dominated textile sector makes the scheme’s benefits slow to percolate. 2. IP Protection: Ensuring that R&D outcomes are properly commercialized and protected by strong Intellectual Property (IP) rights remains a challenge. 3. Slow Adoption: The traditional sector is often slow to adopt new, capital-intensive technology, requiring significant policy push. |
| Government Schemes | 1. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles: Provides incentives for manufacturing high-value Man-Made Fibre (MMF) fabrics and technical textiles. 2. Samarth Scheme: A scheme for Capacity Building in the Textile Sector (Skill Development). 3. National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM): Promotes technical textiles, which Tex-RAMPS supports through R&D funding. |
5. Examples
- A Tex-RAMPS funded project could lead to the development of indigenous geotextiles used in road construction, replacing imports and strengthening public infrastructure.
- Another example is funding research into using biomass or agricultural waste to create sustainable, biodegradable fashion fabrics, aligning with global climate goals.
6. Way Forward
The scheme’s success hinges on fostering strong Industry-Academia collaboration. Establishing Common Facility Centres (CFCs) equipped with pilot-scale advanced machinery, supported by the scheme, would allow MSMEs and start-ups to test and commercialize innovations without huge initial capital investment.
7. Conclusion
The Tex-RAMPS Scheme is a forward-looking policy designed to inject technology and innovation into the heart of India’s traditional textile industry. By creating a robust ecosystem for research and start-ups, it aims not just to increase production, but to future-proof the sector, making it globally competitive, sustainable, and capable of generating high-skill employment.
8. Practice Mains Question
GS-III: The Indian textile industry requires an injection of technology and innovation to shift towards high-value products. Analyze how the Tex-RAMPS Scheme is designed to address this challenge, and discuss the inherent difficulties in technology adoption within a predominantly unorganized sector. (250 words)
5. India Re-elected to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council
1. Syllabus
GS-II: Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.
2. Context
India was overwhelmingly re-elected to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council for the 2025-26 biennium, securing the highest number of votes in its category (Category B – States with the largest interest in international seaborne trade). The election, held at the IMO Assembly in London, reaffirms India’s growing stature and commitment to global maritime governance and trade.
3. Main Body in Multi-Dimensional Analysis
The IMO, a specialized agency of the United Nations, is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security, and environmental performance of international shipping. India’s re-election is strategically vital.
- Strategic & Economic Importance: With a coastline of over 7,500 km, over 90% of trade by volume, and a large domestic shipping fleet, India’s economic lifeline depends on safe and secure sea lanes. Membership in the IMO Council allows India to directly influence the framing of global maritime regulations on ship safety, pollution control (MARPOL Convention), and training standards (STCW Convention).
- Global Maritime Governance: India’s presence ensures that the concerns and perspectives of developing nations and major Asian maritime economies are reflected in global standards. This is crucial for balancing the interests of developed maritime powers and emerging economies.
- SAGAR and Blue Economy: The re-election strengthens India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine by providing a multilateral platform to champion maritime security initiatives and promote the development of the Blue Economy—the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth.
4. Positives, Negatives, Government Schemes
| Aspect | Description |
| Positives | 1. Policy Influence: India can push for regulations favourable to its large shipping industry and coastal communities, such as standards for emission reduction and coastal shipping. 2. Security: Facilitates international cooperation on maritime security issues like piracy, narcotics smuggling, and arms trafficking in the IOR. 3. Diplomatic Win: Securing the highest votes in a competitive category highlights the effectiveness of India’s maritime diplomacy. |
| Negatives | 1. Regulatory Compliance: As a member, India faces the continuous challenge of fully implementing complex and evolving international safety and environmental standards across its domestic shipping and port infrastructure. 2. Funding Commitments: Meeting the financial and technical commitments required of a leading IMO member demands significant national resource allocation. 3. Geopolitical Pressure: The IMO platform is increasingly used for geopolitical maneuvering, requiring India to navigate complex diplomatic tensions with global maritime powers. |
| Government Schemes | 1. Sagarmala Project: Aims at port modernization, new port development, and enhancing port connectivity. 2. Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030): The policy blueprint for making India a leading maritime nation, with a focus on sustainable growth. 3. Deep Ocean Mission: Focuses on exploration and sustainable utilization of ocean resources (Blue Economy). |
5. Examples
- India’s success in controlling piracy off its own coast has been a key diplomatic point used to showcase its maritime security capability at the IMO.
- India’s advocacy for alternative fuels and green shipping methods is aimed at harmonizing global standards with its Net-Zero commitments.
6. Way Forward
India must leverage its council position to champion the inclusion of emerging issues like cybersecurity in shipping and the ethical application of maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) standards. Domestically, focused investments in port infrastructure and coastal shipping must be accelerated to fully capitalize on the IMO membership.
7. Conclusion
India’s re-election to the IMO Council is a recognition of its indispensable role in global seaborne trade and its commitment to international maritime law. It provides the crucial platform to steer global shipping towards greater safety, security, and environmental sustainability, ultimately serving India’s strategic and economic interests in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.
8. Practice Mains Question
GS-II: Discuss the mandate and structure of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council. Analyze the strategic and economic significance of India’s re-election to the council in the context of the SAGAR doctrine and the Blue Economy. (250 words)
6. Operation Sagar Bandhu for Sri Lanka (Cyclone Ditwah)
1. Syllabus
GS-II: India and its neighbourhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
2. Context
In response to the severe damage caused by Cyclonic Storm Ditwah in Sri Lanka (resulting in over 80 casualties), India promptly launched ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’ (Friend of the Seas). This large-scale Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mission saw the coordinated deployment of the Indian Navy and Air Force, reinforcing India’s commitment as a reliable ‘First Responder’ in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
3. Main Body in Multi-Dimensional Analysis
Operation Sagar Bandhu is a concrete manifestation of India’s Neighbourhood First and SAGAR foreign policy principles.
- Neighbourhood First in Action: The immediate and substantial relief effort—delivering essential aid (food, medical supplies, tents) via the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and INS Udaigiri—is a demonstration of non-reciprocal assistance aimed at building lasting trust and goodwill with a critical maritime neighbour.
- Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR): The operation strengthens India’s role as a net security provider and preferred crisis responder in the IOR, subtly countering the influence of other extra-regional powers by showcasing superior operational logistics and commitment to regional stability.
- HADR Capability Integration: The mission utilized advanced assets, including the deployment of specialized National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams via Air Force transport aircraft, demonstrating India’s sophisticated military-civil integration for complex, trans-national disaster response missions.
4. Positives, Negatives, Government Schemes
| Aspect | Description |
| Positives | 1. Soft Power Diplomacy: Generates immense goodwill, which helps stabilize bilateral ties often stressed by geopolitical and internal issues. 2. Operational Readiness: Provides real-world training and validation for the Indian Navy and NDRF’s HADR protocols. 3. Regional Stability: Contributes to the overall security and human welfare environment in India’s immediate maritime periphery. |
| Negatives | 1. Resource Diversion: Deployment of strategic naval assets involves opportunity costs from their primary defence roles. 2. Logistical Coordination: Coordinating multiple national and international agencies in a disaster zone is complex and requires flawless execution to avoid delays or redundancy. 3. Sustainability: Ensuring sustained long-term assistance post-crisis requires diplomatic follow-up beyond the initial relief phase. |
| Government Schemes | 1. Neighbourhood First Policy: The core foreign policy doctrine driving the immediate and prioritized response. 2. SAGAR Doctrine: The maritime vision guiding India’s security and humanitarian role in the IOR. 3. Disaster Management Act, 2005: Provides the statutory framework for the creation and deployment of the NDRF for national and international relief. |
5. Examples
- The use of INS Vikrant (India’s indigenous aircraft carrier) for HADR marks a symbolic use of high-value strategic assets for humanitarian purposes, signaling India’s technological confidence and commitment.
- Similar HADR missions include Operation Maitri (Nepal Earthquake) and Operation Rahat (Yemen evacuation), establishing a strong track record as a first responder.
6. Way Forward
India should institutionalize the HADR response mechanism by proposing a permanent, regional rapid deployment force under the BIMSTEC framework, allowing for standardized SOPs and pre-positioned aid stockpiles. Continuous joint training exercises with neighbouring countries would enhance inter-operability during future crises.
7. Conclusion
Operation Sagar Bandhu reinforces the strategic depth of India’s foreign policy, demonstrating that its regional leadership is rooted in concrete action and genuine partnership. By extending non-reciprocal aid, India builds robust diplomatic bridges, ensuring that mutual security and prosperity remain the defining features of its neighbourhood relations.
8. Practice Mains Question
GS-II: Analyse the role of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions like ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’ as a tool of foreign policy and soft power diplomacy for India in the Indian Ocean Region. (250 words)
7. Volcanic Ash Plume from Hayli Gubbi Volcano (Ethiopia)
1. Syllabus
GS-I: Important Geophysical phenomena such as volcanic activity.
GS-III: Disaster and Disaster Management.
2. Context
The Hayli Gubbi volcano in the Afar region of Ethiopia erupted after centuries of dormancy, generating a high-altitude plume of volcanic ash and sulfur dioxide This plume travelled eastward via jet streams and entered Indian airspace over Gujarat and Rajasthan, prompting the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue advisories and divert several flights due to the significant risk to aircraft.
3. Main Body in Multi-Dimensional Analysis
This event underscores the global interconnectedness of natural hazards and the critical need for advanced atmospheric monitoring and aviation safety protocols.
- Aviation Hazard: Volcanic ash is a severe threat to jet engines. The fine, abrasive particles melt in the high engine temperatures and then resolidify as glass-like deposits on turbine blades, leading to engine stall or failure. The ash also abrades the aircraft’s sensors and windshields.
- Atmospheric Trajectory: The plume’s movement was governed by the strength and direction of high-altitude winds and the Jet Stream. IMD used specialized satellite imagery and models to track the plume’s trajectory (expected to cross over towards China), allowing for real-time risk assessment and flight path modification.
- Geophysical Significance: Hayli Gubbi lies in the tectonically active Afar Triple Junction, a unique geological area where three tectonic plates (African, Arabian, and Somali) are pulling apart. Its unpredictable, explosive eruption highlights the threat posed by dormant volcanoes.
4. Positives, Negatives, Government Schemes
| Aspect | Description |
| Positives | 1. Preparedness: India’s quick multi-agency response (DGCA, IMD) minimized any safety incidents or engine damage to commercial flights. 2. Global Coordination: Effective use of information from global Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres (VAACs) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). 3. Operational Continuity: The ability to divert flights and issue rapid advisories maintained a high degree of operational safety, preventing airspace closure. |
| Negatives | 1. Economic Disruption: Flight diversions and delays result in massive economic losses for airlines and cause passenger inconvenience. 2. Health Risk: Although the plume was high-altitude, the release of gas can contribute to aerosol formation, potentially exacerbating air quality issues in northern Indian cities like Delhi. 3. Predictive Limitations: Accurately predicting the density and altitude of ash clouds remains a global scientific challenge, making ground-based protocols necessary. |
| Government Schemes | 1. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): Coordinates the national framework for transboundary disasters. 2. IMD’s Atmospheric Research: Focuses on upgrading modelling and tracking capabilities for atmospheric hazards. |
5. Examples
- The 2010 Eyjafjallajökull (Iceland) eruption, which shut down most of European airspace, serves as the benchmark disaster that guides all modern aviation ash protocols.
- The INSAT-3D/3DR satellites play a vital role in providing the crucial infrared imagery for tracking the ash plume’s dispersal over the Indian Ocean.
6. Way Forward
India must invest in on-board aircraft systems (e.g., infrared sensors) capable of detecting ash clouds in real-time, allowing pilots to take evasive action before relying on ground control advisories. Enhancing the IMD’s atmospheric chemistry models to better predict conversion and its impact on regional air quality is also essential.
7. Conclusion
The Hayli Gubbi ash plume was a non-traditional security threat requiring a technological and coordinated response. India’s effective management underscores its improved disaster preparedness. Future efforts must focus on investing in predictive science and integrating domestic monitoring with global VAAC networks to safeguard India’s critical aviation infrastructure.
8. Practice Mains Question
GS-I/III: Volcanic ash plumes present a significant hazard to aviation and human health. Discuss the geophysical mechanism by which the Hayli Gubbi eruption impacted Indian airspace and evaluate the effectiveness of the current multi-agency disaster management response. (250 words)
8. Constitutional Challenge to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls
1. Syllabus
GS-II: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies (Election Commission of India). Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
2. Context
The Supreme Court is hearing petitions challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls, particularly opposing the practice where the Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are involved in deciding a citizen’s eligibility or identity. States like Kerala and West Bengal argued in the SC that a BLO, being a non-statutory functionary, should not possess the power to effectively question or decide a citizen’s fundamental right to vote or citizenship status.
3. Main Body in Multi-Dimensional Analysis
This case touches upon the core constitutional powers of the Election Commission of India (ECI), the sanctity of the electoral roll, and the fundamental right to vote.
- Role of ECI (Article 324): The ECI is vested with the power of superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for elections to Parliament and the State Legislatures. The SIR is conducted under this mandate.
- The Dispute: The challenge is not to the revision itself, but to the delegation of authority to BLOs, who are often local teachers or government staff. Opponents argue that a BLO’s function is purely administrative (e.g., checking address and existing entries), and empowering them to determine complex issues like citizenship or residence is a violation of the rule of law and opens the door to arbitrary exclusion of genuine voters.
- Right to Vote: The right to vote is a statutory right (under the Representation of the People Act, 1950 & 1951) and a constitutional right (implicitly under Article 326). Any mechanism that potentially deprives a citizen of this right must be robust, transparent, and follow the principles of natural justice, which critics argue the current SIR process, mediated by BLOs, fails to achieve.
4. Positives, Negatives, Government Schemes
| Aspect | Description |
| Positives | 1. Clean Rolls: SIR is essential for purging duplicate, dead, or non-resident voters, ensuring a clean and credible electoral roll. 2. Accuracy: The BLO, being a local functionary, has the best ground-level knowledge for verifying genuine residents and addresses. 3. ECI Mandate: The ECI is acting within its constitutional mandate (Article 324) to ensure free and fair elections by maintaining accurate rolls. |
| Negatives | 1. Arbitrary Power: Delegating quasi-judicial power (to determine eligibility) to a non-judicial/non-statutory functionary like a BLO risks arbitrariness and political bias. 2. Due Process: Concerns regarding the lack of a proper, public, and time-bound appeal mechanism for citizens whose names are struck off by BLOs. 3. Federalism Tension: State governments are concerned about the ECI’s (a central body) overreach into administrative mechanisms at the local level. |
| Related Concepts | 1. National Population Register (NPR): The use of NPR data and the subsequent link with the Aadhaar card for voter ID is a related and highly debated exercise. 2. Voter ID-Aadhaar Linking: Ongoing effort to link voter IDs with Aadhaar for de-duplication, which critics fear may lead to large-scale exclusion. |
5. Examples
- The argument was put forth that only the Union Government, after proper enquiry, can decide on citizenship, not a BLO.
- Previous exercises, particularly in Assam, which relied heavily on lower-level officials for validation, faced criticism regarding mass exclusion and lack of transparency.
6. Way Forward
The Supreme Court needs to clearly define the limits of the BLO’s authority, restricting their role to purely administrative functions. The ECI should establish a more transparent, technology-driven system for data verification (e.g., using digital maps and geo-fencing). Crucially, the appellate mechanism must be strengthened, making it easily accessible and requiring a judicial or quasi-judicial authority to review any decision to delete a voter’s name.
7. Conclusion
The constitutional challenge to the SIR process is a contest between the necessity of maintaining a clean electoral roll and the imperative of safeguarding the fundamental right to franchise. While the ECI’s objective is valid, the procedure must align with constitutional values of due process and non-arbitrariness, ensuring that the integrity of the electoral roll is maintained without disenfranchising genuine voters.
8. Practice Mains Question
GS-II: Analyze the constitutional basis and purpose of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls. Critically evaluate the constitutional challenges regarding the delegation of verification authority to Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and suggest measures to balance electoral accuracy with voter inclusion. (250 words)
