Articles on 27 October 2025

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• A Brief About Bilateral Ties
• Key Highlights of Sri Lankan President’s Visit to India
• Conclusion

Why in News?

• Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, on his first bilateral visit to India, assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Sri Lankan territory will not be used in ways detrimental to Indian interests.
• Both leaders emphasised strengthening cooperation in defence, economic development, and regional security.

A Brief About Bilateral Ties:

• Historical ties: Relations date back to ancient times with strong cultural and religious ties, particularly Buddhism, which originated in India. Many Sri Lankans trace their ancestry to India.
• Key areas of cooperation:
  • Trade and economic bonds:
    • India is Sri Lanka’s third-largest export destination, with over 60% of exports benefiting from the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement.
    • FDI from India amounted to USD 1.7 billion (2005-2019).
  • Energy cooperation: A multi-product petroleum pipeline is planned from southern India to Sri Lanka to ensure affordable and reliable energy supplies.
  • Defence and security: Regular military (Mitra Shakti) and naval (SLINEX) exercises are conducted. Sri Lanka is part of BIMSTEC and SAARC, where India plays a significant role.
  • People-to-People ties: India was the largest source of tourists to Sri Lanka in 2022, with over 100,000 visitors. Enhancing digital payments will facilitate easier business and tourism exchanges.
• Significance of India-Sri Lanka relations:
  • Geopolitical importance: Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean at the crossroads of major shipping lanes makes it vital for India’s trade and security interests.
  • Regional development: Sri Lanka’s integration with the Southern economy aligns with India’s regional growth vision.
  • Ease of business and connectivity: Digital platforms like UPI and fintech integration simplify trade and tourism, strengthening economic ties.
• Challenges in India-Sri Lanka relations:
  • Fisheries dispute: Indian fishermen often cross into Sri Lankan waters, leading to arrests and tensions.
  • Katchatheevu Island dispute: The 1974 agreement recognised Katchatheevu as Sri Lankan territory but allowed Indian fishermen to access surrounding waters. A 1976 pact restricted these rights, creating friction.
  • Border security: The porous maritime border enables smuggling of narcotics and illegal immigration.
  • Tamil ethnic issue: India remains concerned about the Tamil minority’s rights in Sri Lanka, with historical sensitivities tied to the ethnic conflict.
  • China’s influence: Increasing Chinese investments (e.g., Hambantota port, Colombo port projects) raise concerns about regional strategic imbalances.

Key Highlights of Sri Lankan President’s Visit to India:

• Security cooperation:
  • Mutual security commitments:
    • President Dissanayake assured India that Sri Lanka’s territory will not harm Indian interests.
    • Both leaders stressed interconnected security interests and agreed to finalise a defence cooperation agreement, and emphasised a safe, secure, and free Indian Ocean Region while countering traditional and non-traditional threats.
  • Defence collaboration: Key measures -
    • Exploring a framework agreement on defence cooperation.
    • Augmenting Sri Lanka’s defence capabilities via defence platforms and joint exercises.
    • Enhancing maritime surveillance, defence training, and dialogues.
    • The Colombo Security Conclave will focus on maritime security, cyber security, and counter-terrorism.
• Addressing Tamil minority issues:
  • Modi highlighted the need for reconciliation and reconstruction for Tamil minorities.
  • He expressed hope for full implementation of Sri Lanka’s Constitution and the holding of provincial council elections.
  • Notably, the 13th Amendment and war crime investigations were not discussed in the joint statement.
  • Dissanayake emphasised unity, social protection, and sustainable development.
• Fishermen issues:
  • Both sides discussed the livelihood challenges of fishermen.
  • Agreement:
    • Adopt a humanitarian approach to address disputes.
    • Avoid aggressive behavior and focus on a long-term solution.
    • Leaders instructed officials to continue dialogue for resolution.
• Economic and energy cooperation:
  • Investment-led growth: Modi emphasised a futuristic vision for economic growth with a focus on investment-led development and enhanced connectivity (physical, digital, and energy).
  • Key initiatives:
    • India’s support during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis (worth US$ 5 billion).
    • Boosting energy ties through:
      • Electricity grid connectivity.
      • Multi-product petroleum pipelines.
      • Solar power projects in Sampur.
      • LNG supply to Sri Lanka’s power plants.
      • Trilateral cooperation among India, Sri Lanka, and UAE for a petroleum pipeline.
    • Digital transformation: Plans to expedite -
      • Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) project.
      • Adoption of UPI digital payments.
      • Integration of platforms like Aadhaar, GeM, PM Gati Shakti, and DigiLocker.
• Connectivity and tourism: Launch of a ferry service between Rameshwaram (India) and Talaimannar (Sri Lanka). Promotion of Ramayana and Buddhist circuits to boost tourism.
• Capacity building and scholarships: India announced -
  • Rehabilitation of Sri Lanka’s railway signalling system.
  • Scholarships for Sri Lankan university students.
  • Training for 1,500 civil servants over five years.
• Diplomatic engagements and agreements: Sri Lanka and India signed pacts on -
  • Avoidance of double taxation.
  • Capacity building and training.
  • Dissanayake invited PM Modi for a bilateral visit to Sri Lanka.

Conclusion:

• President Dissanayake’s visit reinforced the strong bilateral relationship between India and Sri Lanka, emphasising shared security interests, economic cooperation, and inclusive development.
• Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to addressing key challenges while building a prosperous future for both nations.

Q.1. What is String of Pearls?

The String of Pearls is a geopolitical theory that refers to China's network of commercial and military bases and ports in the Indian Ocean region. The network includes ports in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Djibouti, and other countries.

Q.2. Why is Hambantota port in Sri Lanka a cause of worry for India?

India had opposed the docking of the Chinese ships at the Hambantota port as it feared that China could use the port, which is close to the main Asia-Europe shipping route, as a military base.

News: Sri Lankan president Dissanayake meets PM Modi, vows not to let the country’s territory be used for anti-India activities

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in the News?
• What is Heat wave?
• What is Criterion for Declaring Heat wave?
• How India Meteorological Department (IMD) Monitors the Heat wave?
• How Does Heatwave Affect Human Body?
• How to Avoid Heat Stroke?
• News Summary
• Why Has April Month Been so Hot?

Why in the News?

• India continues to battle temperatures soaring to record levels, especially in April.
• The month has brought unusually intense heat, affecting even hill stations and other regions not usually associated with the weather.
• The southern peninsular and southeastern coast regions, which include Maharashtra, West Bengal, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, among others, have been worst affected.

What is Heat wave?

• Qualitatively, heat wave is a condition of air temperature which becomes fatal to human body when exposed.
• Quantitatively, it is defined based on the temperature thresholds over a region in terms of actual temperature or its departure from normal.
• In certain countries it is defined in term of the heat index based on temperature and humidity or based on extreme percentile of the temperatures.

What is Criterion for Declaring Heat wave?

• Heat wave is considered if maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 400C or more for Plains and at least 300C or more for Hilly regions.
• For coastal regions –
  • When maximum temperature departure is 4.50C or more from normal, Heat Wave may be described provided actual maximum temperature is 370C or more.
• Period of Heat wave over India –
  • It is occurring mainly during March to June and in some rare cases even in July. The peak month of the heat wave over India is May.
• Heat wave prone areas of India –
  • Heat wave generally occurs over plains of northwest India, Central, East & north Peninsular India during March to June.

How India Meteorological Department (IMD) Monitors the Heat wave?

• IMD has a big network of surface observatories covering entire country to measure various metrological parameters like Temperature, Relative humidity, pressure, wind speed & direction etc.
• Based on daily maximum temperature station data, climatology of maximum temperature is prepared for the period 1981-2010 to find out normal maximum temperature of the day for particular station.
• Thereafter, IMD declared heat wave over the region as per its definition.

How Does Heatwave Affect Human Body?

• We all feel drained and tired after stepping out on an extremely hot day.
• This is referred to as heat exhaustion, which happens when the body sweats excessively to keep the core temperature low.
• A heat stroke happens when the ambient temperature is so high that the body is unable to sweat to regulate the core temperature, which shoots up to 400C.
• In these cases, there is a severe imbalance of salts such as sodium and potassium in the body.
• The high core temperature coupled with salt imbalances disrupts organs, leading to a host of symptoms.
• It can affect the brain, making a person foggy, drowsy, and in severe cases may also lead to a person going into a coma.
• It can lead to kidney and liver damage as well. A cascade of such symptoms leads to death due to heat stroke.

How to Avoid Heat Stroke?

• The primary aim should be to bring down the core temperature of the body fast.
• This can be done by pouring cold water over the person, making them drink cold drinks, and giving them electrolytes to balance salt levels.
• To prevent heat stroke, it is better to avoid stepping out in direct sunlight, especially between noon and 3 pm. You should avoid strenuous activity during this time.

News Summary

• According to The Indian Express, the Core Heatwave Zone (CHZ) spanning central, north, and peninsular India is prone to heatwave annually, between March and June.
• Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, West Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Vidarbha in Maharashtra, parts of Gangetic West Bengal, coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana are the most heatwave-prone states or regions, the report explains.
• However, this month, large areas of Karnataka, Kerala, Sikkim, Bihar, and Jharkhand also felt the heat, indicating that the temperatures are rapidly soaring during summers.

Why Has April Month Been so Hot?

• In its forecast for April, the IMD warned of extreme heat and prolonged heatwave conditions to prevail over large parts of the country during the month. There are two main reasons for this.
• One, 2024 is a year that began in an El Niño state.
  • El Niño, a weather pattern, refers to an abnormal warming of surface waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, which leads to extreme heat in many parts of the world and the ocean.
  • It developed in June 2023 and generally, the years which begin in an El Niño state, experience extreme temperatures, harsh, multiple and extended heatwave spells, and lack of pre-monsoon rainfall.
• Two, the persistent presence of anticyclone systems over southern peninsular and south-eastern coastal areas.
  • These high-pressure systems, which exist at about the altitude of 3 km and extend between 1,000 and 2,000 km in length, push the air underneath them towards the Earth, in a process called air subsidence.
  • As a result, the forcefully sunk air generates more heat on the surface closer to the Earth.
  • The presence of anticyclone systems also leads to wind flow from land towards the sea and prevents the incoming cooler sea breeze, which is otherwise responsible for cooling land from time to time.
• El Niño and anticyclone systems collectively created sweltering hot conditions and heatwaves during April, especially over Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports and analysis of weather models indicate that heatwaves in India shall no longer remain contained over only those regions traditionally believed to be prone.

Newer areas, especially from the southern peninsular India, are already experiencing heatwaves.

Q1. What is Loo?

The Loo is a strong, dusty, gusty, hot and dry summer wind from the west which blows over the Indo-Gangetic Plain region of North India and Pakistan. It is especially strong in the months of May and June. Due to its very high temperatures, exposure to it often leads to fatal heatstrokes.

Q2. What do you mean by La Nina?

La Nina is a cooling of the water in the equatorial Pacific, which occurs at irregular intervals, and is associated with widespread changes in weather patterns complementary to those of El Niño, but less extensive and damaging in their effects.

Source: Heatwaves in several parts of India: Why has April been hotter than usual? | ToI

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What are Finfluencers?
• New rules by SEBI

Why in News?

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), India’s markets regulator, has asked brokers and mutual funds to stop using the services of unregulated financial influencers for marketing and advertising campaigns.

In addition to regulating finfluencers, SEBI has introduced a fixed price process for delisting frequently traded shares and established a delisting framework for Investment and Holding Companies (IHC).

What are Finfluencers?

• About
  • Finfluencers are people with public social media platforms offering advice and sharing personal experiences about money and investment in stocks. 
  • Their videos cover budgeting, investing, property buying, cryptocurrency advice and financial trend tracking.
• Popularity of finfluencers
  • The popularity of finfluencers is evident from their massive subscriber counts, often exceeding those of leading broking firms. 
  • This has resulted in substantial earnings for the most successful finfluencers, with estimates ranging from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 30 lakh per month.
  • However, the low barriers to entry in this space have also led to increased exposure to potential bad actors and questionable advice.
• Need to regulate finfluencers
  • There has been a sharp rise in the number of various ‘unregistered’ investment advisors giving unsolicited social media ‘stock’ tips on various social media platforms.
    • The rise of finfluencers can be attributed to India's low financial literacy rate of 27% and the influx of new investors during the Covid-19 pandemic. 
    • With the democratization of trading through new-age broking apps and affordable smartphones, many first-time investors turned to finfluencers for guidance.
    • However, the lack of financial education and the focus on market updates by business news channels created a vacuum that finfluencers have been filling.
  • There were also reports that certain companies used social media platforms to boost their share prices through such finfluencers.
  • Recently, an online portal claimed that finfluencers get paid Rs 7 to 9 lakh per endorsement to push financial products on social media.
  • There are two important aspects which requires attention:
    • It is unclear if these influencers have any educational or professional qualification to offer such financial advice, and 
    • If there is any kind of monetary transaction that happens between them and the entity they are promoting.
• Criticism
  • Critics have raised the concerns in this regard. They claim that finflencers render advice to their followers which comes under the ambit of Freedom of Expression of the Constitution.
  • Followers are not forced to take action based on the recommendations of these finfluencers.
  • They point towards the fact that often celebrities endorse certain products without having any expertise. Also, they take money to promote the products.
  • In this context, these critics claim that regulating the finfluencers would be improper. 

New rules by SEBI

• SEBI Tightens Norms on Financial Influencers
  • Under the new rules, brokers and mutual funds are prohibited from using the services of unregulated financial influencers for marketing and advertising campaigns. 
  • However, financial influencers engaged in investor education will be exempt from these restrictions. 
  • The regulated entities will be responsible for ensuring that the individuals they associate with adhere to the rules of conduct set by SEBI, including avoiding promises of assured returns.
• Changes to Derivative Trading Regulations
  • SEBI has introduced new criteria to determine which stocks can be linked to derivative products, such as futures and options. 
  • The total number of stocks eligible for derivative trading is expected to increase slightly.
• Eased Delisting Rules
• The regulator has approved changes to delisting rules, making it easier for companies to exit from stock exchanges. 
  • Currently, delisting is carried out via reverse book-building.
  • Reverse book-building is primarily used by companies that wish to delist their shares from a stock exchange. 
  • The objective is to determine the exit price at which shareholders are willing to sell their shares back to the company or promoters.
• Companies can now offer their shareholders fixed prices for shares as an alternative to the current reverse book-building mechanism. 
• The fixed price must be at least 15% above a floor price, which will be determined by rules set by the regulator.
• The regulator has also decided to remove financial disincentives for the managing director and chief technology officer of exchanges and other market infrastructure institutions (MIIs) in the event of technical glitches.

Q.1. What is the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)?

SEBI, the Securities and Exchange Board of India, is the regulatory body tasked with overseeing and regulating the securities market in India. It ensures investor protection and promotes fair and orderly functioning of the markets.

Q.2. What is reverse book-building?

Reverse book-building is a process used to determine the price at which a company's shares will be delisted from a stock exchange. Shareholders indicate the minimum price they are willing to accept for their shares during this period.

Source: SEBI tightens norms on financial influencers, eases rules for delisting | Times of India

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Military Space Doctrine India Latest News
• Need For a Space Security Doctrine
• India's Key Developments in Space Security
• Conclusion: Towards a Space-Ready Military
• Military Space Doctrine India FAQs

Military Space Doctrine India Latest News

• Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan announced that India is in the final stages of formulating a Military Space Doctrine, expected to be released within two to three months. 
• A National Military Space Policy is also under development. This is an important step as the world is on the “cusp of an era” where space is becoming a key domain of warfare, necessitating preparedness through structured doctrines, research, and institutional frameworks.

Need For a Space Security Doctrine

• Rising Global Concerns Over Weaponisation of Outer Space
  • In April 2024, Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution (drafted by the US and Japan) to prevent an arms race in outer space.
    • UN has called for a legally binding instrument to prevent arms race in outer space, but Russia and China rejected the 2024 draft resolution.
  • This follows fears of Russia developing nuclear anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons.
  • Military use of space has been ongoing since Sputnik (1957), with increasing threats of space warfare and space-based defence systems.
• Militarization Trends: Space as the Fifth Operational Domain
  • NATO declared space a fifth operational domain in 2019, reflecting its critical role in defence.
  • Countries like the US and Russia have created independent space forces and formulated doctrines to secure space dominance.
  • The failure of global consensus on responsible behaviours (e.g., the 2023 Working Group report) reflects growing mistrust among major powers.
• Geopolitical and Astropolitical Tensions
  • India faces growing geopolitical and astropolitical tensions, especially with China and Pakistan.
  • China's space advancements, including the Space Silk Road and PLA’s restructured security forces (including Aerospace and Cyberspace), pose direct security challenges.
• Other Factors
  • Rising threats such as orbital, kinetic, electronic warfare, and cyber threats necessitate resilient space-based systems.
  • India's expanding space capabilities demand clear institutional frameworks to integrate civil, commercial, and military space activities.
  • Military space operations are critical for - Safeguarding national security; Addressing vulnerabilities of space-based systems; Tackling emerging space-based threats.

India's Key Developments in Space Security

• Adherence to Space Norms
  • India adheres to major international space treaties including:
    • 1967 Outer Space Treaty (OST)
    • 1968 Rescue Agreement
    • 1972 Liability Convention
    • 1974 Registration Convention
    • Signatory to the 1979 Moon Agreement
  • India is a member of the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) and follows the 2008 Debris Mitigation Guidelines.
• India's Key Developments in Space Security
  • 2019 ASAT Test (Mission Shakti): India demonstrated its counter-space capabilities, joining the US, Russia, and China.
  • 2010 – Integrated Space Cell: Enhanced coordination between the Department of Space and Armed Forces.
  • 2018 – Defence Space Agency (DSA): Formed to address space-based military threats.
    • DSA is playing a central role in: Drafting the military space doctrine; Building an integrated satellite communication grid; Identifying and countering threats to national security from both state and non-state actors.
  • 2023 – Indian Space Policy (ISP): First formal space policy, although it lightly touches upon “national security”.
  • 52-Satellite Constellation for Defence: The government has approved the launch of a 52-satellite constellation for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
    • 31 satellites to be built by the private sector
    • Execution in partnership with ISRO and private players
    • Aimed at bridging operational gaps and preparing for future threats
  • GSAT-9 (2017): Used space diplomacy through the South Asia Satellite, strengthening regional influence (excluding Pakistan).
  • International Partnerships: India is strengthening space cooperation with QUAD, France, and others.

Conclusion: Towards a Space-Ready Military

India’s ongoing reforms in the space sector and the development of military space doctrines and policies reflect a strategic shift towards embracing space as a crucial frontier for national security. These initiatives aim to build resilience, foster innovation, and integrate military, civil, and private capabilities for a robust space defence architecture.

Military Space Doctrine India FAQs

Q1. Why is India creating a Military Space Doctrine?

Ans. To address rising space-based threats and assert strategic preparedness in the rapidly militarizing space domain.

Q2. What is Mission Shakti?

Ans. India’s 2019 anti-satellite (ASAT) test demonstrating its capability to neutralize satellites, joining global space powers.

Q3. What challenges does India face in space?

Ans. India faces growing astropolitical threats, especially from China’s military space advancements and space-based warfare capabilities.

Q4. What role does the Defence Space Agency play?

Ans. It drafts the doctrine, builds space systems, and coordinates responses to space-based military threats.

Q5. What is the significance of the 52-satellite constellation?

Ans. To boost India's surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance capacity in collaboration with private players and ISRO.

Source: TH | NUJS

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What is Article 131 of the Constitution of India?
• What is Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)?
• Consent Required by the CBI for Conducting Investigation in a State
• Centre’s Plea on maintainability of CBI probes

Why in News?

Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on the West Bengal government's suit alleging that the CBI is pressing ahead with investigation into post-poll violence cases in the state, without securing its prior nod as per the law.

Earlier, the Centre had told SC that West Bengal’s original suit under Article 131 of the Constitution against it to not allow probe by the agency in the state was not maintainable and is an abuse of legal process.

What is Article 131 of the Constitution of India?

• Article 131 of the Constitution of India gives the Supreme Court (SC) the power to exclusively decide disputes between different units of the Indian Federation. 
• These disputes include:
  • Between the Government of India and one or more states
  • Between the Government of India and any state(s) on one side and one or more states on the other
  • Between two or more states, if the dispute involves a question of law or fact on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends 

What is Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)?

• About
  • The CBI is the premier investigating agency of India operating under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
  • It traces its origin from the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DPSE) Act, 1946, which regulates the CBI.
  • As the DPSE Act is not passed by Parliament of India, CBI is created by an executive order of the government, hence not a statutory body yet and is exempted from the purview of theRight to Information (RTI) Act.
  • Originally set up to probe cases of corruption in the government departments, CBI’s jurisdiction expanded to include several economic crimes, special crimes, cases of corruption and other cases. 
  • Investigating powers of CBI are divided into: 
  • Anti-Corruption Division: It investigates cases against central government employees, public servants working under state governments (entrusted to the CBI by the state).
  • The Economic Offences Division: It investigates financial crimes, bank frauds, money laundering, illegal money market operations, graft in PSUs and banks.
  • The Special Crimes Division: It handles cases of conventional nature such as offences relating to internal security, espionage, narcotics and psychotropic substances, etc. 

Consent Required by the CBI for Conducting Investigation in a State:

• Legal basis: Section 6 of the DPSE Act authorises the central government to direct CBI to probe a case within the jurisdiction of any state but only with the consent of the concerned state government.
  • However, the SC and HCs can order CBI to investigate such a crime anywhere in the country without the consent of the state.
• Types of consent:
  • General consent: When a state gives a general consent to the CBI for probing a case, the agency is not required to seek fresh permission every time it enters that state in connection with investigation or for every case.
• It is normally given by states to help the CBI in the seamless investigation of corruption cases against central government employees in their states.
• Specific consent: When a general consent is withdrawn, CBI needs to seek case-wise (specific) consent for investigation from the concerned state government. 
  • If specific consent is not granted, the CBI officials will not have the power of police personnel when they enter that state, preventing the CBI from conducting a thorough inquiry. 
• States which have withdrawn general consent so far
• So far, 10 States have withdrawn the general consent to CBI to probe the case. These are:
  • Punjab, Jharkhand, Kerala, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Mizoram, Telangana, Meghalaya, and Tamil Nadu.
• Withdrawal of General Consent and its Impact:
  • The withdrawal of general consent does not stop CBI probes in all cases.
  • The CBI continues to probe in old cases until specifically taken back by the state government. 
  • Further, it continues to investigate cases that were given to it by a court order.
  • The CBI can also challenge the decision (of withdrawal of general consent) in a court showcasing its progress of investigation in the case. 
  • When the CBI does not have a general consent, it can approach a local court (as per a provision in theCrPC) for a search warrant and conduct investigation. 

Centre’s Plea on maintainability of CBI probes

• Background
  • The Supreme court was hearing an original suit filed by the State of West Bengal under Article 131 of the Constitution.
  • The WB Govt has accused the Union govt of interfering in cases originating within the State’s jurisdiction by unilaterally authorising the CBI to probe them.
• Stand of WB Govt
  • The Centre continues to employ the CBI regardless of the fact that the State had withdrawn its general consent to CBI investigations within its territory.
    • WB had withdrawn the consent under Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946 way back in November 2018. 
  • The CBI has registered over 15 cases in West Bengal.
• Stand of Centre
  • The Solicitor General had argued that the suit was not maintainable and should be dismissed at the outset. 
  • West Bengal had wrongly made the Union the defendant in the suit. The petitioners were wrong to term the CBI as the “police force of the Union”. 
  • The Centre had no role in where and how the CBI conducted its investigation, he contended.
  • It also argued that the suit could not be amended to make CBI a defendant as it was not a ‘state’ under Article 131. 
    • The original suits under Article 131 could only be filed for disputes involving the Centre and States.
• Observations made by the SC
  • Questioning the claim of the Centre, the SC highlighted Section 5(1) of the DSPE Act, the statute which governs the premier probe agency.
    • Section 5(1) allows the Central government to give the Delhi Special Police Establishment (CBI) jurisdiction over areas in states, including railway areas, to investigate specific offenses.

Q.1. What is general consent to the CBI? 

General consent is a form of consent that a state government can give to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate crimes within their territory. With general consent, the CBI can operate without needing to apply for consent on a case-by-case basis. However, if a state government withdraws its general consent, the CBI cannot register new cases involving central government officials or private individuals in that state without the state government's prior permission. 

Q.2. What is the role of Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions?

The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions is the coordinating agency of the Central Government in personnel matters specially issues concerning recruitment, training, career development, staff welfare as well as the post retirement dispensation.

Source: In Supreme Court, Centre says it sends CBI to States for probes | Indian Express | Times of India

What’s in Today’s Article?

• UNESCO Memory of the World Latest News
• UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme: A Global Effort to Preserve Documentary Heritage
• India’s Contributions to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register
• Natyashastra: A Pillar of Indian Performing Arts
• Bhagavad Gita: A Timeless Spiritual Dialogue
• UNESCO Memory of the World FAQs

UNESCO Memory of the World Latest News

• The manuscripts of the Bhagavad Gita and Bharata’s Natyashastra have been added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register among 74 new entries. 
• PM Modi hailed this as a proud moment for all Indians, noting that these ancient texts have shaped civilization and continue to inspire globally.

UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme: A Global Effort to Preserve Documentary Heritage

• Launched in 1992, UNESCO’s Memory of the World (MoW) Programme aims to protect valuable archive holdings and library collections worldwide. 
• It seeks to prevent "collective amnesia" by ensuring the preservation and wide accessibility of the world’s documentary heritage.

Objective and Vision

• The programme upholds that the world’s documentary heritage belongs to all and must be preserved, protected, and made permanently accessible, respecting cultural contexts and practicalities.

The MoW Register

• At the heart of the programme is the Memory of the World Register — a curated list of documents, manuscripts, oral traditions, audio-visual materials, and archival holdings of global significance and universal value.

Updates and Submissions

• The Register has been updated biennially since 1997, with exceptions between 2017 and 2023.
• A maximum of two submissions per country are considered for inclusion in any given year.
• The number of new additions ranges from 9 (in 1999) to 78 (in 2017).

Current Status and Notable Inclusions

• The Register now features 570 entries.
• Examples include:
  • Mahavamsa (Sri Lanka’s historical chronicle)
  • Drawings by Sakubei Yamamoto (Japan, Meiji era)
  • Over 11,000 Shaiva Siddhanta manuscripts
  • 430 hours of Frankfurt Auschwitz trial recordings (1963–65)
  • Video of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s March 7, 1971 speech

India’s Contributions to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register

• India has made 13 submissions to the Register, including two joint entries with other nations.

Range of Submissions

• India’s entries span ancient scriptures, philosophical works, and modern political archives:
  • Rig Veda (added in 2005)
  • Works of Shaivite philosopher Abhinavagupta (added in 2023)
  • Archives of the first Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit, Belgrade, 1961 (added in 2023)
  • Archives of the Dutch East India Company (added in 2003)

Joint Submissions

• NAM summit archives: Jointly submitted with Algeria, Egypt, India, Indonesia, and Serbia
• Dutch East India Company archives: Jointly submitted with Indonesia, Netherlands, South Africa, and Sri Lanka

Recent Additions Highlight Literary Heritage

• India’s 2024 submissions focus on ancient manuscripts — specifically preserved versions of the Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra — maintained by the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute in Pune. 
• These reflect the country’s enduring contribution to world literature and philosophical thought.

Natyashastra: A Pillar of Indian Performing Arts

• Traditionally attributed to sage Bharata, the Natyashastra is an ancient Sanskrit treatise on performing arts. 
• It comprises around 36,000 verses detailing drama (natya), performance (abhinaya), music (sangita), emotions (bhava), and aesthetic experience (rasa).

Date and Compilation

• Scholars estimate its compilation between 500 BCE and 500 CE, with UNESCO citing around the 2nd century BCE as the most likely period.

Core Contribution: The Concept of Rasa

• The Natyashastra is renowned for its exposition of rasa — the “essence” or emotional flavor of a performance. 
• Bharata declared, “no meaning can blossom forth without rasa,” making it central to all artistic expression.
• According to Wallace Dace, while actors imitate emotions, the audience “tastes” them — a distinct, aesthetic experience separate from real-life emotions.
• Susan L. Schwartz adds that this process transports audiences into a “parallel reality,” enabling reflection on spiritual and moral dimensions of life.

UNESCO Recognition

• UNESCO hails the Natyashastra as a profound contribution to world literature, highlighting its influence on global theories of aesthetics and performance.

Bhagavad Gita: A Timeless Spiritual Dialogue

• Traditionally ascribed to sage Vyasa, the Bhagavad Gita is a Sanskrit scripture consisting of 700 verses divided into 18 chapters. 
• It is embedded within the sixth book (Bhishma Parva) of the epic Mahabharata.

Philosophical Synthesis

• UNESCO describes the Gita as a cornerstone of India’s intellectual tradition, synthesising diverse schools of thought including Vedic, Buddhist, Jain, and Charvaka philosophies.

Dating and Composition

• While the text is generally dated to the first or second century BCE, some scholars, like Winthrop Sargeant, suggest it was first written down in the second or third centuries CE after an earlier oral tradition.

Core Narrative and Themes

• The Gita presents a profound dialogue between warrior Arjuna and his charioteer Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, on the eve of the great war of the Mahabharata.
• Faced with the moral dilemma of fighting his own kin, Arjuna seeks guidance, and Krishna's response unfolds the Gita’s central themes: duty (dharma), righteousness, detachment, devotion, and self-realization.

UNESCO Memory of the World FAQs

Q1. What is UNESCO's Memory of the World Programme?

Ans. Launched in 1992, it preserves and ensures global access to documentary heritage, including manuscripts and oral traditions.

Q2. What is the significance of Bhagavad Gita's inclusion?

Ans. It represents India's intellectual tradition and philosophical synthesis, with timeless themes of duty, devotion, and self-realization.

Q3. What is the Natyashastra?

Ans. An ancient Sanskrit treatise on performing arts, detailing drama, music, emotions, and aesthetics, attributed to sage Bharata.

Q4. When was the Natyashastra likely compiled?

Ans. It was compiled between 500 BCE and 500 CE, with around the 2nd century BCE being the most likely period.

Q5. What is the role of UNESCO's Memory of the World Register?

Ans. It curates global documents and manuscripts of significant cultural value, ensuring their preservation and accessibility.

Source: IE | ToI | HT

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What is Capital Gain Tax?
• Indexation benefits
• Govt to restore indexation benefit for property

Why in News?

Following criticism over the Budget proposal to remove the indexation benefit on long-term capital gains (LTCG) from selling unlisted assets, the government has decided to offer taxpayers a choice.

For properties acquired before July 23, 2024, taxpayers can either pay LTCG tax at 20% with the indexation benefit or pay LTCG tax at the new rate of 12.5% without the indexation benefit.

This change comes from amendments made by the government in the Finance Bill.

What is Capital Gain Tax?

• About
  • A capital gains tax is a tax imposed on the sale of an asset. It is calculated as the difference between the sale price of the property and its purchase price.
  • Any gain or loss incurred from the sale of a house property may be subject to tax under the 'Capital Gains' head.
  • Similarly, capital gains or losses may arise from sale of different types of capital assets such as stocks, mutual funds, bonds and other investments.
• Types
  • Depending of the period an asset is held with the owner, there are two types of capital gains - Short-term Capital Gains and Long-term Capital Gains.
• Budget 2024 and Capital Gain Tax
  • For classifying assets into long-term and short-term, there will only be two holding periods: 12 months and 24 months.
• The 36-month holding period has been removed.
  • All listed securities with a holding period exceeding 12 months are considered Long-Term. The holding period for all other assets is 24 months.
  • The taxation of Short-Term Capital Gain for listed equity shares, a unit of an equity-oriented fund, and a unit of a business trust has been increased to 20% from 15%.
• Other financial and non-financial assets which are held for short term shall continue to attract the tax at slab rates.
  • The limit on the exemption of Long-Term Capital Gains on the transfer of equity shares or equity-oriented units or units of Business Trust has increased from Rs.1 Lakh to Rs.1.25 lakh per year.
• However, the rate at which it is taxed has increased from 10% to 12.5%.
  • The tax on long-term capital gains on other financial and non-financial assets is reduced from 20% to 12.5%.

Indexation benefits

• About
  • In case of property sale, indexation helps in adjusting its purchase price according to the prevailing inflation rate.
  • So basically, the adjustment inflates the purchase price of a property considering the inflation over the invested years.
  • This ultimately brings down the taxable capital gains on the sale of the property.
  • Through indexation, investors can accurately determine their capital gains and be assured that they are paying taxes only on the real gains after inflation is adjusted.
• Calculation
  • The government releases cost inflation index (CII) numbers to index capital gains on specified assets.
• CII number takes into account the prevailing inflation for the particular financial year.
  • Formula to calculate the adjusted purchase price using the cost inflation index is:
• Indexed cost = Purchase Amount * (CII in year of sale / CII in year of purchase).
• Initially, I-T department had set 1981 as the base year and later shifted it to 2001, with a base value of 100.
• Each year’s index is computed relative to this base.
  • This adjustment ensures that the taxable gain reflects the real increase in the asset’s value, not just the effect of inflation.
• Possible impact of removal of indexation benefit
  • Slowdown in the resale market
    • It may discourage owners of older residential properties and land from selling, as the increased tax liability reduces their potential profit.
  • Rise in cash transactions
    • There’s a concern that this change could incentivize under-the-table cash deals to avoid the higher tax burden, counteracting efforts to formalize the real estate sector.
  • Higher property prices
    • Sellers may attempt to offset the increased tax burden by raising property prices, effectively transferring the cost to buyers.

Govt to restore indexation benefit for property

• Background
  • The budget 2024 had announced the removal of the indexation benefits available on the property sale. It introduced a 12.5% LTCG tax rate without indexation.
  • The indexation benefit that was previously available on sale of long-term assets, has now been done away with.
  • So, any sale of long-term asset made after 23rd July, 2024, will attract tax rate of 12.5% only without indexation benefit.
• The indexation benefit, however, can be taken on the sale of property bought or inherited before 2001.
• Indexation benefits on property transactions to stay on
  • After backlash from different quarters, the Centre has decided to revisit its decision to scrap the indexation benefits on property transactions.
  • The government amended the Finance Bill, 2024, allowing people to choose between a 12.5% LTCG tax rate without indexation or a 20% rate with indexation for property acquired before July 23, 2024.
• Now a resident tax payer can opt for tax rate which is more beneficial for properties acquired prior to 23 July 2024.
• Initially, there was no grandfathering for properties bought after April 1, 2001.

Q.1. What is cost inflation index (CII)?

The Cost Inflation Index (CII) is a measure used in India to account for inflation in the computation of long-term capital gains tax. Published annually by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), it adjusts the purchase price of assets to reflect inflation, thereby reducing the taxable capital gains.

Q.2. What is Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)?

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is a part of the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance in India. It is responsible for administering direct tax laws, including the Income Tax Act, and ensures tax compliance, policy formulation, and enforcement. The CBDT also advises the government on tax-related matters.

Source: After backlash, govt roll back: indexation benefits available on LTCG tax on sale of property | Financial Express | Live Mint

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What is the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FF-NPT)?
• Need and Significance of the FF-NPT
• Understanding the FF-NPT Framework and Challenges
• India's Position on the FF-NPT and Way Ahead for the FF-NPT
• Conclusion

Why in News?

• A growing coalition of governments and civil society organisations is advocating for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FF-NPT), aimed at phasing out fossil fuels and promoting a just transition to renewable energy.

What is the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FF-NPT)?

• About: Conceptualised in 2016 and officially launched in 2019, the FF-NPT proposes to make it legally binding on nations to end fossil fuel extraction, wind down existing production, and manage a just transition to renewable energy.
• Objective: Inspired by international treaties regulating nuclear weapons, this initiative seeks to address the escalating climate crisis by curbing fossil fuel production and ensuring equitable global energy access.
• Origins and evolution: Conceptualised around the time the Paris Agreement was signed, the FF-NPT has gained endorsements from notable entities, including former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, indigenous communities, and small island states.
• Recent developments:
  • At COP29 to the UNFCCC in Baku (Azerbaijan), 10 more countries joined discussions on FF-NPT, though their identities remain undisclosed.
  • The treaty has been endorsed by 13 Small Island Developing States in the Pacific, such as Vanuatu and Tuvalu, and major coal-producing nations like Colombia.
• Financial institutions' support: A collective endorsement by 25 members of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values marks the initiative's first major backing from the financial sector.

Need and Significance of the FF-NPT:

• Need:
  • The proponents of FF-NPT argue that the Paris Agreement, despite its significance, fails to directly address fossil fuel production.
  • Tzeporah Berman, chair of the FF-NPT initiative, highlighted the dire state of global emissions at COP29:
    • Fossil fuel emissions in 2024 are projected to be 8% higher than in 2015 - the year the Paris Agreement was signed.
    • 2024 is likely to be the hottest year on record, with fossil fuel production incompatible with limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
    • Current policies may lead to 3°C of warming, risking catastrophic consequences for humanity.
  • As fossil fuel emissions continue to rise, global temperatures are on track to exceed safe limits, threatening the planet's future.
• Significance: The proposed treaty will support the work of the Paris Agreement, whether through the implementation of -
  • The New Collective Quantified Goal, which aims to establish a new financial target to assist developing countries in their climate actions post-2025, or
  • Through Nationally Determined Contributions (the climate action plans submitted by countries) and Just Transition Work Programmes.

Understanding the FF-NPT Framework and Challenges:

• Framework: The FF-NPT rests on 3 core pillars:
  • Non-proliferation: Halting the expansion of coal, oil, and gas production through international cooperation.
  • Fair phase-out: Equitably reducing existing fossil fuel production, with wealthier, historically high-emission nations transitioning first.
  • Just transition: Accelerating renewable energy adoption and diversifying economies to ensure no community, worker, or nation is left behind.
• Challenges:
  • Since its official launch in 2019, the treaty has faced significant financial hurdles, particularly in aiding climate-vulnerable nations to transition away from fossil fuels.
  • Without substantial funding, developing nations cannot transition to renewables or mitigate climate change impacts.

India's Position on the FF-NPT and Way Ahead for the FF-NPT:

• India's position: While India has not been extensively engaged, the FF-NPT initiative recognises its significance:
  • As a major fossil fuel consumer, India’s emissions are projected to rise by 4.6% in 2024, according to the Global Carbon Project.
  • Advocates believe India could benefit from the treaty, ensuring justice and equity in the global energy transition.
• Way ahead: The treaty must align with the Paris Agreement's goals, supporting financial mechanisms like the New Collective Quantified Goal.

Conclusion:

• The FF-NPT offers a bold vision for tackling the climate crisis by regulating fossil fuel production akin to nuclear disarmament.
• With increasing support from governments, financial institutions, and vulnerable nations, the initiative underscores the urgent need for global cooperation and equitable solutions.
• However, financial and political challenges must be overcome to turn this vision into a legally binding reality.

Q.1. What is the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)?

The NPT is an international treaty that aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The treaty was signed in 1968 and entered into force in 1970.

Q.2. What is the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG)?

The NCQG is a target for climate finance that aims to mobilize funds to assist developing countries in adapting to climate change and transitioning to low-carbon economies. The goal was set by the Paris Agreement in 2015.

News: Can fossil fuels be regulated like nuclear weapons? The group that is trying, the success achieved so far

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What is Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)?
• Initiatives under IPEF
• India signs clean, fair economy agreements of IPEF

Why in News?

India has signed the US-led 14-member Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) bloc’s agreements on a clean and fair economy.

The agreements were signed during PM Modi’s visit to the US. These are aimed at facilitating development, access, and deployment of clean energy and climate-friendly technologies. They also aim to strengthen anti-corruption measures and promote tax transparency within member countries.

What is Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)?

• Background: Origin
  • US President Biden first spoke about the IPEF at the October 2021 East Asia Summit.
  • At this summit, he said that the United States will explore with partners the development of an Indo-Pacific economic framework.
  • This framework will define our shared objectives around:
    • trade facilitation, standards for the digital economy and technology, supply chain resiliency, decarbonization and clean energy, infrastructure, worker standards, and other areas of shared interest.
    • The IPEF will not include market access commitments such as lowering tariff barriers, as the agreement is more of an administrative arrangement.
• About
  • Launched in Tokyo, in May 2023, IPEF aims to strengthen economic engagement among the member countries to advance growth, peace and prosperity in the region.
  • According to an insight paper on IPEF put out by the US Congressional Research Service, the IPEF is not a traditional trade agreement.
  • Rather, it would include different modules (four pillars) covering various aspects.
• Four Pillars of IPEF
  • Pillar I - Fair and resilient trade,
  • Pillar II - Supply chain resilience,
  • Pillar III – Clean economy (infrastructure and decarbonization), and
  • Pillar IV – Fair Economy (tax and anticorruption).
• Countries would have to sign up to all of the components within a module (pillar), but do not have to participate in all modules.
• Members
  • The IPEF has 14 partner countries including Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the US.
• Significance
  • The 14-nation IPEF bloc is seen as crucial as it accounts for about 40 per cent of the world’s GDP and 28 per cent of the world’s trade in goods and services.
  • It is seen as an economic and trade strategy backed by the US to counter China’s economic influence in the region.
• India and IPEF
  • In September 2022, India joined three pillars of the IPEF.
  • These are the supply chain, clean economy, and fair economy pillars of the IPEF.
  • However, it had decided to remain out of the trade pillar. India has an observer status on the trade pillar negotiations.

Initiatives under IPEF

• IPEF Upskilling Initiative
  • The IPEF Upskilling Initiative, launched in September 2022, aims to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth by offering digital skills training, especially for women and girls in emerging and middle-income IPEF partner countries.
  • Over the past two years, 14 US companies and the Asia Foundation have provided 10.9 million upskilling opportunities under this initiative, with India benefiting from 4 million of these opportunities.
  • The initiative focuses on empowering women and girls by enhancing their digital skills for economic development.
• Critical Mineral Dialogue
  • The ongoing dialogue within the IPEF focuses on key areas such as comprehensive mapping of mineral resources, promoting trade by tracking trade flows within the region, and fostering technical collaboration for mineral recovery and recycling.
  • These initiatives aim to strengthen the critical mineral supply chain and ensure sustainable mining practices across IPEF partner countries.
• Tech Council
  • The initiative's main objectives are to coordinate and cooperate on key technologies among IPEF partners.
  • This will be done by sharing best practices and standards, strengthening digital infrastructure resilience, promoting investment, and fostering innovation through workforce development.
  • Current collaboration areas include cybersecurity, undersea cables, and artificial intelligence.
• Cooperative Work Program (CWP)
  • CWP aims to facilitate joint efforts among IPEF countries to advance the objectives of the Clean Economy Agreement.
  • So far, 8 CWP proposals have been announced in IPEF Ministerial meetings.
  • These proposals cover areas such as hydrogen supply chains, carbon markets, clean electricity, sustainable aviation fuel, just transition, emissions intensity accounting, small modular reactors, and India's proposal on e-waste urban mining.

India signs clean, fair economy agreements of IPEF

• About
  • India signed and exchanged the first-of-its-kind agreements focused on Clean Economy, Fair Economy, and the IPEF Overarching arrangement under IPEF.
• IPEF Clean Economy Agreement (Pillar-III)
  • The Agreement on Clean Economy aims to foster cooperation in clean energy and climate technologies to accelerate energy security, climate resilience, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction.
  • It promotes technical cooperation, workforce development, capacity building, and research collaborations.
  • The agreement will also facilitate investments, project financing, and joint projects, with a focus on supporting MSMEs and integrating Indian companies into global value chains, especially in the Indo-Pacific.
  • These goals will be achieved through joint initiatives such as Cooperative Work Programmes, the IPEF Catalytic Capital Fund, and the IPEF Accelerator.
• IPEF Fair Economy Agreement (Pillar-IV)
  • The Agreement under the IPEF aims to create a more transparent and predictable trade and investment environment by enhancing anti-corruption efforts, including preventing bribery and improving tax transparency.
  • It focuses on boosting information sharing, facilitating asset recovery, and strengthening cross-border investigations and prosecutions.
  • These measures will support India's fight against corruption, money laundering, and terror financing.
  • The partners will also collaborate on Technical Assistance and Capacity Building (TACB) initiatives to effectively implement anti-corruption measures and improve the efficiency of tax administration.
• Overarching IPEF Agreement
  • The Overarching Agreement under the IPEF establishes a high-level Ministerial oversight mechanism to guide the implementation of various IPEF agreements.
  • It sets general goals, providing political oversight and long-term stability to the IPEF partnership.
  • This agreement aims to ensure the effective implementation of subject agreements (Pillars II-IV), enhancing India’s productive capacity, supply chain integration, and innovation in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Q.1. What agreements did India sign under the IPEF?

India signed agreements focusing on clean economy, fair economy, and an overarching IPEF framework, aimed at enhancing clean energy access, climate resilience, and strengthening anti-corruption measures among member countries.

Q.2. What are the main objectives of the IPEF clean economy agreement?

The IPEF clean economy agreement seeks to promote cooperation in clean energy technologies, facilitate investments, support MSMEs, and integrate Indian companies into global value chains, ultimately aiming for enhanced energy security and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Source: India signs US-led IPEF bloc’s clean, fair economy agreements | PIB | Business Standard

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• Assisted Dying and debate around it
• What is the current UK law on this issue? 
• What is the procedure provided in the bill? 
• How does it compare to the law in India?

Why in News?

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was introduced in the UK to provide terminally ill patients with the option to seek assistance to end their lives. The Bill addresses ethical and humanitarian concerns for patients with no hope of recovery, ensuring dignity in their final days.

The Bill was backed by a majority of 330 to 275, with 38 MPs not voting. The Bill will now be sent to a public bill committee which will vote on any proposed amendments before being voted on again in the House of Commons. 

It will then be sent to the House of Lords, where further changes could be made, before a final vote is held.

Assisted Dying and debate around it

• Definition
  • Assisted dying generally refers to a person who is terminally ill receiving lethal drugs from a medical practitioner, which they administer themselves.
  • Assisted suicide is intentionally helping another person to end their life, including someone who is not terminally ill. 
    • That could involve providing lethal medication or helping them travel to another jurisdiction to die.
  • Euthanasia is the act of deliberately ending a person's life to relieve suffering in which a lethal drug is administered by a physician/doctor. 
    • Patients may not be terminally ill.
    • There are two types: voluntary euthanasia, where a patient consents; and non-voluntary, where they cannot because, for example, they are in a coma.
• Arguments in Favor of Assisted Dying
  • Control and Dignity: Allows terminally ill patients to choose a humane way to end their suffering.
  • Limitations of End-of-Life Care: Proponents argue that such care often fails to alleviate pain and symptoms effectively.
  • Suicide Prevention: A legal framework could deter impulsive suicides and prevent family members from being involved in illegal assistance.
  • Arguments Against Assisted Dying
• Risk of Misuse: Potential for coercion, especially among vulnerable groups like the elderly and disabled.
• Impact on Vulnerable Populations: Detractors fear it could lead to undue pressure on patients to opt for assisted dying.
• Focus on Care Improvements: Critics advocate for enhancing end-of-life care instead of legalizing assisted dying.

What is the current UK law on this issue?

• Current UK Law
  • Both assisted dying and euthanasia are prohibited. Assisted suicide is a punishable offence with up to 14 years in prison.
• History of Assisted Dying Bills in the UK
  • Since 2013, at least three bills have been introduced to legalize assisted dying.
  • The debate remains polarised, reflecting deep ethical and social concerns.

What is the procedure provided in the bill?

• Eligibility Criteria for Assisted Dying
  • Age and Residency: Patient must be 18 or older, mentally capable, and residing in England or Wales for at least 12 months.
  • Terminal Illness Definition: The illness must be irreversible, worsening, and likely to cause death within six months.
  • Exclusions: Persons with disabilities or mental disorders are explicitly excluded.
• Initial Request and Assessment Process
  • First Declaration:
    • Patient signs in the presence of a coordinating doctor and a witness.
    • Coordinating doctor conducts a first assessment to confirm eligibility and voluntariness.
  • Independent Assessment:
    • Request is referred to an independent doctor for verification after a minimum seven-day reflection period.
    • Disagreements between doctors may lead to a referral to another independent doctor (only once).
  • Judicial Review
• If both doctors approve, the request is sent to the High Court of Justice for verification of compliance.
  • High Court may question the patient and doctors.
  • Rejections can be challenged in the Court of Appeal.
• Final Confirmation and Administration
  • Second Period of Reflection:
    • A 14-day waiting period follows High Court or Court of Appeal approval.
    • Patient signs a second declaration, witnessed by the coordinating doctor, the independent doctor, and a third person.
  • Self-Administration:
    • Approved substance is provided to the patient by the coordinating doctor or designated practitioner.
    • Patient must self-administer the substance; the doctor is prohibited from administering it.

How does it compare to the law in India?

• Supreme Court of India’s Recognition of Passive Euthanasia
  • In Common Cause v. Union of India (2018), the Supreme Court ruled that the “right to die with dignity” is part of the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
  • Legality of passive euthanasia was established, allowing withdrawal of life support for terminally ill patients or those in a permanent vegetative state.
    • Passive euthanasia enables natural death without medical interventions, differing from assisted dying.
• Guidelines for Passive Euthanasia
  • Living Will or Advance Medical Directive
    • Patients can leave directives for withdrawal of life support.
    • Must be signed in the presence of two witnesses and a Judicial Magistrate.
  • Approval Process
    • Requires consent from the treating physician, a medical board, and an external medical board with local administration representation.
  • Challenges and Modifications
    • In 2019, the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine sought changes, terming the guidelines cumbersome and impractical.
    • In 2023, the Supreme Court modified the guidelines to introduce strict timelines and reduce the involvement of the Judicial Magistrate.
    • Awareness and implementation of these guidelines remain limited across India.
  • Draft Guidelines by Ministry of Health (2024)
    • In August 2024, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued draft guidelines similar to the Supreme Court’s recommendations.

Q.1. What are the key provisions of the UK’s Assisted Dying Bill?

The bill allows terminally ill adults, meeting strict eligibility criteria, to request assistance to end their lives. The process involves assessments, judicial approval, and self-administration of the approved substance.

Q.2. How does India’s passive euthanasia law differ from the UK’s bill?

India permits passive euthanasia, allowing withdrawal of life support for terminally ill patients. Unlike the UK’s active assisted dying bill, it relies on legal and medical approvals for a natural death without intervention.

News: What UK’s assisted dying bill says, how it compares to Indian law | BBC

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What is Uniform Civil Code (UCC)?
• UCC debate in Constituent Assembly
• KM Munshi’s Support for the UCC
• Ambedkar’s Support for UCC in Principle
• Outcome of the Debate on Article 35

Why in News?

PM Modi reiterated his support for a nationwide Uniform Civil Code (UCC) during a discussion in the Lok Sabha on the 75-year journey of the Constitution.

He highlighted that the Constituent Assembly extensively debated the UCC and envisioned its implementation by future governments. The Prime Minister quoted Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who advocated for ending religion-based personal laws, and K.M. Munshi, who viewed the UCC as essential for national unity and modernization.

Emphasizing the vision of the Constitution’s drafters, he stated that the government is working with full commitment to establish a “secular civil code.”

What is Uniform Civil Code?

• About
  • A UCC would provide for one law for the entire country, applicable to all religious communities, in their personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption etc.
  • In other words, UCC is a set of rules/regulations, which proposes to replace the personal laws based on the scriptures and customs of each major religious community in the country with a common set governing every citizen.
• Constitutional position
  • Article 44 of the Constitution lays down that the state shall endeavour to secure a UCC for citizens throughout the territory of India.
• Article 44 is among the Directive Principles of State Policy.
• Directive Principles are not enforceable by court, but are supposed to inform and guide governance.

UCC debate in Constituent Assembly

• Background of the UCC Debate
  • On November 23, 1948, the Constituent Assembly debated a draft Article 35 (now Article 44) on the UCC, which was included in the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).
  • The draft stated that the State would aim to secure a UCC for all citizens of India.\
  • However, concerns were raised about its impact on religious communities, leading to its non-binding inclusion under the DPSPs.
• Opposition to the UCC
  • Several members expressed apprehensions.
  • Mohamad Ismail Sahib of the Indian Union Muslim League argued that a uniform code would not necessarily ensure harmony but could lead to discontent by interfering with personal laws.
  • Naziruddin Ahmad echoed similar concerns, stating that religious laws, deeply connected with beliefs and practices, should remain untouched.

KM Munshi’s Support for the UCC

Supported UCC

• K.M. Munshi strongly advocated for the UCC, countering the criticism that it would be “tyrannical” to minorities.
• He pointed out that even advanced Muslim countries had not treated personal laws as sacrosanct to hinder a civil code.
• Munshi also addressed Hindu opposition to the UCC, particularly regarding laws on inheritance and succession, which were seen as part of religion.
• He argued that without a UCC, gender equality could not be achieved.
• Highlighting discrimination against women in Hindu law, Munshi stated that a civil code was essential to elevate the position of women to equality with men, as enshrined in the Fundamental Rights.
• UCC and National Unity
  • Munshi linked the UCC to national integration, urging the Muslim members to abandon an “isolationist outlook.”
  • He emphasized that religion should be confined to its legitimate sphere, while the rest of life must be regulated to unify and strengthen the nation.
  • He argued that the UCC would not be tyrannical to minorities but instead foster a stronger, consolidated nation.

Ambedkar’s Support for UCC in Principle

• Ambedkar’s position
  • Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, while advocating for Article 35 (now Article 44), refrained from discussing the merits or demerits of implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
  • However, he defended its inclusion in the Directive Principles of State Policy.
• India’s Existing Uniformity in Laws
  • Ambedkar countered the argument that a uniform code was unfeasible in a diverse and vast country like India.
  • He highlighted the existence of a uniform legal system in areas such as criminal law, which is uniformly enforced through the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
• Challenging the Notion of Uniformity in Muslim Personal Law
  • Ambedkar questioned the claim that Muslim personal law had always been uniform across India. He cited examples:
• North-West Frontier Province followed Hindu Law in matters of succession until 1935.
• Regions like United Provinces, Central Provinces, and Bombay periodically operated under Hindu law in specific matters.
• Limiting Religion’s Jurisdiction
  • Ambedkar argued against religion having “vast, expansive jurisdiction” that would prevent legislative reforms.
  • He stressed the need for liberty to reform India’s social system, which he described as rife with “inequities, inequalities, and discrimination.”
  • He opposed excluding personal laws from the jurisdiction of the State.
• Power to Legislate, Not Immediate Enforcement
  • Ambedkar reassured apprehensive members that granting the State the power to legislate on personal laws did not mean immediate or objectionable enforcement.
  • He emphasized that the government must respect and reconcile with the sentiments of different communities while exercising this power.

Outcome of the Debate on Article 35

• At the end of the debate, Article 35 was put to vote and passed. It was later renumbered as Article 44 of the Indian Constitution.
• Constitutional law experts noted that while Article 44 states, “the state shall endeavour”, other Directive Principles use stronger phrases like “shall in particular direct its policy” or “shall be obligation of the state”.
• This indicates that the state's duty to implement Article 44 is comparatively less emphasized than other Directive Principles.

Q.1. What did PM Modi highlight about UCC in the Lok Sabha?

PM Modi reiterated his support for a nationwide Uniform Civil Code (UCC), quoting Ambedkar’s advocacy for ending religion-based personal laws and KM Munshi’s view of UCC as essential for national unity and modernization.

Q.2. What was Ambedkar’s stance on UCC during the 1948 debate?

Ambedkar supported the inclusion of UCC in the Directive Principles but refrained from discussing its immediate implementation. He emphasized that personal laws should not be immune to legislative reforms and that UCC was necessary to address inequalities in the social system.

News: PM Modi recalls 1948 debate on Uniform Civil Code: What Ambedkar, KM Munshi said | Indian Express

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What is Article 31C of the Indian Constitution?
• Introduction of Article 31C
• The Journey of Article 31C
• The Ongoing Case in SC
• What are the Arguments in the SC?

Why in News?

While hearing a case to decide whether the government can acquire and redistribute private property, a 9-judge Bench of the SC decided to take up another issue of “radical constitutional consequence”: does Article 31C still exist?

What is Article 31C of the Indian Constitution?

• Article 31C protects laws enacted to ensure -
  • The “material resources of the community” are distributed to serve the common good (Article 39(b)) and
  • That wealth and the means of production are not “concentrated” to the “common detriment” (Article 39(c)).
• As per Article 31C, these particular directive principles (Articles 39(b) and 39(c)) cannot be challenged by invoking the right to equality (Article 14) or the rights under Article 19 (freedom of speech, right to assemble peacefully, etc).

Introduction of Article 31C

• Article 31C was introduced by the Constitution (25th) Amendment Act 1971.
  • The amendment specifically mentioned the “Bank Nationalisation Case”, in which the SC stopped the Centre from acquiring control of 14 commercial banks by enacting the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1969.
  • In this case, the court held that the ‘right to compensation’ was not appropriately ensured by the Banking Act.
• The 25th Amendment sought to surmount the difficulties placed in the way of giving effect to the Directive Principles of State Policy. One of the means employed to do so was the introduction of Article 31C.

The Journey of Article 31C

• The 25th amendment was challenged in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) in which 13 judges held by a narrow 7-6 majority that the Constitution has a “basic structure” that cannot be altered, even by a constitutional amendment.
• As a part of this verdict, the court struck down the last portion of Article 31C, which states that no law giving effect to DPSP shall be called in question in any court on the ground that it does not give effect to such policy.
  • This opened the door for the court to examine laws that had been enacted to further Articles 39(b) and 39(c).
• In 1976, Parliament enacted the Constitution (42nd) Amendment Act, which expanded the protection under Article 31C.
  • As a result, every single directive principle (Articles 36-51) was protected from challenges under Articles 14 and 19 of the Constitution.
  • It was meant to give precedence to the directive principles over those fundamental rights which hinders socio-economic reforms for implementing the directive principles.
• In 1980, in the Minerva Mills v. UoI case, the SC struck down the above clause of the 42nd Amendment.
  • The five-judge Bench held that Parliament’s power to amend the Constitution was limited, and it could not be used to remove these limitations and grant itself “unlimited” and “absolute” powers of amendment.
• However, the ruling resulted in a conundrum - By striking down part of the 25th amendment, did the court strike down Article 31C as a whole.

The Ongoing Case in SC

• The court is hearing a challenge to Chapter VIII-A of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Act, 1976 (MHADA).
  • This chapter, introduced by an amendment in 1986, allows the government to acquire “cessed” properties in Mumbai, citing the obligation under Article 39(b) of the Constitution.
• In 1991, the Bombay High Court upheld the amendment, citing the protection granted by Article 31C to laws enacted in furtherance of Article 39(b).
• This decision was appealed at the SC in 1992, where the question eventually became whether “material resources of the community” under Article 39(b) included private resources such as cessed properties.

What are the Arguments in the SC?

• When the hearing began, the 9-judge Bench seemed to agree with the Centre’s submission that the case should be restricted to interpreting Article 39(b).
• However, the very next day, the Bench stated that the question of whether Article 31C still lives following the Minerva Mills decision has to be decided to avoid “constitutional uncertainty”.
• Senior Advocate (appearing for the petitioners) argued that the original version of Article 31C was ‘substituted’ with the expanded version provided in the 42nd Amendment.
  • Therefore, when this new Article 31C was struck down in Minerva Mills, the older provision would not automatically be revived.
• On the other hand, the Solicitor General (appearing for the Centre) argued that the doctrine of revival must apply in this case, and the post-Kesavananda Bharati position on Article 31C must be restored.
  • To explain the doctrine and justify its application, he relied on Justice Kurian Joseph’s observations in the case where the court struck down the Constitution (99th) Amendment Act (NJAC).
  • Justice Joseph held that once the process of substitution and insertion by way of a constitutional amendment is itself held to be bad and impermissible, the pre-amended provisions automatically resurface and revive.

Q.1. What is the doctrine of the Basic Structure of the Indian Constitution?

The Basic Structure doctrine refers to the principle established by the Indian Judiciary (in the Kesavananda Bharti case) that certain core principles and features of the Constitution are inviolable and cannot be amended or altered by the Parliament.

Q.2. What is the 42nd Amendment to the Indian Constitution?

The 42nd Amendment Act 1976 attempted to reduce the power of the SC and HCs. It laid down the Fundamental Duties of Indian citizens and brought about the most widespread changes to the Constitution in its history. Owing to its size, it is nicknamed the Mini-Constitution.

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What are the Findings of the Study About Plastic Pollution?
• Effort to Regulate Plastic Use

Why in News?

According to a new study, India has secured the top spot as the biggest plastic polluter in the world.

What are the Findings of the Study About Plastic Pollution?

• Highlights:
  • The study assesses five sources of plastic pollution: uncollected waste, littering, collection systems, uncontrolled disposal, and rejects from sorting and reprocessing.
  • The findings reveal that global plastic waste emissions reached 52.1 million tonnes (Mt) in 2020.
  • Notably, 69% of global plastic waste emissions originate from 20 countries, including 4 low-income, 9 lower-middle-income, and 7 upper-middle-income nations.
  • Littering was the predominant source of emissions in the Global North, while uncollected waste was the major source in the Global South.
  • High-income countries, despite having higher plastic waste generation rates, are not in the top 90 polluters due to their comprehensive waste collection and controlled disposal systems.
• Case of India:
  • India has emerged as the world's top plastic polluter, releasing 9.3 Mt of plastic annually and amounting to roughly one-fifth of global plastic emissions.
  • Plastic emissions are greenhouse gases (GHGs) released throughout the life cycle of plastic, from production to disposal.
  • While India’s official plastic waste generation rate (which is about 0.12 kilograms per capita per day) is likely underestimated, waste collection figures are inflated.
  • This discrepancy may stem from the exclusion of data from rural areas, the open burning of uncollected waste, and waste recycled by the informal sector.
• Case of other countries:
  • After India, it’s Nigeria and Indonesia that hold the 2nd and 3rd position in the plastic emissions, with 3.5 Mt and 3.4 Mt, respectively.
  • China, which was identified as the top global polluter, has dropped to 4th position, mainly due to progress in waste management, including investments in incineration and controlled landfills over the past 15 years.
• Significance of the study:
  • These insights are crucial for the upcoming Global Plastics Treaty, which aims to create a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution by 2024.
  • The findings offer a new baseline for countries to assess and address their plastic pollution, helping shape future action plans and improve waste management strategies.
• Concerns regarding study: This comprehensive study may still underestimate emissions from some high-income countries as it excluded plastic waste exports.

Effort to Regulate Plastic Use:

• India - The Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules (2021):
  • In 2022, India brought into effect the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules (2021) that banned 19 categories of ‘single-use plastics’ - disposable goods that are made with plastic but are generally use-and-throw.
• Global:
  • Resolution to end plastic pollution: The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) passed a resolution to “end plastic pollution” in 2022.
    • An Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) was set up and tasked to develop a legally binding instrument - a global treaty - to govern plastic production and use across all nations.
  • Global Plastics Treaty: In 2022, 175 nations agreed to develop a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution by 2024 to reduce GHG emissions from plastic production, use and disposal.
    • However, after multiple rounds of extensive discussions and negotiations, the world seems to be nowhere near an agreement on how to deal with the plastic waste menace.

Q.1. How the Indian state of Sikkim is working to end plastic pollution?

Sikkim, which in 1998 became the first Indian state to ban disposable plastic bags, is also among the first to target single-use plastic bottles.

Q.2. What is the theme of world earth day 2024 and its significance?

The theme for World Earth Day 2024 (April 22) is "Planet vs. Plastics," which highlights the pressing issue of plastic pollution and aims to raise awareness about the need to reduce plastic production and usage to protect the planet's health and ecosystems.

Source: India emerges as the world's largest plastic polluter: Study reveals 9.3 Million tonnes a year | DTE

The Ladla Bhai Yojana is a welfare scheme introduced by the Maharashtra government to provide financial assistance and skill development opportunities to male youth. Inspired by the success of the Ladli Behna Yojana (which focuses on girls), this scheme aims to support young men in their educational pursuits and prepare them for gainful employment.Modeled after the successful 'Ladki Bahini Yojana', this initiative represents a significant investment of Rs 5,500 crore.

Ladla Bhai Yojana 2024

The scheme was announced by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during his visit to the Vitthal temple in Pandharpur on the auspicious occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi. It reflects the government’s commitment to addressing unemployment and promoting skill development among male students.

The Department of Skills, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation, along with the Mukhyamantri Jan Kalyan Kaksh (Chief Minister's Welfare Cell), is responsible for implementing the scheme.

Ladla Bhai Yojana Benefits

Ladla Bhai Yojana aims to reduce unemployment, promote higher education, and foster self-reliance among the youth of Maharashtra. The scheme aims to provide the following benefits to the youth: 

1. Financial Support Based on Educational Qualifications:
   • 12th Grade Pass: Youth who have completed their 12th grade will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 6,000.
   • Diploma Holders: Those pursuing a diploma will be eligible for a stipend of Rs 8,000 per month.
   • Graduates: Graduates will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 10,000.
2. One-Year Apprenticeship in Factories:
   • Under the scheme, eligible youth will undergo a one-year apprenticeship in factories.
   • This practical work experience will enhance their employability and help them secure jobs.
   • The government will pay stipends to youth during their apprenticeship, ensuring they become proficient in their chosen fields.

Ladla Bhai Yojana Eligibility Criteria

According to the resolution released by the implementing agencies, eligible candidates should be between the ages of 18 and 35 and residents of Maharashtra. The internships will last six months, and candidates will receive their monthly stipend through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Ladla Bhai Yojana Age Limit

Applicants applying for Ladla Bhai Yojana should be above 18 years of age. 

Ladla Bhai Yojana Eligibility Criteria for Youth

• Must have passed Class 12, hold an ITI or diploma, or have a graduate degree.
• Monthly stipends: Rs 6,000 for Class 12 pass, Rs 8,000 for ITI/diploma holders, and Rs 12,000 for graduates.

Ladla Bhai Yojana Eligibility Criteria for Employers

• Must operate in Maharashtra.
• Registered with the Skills, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation web portal as an employer.
• Established for at least three years.
• Registered with EPF, ESIC, GST, DPIT, and Udyog Aadhaar.
• Must have a certificate of incorporation. 

Ladla Bhai Yojana Documents Required

List of documents required to be eligible to apply for Ladla Bhai Yojana: 

• Domicile Certificate
• Educational Qualification Certificate
• PAN Card
• Aadhaar Card
• Passport Size Photo
• Caste Certificate
• Income Certificate
• Mobile Number 

Ladla Bhai Yojana Maharashtra Apply Online

To apply for the Ladla Bhai Yojana , follow the simple steps below to complete your online registration:

1. Visit the Official Website: Go to the official website of MH Ladla Bhai Yojana.
2. Start the Application: Click on the “Apply Here” option on the home screen.

• Fill Out the Application Form: Enter required details such as your Name, Aadhaar Number, Age, Address, etc.

1. Upload Necessary Documents: Upload all required documents in the specified sections of the form.
2. Submit the Application: Click the Submit button at the bottom of the form.

• Complete the Registration: You will receive a Username & Password for login via your email ID.

By following these steps, you can successfully submit your application for the Ladla Bhai Yojana Online Registration 2024.

The Ladla Bhai Yojana represents a historic step towards empowering male youth, bridging the gap between education and employment. By providing financial support and practical training, the government aims to create a skilled workforce that contributes not only to Maharashtra’s industries but also to the nation as a whole. Let’s celebrate this initiative as it paves the way for a brighter future for our young men! 

Ladla Bhai Yojana FAQs

Q1. Who is eligible for ladla bhai yojana?

Ans. Applicants above 18 years of age who have completed their Class 12th are eligible for Ladla Bhai Yojana. 

Q2. What is the Sabla program in UPSC?

Ans. The Sabla program is a government initiative aimed at improving the health, nutrition, and education of adolescent girls in India.

Q3. Which scheme is known as Sabla scheme?

Ans. The Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG) is known as the Sabla scheme.

Q4. When was Kishori Shakti Yojana launched?

Ans. Kishori Shakti Yojana was launched in the year 2000

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What is Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)?
• What is Ayushman Bharat health insurance for senior citizens?

Why in News?

The Union Cabinet has cleared the expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to provide health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of their income.

What is Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)?

• About
  • Launched in September 2018, the scheme aimed to offer secondary and tertiary care services to the vulnerable population in the society.
  • It was launched as a second component of the ‘Ayushman Bharat’ scheme.
  • This scheme aimed to offer medical coverage of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation to poor and vulnerable families.
  • The scheme covers over nearly 40% of the population targeted towards poorest and the vulnerable.
• Eligibility
  • The scheme is targeted to cover 10.74 crore poor, deprived rural families and identified occupational category of urban worker’s families.
  • The beneficiaries as identified by latest Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data.
• Benefits
  • It provides cashless access to health care services for the beneficiary at the point of service, i.e., the hospital.
  • Under the scheme every eligible family will be given Rs 5 lakh Insurance coverage benefit per year.
  • It offers Health Benefit Packages which covers surgery, medical and day care treatments, cost of medicines and diagnostics.
• Role of National Health Authority (NHA)
  • NHA is the apex body responsible for implementing India’s flagship public health insurance/assurance scheme – AB PMJAY.
  • It has been entrusted with the role of: 
    • designing strategy, building technological infrastructure and 
    • implementation of National Digital Health Mission to create a National Digital Health Eco-system.
    • To implement the scheme at the State level, State Health Agencies (SHAs) in the form of a society/trust have been set up by respective States.
• Performance

What is Ayushman Bharat health insurance for senior citizens?

• About the news
  • The Union Cabinet has expanded the AB PM-JAY to provide health coverage to people aged 70 years and above, regardless of their income level, public healthcare.
  • Currently, the scheme is income-based and provides Rs 5 lakh shared annual coverage to all members of eligible families, irrespective of their age.
    • In its current form, the scheme is estimated to comprise the bottom 40 per cent of the population economically.
• Extension of the scheme
  • The extension will now cover all citizens aged 70 years and above, offering Rs 5 lakh annual coverage per family. 
  • This expansion is expected to benefit an additional 6 crore elderly people from 4.5 crore families.
• Coverage under new plan
  • Senior citizens aged 70 and above, and belonging to families already covered under AB PM-JAY, will get an additional (shared) top-up cover up to Rs 5 lakh per year for themselves.
    • Shared top-up coverage - If there are two senior citizens (70 years+) in a family, then the Rs 5 lakh coverage will be shared between them.
  • Those benefiting from other public health insurance schemes like CGHS, ECHS, or Ayushman CAPF can either continue with their current schemes or opt for AB PM-JAY. 
  • Additionally, senior citizens under private health insurance policies or the Employees’ State Insurance Scheme will also be eligible to avail the benefits of AB PM-JAY.
• Other features
  • This is a demand-based scheme; as the demand goes up, the coverage will also be increased.
  • Each beneficiary aged 70 and above will receive a new health card, ensuring streamlined access to healthcare benefits.
• Benefits
  • This expansion is expected to provide substantial relief to a demographic that often struggles with managing disease burdens without a reliable social security net.
  • This move is essential as India witnesses a shift towards nuclear family structures, where the financial burden on elderly individuals is more pronounced.
  • Although the Ayushman Bharat scheme aimed at universal health coverage, this will be the first age group to receive full coverage.

Q.1. What is the new expansion in Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY for senior citizens? 

The Union Cabinet has expanded Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY to cover all citizens aged 70 and above, offering an additional Rs 5 lakh annual health coverage. This will benefit around 6 crore elderly people, enhancing their access to healthcare and reducing financial burdens.

Q.2. How will the extension impact senior citizens under other health schemes? 

Senior citizens aged 70 and above, currently under schemes like CGHS, ECHS, or private insurance, can either continue with their existing coverage or opt for the expanded Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, providing them flexibility and additional healthcare benefits.

Source: Cabinet clears health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh for all aged 70 years and above |National Health Authority | The Hindu | Business Today

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• The Position of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
• Powers of the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the House

Why in News?

• Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the 18th Lok Sabha, a position that lay vacant for 10 years because no party had numbers equalling a tenth of the strength of the House.
• The LoP is the parliamentary chairperson of the largest political party/ coalition in the Lok Sabha that is not in government.

The Position of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha:

• Statutory recognition:
  • It was officially described in the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act 1977.
  • The Act describes the Leader of Opposition as:
    • A member of the Council of States or the House of the People (as the case may be),
    • Who is the Leader in that House of the party (having the greatest numerical strength and recognised as such by the Chairman/ the Speaker) in opposition to the Government.
• Numerical strength: According to a conventional understanding, in order to get the post of Leader of Opposition a party must have at least 10% of MPs in the House.
• Debate over numerical strength:
  • According to the former Lok Sabha Secretary General PDT Achary, the law is clear that the Speaker is required to recognise the leader of the numerically largest party in opposition as the leader of opposition.
  • There is no such rule, which requires a party to have at least 10% of the members of the House for recognising someone as the Leader of the Opposition.
  • Before the BJP in 2014 and 2019, the Congress (having 415 members in Lok Sabha) in 1984 denied TDP (with 30 MPs) the post of Leader of Opposition, on the basis of the above mysterious rule.
• Salary and sumptuary allowances: S/he shall be entitled to receive a salary and allowances as are specified in the Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act 1954.

Powers of the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the House:

• Order of precedence: The LoP in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha come at No. 7, along with
  • Union Cabinet Ministers,
  • The National Security Advisor,
  • The Principal Secretary to the PM,
  • The Vice-Chairperson of the NITI Aayog,
  • Former PMs, and Chief Ministers.
• Sitting position in the House:
  • The LoP sits in the front row to the left of the Chair, and enjoys certain privileges on ceremonial occasions like escorting the Speaker-elect to the rostrum (Chair of the Speaker).
  • The LoP is also entitled to a seat in the front row during the Address by the President to both Houses of Parliament.
• The main duty of the LoP:
  • It is to serve as the voice of the opposition in the House and is considered as a shadow Prime Minister with a shadow Cabinet.
  • This means, s/he is ready to take over the administration if the Government resigns or is defeated on the floor of the House.
  • Because the parliamentary system is based on "mutual forbearance" (acknowledging that we do not all have to agree on everything), the LoP is free to disagree while yet allowing the PM to rule.
  • His/her proactive role in facilitating smooth functioning of the business of the House is as important as that of the Government.
• Practical role and responsibility:
  • Most importantly, the LoP is the opposition’s representative in the high-powered committees headed by the PM for appointment to key posts such as
    • The Director of CBI,
    • The Central Vigilance Commissioner and Chief Information Commissioner,
    • The Chairperson and Members of the National Human Rights Commission, and
    • The Lokpal.
  • She/he will also be a member of crucial committees, including Public Accounts, Public Undertakings, Estimates and several Joint Parliamentary Committees.

Q.1. What is a shadow cabinet?

The shadow cabinet/ ministry is a feature of the Westminster system of government. It consists of a senior group of opposition spokespeople who, under the leadership of the Leader of the Opposition, form an alternative cabinet to that of the government.

Q.2. What role does opposition play in a parliamentary system?

The Opposition's main role is to question the government of the day and hold them accountable to the public. This also helps to fix the mistakes of the Ruling Party.

Source: Leader of Opposition role a huge opportunity IE

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• Highlights of the WB’s Forecast on the Indian Economy
• Opportunities and Challenges for the Indian Economy

Why in News?

The World Bank (WB) revised its forecast for India's GDP growth to 7% for FY25 from 6.6% previously, citing increases in household real estate investments and investments in infrastructure.

Highlights of the WB’s Forecast on the Indian Economy:

• GDP growth: India was the fastest-growing major economy at 8.2% last fiscal and is expected to grow at 7% this fiscal year and 6.7% in FY26.
• Industrial growth: It is expected to slow to 7.3% in FY26 compared to 7.6% in FY25. Industrial growth has recovered to 9.5% in FY24 after Covid-19 related disruptions.
• Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF): GFCF is expected to slow to 7.8% in FY25 compared to 9.0% in FY24. The GFCF growth rate stood at 6.6% in FY23.
• Service sector growth: Amid a globally weakening IT investment climate, the service sector growth is also expected to slip to 7.4% in FY25 and to 7.1 per cent in FY26, compared to 7.6 per cent in FY24.
• Agricultural growth: It is expected to register a sharp jump to 4.1% in FY25, compared to 1.4% in FY24.
• Export-Import: The World Bank predicted 7.2% growth in the exports of goods and services during FY25 compared to FY24. The growth of imports is expected to be 4.1% in FY25 compared to 10.9% in FY24.

Opportunities and Challenges for the Indian Economy:

• Export sector:
  • India can expand its export portfolio by increasing its exports of electronics, green technology items, textiles, garments, and footwear in addition to its strengths in IT, business services, and pharmaceuticals.
  • However, India has been losing ground to rivals in the labour-intensive apparel and footwear sectors.
  • India’s share in global apparel exports fell from 4% in 2018 to 3% in 2022 due to increased production costs and decreasing productivity.
  • Meanwhile, countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, Poland, Germany, and France have managed to increase their global export share in major job-creating sectors by up to 2% between 2015 to 2022.
• Trade barriers:
  • The global trade landscape has witnessed increased protectionism in recent years. The post-pandemic reconfiguration of global value chains has created opportunities for India.
  • India has boosted its competitiveness through the National Logistics Policy (NLP) and digital initiatives that are reducing trade costs.
  • However, tariff and non-tariff barriers have increased and could limit the potential for trade-focused investments.
• Current account deficit (CAD):
  • The CAD stood at 0.7% in FY24 compared to 2% in FY23.
  • Foreign exchange reserves reached an all-time high of $670.1 billion (in August 2023), equivalent to 11 months' worth of spending, thanks to a falling CAD and robust inflows from foreign portfolio investments.
  • However, the WB predicted a steady widening of the CAD from 1.1% in FY25 to 1.2% in FY26 and 1.6% in FY27.
• Jobs in India:
  • While India is the fastest-growing major economy, urban youth unemployment remains high at 17%.
  • Jobs in India generated directly and indirectly connected to international trade have declined over the last decade.
  • The country has missed out on the export opportunity presented by China’s withdrawal from labour-intensive manufacturing sectors.
  • To create more trade-related jobs, India can integrate more deeply into global value chains, which will also create opportunities for innovation and productivity growth.

Q.1. What is the National Logistics Policy (NLP)?

India's NLP is a transformative initiative launched by the government (in 2022) to increase efficiency across the logistics and supply chain sector. It aims to decrease the overall logistics cost from an estimated 13-14% of the GDP to a competitive 8%, aligning India with global standards.

Q.2. Why is the growth of labour-intensive sectors important for India?

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), there is “no alternative” for India to have growth led by labour-intensive manufacturing at least for the next 10 years to absorb seven-eight million youths who will join the labour force annually.

Source: World Bank pegs India’s growth at 7% in FY25 | IE | IE

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in the News?
• About Hydrogen
• Types of Hydrogen
• India’s Green Hydrogen Production goals w.r.t. other countries
• Present Capacity
• Challenges associated with Green Hydrogen
• News Summary
• About SIGHT Program

Why in the News?

• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has exempted export-oriented green hydrogen projects from its solar module shortlist of domestic manufacturers.
• This aimed at enabling green hydrogen projects to lower costs to the level of grey hydrogen.

About Hydrogen

• Hydrogen is the lightest chemical element.
• It is colourless, odourless, tasteless, non-toxic, and highly combustible.
• It is the 3rd most abundant element in the human body.
  • The two most abundant elements in human body are Oxygen and Carbon.
• Hydrogen is the most abundant chemical substance in the universe, constituting roughly 75% of all normal matter.
• Hydrogen can be produced from a range of resources including fossil fuels, nuclear energy, biomass and renewable energy sources.

Types of Hydrogen

• Depending on production methods, hydrogen can be Grey, Blue or Green.
• Grey Hydrogen:
  • Grey hydrogen is created from natural gas, or methane, using Steam Methane Reformation (SMR) but without capturing the greenhouse gases made in the process.
  • In SMR, high-temperature steam (700°C–1,000°C) is used to produce hydrogen from a methane source, such as natural gas.
  • The CO2 produced in this process is released directly into the atmosphere.
  • Unfortunately this accounts from roughly 95% of the hydrogen produced in the world today.
• Blue Hydrogen:
  • Hydrogen is labelled blue whenever the carbon generated from steam reforming is captured and stored underground through industrial carbon capture and storage (CSS).
  • Blue hydrogen is, therefore, sometimes referred to as carbon neutral as the emissions are not dispersed in the atmosphere.
  • However, some argue that “low carbon” would be a more accurate description, as 10-20% of the generated carbon cannot be captured.
  • It has significant cost and emissions advantages.
• Green Hydrogen:
  • Green hydrogen is produced by using clean energy from surplus renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, to split water into two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom through a process called electrolysis.
  • This makes green hydrogen the cleanest option – hydrogen from renewable energy sources without CO2 as a by-product.
  • It currently makes up about 0.1% of overall hydrogen production, but this is expected to rise as the cost of renewable energy continues to fall.

India’s Green Hydrogen Production goals w.r.t. other countries

• In August 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the National Hydrogen Mission as a step towards environmental security and to make India a global hub for the production and export of green hydrogen.
• India plans to manufacture 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen per year by 2030.
  • This would be half of the European Union’s 2030 target of 10 million tonnes.
• On the other hand, China announced a relatively shorter-term target to produce up to 2,00,000 tonnes per year of green hydrogen by 2025.
• Spain, Germany and France have announced their commitment to install 4 GW, 5GW and 6.5 GW of green hydrogen respectively, by 2030.

Present Capacity

• There are 26 hydrogen projects in India, with a total capacity of 255,000 tonnes per year.
• However, a majority of these announced projects are still in their early stages.
• Only around 8,000 tonnes per year of capacity is expected to be operational by 2024.

Challenges associated with Green Hydrogen

• Technology:
  • Electrolysis is the process of using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
  • By running an electrical current through water, the membrane and electrolyte can separate the water into hydrogen and oxygen.
  • Green hydrogen needs electrolysers to be built on a scale larger than we've yet seen.
• Transportation & Storage:
  • Either very high pressures or very high temperatures are required, both with their own technical difficulties.
• Electricity:
  • Creating green hydrogen needs a huge amount of electricity, which means an exponential increase in the amount of wind and solar power to meet global targets.

News Summary

• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has granted exemptions to export-oriented green hydrogen projects from its Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), which mandates the use of domestically produced solar modules.
• This exemption allows such projects to use cheaper imported modules, significantly reducing production costs and enhancing cost-competitiveness against grey hydrogen.
• This move aims to expand global demand for green hydrogen, where India has a focus on exports. India aims to produce 5 million metric tons of green hydrogen by 2030, with projects already announced for 7.5 MMT.
• MNRE has also allocated Rs 17,490 crore under its SIGHT program for electrolyser manufacturing and green hydrogen capacity, along with Rs 400 crore for R&D projects.
• Other incentives include the waiving of transmission charges and environmental clearance requirements for green hydrogen projects.

About SIGHT Program

• The SIGHT (Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition) program is an initiative by the Government of India aimed at promoting the production and adoption of green hydrogen in the country.
• Key Features Include:
  • Focus on Electrolyser Manufacturing: The program aims to boost domestic manufacturing of electrolysers, which are essential for producing green hydrogen through renewable energy sources.
  • Green Hydrogen Production: It also encourages the establishment of green hydrogen production facilities in India, with an emphasis on making the country a global leader in green hydrogen exports.
  • Financial Allocation: The Indian government has allocated Rs 17,490 crore under the SIGHT program. This financial support is intended to incentivize investments in electrolyser manufacturing, green hydrogen projects, and other related infrastructure.
  • Boosting Employment and Investment: By fostering a green hydrogen industry, the program is expected to create job opportunities and attract both domestic and international investments in clean energy technologies.
  • Incentives and Policy Support: The program includes incentives such as waiving transmission charges for green hydrogen projects and providing funds for research and development (R&D).

Q1. What is green hydrogen?

Green hydrogen is defined as hydrogen produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity.

Q2. What is India's 2030 target for renewable energy?

India aims to increase renewables capacity to 500 GW by 2030, meet 50% of energy requirements from renewables, reduce cumulative emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030, and reduce the emissions intensity of India's gross domestic product (GDP) by 45% by 2030.

Source: Exempted export-oriented green hydrogen projects from solar module shortlist to lower costs: MNRE Sec

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What are the Fundamental Constitutional Questions Around Religion-Based Reservation?
• The Concept of Equality and Equity
• Reservation and the Constitution of India
• The Observations of SC on Muslim Reservation
• How Indian States Dealt with Muslim Quota Question?

Why in News?

In election season, India is debating fundamental constitutional questions around religion-based reservation.

What are the Fundamental Constitutional Questions Around Religion-Based Reservation?

• Can a secular country like India have religion-based reservation?
• Have Muslims ever been given reservation by reducing the quota for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), or Other Backward Classes (OBCs)?
• Does reservation for SCs that is limited to only certain religious denominations amount to reservation based on religion?

The Concept of Equality and Equity:

• The Constitution of India moved away from equality (equal treatment for all) to equity, which ensures fairness and may require differential treatment or special measures for some groups.
• On the other hand, substantive equality is concerned with equality of outcomes. Affirmative action promotes this idea of substantive equality.
• As a result,
  • The Mandal Commission (1980), following the example set by several states, included a number of Muslim castes in the list of OBCs.
  • The Justice Rajinder Sachar Committee (2006) found that the Muslim community as a whole was almost as backward as SCs and STs, and more backward than non-Muslim OBCs.
  • The Justice Ranganath Misra Committee (2007) suggested 15% reservation for minorities, including 10% for Muslims.

Reservation and the Constitution of India:

• Article 15 (1) specifically prohibits the state from discriminating against citizens on grounds only of both religion and caste (along with sex, race, and place of birth).
• The first constitutional amendment inserted Article 15(4), which empowered the state to make any special provision for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the SCs or STs.
• Article 16 (1) states that there shall be equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters relating to employment or appointment to any office under the State.
• Article 16 (2) specifically prohibits the state from discriminating against citizens on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, residence or any of them, in respect of any employment or office under the State.
• Article 16(4) enables the state to make any provision for reservation in favour of any backward class of citizens which is not adequately represented in the services under the state.

The Observations of SC on Muslim Reservation:

• In M R Balaji (1962), the SC held that while castes among Hindus may be an important factor to take into account when assessing the social backwardness of certain groups or classes of citizens, it cannot be the only test in this regard.
  • Therefore, it is possible that in some states certain Muslims, Christians or Jains form socially backward groups.
• In the E P Royappa vs State Of Tamil Nadu (1973), the SC has held that equality is a dynamic concept and cannot be confined within traditional limits.
• After the SC’s judgement in State of Kerala vs N M Thomas (1975), reservation is considered not an exception to the equality, but as an extension of equality. The crucial word in Articles 15 and 16 is ‘only’ - which implies that -
  • If a religious, racial, or caste group constitutes a weaker section (under Article 46) or
  • Constitutes a backward class, it would be entitled to special provisions for its advancement.
  • For example, some Muslim castes were given reservation without reducing the quota for SCs, STs, and OBCs by creating a sub-quota within the OBCs.
• The SC in Indra Sawhney (1992) laid down that any social group, if found to be backward under the same criteria as others, will be entitled to be treated as a backward class.

How Indian States Dealt with Muslim Quota Question?

• Kerala: Muslims, who constituted 22% of the population, were included within the OBCs in 1952.
• Karnataka: In 1995, the State government implemented 4% Muslim reservation within the OBC quota. 36 Muslim castes which are part of the central list of OBCs were included in the quota.
• TN: The State government passed a law in 2007 that provided within the 30% OBC quota, a subcategory of Muslims with 3.5% reservation. This did not include upper-caste Muslims.
• Andhra Pradesh (undivided): In 2004, the State government provided 5% reservation, treating the entire community as backward.
  • The HC struck down the quota on the technical ground.
  • However, it held that reservations for Muslims or sections/ groups among them, in no manner militate against secularism, which is part of the basic structure of the constitution.
• Telangana: After the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, the Telangana government passed a law in 2017 proposing 12% reservation for OBC Muslims.
  • Since the proposal would take reservation beyond the 50% cap mandated by the SC (in 1992), it was referred to the central government for inclusion in the Ninth Schedule.
  • But the Centre did not bring the proposal to Parliament.

Q.1. Why was Mandal Commission set up?

The Mandal Commission or the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Commission (SEBC), was established in India in 1979 by the Janata Party government under PM Morarji Desai with a mandate to identify the socially or educationally backward classes of India.

Q.2. What do you mean by affirmative action?

Government measures designed to assist members of underprivileged groups that have historically experienced discrimination in education, employment, etc., are collectively referred to as affirmative action.

Source: Expert Explains: The Muslim quota question

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What is the Background of the J&K Enemy Agents Ordinance?
• What are the Salient Provisions of the J&K Enemy Agents Ordinance?

Why in News?

• According to the J&K Director General of Police (DGP), investigating agencies should prosecute anyone discovered aiding militants in J&K under the Enemy Agents Ordinance 2005.
• The Enemy Agents Ordinance 2005 is more stringent than the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and has the punishment of either a life term or a death sentence.

What is the Background of the J&K Enemy Agents Ordinance?

• It was first issued in 1917 by the then Dogra Maharaja of J&K and is referred to as an ‘ordinance’ since laws made during the Dogra rule were called ordinances.
• After Partition in 1947, the ordinance was incorporated as a law in the erstwhile state and was also amended.
• The Enemy Agents Ordinance 2005 (1948) was promulgated under Section 5 of the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution Act 1996.
• In 2019, when Article 370 of the Constitution was repealed, J&K’s legal framework also underwent several changes.
  • The J&K Reorganisation Act listed out state laws that were to continue while several others were repealed and replaced with Indian laws.
  • For example, while the security laws such as Enemy Agents Ordinance and Public Safety Act remained, the Ranbir Penal Code was replaced with the Indian Penal Code.

What are the Salient Provisions of the J&K Enemy Agents Ordinance?

• Who is an “enemy” agent? Anyone who conspires with another person to carry out an act intended to aid the enemy.
• Punishment: Enemy agents shall be punished with death or rigorous imprisonment for life or with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years and shall also be liable to fine.
• Trials under the ordinance:
  • Trials under the ordinance are conducted by a special judge who is appointed by the government in consultation with the High Court.
  • Under the ordinance, the accused cannot engage a lawyer to defend herself unless permitted by the court.
• Appeal against the verdict:
  • There is no provision for appeal against the verdict.
  • The decision of the special judge can only be reviewed by a person chosen (by the Govt) from the judges of the HC and the decision of that person shall be final.
• Bar on ordinance: The ordinance also bars (without the previous authorisation of the Government) any disclosure or publication of the case tried under it.

Has this ordinance resulted in any trials? There are several Kashmiris who are or have been tried and sentenced under the Enemy Agents Ordinance.

Q.1. What is the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)?

The UAPA is the "Anti-terror law" of India. The 2019 amendment of the UAPA has made it possible for the Union Government to designate individuals as terrorists without following any formal judicial process.

Q.2. What is the J&K Reorganisation Act 2019?

The J&K Reorganisation Act 2019 enacted by the Indian parliament reconstitutes the Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Indian-administered union territories called Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Source: Those helping terrorists should be tried under Enemy Agents law: J&K DGP | IE

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in the News?
• What is Waqf?
• Regulation of Waqf in India
• Role of Waqf Board
• Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act, 2024
• Key Changes Proposed in the Amendment Bill

Why in the News?

The Union government has referred the Waqf Amendment Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), after opposition from various political parties.

What is Waqf?

• In Islamic law, a "waqf" refers to a property dedicated to God for religious or charitable purposes.
• This can include both movable and immovable assets set aside to serve the public good.
• Establishing a waqf is seen as an act of piety that allows Muslims to continue their charitable contributions even after death.
• A waqf can be formally created through a deed or may be recognized as such if a property has been used for religious or charitable activities over a long period.
• The income generated from these properties is typically used for maintaining mosques, funding educational institutions, or supporting the poor.
• Notably, once a property is designated as waqf, it cannot be inherited, sold, or transferred.
• Non-Muslims can also establish a waqf, provided the purpose aligns with Islamic principles.

Regulation of Waqf in India

• In India, waqf properties are governed by the Waqf Act of 1995.
• The identification and documentation of these properties are carried out through a survey conducted by the State government.
• A survey commissioner, appointed under the Act, investigates the properties, gathers witness testimonies, and reviews public documents to identify waqf assets.
• Once identified, these properties are officially recorded in the State's gazette, and a detailed list is maintained by the State Waqf Board.
• The management of each waqf is overseen by a mutawalli, or custodian, who is responsible for its administration.
• While similar to trusts established under the Indian Trusts Act of 1882, waqfs differ in that they cannot be dissolved by a governing board.

Role of Waqf Board

• State Waqf Boards:
  • The Waqf Act of 1995 establishes Waqf Boards in each State to oversee the management of waqf properties within their jurisdiction.
  • These Boards are legal entities with the ability to sue or be sued in court.
  • Each State Waqf Board is led by a chairperson and includes representatives from the State government, Muslim legislators, recognized Islamic scholars, and mutawallis of waqfs.
  • The Act mandates the appointment of a full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for each Board.
  • The CEO must be a Muslim and hold at least the rank of Deputy Secretary in the State government.
• Powers & Responsibilities:
  • he Waqf Board is empowered to manage waqf properties and recover any assets that have been lost.
  • It can approve the transfer of immovable waqf property through sale, gift, mortgage, exchange, or lease, but such actions require the approval of at least two-thirds of the Board members.
  • Amendments made to the Waqf Act in 2013 further strengthened the Board’s authority, making it nearly impossible to sell waqf properties, as neither the mutawalli nor the Board can sell waqf assets without stringent conditions.
• Central Waqf Council:
  • In addition to the State Waqf Boards, the legislation also establishes the Central Waqf Council, a national advisory body under the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
  • This Council, headed by the Union Minister of Minority Affairs, ensures uniform administration of waqf properties across India.
  • It advises the Union government on various waqf-related issues, including policy development, implementation of waqf laws, and resolving inter-State disputes.
  • This structured framework aims to preserve the religious and charitable intent behind waqf properties, ensuring their proper management and protection under Indian law.
• Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act, 2024
  • The Union government on August 8 introduced a Bill in the Lok Sabha to amend the 1995 Waqf Act (1995 Act).
  • The proposed amendments seek to significantly reform the law by enhancing the Centre’s regulatory authority over waqf properties and, for the first time, permitting the inclusion of non-Muslim members in Waqf Boards.
  • The draft legislation is proposed to be renamed the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act, 2024.

Key Changes Proposed in the Amendment Bill

• Revised Definition of ‘Waqf’:
  • Only lawful property owners who have practiced Islam for at least five years can now create waqf properties through formal deeds.
  • The concept of ‘waqf by use,’ which allowed properties to be deemed waqf based on usage even if the original deed was disputed, has been abolished.
  • Government properties cannot be recognized as waqf.
  • Widows, divorced women, and orphans can benefit from waqf proceeds.
• Role of District Collectors:
  • District collectors (or equivalent officers) will now survey waqf properties, replacing survey commissioners.
  • A centralized registration system for waqf properties will be established, and all details must be uploaded within six months of the law’s enactment.
  • New waqf properties must be registered through this system.
  • The district collector will have the final say on whether a property is waqf, and a Waqf Board cannot control disputed land until the collector submits the final report.
• Inclusion of Non-Muslims:
  • Non-Muslims can now be included in key waqf institutions like the Central Waqf Council, State Waqf Boards, and waqf tribunals.
  • The Central Waqf Council will include three Members of Parliament, who do not necessarily have to be Muslim.
  • State Waqf Boards must now include two non-Muslims and two women.
  • Waqf tribunals will now be reduced to a two-member body, consisting of a district judge and a State government officer, and must resolve disputes within six months.
• Financial Oversight:
  • The Centre can order audits of any waqf property by an auditor appointed by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.
  • Waqf Boards must audit their accounts annually, using auditors from a State government panel.
  • Penalties will be imposed on mutawallis (custodians) who fail to maintain proper accounts.
• Judicial Review:
  • Courts can now intervene in waqf disputes, allowing appeals to be made directly to the High Court, increasing judicial oversight over waqf decisions.

Q1. What is meant by Jizya Tax?

The Jizya, a tax imposed on non-Muslims in the Islamic world, acted as a source of revenue and a pact of protection for those living under Muslim rule

Q2. What is Right to Property in India?

Article 300-A (right to property act) was added to the Constitution in 1978. It states that “no person shall be deprived of his property except by authority of law”. It means that nobody can take away someone's property. However, it gives authority to the government to do it, if needed.

Source: Waqf Amendment Bill

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• History of Elections in India
• Roadmap for Simultaneous Polls

Why in News?

The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal for simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha, state Assemblies, and local government bodies, as recommended by the High Level Committee on One Nation, One Election, led by former President Ram Nath Kovind. 

As per the govt, implementation will occur in two phases: first, aligning Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, and second, holding local body elections within 100 days of the first phase.

History of Elections in India

• Era of simultaneous elections
  • The first general elections of free India held simultaneously to the Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assemblies of the States in 1951. 
  • The next three cycles of elections also witnessed concurrent Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly elections barring a few stray cases like: 
    • Kerala where a mid-term election was held in 1960 on the pre-mature dissolution of the Assembly, and 
    • in Nagaland and Pondicherry where the Assembly was created only after the 1962 general elections. 
  • The last occasion when we had near-simultaneous elections was in 1967.
• Beginning of the end of simultaneous elections
  • The fourth Lok Sabha constituted in 1967 was dissolved prematurely in 1971. This was the beginning of the end of simultaneous elections. 
  • Extension of the term of Lok Sabha during the National Emergency declared in 1975 and the dissolution of Assemblies of some States after the 1977 Lok Sabha election further disturbed the cycle of concurrent elections. 
• Current status
  • After the two pre-mature dissolutions of the Lok Sabha in 1998 and 1999, only four State Assemblies have been going to polls along with the Lok Sabha elections in the last two decades.
  • We now have at least two rounds of Assembly general elections every year.

Roadmap for Simultaneous Polls

• Steps needed after the approval from the Union Cabinet
  • The One Nation, One Election project requires two Constitutional Amendment Bills to be passed by Parliament, needing broad agreement across various parties.
  • To build consensus, the government may refer the bills to a parliamentary committee, which includes opposition members. 
  • Additionally, to include local bodies in simultaneous elections, at least half of the states must ratify the Constitutional amendment. 
    • Although the BJP currently governs in over a dozen states, upcoming Assembly elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand could impact this distribution.
• Changes needed in the Constitution
  • The transition to a simultaneous election system requires two Constitutional Amendment Bills.
  • First Amendment Bill: This bill needs a 'special majority' in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, which involves:
    • At least half of the total membership of both houses must vote in favor.
    • Two-thirds of members present and voting must approve the amendment.
  • Second Amendment Bill: This bill aims to align local body elections with the simultaneous elections. It must satisfy the same conditions as the first bill, plus:
    • Ratification by at least half of the state legislatures is required. 
    • This is because local government is under the State List, giving states the authority to pass laws related to it.
• What will happen if these Bills are passed by Parliament?
  • According to the Kovind Committee's roadmap:
  • Implementation
    • The President will issue a notification during the first Lok Sabha sitting after a general election, activating Article 82A from the first Constitution Amendment Bill, which marks the "appointed date."
    • Article 82A — a new article that will be introduced through the first Bill to facilitate the transition to simultaneous elections.
  • State Assemblies
    • Any state Assemblies elected after this "appointed date" will be dissolved when the Lok Sabha’s term ends. 
    • Some state Assemblies will dissolve before their five-year term ends to align with the Lok Sabha elections.
  • Mid-Term Elections
    • If a state Assembly or Lok Sabha is dissolved early, a mid-term election will occur. 
    • The newly elected body will serve only until the next scheduled simultaneous elections. This interim period is called the "unexpired term."
  • Election Commission Role
    • If the ECI determines that a state Assembly election cannot be held simultaneously, it can recommend a delay. 
    • However, future elections will still be conducted simultaneously.
  • Single Electoral Roll
    • The ECI will create a unified electoral roll for all elections, including Lok Sabha, state Assemblies, municipalities, and panchayats, in collaboration with State Election Commissions. 
    • This amendment also needs ratification by at least half of the states.

Q.1. What is One Nation One Election? 

One Nation One Election refers to a proposal to conduct simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies, thereby reducing the frequency of electoral cycles in India

Q.2. What are the challenges in implementing simultaneous elections? 

Implementing simultaneous elections requires constitutional amendments, broad political consensus, and ratification by at least half the states, along with changes to election laws and logistics.

Source: As Cabinet gives nods to simultaneous elections, what next? | Indian Express