UPSC Mains Current Affairs for 21 June 2025

QR Codes on PMGSY Roads to Boost Transparency and Public Feedback

June 21, 2025

PMGSY QR Code Tracking Latest News

The Union Ministry of Rural Development has directed states to add QR codes to maintenance display boards on all PMGSY roads to enhance transparency and ease of tracking maintenance details.

About Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) is a rural road development programme launched on December 25, 2000, under the then government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee to improve rural connectivity through all-weather roads.

Phases of PMGSY

Phase I (2000): Focused on connecting rural habitations with all-weather roads.
Phase II (2013): Strengthened existing road networks.
RCPLWEA (2016): Special component targeting Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected areas.
Phase III (2019): Emphasized consolidation of existing networks.
Phase IV (2024):
- Approved on September 11, 2024.
- Aims to connect 25,000 unconnected habitations based on population criteria: 500+ in plains; 250+ in NE/hill states and special areas; 100+ in LWE-affected areas.
- Target: 62,500 km of roads
- Timeline: 2024–25 to 2028–29

Funding Pattern

Initially a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, the cost-sharing was revised in 2015–16 to 60:40 between Centre and states (except NE and Himalayan states, which follow a different ratio).

Achievements So Far (as per the information available on the dashboard)

Since the scheme was launched, a total road length of 8,36,850 km has been sanctioned, of which 7,81,209 km has been completed.

QR Codes on PMGSY Road Maintenance Boards

The National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA), under the MoRD, has directed all states to install QR codes on PMGSY road maintenance boards.

Purpose of QR Codes

The primary objective is to gather public feedback on the quality and upkeep of rural roads, which was previously missing in the monitoring process.

Current Maintenance System: e-MARG

e-MARG (electronic Maintenance of Rural Roads) is a mobile-cum-web-based e-governance system for tracking maintenance.
After construction, roads are maintained by the contractor for five years.
Contractors submit bills on e-MARG for maintenance work.

Monitoring and Evaluation Process

Field engineering staff conduct Routine Inspections (RI).
Geo-tagged photographs are taken and uploaded.
Performance Evaluation (PE) is based on 12 parameters of routine maintenance.
State governments are responsible for overall rural road maintenance since it is a state subject.

Role of National Level Monitors (NLMs)

NRIDA sends NLMs to inspect road construction quality.
Past NLM reports have highlighted substandard work under PMGSY.

Need for Public Feedback

While technical checks exist, no mechanism was in place to capture citizen feedback—a gap that the QR code initiative now aims to fill.

Working of New QR Code System

A dedicated utility in the eMARG platform has been created to generate unique QR codes for each PMGSY road, which will be displayed on the maintenance information boards.
Citizen Engagement Through QR Codes
- Any road user can scan the QR code using a smartphone.
- Upon scanning, users can:
  - Access complete road details
  - Upload photos highlighting maintenance issues
  - Submit feedback through a feedback window
- Instructions will be available in English and the local language for wider accessibility.

Integration with Inspection and Evaluation

Citizens’ photos and feedback will be integrated with the relevant Routine Inspections (RI).
These inputs will assist in Performance Evaluation (PE) using AI and Machine Learning.
Program implementation units must cross-verify citizen photos before finalising PE marks.

Enhancing Transparency and Accountability

The initiative aims to increase public participation in road upkeep.
It will support engineering staff in making realistic evaluations.
Overall, the system makes eMARG more transparent and participatory, ensuring better maintenance during the mandated 5-year post-construction period.

Source: IE | PIB | PMGSY

PMGSY QR Code Tracking FAQs

Q1: What is the PMGSY scheme?

Ans: A rural road program launched in 2000 to provide all-weather connectivity to unconnected habitations across India.

Q2: Why are QR codes being used on PMGSY roads?

Ans: To gather citizen feedback on road quality and support performance evaluation using digital tools.

Q3: How does eMARG work in road maintenance?

Ans: It is a web-mobile platform used for submitting maintenance bills and conducting performance evaluations with geo-tagged photos.

Q4: What role does AI/ML play in this system?

Ans: AI/ML analyze citizen-submitted images to aid routine maintenance evaluation and improve objectivity in scoring.

Q5: How does this benefit rural infrastructure?

Ans: Increases transparency, accountability, and public participation, ensuring better long-term road quality.

What Iran’s Withdrawal from the NPT Could Mean for Global Nuclear Stability

June 21, 2025

Iran NPT Withdrawal Latest News

In the wake of rising military tensions, Iran's Parliament is drafting a Bill to potentially withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
This move follows recent Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, citing concerns that Iran was nearing weapons-grade uranium enrichment.

About The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

The NPT is a global treaty signed in 1968 and entered into force in 1970, aimed at:
- Preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and technology
- Promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy
- Supporting nuclear disarmament

Background: Post-World War II Nuclear Concerns

After the atomic bombings in Japan (1945), nations began a nuclear arms race.
Alongside, efforts emerged to limit the proliferation of nuclear weapons and technology.

Atoms for Peace Initiative (1953)

Launched by U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Advocated for the peaceful use of nuclear energy
Paved the way for the formation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Introduced a safeguards system to monitor and verify civilian nuclear activities

Safeguards and Verification

Non-nuclear weapon states must submit detailed reports on nuclear activities
Allow IAEA inspections to prevent diversion of nuclear materials for weapons
Part of the “basic bargain”: peaceful nuclear assistance in exchange for oversight

Definition of Nuclear States under the NPT

Nuclear states are those that tested nuclear weapons before January 1, 1967.
This included:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- France
- Soviet Union (now Russia)
- China

Membership and Non-Signatories

191 countries are parties to the treaty
Non-signatories include:
- India: Conducted nuclear tests in 1974; opposes the discriminatory nature of the treaty
- Pakistan: Not a signatory
- Israel: Neither confirms nor denies nuclear weapons possession; hasn’t signed
- North Korea: Signed in 1985, withdrew in 2003, expelled IAEA inspectors

Criticism

Viewed as discriminatory for legitimizing nuclear weapons only for the P5 (UNSC permanent members).
The 1967 cut-off date is seen as arbitrary, reinforcing a nuclear hierarchy.

How Can a Country Leave the NPT

Under Article 10 of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT):
- A country may withdraw if extraordinary events jeopardize its supreme national interests.
- It must notify all treaty parties and the UN Security Council three months in advance, citing those events.

Iran's NPT Membership and Recent Developments

Iran joined the NPT in 1970, prior to its Islamic Revolution (1979).
For the first time in nearly 20 years, the IAEA Board of Governors recently censured Iran, citing:
- Repeated failure since 2019 to cooperate fully with the agency.
- Discovery of undeclared nuclear material and activities at multiple sites.
Iran’s Response
- Iran denied violations, stating it has adhered to its safeguards obligations under the NPT.
- However, tensions have grown, particularly after recent Israeli strikes and Iran’s retaliatory missile attacks.

Implications of Iran Withdrawing from the NPT

End of IAEA Oversight
- Iran would no longer be subject to IAEA inspections, which averaged 1.4 site visits per day in 2023.
- This would reduce international visibility into Iran’s nuclear activities.
Risk of Destabilizing the Global Non-Proliferation Regime
- Iran’s withdrawal could set a precedent for other states to follow.
- Could lead to a weakening of global cooperation on nuclear non-proliferation.
Does Withdrawal Mean Weaponization
- Leaving the NPT does not automatically imply Iran will build nuclear weapons.
- However, historical cases (e.g., North Korea) show that withdrawal may precede weapon development.
- Iran has denied such intentions, but regional instability fuels uncertainty.
Scholarly Perspective: The Value of NPT
- Experts argue that:
  - Even imperfect adherence can significantly slow nuclear proliferation.
  - A global treaty can maintain normative pressure until a tipping point is reached, beyond which violations could undermine the regime altogether.

Source: IE | NYT | MSNBC

Iran NPT Withdrawal FAQs

Q1: What is the NPT’s main objective?

Ans: To prevent nuclear weapons spread, promote peaceful nuclear energy, and encourage disarmament through global cooperation.

Q2: Can countries legally exit the NPT?

Ans: Yes, by citing extraordinary threats to national interests and giving three months’ notice to treaty members and the UNSC.

Q3: Why is Iran considering leaving the NPT?

Ans: Due to IAEA censure and escalating tensions with Israel over alleged nuclear weapons development.

Q4: What happens if Iran exits the treaty?

Ans: Iran would no longer face IAEA inspections, reducing oversight and raising nuclear proliferation concerns.

Q5: Will NPT withdrawal lead to nuclear arms?

Ans: Not necessarily, but history shows it increases the risk and undermines global non-proliferation frameworks.

UK Parliament Passes Assisted Dying Bill

June 21, 2025

A Step Towards Legalising End-of-Life Choices Latest News

The UK House of Commons has passed a landmark bill legalising assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales.
This development marks a significant shift in end-of-life care legislation, amidst heated political and societal debate.

Key Highlights of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Eligibility criteria: The bill permits assisted dying under strict and clearly defined conditions -
- Individuals must be 18 years or older.
- Must be resident in England or Wales and registered with a General Practitioner (GP) for at least 12 months.
- Must have a terminal illness with an expected life expectancy of six months or less.
- Must possess the mental capacity to make an informed decision.
- Must make two formal, witnessed declarations expressing their wish to die.
- Evaluations are to be done by two independent doctors at least seven days apart.

Procedure:

- After approval, there is a 14-day waiting period.
- A doctor would prepare the life-ending substance, but the individual must self-administer it.
- It will be a criminal offence to coerce or pressure someone into assisted dying, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Political and Public Reactions

Parliamentary division:

- - The bill passed with 314 votes in favour and 291 against, a narrow majority of 23.
  - Prime Minister Keir Starmer supported the bill.
  - Health Secretary Wes Streeting opposed it (practicing ‘free vote’, i.e., not bound by party lines) but affirmed he would respect the decision.

Public protests and campaigns:

- Strong activism was seen both in support of and against the bill.
- Supporters promoted “Dignity in Dying”, emphasizing compassionate choices.
- Opponents criticised it as potentially creating a “National Suicide Service”.

Ethical and Legal Debates

Proponents’ argument:

- - Empowers patients to die with dignity.
  - Ends the need for terminally ill people to travel to places like Switzerland for assisted suicide.
  - Reduces suffering and upholds patient autonomy.

Critics’ concerns:

- - Risk of abuse or coercion of vulnerable individuals.

Ethical implications of enabling suicide.

- Potential for erosion of palliative care standards.

Global Context - Comparative Legal Status

Canada: Assisted suicide and euthanasia legal under conditions.
Belgium and Netherlands: Both assisted dying and euthanasia legal under strict criteria.
Australia: Assisted dying permitted in some states.
US (selected states): Assisted suicide legal in states like Oregon and California.
Switzerland: Assisted suicide legal, attracts medical tourism.

Conclusion

The Assisted Dying Bill’s passage in the UK House of Commons marks a profound ethical and legislative shift that balances autonomy for terminally ill individuals with societal concerns about coercion and care for the vulnerable.
As the bill proceeds to the House of Lords, it will remain a focal point of national debate, with implications for law, morality, and human rights.

Source: TH | IE

A Step Towards Legalising End-of-Life Choices FAQs

Q1: What are the key provisions of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill recently passed by the UK House of Commons?

Ans: The bill allows terminally ill adults in England and Wales with less than six months to live to request assisted dying, subject to approval by two doctors, a psychiatrist, a lawyer, and a social worker.

Q2: How does the concept of a ‘free vote’ in the UK Parliament reflect democratic values?

Ans: A free vote allows lawmakers to vote according to their personal conscience rather than party lines, demonstrating respect for individual moral judgement in sensitive issues.

Q3: What are the major ethical concerns raised by critics of the Assisted Dying Bill in the UK?

Ans: Critics argue that the bill could lead to coercion of vulnerable individuals, undermine palliative care, and impose moral dilemmas on healthcare providers.

Q4: Compare the legal status of assisted dying in the UK with that in other countries.

Ans: While the UK is considering legalisation, assisted dying is already permitted under varying conditions in countries like Switzerland, Canada, Belgium, and several U.S. states.

Q5: Why has the Assisted Dying Bill sparked debate on healthcare infrastructure in the UK?

Ans: Opponents argue that with an overstretched NHS and insufficient palliative care, legalising assisted dying may pressure patients to choose death due to inadequate support services.

India Set to Become World’s Fourth-Largest Electric Car Manufacturer by 2030

June 21, 2025

India Electric Car Manufacturing Latest News

India’s planned electric four-wheeler manufacturing capacity is set to rise over tenfold to 2.5 million, according to new research by Rhodium Group.

India’s Rapid Expansion in Electric Vehicle Manufacturing

India is poised to make a major leap in the global electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing race.
According to a report by the Rhodium Group, the country is expected to become the fourth-largest electric car manufacturer in the world by 2030, trailing only China, the European Union, and the United States.
This shift is driven by a significant scale-up in EV production capacity, proactive government policies, and strategic protectionist measures to support domestic players.
India’s electric four-wheeler manufacturing capacity is projected to rise over tenfold from the current 0.2 million units to 2.5 million units by 2030.
This makes it one of the fastest-growing EV manufacturing hubs globally.

Projected Supply Surplus and Export Opportunities

The Rhodium report estimates that India’s EV production capacity will exceed domestic demand by 1.1 to 2.1 million units between now and 2030.
While domestic EV demand is expected to grow to between 0.4 to 1.4 million units by the end of the decade, this still falls short of the planned production capacity.
This projected surplus opens up potential for India to emerge as a key EV exporter, provided that it can lower manufacturing costs and compete globally, especially against Chinese exports, which currently dominate global EV markets.

Role of Domestic Players and Current Market Share

Indian automakers such as Tata Motors, MG Motor, and Mahindra have consolidated their dominance in the domestic market.
These three accounted for nearly 90% of India’s electric car sales in 2024-25, according to the Vahan dashboard.
Despite low current EV penetration, just 2% in 2024, the Rhodium report notes that India has outpaced countries like Japan and South Korea in terms of future manufacturing capacity, driven by planned investments and supportive policies.

Policy Framework and Industrial Strategy

India’s rise in the EV space is strongly supported by a combination of industrial policy, market incentives, and a protectionist trade strategy. Key elements of this approach include:
- Consumer Subsidies: Linked to increasing localisation requirements, these subsidies aim to reduce dependency on imports and incentivise domestic manufacturing.
- Production-Linked Incentives (PLI): Schemes for advanced battery manufacturing and EV component production have catalysed investment.
- Tariffs: Import duties of 70–100% on fully built electric vehicles have shielded Indian manufacturers from foreign competition, enabling the domestic industry to scale up.
- Infrastructure Expansion: A concerted push to expand EV charging infrastructure supports long-term adoption goals.
While these measures have helped boost local manufacturing, the Rhodium report cautions that they have also raised consumer costs and limited product variety.

Battery Manufacturing: Strengths and Gaps

India is rapidly establishing itself as a significant player in the battery manufacturing ecosystem.
According to the report, the country is set to become the largest EV battery module producer outside China, Europe, and the United States, with substantial capacity under construction or newly announced.
However, the majority of this projected growth depends on projects that are still in development, making timely execution a critical factor.
On the cell production front, India is expected to surpass countries like South Korea, Malaysia, and Japan by 2030, but it will still lag behind China, the US, Europe, and Canada.
China is projected to lead with a cell manufacturing capacity of 4,818 GWh, followed by the US (1,169 GWh), Europe (997 GWh), and India grouped with others at 567 GWh.

Comparative Global Position

India's anticipated production capacity of 2.5 million electric cars will be behind:
- China: 29 million units
- EU: 9 million units
- USA: 6 million units
However, it is expected to surpass Japan (1.4 million units) and South Korea (1.9 million units), which currently have greater operational capacities but limited future expansion plans.

Conclusion

India’s electric car manufacturing ecosystem is undergoing a transformative expansion.
By aligning industrial policy with ambitious localisation and export goals, India is well-positioned to become a global EV hub.
The country’s success in this sector will ultimately depend on its ability to manage production efficiency, meet delivery timelines for battery projects, and remain competitive on the global stage against major players like China.

Source : IE | ET

India Electric Car Manufacturing FAQs

Q1: What is India’s projected electric car manufacturing capacity by 2030?

Ans: India’s EV manufacturing capacity is expected to reach 2.5 million units by 2030.

Q2: How does India rank globally in projected electric vehicle manufacturing?

Ans: India is set to become the fourth-largest electric car manufacturer globally after China, the EU, and the US.

Q3: What challenges must India overcome to become a global EV exporter?

Ans: Indian manufacturers need to reduce production costs to compete with China and access export markets.

Q4: Which Indian companies currently lead in the domestic EV market?

Ans: Tata Motors, MG Motor, and Mahindra hold a combined 90% share of the Indian electric car market.

Q5: How is the Indian government supporting EV manufacturing?

Ans: Through consumer subsidies, production-linked incentives, high import tariffs on fully built EVs, and expanded charging infrastructure.