What’s in Today’s Article?

• Background in which the New Law to Appoint CEC and ECs Introduced
• New Appointment Process Under the Act
• Implications of the Key Provisions of the Act
• Concerns Regarding Key Provisions of the Act
• Conclusion

Why in News?

• For the first time, the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) will move beyond the traditional seniority-based approach.
• The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 has introduced new mechanisms to widen the scope of selection.

Background in which the New Law to Appoint CEC and ECs Introduced:

• Article 324 of the Indian Constitution specifies that while the CEC and ECs will be appointed by the President, this is subject to Parliamentary law (if such law exists).
• While this provision places an expectation on Parliament to draft a relevant law, it has not done so up (until now).
• In the absence of such a law, the President has been making appointments as per the recommendations of the Prime Minister.
• In 2023, the Constitution Bench of the SC (in the Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India case) decided to change the process for Election Commission appointments in order to secure their independence.
  • The Bench created a committee comprising the PM, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, and the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
  • This committee will make recommendations and advise the President on Election Commission appointments until Parliament enacts a separate law on the subject.
• Thus, the new law has been brought in consonance with the direction of the SC with regard to the appointment of CEC and ECs.

New Appointment Process Under the Act

• Structure of the Election Commission: The Election Commission includes the CEC and two Election Commissioners, currently Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu.
• Eligibility criteria: Section 5 restricts eligibility to current or former Secretary-level officers.
• Departure from tradition:
  • Previously, the senior-most Election Commissioner succeeded the outgoing CEC.
  • The Act allows the selection of candidates outside the Election Commission, broadening the pool.
• Search committee formation:
  • Section 6 of the Act mandates a Search Committee, chaired by the Minister of Law and Justice, with two senior officials, to prepare a panel of five names.
  • The committee's recommendations are submitted to a Selection Committee.
• Selection committee composition:
  • The Selection Committee includes the Prime Minister, a Cabinet minister, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
  • This committee can choose from the panel or nominate an external candidate.

Implications of the Key Provisions of the Act:

• Government’s leeway: The Act allows the government flexibility in choosing the CEC amidst increasing scrutiny of the Election Commission.
• Debate likely:
  • The Election Commission continues to face criticism from Opposition parties on issues like electoral rolls and electronic voting machines (EVMs).
  • With the Leader of the Opposition on the panel, a debate over who is next is not ruled out.

Concerns Regarding Key Provisions of the Act:

• Exclusion of CJI:
  • The Act responds to the SC’s 2023 ruling, which criticized the Executive's exclusive control over appointments.
  • Until Parliament enacted this law, appointments were advised by a committee including the CJI.
  • The new Act omits the CJI from the Selection Committee, raising concerns about the potential erosion of institutional credibility.
• Potential for partisanship: Former CEC O P Rawat highlighted the risk of the system being influenced by political changes and decisions of previous governments.
• Legal challenges: Petitions challenging the exclusion of the CJI are pending in the SC, which will hear them in February 2025.

Conclusion:

• The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 marks a significant shift in the selection process for the Election Commission.
• While it aims to enhance transparency and inclusivity, concerns about credibility and Executive overreach remain under scrutiny.
• The SC’s upcoming review will be pivotal in determining the future of this framework.

Q.1. What is Article 326 of the Indian Constitution?

Article 326 of the Constitution provides that the elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assembly of every State shall be on the basis of adult suffrage.

Q.2. What is special about the Sixty-first Amendment of the Constitution of India?

The Constitution (Sixty-first Amendment) Act, 1988, lowered the voting age of elections to the Lok Sabha and to the Legislative Assemblies of States from 21 years to 18 years.

Source: IE

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• Meta’s Fact-Checking Initiative: A Brief History
• What Are Community Notes?

Why in News?

Meta has announced the end of its independent fact-checking program in the US, sparking criticism and debate about tackling misinformation on social media. 

In a blog post titled "More Speech, Fewer Mistakes", the company outlined changes to its content moderation strategy, replacing fact-checks by fact-checkers with a Community Notes system, similar to X (formerly Twitter). 

This shift impacts content moderation across Meta's platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads.

Meta’s Fact-Checking Initiative: A Brief History

• Meta’s Fact-Checking Initiative: A Brief History
  • Nine years ago, Meta introduced its independent fact-checking program to combat fake news, later expanding it after reports of Russian disinformation campaigns targeting American voters during the 2016 US presidential election. 
  • Fact-checkers certified by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) reviewed and rated potential misinformation using original reportage, primary sources, public data, and media analyses.
• How the Program Worked
  • Content rated false by IFCN-certified fact-checkers was made less visible to users. 
  • A warning label linking to the fact-checker’s article was added below such content to inform users.
• Meta’s Shift in Strategy
  • Meta has now decided to discontinue this approach, criticizing the fact-checking system for being flawed. 
  • The company argued that fact-checkers, like everyone else, have biases that influenced their choices about what and how to fact-check.
• IFCN’s Response to Meta’s Criticism
  • The IFCN rejected Meta's claims, asserting that its fact-checkers adhere to a Code of Principles ensuring non-partisanship and transparency.
• Political Pressure and Criticism of Meta’s Decision
  • Experts accused Meta of abandoning fact-checkers under political pressure, especially with US President-elect Donald Trump’s criticism of big tech for allegedly censoring conservatives. 
  • Meta’s decision has faced backlash, with concerns about its implications for combating misinformation.

What Are Community Notes?

• About
  • Originally launched as Birdwatch in 2021 on X (formerly Twitter) and expanded under Elon Musk, Community Notes allow users to rate and add context to posts flagged as misleading, missing context, or requiring explanation. 
  • Notes include reasoning, source links, and a “Readers added context” tag below the post. 
  • Other users can vote on whether the added context should remain or be removed.
• How Community Notes Work on X
  • A Crowdsourced Fact-Checking Model
    • The Community Notes model allows users to add context and facts below posts, visible only if enough contributors vote the notes as helpful. 
    • The system improves with increased user participation and diverse perspectives.
  • Contributor Requirements and Process
    • To become a contributor on X, users must have a six-month-old account, a verified phone number, and no rule violations. 
    • Initially, contributors rate existing notes as helpful or not and later gain the ability to write their own notes, which are rated by others.
  • Transparency and Accessibility
    • All Community Notes contributions on X are publicly available for download, enabling trend analysis and issue flagging.
  • Meta Adopts a Similar Model
    • Meta’s Community Notes system, launched on January 7 across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, is expected to function similarly to X's model.
    • It requires agreement between contributors with diverse viewpoints to minimize bias. Users in the US can now sign up to contribute.
• Challenges with Community Notes
  • Vulnerability to Manipulation
    • Community Notes, being crowdsourced, are susceptible to coordinated manipulation. 
    • To mitigate this, X uses a bridging algorithm that displays a note only if it is rated as helpful by users who have disagreed in their past ratings, preventing mass voting by single groups.
  • Ensuring Diverse Perspectives
    • X proactively invites contributors with differing viewpoints via a ‘Needs Your Help’ tab to ensure diverse perspectives are represented in the ratings.
  • Contributor Protections
    • To safeguard contributors, X assigns auto-generated aliases to prevent identification and targeting. 
    • Contributors who frequently write low-quality or unhelpful notes are temporarily restricted from adding new ones.
  • Limitations of Community Notes
    • Despite these safeguards, challenges persist. Community Notes are less effective in curbing misinformation that spreads to other platforms. 
    • Additionally, their ability to capture the nuance required for fact-checking complex political news has been questioned.

Q.1. What is Meta’s new approach to content moderation?

Meta has replaced its independent fact-checking program with the Community Notes system, allowing users to rate and add context to misleading posts. This change is intended to reduce bias and increase user involvement in moderating content across platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

Q.2. How does Meta's Community Notes system work?

Meta's Community Notes lets users add context to posts flagged as misleading. Contributors rate the notes for helpfulness, and the notes become visible if enough votes are received. This crowdsourced approach aims to minimize bias by involving users with diverse viewpoints.

Source: IE | LM | AJ

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• California Wildfires 2025
• Possible Cause of California Wildfires
• What are Santa Ana Winds?

Why in News?

Wildfires in Los Angeles, California, have killed 10 people, forced over 130,000 evacuations, and destroyed homes, including those of celebrities like Paris Hilton and Billy Crystal. 

Major fires, such as the Palisades, Eaton, Sunset, Hurst, and Lidia fires, continue to burn, affecting areas like Hollywood Hills. 

The Oscars nominations announcement has been delayed due to the fires. Although wildfires are common in California, the intensity and speed of these winter wildfires are unusual.

California Wildfires 2025

• Origin and Timeline
  • The first fire started on January 7 in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles.
  • It is the worst firestorm in recent memory, occurring unusually in January, traditionally the coldest winter month.
• Unusual Timing and Drought Conditions
  • Wildfires typically occur between June and October, but the current blaze defies this pattern.
  • Southern California has been facing drought conditions, with only 40.9% of the state drought-free as of December 31, 2024, compared to 96.65% the previous year.

Possible Cause of California Wildfires

• The exact trigger remains unknown, but power cables blowing in the wind are a likely cause.
• Three Key Factors Behind the Conflagration
  • Wet Weather Followed by Extreme Dryness
    • Unusually wet winters in 2022 and 2023 led to dense vegetation growth in the Los Angeles region.
    • The winter of 2024-25 has been exceptionally dry, turning the vegetation into dry kindling.
    • NASA Report: Since October, Southern California has had negligible rainfall, with Los Angeles recording its driest start to a water year since 1944.
  • Santa Ana Winds
    • Common in the region but unusually strong this year. These winds:
      • Blow westward from high-pressure systems in the Great Basin.
      • Lose humidity, gain heat, and increase in speed as they descend over mountains.
      • Result: Fast, dry, and warm winds that rapidly spread flames over dry vegetation, power cables, and flammable wooden structures.
  • Impact of Climate Change
    • Climate change has intensified extreme weather events, including wildfires.
• Key Observations:
  • Rising global temperatures, warmer springs, and early snow melts have extended and intensified dry seasons, increasing vegetation moisture stress.

What are Santa Ana Winds?

• About
  • Santa Ana Winds are strong, dry, and warm winds that blow from the inland deserts of Southern California toward the coast. 
  • These winds are most common in the fall and winter months but can occur any time of the year. 
  • They are known for their ability to quickly spread wildfires due to their dry and powerful nature.
• Causes of Santa Ana Winds

• High-Pressure Systems in the Great Basin
  • Santa Ana Winds are caused by high-pressure systems that develop over the Great Basin, a desert region that spans parts of Nevada, Utah, and California.
  • These high-pressure systems create a clockwise circulation of air, pushing winds toward lower-pressure areas along the California coast.
• Descending Air
  • As the winds move westward, they descend from higher elevations (like the Sierra Nevada and Santa Ana Mountains) toward lower elevations near the coast.
  • During this descent: The air compresses, heats up, and loses humidity.
• Narrow Passages and Speed Increase
  • The winds are funnelled through mountain passes and canyons, which increase their speed significantly. 
  • Gusts can reach over 100 mph (160 km/h) in some areas.
• Characteristics of Santa Ana Winds
  • Warm and Dry: The air warms as it descends, making the winds hot and dry.
  • Strong Gusts: The winds can reach extreme speeds, causing power outages and property damage.
  • Fuel for Wildfires: The dryness and speed help spread flames rapidly by drying out vegetation and acting as a natural bellows.

Q.1. What is causing the 2025 wildfires in California?

The 2025 wildfires in California are primarily caused by dry vegetation due to drought, combined with the unusually strong Santa Ana winds and climate change. These winds spread flames rapidly over dry terrain, intensifying the fires and leading to widespread destruction.

Q.2. What are Santa Ana Winds and how do they affect wildfires?

Santa Ana Winds are strong, dry, and warm winds that blow from the Great Basin toward Southern California. These winds increase in speed and dry out vegetation, making them a key factor in spreading wildfires quickly, contributing to the severity of the 2025 fires.

Source: IE | BBC | NBC

What’s in today’s article?

• Background
• Powers and Responsibilities of the CAG
• Selection and Execution of Audits
• Challenges in Tabling Reports
• Impact of CAG Audits
• Conclusion

Background

• The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has once again taken centre stage amidst a political controversy surrounding its audit report on the high costs of renovation at the former residence and office of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
• The report, which highlighted a cost escalation from an initial estimate of ₹7.91 crore to ₹33.66 crore, has become a flashpoint between the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections.
• However, the CAG’s role transcends political debates, as it serves as a critical institution for auditing and ensuring accountability in governance.

Powers and Responsibilities of the CAG

• The CAG, as outlined in Articles 148-151 of the Constitution and the CAG (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Act, 1971, is the supreme audit institution of India.
• Appointed by the President, the CAG's primary duties include:
  • Auditing the accounts of the Union and State governments, including public sector undertakings (PSUs).
  • Reviewing compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations through compliance audits.
  • Assessing the implementation and effectiveness of government schemes and projects via performance audits.
  • Certifying the financial accounts of governments and PSUs through financial audits.
• Additionally, the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003, mandates the CAG to review government compliance with fiscal targets.

Selection and Execution of Audits

• The CAG follows a meticulous process to select audit subjects:
  • Risk Assessment: Factors like project size, media coverage, and inspection reports influence the selection.
  • International Guidelines: The CAG adheres to standards set by the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI).
  • Audit Plan Approval: The CAG’s office drafts an annual plan, with input from an Audit Advisory Board, which meets biannually.
  • Government or Judicial Recommendations: Specific audits may be requested by courts or governments, such as the Supreme Court’s directive for auditing the Delhi-Noida Direct (DND) Flyover project.
• The audit process begins with an entry conference with the concerned department to outline the scope and methodology. After the audit, an exit conference is held to share preliminary findings.
• Departments are given six weeks to respond to the draft report before it is finalized and submitted to the President or Governor.

Challenges in Tabling Reports

• While Article 151 of the Constitution mandates that CAG reports be laid before Parliament or state legislatures, it does not specify a time limit.
• This loophole has led to delays, as seen in Delhi, where over a dozen CAG reports—including on issues like air pollution mitigation and liquor supply—remain untabled. Similar delays have been observed in states like West Bengal.
• A CAG report becomes public only when presented in the legislature. Following this, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) examines the report, seeks government responses, and recommends corrective actions.
• Between 2019 and 2023, the PAC submitted 152 reports to the Lok Sabha, scrutinizing audit findings and government compliance.

Impact of CAG Audits

• CAG reports play a pivotal role in highlighting financial losses and procedural inefficiencies, often prompting significant policy changes. For instance:
  • The 2010 audit on 2G spectrum allocation exposed massive irregularities, leading to widespread political ramifications and regulatory reforms.
  • A CAG review led to changes in Telangana’s Engineering Procurement Contract (EPC) framework.
• In 2022-23, the CAG approved 172 audit reports, a significant increase from 73 reports in 2018-19, reflecting its growing scrutiny of governance and fiscal accountability.

Conclusion

• The CAG’s audits are instrumental in ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.
• However, the lack of timely tabling of its reports undermines its potential impact.
• Strengthening mechanisms to expedite the legislative review process, coupled with robust government responses, can enhance the effectiveness of this constitutional body.
• As the guardian of public finances, the CAG remains a cornerstone of India’s democratic framework, with its work extending far beyond political disputes to safeguard the interests of citizens.

Q1. What is the difference between Auditing & Investigation?

The main difference between audit and investigation is that an audit is a systematic examination of financial statements to ensure accuracy and compliance, while investigation is a thorough inquiry into a specific matter to uncover facts and identify potential wrongdoing.

Q2. Who was the first Auditor General of India?

Sir Edmund Drummond was the first Auditor General of India, appointed in 1860. He was previously the Accountant General to the Government of India.

Source: IE