Context

• The recent fire brigade incident in Delhi, which led to the discovery of half-burnt currency notes at the residence of a High Court judge, has reignited concerns over judicial accountability in India.
• Therefore, it is important to critically examine the larger issue of transparency and integrity within the Indian judiciary, particularly focusing on the Collegium system of selecting judges.
• Moreover, it is crucial to discuss the need for reforms, and the proposal for an Indian Judicial Service (IJS) to address systemic inefficiencies.

A Persistent Concern Over Judicial Accountability

• The fire brigade incident, though shocking, is only one among several recent controversies that have cast a shadow on judicial credibility.
• The Supreme Court’s intervention in staying an insensitive verdict by a High Court judge regarding a minor’s sexual harassment case further exposes the lack of quality control in judicial appointments.
• Additionally, the Supreme Court's response to the Lokpal’s attempt to investigate corruption allegations against a judge underscores the judiciary’s resistance to external oversight.
• These instances collectively reflect a judicial system struggling to maintain accountability while remaining immune to public scrutiny.

Flaws in the Collegium System

• Lack of Transparency
  • The selection and elevation of judges occur behind closed doors, with no formal records, criteria, or explanations made public.
  • The decision-making process lacks objective standards, and the reasons behind selections or rejections are rarely disclosed.
  • This opacity has led to speculation about favouritism, bias, and even corruption within the judicial selection process.
  • The judiciary often declines to share the details of why certain candidates are selected over others, leading to a lack of public confidence.
  • In contrast, other civil service appointments, such as the IAS and IPS, follow a structured and transparent selection process.
• Nepotism and Judicial Dynasties
  • Since appointments are controlled by a small group of senior judges, there is a tendency to favour candidates who belong to influential legal families.
  • This has led to the emergence of judicial dynasties, where judges' relatives are more likely to be selected over equally or more competent candidates from diverse backgrounds.
  • This practice restricts the entry of talented individuals who do not have personal connections within the judiciary.
  • Studies have shown that a significant number of High Court and Supreme Court judges come from families with a history in the judiciary or legal profession.
  • This concentration of power limits opportunities for meritorious candidates from underprivileged backgrounds.
• Absence of Merit-Based Selection Criteria
  • Unlike other professional recruitment processes, where clear eligibility criteria, examinations, and evaluations determine appointments, the Collegium system does not have a standardised, merit-based selection mechanism.
  • There is no written test, interview panel, or structured assessment of a judge’s legal knowledge, ethical standards, or past judgments.
  • As a result, the selection process often becomes subjective, favouring those with personal or professional proximity to the Collegium members.
  • In the civil services, candidates undergo rigorous exams and interviews before being selected.
  • However, in the Collegium system, judges are often chosen based on internal discussions with no formal assessment of their judicial competence, integrity, or decision-making abilities.
• Arbitrary Transfers and Promotions
  • Another major flaw is the opaque system of judicial transfers and promotions.
  • The Collegium decides which judges will be transferred from one High Court to another or elevated to the Supreme Court, but the reasons behind such decisions are rarely disclosed.
  • This lack of accountability has led to suspicions that transfers may be influenced by favouritism, personal biases, or political considerations.
  • In several instances, judges who delivered controversial verdicts or took strong stands against influential figures were transferred to other High Courts without any clear explanation.
  • This raises concerns that transfers are sometimes used as a tool for controlling judges rather than ensuring efficiency in the judiciary.
• Resistance to External Oversight
  • Despite the criticism, the judiciary has strongly resisted attempts to introduce external oversight mechanisms.
  • The rejection of the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) in 2015 is a prime example of this resistance.
  • The NJAC was designed to make judicial appointments more accountable by involving representatives from both the judiciary and the executive.
  • However, the Supreme Court struck it down, citing concerns over judicial independence.
  • While independence is crucial, absolute autonomy without checks and balances can lead to an unaccountable system.
  • Even when allegations of corruption or misconduct arise, the judiciary prefers internal inquiries, which are often perceived as biased or ineffective.
  • In contrast, public officials in other branches of government are subject to investigations by independent bodies such as the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and Lokpal.
• Lack of Diversity in the Higher Judiciary
  • The Collegium system has also contributed to a lack of diversity in judicial appointments.
  • Women, Dalits, Adivasis, and candidates from economically weaker backgrounds remain significantly underrepresented in the higher judiciary.
  • This lack of inclusivity affects the credibility of the judiciary and limits perspectives in judicial decision-making.
  • As of recent years, only a small percentage of Supreme Court and High Court judges are women, despite the increasing presence of women in the legal profession.
  • Similarly, representation from marginalized communities remains disproportionately low.

The Case for an Indian Judicial Service (IJS)

• Diversity and Inclusivity: The current judiciary is dominated by a few elite families, with limited representation from marginalized communities and women. A nationwide examination would open doors for deserving candidates from all backgrounds.
• Merit-Based Selection: A structured, competitive recruitment process would ensure that judges are selected based on knowledge, competence, and ethical integrity rather than personal connections.
• Transparent Selection Process: Unlike the closed-door Collegium meetings, the IJS recruitment process would be conducted in a publicly accountable manner, reducing the scope for favouritism.
• Standardized Training: Newly appointed judges could undergo rigorous training in various branches of law, ensuring uniformity in judicial competence across different courts.
• Insulation from Executive Interference: The judiciary can still maintain its independence by formulating selection criteria while entrusting the recruitment process to an external, neutral body like the UPSC.

Conclusion

• The repeated controversies surrounding the judiciary indicate that judicial accountability and selection processes in India need urgent reforms.
• While the Collegium system has allowed the judiciary to remain independent, its lack of transparency has led to serious concerns about favouritism and inefficiency.
• The NJAC, though struck down, could be reconsidered with necessary safeguards to prevent executive overreach.
• More importantly, the establishment of an Indian Judicial Service could be a game-changing reform that ensures a fair, merit-based, and transparent process for judicial appointments.

Context

• The introduction of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 was presented as a landmark reform in India's education system.
• However, beneath its promises of transformation, the policy masks deeper issues stemming from the government's approach to education.
• Over the last decade, the Union Government has consistently demonstrated an alarming indifference to the true needs of students and educators.
• This negligence is reflected in three primary areas: the centralisation of power, the commercialisation of education, and the communalisation of curricula.

Brazen Centralisation: A Threat to Federalism

• Increasing Centralisation
  • One of the most concerning aspects of the Union Government’s education policy has been the increasing centralisation of decision-making.
  • The Central Advisory Board of Education, which was supposed to ensure collaboration between the Union and State governments, has not met since September 2019.
  • Despite implementing a major policy shift through NEP 2020, the government has not engaged in meaningful consultation with the states.
  • This disregard for federal principles is particularly problematic because education is a subject under the Concurrent List of the Indian Constitution, meaning both the central and state governments have a role in shaping education policy.
• Heavy-Handed Approach
  • Further evidence of this heavy-handed approach is seen in the PM-SHRI scheme, where the Union Government has allegedly withheld Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) funds to pressure states into compliance.
  • These funds, crucial for implementing the Right to Education (RTE) Act, are being used as leverage to force state governments to align with central policies.
  • The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education has even condemned this coercive tactic, calling for the unconditional release of SSA funds.
• Centralisation of Higher Education
  • The centralisation of higher education governance is equally troubling.
  • The draft University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines for 2025 effectively strip state governments of their authority in appointing vice-chancellors in universities funded and operated by them.
  • This shift in power toward the Union Government, facilitated through Governors who act as Chancellors, undermines the autonomy of state universities and threatens the federal structure of governance in education.

The Rise of Commercialisation: Education as a Privilege

• Privatisation of Schools
  • Another major issue plaguing India’s education system is its growing commercialization.
  • NEP 2020, while claiming to promote inclusive education, has in reality accelerated the privatisation of schools.
  • The policy’s emphasis on ‘school complexes’ undermines the foundational principles of the Right to Education Act, which guarantees access to nearby primary and upper-primary schools.
  • Instead of strengthening the public school system, the government has closed nearly 90,000 public schools since 2014 while allowing a sharp rise in private schools.
  • This shift has disproportionately harmed the poor, forcing them into an expensive and often unregulated private education system.
• Privatisation of Higher Education
  • In higher education, a similar trend is evident with the introduction of the Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA).
  • Replacing traditional block grants from the UGC, HEFA offers loans at market rates, which universities must repay using their own revenues, primarily student fees.
  • The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education has reported that universities are increasingly burdened with repaying these loans through fee hikes, thereby shifting the financial strain onto students.
  • This policy effectively turns higher education into a privilege accessible only to those who can afford it, eroding the principle of affordable public education.
  • Moreover, the rise of financial corruption in educational institutions is closely tied to this commercialisation.
  • Incidents such as bribery scandals in the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and inefficiencies in the National Testing Agency (NTA) highlight the growing mismanagement and political interference in education governance.

Communalisation of Education: Rewriting History

• The third and perhaps most dangerous aspect of the current education policy is the ideological reshaping of curricula.
• The Government has made deliberate efforts to revise textbooks and syllabi to promote a particular historical and cultural narrative.
• The removal of references to Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, Mughal history, and even the Preamble of the Indian Constitution from school textbooks is a clear indication of this trend.
• Public outrage eventually led to the reinstatement of the Preamble, but the larger pattern of historical revisionism remains a cause for concern.
• In higher education, the appointment of professors based on ideological alignment rather than academic merit has become widespread.
• Even prestigious institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have seen leadership positions being filled by individuals with political affiliations rather than scholarly expertise.
• The UGC’s attempts to dilute qualification criteria for academic positions further reflect this effort to prioritise ideological conformity over educational excellence.

The Consequences and the Way Forward

• The combined effects of centralisation, commercialization, and communalization have had devastating consequences for students and educators in India.
• Public education has been systematically weakened, access to quality education has become more unequal, and the ideological tilt in curriculum threatens the integrity of academic discourse.
• To address these issues, it is crucial to restore financial and administrative autonomy to state governments in education policy, reinstate robust public funding for schools and universities, and ensure that curriculum changes are driven by academic expertise rather than political ideology.
• Additionally, greater transparency and accountability are needed to curb corruption in education administration.

Conclusion

• Education is not merely a tool for economic advancement but a fundamental pillar of democracy and social progress.
• If India’s education system continues down its current path, it risks deepening inequalities and undermining the nation’s intellectual and democratic foundations.
• The urgent need of the hour is to reclaim education as a public good, ensuring that it remains accessible, inclusive, and free from political and commercial manipulation.

Why in the News?

The Labour Standing Committee of Parliament has pulled up the Union Labour Ministry for not convening the Indian Labour Conference (ILC) during the last 10 years.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About Four Labour Codes (Context, Utility, etc.)
• Parliamentary Panel’s Report (Key Findings, Women’s Participation, Way Forward, etc.)

Background:

• India's labour regulatory landscape underwent a landmark transformation with the consolidation of 29 central labour laws into four comprehensive Labour Codes between 2019 and 2020.
• The move aimed to simplify the regulatory framework, improve ease of doing business, and ensure wider coverage of social and labour protections to workers across formal and informal sectors.
• Despite their passage in Parliament, these codes are yet to be fully operationalised due to delays in framing and implementing rules by States.
• A recent report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour, Textiles, and Skill Development has urged the Ministry of Labour and Employment to expedite the process and also reconvene the long-pending Indian Labour Conference (ILC).

Overview of the Four Labour Codes:

• The Code on Wages, 2019
  • This code amalgamates four existing laws related to wages, including the Minimum Wages Act and the Payment of Wages Act.
  • It ensures universal minimum wage coverage across employment types and streamlines payment procedures.
• The Industrial Relations Code, 2020
  • This code consolidates laws governing trade unions, industrial disputes, and conditions for layoffs and closures.
  • It aims to create a balance between worker rights and employer flexibility and introduces provisions for fixed-term employment.
• The Social Security Code, 2020
  • Covering various benefits such as provident fund, gratuity, maternity benefits, and health insurance, this code brings both organised and unorganised sector workers under a common social security net.
  • It also enables the creation of social security funds for gig and platform workers.
• The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020
  • This code amalgamates 13 existing laws and addresses the safety, health, and welfare conditions of workers across different establishments.
  • It includes provisions for working hours, welfare facilities, and appointment of safety officers.

Labour Code Implementation and Revival of Tripartite Dialogue:

• In its report tabled in Parliament, the committee highlighted delays and inconsistencies in the implementation of these labour codes.
• Progress on Rulemaking
  • As of early 2024, 32 States and Union Territories had pre-published rules under all four codes. However, States like West Bengal and Lakshadweep had not done so.
  • The committee noted that rule publication does not equate to enforcement and stressed the need for actual on-ground implementation, supported by administrative readiness and awareness drives.
• Tripartite Consultations and the Indian Labour Conference
  • The committee criticised the Ministry for not holding the Indian Labour Conference (ILC) since 2015.
  • The ILC is India’s primary platform for tripartite dialogue between government, employers, and worker unions.
  • The committee argued that such a forum is vital, particularly during structural reforms like the rollout of the labour codes.
  • Despite multiple requests by trade unions and stakeholders, the Ministry had not shared any timeline for the next ILC session.
  • The committee emphasised that informal or bilateral consultations cannot replace the institutional significance of the ILC.

Women’s Participation in the Workforce:

• On a positive note, the committee highlighted the rising Worker Population Ratio (WPR) among women, citing data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS).
• Women's WPR rose from 28.7% in 2019–20 to 40.3% in 2023–24, a significant shift driven by policy interventions, digital job platforms, and increased awareness.
• To sustain and build on this trend, the panel recommended:
  • Special employment outreach in rural, tribal, and underdeveloped areas
  • Active promotion of the National Career Services (NCS) portal
  • Greater efforts by industries to encourage female workforce participation through flexible work options

Way Forward:

• The committee’s report strongly advocated for:
  • Expedited implementation of the four labour codes through close coordination with State governments
  • Resumption of the Indian Labour Conference to ensure inclusive policymaking
  • Capacity-building efforts for labour officials to ensure effective rule enforcement
  • Data-driven monitoring mechanisms to evaluate the real-world impact of the labour reforms
• Given India’s rapidly changing employment landscape, marked by gig work, platform-based jobs, and informal labour, such reforms are critical to ensuring worker protection, job formalisation, and economic inclusivity.

Why in News?

A new study, ‘Long-term impact and biological recovery in a deep-sea mining track’, published in Nature, reveals that a section of the Pacific Ocean seabed mined over 40 years ago has not yet recovered.

Conducted by scientists led by Britain’s National Oceanography Centre, the study found long-term sediment changes and a decline in larger marine organisms.

The findings come amid increasing calls for a moratorium on deep-sea mining. Recently, 36 countries attended a UN International Seabed Authority meeting in Jamaica to discuss whether mining companies should be permitted to extract metals from the ocean floor.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Deep Sea Mining
• Key Findings of the Study
• Deep-Sea Mining and Its Future

Deep Sea Mining

• Deep sea mining involves extracting mineral deposits and metals from the ocean’s seabed.
• It is classified into three types:
  • Collecting polymetallic nodules from the ocean floor
  • Mining massive seafloor sulphide deposits
  • Stripping cobalt crusts from underwater rocks
• Significance of Deep Sea Mining
  • These deposits contain valuable materials like nickel, rare earth elements, and cobalt, which are essential for renewable energy technologies, batteries, and everyday electronics such as cellphones and computers.
• Technological Developments in Deep Sea Mining
  • The engineering methods for deep sea mining are still evolving. Companies are exploring:
    • Vacuum-based extraction using massive pumps
    • AI-driven deep-sea robots to selectively pick up nodules
    • Advanced underwater machines to mine materials from underwater mountains and volcanoes
• Strategic Importance
  • Governments and companies see deep sea mining as crucial due to depleting onshore reserves and rising global demand for these critical materials.

Key Findings of the Study

• The study examined the long-term impact of a small-scale mining experiment conducted in 1979 on a section of the Pacific Ocean seafloor.
• The experiment involved removing polymetallic nodules, and scientists analyzed the affected 8-meter strip during an expedition in 2023.
• Key Findings
  • Long-Term Environmental Impact: The mining led to lasting changes in the sediment and a decline in marine organism populations.
  • Partial Recovery Observed: While some areas showed little to no recovery, certain animal groups were beginning to recolonize and repopulate.
• Broader Concerns About Deep Sea Mining
  • Previous studies have warned about negative effects of deep sea mining below 200 meters, including:
    • Harmful noise and vibrations
    • Sediment plumes and light pollution
  • A 2023 study in Current Biology found that deep sea mining significantly reduces animal populations and has a wider ecological impact than previously estimated.
• Significance for Policy and Environmental Debate
  • The study provides crucial data for assessing the long-term effects of deep-sea mining and guiding future regulations by the International Seabed Authority (ISA).
  • Findings suggest that while some marine life begins to recover, full ecosystem restoration remains uncertain and may take decades.
  • The research forms part of the Seabed Mining and Resilience to Experimental Impact (SMARTEX) project, which aims to support informed decision-making on deep-sea mining's societal and ecological implications.

Deep-Sea Mining and Its Future

• The Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) is a vast, mineral-rich region in the Pacific Ocean, home to unique deep-sea biodiversity and crucial metal resources.
  • CCZ is a vast plain in the North Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Mexico.
  • It is known to hold large volumes of polymetallic nodules containing minerals used in electric vehicles and solar panels including manganese, nickel, copper, and cobalt.
• Governments and companies are increasingly considering deep-sea mining to meet global demand for critical minerals needed in renewable energy and technology.
• The ISA is currently evaluating whether and under what conditions deep-sea mining should be permitted.

Context:

• India has set an ambitious target to elevate its Textile and Apparel (T&A) exports from $34.8 billion in 2023-24 to $100 billion by 2030.
• However, achieving this goal requires transformative reforms in the sector.

Current Status of India's Textile and Apparel Exports:

• India's T&A exports have grown from $11.5 billion in FY2001 to $34.8 billion in FY24, holding only a 4% share in the global market.
• The apparel segment (HSN codes 61 and 62) constitutes 42% of total T&A exports.
• India's global apparel export share has stagnated at 3%, whereas competitors like Bangladesh and Vietnam have surged ahead.
• China’s global market share has declined from 34.8% to 29.8%, but India has not capitalized on this opportunity.

Key Challenges in the Textile Value Chain:

• Declining cotton production:
  • India’s cotton production peaked at 39.8 million bales in 2013-14 but is projected to fall to 30 million bales in 2024-25, the lowest in 15 years.
  • India is set to become a net importer of cotton, with imports reaching 2.6 million bales and exports dropping to 1.5 million bales.
  • The ban on next-generation herbicide-tolerant (Ht) Bt cotton, despite Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) approval, has hampered productivity.
• Disproportionate reliance on cotton over man-made fibres (MMFs):
  • The global fibre consumption ratio is 30:70 (cotton to MMF), whereas in India, it is 60:40.
  • High costs of MMF raw materials (polyester, viscose) in India (20% costlier than in Bangladesh, China, and Vietnam) reduce competitiveness.
• Structural and technological bottlenecks:
  • Around 80% of India's 1 lakh garment factories operate in the decentralized sector, limiting scalability and technological adoption.
  • Weak integration across the textile value chain restricts efficiency.
• Trade barriers and market access limitations:
  • High import tariffs imposed by key markets -
    • EU: 9.7%
    • US: 11.47%
  • Bangladesh enjoys zero-duty access to the EU under the “GSP Everything but Arms” arrangement.
  • Vietnam benefits from a mere 1.66% tariff under the “EU-Vietnam FTA.”

Strategic Reforms for Achieving the $100 Billion Target:

• Promoting a fashion-driven industry:
  • Incentivize MMF-based apparel production and remove non-tariff barriers such as Quality Control Orders (QCOs) on MMFs.
  • Reduce raw material costs to improve competitiveness.
• Strengthening the PM-MITRA scheme:
  • Fast-track the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM-MITRA) scheme.
  • Enhance scalability and efficiency by promoting integrated textile hubs.
• Enhancing trade relations and market diversification:
  • Negotiate Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the EU and the US to reduce tariff disadvantages.
  • Explore new markets such as Japan, Russia, Brazil, and South Korea, focusing on niche segments like women’s western wear and swimwear.
• Boosting cotton productivity and quality:
  • Streamline GM crop approvals and establish a single-window clearance system for next-generation Bt cotton.
  • Expand irrigation, promote high-density planting, and invest in precision farming to bridge productivity gaps with China (1,945 kg/hectare) and Brazil (1,839 kg/hectare).

Conclusion:

• India's goal of achieving $100 billion in T&A exports by 2030 is ambitious but not impossible.
• However, bold policy reforms and strategic interventions are necessary to enhance productivity, improve value chain integration, and secure competitive market access.
• Without these measures, the target will remain a distant dream.

Why in news?

Adivasis in Jharkhand and the Chhotanagpur region will celebrate the Sarhul festival on April 1, 2025 to mark the new year and the arrival of spring.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Sarhul
• Sarhul: Three-day festival
• Sarhul’s Transformation Over The Years
• Significance of Sarhul

Sarhul

• Sarhul is the festival of the New Year celebrated in the state of Jharkhand by the tribal communities as part of the local Sarna religion.
• It is celebrated in the Hindu month of Chaitra, three days after the appearance of the new moon.
• It is also a celebration of the beginning of spring.
• Nature Worship in Sarhul
  • Sarhul, meaning "worship of the Sal tree," is a significant Adivasi festival rooted in nature worship.
  • The Sal tree is revered as the abode of Sama Maa, the village-protecting deity.
• Symbolic Union of Sun and Earth
  • The festival symbolizes the union of the Sun and the Earth.
  • A pahan (male priest) represents the Sun, while his wife (pahen) symbolizes the Earth, signifying the essential connection between sunlight and soil for sustaining life.
• Celebration of Life’s Cycle
  • Sarhul marks the renewal of life.
  • Only after its rituals are completed do Adivasis begin agricultural activities like ploughing, sowing, and forest gathering, emphasizing the festival’s deep ties to nature and sustenance.
• Sarhul Among Different Tribes
  • Sarhul is celebrated by various tribes, including the Oraon, Munda, Santal, Khadia, and Ho, each with unique names and traditions associated with the festival.
• Evolution from Hunting to Agriculture
  • Anthropologists noted that Sarhul originally centered around hunting but gradually evolved into an agriculture-based festival, reflecting the changing lifestyle of Adivasis in Chhotanagpur.
• Sarhul’s Journey Beyond Chhotanagpur
  • In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Adivasi communities, including the Munda, Oraon, and Santal, carried Sarhul with them when they were sent as indentured laborers to distant lands.
  • Today, Sarhul is celebrated from Assam’s tea gardens, to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.

Sarhul: Three-day festival

• Sarhul is a three-day festival celebrated at Sarna Sthals, sacred groves near villages in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Bihar. These groves are central to the festival's rituals.
• Preparations and First Day
  • Homes and Sarna Sthals are decorated with triangular red and white Sama flags.
  • The pahan (priest) observes a fast, collects ceremonial water, and oversees the cleaning of houses and sacred sites. Sal flowers are gathered for rituals.
• Main Rituals on the Second Day
  • The main ceremonies take place at the Sarna Sthal, where Sal flowers are offered to the deity and a rooster is sacrificed for prosperity and a good harvest.
  • Holy water is sprinkled, and villagers perform traditional dances like Jadur, Gena, and Por Jadur.
  • Young men also participate in ceremonial fishing and crab-catching.
• Final Day: Community Feast and Blessings
  • The festival concludes with a grand community feast, where people share handia (rice beer) and traditional delicacies.
  • The pahan blesses the villagers, marking the end of the celebrations.

Sarhul’s Transformation Over The Years

• In the 1960s, Adivasi leader Baba Karthik Oraon, a champion of social justice and tribal culture, initiated a Sarhul procession from Hatma to Siram Toli Sarna Sthal in Ranchi.
• Over the past 60 years, processions have become a central part of the festival, with Siram Toli emerging as a major gathering point.
• Political and Identity Assertion
  • Sarhul has increasingly become a platform for Adivasi identity assertion.
  • Some tribal groups use the festival to emphasize their distinctiveness from Hinduism, advocating for the inclusion of the Sarna religion in India's caste census.
• Debate Over Religious Identity
  • While Sarna followers seek recognition as a separate religious group, other groups argue that Adivasis are part of Hinduism.

Significance of Sarhul

• Sarhul: A Festival Where Nature Takes Center Stage
  • Unlike mainstream Indian festivals that celebrate human achievements, Sarhul Festival honors nature, with the Sal tree as its chief guest.
• A Festival Without Idols: Pure Worship of Nature
  • Sarhul’s rituals are refreshingly simple—no idols or temple processions, just deep reverence for nature.
• Preserving Adivasi Heritage in a Changing World
  • As urbanization threatens tribal traditions, Sarhul stands as a cultural movement reinforcing Adivasi identity.
• A Lesson for Modern Celebrations
  • It teaches that true celebration lies in respecting nature, not in extravagance.

Why in news?

The government has discontinued the Gold Monetisation Scheme’s medium- and long-term deposits from March 26, citing market conditions and scheme performance.

However, short-term deposits will continue at the discretion of banks based on commercial viability.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS): An Overview
• Government and RBI on Gold Monetisation Scheme Closure
• Gold Mobilised Under the Gold Monetisation Scheme
• Status of Other Gold Schemes in India

Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS): An Overview

• Introduced in November 2015, the GMS aimed to make idle gold productive by allowing individuals and institutions to sell or deposit gold with banks.
• The goal was to integrate gold into the formal economy, reduce gold imports, and lower the current account deficit.
• It was a revamped version of the earlier Gold Deposit Scheme.
• Key Features
  • Allowed deposits from households, trusts, and institutions.
  • Minimum deposit: 10 gm of raw gold (bars, coins, jewellery without stones/metals).
  • No maximum deposit limit.
• Three Deposit Categories
  • Short-term bank deposits (1-3 years) – Managed by banks.
  • Medium-term government deposits (5-7 years) – Managed by the government.
  • Long-term government deposits (12-15 years) – Managed by the government.
• Gold Monetisation Scheme: Interest Rates
  • Short-Term Deposits
    • Interest rates were determined by banks based on international lease rates, market conditions, and other costs.
    • Interest was borne by the banks.
  • Medium- and Long-Term Deposits
    • Interest rates were set by the government in consultation with the RBI.
    • Interest was paid by the Central government.
    • Medium-term deposits (5-7 years):25% per annum
    • Long-term deposits (12-15 years):5% per annum

Government and RBI on Gold Monetisation Scheme Closure

• Discontinuation of the Scheme
  • The Ministry of Finance announced the discontinuation of Medium- and Long-Term Government Deposits (MLTGD) under the GMS from March 26, 2025.
  • Only short-term deposits managed by banks will continue.
  • From March 26, 2025, no new deposits will be accepted at collection centers, testing agents, or designated bank branches.
• Impact on Existing Deposits
  • Existing medium- and long-term deposits remain unaffected and will continue until maturity unless withdrawn prematurely.
  • The RBI has not issued a separate release but has updated the scheme details on its website.
• RBI Guidelines
  • The RBI will issue detailed guidelines regarding the scheme’s closure.
  • It confirmed that the renewal of medium- and long-term deposits has been discontinued from March 26, 2025.

Gold Mobilised Under the Gold Monetisation Scheme

• Total Gold Collected - As of November 2024, a total of 31,164 kg of gold was mobilised under the scheme.
• Breakdown by Deposit Type
  • Short-term deposits: 7,509 kg
  • Medium-term deposits: 9,728 kg
  • Long-term deposits: 13,926 kg
• Depositor Participation - Total depositors: 5,693
• Gold Collection from Different Sources
  • From individuals/HUFs (FY 2016-17 & 2017-18): 1,134 kg
  • From temples, trusts, mutual funds, gold ETFs, and firms: 10,872 kg

Status of Other Gold Schemes in India

• Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) Closure
  • The GMS is the second gold-related scheme to be discontinued after the halt on sovereign gold bonds.
  • The decision comes amid a sharp rise in gold prices, which increased by 41.5% from ₹63,920 per 10 gm (Jan 1, 2024) to ₹90,450 per 10 gm (March 25, 2025).
• Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGB) Discontinued
  • The government stopped fresh issuance of sovereign gold bonds and did not announce any new tranche in Budget 2025-26.
  • Reason: SGBs were considered a high-cost borrowing for the government.
• Government’s Gold Strategy
  • Officials had earlier stated that SGBs aimed to boost gold investment, but the cut in gold import duty (Budget 2024-25) already aligned with this goal and helped increase demand.

Why in the News?

In a report to Parliament, its Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has sought a comprehensive review of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• PAC Report on GST (Context, Key Issues, Delays in Refunds, Suggestions, Way Forward)

Background:

• India's GST, introduced in 2017, was envisioned as a game-changer to unify India’s fragmented indirect tax system.
• However, nearly eight years later, a Parliamentary report has highlighted deep-rooted issues in GST implementation that impact businesses, State finances, and the overall efficiency of the tax system.
• The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), in its latest report to Parliament, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of the GST system, a “GST 2.0”, to reduce complexity, improve transparency, and enhance ease of compliance.

Compensation to States Remains a Key Concern:

• One of the biggest concerns flagged by the PAC is the lack of transparency and audit in the disbursal of GST compensation to States.
• The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has not audited the GST Compensation Fund for over six years, reportedly due to the non-submission of proper financial data by the Ministry of Finance.
• This has hampered the release of compensation amounts to several States that heavily rely on these funds, especially industrial States like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, which feared revenue loss under GST.
• Further, a review of 10,667 cases showed 2,447 inconsistencies, and around ₹32,577 crore remains pending, underscoring the urgency for better fund management and auditing mechanisms.

Compliance Complexities and Technical Glitches:

• The PAC noted that several procedural inefficiencies continue to plague GST compliance, leading to either delayed revenue inflow to the government or cash flow constraints for businesses.
• Key issues include:
  • Confusion over tax jurisdictions delaying refund.
  • Unjustified cancellation of GST registrations: Of 14,998 cases studied, show-cause notices were not issued in 6,353 instances, violating legal norms
  • Registration challenges: Taxpayers are not allowed to withdraw or modify applications, and in some cases, registrations were rejected without clear reasons
  • Delays in Input Tax Credit (ITC) refunds, affecting MSMEs and exporters who rely on regular cash flows
• The Ministry claimed that some processes have been automated, but the Committee expressed concern over the lack of robust documentation and limited manual oversight, questioning the effectiveness of the automated systems.

Delays in Refunds and Their Economic Impact:

• The report specifically emphasised the inadequacy of the refund mechanism, with businesses experiencing long waiting periods, affecting working capital and daily operations, especially for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and exporters.
• The Finance Ministry responded by promising improvements, including clearer timelines for refund processing and more real-time updates on the status of refund applications.
• The upcoming ‘Antarang Portal’ is expected to centralise filing, tracking, and documentation to enhance transparency.

Need for Institutional Reforms:

• The report also highlighted the absence of a functional GST Appellate Tribunal, causing legal bottlenecks and prolonged pendency in dispute resolution.
• As of March 2022, over 19,730 cases involving tax implications of ₹1.45 lakh crore were pending investigation.
• Legal experts argue that these unresolved cases, many of which have been pending for more than two years, hamper both compliance and business confidence.

Way Forward: Recommendations for GST 2.0

• Public Accounts Committee has recommended the government undertake a comprehensive stakeholder consultation to roll out GST 2.0, focusing on:

• Simplifying compliance by removing unnecessary procedures
• Ensuring timely audits and release of compensation to States
• Establishing the long-awaited GST Appellate Tribunal
• Improving digital platforms for registration, refunds, and returns
• Prioritising ITC refund processing, especially for MSMEs and exporters

• A tiered approach could be explored to allow differentiated compliance requirements for large corporates, mid-sized firms, and small traders to make the system more inclusive.

Conclusion:

GST was introduced as India’s biggest indirect tax reform, but implementation gaps and systemic inefficiencies have created avoidable hurdles for businesses and State governments alike.

While digital initiatives like the Antarang Portal and automation of notices are steps in the right direction, only a comprehensive revamp backed by regular audits, robust grievance redressal, and stakeholder consultation can unlock GST’s true potential.

Why in News?

The India-US civil nuclear deal, signed two decades ago, has taken a significant step forward with regulatory approval from the US Department of Energy (DoE).

The approval allows US-based Holtec International to transfer Small Modular Reactor (SMR - a capacity of 30MWe to 300 MWe per unit) technology to Indian private firms.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Key Developments in the India-US Civil Nuclear Deal
• Conditions and Safeguards of the Recent Deal
• Strategic and Diplomatic Significance
• Geopolitical and Economic Factors
• Future Prospects
• India’s Strategic Vision for SMRs
• Conclusion

Key Developments in the India-US Civil Nuclear Deal:

• US DoE authorisation:
  • Regulation involved: "10CFR810" (Part 810 of Title 10, US Atomic Energy Act, 1954).
  • Authorised recipients:
    • Holtec Asia (Holtec's Indian subsidiary).
    • Tata Consulting Engineers Ltd (TCE).
    • Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T).
• Excluded entities (pending Non-proliferation assurances):
  • Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
  • National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).
  • Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).

Conditions and Safeguards of the Recent Deal:

• Duration: 10 years (subject to 5-year reviews).
• Restrictions:
  • No retransfer of technology to other Indian entities or foreign countries without US consent.
  • Use only for peaceful nuclear activities under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.
  • No access to enrichment technology or Sensitive Nuclear Technology.
  • Prohibition on military or naval propulsion use.
• Reporting requirements: Holtec to file quarterly reports to DoE.

Strategic and Diplomatic Significance:

• Revival of the 123 Civil Nuclear Agreement:
  • The agreement, signed in 2007, aimed at full civil nuclear cooperation, including enrichment and reprocessing.
  • Despite diplomatic progress, operational hurdles delayed implementation.
• India’s nuclear sector implications:
  • Technological advancements:
    • India’s civil nuclear programme has primarily relied on Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).
    • Holtec’s SMRs use Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) technology, which dominates global nuclear energy.
    • Opportunity to modernize India’s nuclear energy capabilities.
  • Private sector involvement:
    • Holtec’s collaboration with Indian firms could boost domestic manufacturing of SMR components.
    • The potential to position India in the global SMR supply chain.

Geopolitical and Economic Factors:

• US-India collaboration vs. China’s SMR expansion:
  • China is aggressively expanding in the SMR domain, leveraging it for diplomatic influence in the Global South.
  • India-US collaboration could provide a counterbalance to China’s dominance in nuclear technology.
• Impact on US-India trade relations: Despite protectionist policies under previous US administrations, this deal signifies a commitment to technology transfer and economic cooperation.
• Challenges in implementation:
  • India’s Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (2010) has deterred foreign investment due to liability concerns.
  • Amendments to the Atomic Energy Act (1962) needed to allow private sector participation in nuclear power generation.

Future Prospects:

• Next steps for Holtec in India - Possible collaborations:
  • TCE for engineering expertise.
  • L&T for manufacturing nuclear components.
• Potential entry of NPCIL and NTPC: Government may provide necessary assurances to include state-owned enterprises in future agreements.
• Holtec’s expansion plans: Holtec Asia’s facility in Dahej, Gujarat, could see workforce expansion if manufacturing is approved.

India’s Strategic Vision for SMRs:

• Clean energy transition: SMRs are seen as a viable option for reducing carbon emissions and meeting energy demands. Key part of India's renewable energy strategy.
• Global nuclear competitiveness: India’s engagement in SMR development could enhance its standing in the international nuclear energy market.

Conclusion:

The US regulatory approval for Holtec marks a milestone in operationalizing the India-US civil nuclear deal. This development aligns with India’s goals for energy security, technological advancement, and geopolitical positioning.

However, regulatory and legal challenges need resolution to fully leverage the deal’s potential.

Why in news?

The Union government has notified the repatriation of Justice Yashwant Varma to the Allahabad High Court, following the Supreme Court Collegium’s recommendation.

His transfer comes amid allegations of charred currency notes being recovered from his residence after a fire, prompting Delhi High Court Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya to seek an in-house inquiry.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Transfer of High Court Judges: Constitutional Framework and Judicial Interpretation
• Criticisms of Judicial Transfers in India
• Striking Down of the NJAC: Reasons and Judicial Verdict

Transfer of High Court Judges: Constitutional Framework and Judicial Interpretation

• Article 222(1) of the Constitution empowers the President, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India (CJI), to transfer a judge from one High Court to another.
• Judicial Evolution of Transfer Process
  • First Judges Case (1981): The Supreme Court held that the President's consultation with the CJI did not require concurrence, affirming the executive’s primacy in judicial transfers.
  • Second Judges Case (1993): Overturned the earlier ruling, institutionalizing the collegium system and granting the CJI primacy in transfer decisions. The Court emphasized that transfers must serve the public interest and enhance judicial administration.
  • Third Judges Case (1998): Further refined the collegium system, mandating consultation with the four seniormost judges and seeking inputs from Supreme Court judges familiar with the concerned High Court.
• Process of Transfer
  • The collegium recommends the transfer.
  • The Law Minister reviews and advises the Prime Minister.
  • The Prime Minister forwards the recommendation to the President.
  • Upon presidential approval, the transfer is formalized through a gazette notification.
• Key Considerations
  • The CJI must consult relevant judges and legal experts to prevent arbitrariness.
  • A judge’s consent is not required for transfer.
  • Judicial review of transfer decisions is limited to prevent external interference.

Criticisms of Judicial Transfers in India

• Concerns Over Judicial Independence
  • The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) has raised concerns about increasing executive interference in judicial appointments and transfers, undermining judicial independence.
• Lack of Transparency and Accountability
  • Judicial transfers, often carried out without the affected judge’s consent, are justified on vague grounds like “public interest” and “better administration of justice.”
  • This ambiguity makes it difficult to differentiate between legitimate and punitive transfers.
• Recommendations for Reform
  • The ICJ has suggested the establishment of a Judicial Council to oversee appointments and transfers based on transparent, objective, and predetermined criteria.
  • It recommends that the council be composed mainly of judges, aligning with international standards of judicial independence.

Striking Down of the NJAC: Reasons and Judicial Verdict

• In 2014, the then government introduced the 99th Constitutional Amendment and the NJAC Act to replace the opaque collegium system for judicial appointments.
• The NJAC was designed as an independent body to appoint Supreme Court and High Court judges.
• Composition of the NJAC
  • The NJAC was to be chaired by the CJI and included:
    • Two senior-most Supreme Court judges
    • Union Law Minister
    • Two eminent civil society members (one from SC/ST/OBC or a woman). These members were nominated by a panel consisting of the CJI, Prime Minister, and Leader of the Opposition.
• Political and Legal Challenges
• The amendment passed almost unanimously in Parliament and was ratified by 16 State legislatures.
• However, it was challenged in the Supreme Court, with critics arguing that the veto power granted to any two NJAC members—potentially including the Law Minister—could undermine judicial independence.
• Supreme Court Verdict (2015)
  • In October 2015, a five-judge Bench ruled (4:1) that the NJAC was unconstitutional, stating that it violated the basic structure of the Constitution, particularly judicial independence.
  • The majority held that the Law Minister and non-judicial members could interfere with judicial appointments, compromising autonomy.
  • Dissenting opinion by Justice Jasti Chelameswar: He criticized the collegium’s lack of transparency, arguing that NJAC could have prevented "unwholesome trade-offs" and "incestuous accommodations" between the judiciary and executive.
  • The verdict restored the collegium system, reinforcing the judiciary’s primacy in appointments but leaving concerns over transparency unresolved.

Why in the News?

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture has criticised the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) for the persistent existence of accident-prone “black spots” on national highways (NHs).

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Background (Context, About Black Spots)
• Parliamentary Panel’s Report (Key Findings, Action Plan, Audits, Targets vs Actuals, etc.)

Background:

• India has one of the highest numbers of road accidents in the world.
• A significant portion of these fatalities happen on national highways (NHs) due to poorly designed or managed road segments called “black spots”, specific locations where a high number of accidents and fatalities have been recorded over the years.
• Despite various efforts by the MoRTH to reduce road deaths, a recent report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture reveals worrying gaps in execution.
• According to MoRTH’s own data, out of 13,795 black spots identified across India’s NHs, long-term rectification has been completed on only 5,036 spots.
• This translates to a large number of dangerous zones still unaddressed, posing daily risks to drivers and pedestrians.

About Black Spots:

• A “black spot” is a hazardous location on a national highway identified by the frequency and severity of road accidents, particularly those causing grievous injuries or deaths across three consecutive years.
• These spots can occur due to poor road design, lack of signage, bad lighting, sharp curves, or congested junctions.

Parliamentary Panel’s Findings: A Governance Failure

• In a report related to the Demands for Grants for FY 2025-26, the parliamentary panel called the poor progress a “significant governance failure”.
• It emphasised that these black spots represent preventable dangers that could be fixed with faster, coordinated intervention.
• The committee expressed deep concern about the mismatch between the ministry’s commitments and the reality on the ground.

Three-Tier Action Plan for Fixing Black Spots:

• To address the issue, the panel has recommended a three-tier prioritisation framework based on:
  • Severity (how often and how serious the accidents are),
  • Complexity of the fix required, and
  • Population exposure (how many people use the spot regularly).
• The plan includes strict time-bound interventions:
  • Category A black spots (highest risk):
    • Temporary safety measures must be deployed immediately.
    • Permanent rectification must begin within 30 days of identification.
  • Category B black spots (moderate risk):
    • Must be fixed within 90 days.
  • Category C black spots (lower priority):
    • Deadline of 180 days.
    • Agencies that fail to meet the timelines should face penalties.

Need for Post-Implementation Audits:

• The panel didn’t just focus on fixing black spots, it also highlighted the importance of follow-up.
  It recommended that safety audits be carried out at 3-month and 12-month intervals after rectification to ensure the solutions actually work.
• To promote accountability, the panel suggested creating a public dashboard that would show the status of each black spot, the progress of rectification, and the responsible implementing agency.

MoRTH’s Targets and Reality:

• The ministry has set an ambitious goal to reduce road fatalities by 95% by 2028.
• As part of this, it has committed to fixing 1,000 black spots in FY 2025–26 and eliminating all identified black spots by FY 2027-28 through better signage, road design, and junction management.
• However, the numbers so far reflect a lag in long-term fixes:
• 
• Short-term solutions (like installing signage, speed breakers, or barriers) are often implemented, but long-term structural fixes, such as underpasses, road widening, or redesign—remain slow.

Conclusion:

Fixing black spots on national highways isn’t just a technical challenge, it’s a matter of saving lives. The current pace of work is not in sync with the ministry’s stated ambitions.

The parliamentary panel’s recommendations provide a clear and actionable path forward, focusing on urgency, accountability, and transparency.

To truly make Indian roads safer, quick identification must be followed by equally fast execution, because behind every black spot, there’s a life that can be saved.

Context

• The global energy landscape has undergone significant transformations in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war.
• As African nations strive to diversify their energy sources, nuclear power is emerging as a critical component of their energy transition.
• However, this shift has also attracted the attention of global powers eager to secure a stake in Africa’s nuclear market.
• China, in particular, has positioned itself as the dominant player, challenging traditional Western influence and raising concerns about geopolitical dependencies.

Africa’s Nuclear Energy Aspirations

• Currently, Africa has only one operational nuclear power plant, the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station in South Africa, which was built by a French consortium.
• However, several African countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya, and Zambia, are actively planning to incorporate nuclear energy into their national power grids.
• Projections suggest that Africa could generate up to 15,000 MW of nuclear energy by 2035, representing a significant opportunity for investment, estimated at $105 billion.
• The potential for nuclear energy in Africa is not only an economic opportunity but also a solution to the continent’s chronic electricity shortages and unreliable power supply.

The Scramble for Africa’s Nuclear Market

• Historically, France dominated Africa’s nuclear market, particularly in Francophone nations.
• However, France’s influence is waning as other global powers aggressively pursue nuclear partnerships in Africa.
• The United States, through the US-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit (USANES), has sought to establish itself as a major player.
• However, the future of U.S. involvement depends on the political direction of President Donald Trump’s administration.
• Russia, another key contender, has signed multiple nuclear agreements with African nations, including Egypt, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Burundi.
• The Russian state-owned nuclear corporation, Rosatom, has been constructing a reactor in El Dabaa, Egypt, since 2022, albeit with slow progress.
• South Korea, through Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP), has also shown interest in Africa’s nuclear market.
• However, it is China that has emerged as the most influential and aggressive investor in African nuclear energy.

China’s Dominance in Africa’s Nuclear Expansion

• Recent but Rapidly Expanding
  • In 2012, the China Atomic Energy Authority launched a scholarship program in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to train African and South Asian students in nuclear science.
  • This initiative strategically familiarised African nations with Chinese nuclear technologies and procedures, increasing the likelihood of future partnerships.
  • Today, China operates more than 50 nuclear reactors, reinforcing its status as a global nuclear power.
• Growing MoUs
  • Two state-owned enterprises, the China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) and the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), are spearheading China’s nuclear expansion in Africa.
  • In 2024, during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, Nigeria signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China for the design, construction, and maintenance of nuclear power plants.
  • Similarly, Uganda signed an MoU with China to build a 2 GW nuclear power plant, with the first unit expected to be operational by 2031.
  • Kenya, while still undecided on its nuclear partner, plans to have a research reactor by 2030.
  • Meanwhile, Ghana has opted for U.S.-based NuScale Power and Regnum Technology Group to develop its Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), while China National Nuclear Corporation will construct a Large Reactor (LR).
• Diminishing Influence of Russia
  • In West Africa, pro-Russian governments in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali have signed nuclear cooperation agreements with Rosatom.
  • However, Russia’s economic challenges, exacerbated by sanctions due to the Ukraine war, may hinder its ability to make large-scale investments in African nuclear projects.
  • This could push these nations toward China, which is better positioned to provide financial and technical support.

The Impact on India’s Energy Security

• Africa’s nuclear ambitions have broader implications for global energy security, particularly for India.
• As India aims to increase its nuclear power capacity from 8,180 MW to 100 GW by 2047, securing uranium supplies will be crucial.
• India has previously signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Namibia and is exploring uranium mining projects in Niger and Namibia.
• However, China’s growing influence in Africa’s nuclear sector could pose challenges for India’s energy security by limiting its access to uranium and nuclear-related infrastructure.
• Furthermore, many African countries lack the transmission networks necessary to distribute power from nuclear plants.
• China, through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has the capability to develop these networks, further cementing its dominance in Africa’s clean energy market.
• If China successfully integrates nuclear power with its broader infrastructure projects, it will not only strengthen its position in Africa but also gain greater geopolitical leverage over nations dependent on its investments.

Conclusion

• Africa’s shift toward nuclear energy presents both opportunities and challenges.
• While nuclear power can provide a stable and reliable source of electricity, the sector has become a battleground for global powers seeking to expand their geopolitical influence.
• China has emerged as the dominant force in Africa’s nuclear market, outpacing traditional players like France, the U.S., and Russia.
• This growing Chinese influence raises concerns about economic dependencies and strategic vulnerabilities for African nations.

Context

• India has historically been an influential global player, balancing economic growth with diplomatic relations.
• However, recent geopolitical shifts have raised concerns about India’s limited role in resolving international conflicts.
• While India has taken decisive action in regional crises, such as its interventions in Bangladesh (1971), the Maldives (1988), and Sri Lanka (2009), it has recently adopted a cautious stance.
• The question arises: should India be more proactive in global geopolitics? Experts argue that India must recalibrate its foreign policy, balancing economic ambitions with strategic engagement to secure its position as a major global power.

India’s Historical and Current Diplomatic Approach

• India’s leadership in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) reflected its early commitment to shaping global politics.
• In contrast, its current multi-alignment strategy prioritises bilateral ties over collective geopolitical influence.
• India has made significant contributions to global welfare through initiatives like ‘Vaccine Maitri,’ climate action, and humanitarian aid.
• However, its reluctance to actively engage in major conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war or the Israel-Palestine crisis, raises questions about its long-term vision as a global power.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic outreach to Russia and Ukraine has been commendable, but India has largely remained a bystander in peace negotiations.
• Its abstention from UNSC votes on the Ukraine war influenced developing nations, yet India has not capitalised on its unique position to mediate effectively.
• Given its economic and diplomatic credibility, should India not aspire for a seat at the “high table” of global conflict resolution?

The Risks of Remaining Passive

• Ceding Influence to Emerging Middle Powers
  • In the absence of Indian leadership, other nations are stepping in to fill the diplomatic vacuum.
  • Countries like Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have taken on active mediation roles in various conflicts, thereby expanding their geopolitical influence.
  • Türkiye’s Role in the Ukraine-Russia Conflict
    • Türkiye hosted direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in 2022, demonstrating its ability to mediate in European conflicts.
    • This enhanced Türkiye’s credibility as a neutral broker and strengthened its diplomatic standing.
  • Saudi Arabia’s Multi-Alignment Strategy
    • Saudi Arabia recently hosted high-profile U.S.-Russia and U.S.-Ukraine negotiations, positioning itself as a major diplomatic force.
    • It is leveraging its oil wealth and strategic location to assert itself as a key player in global geopolitics.
  • Qatar’s Mediation in Africa: Qatar successfully facilitated a ceasefire between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, proving that small but influential states can play a major role in global conflict resolution.
  • If India does not step up, it risks falling behind these emerging middle powers in diplomatic influence.
  • By playing an active role, India could shape discussions on global security rather than merely reacting to them.
• Diminishing Credibility as a Global Leader
  • India has often projected itself as the leader of the Global South, advocating for the interests of developing nations.
  • However, if it remains hesitant to engage in conflict resolution, it may lose credibility in the eyes of its allies.
  • Expectations from a Rising Power
    • India, as the world’s fifth-largest economy and an aspiring permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), is expected to contribute more than just statements.
    • If India seeks a leadership role in global governance, it cannot afford to be perceived as indifferent to global crises.
  • Implications for UNSC Aspirations
    • India argues that UNSC decisions lack legitimacy without the world’s largest democracy.
    • However, this argument weakens if India is unwilling to take decisive action in global affairs outside the UNSC framework.
  • The ‘Not an Era of War’ Doctrine
    • Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement to Vladimir Putin that ‘this is not an era of war’ was widely appreciated.
    • However, beyond rhetoric, India has not taken concrete steps to push for peace.
    • If India remains passive, such statements may be seen as diplomatic posturing rather than genuine efforts at conflict resolution.
• Strategic Setbacks in a Shifting Global Order
• The global balance of power is shifting, with increasing geopolitical fragmentation.
• If India does not actively engage, it may find itself left out of crucial negotiations that could shape the future world order.
• U.S.-China ‘Deal’ and the Risk of Regional Marginalisation
  • As tensions between the U.S. and China evolve, there is a possibility of a new understanding between the two superpowers, dividing regions into spheres of influence.
    • If India does not assert itself, it could be excluded from key geopolitical arrangements in Asia.
• Threat to the Quad’s Relevance
  • The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), consisting of India, the U.S., Japan, and Australia, is meant to counterbalance China’s influence.
    • However, if India remains hesitant to engage more proactively, the Quad itself could lose its strategic significance, weakening India’s position in the Indo-Pacific.
• China’s Expanding Influence
  • China’s growing presence in Africa, Latin America, and South Asia through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is reshaping global geopolitics.
    • While India has expressed concerns over China’s economic and strategic expansion, its passive approach limits its ability to counterbalance Chinese influence effectively.

The Way Ahead for India to Establish Itself as a Key Geopolitical Player

• Strengthening Regional Policies
  • India’s bilateral relations in West Asia, Central Asia, and East Asia must be supplemented with active participation in regional frameworks.
  • While India has maintained strong ties with Central Asian nations, its reduced engagement in the SCO limits its influence in the region.
  • Similarly, after opting out of RCEP, India must find alternative ways to strengthen economic ties with East Asian nations.
• Deepening Ties with Europe
  • With Europe facing internal and external pressures, India has a strategic opportunity to enhance its presence in the region.
  • A trade agreement with the U.S. could serve as a foundation for deeper economic and political collaboration with the European Union.
• Playing a More Proactive Role in Conflict Resolution
  • India does not need to position itself as a mediator but should be ready to facilitate dialogue and negotiations.
  • Its past role in the Korean War (1951-52) and its recent diplomatic efforts in the UNSC (2021-22) show that India can bridge divergent geopolitical interests.

Conclusion

• India’s ambition to be a global power must go beyond economic growth; it must also involve strategic geopolitical engagement.
• The world is undergoing a structural shift, with rising unilateralism and realignments in global politics.
• By proactively shaping global events rather than reacting to them, India can strengthen its influence and secure its place as a key pole in a multipolar world.
• As the international order evolves, India’s leadership will be judged not only by its economic prowess but also by its willingness to shape a stable and balanced global landscape.

Context:

• India, once a leading producer and exporter of cotton, is now facing a severe decline in production and has become a net importer of the natural fibre.
• The crisis is largely due to policy paralysis and restrictions on genetically modified (GM) crops rather than external factors.

The Rise of India's Cotton Production:

• Technological advancements: India became a major cotton producer due to hybrid technology and later, genetically modified (GM) Bt cotton.
• GM cotton revolution:
  • 1970: H-4, the world’s first cotton hybrid, developed by C.T. Patel.
  • 1972: Varalaxmi, the first interspecific cotton hybrid, developed by B.H. Katarki.
  • 2002-03: Introduction of GM Bt cotton, which offered resistance against the American bollworm.
  • 2006: Bollgard-II technology introduced, providing additional protection against pests.
  • 2013-14: 95% of India's cotton cultivation adopted Bt cotton, pushing yield to a peak of 566 kg per hectare.

The Decline in Cotton Production:

• Production trends:
  • 2002-03 to 2013-14: Production surged from 13.6 million bales (mb, 1 bale=170 kg) to 39.8 mb. The imports halved to 1.1 mb and exports surged well over hundredfold to 11.6 mb (from not even 0.1 mb in 2002-03).
  • 2024-25: Projected at 29.5 mb, the lowest since 2008-09.
  • Imports surpassing exports: 3 mb imports vs. 1.7 mb exports.
• Reasons for decline:
  • Policy restrictions on GM technology and regulatory hurdles. For example, the treatment of GM crops as “hazardous substances” under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
  • Resistance to scientific advancements in agriculture.
  • Pink bollworm infestation due to lack of new pest-resistant varieties.

Regulatory and Policy Failures:

• Ban on GM crops:
  • 2010: Moratorium on GM Bt brinjal, setting a precedent for halting GM crop approvals.
  • Field trials of new GM cotton hybrids blocked under the NDA government.
  • Regulatory deadlock despite scientific validation and biosafety data.
• Judicial and activist interventions:
  • Activist-driven opposition led to stagnation in agricultural biotech research.
  • Courts stepping into technical domains have further slowed progress.

Economic Implications:

• Impact on trade:
  • A country that was the world’s no. 1 producer in 2015-16 and a close second biggest exporter to the US by 2011-12 has today been “inundated” by American, Australian, Egyptian and Brazilian cotton.
  • Cotton imports doubled in value in 2024-25 compared to the previous year (from $518.4 million to $1,040.4 million) alongside a dip in exports (from $729.4 million to $660.5 million).
  • Pressure from the US and Brazil to remove the 11% import duty on cotton.
• Impact on farmers:
  • Indian farmers are denied access to the latest GM technologies.
  • Despite resistance to GM crops, GM soyameal and corn are being imported.

Need for Policy Reforms:

• Scientific approach over activism: Policy decisions should be based on scientific validation rather than public consultations dominated by activists.
• Revival of GM research: Approval of new pest-resistant GM cotton varieties. Establishment of a transparent and evidence-based regulatory framework.
• Reducing import dependence: Encouraging domestic production through technology adoption. Balancing environmental concerns with the need for agricultural progress.

Conclusion:

• In 1853, Karl Marx famously wrote how British rule “broke up the Indian handloom and destroyed the spinning wheel”, and finally “inundated the very mother country of cotton with cottons”.
• Something similar has taken place with Indian cotton over the last decade. However, it was not by any grand imperialist design, but by sheer domestic policy paralysis and ineptitude.
• India’s cotton crisis underscores the urgent need for a balanced, science-driven approach to agricultural policy.
• The failure to act decisively has not only hurt farmers but also made India reliant on foreign cotton, benefiting global competitors like the US and Brazil.

Why in News?

The discovery of large sums of cash at the residence of Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma has raised concerns about corruption in India’s higher judiciary.

This incident has strengthened calls for public disclosure of judges’ assets and liabilities, which, unlike other public servants, they are not obligated to reveal—and most have not done so.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Supreme Court’s Position on Judges’ Asset Disclosure
• Situation in High Courts Regarding Judges’ Asset Disclosure
• Public Servants and Asset Disclosure

Supreme Court’s Position on Judges’ Asset Disclosure

• 1997 Resolution
  • In 1997, under then CJI J S Verma, the Supreme Court adopted a resolution requiring judges to declare their assets, including those of their spouses and dependents, to the Chief Justice.
  • However, this did not mandate public disclosure.
• 2009 Resolution
  • In September 2009, the SC full Bench decided to publish judges' asset declarations on its website, but only on a voluntary basis.
  • These disclosures appeared in November 2009, and some High Courts followed suit.
• Lack of Updates Since 2018
  • The SC website has not been updated since 2018.
  • It only lists the judges who have submitted declarations to the CJI without publishing the actual disclosures.
  • Former judges’ declarations have also been removed.
• 2019 RTI Case and SC Ruling
  • In 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that judges' assets and liabilities do not qualify as “personal information.”
  • This case originated from an RTI request filed in 2009 by an activist to verify if SC judges had disclosed their assets as per the 1997 resolution.

Situation in High Courts Regarding Judges’ Asset Disclosure

• Low Compliance with Public Disclosure
  • As of March 1, 2024, only 97 out of 770 High Court judges (less than 13%) have publicly declared their assets.
  • These judges belong to seven High Courts: Delhi, Punjab & Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madras, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, and Karnataka.
  • Most High Courts oppose public disclosure.
• Resistance from High Courts
  • In 2012, the Uttarakhand High Court passed a resolution strongly objecting to judges’ asset disclosure under the RTI Act.
  • The Allahabad High Court rejected an RTI request for judges' asset details, claiming it was outside the RTI Act’s scope.
  • Similar denials came from Rajasthan, Bombay, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gauhati, and Sikkim High Courts.
• Parliamentary Committee’s Recommendation
  • In 2023, Parliament’s Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, and Law and Justice recommended a law mandating the disclosure of Supreme Court and High Court judges’ assets.
  • However, no legislative action has been taken so far.

Public Servants and Asset Disclosure

• Mandatory Asset Declarations
  • Unlike judges, most public servants are required to declare their assets, with this information often being publicly accessible.
  • The RTI Act of 2005 has played a crucial role in ensuring transparency and accountability in government operations.
• RTI’s Role in Public Disclosure
  • Government officials must annually declare their assets to their respective cadre-controlling authorities, and in most cases, these details are available in the public domain.
  • Several states, including Gujarat, Kerala, and Madhya Pradesh, have strict provisions mandating asset declarations by bureaucrats, which can be accessed through RTI applications.
• Ministers and MPs
  • Since 2009, it has become standard practice for Union Ministers, including the Prime Minister, to submit asset declarations to the PMO, which are accessible via its website.
  • Many state governments have followed this practice.
  • MPs submit their asset details to the Speaker (Lok Sabha) or Chairperson (Rajya Sabha), and while not publicly available by default, they can generally be accessed through RTI applications.
• Asset Disclosure for Election Candidates
  • Candidates contesting elections for Parliament, State Assemblies, or Legislative Councils must publicly declare their assets and liabilities as part of the nomination process.
  • This requirement was established by a 2002 Supreme Court ruling mandating asset disclosure for electoral candidates.
  • These declarations are the most detailed among public servants, and even minor errors can lead to the rejection of a candidate’s nomination.

Why in News?

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, causing buildings to collapse in Mandalay and bringing down a skyscraper under construction in Bangkok.

The quake, the strongest globally in two years, was followed by at least three aftershocks. The epicenter was 17.2 km from Mandalay at a shallow depth of 10 km.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Cause of the Myanmar Earthquake
• Earthquake Frequency in Myanmar
• The Destructive Impact of Recent Earthquake
• Preparedness of Myanmar

Cause of the Myanmar Earthquake

• The Earth's lithosphere consists of tectonic plates that have been moving for billions of years.
• Earthquakes occur when these plates suddenly slip past each other, releasing stored energy as seismic waves, causing the ground to shake.
• Strike-Slip Faulting
  • The Myanmar earthquake was caused by strike-slip faulting between the Indian and Eurasian plates, where the plates moved sideways against each other.
• The Sagaing Fault
  • The earthquake occurred on the Sagaing Fault, a north-south fault line in Myanmar known for seismic activity.
  • This fault marks the boundary between the Indian plate (moving north) and the Eurasian plate.
  • The movement along this fault triggered the earthquake.
  • 

Earthquake Frequency in Myanmar

• Myanmar frequently experiences earthquakes due to the Sagaing Fault.
• Since 1900, at least six earthquakes of magnitude greater than 7 have occurred near this fault, according to USGS data.
• Notable Earthquakes
  • January 1990 (Magnitude 7.0)
  • February 1912 (Magnitude 7.9): Occurred just south of the epicenter of the recent quake.
  • 2016 (Magnitude 6.9): Struck in roughly the same area.
• Major Earthquakes in the Last Century
  • Over the past 100 years, Myanmar has witnessed 14 earthquakes of magnitude 6 or above.
• The 1839 Catastrophic Earthquake
  • One of the worst earthquakes in the region occurred in 1839, estimated at magnitude 8.3.
  • This event is considered the best recent analogue for the March 28, 2025, earthquake.

The Destructive Impact of Recent Earthquake

• Largest Quake in Decades
  • The recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake was likely the strongest in Myanmar’s mainland in 75 years.
  • Previous significant quakes caused casualties but were less severe.
• Shallow Depth Intensified Damage
  • The quake occurred at a shallow depth of just 10 km, meaning the seismic shockwaves did not dissipate before reaching the surface.
  • This resulted in stronger ground shaking and greater structural damage.
• Widespread Impact Beyond Epicenter
  • Experts emphasized that seismic waves radiate from the entire fault line, not just the epicenter, affecting a much larger area.

Preparedness of Myanmar

• High Fatality and Economic Risk
  • The USGS Earthquake Hazards Program estimated potential fatalities between 10,000 and 100,000, with economic losses possibly reaching 70% of Myanmar’s GDP.
• Infrastructure Not Built for Large Quakes
  • Myanmar has not experienced a major earthquake in this region since 1956, leading to poor seismic preparedness.
  • Buildings, especially in densely populated Mandalay, were not designed to withstand such powerful tremors.
• Geographic Factors
  • Most earthquakes in Myanmar occur west of the Sagaing Fault, while this one struck the central region, which is less accustomed to high-magnitude quakes, further worsening the impact.

Why in News?

• India's e-commerce market has reached $60 billion in gross merchandise value (GMV), becoming the world's second-largest online shopper base.
  • GMV is the total value of merchandise that's sold over a given period through a customer-to-customer (C2C) exchange site.
• However, growth slowed to 10-12% in 2024, down from the historical 20%, due to higher inflation and stagnant real wages, according to a Flipkart-Bain report.
• Despite short-term challenges, long-term prospects remain strong, driven by three key trends: quick commerce, trend-first commerce (especially in fashion), and hyper-value commerce.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Government Initiatives Boosting E-commerce in India
• E-Retail Slowdown
• Key Drivers of E-Retail Growth

Government Initiatives Boosting E-commerce in India

• Digital Infrastructure & Policy Support
  • The Indian government has launched key initiatives like Digital India, Make in India, Start-up India, and Skill India, driving e-commerce growth.
  • The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has surpassed ₹4 lakh crore GMV in FY24, enhancing procurement efficiency.
• Expanding E-commerce Access
  • Collaborations like CSC-ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) aim to extend e-commerce to rural areas.
  • The National Retail Policy focuses on digitization and ease of business, while FDI in B2B e-commerce is now allowed up to 100%.
• Regulatory & Tax Measures
  • Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules 2020 ensure fair competition.
  • 5G expansion is expected to further accelerate digital commerce adoption.

E-Retail Slowdown

• India’s private consumption growth has slowed from 11% (2017–19) to 8% (2022–24), driven by high inflation and stagnant real wages.
• This has impacted e-retail, with growth dropping to 10–12% in 2024, compared to historical rates of over 20%.
• Expected Rebound and Future Growth
  • Fiscal and monetary policy interventions are anticipated to revive e-retail growth, particularly from the 2025 festive season.
  • By 2030, the market is expected to reach $170–190 billion, growing at over 18% annually.
  • As India's GDP per capita crosses $3,500–4,000, discretionary spending is set to rise, with nearly 1 in 10 retail dollars projected to be spent online.

Key Drivers of E-Retail Growth

• High-frequency categories like grocery, lifestyle, and general merchandise will fuel e-retail expansion, making up two-thirds of total online spending by 2030.
• E-retail penetration in these segments is expected to grow 2–4 times over this period.
• Rise of Tier-3 and Smaller Cities
  • Online shopping adoption is shifting from Tier-2 to Tier-3 cities, with 60% of new shoppers since 2020 coming from smaller cities.
  • The Northeast has 1.2 times higher e-retail penetration than the rest of India.
  • Additionally, 60% of new sellers since 2021 are from Tier-2 or smaller cities, diversifying the seller base.
• Quick Commerce’s Rapid Expansion
  • Quick commerce dominates e-grocery, accounting for two-thirds of orders and 10% of total e-retail spending.
  • It is projected to grow over 40% annually until 2030, expanding across new categories and geographies.
• Trend-First and Hyper-Value Commerce on the Rise
  • Trend-first fashion is set to grow fourfold, reaching $8–10 billion by 2028, with over half of sales happening online.
  • Hyper-value commerce, driven by ultra-low-price assortments, has grown from 5% of e-retail GMV in 2021 to over 12% in 2024, gaining traction among lower-middle-income consumers in smaller cities.
    • Hyper-value commerce refers to a retail model that focuses on offering ultra-low-priced products to attract cost-conscious consumers.

Why in the News?

Recently, India completed wet testing of its Matsya-6000 submersible, capable of diving up to 6 km below the surface to look for underwater minerals off the coast.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Background (Context of the Article)
• About Deep Sea (Importance of Deep Sea, Challenges, Suggestions, etc.)

Background:

• India is steadily moving forward in its journey to explore and harness the vast potential of the deep ocean.
• A key step in this direction was the recent wet testing of Matsya-6000, a deep-sea submersible developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) under the Samudrayaan Project.
• Capable of diving up to 6 km beneath the sea surface, Matsya-6000 is part of the broader Deep Ocean Mission, which aims to place India among a handful of nations with human-rated submersibles capable of operating at such extreme depths.
• However, as per experts, developing deep sea capabilities is not just about science—it’s about economic strength, digital infrastructure, national security, and global competition, especially with countries like China far ahead in this field.

Importance of Deep Sea Matters for India:

• The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) gives countries exclusive rights over natural resources within their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), extending 200 nautical miles (about 370 km) from the coastline.
• India’s EEZ holds massive untapped potential on the seabed and in the water column.
• Some key reasons why India needs to invest in this domain include:
  • Mineral and energy resources: The seabed holds valuable resources like polymetallic nodules, gas hydrates, oil, and other rare-earth materials that are critical for India’s growing industrial and energy needs.
  • Food and nutraceuticals: Fisheries and marine bio-resources offer economic and nutritional benefits.
  • Oceanographic and climate data: Deep ocean exploration can support climate modelling, weather forecasting, and environmental research.
  • Digital economy infrastructure: Over 95% of global internet traffic passes through undersea fiber-optic cables. Ensuring these cables are secure, well-maintained, and possibly expanded with Indian participation is crucial to the digital economy.
  • National security: Deep sea is increasingly a space of strategic competition. China, for example, recently unveiled a cable-cutting device capable of damaging critical undersea infrastructure. India must prepare with domain awareness, monitoring systems, and countermeasures.

Challenges of Deep Sea Technology:

• Developing deep sea capability is no small feat. The average depth in India’s EEZ is around 3,741 metres, nearly four-and-a-half times the height of the Burj Khalifa.
• The pressure at such depths exceeds 380 atmospheres, requiring specially designed submersibles and materials.
• Some key technological challenges include:
  • Communication underwater: Unlike air, sound in water is affected by temperature, pressure, and salinity, making communication difficult. Very Low Frequency (VLF) and Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) sound systems are essential but expensive to develop.
  • Pressure resistance: The deeper the dive, the more robust the vessel needs to be. The OceanGate Titan submersible tragedy in 2023 is a sobering reminder of what can go wrong without rigorous safety and engineering standards.
  • Cost and expertise: Building these technologies demands large financial investments, specialised research, and a highly skilled workforce—areas where countries like China, the US, Japan, and France have made significant progress.

What India Needs to Do Next:

• While the Deep Ocean Mission launched in 2018 is a step in the right direction, experts believe much more needs to be done. Key suggestions include:
• Create a dedicated Ministry: Upgrade the Department of Ocean Development into a full-fledged Ministry of Ocean Affairs, with a Cabinet-rank Minister to drive coordination and accountability.
• Boost funding and speed: Approve projects in mission-mode with clear deadlines, adequate budgets, and transparent review mechanisms.
• Establish centres of excellence: Invest in academic institutions and research labs focused on deep ocean science and technology, encouraging innovation and skill development.
• Support industrial partnerships: Incentivise private companies to enter deep sea mining, cable-laying, salvage, and submersible development.
• Create a 10-year roadmap: Formulate a long-term plan with defined milestones across technology, governance, infrastructure, and security.
• Importantly, the dual-use nature of deep sea technologies, serving both scientific and military goals, makes it essential for India to view ocean development as not just a technical project but a national strategic priority.

Conclusion:

India’s ambition to be a global economic and strategic power cannot ignore the depths of the ocean. Whether it's for minerals, data, food, or security, the deep sea holds the key to the future. With Matsya-6000 as a starting point, India must now accelerate efforts to build a robust, well-funded, and forward-looking deep ocean capability that matches its global aspirations.

Context:

• The government has proposed the abolition of the 6% Equalisation Levy on online advertising in the Finance Bill 2025, reducing the tax burden on digital ad consumers and lowering costs on platforms like Google and Meta.
• This is a significant move in the context of the ongoing Indo-US bilateral trade talks, and the imminent threat of reciprocal tax, which is likely to come into force from 2nd April, 2025.
• If passed in parliament, the 6% Equalisation Levy would cease to exist from 1 April 2025. The origins of the equalisation levy have generated interest as we say goodbye to it.

The Genesis of Equalisation Levy:

• Introduced in 2016 via the Finance Act, rather than the Income-tax Act, to avoid treaty override.
• Aimed at taxing online advertising revenues earned by foreign digital companies in India.
• Large multinational digital corporations opposed the levy, citing double taxation concerns.

The Global Taxation Landscape:

• International tax efforts sought to close loopholes but lacked consensus on digital taxation.
• The OECD's Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) initiative left digital taxation unresolved.
• India was the first country to impose such a tax, despite criticisms of unilateralism. Other countries followed suit, leading the US to intervene.

International Negotiations and the Role of OECD & UN:

• Dispute over profit allocation: US preferred taxation only on residual returns. India advocated for formulary apportionment.
• OECD attempted a consensus-driven approach but faced US influence.
• Growing discontent among developing nations led to UN intervention.
• In 2024, 110 countries supported an UN-led international tax convention.
• The UN’s proposal for a withholding tax on digital services faced obstacles similar to OECD’s.

US Opposition and Trade Disputes:

• In 2020, the US launched investigations under USTR, calling India’s levy discriminatory.
• The US threatened retaliatory tariffs, leading to India’s withdrawal of a similar levy of 2% on digital e-commerce supplies and services.
• With Donald Trump’s return, trade tensions resurfaced, likely prompting the 6% levy’s removal.

Impact and Future of Digital Taxes:

• India collected ₹40 billion from the levy in 2022.
• Critics argue the tax burden was passed on to consumers, though evidence is lacking.
• The withdrawal raises concerns as there is still no global tax framework in place.
• Despite its discontinuation, the equalisation levy showcased India’s ability to assert its economic interests independently of global consensus.

Conclusion:

• The withdrawal of the equalisation levy marks the end of India’s bold attempt to tax digital giants in the absence of a global consensus.
• While the levy served as an effective tool to ensure fair taxation, geopolitical pressures, particularly from the US, played a crucial role in its rollback.
• The episode highlights the complexities of international tax diplomacy, where developing nations like India must navigate economic interests while asserting their sovereignty.
• As global negotiations continue, the future of digital taxation remains uncertain, but India's pioneering approach has set a precedent for alternative models of taxation beyond OECD-driven frameworks.

Context

• India's defence sector is at a crucial crossroads, balancing indigenous production with strategic foreign partnerships.
• The Indian Armed Forces have long relied on Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), and this dependence has deepened under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign.
• However, the Indian Air Force (IAF) faces a significant challenge in maintaining its operational strength due to the slow production rate of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• Therefore, it is important to critically examine the state of India’s defence procurement, the implications of U.S. strategic partnerships, and the necessity of safeguarding India’s strategic autonomy.

India’s Defence Imports and Indigenous Efforts

• India remains the world’s second-largest arms importer, as reported by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
• While there has been a 9.3% reduction in imports from 2015–2019, high-cost and technologically sophisticated weapon systems continue to be sourced from abroad.
• Despite this, the IAF is investing heavily in indigenous fighter jets like the Tejas Mk1A, Tejas Mk2, and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
• However, these aircraft rely on American-made engines, making India’s operational capabilities partially dependent on U.S. strategic decisions.
• Given that Russia supplies 36% of India’s arms, questions arise regarding India’s ability to diversify its supply chain while maintaining technological superiority.

U.S.-India Defence Partnership and Comparisons with Other Defence Partnerships

• U.S.-India Defence Partnership
  • India's evolving defence relationship with the U.S. is a double-edged sword.
  • While bilateral agreements such as the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) have promised cutting-edge technology transfer, their long-term impact remains uncertain.
  • The unpredictability of U.S. foreign policy, particularly under transactional administrations, raises concerns about the reliability of such arrangements.
  • The notion of "partnership" in India-U.S. defence ties must be scrutinised. As per Professor Anna Simons' perspective, a true partnership is based on "mutual indispensability."
  • The key question remains: Is India indispensable to U.S. strategic interests?
  • Unlike NATO allies or historical U.S. partners, India’s role in Washington’s geopolitical calculus remains fluid, making dependency a risk rather than an advantage.
• Comparisons with Other Defence Partnerships
  • India’s strategic relationships with Russia, Israel, and France offer alternative models of cooperation.
  • Unlike the U.S., Russia has been a consistent supplier, providing crucial defence equipment, including the Sukhoi Su-30 fighters and S-400 missile systems.
  • Similarly, Israel has contributed significantly to India’s missile defence and surveillance capabilities, while France remains a reliable partner through deals like the Rafale fighter jets.
  • India must evaluate whether its defence relationships are built on long-term political indispensability or short-term transactional exchanges.
  • The example of the U.S.-Pakistan alliance, which collapsed when Islamabad lost its strategic value, serves as a cautionary tale for India’s approach to defence partnerships.

The Necessity of Safeguarding India’s Strategic Autonomy

• Diversification of Defence Sources
  • India’s current defence procurement heavily relies on both indigenous production and foreign imports.
  • Historically, the country has depended on countries like Russia for advanced weapon systems, but the increasing collaboration with the U.S. in areas such as fighter jets and surveillance technology has created a potential for over-dependence.
  • To ensure strategic autonomy, India must diversify its sources of defence equipment.
  • While India has made significant strides with the development of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), it must continue to build up its indigenous defence manufacturing capacity.
• Technology Transfer and Domestic Innovation
  • A cornerstone of ensuring strategic autonomy is fostering technology transfer and encouraging domestic defence innovation.
  • In its current partnerships, especially with the U.S., India has focused on acquiring sophisticated technologies like engines for aircraft (e.g., the GE F414 engine for the Tejas Mk2).
  • However, technology transfer must go beyond simple purchase agreements; it should include know-how, intellectual property rights (IPRs), and the ability to locally manufacture and upgrade defence systems.
  • India needs to invest in defence research and development (R&D) and enhance collaboration between the private sector and DPSUs.
  • With the active participation of Indian universities, research institutions, and private firms, India can move closer to self-reliance.
• Strengthening Indigenous Defence Capabilities
  • Ensuring strategic autonomy also involves ramping up the development of indigenous defence platforms that meet India’s unique security requirements.
  • This includes not only aircraft like the Tejas and AMCA, but also systems such as advanced missile defence technologies, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and cyber warfare capabilities.
  • India should focus on the entire spectrum of defence needs, ranging from tactical short-range weapons to long-range strategic deterrence systems.
  • By doing so, India can mitigate the risk of being vulnerable to changes in global defence supply chains or political shifts in other countries.
• Adapting to Geopolitical Shifts
  • A major aspect of strategic autonomy is the ability to navigate geopolitical uncertainties.
  • India’s defence needs cannot be dictated solely by short-term political alignments or international agreements.
  • For instance, U. S.-India defence ties, although promising, are susceptible to the vagaries of U.S. domestic politics.
  • A change in leadership or policy, as seen under the Trump administration, could lead to a shift in priorities, leaving India exposed to abrupt policy reversals or unanticipated supply chain disruptions.
  • Therefore, India must actively engage in multi-alignment, maintaining strong defence relationships with multiple global powers, such as Russia, Israel, and France, while simultaneously strengthening its domestic capabilities.
• Strategic Defence Planning and Self-Sufficiency
  • By prioritising self-sufficiency in areas such as defence logistics, supply chains, and maintenance of weapon systems, India can reduce its vulnerability to external disruptions.
  • Ensuring that the Indian Armed Forces have the capability to maintain and upgrade their equipment domestically will minimise dependence on foreign contractors for critical repairs and updates.
  • This long-term focus on self-sufficiency will bolster India’s strategic position in both regional and global security architectures.
• Securing National Interests Against Policy Reversals
  • India must also ensure that its national security interests are protected against sudden shifts in global power dynamics.
  • For instance, the U.S. has a history of recalibrating its foreign policies based on its national interests.
  • India should adopt policies that create buffers against any abrupt policy reversals, particularly in areas related to defence supplies.
  • This could involve stockpiling critical components, developing multiple sources for key defence technologies, and creating contingency plans for potential supply chain disruptions.

Conclusion

• India’s defence procurement strategy must strike a balance between indigenization and strategic partnerships.
• While foreign alliances, particularly with the U.S., offer technological advantages, India must be cautious to avoid over-reliance.
• By focusing on self-sufficiency and negotiating partnerships that enhance its strategic leverage, India can secure its defence future without compromising its autonomy.

Context

• The case involving Justice Yashwant Varma is a striking example of the complexities surrounding judicial integrity, government intervention, and the broader debate over the appointment and accountability of judges in India.
• This incident, which began as a suspicious fire at the judge’s official residence, quickly escalated into a national controversy, leading to an investigation and reigniting debates over judicial appointments and government influence.
• Therefore, it is important to analyse the case, its implications for judicial independence, and the larger issue of corruption within the judiciary.

The Case and Its Immediate Fallout

• The controversy began when an accidental fire in an outhouse at Justice Varma’s official residence in New Delhi led to the discovery of large amounts of burnt ₹500 currency notes.
• With Justice Varma out of town at the time, questions arose regarding the source and purpose of the money.
• The Delhi police chief reported the incident to the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, who then informed the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
• The CJI took swift action by calling a Collegium meeting and transferring Justice Varma back to the Allahabad High Court.
• However, the situation escalated when public outrage over the incident led the CJI to initiate a formal in-house inquiry.
• A three-judge committee was appointed to investigate the matter, and Justice Varma was temporarily relieved of judicial duties.
• Despite his claims that the money was planted as part of a conspiracy, the inquiry’s findings were eagerly awaited as they held the key to understanding the full scope of the incident.
• The CJI’s decision to make all findings public was seen as a positive step toward transparency.

Government Intervention and NJAC Debate

• While the inquiry into Justice Varma’s case was ongoing, the government seized the opportunity to revisit its longstanding efforts to exert greater control over judicial appointments.
• The Vice President of India initiated discussions with political leaders on reinstating the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC), an act that had previously been struck down by the Supreme Court for violating the Constitution’s basic structure doctrine.
• The NJAC was designed to include government representatives in judicial appointments, a move seen as undermining judicial independence.
• The Supreme Court had ruled against it on the grounds that government involvement in appointments would compromise the impartiality of the judiciary.
• Nevertheless, the government has persistently sought to exert influence over the Collegium system, often delaying or rejecting judicial recommendations without justification.

The Government’s Role in Judicial Appointments

• The Modi government’s interference in judicial appointments has been a recurring concern.
• Despite legal provisions that mandate the Collegium’s recommendations be honoured, the government has used procedural delays to block the appointment of independent judges.
• By selectively approving only those judges aligned with its ideology, the government has undermined the judiciary’s independence.
• The Justice Varma case has provided the government with another opportunity to question the current appointment process.
• If the government succeeds in reinstating the NJAC, it would further erode judicial autonomy, placing it under political control.
• Given the government’s track record of suppressing dissent and controlling institutions, this move raises significant concerns about the future of judicial impartiality.

The Larger Issue of Corruption and Judicial Accountability

• The Scope of Corruption in the Judiciary
  • Judicial corruption is a serious concern in India, where the integrity of the judiciary is fundamental to upholding the rule of law and ensuring democratic governance.
  • Allegations of corruption among judges, including bribery, favouritism, and political influence, have surfaced multiple times, eroding public trust in the judicial system.
  • Cases like that of Justice Yashwant Varma raise important questions about how deeply corruption may be embedded in the judiciary and what mechanisms exist to address it.
  • While the judiciary is meant to function independently, its closed nature has led to a lack of transparency and accountability.
  • The existing system of judicial oversight is weak, as complaints against judges often go unaddressed due to the absence of a structured mechanism to investigate misconduct.
  • The Justice Varma case highlights the urgent need for reforms in how allegations of corruption are handled.
• Limitations of the Impeachment Process
  • The Indian Constitution currently provides only one method for removing a corrupt judge:
  • This process is highly impractical and has never been successfully implemented in India's history.
  • Initiating impeachment requires the signatures of at least 100 Members of Parliament (MPs) in the Lok Sabha or 50 MPs in the Rajya Sabha.
  • Since MPs belong to political parties with vested interests, impeachment proceedings are often influenced by political considerations rather than merit.
  • Even if the required number of MPs initiate impeachment, the process involves an investigation by a committee, followed by debates and votes in both houses of Parliament.
  • A two-thirds majority is required in both houses for the judge’s removal, making it extremely difficult to execute.

The Way Forward

• The Need for a Judicial Complaints Commission
  • Given the inefficiency of the impeachment process, an alternative approach is required.
  • One potential solution is the creation of a Judicial Complaints Commission (JCC), an independent body responsible for investigating complaints against judges and ensuring accountability. The key features of such a commission should include:
  • Independence from Government and Judiciary
    • The commission should not be controlled by the government or the judiciary to avoid conflicts of interest.
    • It should consist of a panel of retired judges, eminent legal scholars, and respected public figures with no direct affiliation to the government or the sitting judiciary.
  • Authority to Investigate Complaints
    • The commission should have the power to receive complaints from citizens, lawyers, and even government agencies.
    • It should have investigative authority, including the ability to summon witnesses, access financial records, and conduct hearings.
  • Transparent Disciplinary Process
    • If a complaint is found to have merit, the commission should conduct a fair and transparent trial-like inquiry.
    • Depending on the severity of the misconduct, the commission should have the authority to recommend disciplinary actions such as suspension, removal from office, or criminal prosecution.
  • Judicial Review of Decisions
    • To prevent misuse, the decisions of the JCC should be subject to review by the Supreme Court in exceptional cases.
    • This would ensure that judges are held accountable while protecting them from false or politically motivated complaints.
• Ensuring Transparency in Judicial Appointments
  • Judicial corruption is closely linked to the appointment process, as politically favoured or compromised individuals may be selected as judges.
  • The current Collegium system, while independent, lacks transparency and accountability.
  • The appointment of judges must be reformed to prevent corruption and undue influence.
  • A Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), separate from the government, should be responsible for selecting judges based on merit, integrity, and judicial competence.

Conclusion

• The Justice Yashwant Varma case highlights both the vulnerabilities within the judiciary and the persistent attempts by the government to control it.
• While judicial corruption is a serious issue that needs urgent reform, allowing government intervention in judicial appointments is not the answer.
• Instead, an independent and transparent mechanism for appointing and disciplining judges should be established. If judicial independence is compromised, the very foundation of democracy will be at risk.
• The public and opposition parties must recognise these dangers and resist any attempts to undermine the judiciary’s autonomy.

Why in news?

The Supreme Court stayed an Allahabad High Court ruling that downgraded charges against three accused from attempted rape to mere preparation, calling the judgment insensitive.

The High Court had removed attempted rape charges and directed trial under lesser offences, including IPC Section 354B (using criminal force against a woman) and Sections 9/10 (aggravated sexual assault) of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act).

The case highlights the critical legal distinction between “preparation” (generally not punishable) and “attempt” (criminally punishable), prompting Supreme Court intervention.

What’s in Today’s article?

• Background of the case
• Distinction Between ‘Preparation’ and ‘Attempt’
• Allahabad HC Downgrades Attempted Rape Charges
• Historical Precedents in Attempted Rape Cases

Background of the case

• The High Court was hearing an appeal against a POCSO court order that had summoned the accused for trial under Section 376 IPC (rape) and Section 18 of the POCSO Act (punishment for attempt).
• On March 17, the HC removed attempted rape charges, terming the act as mere "preparation."
• Key Legal Distinction: Preparation vs. Attempt
  • The case highlights the crucial difference between "preparation" (generally not punishable) and "attempt" (which is criminally punishable), leading to Supreme Court intervention.

Distinction Between ‘Preparation’ and ‘Attempt’

• The Supreme Court has clarified that an attempt to commit an offence goes beyond preparation and involves concrete steps toward committing the crime.
• Preparation is merely a stage that precedes an attempt.
• Legal Criteria for ‘Attempt’
  • In Abhayanand Mishra v. State of Bihar (1961), the SC outlined key requirements to establish an attempt:
    • The accused had the intention to commit the offence.
    • The accused prepared to commit the offence.
    • The accused took actions towards committing the offence (not necessarily the final act).
    • The penultimate act occurred during the course of committing the offence (proximity requirement).
• Key SC Ruling: Where Attempt Begins
  • In State of Maharashtra v. Mohd. Yakub (1980), the SC ruled that “attempt begins where preparation ends”—an accused cannot be punished for mere preparation without an overt act leading to the crime.

Allahabad HC Downgrades Attempted Rape Charges

• The Allahabad High Court ruled that the accused could not be charged with attempted rape, stating that the prosecution failed to prove the offence had progressed beyond preparation.
• HC’s Reasoning
  • The court held that the allegations did not meet the legal threshold for attempted rape, as no concrete steps towards the offence were proven.
  • It relied on the 1836 English case Rex v. James Lloyd, which required evidence that the accused intended to gratify their passions despite resistance.
  • The HC noted no claim of penetrative assault, a key requirement for proving rape under the IPC.
• Reduced Charges and Punishment
  • The HC ruled that the accused could only be charged under Section 354B IPC (assault with intent to disrobe a woman), which carries a punishment of 1-5 years in prison, rather than attempted rape under the IPC and POCSO Act.

Historical Precedents in Attempted Rape Cases

• The Lloyd ruling (1836), despite being nearly two centuries old, continues to influence Indian courts in determining whether an accused has attempted to commit rape.
• Recent Applications of the Lloyd Ruling
  • May 2024: The Rajasthan High Court applied the Lloyd test and altered an attempted rape conviction, reducing the charge to Section 354 IPC (assault on a woman with intent to outrage modesty).
  • 2004: In Aman Kumar & Anr v. State of Haryana, the Supreme Court adopted a similar approach, lowering the conviction from attempted rape to a lesser offence.
• SC’s Criticism and Potential Legal Reassessment
  • On March 25, 2025, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of the Allahabad HC’s ruling and issued a stay, strongly criticizing its reasoning.
  • The SC remarked that the observations were legally flawed, insensitive, and inhumane.
  • This case presents an opportunity for the Supreme Court to reconsider and redefine the legal standard for attempted rape.

Why in news?

The India BioEconomy Report 2024, released by the Department of Biotechnology, estimates India's bioeconomy to be worth over $165 billion, contributing 4.2% of GDP.

The report highlights significant growth potential, projecting the sector to reach $300 billion by 2030 and $1 trillion by 2047.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Bioeconomy
• Growing Footprint of India's Bioeconomy
• BioE3 Policy: Boosting India's Bioeconomy
• Other Initiatives & Policy Push
• Challenges and Way Forward

Bioeconomy

• It refers to the industrial use of biological resources (plants, animals, microorganisms) and natural biological processes for producing goods and services.
• Traditional and Expanding Applications
  • Biological resources have long been used in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.
  • Their use is now expanding to fuels, textiles, plastics, construction materials, and chemicals due to their renewability, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability.
• Sustainable Alternatives
  • Ethanol, produced via fermentation of sugarcane or corn, is replacing hydrocarbon-based fuels.
  • Biotechnology enables biomedicines and synthetic biology, allowing the design of microorganisms with specific traits.
• Scope for Rapid Growth
  • The economic use of biological resources is still in its early stages but has vast untapped potential.
  • With advancements in biotechnology and sustainability, the bioeconomy is expanding rapidly.

Growing Footprint of India's Bioeconomy

• India’s bioeconomy nearly doubled in five years, from $86 billion (2020) to $165 billion (2024).
  • Growth has surpassed the initial target of $150 billion by 2025.
• The number of bioeconomy companies increased by 90%, from 5,365 (2021) to 10,075 (2024), and is projected to double by 2030, creating 35 million jobs.
• Sector-wise Contributions
  • The sector now contributes 4.25% to GDP with a CAGR of 17.9% in the last four years.
  • Industrial sector (biofuels, bioplastics) contributed $78 billion (~47%).
  • Pharma sector contributed 35%, with vaccines as the key driver.
  • Fastest-growing segment (2024): Research & IT, including biotech software, clinical trials, and bioinformatics.
• Regional Disparities
  • Five states (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh) generated over two-thirds of bioeconomy value.
  • Eastern & Northeastern regions contributed less than 6%.
• Challenges & Future Prospects
  • Sustaining high growth will require innovation, scaling-up incentives, and policy reforms.
  • Addressing regional imbalances is crucial.
  • While India’s bioeconomy (4.2% of GDP) is comparable to China & the US, it lags behind Spain & Italy (20% of GDP).

BioE3 Policy: Boosting India's Bioeconomy

• Launched in 2024, the BioE3 policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) aims to make India a global hub for bio-manufacturing and R&D in biotechnology.
• Key Objectives
  • Strengthen bio-manufacturing in areas like:
    • Bio-based chemicals & enzymes
    • Functional foods & precision biotherapeutics
    • Marine & space biotechnology
    • Climate-resilient agriculture
  • Foster a network of universities, research institutions, start-ups, and industries.
• Implementation
  • Assam became the first state to adopt the BioE3 framework, signaling nationwide expansion.
  • New initiatives include Bio-AI Hubs, Bio Foundries, and Bio-Enabler Hubs for integrating advanced tech into biomanufacturing.
  • Address policy bottlenecks to unlock the sector’s full potential.

Other Initiatives & Policy Push

• New initiatives include Bio-AI Hubs, Bio Foundries, and Bio-Enabler Hubs for integrating advanced tech into biomanufacturing.
• Boosting Startups & Innovation
  • India's biotech startups grew from 50 in 2014 to over 10,075 in 2024.
  • The BioSaarthi mentorship program was launched to support startups with global mentorship, leveraging Indian diaspora expertise.
  • Public-private partnerships have fueled sectoral expansion and innovation.
• Breakthroughs in Biotechnology
  • Development of Nafithromycin, India’s first indigenous antibiotic for respiratory diseases.
  • Successful gene therapy trials for hemophilia.
  • Completion of India’s whole genome sequencing project, mapping 10,074 individuals across 99 communities to revolutionize precision medicine.
• Space Biotechnology & Future Prospects
  • Collaboration between the Department of Biotechnology and ISRO to advance space biology and medicine.
  • Biotechnology will play a key role in astronaut health and space research as India prepares for its first space station.
• R&D Investment Surge
  • India's Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) doubled, from ₹60,196 crore in 2013-14 to ₹1,27,381 crore in 2024.
  • This funding push underscores the government’s commitment to scientific research and innovation.

Challenges and Way Forward

• India has strong existing capabilities in some biotech fields, making commercialization easier.
• However, regulatory challenges remain, especially in genetically modified (GM) crops, which could enhance agricultural productivity.
• Recommendations for Future Growth
  • Establish a National BioEconomy Mission.
  • Implement single-window regulatory mechanisms to streamline biotech innovations.

Why in news?

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) submitted a status report to the Delhi High Court highlighting key concerns about deepfakes.

Deepfake technology creates realistic videos, audio, and images. It can change a person’s face, voice, and actions. This can mislead people and spread false information.

What’s in today’s article?

• Regulation of Deepfakes in India
• Background
• Government Report on Deepfakes: Key Concerns and Stakeholder Insights

Regulation of Deepfakes in India

• In India, while there's no specific law directly addressing deepfakes.
• Existing provisions under the Information Technology Act (IT Act) and other laws can be used to address their misuse, such as defamation, impersonation, and copyright infringement. 
• Existing Legal Framework:
  • Information Technology Act, 2000:
    • Section 66D:Penalizes cheating by impersonation using a computer resource, which could apply to deepfakes used for fraudulent impersonation. 
    • Section 66E:Addresses violation of privacy, which could be relevant if deepfakes are used to share private content. 
    • Sections 67, 67A, and 67B:Prohibit and punish the publication or transmission of obscene or sexually explicit material. 
    • Defamation Laws: Deepfakes used to spread misinformation or damage someone's reputation can be challenged under defamation laws. 
    • Copyright Act, 1957:Copyright holders can initiate legal proceedings against individuals who use copyrighted material without permission to create deepfakes, with penalties outlined in Section 51. 

Background

• Several petitions have been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking regulation of deepfakes and AI-generated content.
• Three petitions filed
  • Rajat Sharma's Petition (Journalist, India TV Editor-in-Chief)
    • Seeks regulation of deepfake technology.
    • Requests blocking of public access to apps enabling deepfake creation.
    • Argues that deepfakes pose a threat to society by spreading misinformation and disinformation, undermining public discourse and democracy.
  • Chaitanya Rohilla's Petition (Lawyer)
    • Calls for regulations on AI usage, addressing concerns over its unregulated deployment.
  • Kanchan Nagar's Petition (Model)
    • Seeks a ban on non-consensual commercial deepfakes.
    • Advocates for fair compensation for original artists in commercial advertising.
• Formation of Committee
  • In November 2024, the court instructed the Centre to appoint members to the committee.
  • The MeitY had announced the formation of a committee on November 20, 2024, to address this issue.
  • A nine-member MeitY committee, formed in November 2024, met stakeholders on January 21, 2025.

Government Report on Deepfakes: Key Concerns and Stakeholder Insights

• Rising Threats from Deepfakes
  • Deepfakes targeting women during state elections.
  • Increasing AI-generated scam content, particularly post-elections.
  • Need for better enforcement rather than new laws
  • Lack of a uniform definition for "deepfake."
• Call for AI Content Regulation
  • Stakeholders emphasized mandatory AI content disclosure, labeling standards, and grievance redressal mechanisms, focusing on malicious actors rather than creative uses of deepfake technology.
• Debate on Intermediary Liability
  • MeitY's panel proposed mandatory compliance for intermediaries regarding deepfake content.
  • Stakeholders cautioned against over-reliance on intermediary liability frameworks, advocating better investigative and enforcement mechanisms instead of new regulations.
    • Intermediary liability frameworks determine the extent to which intermediaries can be held liable for content on their platforms.
    • The frameworks range from holding intermediaries entirely responsible for the content posted on their platform to complete immunity.
  • A representative from X stressed the need to distinguish between deceptive and benign AI content.
• Challenges in Deepfake Detection
  • The Data Analysis Unit (DAU), part of the Meta-supported Misinformation Combat Alliance, highlighted:
    
    • Audio-based deepfakes are harder to detect.
    • Stakeholders underscored the need for collaboration and standard detection frameworks.
• Law Enforcement and Regulatory Actions
• The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has been tasked with gathering data on deepfake-related cases from law enforcement agencies.
• Proposed solutions include awareness campaigns via platforms like YouTube.
• Ongoing Consultations and Next Steps
  • MeitY has requested three more months from the Delhi High Court to complete its consultations.
  • The ministry is yet to consult victims of deepfakes and is collaborating with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to gather their inputs.
  • Discussions so far have focused more on reactive measures rather than preventive solutions.

Context

• On World Water Day (March 22, 2025), Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the necessity of collective action for water conservation, highlighting the importance of securing water resources for present and future generations.
• Coinciding with this, the Ministry of Jal Shakti launched the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain 2025, a campaign that underscores the need for community participation in water management.
• While such initiatives reflect a growing awareness of water-related challenges, a critical analysis of India's rural water policies reveals significant gaps that need urgent attention.

The Role of Communities in Water Management

• A fundamental issue in India’s water policies is the limited role of communities in decision-making processes.
• Indigenous and local communities possess valuable ecological knowledge, yet their participation in water governance remains superficial.
• Current policies largely focus on community involvement in the management of water sources, while decision-making power remains concentrated with state authorities.
• This restricts the ability of communities to implement their own traditional water conservation methods, leading to a top-down, one-size-fits-all approach that often disregards local environmental dynamics.
• For instance, Water User Associations (WUAs), introduced in various states since the 1990s, were designed to promote participatory irrigation management.
• However, while these associations give farmers the responsibility of managing irrigation sources, they lack real authority in shaping broader water policies.
• This limited autonomy reduces their effectiveness and highlights the need for a more decentralized and inclusive governance framework.

Key Issues in Water Governance and Solutions

• Addressing Water Vulnerability Among Marginalised Groups
  • Water policies must also consider the unequal impact of water crises on different social groups.
  • Subaltern and economically marginalised communities are disproportionately affected by environmental challenges.
  • This is particularly evident among groups that experience both social and economic marginalisation, as they often lack access to adequate water resources and infrastructure.
  • To create equitable water policies, it is essential to ensure the participation of vulnerable groups in water governance.
  • Recognising their agency and traditional knowledge can lead to more inclusive and sustainable water management systems.
  • A truly participatory approach should not only provide marginalised communities with a voice but also equip them with the necessary resources and support to actively shape water policies.
• Moving Beyond Fragmented Water Governance
  • A major challenge in India’s water management framework is the fragmentation of policies and governing bodies.
  • Currently, different aspects of the ecosystem, such as forests, land, water, and biodiversity, are governed by separate policies and authorities.
  • This siloed approach ignores the interdependent nature of these elements, leading to inefficiencies and unintended negative consequences.
  • A successful integrated approach can be seen in the traditional ecological practices of rural communities in western India.
  • A notable example is the establishment of orans, sacred forests that hold religious, cultural, and ecological significance.
  • Many communities use orans for water conservation, as they enhance tree and grass cover, which in turn traps surface runoff and supports rainwater harvesting.
  • This holistic understanding of ecosystem interdependence serves as a model for future water policies.
  • Instead of fragmented governance, India must adopt an integrated policy approach that recognizes the mutual relationship between water, land, forests, and biodiversity.
• Incorporating a More-Than-Human Perspective
  • Globally, environmental governance is shifting towards a more-than-human perspective, which acknowledges that nature has intrinsic value beyond human needs.
  • Many legal frameworks worldwide have started recognising the rights of nature, with courts developing jurisprudence that grants ecosystems legal protection.
  • However, India’s water policies remain anthropocentric, focusing exclusively on human water needs.
  • Interestingly, certain rural communities in India have already embraced a more-than-human approach in their water governance.
  • For example, in some regions of western India, irrigation practices are adjusted based on the availability of water for animals, ensuring that ecosystem health is prioritised.
  • India’s formal water policies should learn from these community-led practices and incorporate legal frameworks that protect natural water bodies as living entities rather than mere resources for human consumption.

The Climate Change Imperative

• Climate change poses a significant threat to India’s water security. A recent study in Nature predicts that India’s water gap will widen as global temperatures rise.
• Given this alarming projection, water policies must prioritise climate resilience by:
  • Developing climate-resilient water systems that can withstand erratic rainfall patterns and extreme weather events.
  • Enhancing the resilience of existing water infrastructure to prevent water shortages and depletion.
  • Integrating climate adaptation policies that focus on ecosystem restoration to reduce the impact of droughts and floods.
• For instance, India must promote traditional rainwater harvesting techniques, such as stepwells and check dams, while simultaneously leveraging modern innovations like smart irrigation systems and climate-responsive water storage facilities.

The Way Forward: Beyond Rhetoric, A Call for Action

• While current policies emphasise community participation, they often fall short in practical implementation.
• Rural water policies must move beyond symbolic engagement and ensure that local voices play a central role in shaping decision-making processes.
• At the same time, it is crucial to acknowledge that traditional community practices may have certain limitations.
• Addressing these requires capacity-building initiatives and sensitization programs to equip communities with the latest scientific knowledge and technology without undermining their ecological wisdom.

Conclusion

• India’s water policies must undergo a fundamental shift to align with contemporary environmental challenges.
• This requires empowering communities, addressing social vulnerabilities, adopting integrated ecosystem-based governance, and ensuring climate resilience.
• Moreover, policymakers must incorporate a more-than-human perspective, recognizing that water conservation is not just a human concern but a broader ecological necessity.
• By creating genuine community participation and moving beyond fragmented governance, India can create a sustainable and equitable water management framework that serves both present and future generations.

Context

• Scientific progress is a cornerstone of national development, and nations that prioritise research and innovation tend to lead the global economy.
• At a recent National Science Day function, India’s Union Minister for Science and Technology made an ambitious claim: India will overtake the United States in the number of scientific publications by 2029.
• However, a deeper examination of international research metrics, funding allocation, and research quality suggests that this assertion is more aspirational than realistic. 

Comparing Research Output and Investments

• A crucial factor in scientific progress is the level of investment in research and development (R&D).
• The data for six leading research nations illustrate a stark contrast: Israel spends 6.3% of its GDP on R&D, South Korea 4.9%, Japan 3.3%, the United States 3.46%, Germany 3.13%, China 2.4%, and India a mere 0.67%.
• These figures highlight a fundamental problem, India cannot expect to compete with scientific powerhouses while investing significantly less in R&D.
• China’s research dominance is backed by long-term strategic investments in education and scientific infrastructure.
• Since 2006, China has implemented a well-planned Medium-to-Long-Term Plan (MLP) for science and technology development, leading to a research output of 898,949 publications.
• In contrast, the U.S. produced 457,335 publications, while India lagged with 207,390 papers.
• Given these figures, India's claim that it will surpass the U.S. in research output by 2029 appears unfounded.

The Issue of Research Quality

• A more relevant measure of impact is the quality of research, which can be evaluated using citation impact, the Hirsch Index (H-Index), and the Impact Factor (IF) of journals in which papers are published.
• According to Clarivate, a global research analytics firm, India’s citation impact (CNCI) stands at 0.879, compared to 1.12 for China and 1.25 for the U.S. Among 30 ranked countries, India is positioned at a disappointing 28th place.
• A case study in chemistry research provides further insight. An analysis of publications in top-tier chemistry journals between 2017 and 2024 revealed that the U.S., China, and India contribute vastly different numbers of papers.
• For instance, in the prestigious Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS), the U.S. published 8,503 papers, China 5,521, and India only 305.
• Moreover, a breakdown of Chinese institutions shows that even second-tier Chinese universities produce significantly more research than India’s premier institutions, such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
• This disparity underscores India's weak research ecosystem and the need for deeper systemic changes.

The Challenge of Ethics and Research Integrity in Indian Science

• The Proliferation of Predatory Journals
  • These journals often have misleading impact factors, fake editorial boards, and little to no editorial oversight.
  • A 2018 study found that 62% of the world's standalone predatory journals originate in India.
  • This means that a significant portion of Indian research is published in outlets that do not ensure academic rigor, thereby diminishing its global credibility.
  • The most infamous case is the Hyderabad-based Omics Group, which was fined $50 million by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2019 for deceptive publishing practices.
  • The Omics Group published thousands of articles in questionable journals, falsely claiming that they were peer-reviewed and had high impact factors.
  • It also tricked researchers into paying hefty publication fees, exploiting the pressure on Indian academics to publish in large numbers for career advancement.
  • With 69,000 articles published through this unethical model, Omics significantly polluted global scientific literature, making it difficult to distinguish legitimate research from junk science.
• Plagiarism and Fabrication of Data
  • Plagiarism and data fabrication are other pressing concerns in Indian academia. Many research papers have been found to be either copied from existing work or based on manipulated data.
  • This unethical behaviour is often driven by institutional pressures to meet publication quotas for promotions and funding.
  • Several high-profile cases have exposed these issues. In 2020, a senior professor at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) was accused of plagiarising multiple research papers.
  • Similarly, the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) saw a scandal where fabricated data was used in published research.
  • Retractions of Indian research papers due to plagiarism and falsification have been steadily increasing, leading to embarrassment for the country’s scientific community.
• The Weakness of the Peer Review System
  • A robust peer review system is essential for maintaining scientific quality, but in India, this system is often compromised.
  • Many researchers manipulate the peer review process by suggesting their friends and colleagues as reviewers, ensuring favourable reviews.
  • In some cases, journal editors have been found to approve papers without proper scrutiny, particularly in low-quality or predatory journals.
  • A notable example occurred in 2019, when more than 250 Indian research papers were retracted by international publishers due to concerns over manipulated peer reviews and duplicated content.
• The Pressure to Publish: ‘Publish or Perish’ Culture
  • A major reason behind the rise of unethical practices in Indian research is the ‘publish or perish’ culture.
  • Academic promotions, funding grants, and job security in Indian universities are often linked to the number of publications rather than their quality.
  • As a result, researchers are incentivised to publish as many papers as possible, often without regard for originality or impact.
  • In contrast, leading scientific nations like the United States and Germany emphasize research quality over quantity.

The Impact on India's Scientific Reputation and The Path Forward for Indian Science

• The Impact on India's Scientific Reputation
  • The global scientific community is increasingly aware of India’s research integrity crisis.
  • Several major international journals and indexing platforms, such as Clarivate and Scopus, have started scrutinising Indian research more closely.
  • This means that even genuine Indian scientists now face scepticism when submitting their work to prestigious journals.
  • Furthermore, international collaborations are at risk. Many foreign universities and research institutions hesitate to partner with Indian researchers due to concerns about scientific integrity.
  • This affects India's ability to attract global research funding, grants, and talent.
• The Path Forward for Indian Science
  • Increasing R&D Investment: India must aim to raise its R&D spending from the current 0.67% of GDP to at least 2%, aligning itself with other leading nations.
  • Strengthening Higher Education and Research Infrastructure: China’s success stems from its strategic investment in universities and research institutions. India must similarly improve the quality of education, research facilities, and funding for scientists.
  • Enhancing Research Integrity: The prevalence of unethical publishing practices must be curbed through stricter regulations, better peer review mechanisms, and more rigorous academic oversight.
  • Focusing on Innovation and Industry Collaboration: Collaboration between universities, research institutions, and the private sector should be encouraged to translate research into practical applications.

Conclusion

• India's dream of becoming a global leader in science is achievable, but not without significant reform.
• Merely increasing the number of scientific papers will not propel the country forward if the quality remains poor and ethical concerns persist.
• As Einstein aptly put it, ‘Not everything that can be counted counts. Not everything that counts can be counted.’
• If India genuinely seeks to rival scientific giants like the U.S. and China, it must address the fundamental flaws in its research ecosystem, prioritise quality over quantity, and make substantial long-term investments in science and technology.

Why in the News?

Both the Houses of the Parliament have passed the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which allows bank account holders to have up to four nominees.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About Banking Laws Bill (Objective, Key Features, etc.)
• News Summary (Gov’s Arguments, Oppositions’ Concerns, etc.)

Understanding the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024:

• The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 9, 2024, and passed on December 3, 2024.
• The Bill amends five major laws governing India’s banking sector:
  • Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934
  • Banking Regulation Act, 1949
  • State Bank of India Act, 1955
  • Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Acts of 1970 and 1980

Key Features of the Bill:

• Four nominees for deposits:
  • Deposit holders can now appoint up to four nominees, either successively or simultaneously. Previously, only one nominee was allowed.
• Updated definition of ‘fortnight’:
  • For calculating cash reserves, banks will now follow fixed calendar periods—1st to 15th or 16th to month-end—instead of the old Saturday-to-Friday format.
• Extended director tenure in co-operative banks:
  • Directors can now serve for 10 consecutive years, up from the earlier limit of 8 years.
• Dual directorship allowed in certain co-operative banks:
  • A director of a central co-operative bank can now serve on the board of a state co-operative bank if they are a member.
• Increased threshold for ‘substantial interest’:
  • The definition now includes shareholdings worth up to ₹2 crore, replacing the outdated ₹5 lakh cap set decades ago.
• Unclaimed funds broadened:
  • Unclaimed dividends, shares, and bond payments older than seven years will be transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF).
• Bank autonomy in auditor pay:
  • Banks will now decide the remuneration of their auditors instead of the RBI and Central Government doing so.

News Summary:

• The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill on March 26, 2025, amid both support and criticism.
• Over 20 MPs took part in a four-hour discussion, which highlighted different aspects of the banking system’s health and governance.
• Government’s Stand:
  • Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman defended the Bill, saying it brings necessary reforms. She made the following key points:
    • Public sector banks posted a record ₹1.41 lakh crore profit in FY 2023–24.
    • Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) have significantly reduced.
    • Over 912 bank fraud cases involving wilful defaulters are under probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
    • Loan write-offs are accounting practices, not waivers—banks still pursue recovery.
• Opposition’s Concerns:
  • Wilful Defaulters & Write-offs
    • They highlighted that ₹87,000 crore owed by 50 wilful defaulters—including names like Mehul Choksi and Rishi Agarwal—were written off, while poor and small borrowers face harsh actions.
  • Need for Deeper Scrutiny
    • Opposition members criticised the practice of amending five laws at once without detailed review, calling for a Joint Parliamentary Committee to examine the Bill.
  • Concerns About NPAs
    • Opposition said Indian banks are burdened with ₹10 lakh crore in NPAs over five years, largely due to a small group of high-profile defaulters.
  • Issues in Rural and Cooperative Banks
    • Opposition raised concerns about the rising financial frauds in cooperative banks (over 4,000 cases in five years) and outdated tech infrastructure.
    • They also questioned the static ₹2 crore cap and suggested linking it to inflation.
• Government’s Counterpoints
  • The government said the Bill gives new strength to the banking sector and pointed to improvements under the government post-2014, including widespread financial inclusion and direct benefit transfers.

Conclusion:

The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 represents a major update in India's banking regulation, addressing everything from customer convenience to board governance.

While the provisions are largely forward-looking, concerns about oversight, transparency, and the handling of large-scale NPAs remain.

Context:

• The controversy surrounding the discovery of massive cash at Delhi HC judge Justice Yashwant Varma's home last week has reignited interest in the debate of judicial appointments in India.
• “Things would have been different” if the Supreme Court had not struck down the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act passed by Parliament in 2014." (Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar)

Judicial Appointments in India:

• Article 124 of the Constitution establishes and governs the Supreme Court of India.
• Article 124 (2): The President, on the advice of the Council of Ministers, appoints Supreme Court judges in consultation with the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
• B.R. Ambedkar opposed granting veto power to the CJI, rejecting the substitution of “consultation” with “concurrence.”

Evolution of Judicial Appointments:

• Early years (1950-1970s):
  • Initially, the executive had full discretion in appointing judges.
  • Judicial independence was not a major issue despite constitutional amendments.
  • The 1970s saw executive interference, including the supersession of judges, leading to concerns over judicial autonomy.
  • For example, Justice M H Beg was appointed CJI in 1977, overlooking Justice H R Khanna, who was first in seniority.
• First Judges case (1981) - S P Gupta case: The Supreme Court ruled that “consultation” (in Article 124) does not mean “concurrence.” The executive retained discretion in judicial appointments.
• Second and Third Judges cases (1993 and 1998):
  • The Court reversed its earlier stance, ruling that “consultation” meant “concurrence.”
  • The collegium system was established, transferring power from the executive to a body of judges.

The Collegium System:

• Established through judicial rulings, not mentioned in the Constitution.
• Headed by the CJI, it includes the four senior-most Supreme Court judges.
  • It makes recommendations for the appointment of judges to the SC, the appointment of Chief Justices of the High Courts, and the transfer of judges of High Courts.
• A three-member collegium, headed by the CJI and comprising the two senior-most judges of that court, makes recommendations for the appointment of judges to the High Courts.
• The collegium system is often criticized for lack of transparency, accountability, and lobbying within the system.

The National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC):

• The Parliament passed the Constitution (99th Amendment) Act, 2014, and the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act, 2014.
• These two laws provided for an independent commission to appoint judges to the SC and High Courts, replacing the collegium system.
• The NJAC comprised six members:
  • Chief Justice of India (Chairperson)
  • Two senior-most Supreme Court judges
  • Union Minister of Law and Justice
  • Two eminent persons from civil society (one from SC/ST/OBC/minorities or women) to be nominated by a committee comprising the CJI, the PM, and the LoP in Lok Sabha.
• It enjoyed near-unanimous political support and was ratified by 16 state legislatures.

Striking Down of NJAC (2015):

• The Supreme Court declared NJAC unconstitutional in a 4:1 judgment.
• Key issue: Veto power of non-judicial members, allowing any two NJAC members to reject a recommendation and risking the judiciary being outnumbered by the executive.
• The Court invoked the Basic Structure Doctrine, ruling that judicial primacy in appointments is essential for judicial independence.
• Justice Jasti Chelameswar’s dissenting opinion: Criticized the collegium system’s secrecy, lack of transparency, and lobbying. Argued that NJAC was a better alternative if properly structured.
• Justice Kurian Joseph (concurring judgment):
  • Acknowledged lack of transparency, accountability, and credibility in the collegium system.
  • Later regretted striking down NJAC, citing collegium failures.

Can NJAC be Revived?

• The NJAC was struck down before being tested in practice, leaving room for revisiting judicial reforms.
• Alternative proposals suggest modifications:
  • Giving the CJI a casting vote to ensure judicial predominance.
  • Eliminating the veto power of non-judicial members.
  • Ensuring appointments are not subject to executive reconsideration.

Conclusion and the Way Forward:

• The NJAC case was a missed opportunity for judicial reforms.
• Growing concerns over collegium opacity and internal politics warrant a fresh debate on judicial appointments.
• A balanced system ensuring both judicial independence and accountability remains a key issue in India’s constitutional framework.