Context:

• For decades, calls for sustainable, climate-resilient, hazard-averse development in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) have gone unheeded.
• The catastrophic Nepal floods of August 26, 2026 serve as a stark warning: the “global natural commons” — stretching from the Hindu Kush and Karakoram to the Himalayas — are facing an existential crisis.
• In this context, this article argues that every development activity in the region must now be reassessed against changing geological realities.

The Scale of Warming

• The IPCC and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warn that warming in Asia’s high mountains is occurring at 0.3°C per decade — nearly double the global average.
• This leads to glacier retreat, reduced mountain-slope stability, compromised infrastructure integrity, threatened water security, livelihoods, and ecosystems, and rising disaster risk.
• A report by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) found that ice-loss rates across the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) have doubled since 2000.
• Warming is not uniform across the 3,500-km range: as per the Journal of Earth System Science, the western Himalaya warms faster than the central and eastern stretches, with night-time minimum and winter temperatures rising most sharply.
• Nepal’s dilemma: It produces just ~0.1% of global greenhouse gas emissions yet bears disproportionate consequences — strengthening its case for loss-and-damage compensation.

How Rising Temperatures Trigger Disasters?

• Glacier Mechanics
  • Rising temperatures disturb the balance between winter snow accumulation and summer melt, causing glaciers to retreat and thin.
  • Ice once at −6°C to −20°C now sits closer to −2°C, making it far more prone to melting.
  • Meltwater forms supraglacial lakes and carves vertical shafts called moulins, plunging to bedrock and creating a pressurised liquid layer that lubricates the glacier, speeding its downslope slide and generating forces strong enough to fracture ice.
• Permafrost — The Geological Cement
  • Permafrost (ground/rock at or below 0°C) binds steep rock walls by filling fractures and pores with solid ice.
  • As it thaws, it triggers rock avalanches, landslides, and debris flows threatening valleys below.

Case Study: The Nepal Disaster (August 26, 2026)

• A 600-metre-wide section of ice and rock broke from Langtang Himal’s northern flank (elevation 5,600 m) and fell 1.2 km into the valley — registering a shake equivalent to a magnitude 5.2 seismic event (as per USGS).
• British Antarctic Survey researchers had recorded unusually high ground temperatures two days before the collapse via sensors 10 km away.
• The debris dammed the Lhende Khola (a tributary of the Bhote Koshi river); when the dam broke, it unleashed an “inland tsunami” of mud and debris that travelled 170 km down the Bhote Koshi Valley into central Nepal.
• This was not an isolated event — such collapses can occur anywhere in these mountains, and warming makes them more likely.

What Needs to Change?

• No technology exists to prevent such collapses — the focus must shift to mitigating downstream impact:
  • Regional cooperation and real-time data-sharing systems are urgently needed.
  • High-altitude satellite and drone surveillance to detect early signs of cliff fracturing, permafrost thaw, and glacial instability.
  • Acoustic and hydrological sensors along glacier-fed rivers to detect sudden movements and alert downstream communities immediately.
  • Continuous monitoring of glacial lakes, with engineered drainage where feasible.
  • River flood zoning must account for valley slope — steep slopes need infrastructure built much higher above riverbeds; gentler slopes need a different, horizontal zoning approach.

Rethinking Hydropower Policy

• A firm elevation-based ban on construction is needed.
• The Avay Shukla Committee (Court on Its Own Motion vs State of Himachal Pradesh) and the Ravi Chopra Committee both recommended restricting major hydropower projects or subjecting construction above 2,200 metres to detailed expert review.

The Chenab-Beas River-Linking Project Concern

• An 8.7-km tunnel through the Pir Panjal Range (Lahaul-Spiti, near Koksar village, Himachal Pradesh, at 3,140 m elevation) needs serious reconsideration.
• While diverting water from western Indus system rivers may seem logical on paper, the project sits in a fragile Himalayan ecosystem with likely environmental impacts that make it eminently avoidable.

Conclusion

• The Himalayas are not just warming — they are structurally unraveling, as permafrost that once held mountains together melts into the very water that now threatens valleys below.
• Nepal’s August disaster is a preview, not an aberration, of what unchecked warming can trigger anywhere across this fragile range.
• A genuine rethink demands more than monitoring technology — it requires regional cooperation, elevation-based construction limits, and the political will to pause or abandon projects, however strategically appealing, that defy the mountains’ changing geology.

Why in the News?

• The ongoing debate over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls has renewed scrutiny of the current process, particularly in comparison with the procedures followed during the 2002-04 revision.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• SIR (Overview, 2002-04 Process, Concerns w.r.t. 2025-26 Process, Reforms, etc.)

Overview of the Special Intensive Revision

• The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is an exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to comprehensively review and update electoral rolls.
• Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, authorises the ECI to conduct a special revision of the electoral roll for any constituency or part of a constituency in a manner it considers appropriate.
• The objective is to maintain accurate electoral rolls by identifying deceased electors, duplicate entries, changes of residence and eligible voters whose names may have been omitted.
• The ECI initiated a nationwide SIR in June 2025, beginning with Bihar.

SIR Process During 2002-04

• The previous SIR, conducted between 2002 and 2004, followed detailed procedures for household verification, supervision and the treatment of electors who had changed residence.
• Door-to-door enumeration
  • Enumerators conducted household visits using a preliminary electoral roll. Elected Panchayat members could voluntarily assist with the process.
• Multi-level supervision
  • The guidelines prescribed substantial supervisory checks:

• Supervisors were required to randomly verify at least 25% of the households covered by enumerators.
• Supervisors had to personally verify houses reported as locked after repeated visits.
• Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and District Election Officers were required to check at least 12%, 5% and 2% of households, respectively.

• Treatment of shifted electors
  • Electors who had changed residence were treated as transfers rather than immediate deletions. Their entries were retained in the preliminary list and marked with an “S” to indicate that they had shifted.
  • Enumerators were required to record information about the reported shift and the elector's new address or constituency. Where an entire family had moved, supervisors had to verify the case personally.
  • Since enumeration took place across areas during the same exercise, shifted electors could be enrolled at their new addresses. The Chief Electoral Officer coordinated the removal of old entries from the final roll.
• Citizenship verification and objections
  • The guidelines placed the burden of proving citizenship on applicants seeking first-time inclusion, while also referring to Supreme Court guidance requiring EROs to give adequate evidentiary value to an applicant's presence on an existing electoral roll.
  • Bulk claims and objections submitted by individuals, organisations or political parties were to be rejected summarily. The final electoral roll was to be prepared only after all claims and objections had been disposed of.

Key Concerns Regarding the 2025-26 SIR

• Exclusion of Electors: Electors unavailable during enumeration or who failed to submit forms were excluded from draft rolls, including previous voters. Unlike the 2002-04 exercise, shifted electors were not necessarily enrolled at their new addresses. This raises concerns about compliance with the ECI’s 2023 Manual on Electoral Rolls, which prescribes notice before deleting untraceable shifted electors.
• Reduced Supervisory Verification: Random verification by supervisors was reduced to 10% in the Bihar SIR notification, compared with 25% during 2002-04, potentially increasing enumeration errors.
• Burden of Establishing Eligibility: Electors were required to trace their or their parents’ names in earlier electoral rolls or submit citizenship documents, raising concerns about excessive responsibility being placed on voters.
• Software-Generated Discrepancies: Automated flags, including spelling variations, more than six voters linked to one ancestor, and parent-child age gaps outside 15-45 years, reportedly contributed to eligible voters’ exclusion without adequate verification.
• Bulk Objections and Appeals: Bulk Form 7 objections raised concerns about potential misuse, prompting the ECI to limit the number of objections an individual could file on October 9. Concerns also persist regarding Form 6 declarations, re-enrolment of omitted electors and delays in resolving appeals.

Scale and Implications of Voter Deletions

• Approximately 13.3 crore voter entries were deleted across the three phases of the current SIR.

Image Caption: Categories of Deleted Voters

• The largest category comprises electors classified as absent, shifted or falling under other reasons. Most of these individuals could remain eligible for re-enrolment once the revision process.

Reform Priorities for Electoral Roll Integrity

• Experts recommend a set of measures to improve the accuracy, transparency and fairness of the SIR process.

• Detailed audit: Conduct an audit of electoral rolls finalised so far to identify procedural errors and potential wrongful exclusions.
• Door-to-door verification: Make household enumeration a prescribed procedure in States where the SIR is ongoing.
• Expedited re-enrolment: Process eligible claims quickly through home visits, verification and timely updating of rolls.
• Effective supervision: Strengthen field-level monitoring and verification to reduce errors during enumeration.
• Timely disposal of claims: Finalise electoral rolls only after all claims and objections have been duly considered.
• Continuity of electoral rolls: The proviso to Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, allows existing pre-SIR rolls to remain in force for upcoming State elections while the revision is completed through due process.

Context:

• On January 3, 2019, at the Indian Science Congress, the Indian Prime Minister articulated the vision of “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan”.
• This emphasises the role of research and innovation in economic growth, national security, industrial development, entrepreneurship and citizen-centric governance - central to achieving Viksit Bharat 2047.
• Over the past decade, India has sought to strengthen its scientific institutions, increase research funding, promote private-sector participation and develop indigenous capabilities in emerging technologies.

India’s Progress:

• In research and innovation:
  • Global Innovation Index (GII): India improved from 81st position in 2015 to 38th in 2025.
  • Scientific publications: India ranks 3rd globally in the volume of scientific and engineering publications.
  • Research expenditure: Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) increased from ₹79,355.89 crore in 2013–14 to ₹2,44,767.81 crore in 2023–24, reaching approximately 0.84% of GDP.
  • Private-sector participation: The private sector’s share of GERD rose from 32.2% to 45.2% over the same period.
• What more needs to be done: Despite this progress, raising R&D expenditure as a proportion of GDP remains essential for strengthening India’s global competitiveness.

Strengthening the Institutional Framework:

• Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF):
  • The ANRF supports research across universities, colleges and research laboratories while promoting collaboration among academia, industry and government.
  • It seeks to broaden India’s research base beyond established institutions.
• Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) fund:
  • The ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund aims to mobilise private investment in high-impact research and emerging technologies.
  • It addresses the “valley of death”—the funding gap between laboratory research and commercialisation, when technologies require pilot-scale testing, demonstration and product development.
• Together, these initiatives seek to improve research capacity and bridge the gap between scientific discoveries and market-ready innovations.

Promoting Women in Science:

• Initiatives such as WISE-KIRAN, Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) and Vigyan Jyoti seek to expand women’s participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
• Greater gender inclusion can widen India’s scientific talent pool, improve diversity in research and promote equitable access to opportunities in the knowledge economy.

Developing Mission-Mode Capabilities in Emerging Technologies:

• National Quantum Mission: Supports the development of quantum computing, communication, sensing, metrology, materials and devices, alongside research groups and start-up spin-offs.
• IndiaAI Mission: Develops AI infrastructure, datasets, skills and foundational models while promoting responsible AI.
• India Semiconductor Mission:
  • Ten approved projects across six States—comprising two semiconductor fabrication facilities and eight packaging units—aim to strengthen domestic manufacturing.
  • The next phase, Semicon 2.0, emphasises equipment, materials, indigenous intellectual property, industry-led R&D and talent development.
• Biotechnology:
  • The BioE3 Policy promotes high-performance biomanufacturing, including bio-based chemicals, enzymes, precision biotherapeutics and space biotechnology.
  • India’s bioeconomy grew from approximately $10 billion in 2014 to $195.3 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $300 billion by 2030.
• Deep Ocean Mission and Mission Mausam: Extend scientific capabilities to ocean-resource exploration, climate understanding, weather forecasting and environmental security.
• These initiatives reflect a shift towards integrated, mission-oriented research that links scientific excellence with strategic and economic priorities.

Opening Strategic Sectors to Private Participation:

• Space:
  • The Indian Space Policy 2023, and IN-SPACe have expanded private-sector opportunities in launch services, satellite manufacturing and downstream applications.
  • The ecosystem now includes more than 400 space start-ups, according to the article.
• Nuclear energy:
  • The Sustainable Harnessing of Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act provides a legal framework for greater private-sector participation, subject to applicable licensing, safety and regulatory requirements.
• These reforms seek to encourage investment, innovation and indigenous technological capabilities in strategically important sectors.

Science for Citizen-Centric Governance:

• India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), built around the JAM trinity—Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and mobile connectivity, has expanded through platforms such as UPI, DigiLocker, Account Aggregator and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.
• In agriculture, satellites, drones, remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) support crop monitoring, precision farming, yield estimation and farmer advisories.
• Such applications demonstrate how scientific and digital innovations can improve public-service delivery, financial inclusion and agricultural productivity.

Strengthening the Start-up Ecosystem:

• Launched in 2016, Startup India placed entrepreneurship at the centre of India’s development strategy.
• India has emerged as the world’s 3rd-largest start-up ecosystem, with more than two lakh registered start-ups and over 130 unicorns, as cited in the article.
• Key supporting initiatives include:
  • Seed Fund Scheme and Fund of Funds: Improve access to early-stage and growth capital.
  • Credit Guarantee Scheme: Facilitates access to debt finance.
  • Atal Innovation Mission and NIDHI: Promote innovation, incubation and entrepreneurship.
  • BioNEST: Supports biotechnology incubation.
  • iDEX: Encourages defence innovation and indigenous technology development.
• The emerging focus is on translating research into commercially viable products, developing deep-tech enterprises and reducing dependence on imported technologies.

Conclusion:

• As India advances towards Viksit Bharat 2047, the vision of “Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan” must translate scientific progress into strategic autonomy, economic competitiveness and tangible improvements in citizens’ lives.
• For this, sustained investment in R&D, stronger industry–academia collaboration, improved commercialisation, skilled human capital and inclusive access to technology remain essential.

Context

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a constitutional body responsible for conducting free and fair elections and safeguarding citizens’ voting rights.
• Its credibility rests on institutional independence, transparency, impartiality and public trust.
• Controversies surrounding electoral-roll revisions, changes to Form 6, alleged misuse of Form 7 and technological interference have raised concerns about its legal authority and administrative functioning.

Disturbing Conduct and Institutional Credibility

• The ECI has played a vital role in strengthening Indian democracy.
• However, allegations of inconsistent enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during the 2019 and 2024 general elections, discriminatory treatment of Opposition parties and inadequate responses to electoral-roll complaints have generated public criticism.
• The 2023 legislation governing the appointment of Election Commissioners has further intensified concerns.
• The selection committee comprises the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.
• Critics argue that this arrangement increases executive influence over appointments.
• These controversies demonstrate that even the perception of political favouritism can undermine constitutional independence and institutional credibility.

Form 6: A Declaration Beyond the Rules

• Purpose and Requirements of Form 6
  • Form 6 is used by first-time voters and eligible individuals shifting constituencies to apply for inclusion in electoral rolls.
  • Applicants provide details concerning their identity, age, ordinary residence and citizenship.
• The Introduction of an Additional Declaration
  • The controversy emerged when the ECI’s June 24, 2025 notification introducing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) required an additional declaration, Annexure D, alongside Form 6 or Form 8 in specified circumstances.
  • The declaration classified applicants according to their birth dates and sought documents relating to citizenship eligibility.
• Legal and Constitutional Concerns
  • Critics argued that these requirements exceeded the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
  • Section 28 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 empowers the Central Government to make rules for implementing the Act, raising questions about the ECI’s authority to introduce additional requirements unilaterally.
  • The changes also prompted concerns about introducing a National Register of Citizens (NRC) indirectly through electoral procedures.
  • Article 326 establishes the principle of universal adult suffrage, subject to constitutional and statutory qualifications.
• The Supreme Court and the ECI’s Response
  • In September 2025, the ECI stated that the declaration attached to Form 6 for the SIR had been upheld by the Supreme Court, while prescribed forms would apply outside the SIR period.
  • The Chief Justice of India subsequently observed that no modified Form 6 had been approved by the Court.
  • On October 1, 2026, the ECI instructed Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to compare current and pre-SIR electoral rolls, identify missing electors and facilitate eligible individuals’ enrolment.
• Implications of Using Two Versions of Form 6
  • The continued use of two versions of Form 6 raises questions about legal consistency, administrative necessity and equal treatment.
  • Additional documentation requirements must have a clear legal basis and must not create arbitrary barriers to voter registration.

Wider Concerns: Form 7 and Electoral-Roll Manipulation

• Form 7 permits objections to electoral-roll entries, including requests for deletion on legally recognised grounds.
• However, reports of bulk applications in Uttarakhand, Karnataka and other States have raised concerns about attempts to remove eligible voters through questionable objections.
• Failure to investigate fraudulent or frivolous applications could weaken electoral integrity.
• Every objection requires proper verification, appropriate notice and an opportunity for the affected elector to respond.

Constitutional Principles and Democratic Accountability

• The right to vote is fundamental to representative democracy.
• Although accurate electoral rolls require verification, administrative procedures must not create disproportionate barriers to participation.
• The ECI must balance electoral accuracy with voter inclusion.
• Three principles are essential:
  • Legality: Electoral procedures must comply with the Constitution and applicable laws.
  • Transparency: Additions, deletions and objections must be properly documented and open to scrutiny.
  • Accountability: Officials and applicants must answer for fraudulent claims, misconduct and unauthorised interference.
• Technology can improve efficiency and prevent duplication, but systems must preserve officers’ statutory authority, maintain reliable audit trails and provide remedies against errors.
• Clear communication and reasoned decisions are equally important for restoring public confidence.

Conclusion

• Controversies surrounding Forms 6 and 7, the SIR and centralised electoral data have raised serious questions about the ECI’s legal authority and institutional credibility.
• Electoral-roll revision must improve accuracy without compromising citizens’ voting rights.
• The Commission must clarify additional documentation requirements, investigate suspicious objections, address technical failures and ensure that every eligible citizen can register.
• Ultimately, lawful procedures, impartial administration, independent oversight and democratic accountability are indispensable to public trust.
• Protecting electoral integrity and safeguarding the right to vote are complementary responsibilities, not competing objectives.

About Exercise KONKAN-2026:          

• It is an annual bilateral maritime exercise conducted between India and United Kingdom (UK).
• It is fostering enhanced interoperability and mutual understanding in maritime operations between the two Navies.
• Phases: The exercise is being conducted off Plymouth, UK, in two phases.
  • Harbour Phase: It includes a broad spectrum of professional interactions, cross-deck visits, sports fixtures, cultural engagements.
  • Sea Phase: It will encompass complex maritime operational drills across all three domains: air, surface and sub-surface.
• The exercise is a reaffirmation of the shared commitment to ensuring secure, open and free seas and exemplifies the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership outlined in the India-UK Vision 2035.
• The exercise stands as a testament to the enduring bonds between the Indian and UK Navies and their shared commitment to maritime peace and security.

About National Household Travel Survey:

• It is published by the National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• Primary objectives of the survey: To generate robust, data-driven insights into domestic travel patterns and dynamics to support regional transport planning, infrastructure development and evidence-based policy formulation.
• The survey captures key aspects of domestic travel, including:
  • Purpose of travel: Employment, education, social engagements, cultural and leisure activities, tourism, domestic work, caregiving and other purposes.
  • Mode of transport: Modes of transportation used by different demographic groups for undertaking trips.
  • Travel duration and distance: Average time taken and distances travelled during trips.
• Major findings of National Household Travel Survey:
  • Student Mobility: Students in the 15-29 age group recorded the highest regular trip participation for daily travel to educational institutions, at 1 per cent in rural India and 73.3 per cent in urban India.
  • Workforce Mobility: Male workers recorded a higher share of daily work trips of more than 1 km, at 61.9 per cent, compared with 41.9 per cent among female workers nationwide.
  • Commuting costs: The average monthly expenditure on commuting to a fixed workplace stood at Rs 785 per worker. Urban workers incurred an average monthly expenditure of Rs 1,044, compared with Rs 612 for rural workers.

About Garba Dance:

• It is a ritualistic and devotional dance performed throughout the State of Gujarat, and across India.
• It is celebrated for nine days during the festival of Navaratri.
• The festival is dedicated to the worship of the feminine energy or Shakti.
• The cultural, performative, and visual expressions of this feminine energy are expressed through the Garba dance.
• The performative and visual celebration of Garba takes place within homes and temple courtyards.
• Social Impact: It promotes gender inclusivity, community bonding, and social equality across rural and urban spaces.
• It continues to be inclusive and participative by diverse and marginalized communities, strengthening community bonds.
• Garba of Gujarat was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2023.

About Global Initiative on AI for Agri-Food Systems:

• It is a UN Global Initiative.
• It is coordinated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in close collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and World Food Programme (WFP).
• This provided a platform for advancing dialogue on the responsible use of AI in agriculture and food systems by promoting trustworthy and interoperable farmer-centric AI solutions.
• It strengthens international cooperation on governance and standards and identifying opportunities to translate innovation into practical applications.

What is International Telecommunication Union?

• It is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies.
• Historical Background:
  • It was established in 1865 as the International Telegraph Union.
  • In 1947 the ITU became a specialized agency of the United Nations.
• It is an intergovernmental organization that coordinates between governments and private sector bodies with respect to global telecommunication and information communication technology (ICT) services.
• Member countries: It has a membership of 194 countries and more than 1000 companies, universities and international and regional organizations.
• India and ITU: India has been an active member of the ITU since 1869 and has been a regular member of the ITU Council since 1952.
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.

About Palamu Tiger Reserve:

• Location: It is located in Jharkhand.
• The reserve forms a part of the Betla National Park.
• It is one of the first tiger reserves created in the country at the inception of ‘Project Tiger’.
• It is the first reserve in the world in which a tiger census was carried out as a pugmark count, as early as 1932 under the supervision of J.W. Nicholson.
• Terrain: The terrain is undulating with valleys, hills, and plains. The geological formation consists of gneiss and includes granite and limestone. 
• Rivers: It is drained by three rivers, namely North Koel, Auranga, and Burha, flowing through the valleys. 
• Vegetation: The vegetation comprises moist deciduous and dry deciduous forests.
• Flora: It mainly consists of Sal and bamboo as the major components.
• Fauna: Some keystone and principal species found in the reserve include Tiger, Asiatic Elephant, Leopard, Grey wolf, Wild dog, Gaur, Sloth bear and four horned antelope.

About Amrit Bharat Station Scheme:

• It was launched in 2022.
• It aims at development and upgradation of stations over the Indian Railways (IR) network. 
• It was launched to improve railway stations and make them cleaner, more comfortable and passenger-friendly.
• The ABSS has a long-term vision that involves creating master plans, promoting multimodal connectivity, better station accessibility for passengers, etc.
• Features:
  • Design: One of the significant features of this scheme is to designs of redeveloped station buildings are inspired by local culture, heritage and architecture.
  • Amenities: Under the scheme, stations are being upgraded with better waiting halls, toilets, lifts, escalators, free Wi-Fi, executive lounges, improved access roads and landscaping. Some stations may also have designated spaces for business meetings. 
    • The facilities are planned according to the needs of each station.
  • Local Economy Support: Local products will be sold at kiosks under the ‘One Station One Product’ scheme, and efforts will be made to make stations look greener and more attractive.