Archives (PRELIMS  Focus) Cuban Gar Category: Environment and Ecology Context: In Cuba’s mosquito-infested swamp, scientists race to save a prehistoric predator, Cuban Gar, which is as old as dinosaurs. About Cuban Gar: Scientific name: The scientific name of Cuban gar is Atractosteus tristoechus. It is a fish in the family Lepisosteidae. Other names: It is also known as the manjuari. Prehistoric in nature: This fish is part of a family called “gars,” which have been around for about 100 million years. Distribution: It is a tropical, freshwater species, although it also inhabits brackish water. It is found in rivers and lakes of western Cuba and the Isla de la Juventud. Uniqueness: It has the ability to breathe some atmospheric air in absence of sufficiently oxygenated water. It is also notable for its high tolerance of high ammonia and nitrate levels in water. Habitat: It is found in various habitats from large lakes and rivers to sluggish tributaries, backwaters and pools, and can surive in both fresh and brackish waters. Diet pattern: Gars are ambush predators feeding on smaller fishes and aquatic crustaceans in nature. Threats: It includes habitat loss, and introduction of invasive species like African walking catfish. IUCN status: It is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ in the IUCN Red Data list. Source: India Today Fujiwhara Effect Category: Geography Context: Multiple cyclonic storms with rare Fujiwhara interaction is likely in Bay of Bengal in the following week.      About Fujiwhara Effect: Definition: The Fujiwhara Effect occurs when two cyclones form near each other or approach each other close enough to allow the Fujiwhara interaction to take place.  Outcome of binary interaction: Extratropical cyclones can exhibit binary interaction when within a distance of 2,000 km of each other. Tropical cyclones exhibit this type of effect when separated by a distance of less than 1,400 km.  Direction: During the Fujiwhara interaction, the centers of the two cyclones involved in the phenomenon begin to mutually orbit in a counterclockwise direction about a point between the two cyclones. Dependent on relative mass: The position of the point is dependent on the intensity and relative mass of the cyclonic vortices. The smaller cyclone involved in the Fujiwhara Effect moves at a faster rate than the bigger one about the central point. Can lead to larger cyclones: The Fujiwhara Effect might lead the two cyclones to spiral into the central point and merge with each other, or it might trigger the development of a larger cyclone.  It might also divert the original path of one or both the cyclones. Source: Down To Earth Exercise Suryakiran Category: Defence and Security Context: The 19th edition of Joint Military exercise “Exercise SURYAKIRAN XIX – 2025” commenced today at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. About Exercise Suryakiran: Countries involved: It is the joint military exercise conducted between India and Nepal. Representing regiment: The Indian contingent is being represented mainly by troops from the ASSAM Regiment. Objective: The aim of the exercise is to jointly rehearse conduct of Sub Conventional operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate.’ Significance: It will further enhance the level of defence cooperation between Indian Army and Nepal Army. Focus areas: To enhance interoperability between the two armies in Counter-Terrorism (CT) Operations, jungle warfare, and mountain operations.  To improve coordination in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) under the United Nations (UN) Charter.  To emphasise on operational preparedness, aviation aspects, medical training, and environment conservation. About Exercise Suryakiran XIX: It aims to strengthen battalion-level synergy in Jungle Warfare, Counter-Terrorism Operations in Mountainous Terrain, Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR), Environmental Conservation, and Integrated Ground–Aviation Operations. It will focus on incorporating niche and emerging technologies, including Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), drone-based ISR, AI-enabled decision support tools, unmanned logistic vehicles and armoured protection platforms. Source: PIB Capital Gains Account Scheme (CGAS) Category: Government Schemes Context: The Ministry of Finance has notified the Capital Gains Accounts (Second Amendment) Scheme, 2025, introducing changes to the Capital Gains Account Scheme, 1988. About Capital Gains Account Scheme (CGAS): Launch: It was introduced by the Central Government in 1988 to help taxpayers claim exemptions on long-term capital gains.  Legal provision: Under Section 54 of the Income Tax Act, income from capital gains must be reinvested within 3 years to avoid tax liability.  However, there could be instances when the due date for filing income tax falls during this specified tenure.  Exception: If a taxpayer is unable to invest in such a short period of time, they can deposit such underutilised capital gains under CGAS. However, taxpayers must deposit such funds before filing their Income Tax Returns. Short-term gains not eligible: Investing the gains in this account is treated the same as direct reinvestment for exemption purposes. However, short-term capital gains are not eligible for the CGAS, as exemptions apply only to long-term capital gains. Persons who can deposit: Any taxpayer who earns long-term capital gains and wants to claim exemption can deposit in the CGAS. This includes Individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), Companies, and any other person eligible for capital gains exemption.  Usage: The scheme is mainly used when the taxpayer is unable to reinvest the capital gains before the due date of filing their income tax return but intends to invest within the specified period to claim exemption. Timeline: The deposited amount must be used within the stipulated period to invest in the eligible asset; otherwise, it will be treated as taxable capital gain in the year the deadline expires. About Capital Gains Accounts (Second Amendment) Scheme, 2025: Previously, CGAS deposits were largely limited to public sector banks and a few older institutions.  Under the new notification, all non-rural branches of 19 major private banks are now authorised to receive deposits and maintain CGAS accounts.  The “non-rural branch” condition means that only branches at centres with population 10,000 or more (per 2011 census) are in scope. The amended scheme explicitly defines ‘electronic mode’ of deposit to include credit/debit cards, net banking, UPI, IMPS, RTGS, NEFT, BHIM/Aadhaar Pay etc. Source: CNBC TV 18 Abujhmadiya Tribe Category: Society Context: Recently, the Bastar Olympics’ tournament has seen increasing participation of the Abujhmadiya tribe.                    About Abujhmadiya Tribe: Location: They are an ancestral and patriarchal tribe primarily residing in the Abujmarh region in Chhattisgarh, India. Related to Gond tribe: Abujhmadiya tribal community is a sub-group of Gond tribe of Central India region.  Part of PVTGs: It is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). Language: They speak Abuj Maria, Hindi or Chhattisgarhi. Social Structure: Their society is organized into clans, each with its own customs and traditions. Religious beliefs: They follow a form of animism, worshipping nature spirits and deities associated with natural elements. Emphasis on tattoo: Abujhmaria women consider (Godana) tattoo a permanent jewel. Festivals: They celebrate various festivals such as Saja festival and Bastar Dussehra, which features traditional dances, rituals, and community gatherings. Economic activities: The Abuj Maria primarily engage in subsistence agriculture, cultivating crops like rice, maize, and pulses. They also practice hunting, fishing, and gathering forest products. Source: The Indian Express (MAINS Focus) Rupee Depreciation and India’s Oil Dependence: Narrow Policy Space Ahead (UPSC GS Paper III – “Indian Economy; External Sector; Energy Security”)   Context (Introduction) A 7% rupee depreciation since late 2024, amid widening current-account pressures, global dollar strength, and higher oil import costs, has exposed India’s structural vulnerability arising from heavy crude dependence, limiting RBI’s stabilisation capacity and demanding long-term energy reforms.   Main Arguments External Vulnerability: Persistent crude dependence—over one-fifth of total imports in FY25—amplifies currency depreciation during global shocks, widening the current account deficit. RBI’s Limited Mandate: Under a managed-float regime, the RBI can only smooth currency volatility, not arrest depreciation, despite selling nearly $50 billion in forex since November 2024. Imported Inflation Risk: Transition from cheaper Russian oil to costlier U.S. crude combined with a weaker rupee increases inflationary pressure even as CPI temporarily eased to 0.25% in October 2025. Liquidity Management: Large-dollar swaps, including the $10 billion buy-sell swap in February 2025, provide systemic liquidity but cannot offset structural import dependence. Trade Shocks: High global tariffs and rising bullion imports as a hedge further strain the CAD, underscoring the need to reduce oil-linked vulnerabilities.   Challenges / Criticisms  Structural Oil Dependence: India remains exposed to global crude cycles, making macroeconomic stability hostage to oil price swings. Inadequate Energy Transition: Electrification of transport and renewable integration remain slow relative to the scale needed for external-sector resilience. Trade Policy Weaknesses: Recent bilateral FTAs with Japan, UAE, and ASEAN have worsened India’s trade balance instead of diversifying risk. CAD Pressures: Rising bullion imports and weaker exports under hostile global conditions strain the external account despite record FDI and reserves. Limited Monetary Scope: The RBI cannot indefinitely defend the rupee without compromising reserves or triggering domestic liquidity distortions.   Way Forward Accelerated Electrification: Treat EV adoption and public transport electrification as strategic economic reforms, not sectoral initiatives. Diversified Energy Mix: Expand domestic renewables, green hydrogen, and biofuels to structurally reduce crude import intensity. Coherent Trade Strategy: Shift from bilateral FTAs to a calibrated trade policy that safeguards domestic industry and aligns with energy-security goals. Boost Domestic Exploration: Strengthen ONGC and private-sector exploration to modestly raise domestic production and reduce import dependency. Demand-Side Efficiency: Promote energy-efficient fuels, mobility alternatives, and urban planning tools to curb long-term oil demand.   Conclusion Rupee stability cannot rest on RBI interventions alone when structural oil dependence drives repeated external shocks. True currency resilience demands a decisive energy transition that reduces crude imports, strengthens the current account, and enhances India’s long-term macroeconomic autonomy.   Mains Question  “India’s recurrent rupee volatility reflects a deeper structural vulnerability arising from heavy crude oil dependence. Analyse the macroeconomic risks of this dependence and suggest policy measures to address them.” (250 words, 15 marks) Source: The Hindu Reconciliation in Jammu & Kashmir: Addressing Alienation and Restoring Trust (UPSC GS Paper II – “Security Challenges and their Management; Role of State and Non-State Actors)   Context (Introduction) Recent violence and the subsequent public suspicion directed at Kashmiris highlight deep-seated alienation in Jammu & Kashmir, rooted in perceptions of injustice, civil liberties concerns, and political grievances, making reconciliation dependent on dignity, dialogue, and trust-building.   Main Arguments: Why Reconciliation Requires a Human-Centric Approach Collective Suspicion: Media sensationalism and premature attribution of blame stigmatise Kashmiris across India, worsening fear, anxiety, and feelings of being treated as perpetual suspects. Punitive Measures: Practices such as demolishing family homes of alleged militants constitute collective punishment, violating fairness norms and deepening resentment. Civil Liberties Concerns: Curtailment of liberties, widespread surveillance, arbitrary dismissals from government jobs, and property attachments create suffocation among youth. Economic Exclusion: Shrinking employment avenues combined with perceived discriminatory recruitment and reservation policies heighten disempowerment and frustration. Political Disempowerment: Abrogation of Article 370, withdrawal of land and job protections, and fears of demographic change fuel sentiments of loss, dispossession, and identity anxiety.   Challenges / Criticisms  Alienation Spiral: Security actions that emphasise coercion over engagement risk reinforcing alienation and incentivising radicalisation among frustrated youth. Identity Insecurity: Perceptions of cultural erosion and erosion of institutional protections hinder emotional integration with the Union. Distrust in Institutions: Frequent raids, detentions, and surveillance weaken faith in justice systems and reduce cooperation with authorities. Political Vacuum: Limited democratic engagement and absence of meaningful political dialogue allow grievances to fester unaddressed. Narrative Polarisation: Media narratives framing the region solely through terrorism ignore lived experiences, limiting empathy and national cohesion.   Way Forward End Collective Punishment: Stop punitive demolitions and ensure accused individuals, not families, are subject to due legal process. Restore Civil Liberties: Build confidence by curbing excessive surveillance, ensuring fair recruitment, and easing restrictions on peaceful civic activity. Reopen Dialogue Channels: Revive a structured political dialogue rooted in insaniyat and jamhooriyat, drawing on the Vajpayee framework. Economic Inclusion: Prioritise job creation, equitable recruitment, and targeted youth programmes to strengthen trust in institutions. Narrative Correction: Promote responsible media reporting and public communication to prevent stereotyping and encourage national empathy.   Conclusion Sustainable peace in J&K demands more than security management; it requires dignity, justice, and engagement. When rights are respected, aspirations acknowledged, and communities treated with compassion rather than suspicion, reconciliation becomes a lived reality rather than a distant ideal.   Mains Question  “Peace in Jammu & Kashmir cannot rest solely on security operations but requires political engagement. Analyse the social and political roots of alienation and suggest measures for sustainable reconciliation.” (250 words, 15 marks)   Source: The Hindu Nellie Massacre Reports: Warning Signs for Identity Politics and Institutional Drift (UPSC GS Paper II – “Communalism; Role of Institutions; Governance Challenges; Vulnerable Sections”)   Context (Introduction) The release of the Tewary and Mehta Commission reports, four decades after the Nellie massacre, underscores how identity politics, demographic anxieties, and institutional failures converged to produce one of India’s worst communal tragedies, offering urgent lessons ahead of Assam’s 2026 elections.   Main Arguments: Communal Violence Legacy: The 1983 massacre of Bengali-speaking Muslims remains a stark reminder of how political mobilisation around identity can escalate into mass brutality within hours. Institutional Silence: Despite hundreds of FIRs, the absence of a single conviction highlights long-standing institutional apathy undermining justice and accountability. Demographic Anxiety: Both reports situate the violence in the context of land pressures, migration waves since Partition and 1971, and fears of demographic change fueling social tension. Political Mobilisation: Vitriolic rhetoric during the Assam Agitation and the contentious election cycle weaponised everyday insecurities into communal antagonism. Contradictory Findings: Despite differing interpretations of the election’s role, both commissions converge on the deeper structural factors enabling violence.   Challenges / Criticisms  Identity Polarisation: Narratives around “foreigners,” “demographic invasion,” and “land jihad” intensify suspicion and deepen communal divides. Weak Institutional Safeguards: Revival of the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950 without Foreigners Tribunal safeguards risks bypassing legal protections. Administrative Drift: Neglect, bureaucratic inertia, and electoral expediency erode institutional capacity to prevent or respond to communal violence. Economic Strain: Resource scarcity, land competition, and unemployment make local populations vulnerable to divisive political messaging. Constitutional Stress: Eviction drives and harsh enforcement measures strain democratic guardrails and risk normalising exclusionary governance.   Way Forward Strengthen Due Process: Ensure all immigration-related actions are routed through robust mechanisms like Foreigners Tribunals with judicial oversight. Address Root Causes: Tackle land insecurity, resource stress, and development deficits that fuel local resentment and identity conflict. Responsible Political Discourse: Promote fact-based communication and hold public representatives accountable for inflammatory rhetoric. Revitalise Institutions: Build administrative capacity, early-warning systems, and impartial policing to prevent escalation of local tensions. Inclusive Governance: Engage linguistic and religious minorities through dialogue, representation, and confidence-building measures to reduce alienation.   Conclusion The Nellie massacre stands as a stark caution against allowing demographic fears and identity politics to overwhelm constitutional protections. As Assam heads toward a crucial election, the imperative is not ritual remembrance but rebuilding institutions and political responsibility to safeguard every citizen’s dignity and security.   Mains Question  Examine how identity politics, demographic anxieties, and weak institutions can converge into large-scale violence with help of examples from Indian context. (250 words, 15 marks) Source: Indian Express

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Archives (PRELIMS  Focus) HAMMER Weapon System Category: Defence and Security Context: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran Electronics and Defence (SED) signed an agreement for the production of HAMMER weapon system in India. About HAMMER Weapon System: Nomenclature: HAMMER stands for Highly Agile and Manoeuvrable Munition Extended Range. It is also known as a glide bomb. Nature: It is an air-to-ground precision-guided weapon system and can be fitted to standard bombs of 250kg, 500kg, and 1,000kg weights. Development: Originally developed by Safran Electronics and Defence (SED), France, it is now set for joint manufacturing with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in India. Range: HAMMER precision-guided munitions have a range of up to 70 km. It  Difficult to intercept: It is resistant to jamming, and capable of being launched from low altitudes over rough terrain. It is difficult to intercept and can penetrate fortified structures. Manoeuvrability: It is optimised for mountain warfare (e.g., Ladakh), allowing precision strikes even in complex topography and high-altitude environments. Uniqueness: It is a precision-guided weapon system known for its high accuracy and modular design, making it adaptable for multiple platforms, including the Rafale and Light Combat Aircraft Tejas. Significance of agreement: The development is crucial because India previously ordered this weapon system, along with other armaments, from France to equip its Rafale fighter jets in 2020 during standoff with China in eastern Ladakh. Source: The Indian Express APDIM Category: International Institutions Context: Recently, the 10th Session of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM) took place at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.               About APDIM: Nomenclature: APDIM stands for Asian and Pacific Centre for Development of Disaster Information Management. Nature: It is a regional institution of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).  Vision: Its vision is to ensure effective disaster risk information is produced and used for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific.  Mandate: It aims to reduce human and material losses due to natural hazards and contribute to the effective design, investment and implementation of disaster risk reduction and resilience policies. Administration: It is governed by a Governing Council consisting of eight ESCAP member countries elected for a period of three years (India is one of the members for a period from 2022 to 2025). Headquarter: Its headquarters is located in Tehran, Iran. Functions: It functions as a regional facility to strengthen the science-policy interface. It also promotes effective regional cooperation, facilitates dialogue. Facilitates disaster management between countries: It facilitates the exchange of expertise, experiences, and knowledge in disaster information management between and within the countries of the region. Acts as a knowledge hub: It acts as a regional knowledge hub, consolidating and sharing disaster-related data, strengthening information systems, and supporting cooperation on transboundary hazards. Source: PIB Hayli Gubbi Volcano Category: Geography Context: The Hayli Gubbi volcano, located in Ethiopia’s Afar region for several hours after 12,000-year dormancy. About Hayli Gubbi Volcano: Location: Hayli Gubbi volcano is located in Afar, northeastern Ethiopia, within the Danakil Depression – one of the hottest and lowest places on Earth. Hotspot for seismic activity: The Afar Triple Junction, where the Red Sea Rift, Gulf of Aden Rift, and East African Rift meet, makes this region a hotspot for volcanic and seismic activity. Uniqueness: The current eruption is unique because the volcano is believed to have erupted after nearly 12,000 years, based on geological evidence from the Afar Rift. Composition of volcanic plume: The ash cloud contained a mix of volcanic ash, sulphur dioxide, glass shards, and rock fragments, transported at high altitudes between 15,000-45,000 ft. These aerosols can persist in the atmosphere for days to weeks depending on wind patterns and atmospheric stability. Significance: The Hayli Gubbi eruption highlights the geological volatility of the East African Rift System (EARS) where active volcanism, fissure eruptions, and spreading ridges are common. At the junction of diverging plates: It is one of the world’s most tectonically active rift systems where the Arabian, Nubian, and Somali plates are diverging. Characterised by basaltic lava: The region is characterised by basaltic lava, fissure systems, and frequent seismic activity linked to the continental rifting process. Source: The Hindu Special Leave Petition (SLP) Category: Polity and Governance Context: The Jammu & Kashmir HC has observed that dismissal of a Special Leave Petition (SLP), does not lead to merger of the impugned order with the Supreme Court’s order. About Special Leave Petition (SLP): Definition: A SLP is a request made to the Supreme Court seeking special permission to appeal against any judgment, order, or decree from any court or tribunal (except military tribunals), even when the law does not provide a statutory right of appeal. Not a right: Special Leave Petition (SLP) is not a right—it’s a privilege granted by the Supreme Court at its discretion. It is a discretionary/optional power of the SC, and the court can refuse to grant the appeal at its discretion. Constitutional provision: Article 136 states that the Supreme Court may, in its discretion, grant special leave to appeal from any judgment, decree, determination, or order from any court or tribunal in India. Conditions for using SLP: It can only be exercised when a substantial question of law or gross injustice has been committed. A judgement, decree, or order need not be final for an SLP. An interim or interlocutory order or decree can also be challenged. Filed by: SLP can be filed by any aggrieved party (individual or business). government bodies, public sector undertakings or NGOs or associations (in relevant cases). Filed against: SLP can be filed against judgments from High Courts, Tribunals (except those under armed forces) or Quasi-judicial bodies. Time limit to file SLP: It can be filed against any judgment of the High Court within 90 days from the date of judgment or it can be filed within 60 days against the order of the High Court refusing to grant the certificate of fitness for appeal to SC. Procedure for a SLP: A SLP must contain all the facts upon which the SC is to decide, which revolve around the grounds on which an SLP can be filed. The said petition needs to be duly signed by an Advocate-on-Record. The petitioner must include a statement within the SLP stating that no other petition has been filed in a High Court. Acceptance or rejection by SC: Once the petition is filed, the SC will hear the aggrieved party and depending upon the merits of the case, will allow the opposite party to state their part in a counter affidavit. After the hearing, if the court deems the case fit for further hearing, it will allow the same; otherwise, it will reject the appeal. Source: Live Law Bharat NCAP 2.0 Category: Government Schemes Context: India’s vehicle safety roadmap is set for a major upgrade as the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has released a draft for Bharat NCAP 2.0. About Bharat NCAP: Nature: The Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) is an indigenous star-rating system for crash testing cars, under which vehicles will be assigned between one to five stars, indicating their safety in a collision.  Partnership: It is an ambitious joint project between the Government of India (GoI) and Global NCAP, the regulatory body behind the safety crash test ratings. Launch: It was launched on 22 August 2023 and commenced on 1 October 2023. Objective: It aims to help consumers make an informed decision before purchasing a car, thereby spurring demand for safer cars. Nodal ministry: Bharat NCAP is overseen by the Ministry of Road Transport, but is an independent body. Testing protocol: Under the Bharat NCAP, cars voluntarily nominated by automobile manufacturers will be crash tested as per protocols laid down in the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 197. 3 safety domains: Vehicles tested under the Bharat NCAP are evaluated across three critical safety domains- adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, and safety assist technologies. Applicability: Only right-hand drive passenger vehicles on sale in India and weighing less than 3,500 kg are eligible for consideration. Base variants of cars are to be tested, and ratings will be applicable for four years. Eligible vehicles: Besides internal combustion engine (ICE) models, CNG cars as well as battery-powered electric vehicles are eligible to undergo the safety test. Voluntary in nature: It is a voluntary programme under which the cost of the car for assessment for star rating and the cost of such assessment are borne by the respective vehicle manufacturer or importer. Validity: The current Bharat NCAP regulations remain valid until September 30, 2027, after which Bharat NCAP 2.0 is expected to be implemented by October 2027. About Bharat NCAP 2.0 Draft Guidelines: Based on 5 pillars: The Bharat NCAP 2.0 proposal introduces a 100-point rating system across five pillars- Crash Protection, Vulnerable Road-User Protection, Safe Driving, Accident Avoidance, and Post-Crash Safety. Use of minimum score in a rating system: From 2027-29, a 5-star rating will require 70 points, and this would rise to 80 points from 2029-31. Minimum scores will also apply across each pillar. Updated norms: It brings in fresh mandatory tests, revised scoring methods, and updated safety verticals. Uniqueness: Notably, for the first time, vehicles will be assessed on vulnerable road user protection. Expansion of crash test: The crash test will be expanded from two to five and will now have Male, female, and child dummies for testing. The cars will go through offset frontal impact, full-width frontal impact, side impact, and rear impact. Curtain airbags compulsory: Electronic stability control (ESC) and curtain airbags will be compulsory for any model seeking a star rating. Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) remains optional. Source: India Today (MAINS Focus) Strengthening the POSH Act: Closing Gaps in Workplace Justice (UPSC GS Paper II – “Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions for Vulnerable Sections; Issues Relating to Women”)   Context (Introduction) A recent Chandigarh case where a college professor was dismissed following an ICC probe under the POSH Act has revived debate on low conviction rates, procedural gaps, digital-era challenges, and the Act’s inability to address informed consent and power asymmetry in academic institutions.   Main Arguments Conceptual Clarity: The Act’s focus on consent without recognising informed consent overlooks manipulation, emotional coercion, and power asymmetry in workplaces and universities. Emotional Exploitation: Emotional or psychological harassment arising from deceitful relationships remains outside the Act’s scope despite being a prominent form of abuse in hierarchical settings. Time-Barred Justice: The three-month limitation period discourages survivors who often need longer to recognise manipulation, gather evidence, and overcome fear of institutional backlash. Diluted Terminology: Referring to the accused as a “respondent” rather than “accused” symbolically downplays the gravity of sexual harassment compared to similar acts outside workplaces. Behavioural Evidence: Ambiguous definitions make ICCs rely heavily on direct evidence, ignoring circumstantial indicators or behavioural patterns that commonly characterise harassment cases.   Challenges / Criticisms  Inter-Institutional Blind Spot: The Act lacks mechanisms to address misconduct spanning multiple campuses despite frequent cross-institutional interactions in academia. Procedural Trauma: Complainants often face delays, institutional hesitation, emotional fatigue, and fear of counter-action under the “malicious complaint” clause. Digital Evidence Gaps: ICCs struggle to interpret modern digital evidence—disappearing messages, encrypted chats, single-view photos—due to lack of legal and technical training. Institutional Under preparedness: ICCs remain unevenly trained and often risk-averse, unintentionally reinforcing protection for powerful perpetrators over vulnerable complainants. Silent Serial Offenders: Absence of information-sharing or cross-institution coordination enables repeat offenders to continue exploiting multiple academic environments.   Way Forward Expand Definitions: Incorporate informed consent, emotional coercion, and digital harassment into statutory definitions to reflect contemporary realities. Extend Timelines: Increase or remove the three-month limitation period to ensure survivors are not denied justice due to delayed recognition or fear. Improve Evidence Protocols: Develop clear guidelines for handling digital evidence and expand the use of corroborative or behavioural indicators in ICC assessments. Build ICC Capacity: Mandate periodic legal, psychological, and technological training for ICC members to improve sensitivity and evidence evaluation. Inter-Institutional Mechanisms: Create a confidential national or sectoral registry enabling institutions to share information on proven offenders to prevent serial misconduct.   Conclusion The POSH Act was transformative in 2013, but evolving power structures, digital interactions, and emotional manipulation demand a stronger, clearer, survivor-centric law in 2025. Justice must be embedded in the system, not dependent on a victim’s endurance or institutional goodwill.   Mains Question  Despite being a landmark legislation, the POSH Act, 2013 faces gaps that dilute its effectiveness. Critically evaluate these challenges and suggest reforms to strengthen workplace justice for women.(250 words, 15 marks) Source: The Hindu Row over DGP Appointment in Tamil Nadu: Federal Tensions in Police Reforms (UPSC GS Paper II – “Structure, Organization and Functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary; Issues and Challenges Pertaining to Federal Structure; Role of UPSC”)   Context (Introduction) Tamil Nadu’s inability to appoint a regular Director-General of Police before the incumbent’s retirement, rejection of the UPSC panel, and allegations of contempt of Supreme Court guidelines have reignited debates on State autonomy, police reforms, and Centre–State coordination.   Main Arguments: Why the Issue Matters Prakash Singh Mandate: The 2006 judgment mandates that States select the DGP only from a UPSC-approved panel of the three seniormost eligible IPS officers based on service length, record, and experience. Tenure Protection: The Court’s requirement of a minimum two-year fixed tenure for DGPs seeks to depoliticise police leadership and promote administrative continuity. Procedural Timeline: States must send proposals to the UPSC three months before the anticipated vacancy, a rule Tamil Nadu violated by submitting its list only a day before retirement. Autonomy vs Oversight: The State’s rejection of the UPSC panel as “unacceptable” highlights ongoing tensions between State preference and UPSC-mandated merit-based selection. Judicial Intervention: The Supreme Court’s request for immediate appointment after UPSC recommendations underscores the judiciary’s role in enforcing police reform compliance.   Challenges / Criticisms  Delayed Compliance: Tamil Nadu’s failure to meet the three-month proposal deadline disrupted the selection process and invited judicial scrutiny. CAT Proceedings: Pending litigation before the Central Administrative Tribunal delayed the State’s actions, yet the Court held that this cannot justify procedural non-compliance. Withheld Integrity Certificate: The State withdrew integrity clearance for one officer and expressed reluctance to consider three others without transparent explanations. Panel Rejection: Tamil Nadu’s objection to the UPSC panel and request for another meeting contradicted the structured process laid down in Prakash Singh. Contempt Allegations: Appointment of an “in-charge” DGP instead of a regular one has triggered contempt petitions alleging wilful violation of Supreme Court guidelines.   Way Forward Strict Adherence: States must comply with the Prakash Singh framework to ensure transparency, stability, and depoliticisation of police leadership. Timeline Discipline: Institutionalising internal reminders and administrative protocols can prevent last-minute submissions that derail the selection process. Integrity Transparency: Clear, recorded reasons for withholding integrity certificates must be shared with the UPSC to prevent arbitrariness. Cooperative Federalism: Structured consultation between State governments and the UPSC can reduce conflict while respecting the merit-based selection process. Monitoring Mechanism: A periodic compliance audit by the Supreme Court or an independent oversight body could strengthen police reform implementation nationwide.   Conclusion The DGP appointment controversy in Tamil Nadu highlights the unresolved tension between political discretion and judicially mandated police reforms. Ensuring merit-based selection, transparent procedures, and timely coordination is essential to build a professional, independent police leadership.   Mains Question  The Prakash Singh reforms sought to depoliticise police leadership through transparent and merit-based appointments. Discuss (250 words, 15 marks)   Source: The Hindu Indian Constitution Beyond Western Liberalism: A Transformative Rights Vision (UPSC GS Paper II – “Indian Constitution—Features, Amendments, Significant Provisions; Comparison with Other Constitutions”)   Context (Introduction) As India marks 76 years of the Constitution’s adoption, renewed analysis highlights how its framers deliberately moved beyond Western constitutional models, designing a transformative charter that addressed social hierarchies, group rights, and structural inequalities embedded in India’s social fabric.   Why India’s Constitutional Vision Was Ahead of Its Time Transformative Equality: The Constitution expanded equality beyond Western notions by recognising caste-driven discrimination from both the state and private actors through Articles 14, 15(2), 17, and 23. Social Power Recognition: By acknowledging that power in India is wielded not only by the state but also by entrenched social groups, the Constitution mandated state action to dismantle societal hierarchies. Affirmative Action Leadership: India introduced constitutionally sanctioned reservations in 1950, a decade before U.S. civil rights reforms, making it a global pioneer in group-differentiated rights. Secular Pluralism: The Constitution adopted a nuanced secular framework—eschewing state religion, prohibiting compulsory religious taxes (Art. 27), and safeguarding individual (Art. 25) and group religious freedoms (Art. 26). Minority Cultural Rights: Through Articles 29 and 30, the Constitution empowered linguistic and religious minorities to preserve their culture and manage educational institutions, ensuring pluralist nation-building.   Challenges / Criticisms  Partial Rights Protection: Certain freedoms remained circumscribed due to colonial-era emergency provisions, allowing governments to suspend rights in broad circumstances. Executive Dominance: The Constitution created a powerful executive with sweeping discretionary powers, raising concerns about civil liberty safeguards. Uneven Pluralism: While minority and cultural protections exist, their scope has sometimes been reduced or inconsistently implemented. Debates on Group Rights: Intense Constituent Assembly debates reflected tensions between equality and differentiated protections, leaving some ambiguities unresolved. Limitations of Remedies: Judicial review exists, but access to remedies can be limited when rights are suspended under exceptional circumstances.   Deepening the Constitution’s Transformative Promise Strengthen Social Equality: Reinforce constitutional mandates against societal discrimination through stronger implementation of Articles 15(2) and 17. Balance Executive Power: Revisit emergency provisions and enhance institutional checks to prevent misuse of executive authority. Promote Pluralist Governance: Uphold minority cultural and educational rights consistently to preserve India’s pluralism in practice. Expand Rights Awareness: Enhance civic education and public literacy on constitutional rights to democratise access to justice. Safeguard Transformative Vision: Protect affirmative action and group-differentiated rights as foundational tools against structural inequality.   Conclusion India’s Constitution is not merely a legal document but a transformative project that acknowledges deep social inequalities and plural identities. Its endurance reflects a commitment to equality that respects diversity, showing that national unity and constitutional longevity emerge not from uniformity, but from inclusive recognition of difference.   Mains Question The Indian Constitution deliberately moved beyond Western liberal constitutionalism. Critically examine how this transformative vision has shaped India’s constitutional experience. (250 words, 15 marks)   Source: Indian Express