Category: ENVIRONMENT

Category: Polity & Governance

Context:

• President Droupadi Murmu nominated former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Special Public Prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case Ujjwal Nikam, Kerala BJP leader C. Sadanandan Master and Delhi-based historian Meenakshi Jain to the Rajya Sabha.

More about the news:

• The nomination was notified by the Union Home Ministry. “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-clause (a) of clause (1) of article 80 of the Constitution of India, read with clause (3) of that article, the President is pleased to nominate to the Council of States the following persons to fill the vacancies caused due to retirement of nominated members — Shri Ujjwal Deorao Nikam, Shri C. Sadanandan Master, Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Dr. Meenakshi Jain,” the notification said.

Nomination of Members to Rajya Sabha:

• The Fourth Schedule of the Constitution deals with the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to the states and union territories
• The maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha is fixed at 250, out of which, 238 are to be the representatives of the states and union territories (elected indirectly) and 12 are nominated by the president.
• The president nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha from people who have special knowledge or practical experience in art, literature, science and social service.

Roles and Powers of Nominated Members:

• Nominated members of Rajya Sabha enjoy all the powers and privileges to which the elected MPs are entitled. 
• They can take part in the proceedings of the House in a normal manner.
• Nominated members are not allowed to vote in the election of the President. However, they do have the right to vote in the election of the Vice-President.

Issues with the Nominated Members:

• There has been criticism that several nominated members have poor attendance and do not appear to show much interest in legislative work.
  • E.g.- In this context, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, actor Rekha, and businesswoman Anu Aga have faced criticism in recent years.
• Ruling dispensations have repeatedly used the nominated category to shore up their numbers in the House, to dispense favours, and to get their preferred individuals into Parliament.

Way Forward:

• Position of the Rajya Sabha in our constitutional system can be made as strong as that of the Senate in the American constitutional system to grant more powers to Rajya Sabha while ensuring more accountability.

Source:

• The Hindu

Category: POLITY

Context:

• Ahead of the Monsoon session of Parliament, scheduled to begin on July 21, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi has convened a meeting of the party’s top leadership to finalise the strategy for the session.

More about the news:

• Key issues likely to be discussed include the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, the recent Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, the imposition of U.S. tariffs against India, and broader concerns around the state of the economy, inflation, and unemployment.
• The Congress-led Opposition is also expected to raise the demand for the Deputy Speaker’s post in the Lok Sabha, with eight-term MP from Kerala, Kodikunnil Suresh, being viewed as a leading contender.

Sessions of the Parliament:

• The summoning of Parliament is specified in Article 85 of the Constitution.
• The power to convene a session of Parliament rests with the Government. The decision is taken by the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs which is formalised by the President, in whose name MPs are summoned to meet for a session.
• The maximum gap between two sessions of Parliament cannot be more than six months. Thus, the Parliament should meet at least twice a year.
• India does not have a fixed parliamentary calendar. By convention (i.e. not provided by the Constitution), Parliament meets for three sessions in a year.
  • The Budget Session is the longest and most important session of the Parliament. The primary focus of the Budget Session is the presentation, discussion, and passing of the Union Budget, which outlines the government’s revenue and expenditure plans for the upcoming fiscal year.
  • The name “Monsoon Session” derives from the fact that it coincides with the Monsoon Season (Seasonal Rains) in India. The Monsoon Session is generally held from July to September.
  • Similar to the Monsoon Session, the primary objective of the Winter Session is to transact legislative business and prioritize urgent matters and bills. The Winter Session is generally held from November to December.

Source:

• The Hindu

Category: HISTORY

Context:

• Conducting census among the six main indigenous tribes in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands will not be tough as the Central Government has already made contact and are running several welfare measures for these tribes, said physician Ratan Chandra Kar. Dr. Kar who played an important role in providing healthcare to the Jarawa tribe of the Andaman Islands began his work with the tribes in 1998, combating a devastating measles outbreak in 1999 that threatened the tribe’s existence.

More about the news:

• The Government has formally announced that the 16th Census of India will take place in two phases, with the reference dates set as March 1, 2027, for most of the country and October 1, 2026. This census will include the first nationwide caste enumeration since 1931.
• With the next Census yet to be conducted, the Tribal Affairs Ministry has found it challenging to estimate the population of PVTGs, including in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, while implementing targeted scheme-delivery programmes like the PM-JANMAN for PVTG households.

Jarawa Tribe:

• The Jarawas are one of the indigenous tribes of the Andaman Islands, known for their semi-nomadic lifestyle, reliance on forest resources, and deep connection to their natural environment.
• They are one of the world’s oldest surviving tribes and are mostly hunter-gatherers, living in nomadic bands of 40-50 individuals.
• Historically, the Jarawas remained isolated from outside contact, preserving their unique cultural practices and traditions. They inhabit the western coasts of South and Middle Andaman Islands, a region rich in biodiversity that supports their traditional way of life.
• The first significant friendly contact with the Jarawas occurred in April 1996, marking a turning point in their interaction with the outside world. This event was initiated when Enmei, a 21-year-old Jarawa tribesman, suffered a serious fracture in his left ankle.
• The 2011 Census recorded 380 Jarawa individuals out of the 28,530 Scheduled Tribe individuals across Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Source:

• The Hindu

Category: GEOGRAPHY

Context:

• Conducting census among the six main indigenous tribes in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands will not be tough as the Central Government has already made contact and are running several welfare measures for these tribes, said physician Ratan Chandra Kar. Dr. Kar who played an important role in providing healthcare to the Jarawa tribe of the Andaman Islands began his work with the tribes in 1998, combating a devastating measles outbreak in 1999 that threatened the tribe’s existence.

More about the news:

• The Government has formally announced that the 16th Census of India will take place in two phases, with the reference dates set as March 1, 2027, for most of the country and October 1, 2026. This census will include the first nationwide caste enumeration since 1931.
• With the next Census yet to be conducted, the Tribal Affairs Ministry has found it challenging to estimate the population of PVTGs, including in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, while implementing targeted scheme-delivery programmes like the PM-JANMAN for PVTG households.

Jarawa Tribe:

• The Jarawas are one of the indigenous tribes of the Andaman Islands, known for their semi-nomadic lifestyle, reliance on forest resources, and deep connection to their natural environment.
• They are one of the world’s oldest surviving tribes and are mostly hunter-gatherers, living in nomadic bands of 40-50 individuals.
• Historically, the Jarawas remained isolated from outside contact, preserving their unique cultural practices and traditions. They inhabit the western coasts of South and Middle Andaman Islands, a region rich in biodiversity that supports their traditional way of life.
• The first significant friendly contact with the Jarawas occurred in April 1996, marking a turning point in their interaction with the outside world. This event was initiated when Enmei, a 21-year-old Jarawa tribesman, suffered a serious fracture in his left ankle.
• The 2011 Census recorded 380 Jarawa individuals out of the 28,530 Scheduled Tribe individuals across Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Source:

• The Hindu

Category: Culture

Context:

• Activist Tommy Garnett’s decades of work paid off when Sierra Leone’s Tiwai island — a lush forest home to one of the world’s highest concentrations of primates — landed a spot Sunday on the UN cultural agency’s World Heritage list. The 66-year-old and the conservation group he founded are the reason Tiwai, which was nearly destroyed during Sierra Leone’s 1991-2002 civil war, still exists.

More about the news:

• Gola-Tiwai is a treasure chest of biodiversity: The primates include the endangered western chimpanzee, the king colobus monkey and the Diana monkey.
• And its forests and waters are home to animals such as the pygmy hippopotamus and the critically endangered African forest elephant.
• The Gola-Tiwai complex, which also includes the nearby Gola Rainforest National Park, will be Sierra Leone’s first UNESCO site.
• The two areas have a spectacular biodiversity that has been imperilled for years by threats such as deforestation.
• The island, located in the Moa river, measures just 12 sq. km. and has 11 species of primates.

About World Heritage Site:

• A World Heritage Site is a location recognised by UNESCO for its “outstanding universal value”. 
• It is guided by Convention Concerning Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage (called World Heritage Convention).
• It has three categories: Cultural heritage, Natural heritage, and Mixed heritage (cultural as well as natural).
• There are 44 World Heritage Sites in India. Out of these, 36 are cultural, seven are natural, and one, Khangchendzonga National Park, is of mixed type, listed for both cultural and natural properties.

Source:

• The Hindu

Category: Polity & Governance

Context:

• The Union Cabinet has appointed Abhijat Sheth as the new Chairperson of the National Medical Commission (NMC), replacing Suresh Gangadhar, who stepped down due to health concerns.

About National Medical Commission (NMC):

• The NMC has been constituted by an act of Parliament known as National Medical Commission Act, 2019.
• It replaced the Medical Council of India (MCI) which had been the regulatory body for medical education and practice in India since 1934.
• The headquarters of the National Medical Commission is located in New Delhi.
• Committed to upholding the highest standards in healthcare education, NMC ensures the delivery of quality medical education and training across the nation.
• It consists of 33 members, including the Chairperson (who must be a medical professional), 10 ex-officio members, and 22 part-time members.

Source:

• The Hindu

Introduction (Context)

India’s energy demand is rapidly increasing and is expected to double by 2030 (IEA). To meet this sustainably, India targets 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070, aligning with its Paris Agreement commitments. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds immense potential to transform the energy sector by enhancing efficiency, integrating renewables, and optimising grid management. However, challenges like outdated infrastructure, funding gaps, data quality issues, and limited AI capacity must be addressed to fully harness AI’s benefits for India’s clean energy transition.

India’s Energy Status

According to the Energy Statistics India 2025

• Total Electricity Generation (FY 2023-24) approx. 15,20,000 GWh (Renewable + Non-Renewable combined)
• Total Renewable Energy Potential (as on 31-Mar-2024) is 21,09,655 MW (Wind Power: 11,63,856 MW (~55%), Solar Energy: 7,48,990 MW and Large Hydro: 1,33,410 MW)
• Top contributors of renewable energy:

• • Rajasthan: 20.3%
  • Maharashtra: 11.8%
  • Gujarat: 10.5%
  • Karnataka: 9.8%

• Per-capita consumption of energy has increased from 14,682 Mega Joule/person during FY 2014-15 to 18,410 Mega Joule/person during FY 2023-24.

Lacunas in India’s Power Sector

• 20%-30% of electricity generated lost in transmission and distribution.
• Around 75% electricity is from coal leading to high GHG emissions.
• Infrastructure gaps such as outdated grids, frequent outages, and electricity theft in tier 2 & 3 cities.

Role of AI in energy sector

• Machine learning models can predict generation and demand fluctuations, helping grid operators maintain balance.
• Smart grids can detect faults, reduce transmission losses, and integrate renewables efficiently.
• AI-powered systems adjust energy supply based on real-time usage, significantly reducing wastage and costs. 
• AI also supports consumer-side energy efficiency by encouraging behaviours that reduce peak-hour strain and promote off-peak usage.

Challenges in implementation of AI

• Outdated infrastructure, high electricity theft, and frequent outages mainly in tier 2 and 3 cities.
• Fragmented data systems hinder the use of AI in energy forecasting and grid optimisation. 
• Financial barriers particularly in smaller utilities as they struggle to meet the high upfront costs and limited government support.
• Lack of supportive policy frameworks and guidelines dampens the investments in AI technologies. 
• Shortage of AI and data analytics experts limits the sector’s ability to leverage AI solutions, while growing cybersecurity risks.

Global Best Practices

• Barcelona: Smart meters for real-time energy management.
• Los Angeles: Cloud-based analytics for predictive distribution.
• Germany: Specialised machine learning training for energy professionals.
• UK: Retraining programmes for workers impacted by automation.
• Copenhagen: Consumer empowerment through energy-saving initiatives.
• New York: Strong cybersecurity protocols for data safety.

Way Forward

• Invest in smart grids, meters, and cloud platforms.
• Formulate clear guidelines and incentives for AI adoption.
• Develop a skilled workforce in AI and data analytics.
• Protect critical energy data systems from cyber-attacks.
• Addressing ethical concerns such as fairness and job impacts along with community engagement and workforce reskilling.

Conclusion

AI offers transformative potential for India’s energy sector by boosting efficiency, reducing emissions, and integrating renewables, but the challenges remain. Outdated infrastructure, financial and policy barriers, skill shortages, and equity concerns need adequate attention. 

A collaborative effort involving government support, private investment, and community engagement will be key to ensuring that AI’s benefits are sustainable and accessible across urban and rural areas.

Mains Practice Question

Q Discuss the role of Artificial Intelligence in accelerating India’s energy transition. What are the challenges in its effective implementation, and how can these be addressed for a just and inclusive transition? (250 words, 15 marks)

Introduction (Context)

The stringent Maharashtra Special Public Security (MSPS) Bill, which seeks “to provide for effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of left wing extremist organisations or similar organisations”, was passed by the state Assembly.

In this context, we are discussing concept of Urban Naxalism.

What is Naxalism?

• Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is one of India’s most serious internal security challenges. 
• It has emerged due to the socio-economic inequalities and is driven by Maoist ideology.
• The movement has aimed to undermine the Indian state through armed rebellion and parallel governance structures, particularly targeting security forces, public infrastructure, and democratic institutions. 
• Originating from the Naxalbari movement of 1967 in West Bengal, it spread primarily across the “Red Corridor,” affecting states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, Kerala, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. 
• The Maoist insurgents claim to fight for the rights of the marginalized, particularly tribal communities, but their methods include armed violence, extortion, destruction of infrastructure, and recruitment of children and civilians.

What is Urban Naxalism?

• The term ‘Urban Naxal’ is based off a Maoist strategy where they look to urban regions for leadership, organising masses and engaging in military tasks like providing personnel and infrastructure.
• The focus of the Maoists’ urban work is to organise the masses, including the working class, students, middle class employees, intellectuals, women, Dalits and religious minorities.
• Its presence is increasing in the urban areas also through the Naxal front organisations”. (frontal organisations provide logistics and safe refuge to armed Naxal cadres) 

To address this situation, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha have enacted Public Security Acts and banned 48 Naxal frontal organisations

Similarly, to meet the challenge of urban naxalism, Maharashta government has passed the stringent Maharashtra Special Public Security (MSPS) Bill, which seeks “to provide for effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of left wing extremist organisations or similar organisations”.

Impact of Urban Naxalism

• Provides ideological, logistical, and financial support to rural armed cadres, sustaining the overall insurgency.
• Influences universities, media, and civil society organisations to propagate extremist narratives.
• Radicalises urban youth by portraying violent rebellion as justified resistance.
• Facilitates planning, recruitment, and supply chains in urban safe havens, making counterinsurgency difficult.
• Creates public dissent against the state through misinformation campaigns and legal activism supporting extremist causes.

Provisions of the Bill

• The Bill gives the government the power to declare any suspect “organisation” as an “unlawful organisation”. 
• It prescribes four offences for which an individual can be punished: 

1. 1. for being a member of an unlawful organisation, 
   2. when not a member, for raising funds for an unlawful organisation, 
   3. for managing or assisting in managing an unlawful organisation and, 
   4. for committing an “unlawful activity”.

• These offences carry jail terms of two years to seven years, along with fines ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. 
• The offence relating to committing an unlawful activity carries the toughest punishment: imprisonment of seven years and a fine of Rs 5 lakh.
• These offences carry jail terms of two years to seven years, along with fines ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. The offence relating to committing an unlawful activity carries the toughest punishment: imprisonment of seven years and a fine of Rs 5 lakh.
• When an organisation has been declared “unlawful”, the District Magistrate or the Police Commissioner may take possession and evict individuals from “any place which in his opinion is used for the activities of such unlawful purpose of organization”.

Definition of ‘unlawful activity’:

• Interference with the maintenance of public order, or with the administration of law;
• Overawing a public servant by criminal force;
• Indulging in or propagating, acts of violence, vandalism, or other acts generating fear and apprehension in the public;
• Indulging in or encouraging the use of firearms, explosives, or other devices, or disrupting communications by rail, road, air, or water;
• Encouraging or practising disobedience to established law and its institutions.

Concerns raised by experts

• The Bill criminalises a wide range of actions – from interference with the maintenance of public order and administration of the law, to generating fear and apprehension in the public, and encouraging or preaching disobedience of the law.
• It also prescribes penal consequences for alleged offences, including forfeiture of property even before a trial is conducted and the accused is found guilty.
• Concerns have been raised that the overbroad definitions in the Bill and the wide powers that it confers on the police could possibly be misused.

Conclusion

The introduction of the Urban Naxalism Bill reflects the state’s proactive approach to countering the evolving threat of Left Wing Extremism, especially its spread into urban intellectual, activist, and organisational networks.

However, Ordinary criminal laws have constitutional safeguards, such as the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, and the burden of proof lying with the state to establish the crime against the accused. In special laws, for high-stakes offences, these principles are diluted.

Hence should be taken to avoid their misuse.

Mains Practice Question

Q What is Urban Naxalism? Why did the Maharashtra government introduce a Bill to tackle it? (250 words, 15 marks)