Category: POLITY

Context:  The Union Home Ministry told the J&K and Ladakh High Court that the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of J&K can nominate five members to the Legislative Assembly without consulting the Council of Ministers

Constitutional Provisions

• Indian Constitution allows nominated members in both Parliament and State legislatures (e.g., Anglo-Indian members, Rajya Sabha’s 12 nominees).
• In States with Legislative Councils, Governors nominate one-sixth members on advice of State government.

Union Territories

• UT Assemblies (Delhi, Puducherry, J&K) follow Acts of Parliament:
  • Delhi Assembly – No nominated MLAs.
  • Puducherry – Up to 3 nominated MLAs by the Central Government (Government of UT Act, 1963).
  • J&K Assembly – LG may nominate 2 women, 2 migrants, and 1 displaced person from PoK.

Judicial View

• Madras High Court (2018) upheld Centre’s power to nominate Puducherry MLAs.
• Supreme Court (2023, Delhi Services case) emphasized the “triple chain of accountability”:
  • Civil servants → Ministers → Legislature → People.
  • LG is bound by advice of Council of Ministers in all legislative matters (except Delhi services).

Concerns & Suggestions

• Nomination of MLAs should not be arbitrary—needs clear procedure and should flow from elected governments, not just LG/Centre.
• Otherwise, risks arise:
  • Converting majority into minority in Assemblies.
  • Undermining democratic accountability.

Learning Corner:

National Capital Territory of Delhi

• Constitutional Provision: Article 239AA (added by 69th Amendment, 1991)
• Legislature: Unicameral Legislative Assembly
• Council of Ministers: Headed by Chief Minister
• Powers:
  • Can legislate on State List and Concurrent List subjects except Police, Public Order, and Land.
  • Lieutenant Governor (LG) acts as the representative of the President/Union Government.
  • LG can reserve certain bills for the President’s consideration.
• Union Government Role: Retains control over critical subjects (Police, Public Order, Land) and overall administrative oversight through the LG.

Puducherry

• Constitutional Provision: Article 239A (added by 14th Amendment, 1962)
• Legislature: Unicameral Legislative Assembly
• Council of Ministers: Headed by Chief Minister
• Powers:
  • Can legislate on State List and Concurrent List subjects.
  • Lieutenant Governor has discretionary powers and can act independently of the Council of Ministers in certain cases.
• Union Government Role: Maintains administrative control through the LG and can override decisions in specific matters.

Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly

Type and Composition

• Type: Unicameral Legislative Assembly
• Total Seats: 90 members
  • Elected: 87 members through direct elections from territorial constituencies
  • Nominated: Up to five members by the Lieutenant Governor, if required

Term

• Duration: 5 years, unless dissolved earlier by the Lieutenant Governor

Leadership

• Speaker: Presides over the Assembly, responsible for maintaining order and conducting proceedings
• Deputy Speaker: Assists the Speaker and presides in their absence
• Chief Minister & Council of Ministers: Executive authority responsible for governance; answers to the Assembly

Powers and Functions

• Legislative: Can make laws on subjects in the State List and Concurrent List, except matters reserved for the Union Government
• Financial: Approves budget and expenditure; no money bill can be passed without LG’s recommendation
• Oversight: Monitors the executive through question hour, debates, and motions of no-confidence

Role of Union Government

• Lieutenant Governor (LG): Acts as the representative of the President; can reserve bills for President’s consideration
• Union Oversight: Union Government retains authority on critical subjects like Public Order, Police, and Land

Source: THE HINDU

Category: ECONOMICS

Context : U.S. stagflation fears (slow growth + high inflation) are unnerving global markets

• 70% of global investors (BofA Global Research, August survey) expect stagflation in the next 12 months.
• Data: U.S. labour market weakness, sharp rise in core inflation, and surge in producer prices.

Global Impact

1. Bonds
   • Persistent inflation erodes value of long-dated bonds.
   • If U.S. stagflation persists, G7 bond markets will be correlated → global sell-off in bonds.
   • Pension funds and insurers especially vulnerable to inflation.
2. Wall Street
   • Investors expect U.S. growth to slow.
   • Stagflation is now one of the two main concerns for global asset managers.
   • Tech stocks remain strong, but small-cap indices are vulnerable.
3. Currencies
   • Stagflation → weaker U.S. dollar due to slower growth + higher inflation.
   • Could benefit euro in relative terms.
4. Global Spillover
   • Since 1990, world stocks fell by ~15% whenever U.S. manufacturing data showed contraction + high prices.
   • Even if stagflation is U.S.-centric, ripple effects will hit global portfolios.

Learning Corner:

Concepts of Inflation 

Source:  THE HINDU

Category: ECONOMICS

Context: S&P Global Ratings raised India’s sovereign rating from BBB- to BBB after ~20 years.

• Reasons:
  • Fiscal deficit steadily reduced (target 5.1% of GDP in 2024-25).
  • Debt management reforms (FRBM Act, slower borrowing).
  • Strong growth (6.5% in 2024-25) and stable inflation.
  • Forex reserves rose to $688B (from $199B in 2006-07).
• Comparison (2006-07 vs 2024-25):
  • Per capita GDP: ₹56,964 → ₹1,33,501
  • WPI inflation: 6.6% → 2.3%
  • Retail inflation: 6.4% → 4.6%
  • Debt-to-GDP: 77.9% → 81.3%
• Implications:
  • Cheaper access to global capital.
  • Improved investor confidence and FDI prospects.
  • India’s rating now equals Italy and Bulgaria, outlook positive like Philippines.
• Outlook:
  • Sustained fiscal discipline + reforms may lead to further upgrades.
  • Seen as validation of India’s economic resilience and policy credibility.

Learning Corner:

Global Credit Rating Agencies

• Definition: Entities that assess the creditworthiness of corporations, financial instruments, or sovereign governments, assigning ratings that indicate default risk.
• Major Global Agencies:
  • Standard & Poor’s (S&P) – USA
  • Moody’s Investors Service – USA
  • Fitch Ratings – USA/UK
• Functions:
  • Evaluate financial strength of borrowers and debt instruments.
  • Provide risk assessments for investors globally.
  • Influence interest rates, investment decisions, and capital flows.
• Significance:
  • Aid global capital markets in pricing risk.
  • Ratings can affect a country’s borrowing costs and investor confidence.

Regulator in India

• Regulatory Authority: Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
• Relevant Regulations: SEBI (Credit Rating Agencies) Regulations, 1999
• Functions of SEBI as Regulator:
  • Registration and oversight of credit rating agencies (CRAs) operating in India.
  • Ensure transparency, independence, and accountability of ratings.
  • Mandate disclosure of rating methodologies and track record.
  • Prevent conflicts of interest between rating agencies and rated entities.
• Registered CRAs in India: Examples include CRISIL, ICRA, CARE Ratings, India Ratings & Research, Brickwork Ratings.

Key Points:

• Global agencies influence international investment flows; Indian CRAs function under SEBI supervision.
• SEBI ensures credibility, reliability, and investor protection in domestic credit rating.
• Credit ratings are opinions, not guarantees, but have significant financial impact.

Source: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

Category: ENVIRONMENT

Context: Issued under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 on 24 July 2025; placed before Parliament for oversight.

Key Provisions

• Systematic Cleanup: Framework for detection, assessment, and remediation of chemically contaminated sites (landfills, spill sites, hazardous dumps).
• Identification: Local bodies/district administration to identify sites; entries maintained on an online portal by SPCBs/PCCs.
• Assessment Timeline:
  • Preliminary assessment within 90 days.
  • Detailed assessment within 3 months if contamination exceeds limits.
  • Sites breaching thresholds declared “contaminated.”
• Transparency & Consultation: Sites published on a public portal within 60 days; comments invited; safety advisories issued through local newspapers.
• Remediation: Plans prepared by expert organizations; costs borne by polluter (or shared by Centre & States if polluter absent).
• Liability: Criminal liability for damage or loss of life under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
• Exclusions: Does not cover radioactive waste, mining, marine oil pollution, or municipal solid waste dumps.

Significance

• Establishes clear procedures and liabilities for cleanup.
• Strengthens India’s environmental governance and ensures accountability.

Learning Corner:

Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025 vs Previous Rules

Source: PIB

Category: DEFENCE

Context: The Indian Navy received Ikshak, the third of four Survey Vessel (Large) (SVL) ships

Ikshak is the 102nd ship designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau. Its keel was laid on 6 August 2021, launched on 26 November 2022, and underwent harbour and sea trials before delivery.

Key Highlights

• Purpose: Coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys; oceanographic and geophysical data collection for defence and civil applications
• Specifications: 3,400-ton displacement, 110 meters long, speed over 18 knots; equipped with advanced hydrographic equipment including data acquisition systems, autonomous underwater vehicle, DGPS, and digital side-scan sonar
• Indigenous Content: Over 80% by cost
• First SVL with Women’s Accommodation: Accommodates women officers and sailors
• Significance: Enhances India’s survey capabilities, supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative

Learning Corner:

Survey Vessel (Large) (SVL) Ships

• Definition & Purpose:
  SVL ships are naval vessels designed for hydrographic surveys, oceanographic research, and geophysical data collection. They support both defence operations and civil applications such as charting, seabed mapping, and port development.
• Builders & Design:
  • Built indigenously by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
  • Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau.
  • High indigenous content (over 80% by cost).
• Specifications (Typical for SVL Ships like Ikshak):
  • Displacement: ~3,400 tons
  • Length: ~110 meters
  • Speed: Over 18 knots
  • Equipped with advanced hydrographic equipment:
    • Data Acquisition and Processing System (DAPS)
    • Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)
    • DGPS, multi-beam echo sounders, digital side-scan sonar
• Operational Significance:
  • Conduct coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys.
  • Aid in oceanographic, geophysical, and cartographic research.
  • Enhance India’s maritime domain awareness and naval operational capabilities.
• Special Features:
  • First SVL ships like Ikshak include accommodation for women officers and sailors, promoting inclusivity.
• Fleet:
  • Current SVL ships include INS Sandhayak, INS Nirdeshak, Ikshak, and one more under construction.

Source: PIB

Introduction 

“A free and fair election is the bedrock of democracy. The Election Commission of India is the cornerstone that upholds this principle.” The Election Commission of India (ECI), a permanent and independent constitutional body, is the bedrock of India’s democratic framework. Its role is to conduct, control, and supervise free and fair elections, a fundamental tenet of our democracy.

Constitutional Basis and Structure

• Article 324 of the Constitution grants the ECI the power of superintendence, direction, and control over elections.
• The ECI is a multi-member body, consisting of a Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two Election Commissioners (ECs), with fixed terms and status equivalent to a Supreme Court judge.

Core Challenges

• Erosion of Autonomy: The recent Election Commissioners Act, 2023, which replaced the Chief Justice of India with a Union Minister on the selection committee, has raised concerns about executive influence over the ECI’s neutrality.
• Politicization: Allegations of partisanship, as seen in the recent motion to remove the CEC, undermine public trust in the institution.
• Criminalization of Politics: The ECI has limited power to curb the entry of candidates with criminal backgrounds.
• Misinformation: The spread of fake news and hate speech on social media during campaigns poses a new regulatory challenge.

Key Judicial Interventions

• Mohinder Singh Gill v. Chief Election Commissioner (1978): Affirmed the ECI’s plenary powers under Article 324 to ensure free and fair elections.
• Union of India v. Association for Democratic Reforms (2002): Mandated that candidates disclose their criminal, financial, and educational backgrounds via an affidavit.
• PUCL v. Union of India (2013): Led to the introduction of the None of the Above (NOTA) option on EVMs.

Committee Recommendations & Way Forward

• Dinesh Goswami Committee & Law Commission: Recommended an inclusive selection process for CEC/ECs and disqualifying candidates for serious offenses upon the framing of charges.
• Indrajit Gupta Committee: Suggested partial state funding of elections to curb the influence of money.

The Way Forward:

1. Strengthen Autonomy: Revert to a more consultative appointment process for the CEC and ECs.
2. Electoral Reforms: Implement recommendations to curb the criminalization of politics and improve transparency in funding.
3. Leverage Technology: Utilize technology to monitor campaign finance and combat misinformation effectively.

Conclusion

The ECI is the lynchpin of India’s democracy. Safeguarding its independence and integrity through continuous reforms is essential to uphold public trust and ensure the longevity of our democratic ideals.

Q. Amidst a storm of allegations of partisan bias and a new law governing its appointment, the institutional integrity of the Election Commission of India is under intense scrutiny. Unravel the key challenges threatening the ECI’s credibility, and critically assess the measures needed to fortify its independence and rejuvenate public trust in the electoral system. (Answer in 250 words)

Introduction

Food security, defined by the UN as a state where “all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food,” is a fundamental pillar of human development and national security. India is a crucial part of the solution due to its comprehensive and technologically-driven food security and nutrition programs.

The Current State of Food Security in India

India has made significant strides in food production, moving from a food-deficit nation to a food-surplus one. However, as per the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2024 report, India still faces significant challenges:

• Prevalence of Undernourishment: India is home to 194.6 million undernourished individuals, the highest in the world.
• Affordability of Healthy Diets: A significant portion of the Indian population, estimated at over 790 million people, cannot afford a healthy diet.
• Malnutrition Indicators: India has a high prevalence of stunting (31.7%) and wasting (18.7%) in children under five, and anaemia in women remains a significant public health issue.

Key Initiatives and Government Schemes

The government has implemented a comprehensive legal and institutional framework to address food security.

• National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013:
  • This landmark legislation legally entitles up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population to receive subsidized food grains.
  • It operates on a life-cycle approach, providing special provisions for pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children through schemes like Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme (now PM POSHAN).
  • The Act guarantees 5 kg of food grains per person per month at highly subsidized prices (₹3/2/1 per kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains).
• Public Distribution System (PDS):
  • The world’s largest food security network, the PDS ensures the distribution of food grains from the central pool to the end beneficiaries through a network of fair-price shops.
  • Technological reforms, such as Aadhaar-enabled PDS (AePDS) and end-to-end computerization, have been introduced to curb leakages and improve efficiency.
• PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman):
  • This scheme provides hot cooked meals to children in government and government-aided schools to enhance their nutritional status and encourage school attendance.
• Other Initiatives:
  • Poshan Abhiyaan: A flagship mission to improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
  • Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY): A temporary scheme launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide additional free food grains, which has since been extended.

Major Challenges

Despite these efforts, several challenges persist:

• Double Burden of Malnutrition: India faces both undernutrition and overnutrition. While undernourishment persists, obesity rates are rising due to poor dietary habits, including increased consumption of ultra-processed foods.
• Agricultural Challenges: Climate change, fragmented land holdings, and declining soil fertility threaten long-term food production. Erratic monsoons and natural disasters increase crop vulnerability.
• Post-Harvest Losses: Inefficient supply chains, lack of adequate storage facilities, and poor cold-chain infrastructure lead to significant food wastage, especially for perishable items.
• Inefficiency in Distribution: Despite reforms, issues of inclusion/exclusion errors and leakages in the PDS persist.
• Dietary Imbalance: The focus on a few staple crops like rice and wheat, driven by MSP policies, has led to a decline in the cultivation and consumption of more nutritious millets and pulses.

Way Forward and Solutions

A multi-pronged strategy is required to achieve comprehensive food and nutritional security.

• Revamping the PDS: Further digitalization and leveraging technology like the One Nation, One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme can enhance portability and reduce corruption.
• Focus on Nutritional Diversity: Promoting the cultivation and consumption of millets, pulses, and other nutrient-rich crops through policies and awareness campaigns.
• Investing in Infrastructure: Building robust cold chains, storage facilities, and transportation networks to minimize post-harvest losses and improve market linkages.
• Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Promoting climate-smart farming practices, including water conservation, use of drought-resistant seeds, and crop diversification.
• Empowering Women: Supporting women-led food enterprises and cooperatives to improve food access and livelihood security.
• Strengthening Health and Sanitation: Food security is intrinsically linked to health. Investments in clean drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene are crucial for proper food utilization and absorption of nutrients.

Conclusion

While India has made commendable progress, the journey to true food security is far from over. It requires a sustained, multi-dimensional approach that combines policy reforms, technological innovation, and a fundamental shift towards sustainable and inclusive food systems. 

Q. “The path to ending global hunger runs through India.” In the light of this statement, critically examine India’s role in achieving food and nutritional security both domestically and globally. Discuss the major challenges and suggest reforms to strengthen India’s food security framework. (250 words, 15 marks)