Table of Content

1. Dissent in judiciary - The Hindu - 01.01.25

2. Climate finance & CoP 29 - The Hindu - 01.01.25
3. India's grand strategy - The Hindu - 02.01.25
4. Disruption in Parliament - The Hindu - 02.01.25
5. Polarisation - The Hindu - 03.01.25
6. Merits and problems of cash transfers - Indian Express - 03.01.25
7. One Nation, One Election - The Hindu - 04.01.25
8. Chinese Medog project affecting India - Indian Express - 04.01.25
9. Two-State solution - The Hindu - 05.01.25
10. Global polycrisis - Indian Express - 06.01.25
11. Medog project on Brahmaputra - The Hindu - 06.01.25
12. Right to Hunger Strike - The Hindu - 06.01.25
13. View on caste system - Indian Express - 07.01.25
14. Collegium system - The Hindu - 07.01.25
15. Indo-US technology partnership - Indian Express/The Hindu - 08.01.25
16. India & Taliban talks - Indian Express/The Hindu - 10.01.25
17. Sedition & BNS - The Hindu - 10.01.25
18. Problems in elections to local bodies - The Hindu - 11.01.25
19. Israel-Palestine conflict - The Hindu - 12.01.25
20. Problems in Public Service Commissions - Indian Express - 12.01.25
21. Reform of MEA - The Hindu - 13.01.25
22. Manipur conflict & Eastern Ladakh disengagement - Indian Express/The Hindu - 14.01.25
23. Role of men in gender equality - The Hindu - 14.01.25
24. Chinese cartographic aggression - The Hindu - 16.01.25
25. India-US relationship - Indian Express - 16.01.25
26. Public participation in law-making - Indian Express - 17.01.25
27. Nuclear weapons-free world - The Hindu - 17.01.25
28. Dr. Jaishankar on Indian foreign policy - Indian Express/The Hindu - 19.01.25
29. Manipur security strategy - The Hindu - 19.01.25
30. SVAMITVA scheme - Indian Express/The Hindu - 19.01.25
31. Uniform Civil Code & Case pendency - Indian Express - 20.01.25
32. Republicanism & Dr. Ambedkar - Indian Express - 21.01.25
33. IMEC Corridor - The Hindu - 21.01.25
34. Distinguished Jurist - The Hindu - 21.01.25
35. Impact of Trump election on liberal order - Indian Express/The Hindu - 22.01.25
36. US withdrawal from WHO - Indian Express - 22.01.25
37. Role of religion & secularism - Indian Express - 22.01.25
38. China & Critical Minerals - The Hindu - 23.01.25
39. US withdrawal from WHO - The Hindu/Indian Express - 23.01.25
40. Oligarchy - The Hindu - 23.01.25
41. Ad Hoc Judges - Indian Express - 24.01.25
42. Electoral Rolls - The Hindu - 24.01.25
43. Competitive populism - The Hindu - 25.01.25
44. Making of the Indian Constitution - Indian Express - 25.01.25
45. Problems of the court system - Indian Express - 25.01.25
46. Centralizing tendency in Indian federalism - The Hindu - 26.01.25
47. Increasing voter participation - The Hindu - 26.01.25
48. US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement - The Hindu - 26.01.25
49. Freedom of Speech & Civil Liberties - Indian Express - 26.01.25
50. Whip System - Indian Express - 27.01.25
51. Governor as Chancellor - Indian Express - 27.01.25
52. Nehruvian economic policy - Indian Express - 27.01.25
53. Genocide - The Hindu - 27.01.25
54. Strengthening of MEA - The Hindu - 29.01.25
55. Rise of Right-Wing Movements in Europe - Indian Express - 29.01.25
56. Challenges & evolution of the judiciary - The Hindu/Indian Express - 29.01.25
57. India-China détente - Indian Express - 30.01.25
58. Ad Hoc Judges - Indian Express/The Hindu - 31.01.25
59. Coalition & opposition parties - The Hindu - 31.01.25
 POLITICAL SCIENCE & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
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The Hindu l 01.01.2025

The nature of dissent in the Indian judiciary

Link- [Link]
dissent-in-the-indian-judiciary/[Link]

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper II - Role & working of the Judiciary
G.S. - Polity
Dissent in Judiciary

Dissent is an important facet of a true democracy. It is true for

citizens in the republic, or parliamentarians in the legislature, and
for judges of a constitutional court.
Dissent in judicary is seen in minority opinion of Judge(s).
Dissent of Indian Supreme Court (SC) and the U.S. Supreme Court
(SCOTUS) is Supreme Court. The dissents of SCOTUS are largely
based on the political inclination of judges, who are direct
appointees of the President, confirmed by the Senate. Indian
judicial dissents is based on social or intellectual disagreements.
Importance of Judicial dissent

In the ADM Jabalpur case (1976), majority judges held that the
enforcement of fundamental rights, including Article 21, remained
suspended during the national emergency under Article 359.
However, Justice H.R. Khanna dissented and reasoned that if Article
21 remained suspended, there would be no recourse to deprivation
of life and liberty during emergency. His minority also became the
law later by a constitutional amendment to Article 359.
Another example of this could be found in the P.V. Narasimha Rao
(1998) case, where the question was if accepting bribes for voting
in Parliament was covered under parliamentary privilege and
whether it enjoyed immunity from prosecution. The majority said
yes, but Justices S.C. Agarwal and A.S. Anand dissented. However,
the dissent endured and later became the view of the court in Sita
Soren case (2023).

Examples of social or intellectual disagreement

A dissent could also reflect a different social understanding or
implication of a legal issue. In Shayara Bano (2017), the SC banned PSIR WITH
‘triple talaq’ as a form of divorce in Islam. Justices J.S. Khehar and ANKUR
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Abdul Nazeer dissented and reasoned that the triple talaq was an
integral part of the Sunni personal law and not violative of
constitutional rights. Further, it was not for the courts to
determine its constitutionality, since it is only the legislature that
can intervene in socially unacceptable practices in different
religions.
in Aishat Shifa case (2022), there was intellectual disagreement

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

among judges. Justice Hemant Gupta was of the view that
secularism permitted the State to prohibit Muslim girls from
wearing a hijab to school by enforcing a universal dress code since
religion was a private affair, which had no space in classrooms of a
State-run school. Justice Dhulia, on the other hand, disagreed and
considered ‘diversity’, ‘plurality’ and ‘tolerance’ as values
underpinning the Constitution. This disagreement stemmed from
different understandings of secularism.

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The Hindu l 01.01.2025

COP29, climate finance and its optical illusion
Link- [Link]
finance-and-its-optical-illusion/[Link]

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper II - Contemporary Global Concerns: Environment
G.S. - International relations & in Environment
Climate Finance & CoP 29

Finance has been a major point of climate change negotiation. The

UNFCCC 1992 says that the extent to which the developing country
will be fulfilling their climate action commitments is contingent on
how much finance & technology they get from developed countries.
Similarly, the Paris Agreement provides for binding the developed
countries to mobilise finance for the developing countries.
The sixth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) has also described finance, capacity-building
and a transfer of technology as critical enablers of climate action in
developing countries.
Climate finance from the developed north to the developing south
is based on idea of equity expressed in the principle of common but
differentiated responsibility and respective capability (CBDR-RC).
The developed countries agreed in 2009 that they would
collectively mobilise $100 billion a year by 2020, achieved in 2022.
CoP 29 at Baku was meant for the Parties to the Paris Agreement to
have a New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG).
The UNFCCC’s Standing Committee on Finance (SFC) gave estimation
at between $455 billion-$584 billion.
The first-ever Global Stocktake 2023 gave estimation at $447
billion-$894 billion per year by 2030.
The developing south that the developed north mobilise $1.3
trillion by 2030 in CoP 29. The developed north agreed to release
only $300 billion per year by 2035. Further, the NCQG does not
make minimum allocation floors for the LDCs and SIDS.
India was disappointed and rejected the NCQG. India argues that
paltry sum will negatively influence the ambition and the
implementation of NDC.

(Also refer to PSIR notes of 04.12.24 & 27.11.24 on CoP 29) PSIR WITH
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The Hindu l 02.01.2025

The sorry state of India’s parliamentary proceedings
Link- [Link]
indias-parliamentary-proceedings/[Link]

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper I- Envisaged role & actual working of the
Legislature
G.S.- Polity
Disruption in Parliament

Former Lok Sabha Speaker Speaker Somnath Chatterjee argued that

disruptions occurred because an outnumbered Opposition saw
them as part of their democratic rights. To thwart them by
invoking the rule book would be condemned by all parties,
including the ruling party, as being undemocratic. So suspending,
let alone expelling, MPs was not an option he could easily exercise.
Nevertheless, speakers of the Lok Sabha Sumitra have suspended
members in the past and even presently.
Shashi Tharoor highlights the following aspects in relation to disruption
in Parliament:
There is a lack of civility. Each party sees it as zero sum game. Both
ruling and opposition sides need to accept, the good faith of the
other and find common ground of agreement.
There is diminished expectations of the people from
parliamentarians. There is a clear disconnect between electability
and parliamentary performance. People do not vote on
Parliamentary performance.
Each party disrupts when in opposition but opposes disruption
when in power. Shashi Tharoor criticizes this as retributive cycle of
Do unto them what they did unto you.
Party leaders are judging parliamenterians on their ability to
disrupt rather than on debate and oratory skills.
The executive has been increasingly treating Parliament as a
noticeboard for the announcement of its decisions and a rubber
stamp for legalising them, rather than as a consultative body in a
deliberative democracy.

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The Hindu l 02.01.2025

In search of a ‘grand strategy’ for India’s foreign policy in the 21st
century
Link- [Link]
strategy-for-indias-foreign-policy-in-the-21st-
century/[Link]

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper II - Indian Foreign Policy
G.S.- International Relations

Suhasini Haidar highlights that thinkers have tried to set out the
terms of a grand strategy of a country as one that draws together
its national power and resources with its diplomatic, military and
economic ambitions.
Chanakya’s Arthashastra, Thucydides’s History of the Peloponnesian
War), Sun Tzu’s The Art of War and Carl von Clausewitz’s On War
focused on on how to wage war.
However, due to the present-day realities of relative peace, these
same thinkers are now utilized on battles for diplomatic influence
instead.

Sreeram Chaulia In Friends: India’s Closest Strategic Partners,

considers seven countries India’s most important allies, which are
Japan, Australia, the U.S., Russia, France, Israel and the UAE.
He argues that none of these partnerships of India constitutes an
alliance. He argues that these partnerships are meant for India’s
strategy to assume its destiny as a leading power of the world.
Chaulia’s argument for a world of friendships is three-fold. One,
that India cannot depend on a multilateral framework to advance
on this path and needs specific bilateral relationships to power it
forward. The second, India’s friends are by and large those who
believe in Indian strategic autonomy (except US). The third, that
these friends are invested in India using its strategic independence
as a countervailing or deterrent challenge to Chinese hegemony.
T.V. Paul in The Unfinished Quest: India’s Search for Major Power
Status from Nehru to Modi points out the Nehru had visualised
India as “one of the four great powers of the post-war
international system, along with the U.S., the Soviet Union and PSIR WITH
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TV Paul also positions India’s civilisational attributes, including the

cultural and religious aspects as part of its soft power. It is seen in
the the status of Vishwaguru and Vishwamitra. Further, these soft
power attributes are if India maintain its traditional peaceable and
liberal ethos.
Both Sreeram Chaulia and TV Paul downplay relevance of South
Asian neighbours in India’s struggle for global status.

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

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Indian Express l 03.01.2025

Cash transfers are not a panacea

Link- [Link]
transfers-are-not-a-panacea-they-are-merely-quick-fix-populism-
for-electoral-gains-9757241/

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper I- Indian Government & Politics
G.S.- Polity; Ethics; Social Justice
Merits of cash transfer

Cash transfers as part of larger social protection schemes which

has been used for different purposes in different countries.
It acts as a safety net for disadvantaged groups or to encourage
better access and utilisation of health and educational services.
In India, one of the oldest national cash transfer schemes is the
National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), which provides
pensions to the elderly, widowed and disabled who are unable to
participate in economic activities.
With universal access to financial services, these are easy-to-
implement and directly delivered to beneficiaries.
The scheme is successful also due to the preference of
beneficiaries for such cash transfers as they are fungible and
unconditional.
Such schemes bypass the notorious state and central
bureaucracies and the local middlemen.
They provide a direct means for politicians to connect to their
electorates.

Problems of cash transfer

Cash transfers is not a one stop solution for India's various

problems. It is being provided for women empowerment to
agrarian distress to unemployment to poverty alleviation.
Cash transfers can supplement and expand social safety nets but
cannot substitute for greater state investment in reforms.
Cash transfers have become means of electoral populism.
There is little empirical evidence of whether cash transfers
actually deliver on the purpose for which they are designed.
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It has led to a tendency towards competitive populism with

political parties and governments vying with each other to
increase the scale and scope of such transfers.
There has been an excessive fiscal strain on state and central
government finances.
Cash transfer come at the cost of essential spending on health,
education, nutrition or basic infrastructure. While new cash

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

transfers have been announced, spending on existing basic social
protection such as the NSAP, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) or the maternity-
entitlement scheme remains frozen with decline in real terms.

(Also refer to PSIR notes of 05.12.24 on Cash Transfers)

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The Hindu l 03.01.2025

Reflections as the world grows more ‘polarised’
Link- [Link]
world-grows-more-polarised/[Link]

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper II- Comparative Politics- Representation and
Participation
G.S.- Society; Ethics
Polarisation

The term polarization is defined as division into two sharply

distinct opposites; especially, a state in which the opinions, beliefs,
or interests of a group or society no longer range along a
continuum but become concentrated at opposing extremes.
America has recently appeared to be defined by profound political,
cultural, and societal divides. Globally, it has been seen in France,
Germany, and political societies in other countries. It is reflected in
‘us vs. them’ politics and cultural divide.
Nolan McCarty in Polarization: What Everyone Needs to Know
(2019) contends that these divisions have been developing for
several decades and are firmly anchored in the way politics and
society are structured.
Further, there has been a notable technological revolution which
has shaped polarization. Chris Bail in Breaking the Social Media
Prism (2021) contends this as a factor for political tribalism. `There
is further widening gap between social media and in-person
encounters.

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The Hindu l 04.01.2025

The looming threat to federalism and democratic tenets
Link- [Link]
to-federalism-and-democratic-tenets/[Link]

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper I - Democracy; Indian Government & Politics
G.S.- Polity
One Nation, One Election

The One Nation, One Election framework (ONOE) seeks to

synchronise the Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections under
one single electoral cycle.
The State governments would face a much tighter squeeze in the
ONOE, as their terms would be curtailed or extended to bring
them in line with the national election cycle.
Simultaneous elections were conducted in initial years after
Independence. The Election Commission of India (ECI) used to
conduct simultaneous elections for both Parliament and State
Assemblies.
But this cycle of cooperative federalism was disrupted at the very
outset with the appearance and imposition of Article 356, which
is popularly known as President’s Rule.
Problems with ONOE

State elections that would have to be held along with the

national elections would blur and impair the ability of electors to
evaluate the performance of the State government.
The frequency of elections results in increased costs — financial,
administrative, and in terms of human capital.
Each state government needs a realistic time period to analyse
the existing socio-political- economic state of affairs, frame
adaptive policies and do course corrections. This artificially
imposed reduction in the tenure of a government could disrupt
governance, resulting in policy paralysis.

(Also refer to PSIR notes of 30.12.24, 29.12.24 & 14.12.24 on One Nation, One Election)

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Indian Express l 04.01.2025

Why China is building the world’s largest dam on the Tsangpo, how
India may be impacted
Link- [Link]
building-the-worlds-largest-dam-on-the-tsangpo-how-india-may-
be-impacted-9758927/

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper II- River water disputes; China
G.S.- International Relations; Geography
Chinese Medog project on Brahmaputra

From Tibet, the Yarlung Tsangpo enters Arunachal Pradesh, where

it is known as the Siang. In Assam, it is joined by tributaries such
as Dibang and Lohit, and is called the Brahmaputra. The river
then enters Bangladesh, and makes its way to the Bay of Bengal.
China approved the construction of the world’s largest
hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo (or Zangbo) river in
Tibet. It is located at the 90 degree “Great Bend”. It is where the
Yarlung Tsangpo makes a U-turn in Medog county before entering
Arunachal Pradesh.

Impact on India
Position of Government of India

India is a lower riparian state with established user rights to the

waters of the River. India has consistently expressed its concerns
to China over mega projects on rivers in their territory. there is a
need for transparency and consultation by China with
downstream countries i.e., India & Bangladesh. China needs to
ensure that the interests of downstream states of the
Brahmaputra are not harmed by activities in upstream areas.

Ashok Kantha, former Indian Ambassador to China, has stated that it

can lead negative consequences, such as:
The flow of silt, crucial for agriculture, can get interrupted, and
changes in river flow can impact the local biodiversity.
Medog project will have a very large reservoir, in a area which is
earthquake and disaster prone. PSIR WITH
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Ashok Kantha asserts that it is essential that China needs to prevent

disasters and coordination and exchange information India.
Cooperation Mechanism
India and China have an umbrella Memorandum of
Understanding on cooperation on transboundary rivers. There are
two separate MoUs on the Brahmaputra and Sutlej.

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

The Brahmaputra MoU is renewable every five years. However, it
has lapsed in 2023. The renewal process is ongoing through
diplomatic channels,

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The Hindu l 05.01.2025

India’s Israel tilt
Link- [Link]
author-stanly-johny-israel-india-two-state-solution-the-hindu-lit-
for-life/[Link]

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper II - Recent crises in West Asia
G.S.- International Relations
Stanly Johny in Original Sin: Israel, Palestine and the Revenge of Old
West Asia (2024) has argued that:
Israel has built itself as a powerful entity in a largely hostile
region.
Further on two state solution, he states that:

India and a vast majority of the countries support a two state

solution.
Some in Israel in theory supports a two state solution. It is the
creation of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state, next
to the state of Israel. However, Israel argues for there is lack of
leadership in Palestine for negotiations between Israel and
Palestine for such a solution. Further, any negotiation must
ensure that any future Palestine state should be unarmed.
There is opposition to two state solution also. Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu and others refuse for the creation of a
sovereign independent Palestine. The Knesset, Israel’s Parliament,
in 2024 had passed a resolution rejecting the Palestinian
statehood.
They argue that a Palestinian state would- i) pose an existential
danger to the State of Israel and its citizens, ii) perpetuate the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict, iii) there is the threat of terrorism
from such an independent state and iv) that it could destabilise
the region.
Stanly Johny considers that the two state solution remains
practically a dead letter in Israel due to opposition to the such
solution in Israel.

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Indian Express l 06.01.2025

Steering towards stability after a year of uncertainty
Link- ttps://[Link]/article/opinion/columns/steering-
towards-stability-after-a-year-of-uncertainty-9761639/

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper II- Changing International Political Order
G.S.- International Relations
PolyCrisis

Polycrisis describes a situation in which the collective impact of

distinct but interrelated threats is so overwhelming that it is not
possible to identify the precise cause of the crisis and, therefore,
provide a solution.
Vikram Mehta argues that the current international system seem
polycritical or of uncertainty. Polycritical uncertainties require
global polycentric institutions. Epictetus said, “We cannot choose
our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we
respond to them”. In simpler terms, the global community should
create multidisciplinary institutions and respond to these
uncertainties collectively.

Vikram Mehta argues that there is resurgence of pseudo-imperial

and territorial atavism. President Putin reportedly wants to
recreate “Imperia Rus”, the kingdom of East Slavic states united
by King Vladimir of Kiev in the 10th century. President Xi Jinping
appears not to be interested in China taking “centre stage” as the
Middle Kingdom. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is manic
about the idea of “Greater Israel” in which there is no place for a
Palestinian state.

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The Hindu l 06.01.2025

In Dallewal’s case, SC balances his right to expression and the
state’s duty to save his life
Link- [Link]
sc-balances-his-right-to-expression-and-the-states-duty-to-save-
his-life/[Link]

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper I- Social Movement: Civil liberties
G.S.- Polity; Ethics
Right to Hunger Strike

The Supreme Court in the Ram Lila Maidan Incident case, and the
High Courts, especially the Madras High Court, recognise hunger
strike as a form of protest which has been accepted, both
historically and legally in our constitutional jurisprudence.
The Supreme Court has recognised hunger strike as a form of
expressing dissent which draws its source from the Satyagraha of
Mahatma Gandhi and has underscored that it cannot be perceived
as a threat to public order.
The SC in Ram Lila Maidan case has said that preventive steps
should be founded on an actual and prominent threat
endangering public order and tranquility. It cautioned the state to
exercise power with great caution and without arbitrariness.
The Madras High Court had reasoned that the police’s power in
the face of a protest by hunger strike was confined to imposing
reasonable restrictions to ensure the safety and convenience of
the people at large without confronting a peaceful protest.
The Supreme Court in Mohd. Yousuf Rather case (1979) has said
that hunger strike is a well-known form of peaceful protest. It is
difficult to connect this with public disorder. A threat to go on
hunger strike or the action itself “cannot be termed as
unconstitutional or barred under any law.
The Madras High Court in P. Thangam case (2023) has said that
“protesting democratically by way of hunger strike without
causing any inconvenience to anybody is the right guaranteed by
the Constitution of India”.

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The Hindu l 06.01.2025

Implications of China’s mega-dam project

Link- [Link]
implications-of-chinas-mega-dam-project-
explained/[Link]

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper II- River water disputes; China
G.S.- International Relations; Geography
Brahmaputra River

The Brahmaputra is a transboundary Himalayan river basin

spanning four riparian countries. China is the uppermost riparian
nation with the river system originating in Tibet. It is known as
the Yarlung Zangbo (or Tsangpo).
India and Bhutan are lower riparian nations in relation to China
and middle riparian countries in relation to Bangladesh. It is from
Bangladesh, which is the lowermost riparian nation, that the
river drains into the Bay of Bengal.
All riparian countries have major water infrastructure projects
planned in the river basin, such as hydropower dams,
embankments meant for river control, irrigation dams and
barrages.
None of the riparian countries of the Brahmaputra river basin
have signed the United Nations Convention on the Law of the
Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses of 2014, and
hence first user-rights on river systems are non-enforceable.
China and India have an Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) since
2006, to discuss outstanding issues and share hydrological data.
But do not have a comprehensive bilateral treaty to govern
shared transboundary rivers.

Chinese Medog project on Brahmaputra

China is building a mega-hydropower dam across the

Brahmaputra at the Great Bend region of the Medog county in
the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) in China.
China has announced the biggest hydropower project at the Great
Bend while India has announced its largest dam project, at Upper
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Mega-dams on rivers systems are seen as important sovereignty

markers. They are symbols of control by a particular nation-state
over natural features.
Impact
Communities cannot use their traditional knowledge about the
river system meaningfully. This is due change in River system and

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

related disasters.
The upstream communities in Tibet as well as the downstream
communities in India, Bhutan and Bangladesh have to live under
the shadow of mega-hydropower dams with adverse
consequences to their traditional lands and livelihood.
The blocking of Yarlung Zangbo at the dam have catastrophic
consequences on surface water levels, and to overall monsoon
patterns and groundwater systems of the river basin.
This will affect downstream agrarian communities and the
sensitive ecology of the overall Himalayan bioregion/ecoregion.
The outstanding land boundary dispute between China and India
can lead to securitisation of the Brahmaputra river basin.

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Indian Express l 07.01.2025

The Hindutva-Ambedkar puzzle
Link- ttps://[Link]/article/opinion/columns/ashutosh-
varshney-writes-the-hindutva-ambedkar-puzzle-9763669/

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper II- Indian Political Thought; Caste in Indian
Politics
G.S.- Modern History; Society;
Ashutosh Varshney highlights different views in relation to caste
system.

He argues that Mahatma Gandhi had an unrelenting focus on

untouchability. He considered untouchability as sinful denial of
basic dignity to millions of Indians. Untouchability required
eradication. However, the four-varna-based caste system simply
needed reform. The caste system needed to remove hierarchy and
untouchability. According to Mahatma Gandhi, the caste system
could simply function as a division of labour, given the historical
varna system linked with occupations. Mahatma Gandhi critique
of caste was also related to the need for a unified nationalist
movement against British rule
Dr. Ambedkar considered that the entire caste system required
annihilation. The caste hierarchy were anchored in religious texts
which needed reform and change.
Janaki Bakhle in Savarkar and the Making of Hindutva (2024)
highlights that Savarkar’s criticism of caste was instrumental. It
was primarily motivated by what he saw as an urgent and
immediate need to unite Hindus against Muslims. Savarkar’s
project of Hindu unity meant merging all castes into a singular
Hindu ethnicity.

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The Hindu l 07.01.2025

The Collegium and changes — it may still be early days
Link- [Link]
changes-it-may-still-be-early-days/[Link]

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper I- Role and working of the Supreme Court
G.S.- Polity
Collegium system

The Constitution provides that judges to the Supreme Court are to

be appointed by the President of India in consultation with the
CJI and such other judges that he or she deems fit.
Judges to the High Courts are to be appointed by the President in
consultation with the CJI, the Governor of the State and the Chief
Justice of that court. In the case of transfers, the President may
move a judge from one High Court to another, but only after
consulting the CJI.
In 1993, in what is popularly known as the Second Judges Case,
the Court held that “consultation” must mean “concurrence”. And
concurrence not only from the CJI, but from a “collegium” of
judges.
Collegium comprises a body comprising the CJI and two members
for High Court appointment and four judges for Supreme Court
judges appointment.

Role of executive
Once recommendation is made by Collegium, the Union
government can either choose to accept the proposal or return
the proposal for reconsideration. Upon reconsideration, if the
proposal is submitted anew, the government has no choice but to
sanction the resolution.
Government has a variety of means available to it to block
recommendations it deems inconvenient. It can either keep the
proposal pending at its end or, on a re-recommendation.
The Supreme Court has said in the Fourth Judges Case (2015) that
it is the judiciary alone that must retain pre-eminence and that
any tinkering with that position would impinge on the
Constitution’s basic structure. PSIR WITH
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The government is legally obliged to follow the procedure laid

down in the Judges’ cases. It enjoys no discretion in the matter.
The ability of Union Executive to forestall any recommendation
made by Collegium means that the question of primacy remains
moot.

Problem of collegium system

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

At its foundation, the collegium is a product of judge-made law.
It has no formal rules to bind it. It is not accountable to others.
Furthers decision suffer from opacity and certain ad hocism.
Replacing this with a clear set of binding rules is essential to the
maintenance of the system’s integrity.

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The Hindu/ Indian Express l 08.01.2025

TH- India, U.S. to jointly manufacture interoperable sonobuoys for

Navy
IE- India, US and the atomic second wind

Link- Multiples

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper II- India & USA; Maritime Security
G.S.- International Relations
Indo-US technology partnership

After Maritime Domain Awareness, Underwater Domain

Awareness has emerged as a key focus area for India and among
the Quad.
India and the United States announced cooperation on co-
production of U.S. sonobuoys for undersea domain awareness
(UDA) for the Indian Navy, a high-end technology that allows
tracking submarines in the deep seas and oceans.
The UM sonobuoys co-produced in India are interchangeable and
interoperable between U.S. Navy, Indian Navy and allied P-8,
MH-60R and the MQ-9B Sea Guardian aircraft.
sonobuoy technologies to optimise their acoustic performance in
the unique environment of the Indian Ocean, enabling wide area
search through bespoke multi-static active solutions.
This project is line with U.S. and India strengthening strategic
technology partnership and the U.S.-India Initiative on Critical
and Emerging Technologies (iCET).
India has over the years acquired a series of military platforms
from the U.S. that are also operated by other countries in the
region, especially Australia and Japan, all four of which comprise
the Quad.
The Indian Navy operates the P-8I long range maritime patrol
aircraft, is inducting the MH-60R multi-role helicopters and has
MQ-9A armed High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Remotely
Piloted Aircraft Systems on lease and signed Sea Guardians for the
Indian Navy & Sky Guardiansfor the Army and Air Force.

C. Raja Mohan highlights that:

Advanced technology cooperation is deepening relations between PSIR WITH

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The Hindu l 10.01.2025

Section 152 of BNS should not become a proxy for sedition

Link- [Link]
bns-should-not-become-a-proxy-for-sedition/[Link]

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper II- Indian Government and Politics
G.S.- Polity
Sedition & Freedom of Speech

In 2022, the Supreme Court had suspended pending criminal trials

and court proceedings under Section 124A (sedition) of the Indian
Penal Code (IPC) until the government reconsidered the law.
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) had highlighted that out
of 548 persons arrested between 2015 and 2020 for sedition, only
12 people were convicted in seven cases.

The Government Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Section 152 of

the BNS criminalises any act exciting secession, armed rebellion,
and subversive activities. It also criminalises acts encouraging
feelings of separatism or endangering the sovereignty, unity, and
integrity of India. Section 152 is cognisable and non-bailable
The Rajasthan High Court in Tejender Pal Singh case (2024),
cautioned against using Section 152 of BNS as a tool to stifle
legitimate dissent. While the BNS does not formally use the term
‘sedition’, the Rajasthan High Court’s recent decision hints that
the spectre of sedition still looms large in the BNS.

Problems with Section 152

Section 152 BNS criminalises ‘acts endangering the sovereignty,

unity, and integrity of India.’ However, what constitutes such
endangerment under Section 152 has not been defined in the
statute. This renders the provision vague, and amenable to
expansive interpretation by enforcement authorities.
Speech can be construed as ‘endangering’ the ‘unity and integrity
of India’. Therefore, a stringent penal provision without inbuilt
checks for abuse may be used to stifle dissent and criticism.
The term ‘knowingly’ in Section 152 substantially lowers the PSIR WITH
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threshold for commission of the offence, especially in the context

of social media. Even if a person does not have the malicious
intent to incite but they can still be considered liable for the
offence if they share a post that may provoke such activities or
feelings.
The lack of a statutory requirement to prima facie establish a
causal linkage between the speech and its actual consequence

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

before depriving the accused of personal liberty renders Section
152 amenable to abuse.
Sedition & judiciary

The judiciary has consistently adopted a consequentialist

interpretation to strike a careful balance between national
interest and the freedom of expression.
The Supreme Court has given weight to the actual consequence or
impact of free speech in determining the offence rather than
considering the ‘speech’ on its own.
In Balwant Singh case (1995), the Supreme Court required a direct
causal nexus between the act and its impact for it to amount to
an offence of sedition.
In Kedar Nath Singh (1962) the Supreme Court had differentiated
‘disloyalty towards the government’ from ‘strongly worded
criticism of the government and its policies’.
These interpretations can also guide the enforcement authorities
in applying provision of Section 152 and prevent its abuse.
The Supreme Court can also craft a set of guidelines for the
enforcement authorities, demarcating the boundaries for the
terms used under Section 152 BNS.
Importance of Freedom of Speech

It is important to provide liberal space to thoughts, beliefs and

expressions, and to subject them all to unimpeded criticisms,
especially in the age of social media.
An emphasis should be laid on the concept of ‘marketplace of
ideas’ as the best test of truth. An idea will have potential get
itself accepted in a democratic and diverse society.

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new era of techno-industrial collaboration in sectors like AI,

semiconductors, space, and biotechnology. This has involved
drawing in industry, start-ups and research communities from
both sides.
The policy instrument for this has been the initiative on Critical
and Emerging Technologies (iCET) of 2023.
He argues that iCET is at the very heart of US larger strategy. It
seeks to rearrange the global economy by derisking from the

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

massive dependence on China that emerged over the last four
decades, build new technology partnerships with allies and
partners, and create a structure of regional balance of power in
the Indo-Pacific that will limit the Chinese dominance in Asia and
its waters.
Technology has also been at the heart of modern India’s
imagination of America since the late 19th century. It became the
central focus of independent India’s engagement with the US.
In past, America played a key role in the early development of
India’s nuclear and space programmes. It was a critical factor in
modernising India’s agriculture and contributed to the
development of scientific and technological education.

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The Hindu/ Indian Express l 10.01.2025

India-Taliban talks
Link- Multiples
Syllabus
PSIR- Paper II- India’s position on Afghanistan

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

G.S.- International Relations

Indian Foreign Secretary met with the Acting Foreign Minister of

Afghanistan, in Dubai. However, there is no move yet to grant official
recognition to the Taliban government. India has clarified that:
India has historic friendship with the Afghan people and strong
people to people contacts. In this context, India is ready to
respond to the urgent developmental needs of the Afghan people.
India would consider engaging in development projects in the
near future, in addition to the ongoing humanitarian assistance
programme.
It would strengthen sports cooperation in particular cricket,
which is highly valued by the young generation of Afghanistan.
(Afghan player Rashid Khan will play in the IPL)
The use of Chabahar port will e supported trade and commercial
activities, including for the purpose of humanitarian assistance
for Afghanistan.
The Afghan side underlined its sensitivities to India's security
concerns.
Sujan R Chinoy has highlighted India has kept alive channels of
communication with the Taliban at the functional level. It follows
several other countries that also interact with Taliban, including
China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Pakistan.

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The Hindu l 11.01.2025

Local Power
Link- [Link]
tamil-nadu-governments-move/[Link]

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper II - Panchayati Raj and Municipal Government
G.S. - Polity
A continued reason in India for delay in conducting panchayat and
municipality elections is the excuse of the state government
conducting delimitation and implementing reservation exercises for
panchayats and municipalities.
Such elections are delayed in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra,
and other states on similar grounds.
The state government would employ special officers (IAS) to govern
local body institutions such as municipal corporations.
The Supreme Court in Suresh Mahajan case has held that the
delimitation or formation of ward cannot be a legitimate ground to
by the State Election Commission to not discharge its constitutional
obligation in notifying the election programme at an opportune
time and ensure that an elected body was installed before the
expiry of the five-year term of the outgoing body.
The Supreme Court has further said that the delimitation process
should regarded as a continuous exercise. It ought to be
commenced well-in-advance so that the elections were notified on
time.

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The Hindu l 12.01.2025

West Bank a cauldron that can explode any moment

Link- [Link]
looks-like-south-africa-at-the-height-of-the-apartheid-david-
shulman/[Link]

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper II - West Asia
G.S. - International Relations; Ethics in International Relations
David Shulman has highlighted in relation to the recent Israel-Hamas
War and Israeli action in Palestine that:

There is a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza

There is ongoing Israeli colonisation in the West Bank for several
decades, an aspect of settler colonialism. There is systematic
support for this in Israel such as through the Army, the police, the
military courts, the Israeli media, public and social media, and the
government. They fund and support the settlements.
There are ongoing military operations in Jenin and Nablus in the
West Bank.
Israel looks like South Africa at the height of the apartheid.
He argues that there is massive resentment among Palestinian
population due to the ongoing conflict and settler colonialism. It
can lead to a third intifada [uprising].
He argues that a constant and eternal war is not a solution.
He recommends that there is a need for settlement between Israel
and Palestine. The agreement must provide for Palestinians to have
a political framework that allows them to realise their own cultural
and civilisational ambitions. However, it would have to be a
demilitarised Palestinian state.

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Indian Express l 12.01.2025

Members of Public Service Commissions must not be wedded to any
ideology: V-P Jagdeep Dhankhar
Link- [Link]
dhankhar-concern-polarised-political-climate-9773437/

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper I - Statutory Institutions/Commissions
G.S. - Polity
Problems in Public Service Commissions

There is a need for strengthening of Public Service Commissions

(PSC). The entire nation is damaged if any institution if it is
weakened, ,
The appointment to Public Service Commissions cannot be driven
by patronage, by favoritism.
The chairman or a member of PSC should not be wedded to a
particular ideology or an individual
There is growing concern over paper leaks. It is a menace which
PSC have to curb. Fairness of selection will have no meaning if
paper leakages are there.
It lies in the domain of PSCs at the state and the central level over
grant of extension of service. The practice of granting extensions in
service, is a setback to those who are in line. Extension indicates
that some individual is indispensable. Indispensability is a myth.
Talent abounds in this country. PSC can perform a firm role in such
kinds of situations.

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The Hindu l 13.01.2025

The reforms needed in the MEA
Link- [Link]
needed-in-the-ministry-of-external-affairs/[Link]

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper II - Institutions foreign of policy-making
G.S. - Governance; International Relations
Col Rajeev Agarwal argues that The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
has gaps that needs to be addressed such of staffing, structure, and
operations. It includes:

The MEA is staffed with about 850 Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
officers. they are tasked with formulating and executing foreign
policy across 193 embassies and consulates. The annual intake of
IFS officers is 32-35 in recent years. It remains grossly inadequate.
Comparatively, the U.S. has around 14,500, Russia around 4,500
officers. MEA at minimum requires 1500 officers.
The MEA should consider lateral hiring and absorbing officers from
other government services, including defence personnel with and
academics specialising in international relations. Additionally,
consultants could be engaged for specialised roles.
The MEA’s internal structure requires reorganisation to reduce
fragmentation & improve coordination. It has many small divisions
leading to inefficiencies. Such as, immediate neighbourhood is
managed by four separate division. There is further misalignment
such as Turkeyi being placed in Eastern Europe division.
Officers posted abroad enjoy substantial financial and
administrative support, their counterparts in Delhi or domestic
posting face significant challenges in terms of housing, medical and
educational expenses, among other.
Officers undergo rigorous training in one foreign language during
their initial years. However, subsequent postings often do not align
with their linguistic expertise, reducing the long-term benefits of
this training.
The MEA must build capacity in fields such as cybersecurity, space
policy, and artificial intelligence and hire domain specialists who
can focus exclusively on these issues throughout their careers.
India needs an organisational framework that supports and
sustains India's ambitions and increased global stature. PSIR WITH
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The Hindu l 14.01.2025

Transforming ‘men’-talities, redefining masculinity
Link- [Link]
talities-redefining-masculinity/[Link]

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper I - Feminism; Equality: Social
G.S. - Society; Social Justice
Role of Men in Gender Equality

Violence against women can be seen as a men’s issue. Violence

against women and its prevention is a societal issue that demands
the active engagement of men.
According to UNESCO, Nearly one in three women worldwide has
endured violence at the hands of men. While men are often the
perpetrators, they can also be key agents of change.
Addressing violence against women requires addressing men’s roles
and questioning traditional notions of masculinities based on
strength, aggression and control.
These notions need to be replaced by a culture where equality,
empathy, and non-violence define alternative notions.
There is a need to challenge traditional gender norms. Men can
agents to advance gender equality.
Tim Curtis (UNESCO India) considers it can include:

Creating narratives of positive masculinities for embracing values

of respect and equality.
Gender Equity Movement to see the harm in toxic masculinity
Encourage men’s active participation in family nutrition and
planning
Tackling gender bias through small, everyday actions
Public figures emerging as positive role model to gender equality

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Indian Express l 14.01.2025

Security forces dealing with strong tribal affiliations, scattered

police in Manipur: Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi
Link- [Link]
strong-tribal-affiliations-scattered-police-in-manipur-army-chief-
9776655/

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper II - Ethnic conflicts and insurgencies
G.S. - Internal Security
Manipur Conflict

The state of Manipur has seen ethnic violence since May 2023. It
has lead to the death of over 200 people. The ethnic clashes
between the Meitei and Kuki populations in the state have resulted
in them getting geographically separated. The Meiteis have
withdrawn to the valley and Kukis withdrawn to the hills.

The Indian army has highlighted the following concerns in Manipur

conflict:

There is strong tribal affiliations in the region and the tribal

affiliations have taken a strong line. They have adopted a firm and
uncompromising stance on resolving the issue.
The social rift is also reflected in the police force. The Kuki
policemen are being restricted to police stations in the hills and
Meitei policemen manning those in the valley. The police have also
faced accusations of partisanship based on individual policemen’s
ethnic identity.
There is a migration and influx of refugees that is taking place from
Myanmar, which included soldiers from Myanmar.

Response by India

The Indian government and Indian army have to work with the
whole of nation approach to ensure that the reconciliation takes
place.
The Indian Army, Assam Rifles and other CAPFs (Central Armed
Police Forces) are coordinating with each other and with local
police agencies in their areas. PSIR WITH
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surrender. Indian Army is disarming them and allowing them to

go, after which local police is looking after them.
The Indian Army is in regular contact with the Myanmar Army.
Both are interacting with each other to ensure harmony, exchange
of information and support which is required in terms of
intelligence.

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

(Also refer to PSIR notes of 03.12.24 on Manipur security strategy)

The Hindu l 14.01.2025

Army chief says a ‘degree’ of stand-off prevails along the Line of
Actual Control

Link- [Link]
stable-army-chief-on-border-situation/[Link]
Syllabus
PSIR- Paper II - Border disputes
G.S. - International Relations

At the recent disengagement from Depsang and Demchok in Eastern

Ladakh, Indian army has classified that-
There is nothing called a buffer zone established in the
disengagement zones. Only a temporary moratorium has been
created at certain places.
It means that both sides will remain back and will not go to the
common areas. This is to reduce the possibilities of violence
between armies of India and China.

(Also refer to PSIR notes of 04.12.24 & 09.12.24 on India-China border disengagement)

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Indian Express l 16.01.2025

India, I will carry you in my heart
Link- [Link]
ambassador-eric-garcetti-writes-india-i-will-carry-you-in-my-heart-
9781105/

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper II - United States
G.S. - International Relations
Eric Garcetti, now to be former Ambassador of USA to India, says on
Indo-US relationship that-

Indo-US relationship is based on Four Ps — peace, prosperity,

planet and people.
Both countries are working together in technology, trade, women’s
empowerment, healthcare, safe and secure Indo-Pacific, among
other.
Both countries have a $200 billion dollars in two-way trade,
making the United States India’s largest trading partner;
Over 3,00,000 Indian students in the United States — the largest
share of international students from any country
US & India signed a Cultural Property Agreement, which protects
India’s cultural heritage and eases the sharing of our art, history
and culture with each other.
India-US relationship should not get lost in the narcissism of small
differences. There is a need to focus on the hurdles in front of both
countries.
He highlights the challenges ahead — air quality, harnessing
technology to connect and protect rather than divide and harm,
and worrying military threats around the world.

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The Hindu l 16.01.2025

The red flag as China’s expansionist strategy rolls on
Link- [Link]
chinas-expansionist-strategy-rolls-on/[Link]

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper II - China; South Asia
G.S. - International Relations
China’s aggressive policies

There is growing aggression and unpredictability of China’s

approach in the border region. It is seen in the Medog project on
the Brahmaputra River border and in Eastern Ladakh against India
Other South Asian countries have been subjected in a similar
manner to Chinese aggressive behavior. It includes cartographic
aggression against India, Nepal, and Bhutan. It also includes
China’s unilateral actions with respect to transboundary rivers,
particularly the Brahmaputra and Indus river systems. Chinese
action has the potential to jeopardise water security in India,
Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Pakistan.
However, despite these challenges from China, each South Asian
country has opted to engage with China on a bilateral basis.
Way forward- South Asia can replicate the ASEAN response. The
Southeast Asian nationshave employed collective responsive
measures through multilateral organisations such as the Mekong
River Commission (MRC) and the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) to counter China.
India, as the dominant regional power in South Asia, should take
the lead in fostering a collective response to China’s actions.

Cartographic aggression

Modern state have used maps to shape the collective perception

and belief of the population residing in a geographical area. It
showcases the extent of state’s sovereignty. Cartographic
aggression the use of maps exerting territorial claims, influencing
the audience in the disputed area, and gaining public support for
territorial expansion.
International law does not recognise territorial claims based solely
on cartographic assertions. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) PSIR WITH
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and France has said that maps are insufficient evidence of

sovereignty.
The ICJ ruled that effective administrative control and sovereignty
are crucial for determining ownership of contested territories.
Therefore, China’s use of cartographic aggression lacks legal validity
under international law.
Nevertheless, China’s efforts to establish a physical presence in

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

disputed territories, such as by building settlements, could
complicate matters for India in the future.

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The Hindu l 17.01.2025

Great anniversaries of peace initiatives, a role for India

Link- [Link]
of-peace-initiatives-a-role-for-india/[Link]

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper II - Nuclear threat; nuclear proliferation
G.S. - International Relations; Ethics in International Relations;
Nuclear weapons free world & nuclear disarmament

2025 is the 80th year of the world’s first nuclear weapon test and
the first use of the bomb over Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
As of 2024, the world has about 12,100 nuclear warheads. It is
lower than the roughly 60,000 weapons that existed during the
Cold War. Nevertheless, there is a continuing threat of nuclear
warfare in the present due to Russia’s revised of its nuclear
doctrine, potential of non-state entities acquiring access to nuclear
weapons through cyber and Artificial Intelligence.
Albert Einstein, Bertrand Russell and nine other scientists issued
the Russell-Einstein Manifesto. The manifesto warned against
nuclear weapons and said to 'remember your humanity, and forget
the rest'.
The Avadi INC conference (1955) considered atomic and hydrogen
bombs as a menace to world peace and to civilization itself. It
supported the total prohibition of the manufacture and use of
atomic and hydrogen and other weapons of mass destruction as
well as conventional atomic weapons. It was supported by
Jawaharlal Nehru & C Raja Gopalachari.
Rajiv Gandhi also introduced ‘Action Plan for a Nuclear Weapons
Free and Non-Violent World Order’ of 1988.

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Indian Express l 17.01.2025

How laws are passed under NDA – in silence, without consultation

Link- [Link]
obrien-writes-how-laws-are-passed-under-nda-in-silence-without-
consultation-9783108/

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper I/II - Democracy; Politics of Participation
G.S. - International Relations; Ethics in International Relations;
Public participation in Lawmaking

Pre-Legislative Consultation Policy (PLCP) was formulated by the

Ministry of Law & Justice in 2014. The policy is supposed to be
followed by all departments & ministries before any legislative
proposal is submitted for consideration. It has mandated 30-day
consultation period.
It seeks to ensure that the legislative process is inclusive &
deliberative. It ensures voices of citizens are heard and considered
before laws are enacted. It provides greater legitimacy to the laws
by ensuring they are shaped by citizens.
However, PLCP allows ministries and departments significant
discretion to bypass the policy’s requirements if they deem public
consultation to be ‘not feasible’.
This exemption grants government bodies the power to unilaterally
decide when public input can be avoided. The provision weakens
the commitment to transparency, accountability, and participatory
democracy. Further, consultation period can also be reduced.
Further, there is no mechanism to ensure that PLCP are conducted
in all relevant languages.

Way forward

Have a defined criteria when public consultation can be bypassed

Make the procedure well publicised & in multiple languages
Ensure meaningful consultations with key stakeholders
Public consultations should be made mandatory and legally
enforced part of the legislative process.
In South Africa, any law that does not follow the prescribed
consultation process can be being deemed unconstitutional and
struck down by the courts. South Korea also has mandated PSIR WITH
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Indian Express l 17.01.2025

How laws are passed under NDA – in silence, without consultation
Link- [Link]
obrien-writes-how-laws-are-passed-under-nda-in-silence-without-
consultation-9783108/

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper I/II - Democracy; Politics of Participation
G.S. - International Relations; Ethics in International Relations;
Public participation in Lawmaking

Pre-Legislative Consultation Policy (PLCP) was formulated by the

Ministry of Law & Justice in 2014. The policy is supposed to be
followed by all departments & ministries before any legislative
proposal is submitted for consideration. It has mandated 30-day
consultation period.
It seeks to ensure that the legislative process is inclusive &
deliberative. It ensures voices of citizens are heard and considered
before laws are enacted. It provides greater legitimacy to the laws
by ensuring they are shaped by citizens.
However, PLCP allows ministries and departments significant
discretion to bypass the policy’s requirements if they deem public
consultation to be ‘not feasible’.
This exemption grants government bodies the power to unilaterally
decide when public input can be avoided. The provision weakens
the commitment to transparency, accountability, and participatory
democracy. Further, consultation period can also be reduced.
Further, there is no mechanism to ensure that PLCP are conducted
in all relevant languages.

Way forward

Have a defined criteria when public consultation can be bypassed

Make the procedure well publicised & in multiple languages
Ensure meaningful consultations with key stakeholders
Public consultations should be made mandatory and legally
enforced part of the legislative process.
In South Africa, any law that does not follow the prescribed
consultation process can be being deemed unconstitutional and
struck down by the courts. South Korea also has mandated PSIR WITH
minimum of 20 days of public consultation. ANKUR
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Indian Express/ The Hindu l 19.01.2025

Property cards under SVAMITVA will unlock economic activity worth
over Rs 100 lakh crore
SVAMITVA scheme: PM hands out 65 lakh cards
Link- Multiple

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper I - Grassroots Democracy; Panchayati Raj
G.S. - Polity; Governance
SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology
in Village Areas)

SVAMITVA aims to provide ‘Record of Rights’ to families owning

houses in inhabited areas in villages by surveying through a latest
drone technology.
It seeks furthering rural empowerment by leveraging the power of
technology and good governance.
It is a Central Sector Scheme of Ministry of Panchayati Raj
The plan is to survey all rural properties using drones and prepare
GIS -based maps for each village.
Survey of India (SoI) is responsible for preparing the National
Topographic database on all scales, using technology for
topographical mapping at various scales including the use of
airborne photography drones, satellite imageries, and Unmanned
Air Vehicles (UAV) or drone platforms.
A Continuously Operating Reference System (CORS) supports
accurate Geo-referencing, ground truthing and demarcation of
lands,
A GIS database on 1:500 scale, and village maps — Gram Manchitra
— are drawn. After creation of maps, a ground verification process
by drone survey teams follows, on the basis of which corrections, if
any, are made. At this stage, inquiry/objection process – conflict/
dispute resolution is completed.
After this, final Property Cards/Title deeds or “Sampatti Patrak” are
generated. These cards are made available on digital platforms or
as hard copies to the village household owners.
SVAMITVA and Bhu-Aadhaar, together are a unique land parcel
identification number (ULPIN) for each land. It is as foundational
systems for village development.
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Benefits of the Scheme

A UN study emphasised that reducing poverty requires people to

have property rights. The small amount of property owned by
villagers is often refered to as “dead capital”. This means that the
property cannot be used for transactions and it does not help
increase the family’s income.

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

The property cards distributed under the Centre’s SVAMITVA
scheme seeks to guarantee economic security. It would enhance
rural India’s economic progress.
Property would be provided legal recognition. It would facilitate
monetisation of properties and enable institutional credit through
bank loans.
Property disputes can be speedily resolved through availability of
legal proof of property
It facilitate better assessment of properties. It helps in
determination of property tax, which accrues to the Gram
Panchayats or else, add to the State exchequer directly in states
where they are empowered to collect such taxes.
The cards help increase liquidity of land parcels in the market and
increase the financial credit availability to the village
It paves the way for creation of accurate land records for rural
planning. All the property records and maps are available at the
Gram Panchayat level. It provides for forming an accurate Gram
Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) which helps in taxation of
villages, construction permits, elimination of encroachments, etc.

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The Hindu l 19.01.2025

Neutral third party should broker Manipur peace, say police recruits
Link- [Link]
should-be-brokered-by-a-third-party-say-manipur-police-
personnel/[Link]

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper II - Ethnic conflicts and insurgencies
G.S. - Internal Security
Peace building in Manipur

Assam rifles is undertaking integration training for the Manipur

Police. it includes recruits from all three communities — Meitei,
Kuki-Zo and Naga.
The training focuses on team building. It acknowledges diversity,
pride of being a Manipuri and an Indian. It seeks to understand
and counter fake news and propaganda, which is a major cause of
tension among communities
There needs to be negotiations among the Manipur communities
and the need to accommodate each other. Further, weaponisation
of youth and society needs to be curbed.

(Also refer to PSIR notes of 03.12.24 and 14.01.25 on Manipur security strategy)

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Indian Express/ The Hindu l 19.01.2025

Jaishankar flags challenge from China, ‘weaponisation’ of market

instruments
‘Cancer of terrorism is consuming body politic of Pakistan’

Link- Multiple

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper II - India & the World
G.S. - International Relations
Dr. Jaishankar has highlighted following in relation to:

India foreign policy

There is growing relevance of ‘New India’ to global politics. It arises

from India’s growing abilities and also the circumstances of its rise.
India’s key relationships such as with the US, China, Pakistan or
Israel have been approached with far greater realism. It is a result
of shifts in India’s thinking on politics, economics and security.
India supports the emergence of a multi-polar Asia, which is an
essential pre-requisite for a multi-polar world.
There is a direct link between India’s economic growth and
strategic autonomy of Indian foreign policy. It is needed for rapid
development of India’s comprehensive national power is necessary.
China
India’s approach to China can be summed up in terms of the three
mutuals, i.e., mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual
interests.
India-China relationship is trying to disentangle itself from the
complications arising from the post-2020 border situation.
The world is becoming aware of the risks to the international
economy of over-concentration in manufacturing or in emerging
technologies. There are global challenges due to the weaponisation
of market instruments and financial institutions.
India confronts a particular challenge in establishing an equilibrium
with [Link] has been further sharpened by a boundary dispute,
baggage of history and by differing socio-political systems.
Indian foreign policy with China is based on both cooperation and
competition with China. PSIR WITH
India has to prepare in relation to China’s growing capabilities, ANKUR
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particularly those that impinge directly on India’s interests.

India needs to correct the earlier neglect of the border
infrastructure and oceanic periphery, and mitigate dependence in
sensitive domains.

United States

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Prime Minister Modi has stated that stated that with US, India is
able to overcome ‘hesitations of history’.
India & US have deeper cooperation domains like security, cyber,
space and emerging technologies to digital, science, education,
trade and business.

Pakistan

Pakistan continues to support to cross-border terrorism. The cancer

of terrorism is now consuming Pakistan’s own body politic.
The entire Indian subcontinent has a shared interest in Pakistan
abjuring that approach of supporting cross-border terrorism.

Russia
India-Russia relationship that has largely held steady since
independence.
Russia is also redirecting its attention towards Asia, therefore there
is a further emerging deeper economic cooperation between India
and Russia.

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Indian Express l 20.01.2025

UCC is important step for national integration, says former CJI Gogoi
Link- [Link]
step-for-national-integration-says-former-cji-gogoi-9787846/

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper I - Features of the Indian Constitution; Role and
working of the High Court & Supreme Court
G.S. - Polity
Uniform Civil Code

Former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi has termed:

the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as a progressive piece of legislation. It
will replace diverse customary practices that have evolved in the
Indian law.
UCC is an important step towards national integration. However,
the government needs to build consensus before implementing it.
UCC does not come in conflict with Articles 25 and 26, in relation to
the right to religion.
The UCC will streamline adoption, marriage, divorce and
inheritance in India. These diverse customs and practices currently
culminate in personal laws. Such personal laws govern civil and
personal matters and affect social justice. A nation can’t afford to
have so many laws.
UCC is currently implemented to an extent in Goa.

Case pendency
Former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi has said:
that currently, there are 5 crore pending cases. In 2019, there were
3 crore cases.
The government should increase the number of judges in the
country from the present 24,000 to 1 lakh to overcome the delay in
getting justice to the litigants. It will reduce Court pendency.
Further, dead cases should be closed. The litigants are dead, and
their heirs are not bothered by the cases. Such cases are known as
dead cases. They form substantial proportion of pending cases.

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The Hindu l 21.01.2025

We need distinguished jurists as judges
Link- [Link]
distinguished-jurists-as-judges/[Link]

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper I - Working of the Supreme Court & High Court
G.S. - Polity
Problem of Judicial System

The Indian judicial system currently faces the problem of backlogs

and vacancies.
In January 2025, 371 posts of the 1,122 across the High Courts
remain vacant. The Allahabad High Court functions at 50% of its
total sanctioned strength. There are now about 60 lakh cases
pending across all the High Courts. It delays justice for people.
Hiring more judge as distinguished jurists can resolve this problem.

Distinguished jurist
Article 124(3)(c) of the Constitution allows for the appointment of
individuals who are ‘distinguished jurists’ as judge to the Supreme
Court. It is on the opinion of the President (on concurrence with
Collegium system). However, it remains underutilized.
Article 217(2)(c) provided for ‘distinguished jurists’ to be appointed
as judges of High Court. However, it has been repealed.
No person has been appointed till date as a distinguished jurist.
Appointments to High Courts & Supreme Court have always been
either from the Bar (practising advocates) or the judicial services.
Academics can be appointed as distinguished jurist. It will bring a
vast pool of specialised knowledge, research-based critical
thinking, and expertise.
Appointment of academics as distinguished jurists is a routine
practice across the globe such as the United States, Poland,
Myanmar, Kenya, Thailand, Spain and Italy.
Currently, the problem with appointing academics is the lack of
courtroom experience, procedural knowledge, understanding of
limits to exercising judicial power, and a certain degree of
resistance among the status quoists within the institution.
However, adequate training can be introduced to overcome PSIR WITH
experiential problems. ANKUR
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The Hindu l 21.01.2025

Prioritising IMEC is in America’s best interest

Link- [Link]
yadav-writes-celebrating-indian-republic-shoulc-go-beyond-
sarkari-rituals-9789882/

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper II - India and the World
G.S. - International Relations
India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)

IMEC agreement presents a tremendous opportunity for India and

US to solidify this multilateral partnership. It advances both the
strategic interests of the U.S. and India.
IMEC can create a robust economic corridor to ensure free and
open trade routes, with enhanced energy security and
technological innovation.
IMEC seeks to enhance trade connectivity and reduce
transportation costs, while diversifying global supply chains and
promoting deeper economic integration among participating
countries- India, the U.S., the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia,
Italy, France, Germany, and the European Commission.
Currently, IMEC is more conceptual than concrete. It requires
implementation. The corridor must develop efficient transportation
routes, including railways, shipping networks, and maritime
connections, while also establishing cross-border electricity and
hydrogen pipelines and digital communication cables.
IMEC can establish a compelling alternative to China’s Belt and
Road Initiative (BRI), creating a more balanced global economic
architecture that aligns with democratic values and market
principles.

Potential for India

India has emerged as a significant player in green hydrogen

development. India is developing green hydrogen as a strategic
component of its energy transition and decarbonisation efforts.
India is collaborating with international partners such as Germany
and Japan, and developing infrastructure for green hydrogen
production, storage, and transportation. IMEC can integrate green PSIR WITH
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Indian Express l 21.01.2025

Celebrating Indian Republic should go beyond sarkari rituals

Link- [Link]
yadav-writes-celebrating-indian-republic-shoulc-go-beyond-
sarkari-rituals-9789882/

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper I - Democracy; B.R. Ambedkar
G.S. - Polity; Contributions of Moral Thinkers & Philosophers
from India and World.
Republicanism

Any country that is not ruled by a hereditary ruler and in which

citizens can occupy the highest office is considered a republic.
Britain has the institution of the monarchy and is not a republic.
While India had adopted a republican form of government.
Republicanism is a rejection of arbitrary power in all its forms —
political, social and economic.
Radical republicanism centres around the ideals of political liberty,
popular sovereignty, equal citizenship and civic virtues.
Republicanism within India signifies key value of India's freedom
struggle — swaraj in all dimensions of our life.
Yogendra Yadav considers that radical republicanism is the
underlying philosophy of our Constitution.
Dr. Ambedkar & Republicanism
Christophe Jaffrelot in Dr Ambedkar and Democracy: An Anthology
show a shift in Dr Ambedkar from republicanism to a radical
republicanism.
For Dr. Ambedkar, democracy is a form and a method of
government whereby revolutionary changes in the economic and
social life of the people are brought without a bloodshed.
For Dr. Ambedkar. genuine democracy must also be a social order
sans hierarchy that is based on a shared sense of community of all
citizens. Such a moral order requires a cultivation of civic virtues,
an attitude of mind based on equality and liberty and fraternity.
Dr. Ambedkar's views reflect French Revolution and teachings of
Buddha. He also founded the Republican Party of India.

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Indian Express l 22.01.2025

The Ram Mandir and after
Link- [Link]
mitra-writes-the-ram-mandir-and-after-9792025/

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper II - Religion in Indian politics
G.S. - Society- Communalism, Secularism
Role of religion & secularism in society & state

Subrata Mitra argues that transitional societies or newly

independent countries require creating a collective identity that
would bolster the state and bind the nation together. Such states
need to protecting order and shaping collective identity, It is a twin
challenge of nation building and state building of post-colonial
states. It is essential to the survival of the state and social
integration.
Such states utilize sacred symbols from religion in the public sphere
and have them integrated into public institutions.
He argues that it is hazardous to impose any particular religion on
society as it can lead to communal tensions.
Further, it is hazardous to ignore the religiosity of the masses in
the name of dharmnirapekshata – a wall of separation between
religion and the state. It can produce a legitimacy deficit leading to
a sense of limited agency among the people and anger.
The faith of the majority should be recognised. While giving full
legitimacy and ensuring basic rights to other minority belief
systems. It requires commitment to human dignity and respect for
the sacred of all belief systems.

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Indian Express l 22.01.2025

Under Trump, US withdraws from WHO: Impact, what this means for
India
Link- [Link]
global/under-trump-us-withdraws-from-who-impact-india-9791574/

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper II - United Nations; USA
G.S. - International Relations
US withdrawal from WHO

US is withdrawing from WHO for following official reasons-

WHO’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic

failure to adopt urgently needed reforms
inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate
political influence of WHO member states
continued demand of “unfairly onerous payments from the United
States
Impact

It will pause and halt US funding to WHO. US funding is 1/5th of

WHO funding. It will lead to greater burden on other countries for
contribution and voluntary contributions from private entities like
Bill and Melinda Gates foundation.
All US government personnel or contractors working in any capacity
with the WHO will be recalled. The loss of expertise from the
United States would also impact WHO’s role of providing guidance.
It will will also sever the collaboration between the WHO and the
US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is key to
international surveillance and response to health threats.
The United States will cease negotiations towards the pandemic
treaty the WHO is working on. It seeks to create a framework for
global cooperation if a pandemic.
WHO participation in health programmes such as neglected tropical
diseases, HIV-malaria-and tuberculosis, anti-microbial resistance,
among others across the world. It will be negatively impacted due
to lack of funding and expertise.
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America has also often followed a policy of exceptionalism, i.e., an

attitude of being ‘distinct’ and thus an ‘exception’ to the law that
binds all other nations.
Thus, the U.S. has been criticised for violating or sidelining the
same norms and institutions of international law that it helped
create and expects other countries to follow.
The US under Donald Trump (earlier & now) has withdrawn from
Paris agreement, UNESCO, WHO, blocked appointment of judges to

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

WTO, and withdrew from TPP.
Oona Hathaway and Scott Shapiro argues that US policy reflects a
‘sovereigntist view of international law.’ It conceives entering into
multilateral treaties as putting unacceptable limits on sovereign
authority. It is marked by scepticism towards multilateralism and a
preference for bilateralism. It leads to the weakening of the
normative authority of multilateral institutions.

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The Hindu l 23.01.2025

China’s moves must recast India’s critical minerals push

Link- [Link]
recast-indias-critical-minerals-push/[Link]

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper II - China
G.S. - International Relations
China & Critical Minerals

China has weaponised the exports of its critical minerals.

China had undertaken rare earth minerals embargo against Japan
in 2010. In 2023, restrictions were placed on antimony, gallium,
and germanium exports, and on rare earth extraction and
processing technologies.
In 2024, China has expanded its export control list against US
companies. It restricts their access to dual-use export controls. It
includes rare earth minerals that are vital for high-technology
applications such as in aerospace, semiconductors, batteries,
speciality alloys, and advanced electronics. It encompasses
tungsten, gallium, magnesium, beryllium, hafnium, lithium-6
isotope, and others.

India & RRE

The Ministry of Mines identified 30 critical minerals that are
deemed essential for national security.
The Union government set up a designated body, Khanij Bidesh
India Ltd. (KABIL), which has been tasked with obtaining overseas
investments in critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt.
Parliament passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and
Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023, lifting restrictive classifications
on some rare earth elements that used to be considered ‘atomic
minerals’. Amendment changes include introduction of an
‘exploration license’. It is devised to attract specialised resource
exploration agencies, including foreign companies, to survey
potentially rich geological deposits. These exploratory firms can
now participate in reconnaissance and prospecting alone instead of
full-scale mining operation. The law also promises to reimburse
50% of the exploration expenditure once mining begins, aiming to PSIR WITH
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However,
Only a handful of exploration licences for minerals such as lithium,
rare earth elements, and graphite have been cleared.
Majority licenses have gone to Indian firms and there is a lack of
foreign interest. This is due lack of clarity on commercial viability
of such mineral blocks.
Only 48% (24 out of 49) of the mineral blocks available for auction
in recent years have been auctioned.

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

(Also refer to PSIR notes of 24.12.24 on Critical Minerals- China & India)

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The Hindu/ Indian Express l 23.01.2025

Ex WHO chief scientist on US exit from WHO: It will affect future
pandemic control,
Link- Multiple

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper II - United Nations
G.S. - International Relations
US withdrawal from WHO

Dr Soumya Swaminathan, ex. Chief Scientist at WHO, has said that:

US withdrawal from WHO significantly impacts funding.
It will also negatively impact the negotiations for the pandemic
treaty to fight future outbreaks, vaccine equity and collaborative
research. The US plays a significant the role as the financier and
also provides significant technical and scientific inputs. This would
be particularly affect programmes in developing countries.
There is no alternative to WHO so far as global health security is
concerned. A US withdrawal will compromise the WHO.
If weaknesses are found within the WHO, efforts should focus on
helping the organization overcome them and strengthen its
capabilities.
Such improvements are only possible if the US remains a part of
the WHO and contributes to its reform, rather than withdrawing
due to perceived weaknesses.

(Also refer to PSIR notes of 22.12.24 on US withdrawal from WHO)

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The Hindu l 23.01.2025

The oligarchy we see today
Link- [Link]
see-today/[Link]

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper I - Fascism
G.S. - N/A
Oligarchy

The Greek philosopher Aristotle coined the word oligarchy to for

the rule of a wealthy few for corrupt and unjust purposes.
In oligarchy, power in centered among few men or families.
Oligarchs usually acquire power by financial means, such as making
large donations to politicians who then govern in ways that the
oligarchs specify.
Oligarchs in the past became consuls to further their fundamental
oligarchic interests. Contemporary oligarchs use private funds to
purchase public office are motivated more by vanity than by
oligarchic survival.
Oligarchs can also become powerful because of their social
standing, notoriety, education, military, religious, or political ties.
Jeffrey A. Winters in Oligarchy (2011) highlights that for oligarchs
all influence is for wealth defence.
Robert Michels considers that oligarchy is only evil if and when
oligarchs violate the rule of law, remove the checks and balances
on their own power, and prioritise their own interests over those
of the people. Iron law of oligarchy’ contends that democracy will
inevitably turn into an oligarchy due to the necessity to divide
labour.
Joe Biden highlighted a tech industrial complex is leading to an
oligarchy that threatens American democracy. Similarly, US
President Dwight Eisenhower had warned in 1961 about the
military-industrial complex.

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Indian Express l 24.01.2025

Why Supreme Court suggested appointing retired High Court judges
on ‘ad hoc’ basis
Link- [Link]
the-election-commission-of-india/[Link]

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper I - Role & working of Judiciary
G.S. - Polity
Appointment of Retired Judges to High Court

The Supreme Court suggested temporarily appointing retired judges

on an ad hoc (as required) basis to address the growing backlog of
pending criminal cases before several High Courts.
Law Commission reports published in 1979, 1988, and 2003, which
suggested that temporarily appointing retired judges who already
have decades of experience is a viable solution to tackle the
mounting backlog of cases.
Procedure of Appointment

Article 224A provides for appointment of retired Judges at sittings

of High Courts. It states that the Chief Justice of a High Court for
any State may at any time may request any person who has held
the office of a Judge of that Court or of any other High Court to sit
and act as a Judge of the High Court for that State. It requires with
the previous consent of the President.
Such appointees are entitled to allowances as determined by the
President’s order and have all the jurisdiction, powers and
privileges of a Judge of that High Court. Consent of the retired
judge is required for the appointment.

The detailed procedure can be found in the 1998 Memorandum of

Procedure (MOP) for the appointment of High Court judges-
After the retired judge has consented to the appointment, the Chief
Justice must forward her name and details on the duration of the
appointment to the state’s Chief Minister.
The CM will pass this recommendation to the Union Law Minister,
who will consult the Chief Justice of India before forwarding the PSIR WITH
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India. The PM will advise the President on whether to give her

approval.
Lok Prahari case (2021)
In Lok Prahari case (2021), the Supreme Court held that this
recommendation has to be routed through the collegium of the
Supreme Court. This collegium includes the CJI and the two
seniormost judges of the Supreme Court.

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

There has to be a “Trigger Point” for appointing judges under
Article 224A.
The court held ad hoc judges can only be appointed when
recommendations have not been made for less than 20% of the
vacancies, after considering both the number of active judges and
pending proposals for judge appointments. And if more than 10%
of the backlog of pending cases is over 5 years.
It further recommended that each Chief Justice should create a
“panel” of retired and soon-to-retire judges for possible ad hoc
appointments. Such judges should generally be appointed for 2-3
years, with two to five ad hoc judges in a HC.

Past Instances
There have only been three recorded instances of ad hoc judges
being appointed under Article 224A. last in 2007. The Supreme
Court has called it a dormant provision.

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The Hindu l 24.01.2025

A grey birthday for the Election Commission of India

Link- [Link]
the-election-commission-of-india/[Link]

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper I - Election Commission of India
G.S. - Polity
Electoral Rolls

The sanctity of electoral rolls is of supreme importance and is the

foundation of India’s electoral democracy.
Article 324 provides that the superintendence, direction and control
of the preparation of the electoral rolls for all elections to
Parliament and to the Legislature of every State shall be vested
with Election Commission of India.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in June 1949 in the Constituent Assembly had
said that electoral rolls are a most fundamental thing in a
democracy. Independence of elections and avoidance of any
interference by the executive should be regarded as a fundamental
right.
Dr. Ambedkar warned about electoral roll manipulation by the
executive. He was more concerned about exclusion of voters
through identity discrimination.
Aadhaar should be used to ‘unghost’ and de-duplicate electoral
rolls and use its biometric verification for voting.

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The Hindu l 25.01.2025

Competitive populism
Link- [Link]
populism-on-parties-and-the-delhi-assembly-
elections/[Link]

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper I - Party System
G.S. - Polity; Governance
Competitive populism

In Indian elections, political parties are promising welfare schemes

to every section of voters. They are indulging in competitive
populism. This unrestrained populism is a growing aspect of revdi,
or a freebie culture.

(Populism has both positive and negative connotation). Populism reflects political
program that champions the common person. In its most democratic form, populism
seeks to defend the interests and maximize the power of ordinary citizens. However, the
term populist is often used pejoratively to criticize a politician for pandering to a people’s
fear and enthusiasm. A populist economic program can therefore seek to redistribute
wealth to gain popularity, without regard to the consequences for the country such as
inflation or debt.)

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Indian Express l 25.01.2025

At this 75th anniversary of our republic, there is much to celebrate,
much to reflect on
Link- [Link]
day-constitution-9797878/

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper I - Constitution; Supreme Court & High Court
G.S. - Polity
S Ravindra Bhat, former Supreme Court judge, has said that the
Constitution of India guarantees-

Swaraj of not only from the external ruler, but also the resolve to
economically and socially emancipate of India’s citizens.
social justice of distribution of material resources for the good of
the greatest number
guarantee of dignity and fraternity. It constitutes the essence of
basic rights, where individuals are bound to value each other’s
worth
greater responsibility on the state to ensure that each policy & law
achieves the objective of meaningful access to education, public
health, employment
a basic standard of living assuring self-worth & dignity to each
citizen

Courts System

S Ravindra Bhat highlights that there are systemic challenges of the

court system. There is a need for quick and inexpensive justice.

Problem- The legal system is inordinately slow.

Cause- The case-loads of judges could range from 60 to 150 cases
each day. Most judges have little time to reflect. Their time is spent
on managing the cases.
Cause- Infrastructural and manpower issues. For an estimated
population of 1.4 billion, the sanctioned strength of judges overall
is just 25,081. There are a significant number of vacancies at any
given time. there are a little over only 20,000 court rooms.
Solution- The legal system needs to ensure quick, affordable justice
delivery. It needs reforms in procedure and processes. It requires PSIR WITH
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Indian Express l 25.01.2025

The making of India’s Constitution was an inspiring saga every Indian
should be proud of
Link- [Link]
madhav-writes-the-making-of-indias-constitution-was-an-inspiring-
saga-every-indian-should-be-proud-of-9797882/

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper I - Making of the Indian Constitution
G.S. - Polity
Pre-independence evolution of the Indian Constitution

The first ever Government of India Act of 1858 came after the 1857
War of Independence. No Indian was involved in that process.
Six decades later, came a new version, the Government of India Act
1919. The Congress raised a strong voice against the Act. It demand
that Indian legislature should have the authority to draft its own
constitution and not the British government.
The Swaraj Party, the parliamentary wing of the Congress, raised
the issue in the Legislative Assembly in 1924 demanding that a
roundtable conference be convened to negotiate constitutional
reforms.
Secretary of State for India, Lord Birkenhead, challenged Indian
leaders to produce a constitution which carries behind it a fair
measure of general agreement among the great people of India. He
also decided appointed an all-British Simon Commission for the
review of constitutional measures needed for India.
The Congress leadership accepted the challenge. Motilal Nehru led
an all-party conference to draft a constitution that also had Subhas
Chandra Bose, Annie Besant, M R Jayakar, Jawaharlal Nehru and a
couple of Muslim League representatives. It came out with a draft
constitution in 1928, popularly known as the “Nehru Report”.
It dealt with important subjects like fundamental rights, a
bicameral parliament, division of powers, judicial independence
and centre-state relations. It declared that universal adult franchise
will be the model for India with every citizen 21 years of age and
above securing voting rights.
Nehru Report became known as the ‘Magna Carta of Indian liberty’.
At the Lahore Congress session in December 1929 to celebrate the
“day of independence” on January 26, 1930. It was to PSIR WITH
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commemorate that occasion that January 26, 1950 was chosen for
the adoption of the Indian Constitution.
The Swaraj Party passed a resolution in May 1934 demanding that
a Constituent Assembly be convened to frame an “acceptable
constitution”.
Indian Constitution has been criticised as a “colonial constitution”.

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

However, the Constitution contained most elements of the Nehru
Report of 1928. President Murmu has called the Indian Constitution
as “the outcome of our long freedom struggle.

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Indian Express l 26.01.2025

A Supreme Court ruling that continues to guardrail free speech in

India
Link- [Link]
court-ruling-that-continues-to-guardrail-free-speech-in-india-
9799452/

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper I - Fundamental Rights; Civil liberties movements
G.S. - Polity
Protection of Free Speech & Civil liberties

The Romesh Thapar v State of Madras case (1950) became the first
landmark ruling protecting free speech and limiting arbitrary use of
State power. It is recognised precedent for protection of a free
press against State censorship.
The Supreme Court stated that while a restriction on free speech is
constitutionally sanctioned on the grounds that it impinges on the
“security of the state”. Public order cannot be construed as a
‘security of the state’ issue. The court said that unless a law was
specifically conceived to address security of the state, a general,
wide law could not obstruct free speech on such grounds.
A crucial aftereffect of the ruling was the First Amendment Act
1951 to the Constitution that placed more limits on free speech.
First Amendment Act, 1951 introduced ‘reasonable restrictions’ on
Article 19(1)(a) of freedom of speech and expression. It now
expanded & included “public order”, “incitement to an offence”
and “friendly relations with foreign states” as grounds for
restricting free speech.
Nevertheless, the Romesh Thapar case (1950) ruling continues to
guard against breach of press freedom.
Former Supreme Court Justice B N Srikrishna has said that in the
early days of the Supreme Court, especially in the 50s and 60s, the
Supreme Court led the civil liberties movement in India, such as
Sakal Papers case (1961), Bennett Coleman case (1972), Indian
Express Newspapers (Bombay) case (1984), among other.

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The Hindu l 26.01.2025

Murmu lauds rise in number of women coming out to vote
Link- [Link]
voters-day-event-president-speech-updates/[Link]

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper I - Trends in electoral behavior; Democracy
G.S. - Polity; Governance
Voter Participation

There is an increased participation of women in elections It is an

important sign of the overall development of Indian society.
There is need to empower every citizen to exercise their right to
vote.
Means to increase Voter Participation-

Election Commission makes special efforts to facilitate the voting

process for senior voters above 85 years of age, voters with
disabilities and tribal voters living in remote areas, It is an example
of inclusive and sensitive election management.
ECI initiatives include home voting, empowering third gender
voters to vote, introducing Braille voter ID and ramps at polling
stations.
ECI has stressed on disruptive campaigning and fake narratives
might cause disillusionment among youngsters regarding the
electoral process and requested political parties to avoid such
activities. It seeks to limit voter apathy.

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The Hindu l 26.01.2025

Why has the U.S. often exited climate pacts?
Paris Agreement: Present tense, future dangerous
Link- Multiple

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper II - Contemporary Global Concerns: Environment
G.S. - International Relations; Environment
US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement

The U.S. has withdrawn for the third time from a treaty signed
under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC).
The first time the U.S. withdrew from a climate agreement was in
2001 when it exited the Kyoto Protocol. It was adopted in 1997 and
had binding targets to lower carbon dioxide emissions for 37
industrialised countries. However, then US President George Bush
withdrew the U.S., on the grounds that it crimped the US economy.
The US argued that it exempted 80% of the world, including major
population centres such as China and India, from compliance, and
would cause serious harm to the U.S. economy.
Thereafter, Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Paris
Agreement in 2017. But, Joe Biden made the US part of the Paris
Agreement again in 2021. Donald Trump now again in 2025 has
withdrawn the US from the Paris agreement.

US attitude to Climate Change action

The U.S. is among the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases.
The US seeks to project itself as solving the climate crisis but
remains non-committal towards taking the legally binding emission
cuts that international treaties entail.
The U.S. is critically short of achieving its greenhouse gas emissions
target. As of 2022, the U.S. has achieved only about one-third of its
2030 emissions reduction goal.
The U.S. has only exited the Paris Agreement, not the overarching
UNFCCC. It continues to participate in climate change negotiations.
The US also has a political divide on climate change action between
its two main political parties. The Republican government has been
reluctant towards climate change actions as compared to the PSIR WITH
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The Hindu l 26.01.2025

Escape clauses
Link- [Link]
constitution-nation-government/[Link]

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper I - Federalism
G.S. - Polity
Centralizing tendency in Indian Federalism

Gautam Bhatia in The Indian Constitution: A Conversation with

Power (2025) argues that there is a 'centralizing drift' with
concentration of power with the Union Executive.
There has been a gradual drift towards following characteristics:
unitary, concentrated, representative, electoral, homogenous, and
Statist power. It is in contrast to dencentralizing characterstics of
federal, distributed, direct, guarantor, plural, and individual
power.
He argues that this 'centralizing drift' is contained within the text
and design of the Constitution itself.
Madhav Khosla has noted there was a view of Constitution makers
that that a powerful central executive can free individuals from
local patterns and institutions of dominance. However, Roberto
Gargarella has pointed out, there is no necessary conceptual
connection between centralisation of power and the protection of
rights of individuals. Gautam Bhatia argues that the concentration
of power in a single entity or office is a threat to the meaningful
exercise of individual freedom, or of social transformation. It
creates a structure of power that becomes unaccountable.

Federalism

Nirvikar Singh points out 'escape clauses' in Indian Constitution in

the context of federalism. These 'escape clauses' provide overriding
central powers to Centre such as in Centre-state fiscal relations,
Schedule VI areas, presidential power to appoint the officers of
fourth-branch institutions such as members of the Election
Commission, among other.
Gautam Bhatia argues that the Supreme Court has often chosen to
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such as State of West Bengal vs Union of India case (1962) Article

370 case, among other.
(State of West Bengal vs Union of India case (1962)

The judgment reinforced the quasi-federal nature of the Indian Constitution

The court ruled that the Union Government could acquire state property without a
constitutional amendment if the state could transfer the property. According to the 42nd

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

entry of List III of Schedule 7, the Union has the constitutional power to acquire the
property owned by the State.
The Supreme Court also case also mentioned that Article 298 of the Indian Constitution has
granted states the power of transferring property but it does not refrain the Union from
acquisition of State property. Union can acquire State Property without the requirement of
an amendment in the constitution until the property is transferable by the states.)

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The Hindu l 27.01.2025

Genocide and the world’s averted gaze

Link- [Link]
worlds-averted-gaze/[Link]

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper I/II - Fascism/ Contemporary Global Concerns
G.S. - Ethics in International Relations
Genocide

The Genocide Convention of 1948 recognizes, the crime of genocide

— ‘acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a
national, ethnical, racial or religious group.’
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres has said
that ‘Genocide always has multiple clear warning signs.’

Signs of genocide are present before Genocide begins. They were

seen also in Nazi Germany such as the Nuremberg Laws of 1935
that took away German citizenship from Jews. Such incidents of
Genocide were out in open about Khmer Rouge in Cambodia
(1975), Rwanadan genocide of Tutsis (1994), Darfur genocide in
Sudan, or even currently in Gaza (2024).
Global community needs to look for such signs and stop genocide
before it starts.

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Indian Express l 27.01.2025

Origins of Whip System
Link- [Link]
dhankhar-parliament-whip-system-9800118/lite/

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper I - Role and working of Legislature
G.S. - Polity
Whip System

The term ‘whip’ originated in politics from Edmund Burke. He used

the term in UK House of Commons, on how the King’s ministers
“had made great efforts to get their followers together”.
A whip in parliamentary parlance is a written order that party
members be present for an important vote, or that they vote only
in a particular way.

According to P D T Achary, the whip system is important for

parliamentary functioning as parties require MPs to be present at
the time of voting on matters critical to the party and follow the
organisation’s line.
The party chief whip in a House is required to inform all members
about what the party leadership thinks of an important matter.

Types of whips
A one-line whip just informs members about a vote but permits
them to abstain.
A two-line whip asks them to be present but does not tell them
how to vote.
The three-line whip, largely the norm these days, directs members
to be present and vote as per the party line.

PDT Achary said if a member violates a three-line whip, the leader

of the party can recommend his or her disqualification to the
Presiding Officer of the House. As per the Anti-Defection Law,
disqualification can happen for violation of a three-line whip.
The Supreme Court has said that the whip system is necessary for
the preservation of political parties.
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Indian Express l 27.01.2025

A big mistake in the Nehru model was emphasis on heavy industry.
You can’t be labour abundant and capital scarce
Link- [Link]
panagariya-at-idea-exchange-9800930/

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper I - Nehruvian Planning and Economic Development
G.S. - Economy
Arvind Panagariya in Nehru Development Model (2024) argues that-

Nehruvian Socialism was influenced from UK (Fabian socialism) &

Soviet Union (centralized economic planning with focus on heavy industries). The
countries that were colonised by Great Britain ended up with a
heavy socialist legacy because the leaders, civil servants and
intellectuals of these colonies were educated in Great Britain. Both
the civil service as well as the political class and the Indian elite
were heavily influenced by the kind of socialism that flourished in
the UK.
Nehru’s developmental policy saw India being very insulated from
the rest of the world with its state-led enterprises and the Licence
Raj regime. For Jawaharlal Nehru, international trade was an
instrument of imperialism.
A big mistake in Nehruvian economic model, was the emphasis on
heavy industry. It did not suit India, as it was a labour-abundant
and a capital-scarce economy with low savings rate.
The development expenditure was lopsided. Primary education
during the second Five-Year Plan was only half of what India had
invested in one steel mill. Heavy industry needed engineers and
managers. But resources were so limited that primary education
automatically got neglected.

(Also refer to PSIR notes of 12.12.24 on Critique of Nehruvian planning)

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The Hindu l 27.01.2025

Should Governors head State universities?
Link- [Link]
chancellors-of-state-universities/[Link]

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper I - Role and working of the Executive
G.S. - Polity
Governor as Chancellor of State Universities

In 1857, the British established the first three universities in

Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras. The British appointed Governors of
the respective presidencies as their ex-officio Chancellors to
maintain direct control.
The Governor became the head of the university and was granted
powers such as appointing Vice-Chancellors, nominating members
to university bodies, presiding over convocations, among other.
The system continued post-independence.
It was seen as a measure to safeguard universities against political
interference from State executive and ruling party.

Constitutionally, a Governor’s powers are divided into two

categories: where Governor is bound to act on the advice of the
Council of Ministers as per Article 163(1). Secondly, power
conferred by statutes, such as the role of Chancellor of State
universities. He can act at his discretion, independent of ministerial
advice, unless the statute mandates otherwise.
The Supreme Court has upheld this distinction. This has enabled
Governors to bypass ministerial advice in critical university matters
like appointing Vice-Chancellors, nominating members to university
bodies, and approving subordinate legislation, particularly in
Opposition-ruled States.

Recommendations
The Sarkaria Commission (1983-88) on Centre-State relations,
recognised that the Governor’s role as Chancellor is statutory, not
constitutional, and must be defined by State laws. It recommended
that Governors consult with Chief Ministers while retaining
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independent judgment in university matters.

The [Link] Commission (2007-10) on Centre-State relations
recommended that the Governor focus on constitutional
responsibilities, avoiding statutory roles like that of Chancellor. It
suggested that States appoint eminent academics or experts as
Chancellors to ensure academic independence and prevent
conflicts.

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Comparative Model
In contrast to Governor, the President is the Chancellor of Central
Universities, but functions through the Ministry of Education and
consults with it for appointments of Vice-Chancellors, nomination
of members to university bodies, among other.
In UK, the Chancellor is elected by the University Bodies and alumni
as a ceremonial Chancellor. It is seen in Oxford, Cambridge and
Edinburgh universities.
In Canada (McGill) and Australia (Melbourne), they appoint
ceremonial Chancellors through their Executive Council or Board of
Governors, following transparent selection processes.

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The Hindu/ Indian Express l 29.01.2025

SC’s journey reflects evolution in rights and reach

Top court transformed constitutional promise of justice to reality,
says CJI Sanjiv Khanna

Link- Multiple

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

Syllabus
PSIR- Paper I - Role and working of the Judiciary
G.S. - Polity
Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has said that Supreme Court is a
‘true people’s court’.

Challenges of Judiciary
Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has said the three challenges
before the court: a) arrears/pendency which continues to delay
justice; b) mounting costs of litigation that threatens true
accessibility; c) justice cannot thrive where and when falsehood is
practised.
Evolution of Judiciary

CJI Khanna said that in the initial years, SC had interpreted all
fundamental rights as rights working in exclusive silos but this
underwent a significant change after the Emergency was imposed
in 1975.
Further, in the 1990s, the Supreme Court remained vigilant in
protecting individual rights and stepped in to address legislative
and executive gaps.

Transformation by Judiciary

Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has said that the Supreme
Court has transformed the constitutional promise of social,
economic and political justice, into a reality through its judgments.
Transformation by judiciary reflects a deeper recognition that
justice must be both principled and practical.
The court dismantled gender stereotypes in employment. It
recognised emerging digital rights as a new frontier of
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online speech, extending constitutional safeguards to digital

spaces.
In socio-economic justice, SC has broadened affirmative action to
include economic criteria, recognising diverse forms of
disadvantage in modern society.
The court’s decisions have strengthened India’s economic landscape
by injecting clarity, efficiency and fairness such as the Insolvency

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

and Bankruptcy Code, the Arbitration and Conciliation Act or
strengthening alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
SC has strengthened electoral democracy by establishing voters’
right to information about candidates as an extension to freedom
of expression.
CJI has said that SC has undertaken remarkable evolution in rights
and reach. It has navigated an expansive domain, from personal
liberty to environmental issues, from intellectual property rights to
privacy to the right to information.

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The Hindu l 29.01.2025

The Budget pipeline and India’s foreign policy ambitions
Link- [Link]
pipeline-and-indias-foreign-policy-ambitions/[Link]

Syllabus

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PSIR- Paper II - Institutions of policy-making
G.S. - International Relations

Ministry of External Affairs

The MEA’s budget allocation reflects the government’s foreign

policy priorities but also its capacity to deliver on its global
ambitions and commitments.
The vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047 hinges on sustained global
partnerships. Further, India is positioning itself as a global leader in
the Global South and strengthening ties with the Quad, and other.
Furthermore, India is creating institutions such as the International
Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
Partner countries also expect more from India. Further, enhanced
financial backing is crucial for advancing connectivity initiatives in
South Asia. These initiatives require a stronger MEA.

MEA Budget

The MEA remains one of the least-funded Ministries. The MEA’s

current budget — just 0.4% of India’s overall expenditure — falls
short to deliver on these plans. In 2022, the Parliamentary Standing
Committee on External Affairs suggested raising this to 1% of the
total budget. While such an increase seems unlikely, there is a
need for gradual increase in MEA budget.
The MEA’s training budget saw a 30% increase in 2024-25, overall
capacity-building allocations remain insufficient. The IFS remains
understaffed and faces delayed expansion plans, including of
lateral entry.
Constantino Xaivier highlights there are two areas demand greater
budgetary resources to strengthen India’s diplomatic clout: a)
economic tools for regional integration and cooperation; and b) the
MEA’s institutional capacity by expanding human resources and
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