UPSC Key: Aadhaar-EPIC linking, CAR T-cell therapy and Smart cities mission

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

Mains Examination: General Studies II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

What’s the ongoing story: The Election Commission (EC) is holding a meeting with the top officials of the Union Home Ministry, Law Ministry and Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) next week to discuss the issue of linking of the Aadhaar numbers with the voter identity cards, EC sources said Saturday. 

Key Points to Ponder:

• What are Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPICs)?

• What is Aadhaar? What are the concerns regarding Aadhaar? 

• How has Aadhaar’s mandate expanded over the years?

• When and why did the Election Commission first decide to link Aadhaar with Voter IDs? 

• What is the government’s rationale for linking Voter IDs with Aadhaar?

• What is the significance of linking Aadhaar with EPIC? 

• What are the concerns related to linking of Aadhaar-EPIC?

Key Takeaways:

• Following an amendment to the Representation of the People Act, 1951 in 2021 enabling the linking of the Aadhaar numbers with the Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPICs), the EC began collecting the Aadhaar numbers from electors on a voluntary basis in 2022.

• However, the EC has not used the Aadhaar numbers in its revisions of the electoral rolls so far. The exercise was meant to aid the Commission in detecting duplicate registration of voters in order to clean up the electoral rolls. The Aadhaar-EPIC linking has not been made mandatory for voters.

• The EC, comprising Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, is set to meet Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Legislative Department Secretary Rajiv Mani and UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar on March 18 to discuss the seeding of the Aadhaar numbers in the voter IDs.

• The meeting comes against the backdrop of the Opposition INDIA bloc parties making allegations of irregularities in electoral rolls in different parts of the country.

• It led the EC to acknowledge that some state Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) had used the wrong alphanumeric series when issuing the EPIC numbers.

• The Commission also said that having identical EPIC numbers do not imply fake voters as other details such as demographic information, Assembly constituency and polling booth are different.

• The poll body has also announced that it would issue new EPIC numbers to electors with duplicate numbers within three months.

• EC sources said the Aadhaar numbers would help in the process of field enquiries to check whether an elector is genuine or has a duplicate registration.

Do You Know:

• In 2009, the project of creating unique identities for residents of India, later christened Aadhaar, was started. Aadhaar was developed as a next-generation digital ID, offering authentication as a service. Being a bonafide proof of identity residing on the cloud, it could be plugged into any service delivery transaction to verify an individual’s identity. It soon began to be used for multiple service deliveries, like opening bank accounts, obtaining mobile SIMs, or receiving ration. Products like the Digital Locker, electronic KYC (eKYC) and digital signature on demand (e-Sign) were developed in addition to Aadhaar. 

• Though the court held that Aadhaar registration must remain ‘voluntary’, the scope of the exercise has expanded significantly since it was first introduced.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Linking Aadhaar with voter ID: Why EC wants changes in electoral forms

📍Why linking Aadhaar with voter ID is a dangerous idea

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(1) Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2018)

1. Aadhaar card can be used as a proof of citizenship or domicile.

2. Once issued, Aadhaar number cannot be deactivated or omitted by the Issuing Authority.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

Two parallel run schemes of the Government, vizthe Adhaar Card and NPR, one as voluntary and the other as compulsory, have led to debates at national levels and also litigations. On merits, discuss whether or not both schemes need run concurrently. Analyse the potential of the schemes to achieve developmental benefits and equitable growth. (UPSC CSE 2014)

India’s CAR T-cell therapy for cancer patients shows 73% response rate: Lancet

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

Mains Examination: General Studies II, III: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Science and Technology- developments and their applications.

What’s the ongoing story: The clinical trial results of India’s first CAR T-cell therapy, published in The Lancet, show that it worked for nearly 73 per cent of patients. These results come from the Phase I and II trials of the therapy, where researchers assess its safety and effectiveness against a given condition. 

Key Points to Ponder:

• What is CAR-T cell therapy?

• What are T-Cells?

• How does CAR-T cell therapy work?

• What are the disadvantages and challenges in CAR-T cell therapy? Discuss possible solutions.

• What is haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis?

• What is NexCAR 19?

• How is Car-T Cell therapy different from other cancer treatments? 

• How do CAR-T cells find and destroy cancer cells?

• Why is CAR-T cell therapy important?

• What are the Indian Government’s Initiatives Related to Cancer?

Key Takeaways:

• This is the first clinical trial of a CAR T-cell therapy from India to be published in an international journal. “This is really a world class innovation done within the country. The treatment has been found to be comparable to others approved globally and the cost is 1/20th of those therapies. This will improve access and affordability of such high-end cancer treatments,” the Lancet commentary said.

• CAR T-cell therapy, or chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, trains the body’s own immune cells to identify and destroy cancer cells. This treatment is designed for specific types of blood cancer and is given to patients whose cancer has either relapsed or not responded to first-line treatment.

• Based on unpublished, yet-to-be peer-reviewed results, India’s drug regulator had granted approval for this therapy in 2023. It is now available at several hospitals across India, including Apollo, Fortis, Amrita and Max, among others.

• Given that the treatment is novel and intended for cancer patients with no other options, the regulator allowed the company — a start-up incubated in IIT Bombay called ImmunoAct — to forgo a large Phase III clinical trial to demonstrate its efficacy in a broader population. However, the company must follow up with all patients who receive the therapy for 15 years.

• While the response rate was found to be similar to other therapies approved across the world, there was high incidence of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis — a serious but known complication of CAR T therapies where the immune cells get uncontrollably activated leading to hyper inflammation and organ damage.

• For any CAR T-cell therapy, a patient’s immune T-cells are collected by filtering their blood. These cells are then engineered in a lab to add receptors that can bind with cancer cells. These cells are then multiplied and infused in the patient. Usually, the cancer cells are adept at evading the unmodified T cells. The treatment developed in India is meant for patients with two types of blood cancers that affect the B cells — acute lymphoblastic leukemia and large B cell lymphomas.

• Access to cutting-edge cancer treatment like CAR T-cell therapy remains restricted to a handful of countries owing to the technological challenges as well as the cost associated with the treatment.

Do You Know:

• T-cells are primarily used in CAR-T cell therapy because of their pivotal role in the immune system’s response to pathogens and malignancies. These cells can be genetically engineered to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), which are specifically designed to recognise and bind to antigens on the surface of cancer cells. Once bound, these modified T-cells can efficiently kill cancer cells. 

• Other cells like B cells or natural killer cells also play roles in immunity but don’t have the same adaptability and memory capabilities as T cells, making them less effective for the persistent and targeted action required in CAR-T cell therapy.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍CAR-T cell therapy: What is it and how does it work

📍CAR-T cell therapy: Challenges and possible solutions

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(2) Which one of the following statements best describes the role of B cells and T cells in the human body?( UPSC CSE 2022)

(a) They protect the environmental allergens. body

(b) They alleviate the body’s pain and inflammation.

(c) They act as immunosuppressants in the body.

(d) They protect the body from diseases caused by pathogens.

US top market for India’s aluminium, new tariffs threaten $1-billion exports

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

Main Examination: General Studies-II: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.

What’s the ongoing story: The Donald Trump administration’s decision to raise tariffs on aluminium imports from 10 to 25 per cent starting March 12 is set to hit Indian exporters, for whom the United States has become the largest international market for aluminium products.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What are tariffs, and how are they imposed?

• What are the major changes in U.S. tariffs on aluminium and steel imports under the Trump administration?

• Why is India expected to be more significantly impacted in the aluminium sector compared to steel due to the recent tariffs?

• What role does the United States play in India’s iron, steel, and aluminium export markets?

• How may Trump’s recent tariff-related actions affect India’s trade dynamics?

• What strategies should India consider to navigate potential trade negotiations with the U.S.?

• Which are the top aluminium-producing countries?

Key Takeaways:

• While India accounts for only 3 per cent of US aluminium imports, it is the largest supplier of aluminium conductors — stranded wires and cables used in electrical applications. India is also the world’s second-largest aluminium producer after China, though much of its output is consumed domestically.

• As the new 25 per cent tariffs are significantly broader than those imposed in 2018, covering a wider range of semi-finished and finished aluminium products, it may disrupt the recent growth momentum of firms with strong export focus on the US. However, while some may see a hit in revenues, the overall impact is expected to be limited, as aluminium exports form a small share of business for most companies. The US, despite being India’s top market, accounts for around 12 per cent of total aluminium exports.

• In 2024, the US imported nearly 38 per cent of aluminium conductors by weight from India, valued at $130 million. In 2023, imports peaked at $261 million, rising from just $40 million in 2021, data from the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) showed.

• In 2018, Trump had imposed 25 per cent tariffs on steel and 10 per cent tariffs on aluminium imports. “But exemptions and loopholes have permitted evasion of the tariffs and weakened the effectiveness of the programme,” the White House said in a release on February 11, soon after Trump’s second term started.

• India did not receive any exemptions, and export of aluminium conductors saw an increase despite tariffs.The impact of the latest tariffs is likely to be higher on the aluminium industry as compared to the steel industry.

• The spillover effect on India’s steel industry could be more pronounced if China, also hit by the latest tariffs, diverts excess steel into the Indian market.

• While the US ranked only sixth among destinations for India’s iron and steel exports — valued at $476 million (Rs 3,935 crore) in 2023-24 — it was the largest market for iron and steel articles, with exports touching $2.8 billion (Rs 23,128 crore) in the same period. As with aluminium, the Trump administration’s latest tariffs extend beyond raw steel to include steel products as well.

Do You Know:

• The new 25% tariffs imposed by the US cover a wider range of semi-finished and finished aluminium products, along with derivative goods — from machinery components to knitting needles — posing challenges for India’s fragmented downstream aluminium industry.

• Tariffs are taxes or duties imposed by a government on imported goods and services. Their objective is to make foreign products more expensive compared to domestically produced goods, thereby encouraging consumers to prefer local products. Tariffs also act as a protective measure for domestic industries against foreign competition. Additionally, they serve as a source of revenue for the government.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍UPSC Issue at a Glance | Tariff war: 4 Key Questions You Must Know for Prelims and Mains

📍UPSC Issue at a Glance | PM Modi’s US Visit: 4 Key Questions You Must Know for Prelims and Mains

UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering similar theme:

(3) Consider the following statements:

1. Tariffs are taxes or duties imposed by a government on imported goods and services.

2. Objective of tariffs is to make foreign products more expensive compared to domestically produced goods

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

UPSC Previous Year Mains Question Covering similar theme:

What are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of ‘Trade War’, especially keeping in mind the interest of India? (UPSC CSE 2018)

Govt & Politics

Smart Cities Mission set to end on March 31, but 7% projects likely to go on

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.

Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation

What’s the ongoing story: Ten years since it began and after three extensions, the Smart Cities Mission is set to end on March 31, though the 7% of the ongoing projects are likely to go beyond the deadline, The Indian Express has learnt.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What is the Smart Cities Mission?

(Thought Process: Know about the objective of the mission, nodal ministry, and pillars of the mission)

• How were the 100 smart cities chosen for the Mission? 

• What was the original timeline for project completion? 

• Why was the deadline for the Smart Cities Mission extended several times? 

• What are the key achievements of the Mission regarding completed projects and their total value? 

• What are the challenges associated with the implementation of the Smart Cities Mission?

• What are the other government schemes related to improving the urban quality of life?

Key Takeaways:

• The mission was launched in 2015 with the aim of creating 100 smart cities. The cities were selected in rounds of competition held from January 2016 to June 2018, and they had five years from their respective selection, that is 2021 to 2023, to complete the projects.

• In 2021, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs decided to push the deadline for all 100 cities to June 2023.

• The deadline was further pushed to June 30, 2024 and then to March 31, 2025.  Now, sources say that approval for only less than 1% of total `48,000 crore earmarked Central funding for the Mission is left, which too is expected to be approved before March 31, effectively bringing the mission to an end.

• Responding to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs, according to  a 2024 report, the Ministry had proposed that state governments would have to complete the incomplete projects at their own expense. The committee, however, noted that the Ministry shouldn’t just transfer the projects to states, but see them through.

• As per the Smart Cities Mission dashboard, the cities have completed 7,491 projects worth Rs 1.50 lakh crore, with 567 projects (7%) worth Rs 14,357 crore still ongoing.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍The Smart Cities Mission: With deadline looming, a status check

Previous year UPSC Prelims/Mains Question Covering similar theme:

What are ‘Smart Cities’? Examine their relevance for urban development in India. Will it increase rural-urban differences? Give arguments for ’Smart Villages’ in the light of PURA and RURBAN Mission. ( UPSC CSE 2016)

OPINION

When Shivaji’s grandson visited Aurangzeb’s tomb

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: History of India

Mains Examination: General Studies-I: Indian history

What’s the ongoing story: Zeeshan Shaikh writes-“Calls for the demolition of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khuldabad, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, have gained traction of late, with Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis leading the charge. Besides Satara MP Udayanraje Bhosale, the descendant of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, labelling Aurangzeb a “thief”, Chhaava, a recently released film that graphically depicts Maratha king Sambhaji Maharaj’s execution, has fuelled the demolition demand.” 

Key Points to Ponder:

• Know about Aurangzeb’s tomb.  

• What recent developments have prompted calls for the demolition of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Maharashtra?  

• Read about Aurangzeb and his policies.  

• Read about the Maratha Empire.

• How did Chhatrapati Shahu I’s visit to Aurangzeb’s tomb reflect the Maratha ruler’s approach toward Mughal monuments?  

• What is the significance of Khuldabad in relation to Aurangzeb’s life and his spiritual inclinations?  

• What were the battles fought between the Marathas and the Mughals?

Key Takeaways:

• “However, this demand stands in stark contrast to the approach adopted by the Maratha rulers of the past. During the Maratha Confederacy from 1674 to 1818, there existed a more nuanced relationship with Mughal monuments. The Marathas, while asserting their own political and cultural identity, also maintained a respectful engagement with these structures. Historical records mention Chhatrapati Shahu I, the fifth ruler of the Maratha Empire and Shivaji’s grandson, visiting Aurangzeb’s tomb to pay his respects.”

• “Aurangzeb, the sixth Mughal emperor, passed away on March 3, 1707, at the age of 88 in Ahmednagar, present-day Maharashtra. His death marked the conclusion of his 49-year reign, with the last 25 years dominated by fierce battles against the Marathas, led by Shivaji. Despite the constant warfare, Aurangzeb developed a deep spiritual connection with a region called Rauza, located just 26 km from modern-day Aurangabad. Known for its large number of Sufi saints, it was in this area that Aurangzeb sought solace during his turbulent reign.”

• “In his will, Aurangzeb explicitly expressed his desire to be buried near the shrine of Sufi Zaynuddin Shirazi. Though he passed away in Ahmednagar, his body was transported to Khuldabad, located 136 km away, and laid to rest in accordance with his wishes. While the place was originally called Rauza, it was later renamed Khuldabad, meaning “heavenly abode”, as a tribute to Aurangzeb, who was posthumously referred to as “Khuld Makaan” or “the one whose abode is heaven/eternity”.”

• “Aurangzeb’s tomb remains modest…The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) describes the tomb as follows, “The existing gateway and domed porch were added in 1760 AD. The floor is of marble, a neat railing of perforated marble is on three sides, and the wall of the dargah forms the fourth side. It was erected by the Nizam of Hyderabad. Only a patch of earth with a small sabza plant remains on top, and it is roofed only by the vault of the sky.”

• “Aurangzeb’s death in 1707 marked a turning point in Indian history, paving the way for the Marathas to emerge as the dominant political force in the subcontinent.  Despite the long-standing animosity between the Marathas and the Mughals — especially with Aurangzeb executing Sambhaji Maharaj, the father of Shahu I — his tomb was largely left undisturbed.”

• “Historical records suggest that Shahu I, upon his release following Aurangzeb’s death, visited the tomb of the Mughal emperor. Shahu, who was imprisoned by the Mughals at the age of seven and spent 18 years in their courts, had every reason to harbour resentment towards Aurangzeb, particularly after his father’s execution in 1689.”

• “While most Mughal monuments, including Aurangzeb’s tomb, were largely left undisturbed — even thrived — under the Maratha rule, there were occasional incidents of plunder during the Maratha rule. These incidents highlight that while the Marathas generally preserved many Mughal structures, they did not hesitate to plunder certain tombs and royal buildings during times of military conflict. The most well-known of this is the attack on the Red Fort in 1761, just before the Third Battle of Panipat. The Marathas, during one of their expeditions to Delhi, looted the Diwan-i-Khas, where Mughal emperors received courtiers and state guests.”

Do You Know:

• The eldest son of the celebrated Maratha emperor, Chhatrapati Shivaji, Sambhaji Maharaj was the second ruler of the kingdom after his father’s death. In his short rule spanning nine years, Sambhaji gained recognition for his valour and patriotism. He continues to be celebrated, particularly in Maharashtra, as the ruler who chose death over conversion.

• He ruled from 1681 to 1689. His rule was largely shaped by the ongoing wars between the Marathas and the Mughal Empire, Siddi of Janjira, Wadiyars of Mysore, and the Portuguese Empire.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Knowledge Nugget: How is ‘Chhaava’ or Sambhaji Maharaj important for UPSC Exam?

📍How Akbar and Aurangzeb have contrasting images in India and Pakistan

UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(4) Among the Ashtapradhans of Shivaji, who among the following did not hold any military commands besides civil duties? ( Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination, 2025)

1. Peshwa

2. Amatya

3. Sumanta

4. Pandit Rao

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 4 only

(d) 4 only

ECONOMY

Implement dynamic pricing for AC classes, review fares to align with cost: House panel to Railways

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national importance, Economic and Social Development

Mains Examination: General Studies-II, III: Government policies and interventions, Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

What’s the ongoing story: While reiterating its earlier recommendation to increase passenger revenues by reviewing AC class fares, the parliamentary standing committee on Railways has said that the government should implement a dynamic pricing model for AC classes and premium trains. It must also ensure affordability for low-income passengers to balance “social obligations”, the committee said.

Key Points to Ponder:

• Read about the history of Indian Railways.

• What issues and concerns are associated with Indian Railways?

• What recommendations has the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways made?

• What key recommendations has the committee provided to balance revenue enhancement with social obligations?

• What initiatives has the Ministry of Railways introduced to increase passenger revenue?

• What initiatives have been taken by the government for the modernization of Indian Railways?

• Discuss the role of Indian Railways in regional economic development.

Key Takeaways:

• It added that a comprehensive fare review should be undertaken from time-to-time to align AC class fares with costs and ensure gradual, affordable adjustments for non-AC classes.

• The standing committee on Railways gave similar recommendations in its first report on Demands for Grants (2024-25) of the Ministry of Railways in December 2024.

• On the question of steps taken to increase Indian Railways’ passenger revenues, the ministry said that the introduction of premium trains such as Vande Bharat Express and Amrit Bharat trains, rationalisation of flexi-fare schemes, and the expansion of freight and non-fare revenues through policies such as the Gati Shakti cargo terminal and e-auction for commercial contracts, etc., are among the initiatives to maximise traffic receipt.

• The ministry also said that the fares across travel classes were reviewed in 2020 for non-suburban trains, where 1 paisa per km was increased in ordinary non-AC classes and 2 paisa per km was hiked in Mail/Express non-AC classes. Fare for AC Classes was raised by 4 paisa per km, according to the railway ministry.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Railways holds the key to regional growth

 

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