UPSC Key: Heavy rains in Himalayas, Unified Pension Scheme, and Sarnath on UNESCO radar

Preliminary Examination: Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.

Mains Examination: General Studies-I, II: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclones etc., geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features, government policies and interventions, disaster management.

What’s the ongoing story: Dehradun and several other districts in Uttarakhand have experienced very heavy rainfall over the past few days, triggering landslides in multiple areas and causing rivers to swell to dangerous levels. At least 15 people have reportedly died in the region due to landslides.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is a cloudburst? What is the reason for the cloudburst?

— How common are cloudbursts?

— What are the factors behind the increased frequency of extreme rainfall?

— What are the implications of extreme rainfall? 

— Why are hilly regions more vulnerable to disasters?

— What is western disturbance? 

— What measures have been taken by the government to reduce the damage caused by landslides and floods?

— What measures should be taken by the government to strengthen resilience in ecologically fragile regions?

Key Takeaways:

— A series of such incidents has occurred in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh over the past month. Extreme rainfall or cloudbursts have led to landslides, mudslides, flash floods, and swollen riverbanks, resulting in large-scale destruction, loss of life, and communication disruptions.

– While these types of events in the two states are not uncommon during the monsoon, the increase in their frequency and intensity over recent years has become a significant cause for concern.

— The monsoon has been quite active this season. The northwestern region of the country has been quite wet, especially in the last month and a half.  During this time, consecutive rain-bearing low-pressure systems — formed in the Bay of Bengal — have travelled farther north than normal, causing intense rainfall in the region.

— The impact of extreme rainfall varies according to geography. For instance, 300 mm or more of rainfall over 24 hours is not unusual for some places in Goa, Konkan, coastal Karnataka, Kerala, or Meghalaya. However, rainfall of this magnitude is a recipe for disaster in the Himalayas, especially the western Himalayas spanning Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh.

— In mountainous regions, favourable conditions can help the air rise swiftly, which leads to the formation of massive clouds with steep heights. These overgrown, rain-bearing clouds can, in turn, cause higher-than-normal precipitation locally over the hilly region. This represents the typical climate pattern of these mountainous areas.

— Over the plains, such intense rainfall can drain out into rivers or locally available water sources. However, in mountainous regions, extreme rainfall can trigger landslides, mudslides and flash floods as the descending rainwater carries along with itself mud, loose soil, gravel, and all materials in its pathway. This happened across Mandi, Kullu, Dharali, Tharali, and Jammu over the past two weeks.

— Also, when major river streams are choked, gushing water and/or mudslides and landslides are forced to enter settlements, cutting through roads and bridges, which can cause larger disasters.

— However, not all cloudburst-like events lead to disasters. Several conditions have to come together to cause disasters. For example, if extreme rainfall occurs on a side of a hill that is not prone to landslides, or if debris does not fall into any river, the results are very different.

— An emerging and worrisome meteorological observation in recent years has been the southward shifting of large-scale weather systems — in this case, western disturbances.

— Originating in the Mediterranean Sea, western disturbances are streams of eastward-propagating wind bands that cause precipitation (rain or snow) along their route. — Western disturbances have a pronounced impact on India, particularly northern regions, during the winter months. However, the southward shift of western disturbances and their interaction with massive southwest monsoonal systems is adding another layer of complexity to rainfall prediction over the Himalayas.

— Global warming is believed to be the main driver of this shifting trend. Meteorologists warn that extreme rainfall events will become more common in the future, particularly in hilly regions, along with longer periods of dry spells during the season. Arctic sea ice melting could represent yet another factor in this deepening mystery of monsoon variations in the hills.

Do You Know:

— A cloudburst is a localised but intense rainfall activity. It is a short-term extreme precipitation that takes place over a small area; it is not, as is sometimes understood, the breaking open of a cloud resulting in the release of huge amounts of water. Cloudbursts have a very specific definition.

— The India Meteorological Department (IMD) defines cloudburst as unexpected precipitation exceeding 100mm (or 10 cm) per hour over a geographical region of approximately 20 to 30 square km. Significant amounts of rainfall such as this can result in floods.

— Basically, all instances of cloudbursts involve heavy rain in a short period, but all instances of heavy rain in a short period are not cloudbursts if they do not fit this criterion.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍UPSC Issue at a Glance | Uttarkashi Cloudburst: What UPSC aspirants must-know for Prelims and Mains

📍Knowledge Nugget: Why Cloudbursts and Flash Floods matter for your UPSC exam

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(1) Which of the following statements with regard to cloudburst is/are correct? (UPSC CDS 2017)

1. It is defined as sudden localized very heavy downpour with cloud thunder and lightning.

2. It mostly occurs in the hilly areas.

3. It results into very high intensity of rainfall, i.e., 250 mm-300 mm in a couple of hours.

4. It occurs only during the daytime.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1, 2, and 3

(b) 1, 3, and 4

(c) 2 and 3

(d) 2 only

How UPS differs from other govt pension schemes, why its update is low

Syllabus:

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.

General Studies-III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation of resources, growth, development and employment

What’s the ongoing story: Central government employees have till September 30 to opt for the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) under the National Pension System (NPS), which was approved by the Cabinet last August and came into effect from April 1 this year. 

Key Points to Ponder:

— Know the difference between the UPS and NPS.

— What are the key features of the UPS?

— What is the objective behind providing pension schemes?

— What are  the Voluntary Retirement Schemes?

— What was the Old Pension Scheme(OPS)?

— What were the issues with the OPS?

— The ‘pay-as-you-go’ scheme created inter-generational equity issues — What does it means?

Key Takeaways:

— The department on September 2 notified the Central Civil Services (Implementation of the Unified Pension Scheme under the National Pension System) Rules, 2025 to regulate service matters for central government employees opting for UPS.

— Till the UPS was announced last year, central government employees hired before January 1, 2004, were under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), which guarantees a fixed pension, while those employed after that were under the NPS, which is market-linked. 

— While NPS subscribers and employee unions continue to demand a return to the OPS for all employees, the government last August announced the UPS.

— While the NPS was mandatory for all central government employees joining from January 1, 2004, the UPS is optional. The scheme gives an assured payout of 50% of the average basic pay drawn by the employee in the last 12 months before retiring for a minimum service of 25 years. 

— Upon the death of the pensioner, the spouse will be given an assured pension of up to 60% of the pension being drawn.

— The first major difference is that the NPS was mandatory, while the UPS is optional. According to the rules notified by the department, employees who opt for the UPS till September 30 have a one-time option of going back to the NPS. 

— They can exercise this option up to one year before superannuating or three months before opting for Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS). Once this choice is made, the employee cannot opt for the UPS again.

— Under NPS, the contribution to the pension account through the Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN) is 10% by employee and 14% by employer of the basic pay plus dearness allowance. 

— For UPS, the PRAN contribution is 10% each for the employee and employer of the basic plus DA. There is an assured payout of 50% of the average basic pay of the last 12 months subject to completion of 25 years in service under UPS. The NPS does not have an assured amount; it is based on the accumulated corpus.

— For this assured payout, the UPS has the provision of a pool corpus that would be formed through a contribution by the government of 8.5% of the basic pay plus DA. 

— A minimum payout of Rs10,000 per month is guaranteed after 10 years of service under UPS. Employees being dismissed from service would not be eligible for the assured payout. 

— The NPS does not have a lump sum payment, while UPS has one of 1/10th of the last basic pay plus DA for each completed six months of service.

Economy: Regulator moots major leeway for fund managers under private-sector NPS

— In a move aimed at popularising the National Pension System among the employees in the non-government sector, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) on Tuesday permitted fund managers to customise and offer multiple schemes with equity exposure up to 100% to private-sector subscribers.

— Private-sector participation in NPS has grown at a fast pace in recent years, but still it accounts for a fifth of the total assets Under Management (AUM).

Do You Know:

— The National Pension Scheme (NPS) replaced the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) on January 1, 2004. However, there have been persistent demands for a return to the OPS because for government employees, the NPS not only gave lower assured returns, it also implied employee contributions — which was not the case with the OPS. 

— In 2023, the government constituted a committee chaired by then Finance Secretary (now Cabinet Secretary) T.V. Somanathan. Its recommendations led to the announcement of the UPS.

— According to the government’s notification, the UPS has five key features:

1. Assured Pension: Employees with at least 25 years of qualifying service will receive an assured pension of 50% of their average basic salary from the previous 12 months before superannuation. The payment would be correspondingly reduced for shorter service periods, up to a minimum of 10 years of service.

2. Assured minimum pension: The UPS guarantees a monthly pension of Rs 10,000 for superannuation after at least 10 years of service.

3. Assured family pension: If a retiree dies, their immediate family is entitled to 60% of the pension last taken by the retiree.

4. Inflation indexation: Dearness relief for three types of pensions will be determined using the All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers, which is similar to serving workers.

5.Lumpsum payment at superannuation: In addition to gratuity, lump sum payments upon superannuation are computed as 1/10th of the monthly compensation (pay + dearness allowance) on the day of superannuation for every six months of service completed.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍What is Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) 2024

📍Unified Pension Scheme: All that matters for UPSC Exam

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(2) Who among the following can join the National Pension System (NPS)? (UPSC CSE 2017)

(a) Resident Indian citizens only

(b) Persons of age from 21 to 55 only

(c) All State Government employees joining the services after the date of notification by the respective State Governments

(d) All Central Government employees including those of Armed Forces joining the services on or after 1st April, 2004

 

FRONT

Industry majors go to HC as Bengal govt revokes incentives given since ’93

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Constitution of India —historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure. Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States.

What’s the ongoing story: Several industrial houses have moved the Calcutta High Court against the West Bengal government’s decision to revoke industry incentives with retrospective effect, calling it “unconstitutional”.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is meant by ‘retrospective effect’ in the context of government laws or policies?

— What are the constitutional provisions related to the welfare schemes?

— Read about the Directive Principles of State Policy. 

— Discuss the constitutional validity of retrospective withdrawal of industrial incentives by a state government.

— What can be the potential economic and investment implications of revoking industrial incentives in a state?

— How can state governments balance the need for industrial incentives with the imperative to fund social welfare schemes for marginalised groups?

— What is the debate between industrial incentives and social welfare schemes?

Key Takeaways:

— The Revocation of West Bengal Incentive Schemes and Obligations in the Nature of Grants and Incentives Bill, 2025, was notified on April 2, after being passed by the Assembly in March and receiving the Governor’s assent. The Act withdraws all incentives granted to industries since 1993, effective retrospectively from the date of implementation of each scheme.

— Industrial majors, including UltraTech Cement, Electrosteel Casting Limited, Grasim Industries, Nuvoco Vistas, and Dalmia Cement, are among those who have appealed in the High Court. While the firms have filed separate appeals, the court will hear them together on November 7.

— The Act they have challenged states: “The object of this Act is to make State finances available for various social welfare schemes formulated and under operation in the State of West Bengal, which are intended for utilisation by the socio-economically disadvantaged and marginalised section of the State and not to expend such finances to provide special assistance, financial incentives, state support, benefits, concessions or special privileges at the cost of the marginalised.”

— According to officials, the state used to give subsidies on taxes, land purchase and registration, electricity, interest repayment, etc.

— “Industrial units in the State of West Bengal shall no longer be entitled to claim or demand or enforce past arrears or dues in relation to any incentives, including financial incentives, benefits, state support, subsidies, waiver of interest, duties, refund or exemption or remission or reimbursement of taxes, tax incentives, exemptions, advances or any other form of industrial promotional assistance of any nature whatsoever under the West Bengal Incentive Schemes and Grants and Obligations, or any incentives under any contract or agreement or promises or any law of the State Legislature,” the Act states.

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(3) Which part of the Constitution of India declares the ideal of Welfare State? (UPSC CSE 2020)

(a) Directive Principles of State Policy

(b) Fundamental Rights

(c) Preamble

(d) Seventh Schedule

 

EXPRESS NETWORK

Sarnath on UNESCO radar, ASI prepares to install ‘corrected’ plaque to show local role

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies-I: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times

What’s the ongoing story: Even as the stage is set for a UNESCO team to visit Sarnath soon, after the Buddhist site near Varanasi was nominated by India for the World Heritage List, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is preparing to install a “corrected” plaque at the location to credit the family of an erstwhile local ruler for its preservation — instead of the British, The Indian Express has learnt.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the cultural significance of Sarnath?

— What is the Dharmachakrapravartana?

— What is the process of selecting the World Heritage List?

— What is the role and function of the ASI?

— What are the initiatives taken by the government to pitch India globally as the land of Buddha? Know about Buddhist circuit

— What are the major Buddhist sites in India?

— What is the purpose of stupa?

Key Takeaways:

— Sources told this newspaper that the move is based on a proposal submitted by the  descendants of Babu Jagat Singh to the  ASI regarding the main plaque at the site. Jagat Singh came from the family of the erstwhile Benares ruler Chait Singh.

— The proposal challenges the perception that the site, which is associated with Lord Buddha’s first sermon, was preserved due to the efforts of British archaeologists and officers, and claims it was exposed during a digging exercise ordered by Jagat Singh.

— The proposal is for the new plaque to credit him for bringing to light Sarnath’s archaeological importance for the first time in 1787-88, and not in 1798.

— The relevant portion in the plaque currently at the site reads: “…The archaeological importance of the site was first brought to light by Mr Duncan and Col E Mackenzie during 1798 AD, which was followed by a series of excavations by Alexander Cunningham (1835-36), Major Kittoe (1851-52), FO Oertel (1904-5), Sir John Marshall (1907), MH Hargreaves (1914-15) and lastly by Dayaram Sahni…”

— When contacted by The Indian Express, ASI Director-General Yadubir Rawat confirmed that the year of the site’s exposure would be revised and corrected according to new findings.

— Earlier this year, following a previous submission by the family, the ASI had “corrected” another plaque at the Dharmarajika Stupa in Sarnath that described Jagat Singh as a “diwan” of the ruler and “destroyer” of the stupa. 

— The revised plaque omits the descriptions and states the “structure came to light” due to him and was once known as Jagat Singh Stupa.

— Earlier this year, India officially nominated Sarnath for the UNESCO World Heritage List for the 2025-26 cycle — a move that could end its 27-year wait on the tentative list.

— India has been pitching itself globally as the land of Buddha. Recently, the Ministry of Culture issued legal notices to Sotheby’s Hong Kong to stop the auction of a section of Buddhist relics.

Do You Know:

— Buddhism is a significant world religion today, influencing many with its teachings. Originating in the 6th century BCE in the Indian subcontinent, Buddhism, along with other Śramanic sects emerged as a result of growing discontent towards ritualistic and hierarchical aspects of the Brahmanical tradition.

— The date of the Buddha’s life and death has long been a subject of debate among scholars. The canonical texts in Pali, especially the Pitakas (Sutta and Vinaya), contain his hagiography (writing about the lives of saints). One can also find information about Buddha and his life in texts like Mahavastu, Buddhacharita, and others. 

— Buddhism was founded by the Buddha, who was born as Siddhartha. He was the son of king Suddhodana, a leader of the Sakya clan of Kapilavastu (located in modern day Nepal). According to various narrations, Maya gave birth to Siddhartha in a grove at Lumbini while en route to her natal home. 

— The Buddha delivered his first sermon at a deer park near Banaras (Varanasi) to five of his disciples. This is referred to as dhammachakka-pavattana (the turning of the wheel of dhamma). In his sermon, the Buddha put forward a transformative path – a way of life that helps individuals to escape the cycle of birth, death and rebirth. 

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍How Buddhism shows the path to nirvana

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(4) With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2023)

1. The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin.

2. Stupa was generally a repository of relics.

3. Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition.

How many of the statements given above are correct? 

(a) Only one 

(b) Only two

(c)All three 

(d) None

 

ECONOMY

GST 2.0: Re-labelling of drugs, medical devices not mandatory for stocks issued before Sept 22

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation of resources, growth, development and employment.

What’s the ongoing story: Manufacturers and marketing companies selling drugs, formulations including medical devices are required to revise the maximum retail price (MRP) and issue revised price lists to dealers and retailers for display to consumers to bring into effect the rate cuts under GST 2.0, but recalling, re-labelling, or re-stickering is not mandatory for the stocks released in the market prior to the implementation date of September 22, the Ministry of Finance said in a second set of FAQs on GST released Tuesday.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is Goods and Services Tax (GST), and how does it work?

— What is the objective of introducing next-generation reforms?

— What is input tax credit (ITC)?

— What are the key GST 2.0’s institutional reforms?

— What are the various tax slabs before and after the reform?

— What is the tax system in India?

— What is the role and function of the GST council?

— How are decisions taken in the GST council?

— What do you understand about sin goods?

Key Takeaways:

— For the insurance sector, the Ministry said health and life insurance policies for individuals or to an individual with his or her family will be exempted but not group policies. In addition, reinsurance services will be exempted from the ambit of Goods and Services Tax (GST).

— The Ministry also said insurance companies will not be able to claim input tax credit on GST paid on inputs like commissions and brokerages for individual health and life insurance policies with effect from September 22. 

— The input tax credit (ITC) — tax paid on inputs adjusted against the GST liability on output — of other inputs or input services such as commissions, brokerages will be reversed because the output services will be exempted, it said.

— Reinsurance services act like insurance for insurance companies as a way for insurers to transfer part of their risk to another company with an aim to protect against any potential losses.

— Local delivery services will be taxable at 18 per cent GST, with the liability to pay directly on the person supplying the service if the person is registered and on the ECO (electronic commerce operator) if the person supplying the services is not liable to be registered.

—  Delivery services through e-commerce operators such as Zomato, Swiggy and quick commerce companies like Blinkit, Zepto are set to face a 18 per cent GST on delivery charges beginning September 22. 

— In the past, such platforms have maintained that they only collect delivery fees on behalf of delivery workers and it is not part of their revenue, and so, they should not be expected to pay GST on the service, which is fulfilled by a delivery worker, who is an independent vendor.

— Tax experts said the FAQs by the government will help smoothen the transition with minimum disruption or future litigation. 

Do You Know:

— The GST regime came into force after the Constitutional (122nd Amendment) Bill was passed by both Houses of Parliament in 2016. It came into effect in 2017 and was billed as an attempt to simplify the existing tax structure in India, where both the Centre and states levied multiple taxes, and to make it uniform.

— The GST Council in its 56th meeting held on September 3 had decided to exempt premium paid on individual health and life insurance policies from GST effective September 22, from the current 18 per cent rate.

— The President set up the GST Council as a joint forum of the Centre and the states, under Article 279A (1) of the amended Constitution. It said that members of the Council include the Union Finance Minister (chairperson), and the Union Minister of State (Finance) from the Centre. Each state can nominate a minister in charge, of finance or taxation or any other minister, as a member.

— According to Article 279 A, the council is meant to “make recommendations to the Union and the states on important issues related to GST, like the goods and services that may be subjected or exempted from GST, model GST Laws”.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Knowledge Nugget: What is GST Council, and what were key decisions taken during its 56th meeting? Here’s everything you need to know for UPSC exam

📍Explained: What is the GST Council, and what does it do?

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(5) What is/are the most likely advantages of implementing ‘Goods and Services Tax (GST)’? (UPSC CSE 2017)

1. It will replace multiple taxes collected by multiple authorities and will thus create a single market in India.

2. It will drastically reduce the ‘Current Account Deficit’ of India and will enable it to increase its foreign exchange reserves.

3. It will enormously increase the growth and size of the economy of India and will enable it to overtake China in the near future.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

Enumerate the indirect taxes which have been subsumed in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India. Also, comment on the revenue implications of the GST introduced in India since July 2017. (UPSC CSE 2019)

THE IDEAS PAGE

Dignity of choice

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies-I, II: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India, Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

What’s the ongoing story: Firoza Mehrotra writes: A same-sex couple has moved the Bombay High Court, challenging the law that discriminates against them by taxing gifts received by one partner from the other. Under the Income Tax Act, no such tax on gifts is levied on heterosexual couples. This discriminates against them according to Article 14 and 15 of the Constitution. 

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the status of same-sex marriage in India?

— What was the Supriyo v. Union of India case? What is its importance?

— Is the right to marry a fundamental right in India?

— What is gift tax?

— What is the Deed of Familial Association (DoFA)?

Key Takeaways:

— Firoza Mehrotra writes: October 17, 2023 was indeed a very disappointing and sad day for supporters of same-sex marriages in India. On this day, while deciding on a batch of petitions seeking marriage equality for non-heterosexual couples, the Supreme Court held that there was no fundamental right to marry. 

— The Supreme Court also recorded that the Union government will constitute a committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for the purpose of defining and elucidating the scope of entitlements of queer persons who are in unions.

— In April 2024, Government of India, constituted a committee with the Cabinet Secretary as the chairperson and secretaries of concerned key ministries as members. After a series of meetings the Department of Food and Public Distribution issued an advisory to all the states and Union Territories, that partners in a queer relationship are to be treated as part of the same household for the purposes of ration card and should not be subjected to any discrimination. 

— The Department of Financial Services has issued an advisory that there are no restrictions for persons of the queer community to open a joint-bank account and to nominate a partner in a queer relationship as a nominee. 

— In the same vein, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued instructions to states prohibiting discrimination to the community with relation to healthcare and claiming the body of a deceased partner.

— While these seem to be baby steps in the right direction, how are these advisories and any favourable court verdicts — as in the case of the gift tax — going to be implemented?

— The answer may lie in making a provision for a Deed of Familial Association (DoFA), originally suggested in Justice N Anand Venkatesh judgment of the Madras High Court, dated November 17, 2023. 

— He suggested that the Tamil Nadu government consider recognising a DoFA as a right of partners to choose to form or retain families. This could be a good way of recognising a partnership between two non-heterosexual individuals.

— Any queer couple entering into a DoFA could provide affidavits of their desire to enter into an association of their own free will to the district magistrate or any other person, who should be authorised to issue a DoFA to them. This will help queer couples in accessing the facilities and rights given in court orders/advisories/circulars/orders of government.

Do You Know:

— In 2023, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court that headed by then Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, unanimously ruled against legalising same sex marriage in India. The bench also ruled in a 3:2 verdict against civil unions for non-heterosexual couples. All five judges agree there is no fundamental right to marry.

— Chandrachud said that the SC cannot strike down the provisions of the Special Marriage Act (SMA) or read words differently. The focus of the petitions filed is the gender-neutral interpretation of the SMA. It is a secular legislation designed to facilitate inter-caste and inter-faith marriages. The petitioners have sought a broader interpretation of the SMA to include same-sex marriages too. 

— On September 6, 2018, a five-judge Constitutional bench, led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra and comprising of Justices R F Nariman, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud, and Indu Malhotra, delivered four separate, but concurring, judgments that decriminalised sex between two consenting adults irrespective of their gender.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍A brief timeline of the legal battle against Section 377

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(6) Which Article of the Constitution of India safeguards one’s right to marry the person of one’s choice? (UPSC CSE 2019)

(a) Article 19

(b) Article 21

(c) Article 25

(d) Article 29

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

Explain the constitutional perspectives of Gender Justice with the help of relevant Constitutional Provisions and case laws. (UPSC CSE 2023)

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The west’s civil war	C. Raja Mohan writes- “In recent years, a growing chorus across the US, the UK and Europe has begun to use the term “civil war” not as a historical reference but as a dire warning about their own societies. What was once a fringe discussion has entered the mainstream, fuelled by polarisation, anti-immigrant sentiment and a sharp clash of values between entrenched liberal elites and insurgent populist movements.”

 

PRELIMS ANSWER KEY

1. (a)          2. (c)         3. (a)         4. (b)          5. (a)           6. (b)

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