UPSC Key: INSV Kaundinya, Iran protests, and Graft law

— What is a stitched ship?

— Know the history of ship building in India

— What is the current status of ship building in India?

— What are the key issues related to the ship building sector in India?

— What is the cultural significance of Gandabherunda?

Key Takeaways:

— The ‘stitched’ ship – modelled on a fifth-century vessel depicted in a painting in the Ajanta caves – set sail from Porbandar on December 29, embarking on a historic voyage to Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman.

— The vessel has been constructed using ancient Indian shipbuilding techniques, including stitched-plank construction without the use of modern nails or metal fastenings. It has been constructed by artisans and traditional shipwrights from Kerala using coconut fibre stitching, traditional wooden joinery, coir rope and natural resins, and powered by cotton sails.

— Unlike modern sailing ships, it has square sails, no engine or propulsion and is aided by trailing oars and the wind. The ship is named after a legendary Indian mariner ‘Kaundinya’, who is believed to have sailed across the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia.

Do You Know:

— The ship, which embodies India’s historic role as a maritime nation, is named after the legendary mariner Kaundinya, who is believed to have sailed from India to Southeast Asia in ancient times.

— Its sails display motifs of the Gandabherunda and the Sun, the bow bears a sculpted Simha Yali, and a symbolic Harappan-style stone anchor adorns its deck, each element evoking the rich maritime traditions of ancient India.

— The concept of building and sailing a sailing vessel using ancient technologies was first proposed by Sanyal on December 17, 2021.

— After two years of planning, the keel of the vessel was laid on September 12, 2023, and construction began using a traditional stitching method by a team of 20 skilled artisans from Kerala, led by master shipwright Babu Sankaran and stitcher Rejeesh, the last custodians of this ancient skill.

— From September 2023 to February 2025, the ship took shape plank by plank, stitched and formed using techniques unchanged for centuries, as detailed on the X handle of the vessel.

— The ship was launched on February 26, 2025, in Goa. The Indian Navy played a central role in the project, overseeing the design, technical validation, and construction process. With no surviving blueprints of such vessels, the design had to be inferred from iconographic sources.

— The Navy collaborated with the shipbuilder to recreate the hull form and traditional rigging. It ensured that the design was validated through hydrodynamic model testing at the Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras, and an internal technical assessment.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Govt to boost production of Made-in-India merchant vessels, cut reliance on foreign ships

📍How is an Indian Navy ship showcasing ancient maritime traditions?

UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering similar theme:

(1) What is Gandabherunda in Indian history and culture?

(a) A symbol of the Kadamba dynasty

(b) An ancient Harappan shipbuilding technique

(c) A Sanskrit maritime treatise on navigation

(d) A port city of the Kadamba dynasty

Leave Iran, avoid protest sites, India tells its nationals

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

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

What’s the ongoing story: With US President Donald Trump indicating a military option against the Iranian regime which threatened to strike US bases in West Asia if attacked, tension mounted in the region Wednesday and the Indian embassy in Tehran asked Indian nationals to leave Iran.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What are the reasons for the recent crisis in Iran?

— Why does the US have conflict with Iran?

— What was Operation Sindhu?

— Know the historic background of India-Iran relationship

— How has India’s relationship with Iran evolved in recent times?

— What was the Iranian Revolution of 1979?

— How is the instability in west Asia going to impact India?

— Map work: Iran, Chabahar Port

Key Takeaways:

— External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said he discussed the “evolving situation” with his Iranian counterpart. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, “Received a call from Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. We discussed the evolving situation in and around Iran.”

— According to official estimates, about 10,000 Indians are living in Iran. They are spread all over the country, from religious seminaries in Qom to medical colleges in Tehran.

— In an interview with CBS News, Trump promised “very strong action” if Iran executes protesters.

— The US President’s remarks suggested that a military option was being weighed against Iran which has been roiled by street protests. Iranian authorities are cracking down on the protesters and, according to rights groups monitoring the situation, over 2,000 people have been killed.

— This is the second time since June 2025 that India has had to take steps to alert and advise its citizens to leave Iran. At that time, Israel and, later, the US struck Iran, targeting its nuclear facilities, military bases and residences of Iranian officials. Tehran responded by striking Israel with missiles.

— India had launched Operation Sindhu on June 18 to evacuate its nationals from conflict zones in Iran and Israel. A total of 4,415 Indian nationals (3,597 from Iran and 818 from Israel) were evacuated using 19 special evacuation flights including three IAF C-17 aircraft.

— Tehran has warned neighbours hosting US troops that it will hit American bases if Washington strikes, a senior Iranian official told Reuters Wednesday.

EXPLAINED: What the US could do in Iran, and what India will watch out for

— The big question remains around what options the US administration can exercise — and what impact will that have on India’s diplomatic approach towards a possible escalation. The Indian embassy in Iran on January 14 asked Indians in the country to leave.

— The first option will be diplomacy. Iranian officials are known to be extremely adept at reading crisis situations and engaging with their counterparts, even in the most hostile circumstances… The US too is focussed on the diplomacy bit, going by what has been conveyed in the public domain.

— If the diplomatic option fails, the US may consider some other steps.

— Analysts and experts say that the Trump administration, along with Israel, could target Iran. These targets could include Iranian military and Revolutionary Guards’ infrastructure, command and control centres, and warehouses of weapons and supplies used by the government and its militias.

— Whether that is possible or not, Iran’s conventional military weakness stands exposed with last June’s 12-day war, where the American and Israeli air strikes decapitated their air defence systems.

— The conventional wisdom is that an American intervention leading to an outcome — where the Iranian regime is ousted — cannot be guaranteed by air strikes by fighter aircraft or firing from naval vessels. A senior diplomat said, “It is very difficult to do a regime change from 30,000 feet above.”

— So, that leaves the next option of putting American boots on the ground. US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro earlier this month, with minimum damage to American forces. Parallels are being drawn on whether the US can pull off a Maduro-like capture in Iran.

— An invasion into Iran and getting entangled into a protracted conflict will meet with a definite pushback from Trump’s MAGA base, which has been against US misadventures in the past in Iraq and Afghanistan.

— In case of an attack by the US on Iran, much like the Afghanistan war, India will be impacted again in its immediate neighbourhood.

— Diplomatically, India will find it difficult to support the US actions if there are air strikes and military intervention inside Iran.

— Economically, Delhi has almost zeroed out the oil import from Iran, and it is a bit player in the Indian energy basket now because of the US sanctions from Trump 1.0.

Protesters in Berlin, Germany, participate in a demonstration in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government (Photo: AP)

— Another complexity will occur if Iran chooses to attack — for its survival — against US bases in the region, in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar among others.

— In that event, if the West Asian region goes into turmoil, Delhi will be on tenterhooks as it has stakes in the peace and stability in the region. It has about 8-9 million Indians living and working here.

— Delhi also relies heavily on the region for its energy needs, with almost 60 per cent of its energy needs coming from here. Any instability in the region threatens India’s energy security and that would have an inflationary impact.

THE EDITORIAL PAGE: In Iran, old order may be near its end, new one is struggling to be born

— Mohsen Makhmalbaf writes: In 1979, the people of Iran rose with the hope of achieving three great ideals: Independence, freedom, and social justice. The revolution was meant to end foreign domination, guarantee political and individual freedoms, and establish a fairer system for the distribution of wealth and opportunity.

— Today, after 47 years, many Iranians view the outcome not as the realisation of those ideals, but as a historical failure. The proclaimed political independence has, in practice, meant a shift in dependency: Severing ties with the United States while moving ever closer — often in a humiliating manner — to China and Russia.

— Chronic inflation, the collapse of the national currency, rising unemployment, and economic insecurity have turned the daily lives of Iranian people into a constant struggle for survival. Thus, the repeated waves of protest seen in recent decades are hardly surprising — protests that have been violently suppressed each time, yet never eradicated, have re-emerged again and again in new and more radical forms.

— The latest wave of protests, which began with strikes and gatherings at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, carries particular symbolic significance. The bazaar is not only the economic heart of the capital but has historically been one of the traditional strongholds supporting the 1979 revolution and the Islamic Republic.

— The government’s response has followed the familiar pattern of the past four decades: Harsh repression. This has included widespread internet shutdowns, severe communication restrictions, and even electricity cuts in some areas.

— Over the past 47 years, the Islamic Republic has demonstrated that it is not only an obstacle to the Iranian people’s aspirations for freedom, but also a dual threat at the regional and global levels. Its nuclear programme, ballistic missile development, support for proxy groups in the Middle East, and record of terrorist activities have turned Iran into a focal point of instability.

— Historical experience suggests that the Iranian people, on their own and without effective international support, have little chance of overcoming such an ideological and violent system. Conversely, the international community cannot bring about sustainable change without relying on the social forces within Iran itself.

— Broadly speaking, the US response can be envisioned in three scenarios.

— First, a purely symbolic and non-decisive response aimed at preserving political credibility — one that would only embolden the regime.

— Second, a moderate response, such as targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile facilities — an action that could contain Iran’s regional threat but would likely lead to intensified repression at home.

— Third, a decisive response aimed at the apex of power and the main instruments of repression — an option that could significantly shift the balance of power in favour of the people.

— Iran’s future now depends on several key variables: The response of foreign powers, the degree of unity within the Opposition, and the level of violence the population can endure. What is clear is that the Islamic Republic has lost its legitimacy in the eyes of a large portion of Iranian society.

— Another decisive factor is the condition of the regime’s ageing leader. His death or removal could expose deep internal rifts within the system and fundamentally alter the trajectory of events.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍How the Islamic revolution isolated Iran from the Muslim world

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(2) What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India? (UPSC CSE 2017)

(a) India’s trade with African countries will enormously increase.

(b) India’s relations with oil-producing Arab countries will be strengthened.

(c) India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

(d) Pakistan will facilitate and protect the installation of a gas pipeline between Iraq and India.

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

In what ways would the ongoing U.S-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to this situation? (UPSC CSE 2018)

 

NATION

Cyber fraud cases: MHA’s new SOP allows refund below Rs 50,000 without court order

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention.

What’s the ongoing story: In a major push to strengthen cybercrime response and ensure timely relief to victims of online financial fraud, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is learnt to have approved the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal’s (NCRP) Cyber Financial Crime Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS).

Key Points to Ponder:

— What are the reasons for increased online financial fraud in India?

— What is the CFCFRMS?

— What is the role and function of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)?

— What are India’s cyber security initiatives?

— Why is cybersecurity important for a nation?

— What are the various cyber crimes?

Key Takeaways:

— As per the new SOP, for small-value frauds, where the amount held is below Rs 50,000, refund can be processed swiftly without a court order. Additionally, if no court or restoration order exists, banks must lift the hold on such amounts within 90 days.

— According to fresh data compiled by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), a division under the MHA, Indians have lost more than Rs 52,976 crore to various fraud and cheating cases over the past six years.

— A source said the newly approved SOP establishes a uniform process for banks, payment aggregators, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), e-commerce platforms, stock-trading apps, mutual fund houses, and other financial intermediaries to follow when a cybercrime complaint is lodged against a suspicious transaction.

— Among its citizen-centric provisions, the SOP, a source said, also introduces a simplified system to restore funds that were defrauded.

— Senior officials described the SOP as a crucial step towards building public trust in India’s digital payments ecosystem and enhancing the national cyber financial security framework.

— Data from the NCRP shows that around Rs 19,812.96 crore were lost across 21,77,524 cheating-related complaints in 2025. In comparison, approximately Rs 22,849.49 crore was lost across 19,18,852 complaints in 2024.

— In 2023, approximately Rs 7,463.2 crore was lost across 13,10,361 complaints, while Rs 2,290.23 crore was lost across 6,94,446 complaints in 2022. In 2021, Rs 551.65 crore was lost across 2,62,846 complaints, and in 2020, Rs 8.56 crore was lost across 12,746 complaints.

Do You Know:

— Launched in 2020, I4C aims to combat Cybercrime in the country and strengthen the overall security apparatus to fight against Cybercrime. In September 2024, four I4C platforms — Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC), the ‘Samanvaya’ platform, a Cyber Commandos programme and a Suspect Registry— were launched. It provides a framework for law enforcement agencies to deal with cybercrime in a coordinated and comprehensive manner.

— To combat the increasing number of digital payment frauds, in February this year, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced an exclusive internet domain for Indian banks – ‘bank.in.’ This aims to minimise cyber security threats and strengthen trust in the country’s digital banking system.

— I4C has introduced the new e-Zero FIR initiative to automatically convert cyber financial crime complaints with a cheating value above Rs 10 lakh, registered on the 1930 helpline or the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), into FIRs.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Knowledge Nugget: Sanchar Saathi, SIM-Binding and India’s Cybersecurity push – What UPSC aspirants must know

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(3) In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cyber security incidents? (UPSC CSE 2017)

1. Service providers

2. Data centres

3. Body corporate

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

What are the different elements of cyber security? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security, examine the extent to which India has successfully developed a comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy. (UPSC CSE 2022)

THE CITY (DELHI EDITION)

How new policy will generate revenue from carbon credits, reduce emission

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues

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: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

What’s the ongoing story: Following protests and resentment among the public who sought action by the Delhi government to mitigate the air pollution in the Capital, it announced Tuesday that it has approved a framework for carbon credit monetisation.

The government has, however, not released much details in the public domain regarding the framework or how and when it will be implemented.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the carbon credit system?

— What is the objective of carbon credit?

— How does it help in mitigating carbon emission?

— What are carbon credits?

— What is the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)?

— What are Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR)?

Key Takeaways:

— A carbon credit represents one tonne of carbon-di-oxide reduced, avoided, or removed from the atmosphere through any project. For example, if the government launches a tree plantation project, which cuts 10 tonnes of carbon, it can earn 10 carbon credits.

— The government can then sell these 10 carbon credits in the carbon market to a company, which wants to show reduction in carbon emissions.

— If a company is struggling to meet the emission reduction target for a particular year, it will buy these carbon credits and claim to have met the target.

— Companies or governments may want to buy carbon credits voluntarily as part of their Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR), or to comply with government regulations. The existence of global, national and sub-national goals for carbon emission reduction means there will be players, like companies, who are struggling to meet their emission standards and will want to buy carbon credits.

— There are around 80 carbon trading regimes worldwide, according to the World Bank’s State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2025 report. While some of these systems are set up by international non-profit organisations, others may be set up by the government. India is currently in the process of setting up its own carbon market.

— Private third-party firms, which are accredited by these markets, audit and verify carbon reduction of companies or projects meticulously.

— The World Bank’s report also highlighted significant growth in carbon pricing, covering 28% of global emissions in 2025, up from just 5% in 2005. Also, revenues worth over $100 billion were raised in 2025 alone, it showed.

— The Delhi government said many of its activities, such as operating electric buses, plantation drives, promoting solar energy and waste management, will be used to generate carbon credits under the new policy.

— The reduction in emissions through these initiatives will be scientifically measured, registered as carbon credits, and sold in national and international carbon markets to generate revenue.

Do You Know:

— In India, the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) is enacted to suit a developing nation’s model as against the system in Western countries that deals with absolute emissions.

— The CCTS, launched in 2023, is to create a framework for the trading of carbon credits, to facilitate the reduction of emissions in energy-intensive industries, and to support India’s climate commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015.

— The CBAM or Carbon Tax was first introduced by the European Union in 2021.  It taxes certain products coming in from other countries based on their carbon emissions footprint in their production process.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Knowledge Nugget: What is Carbon Tax and why is it important for UPSC exam?

📍How draft Greenhouse Gases Emissions Intensity Targets aim to help India meet climate goals by Nikhil Ghanekar

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(4) Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2023)

Statement-I: Carbon markets are likely to be one of the most widespread tools in the fight against climate change.

Statement-II: Carbon markets transfer resources from the private sector to the State.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I

(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I

(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

 

EXPLAINED

Why Himachal’s first satellite township has run into protests

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

Mains Examination: General Studies I: Urbanisation, their problems and their remedies.

General Studies-III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

What’s the ongoing story: Located about 14 km from Shimla city, Jathiya Devi has been identified for an ambitious urban development project to be executed by the Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA).

Key Points to Ponder:

— How to create a balance between development and environment conservation?

— What is a township?

— What are the challenges of urbanisation?

— What precautions should be taken for development in mountainous areas?

— What are the concerns related to acquisition of new lands by the government?

— How to address this concern?

Key Takeaways:

— The project was conceived by the state government with the approval of the Centre in 2014. Notices pasted across the area — including at the Jathiya Devi Panchayat Bhawan — invited residents to submit objections and suggestions by December 29 regarding a proposed Social Impact Assessment (SIA) study.

— The project, first conceptualised in 2014, has now triggered widespread opposition across several villages, with residents fearing displacement, loss of livelihoods, and inadequate compensation.

— Jathiya Devi is a place under the Gram Panchayat Bagi. The place derives its name from the existence of an old Jathiya Devi shrine in the area. The proposed township is envisioned as a planned satellite mountain township to ease pressure on Shimla, create new economic hubs, and promote sustainable, disaster-resilient urban growth.

— Strategically located along state highway (SH) — 16 and national highway (NH) — 5, the township lies 3–4 km from Shimla Airport at Jubbarhatti and about 20–22 km from ISBT Shimla. The terrain ranges between 1,300 and 1,500 metres above sea level, comprising ridges, valleys, and seasonal streams.

— Residents argue that the proposed acquisition threatens fertile agricultural land, ancestral homes, and centuries-old social and religious structures. “We were told that entire villages — including agricultural land and houses — would be acquired.

— The government wants to build homes for newcomers by displacing people who have lived here for generations,” said Neeraj Thakur, who opposed the project during the December 29 public hearing.

— The notices, issued under Section 5 and Rule 8 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, sought public input on the acquisition as suggested by the SIA study. According to HIMUDA and revenue officials, the compensation is to be paid on the basis of current land prices and collector rates in the area.

— Although villagers decided to boycott the acquisition without considering what to be offered in the shape of compensation, many believe that the lands in the villages are joint properties and owners will not get a lot of money in compensation.

— Chapter 3 of the SIA acknowledges that land acquisition may lead to displacement and the removal of constructed assets, including seven temples, five schools, around two dozen shops, water canals and other physical structures and residential houses.

— However, the report projects significant benefits, claiming the township will create employment opportunities and economic mobility, improve access to education, healthcare, and markets, integrate rural areas into major economic corridors, promote social upliftment, skill development, and local entrepreneurship and emphasise environmental sustainability, reduced fuel consumption, and inclusive recreational spaces.

— For now, the future of Himachal Pradesh’s first planned mountain township remains uncertain — caught between the promise of planned urban growth and the deep-rooted fears of those who call these hills home.

Do You Know:

— Urbanisation is the process of transformation that occurs as a society evolves from predominantly rural to predominantly urban areas. It involves the increase in the proportion of a country’s population residing in urban areas, leading to the expansion and growth of cities and towns. Additionally, it encompasses not only the physical expansion of cities but also their social, economic, and cultural transformations.

— The Indian Census identifies two categories of ‘urban’ areas:

1. Statutory towns — those which have urban local bodies like municipal corporation, municipality or municipal committee.

2. Census towns — All those places satisfying the following 3 criteria:

a) Population of atleast 5000 persons.

b) Minimum population density of 400 persons per sq. km. and

c) 75 per cent of the male workforce is employed in non-agricultural activities

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Why urban development needs to be both inclusive and sustainable

📍UPSC Essentials| Society & Social Justice — Urbanisation and associated issues (Part 1)

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

Discuss the various social problems which originated out of the speedy process of urbanization in India. (UPSC CSE 2013)

Graft law: Shielding honest officers vs unmasking the corrupt

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.

What’s the ongoing story: A two-judge bench of the Supreme Court delivered a split verdict Tuesday in a petition challenging the constitutionality of Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (PCA).

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the objective of enacting the Prevention of Corruption Act?

— What are the silent features of the Act?

— What is the Public Interest Litigation?

— What is the role of Lokpal?

— What is the impact of corruption on society?

— What are the regulatory framework for preventing corruption in India?

— What are the recommendations of the second ARC to tackle corruption?

Key Takeaways:

— The provision, introduced in 2018, mandates that police officers must seek the government’s approval before conducting any enquiry or investigation into a public servant for offences related to recommendations made or decisions taken in the discharge of official duties.

— The petitioner, the Centre for Public Interest Litigation, had argued that the section creates a “shield” for the corrupt, effectively allowing the government to block investigations into its officials.

— While Justice K V Viswanathan upheld the provision by “reading it down” to include an independent screening mechanism via the Lokpal, Justice B V Nagarathna struck it down entirely as unconstitutional. Due to the divergence in views, the matter has been referred to the Chief Justice of India to constitute a larger bench.

— The judgment brings into sharp focus a permanent tension in administrative law: the pursuit of a balance between empowering agencies to catch the corrupt and safeguarding the honest civil servant from harassment.

— The judgment brings into sharp focus a permanent tension in administrative law: the pursuit of a balance between empowering agencies to catch the corrupt and safeguarding the honest civil servant from harassment.

— Justice Viswanathan acknowledged a fatal flaw in the current operation of Section 17A: The power to grant or refuse approval lies with the government. This, he noted, violates the principle of independence required in corruption probes.

— To save the law from unconstitutionality, he adopted a “constructive approach”. He ruled that while the requirement for prior approval is valid, the decision cannot rest solely with the government. Instead, he directed that the “screening” of complaints must be done by an independent body — the Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in the States.

— Justice Nagarathna, in contrast, held that Section 17A is “contrary to the object and purpose” of the PCA. She argued that the provision “forestalls an enquiry and thereby in substance protects the corrupt rather than seeking to protect the honest”.

— Justice Nagarathna criticised the idea that the government could be an impartial arbiter in granting approval for sanction. She pointed out the potential for “policy bias” and “conflict of interest”, noting that if a decision involves high-ranking officials or ministers, a subordinate officer cannot be expected to impartially grant approval for an investigation.

Do You Know:

— The Lokpal is an independent anti-corruption authority in India, created to represent the public interest and hear cases of corruption against public officials connected with the Central government.

— It was established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, enacted by Parliament following the Jan Lokpal movement led by social activist Anna Hazare in 2010. India got its first Lokpal in 2019.

— Under the 2013 Act, the Lokpal should consist of a chairperson and such number of members, not exceeding eight, of whom 50% should be judicial members. The Act states that not less than 50% of the members of the Lokpal should be from among persons belonging to the SCs, the STs, OBCs, minorities and women.

— The jurisdiction of the Lokpal covers a wide range of public servants — from the Prime Minister, ministers and MPs, to groups A, B, C and D employees of the central government. Even Lokpal’s own members are under the definition of “public servant”.

— In case of allegations or charges against the Prime Minister, there are certain conditions. Lokpal can’t inquire if the allegation against the Prime Minister relates to international relations, external and internal security, public order, atomic energy, and space.

— Also, complaints against the Prime Minister are not to be probed unless the full Lokpal bench considers the initiation of inquiry and at least 2/3rds of the members approve it.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Knowledge Nugget: Lokpal in spotlight after BMW tender — Key facts about the office for UPSC exam

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(5) With reference to the ‘Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988 (PBPT Act)’, consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2017)

1. A property transaction is not treated as a benami transaction if the owner of the property is not aware of the transaction.

2. Properties held benami are liable for confiscation by the Government.

3. The Act provides for three authorities for investigations but does not provide for any appellate mechanism.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 2 and 3 only

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

‘Corruption is the manifestation of the failure of core values in the society.’’ In Your opinion what measures can be adopted to uplift the core values in the society? (UPSC CSE 2023)

ALSO IN NEWS
Kashi & Tamil Sangamam: A celebration of unity	PM Modi writes: During one of the Mann Ki Baat programmes, I had said that not learning Tamil is a major regret of my life. Fortunately, over the last few years, our government has had several opportunities to further popularise Tamil culture across India and to deepen the spirit of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat”. A prime example of such an effort is the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam. Kashi’s connection with Tamil people and culture is very deep. It is in Kashi that Baba Vishwanath resides, while Tamil Nadu has Rameswaram. Tenkasi in Tamil Nadu is known as Kashi of the south or Dakshin Kashi. Saint Kumaraguruparar Swamigal forged a lasting link between Kashi and Tamil Nadu through his spirituality, scholarship and institution-building. The fourth edition of the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam commenced on December 2, 2025. The theme picked was very interesting — Tamil Karkalam (Learn Tamil). It presented a unique opportunity for people in Kashi and other parts to learn the beautiful Tamil language. Teachers came from Tamil Nadu and the students of Kashi had a very memorable experience!
On climate, India, China are doing their fair share	Express opinion: In recent years, India and China have often been unfairly painted as the villains of the climate change story. Their advocacy of a larger carbon budget for countries that have historically had a low GHG footprint is often seen as an impediment to eliminating fossil fuel use. The global watchdog Carbon Brief’s latest data, released earlier this week, shows that India and China stewarded the world’s renewable energy (RE) expansion in 2025. Record-breaking RE capacity additions led to a fall in coal power generation in the two countries for the first time in 50 years. China achieved this feat even as its electricity demand increased approximately five times compared to 2024, while India is on track to become the second-largest renewables market in the next five years. For India and China, sustaining the decline in fossil-fuel use will require addressing challenges. Grids will have to be revamped, investments in energy storage systems upscaled to manage RE’s intermittency. However, the Carbon Brief data is sure to give the two emerging economies more heft in advancing their principled positions in global climate negotiations.

 

PRELIMS ANSWER KEY

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

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