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Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for June 27th, 2024. If you missed the June 26th, 2024 UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here.
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UPSC Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Indian polity
Mains Examination: GS-II: Constitution and Polity
What’s the ongoing story- Rae Bareli MP Rahul Gandhi is Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, a position that lay vacant for 10 years because no party had numbers equalling a tenth of the strength of the House, which has been by practice a requirement to lay claim to the post.
Prerequisites:
— Criteria to be recognised as the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha.
— Is the office of the leader of the opposition mentioned in the Constitution of India?
Key takeaways:
— The position of Leader of Opposition was officially described in The Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977.
— The Act describes the Leader of Opposition as a “member of the Council of States or the House of the People, as the case may be, who is, for the time being, the Leader in that House of the party in opposition to the Government having the greatest numerical strength and recognised as such by the Chairman of the Council of States or the Speaker of the House of the People”.
— The Leader of Opposition sits in the front row to the left of the Chair, and enjoys certain privileges on ceremonial occasions like escorting the Speaker-elect to the rostrum. The Leader of Opposition is also entitled to a seat in the front row during the Address by the President to both Houses of Parliament.
— The main duty of the Leader of Opposition is to serve as the voice of the opposition in the House.
— Most importantly, the Leader of Opposition is the opposition’s representative in the high-powered committees headed by the Prime Minister for appointment to key posts such as the Director of CBI, the Central Vigilance Commissioner and Chief Information Commissioner, the Chairperson and Members of the National Human Rights Commission, and the Lokpal.
— In order of precedence, the Leaders of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha come at No. 7, along with Union Cabinet Ministers, the National Security Advisor, the Principal Secretary to the PM, the Vice-Chairperson of the NITI Aayog, former PMs, and Chief Ministers.
Points to Ponder:
— What are the roles and responsibilities of the leader of the opposition?
— What is the significance of strong opposition to strengthening parliamentary democracy?
Post Read Question:
Consider the following statements:
1. The position of Leader of Opposition is described in the constitution of India.
2. Leader of Opposition is the opposition’s representative in the committees headed by the Prime Minister for appointment to key posts.
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
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
Why an LoP post after 10 years, and why it matters
UPSC Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Polity
Mains Examination: GS-II: Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
What’s the ongoing story- After two rounds of polling on June 30 and July 7, France will elect a new National Assembly. For the first time in 22 years, there is a real possibility that the President and the Prime Minister, leader of the National Assembly, will not be from the same party. This phenomenon is called cohabitation, and has only occurred thrice ever since France transitioned into the Fifth Republic
Prerequisites:
— How Indian political system is different from France?
— What is the constitutional position of President and Prime Minister in France?
Key takeaways:
— France is a semi-presidential, representative parliamentary democracy, with clearly defined roles for the President and the Prime Minister.
— The current political regime, called the Fifth Republic, first came into effect in 1958, replacing the former parliamentary republic system…
— Since 1962, the French President has been directly elected by popular vote, while the Prime Minister is the leader of the largest party/coalition in the National Assembly.
— The President, elected for a term of five years, serves as the head of the state and Commander of the Armed Forces… Until 2000, the President enjoyed seven-year terms, which was then reduced to five-year terms.
— In contrast, the parliament, headed by the Prime Minister, is responsible for all domestic policy decisions. The cabinet is appointed by the President under the PM’s recommendation.
— The Prime Minister himself cannot be dismissed by the President, but his resignation can be requested. The President can be impeached by the Parliament for willfully violating the Constitution or the national laws. This requires a two-thirds majority in both houses of the French Parliament, as well as in a joint session of both Houses.
— The French parliament is a bicameral legislature consisting of an upper house, the Senate, and a lower house, the National Assembly.
— Cohabitation can lead to situations where the French legislature is dominated by a coalition/party opposing the President. In such instances, the President is obliged to appoint a leader from the opposing party as Prime Minister, who enjoys the support of a parliamentary majority.
Points to Ponder:
— Draw a comparison between the power of President and Prime Minister in France?
— How Indian Prime Minister is different from Franch’s Prime Minister?
Post Read Question:
Consider the following statements:
1. The President of France enjoys a tenure of seven years until 2000.
2. The French Parliament is headed by the President who is responsible for all domestic policy decisions.
Which of the following statements are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
France’s National Rally leads ahead in polls, Macron’s centrist bloc faces imminent defeat
UPSC Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Indian polity
Mains Examination: GS-II: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
What’s the ongoing story- Ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on granting bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on money laundering charges linked to the alleged excise policy scam, a Delhi court on Wednesday (June 25) granted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) a 3-day custody of Kejriwal.
Prerequisites:
— Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)-Organisation, Role and Functions
— What is the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946?
— Read about the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Key takeaways:
— While the Enforcement Directorate (ED) case investigates the alleged money trail, the CBI case will have to prove corruption and bribe-taking by public servants.
— Section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which criminalises money laundering, lists concealment, possession, acquisition, use, projecting as untainted property, or claiming as untainted property as crimes.
— An accused can move for anticipatory bail in a corruption case. The grant of bail in non-bailable offences is subject to judicial discretion.
— Unlike the PMLA, which is an alternative criminal law framework to deal with the offence of money laundering, the PC Act itself does not impose stringent qualifications for bail.
— Under the PC Act, an accused moves court for regular bail under the Code of Criminal Procedure. However, as per an amendment introduced in 2014, no accused shall be released on bail under the PC Act unless an opportunity is provided to the public prosecutor to oppose the bail application.
Points to Ponder:
— What is the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)?
— How is the investigation of the CBI different from that of the Enforcement Directorate (ED)?
— What is the Prevention of Corruption Act (PC Act)?
— What are the issues and Challenges associated with CBI?
Post Read Question:
The jurisdiction of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding lodging an FIR and conducting a probe within a particular state is being questioned by various States. However, the power of the States to withhold consent to the CBI is not absolute. Explain with special reference to the federal character of India. (UPSC CSE 2021)
UPSC Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
Mains Examination: GS-II: Issues related to Health
What’s the ongoing story- Vikram Patel writes: Nearly 60 persons have died in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy in Tamil Nadu. Alcohol consumption is associated with mortality in all countries, both due to its direct effects on various organs such as the liver and due to its indirect effects through impairing one’s abilities leading to accidents. But deaths due to poisoning by illicit alcohol are limited to a handful of countries, among which India ranks at the top.
Prerequisites:
— What are the constitutional provisions related to the prohibition of alcohol?
— How is drinking alcohol associated with the culture?
Key takeaways:
— India’s recurring tragedies which lead to countless lives lost and maimed, from road traffic accidents to monsoon flooding, have one common thread running through them: An incompetent state that is unable to enforce the laws.
— References to alcohol use can be found in Vedic texts. There was widespread alcohol use even during the Mughal period, despite Quranic prohibition. The arrival of the British radically altered the dynamics of this laissez-faire situation as they strove to restrict the culturally sanctioned patterns of drinking…
— The first hints of prohibition were evident even before 1947. But it was only when our Constitution was ratified that India became the only secular and democratic country which required the state to implement prohibition of intoxicating substances, lumping alcohol with other drugs.
— Moreover, as Bihar’s experiment with prohibition demonstrated, alcohol became a potent electoral issue due to the pervasive experience of domestic violence fueled by alcohol while, as the ongoing crisis engulfing the AAP government in New Delhi demonstrates, the sale of alcohol was a major contributor to the exchequer.
— Each state has evolved its own policy, somewhere on the spectrum from liberal to draconian. Some states have even evolved a hybrid approach to accommodate this contradictory stance like Gujarat.
— Such contradictory positions have led to the persistence of the illegal moonshine industry…
— And, as with all such laws which limit personal freedoms, the poor suffer the most. In Bihar, prisons are bursting with poor men who were arrested for drinking. As everywhere in the country, most victims of hooch tragedies are the poor.
— We need nothing short of a national consensus on finding the right balance in our approach to drinking alcohol. We can be guided both by public health science and the experiences of other countries.
For Your Information:
— A public health approach to curb alcohol use follows the approach for tobacco control like limiting access (licensing and age bar on sale), raising tax, prohibiting marketing and raising awareness. However, their enforcement is quite weak.
— Addressing this ambivalence and hypocrisy needs open and non-judgemental discussions in society. The false dichotomy between traditionalism and modernism, the professed role of religion and trade-offs between health impact mitigation and revenue generation need to be debated. Alcohol brings the hypocrisy of society out in the open.
Points to Ponder:
— What is the historical background of alcohol consumption in India?
— What is the effectiveness of banning alcohol?
— What are the pros and cons of banning alcohol consumption?
Post Read Question:
“Effectiveness of the government system at various levels and people’s participation in the governance system are interdependent.” Discuss their relationship with each other in the context of India. (UPSC CSE 2016)
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
Our hypocrisy on alcohol: It’s about politics and money — not health
Why do some Indian states ban alcohol? What are its effects?
UPSC Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change
Mains Examination: GS-III: Environment
What’s the ongoing story- India’s persistent water crises and increased vulnerability to climate change could dent its sovereign credit strength, at a time when the country is gearing up to be the world’s third-largest economy.
Prerequisites:
— What is Jal Shakti Abhiyaan?
— What is sustainable use of water?
— How metros are dealing with water crisis situation in India?
Key takeaways:
— With meteorologists warning of more exacting heat waves in the coming years, water security would be critical to the country’s economic ambitions. Any drop in water supply could disrupt operations in farms and factories, Moody’s has said.
— According to government estimates, per capita water availability in the country is likely to fall from an already low 1,486 cubic metres — much below the Ministry of Water Resources’ benchmark of 1,700 cubic metres — to less than 1,400 cubic metres by 2030.
— India’s historical inclination to address water-related deficits by focusing on supply-side parameters has led to uneconomical use of this resource, especially the overutilisation of groundwater. Water pricing mechanisms do not adequately account for the perilous state of the country’s aquifers.
— In 2019, the Water Resources Ministry launched the Jal Shakti Abhiyan for rainwater harvesting and water conservation. Metros such as Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai do have laws on using rainwater.
— In the next 20 years, India will likely add more than 270 million people to its urban population, intensifying the competition between businesses and households for water. Conversations on water audits are at a nascent stage in industry. The Moody’s report could occasion such discussions.
For Your Information:
— India is close to reaching its groundwater depletion tipping point, a new report published by United Nations University — Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) — has warned.
— According to the report, 78% of wells in Punjab are considered overexploited, and the north-western region as a whole is predicted to experience critically low groundwater availability by 2025.
Points to Ponder:
— What is the significance of aquifers?
— What are the adverse effects of overexploitation of groundwater?
— What initiatives have been taken by the government to ensure water security?
Post Read Question:
Prelims
Which of the following can be found as pollutants in the drinking water in some parts of India? (UPSC CSE 2013)
1. Arsenic
2. Sorbitol
3. Fluoride
4. Formaldehyde
5. Uranium
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2, 4 and 5 only
(c) 1, 3 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Mains
What are the salient features of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan launched by the Government of India for water conservation and water security? (UPSC CSE 2020)
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
India heading towards groundwater depletion tipping point, warns UN report
Drying up: What Urban India needs to fix its water problem
UPSC Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
Mains Examination: GS-I, II, III: Geography, Government policies, Environment
What’s the ongoing story- From working irregular jobs with poor wages to facing grave health conditions, people from the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes are likely to bear the maximum impact as India transitions away from coal, a new report by the National Foundation of India (NFI) has said.
Prerequisites:
— What is the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)?
— Which are the coal producing states in India?
— What is the rank of India in coal production and productivity?
Key takeaways:
— It was found that 81.5 per cent among those surveyed belonged to the marginalised SC, ST, and OBC communities and the rest were from the general category.
— The survey found lower levels of income and educational attainment among SC and ST groups compared to OBC groups, and their higher representation in low-paying, irregular jobs in coal-dumping yards, coal sidings, coal loading, coal transport, coal washeries and other informal work.
— This disparity, the report said, indicated the challenges that marginalised groups will face as India gradually phases down coal use, resulting in significant job losses and economic downturns in coal-dependent regions. This will not only impact coal miners and workers directly but also the broader local economy.
— The survey-based study found a clear correlation between caste and educational attainment. Households with primary education or no education were more prominent among SCs, STs and OBCs.
For Your Information:
— The staggering levels of power demand have become a formidable challenge for India. As a result, it has doubled down on its coal production. It spiked from 778 million tons in 2021-22 to 893 million tons in 2022-23, a 14% growth, according to the coal ministry. India has also set a target of 1.31 billion tonnes of coal production for 2024-25 and aims to increase it to 1.5 billion tons by 2030.
Points to Ponder:
— How much of India’s electricity production is dependent on coal?
— What initiatives have been taken by India to decrease the dependence on coal?
— How industrial establishment change the demography of a region?
Post Read Question:
Prelims
Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2019)
1. The coal sector was nationalized by the Government of India under Indira Gandhi.
2. Now, coal blocks are allocated on lottery basis.
3. Till recently, India imported coal to meet the shortages of domestic supply, but now India is self-sufficient in coal production.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Mains
“In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still inevitable for development”. Discuss. (UPSC CSE 2017)
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
Why India will continue to rely on coal for foreseeable future
UPSC Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Science and Technology
Mains Examination: GS-III: Science and Technology
What’s the ongoing story- Chandrayaan-4, which is supposed to bring back samples from the Moon, would not be launched at one go and instead, different parts of the spacecraft would be sent into orbit through two launches, and the spacecraft would be assembled in space before proceeding to the Moon, ISRO Chairman S Somanath said Wednesday.
Prerequisites:
— What is the International Space Station (ISS)?
— What are the Chandrayaan missions of ISRO?
— What is the Spadex (Space Docking Experiment) mission?
Key takeaways:
— Docking of spacecraft modules on the return journey from Moon is a fairly routine manoeuvre. A part of the spacecraft detaches from the main spacecraft and makes a landing while the other part remains in the Moon orbit. When the landing part leaves the Moon’s surface, it docks and links up with the orbiting part, becoming one unit again.
— ISRO has so far not had any need to carry out a docking operation in space, and Spadex (Space Docking Experiment) mission would be its first opportunity to demonstrate this capability.
— The Vision 2047 has envisioned India building its own space station by 2035 and sending humans to the Moon by 2040. India’s space station, named Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), would also be set up by carrying different parts of the infrastructure in multiple launches.
For Your Information:
— ISRO is in discussion with NASA and the European Space Agency to build a common interface between the Indian space station and that of these countries. This interface will make joint work possible, said Somanath, indicating the possibility of collaborating with these countries for the space station.
Points to Ponder:
— What is the significance of the Chandrayaan-3 mission?
— What is India’s Space policy?
— What are the important missions of ISRO?
— How Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGVL) is different from the earlier vehicles?
Post Read Question:
What is the main task of India’s third moon mission which could not be achieved in its earlier mission? List the countries that have achieved this task. Introduce the subsystems in the spacecraft launched and explain the role of the “Virtual Launch Control Centre’ at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre which contributed to the successful launch from Sriharikota. (UPSC CSE 2023)
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
Chandrayaan-3: What are the different kinds of lunar missions?
UPSC Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Environment
Mains Examination: GS-III: Environment
What’s the ongoing story- Denmark will tax livestock farmers for the greenhouse gases emitted by their cows, sheep and pigs from 2030, the first country in the world to do so as it targets a major source of methane emissions, one of the most potent gases contributing to global warming.
Prerequisites:
— What is the impact of global warming?
— What are the major sources of methane emissions?
— What are greenhouse gases?
Key takeaways:
— Although carbon dioxide typically gets more attention for its role in climate change, methane traps about 87 times more heat on a 20-year timescale, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
— Levels of methane, which is emitted from sources including landfills, oil and natural gas systems and livestock, have increased particularly quickly since 2020. Livestock account for about 32 per cent of human-caused methane emissions, says the UN Environment Program.
— New Zealand had passed a similar law due to take effect in 2025. However, the legislature was scrapped after facing multiple criticisms from farmers.
For Your Information:
— The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is a plan from the European Union (EU) to tax carbon-intensive products, such as iron and steel, cement, fertiliser, aluminium and electricity generation, from 2026.
Points to Ponder:
— What is the carbon border tax?
— Why is India opposed to CBAM?
— What initiatives have been taken by India to reduce its carbon emissions?
Post Read Question:
Which of the following statements are correct about the deposits of ‘methane hydrate? (UPSC CSE 2019)
1. Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits.
2. Large deposits of ‘methane hydrate’ are found in Arctic Tundra and under the seafloor.
3. Methane in atmosphere oxidizes to carbon dioxide after a decade or two.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
What is carbon border tax, which India opposed at COP27
Express View on EU carbon tax: Costs of a levy
UPSC Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Polity
Mains Examination: GS-II: Polity
What’s the ongoing story- M Venkaiah Naidu writes: Article 352 of the Constitution provides for the proclamation of national emergency on the grounds of internal disturbances, threat to national security due to war or external aggression. A state of emergency has been imposed thrice since Independence — during the wars with China in 1962 and Pakistan in 1971 and for the third time in 1975, this last episode being the most infamous in the annals of our democracy.
Prerequisites:
— What are the constitutional provisions related to the Emergency?
— What was the Kesavananda Bharti Case?
— What is the basi structure doctrine?
Key takeaways:
— This year marks the beginning of the 50th year since the imposition of Emergency on June 25, 1975.
— Amidst widespread resentment against misrule, Jayaprakash Narayan called for “sampoorna kranti” (total revolution) and the nation responded in unison.
— The last straw was the judgment of the Allahabad High Court on June 12, 1975, which nullified the election to the Lok Sabha of the then Prime Minister in 1971 on the grounds of abusing official machinery for electoral gains. Emergency was proclaimed two weeks later.
— The Supreme Court’s judgments in Golaknath and Kesavananda Bharati in defence of the basic rules and framework of the Constitution and in support of the fundamental rights of citizens were taken as serious threats to rule by an individual. This was also the case with the Allahabad High Court judgment.
Points to Ponder:
— What are the different kinds of Emergency enshrined in the Constituion?
— How National emergency is different from President’s Rule?
— What are the criticisms of the Emergency provisions?
Post Read Question:
Prelims
Which of the following is/are the exclusive power(s) of Lok Sabha? (UPSC CSE 2022)
1. To ratify the declaration of Emergency
2. To pass a motion of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers
3. To impeach the President of India
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only
Mains
Under what circumstances can the Financial Emergency be proclaimed by the President of India? What consequences follow when such a declaration remains in force? (UPSC CSE 2022)
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
49 years of Emergency: Here is what happened over the two years that changed India’s history
UPSC Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination:
Mains Examination:
What’s the ongoing story- Ishan Bakshi writes– “Five years from now, by roughly the end of the current government’s term, the IMF expects India’s GDP to have increased to $5.8 trillion, up from $3.5 trillion now — implying an addition of $2.3 trillion, which is just shy of the combined size of Spain and Netherlands today.”
Prerequisites:
— What is the gig economy?
— What is the difference between the formal and informal labour markets?
— What is the current state of the labour market in India?
Key takeaways:
— “Sustaining the healthy growth rates of the last few years over the medium to longer term, broadening the consumption base, will be challenging, considering that large sections of the labour force in the country continue to be trapped in low-productive jobs.”
— “Data from recent government surveys shows that the number of informal enterprises in the country has risen from 5.76 crore in 2010-11 to 6.34 crore in 2015-16 and further to 6.5 crore in 2022-23 (There are some differences in coverage).”
— “ If the economy was producing more productive forms of employment, both these numbers — informal firms and the workforce therein — should have been going down sharply.”
— “To these 11 crore workers in non-farm informal enterprises, add the 23-odd crore engaged in agriculture and that is almost two-thirds of the labour force which continues to be engaged in low productive jobs in less productive sectors — sectors which are now capturing an even lower share of the entire value added in the economy than before. And then there are those informally employed in construction, and the formal parts of the economy.”
— “In the absence of low or semi-skilled job opportunities in the more productive formal manufacturing sector and lacking the education to enter the more skilled forms of formal employment in both manufacturing and high-end services, their alternatives only include precarious forms of employment in the gig economy.”
— The issue of jobs, or the lack thereof, has been a constant in India’s development story, not just restricted to the ruling dispensation. But what has changed in recent years is the youth bulge; the rising labour force participation rate, especially of women, as financial distress pushes them into the labour market; the dwindling share of value added by the informal sector; and the growing capital intensity of production in sectors that not only account for more value addition in the economy, but also those that are more labour intensive in nature.”
— “The fallout from not being able to create more productive jobs on a sufficiently large scale, the deepening labour market duality, is likely to manifest in many ways, perhaps more visibly in the form of less social mobility and high-income inequality. As others have also noted, it will determine whether the country will resemble East Asia or end up going the Latin American way.”
Points to Ponder:
— What are the causes of the rising gig economy in India?
— What are the advantages and disadvantages of the gig economy?
— What are the challenges associated with the gig economy?
— What measures have been taken by the government concerning the gig economy?
Post Read Question:
Examine the impact of the gig economy on the Indian labor market and discuss the challenges encountered by gig workers in India.
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