UPSC Key: Stampedes, National Security Act, and Food security

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national importance.

Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Disaster and disaster management.

What’s the ongoing story: As the Karur death toll mounts, where a rally by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president and actor Vijay saw a stampede on Saturday, there is a familiar script to how the incident unfolded.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is a stampede?

— What are the factors leading to stampedes?

— Analyse the role of technology and law enforcement in reducing the incidence of stampedes in India.

— What are the NDMA guidelines for crowd management in India?

— What are the challenges in implementing crowd management strategies in mass gatherings in India?

— What should be done for effective crowd management and preventing stampedes?

Key Takeaways:

— More than crowds thronging to an event, a specific trigger — in this case people climbing on to a tree behind Vijay’s van and then falling off into the crowd, setting off a crush — and the resultant panic leads to a wider stampede. Delays in rescue efforts, because of the crowd size and the inability of first responders to wade in, further contribute to the toll.

— The instances of stampedes in India typically unfold at places of worship, sporting events, railways stations, and at large-scale gatherings such as the Maha Kumbh. Nearly 90 people are reported to have lost their lives since the beginning of this year in such event-linked crushes.

— According to the NCRB’s report titled ‘Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India,’ from 2000 to 2022, 3,074 lives had been lost in stampedes. Nearly 4,000 stampede events have been recorded over the last three decades. The NCRB has been collecting data on stampede incidents across India since 1996.

— Not that these events do not happen elsewhere. In 2022, Halloween celebrations in South Korea resulted in a stampede while in Germany, in 2010, a devastating “Love Parade” crush unfolded. The difference, though, is that these events typically are not allowed to reoccur, as authorities learn from the odd incidents and put in place remedial measures.

— It needs to be mentioned though that in India, the scale of all these events is always much larger than in most other parts of the world. Another issue is a general disregard towards rules and regulations, which is a societal phenomenon in India.

— According to Anna Sieben, a professor at the University of Wuppertal in Germany who has been researching crowd dynamics, a big problem is that people in such events often do not realise anything is wrong until it is too late.

— Sieben, a social and cultural psychologist who uses experimental methods as well as qualitative interview, observation and archival data in her work on crowds and pedestrians, has said that “individuals in crowds often communicate and orient themselves through non-verbal cues, such as body language” and that it has been convincingly shown that “mental states in crowds do not spread like wildfire, but emotions actually change depending on the situation and the behaviour of others”. That transmission happens faster if the crowds are densely packed in, given that the sense of personal space is a lot more negotiable in India than elsewhere in the world.

— Also, in a stampede, while some people might die due to trampling, a bigger trigger is compressive asphyxia, where pressure on the rib cage due to the sudden crush leads to impaired breathing. The initial cause is invariably asphyxia. But then someone may stumble and fall, resulting in a domino effect and others falling on top of the people who are down, which could then lead to more deaths on account of trampling.

— A tightly packed gathering is a recipe for disaster, especially if the authorities have underestimated the crowd sizes or are ill-prepared to tackle a localised crush, which can then spread outwards in a gathering. That does seem to have been the case in Karur.

Do You Know:

— Wenguo Weng and others define a stampede as “an impulsive mass movement of a crowd that often results in injuries and deaths” (“Review of analyses on crowd-gathering risk and its evaluation methods”, 2023).

— According to Illiyas and others, “Stampede is the surge of individuals in a crowd, in response to a perceived danger or loss of physical space. It often disrupts the orderly movement of crowds resulting in irrational and dangerous movement for self-protection leading to injuries and fatalities”.

— K M Ngai and others classify two types of stampedes on the basis of movement — unidirectional or turbulent (“Human Stampedes: A Systematic Review of Historical and Peer-Reviewed Sources”, 2009). 

(i) Unidirectional stampede events may occur when a crowd moving in the same direction encounters a sudden positive or negative change in force which alters its movement. A positive force can be a “sudden stop” situation like a bottleneck and blocked exit, whereas a negative force would be something like a broken barrier or column which sends a group of people tumbling.

(ii) Turbulent stampede events can occur in situations with uncontrolled crowds, induced panic, or crowds merging from numerous directions.

— Crowd management is a crucial tool for ensuring the safety of citizens during various types of mass gatherings. Unfortunately, stampedes still occur. According to nidm.gov.in, such unfortunate events happen due to a lack of (i) understanding of crowd behaviour, (ii) coordination, (iii) clear roles & responsibilities of various stakeholders, and (iv) proper planning on the part of organizers. 

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍UPSC Issue at a Glance | How to prevent stampedes at mass gatherings — 4 Key Questions You Must Know for Prelims and Mains

UPSC Mains Practice Question Covering similar theme:

Crowd management is an important tool for the safety of citizens especially at religious places. Unfortunately, crowd disasters still happen. What are the major reasons behind such disasters? Suggest strategies to avoid crowd disasters.

What is NSA, under which Sonam Wangchuk was detained

Syllabus:

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

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

What’s the ongoing story: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, at the forefront of the movement seeking statehood and protections under the Sixth Schedule for Ladakh, was detained under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) by the police in Leh on Friday (September 26). According to his wife, he has been taken to a jail in Jodhpur.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the National Security Act?

— Detention is of two types, namely, punitive and preventive-Know them in detail

— Punitive Detention and Preventive Detention-Compare and Contrast

— Article 22 confers certain rights on a person who is arrested or detained under an ordinary law-What are they?

— What is habeas corpus writ petition?

— Read about the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Key Takeaways:

— The Centre had previously held him responsible for instigating the violent protests that broke out in Leh on Wednesday, in which four persons were killed in police firing, and 50 were injured.

— The use of the NSA has brought focus back on one of India’s most stringent preventive detention laws. Invoked in the past against separatists, gangsters and radical preachers, the NSA empowers governments to act pre-emptively against individuals seen as a threat to public order or national security. 

— Preventive detention has a long history in India, dating back to colonial times when it was used to control dissent during wars. After Independence, Parliament passed the Preventive Detention Act, 1950, followed by the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), 1971, which became notorious for misuse during the Emergency. MISA was repealed in 1978, and two years later, the National Security Act was enacted.

— The NSA, 1980, empowers the Centre and states to detain individuals to prevent them from acting in a manner “prejudicial to the defence of India, relations with foreign powers, the security of India, or the maintenance of public order or essential supplies”. 

— District Magistrates and Police Commissioners can also exercise these powers when authorised. Unlike an arrest under criminal law, NSA detention is preventive, not punitive—it is designed to prevent an individual from committing an act deemed harmful.

— The stated purpose of the NSA was to give the government wide ranging powers to deal with threats to security, law and order, and essential supplies, while building in some procedural safeguards.

— A detention order under the NSA can be executed like a warrant of arrest. Once detained, a person can be held in specified places, moved across states, and subjected to conditions set by the government.

— The Act mandates that the grounds of detention must be communicated to the detainee within five days, and 15 days at most. It also says that the detainee has the right to make a representation to the government, and that an Advisory Board of High Court judges must review the case within 3 weeks, releasing the detainee if it finds “no sufficient cause.” Detention cannot ordinarily exceed 12 months, though it may be revoked earlier.

— However, there are serious limitations. The detainee has no right to legal representation before the Advisory Board, and the government may withhold facts in “public interest.” These provisions leave wide discretion in official hands.

— Wangchuk could either challenge the detention order by filing a representation to the government, as provided under the Act, or wait for the Advisory Board’s review within three weeks. If the Board finds no sufficient cause, he must be released immediately.

Alternatively, he may move the High Court or Supreme Court under writ jurisdiction (Articles 226/32 of the Constitution) to contest the legality of his detention. He can also seek revocation if the government itself decides the detention is unnecessary at any stage.

— Until these remedies play out, however, the NSA allows authorities to hold him without filing formal charges or producing evidence in open court.

Do You Know:

— Article 22 prescribes protection against arrest and detention but has a major exception. It says in Article 22 (3) (b) that none of those safeguards apply “to any person who is arrested or detained under any law providing for preventive detention.” The remaining clauses — Article 22(4)-(7) — deal with how preventive detention operationalises.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍 How preventive detention works

UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering similar theme:

(1) With reference to the National Security Act (NSA), consider the following statements:

1. The NSA, 1980, empowers the Centre and states to detain individuals to prevent them from acting in a manner “prejudicial to the defence of India, relations with foreign powers.

2. The power to exercise the powers under the Act is with District Magistrates only.

3. NSA detention is punitive.

4. A detention order under the NSA cannot be executed like a warrant of arrest.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Delhi permits loudspeakers still midnight in festive season: what rules state

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: General issues on Environmental Ecology, Indian Polity and Governance.

Mains Examination: General Studies-II, III: Government policies and interventions, Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation.

What’s the ongoing story: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday (September 23) announced that the deadline to use loudspeakers in Ramlila performances, Durga Puja pandals and other cultural festivities will be extended until midnight, providing a two-hour extension from the usual 10 pm cut-off time for the use of loudspeakers in public. 

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the definition of noise pollution according to WHO and India’s Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules?

— What are the laws related to noise pollution in India?

— Know about the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.

— What is the decibel scale?

— What is the impact of noise pollution on human health?

— What is the role and function of the Central Pollution Control Board in curbing noise pollution?

— What steps need to be taken to curb noise pollution?

Key Takeaways:

— The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, are the primary regulation governing noise pollution. These rules provide a detailed framework for regulating noise from various sources, including loudspeakers.

—  Rule 5(1) states that a loudspeaker or a public address system cannot be used without obtaining written permission from a designated authority. Crucially, Rule 5(2) imposes a blanket ban on their use during night hours, defined as the period between 10 pm and 6 am, except in closed premises like auditoriums, conference rooms, and banquet halls for internal communication.

— The rules prescribe maximum permissible noise levels for different areas, categorised as industrial, commercial, residential and silence zones. For residential areas, the daytime limit (6 am to 10 pm) is 55 decibels (dB) while that for nighttime is 45 dB. For context, a whisper is about 30 dB, while normal conversation is about 60 dB.

— Gupta’s announcement is enabled by a specific provision in the rules. Rule 5(3) allows a state government to permit the use of loudspeakers between 10 pm and 12 midnight on or during any cultural or religious festive occasion for a limited duration, not exceeding 15 days in a calendar year.

— Therefore, the Delhi government’s decision to extend the deadline is legally permissible, provided it is confined to the 15-day annual limit specified in the rules.

— Over the past two decades, the Supreme Court and High Courts have repeatedly adjudicated on the issue of noise pollution. The judiciary has consistently prioritised the right to a peaceful environment over the use of sound amplification for religious purposes.

—  In a judgement in 2000 concerning the use of loudspeakers by a church in Chennai, a two-judge Bench of the Supreme Court held that no religion prescribes that prayers should be performed by disturbing the peace of others. It emphatically stated that the use of loudspeakers could not be claimed as a fundamental right under Article 25 of the Constitution, which provides the fundamental right to freedom of religion. 

— However, it was in a judgement in 2005 that the apex court laid the bedrock for modern noise pollution jurisprudence. In a suo moto case — that is, one initiated by the court on its own accord — the Supreme Court declared that the right to a peaceful and noise-free environment is a fundamental right implicit in Article 21 of the Constitution that guarantees protection of life and personal liberty.

— It held that the freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) does not grant anyone the right to force an unwilling audience to listen to them through “aural aggression”. This ruling established the strict 10 pm-6 am ban on loudspeakers in public places.

— Just a few months later, though, the same Bench of the Supreme Court heard a specific challenge to the constitutional validity of the 15-day midnight exception under Rule 5(3). The Court upheld the rule, calling it a “limited power” necessary for a country with diverse cultures and religions. However, it laid down strict conditions for its use.

Do You Know:

— If there is one health hazard that has crept up unacknowledged on Indian cities, it is noise. Legally, it is already recognised as an air pollutant under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. 

— Medically, it is among the leading contributors to hypertension, sleep disruption, stress disorders, and cognitive decline — conditions that together shorten lives and push people toward premature death.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Too loud to ignore: Why Indians should care about noise pollution in cities

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(2) How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? (UPSC CSE 2018)

1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by an executive order of the Government.

2. The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims to improve the quality of air in the country.

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

 

GOVT & POLITICS

Before statehood demand, how decades of agitation gave it UT status

Syllabus:

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

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

What’s the ongoing story: In 1931, when Kashmir erupted against Dogra rule after the killing of 22 protesters outside the Srinagar Central Jail, the British Resident in Kashmir strongly advocated for a commission to probe Muslim grievances. Under pressure, Maharaja Hari Singh set up the Glancy Commission, headed by British official B J Glancy. 

Key Points to Ponder:

— Know about the history and geography of Ladakh.

— Know about the abrogation of Article 370.

— What is the demand for the inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule and statehood?

— What is the Sixth Schedule of the constitution?

— What are the benefits of the inclusion of a state under the Sixth Schedule?

— What is the process of recognising a new state?

Key Takeaways:

— The panel recommended the creation of a Praja Sabha or People’s Assembly, consisting of 75 seats: 33 elected, 30 nominated, and 12 official members. Of the 33 elected seats, 10 were reserved for Hindus, two for Sikhs, and 21 for Muslims. Ladakh, then a district, was allotted only two nominated seats.

— It was Pandit Sridhar Kaul, a Kashmiri Hindu from Rainawari in Srinagar who, while serving as an Education Officer in Leh, led the formation of the Young Men’s Buddhist Association (YMBA), which later became the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA).

— Ladakh’s modern political history is deeply intertwined with the LBA, which, while presenting itself as a non-political, socio-religious organisation, has significantly shaped the region’s politics over the decades. Although its primary mission is to promote Buddhist interests, foster social reforms, and preserve Ladakh’s culture and identity, the LBA has consistently been at the forefront of political and social struggles in Buddhist-majority Leh.

— For four centuries, Ladakh was ruled by the Namgyal dynasty before it was annexed into the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir under the Dogras. After the Partition, Ladakh’s political trajectory was largely defined by the LBA, which had long supported the idea of Union Territory (UT) status for Ladakh. However, the demand was scaled down to seeking an autonomous region, as the amendment of Article 370 was considered politically infeasible at the time.

— In 1989, Thupstan Chhewang was elected the LBA’s president. Chhewang, who now heads the Apex Body, Leh (ABL), along with key figures such as Chering Dorjey Lakruk, Rigzin Spalbar, and Nuwan Rigzin Jora, advocated for a more assertive approach toward securing UT status for Ladakh.

— Ladakh has historically been a region of contradictions — Leh, with its Buddhist majority, and Kargil, with its Muslim majority, have always had contrasting political aspirations. While Leh fought for UT status, Kargil wanted to remain aligned with J&K.

— At the height of the LBA’s agitation, Kargil formed the Kargil Action Committee (KAC), led by religious head Ahmad Mohammadi. The KAC opposed the idea of a Union Territory and instead called for Ladakh to be granted divisional status within Jammu and Kashmir, similar to the Kashmir and Jammu divisions. The KAC’s efforts culminated in the election of Mohammad Hassan Commander, a Kargil Muslim, as Ladakh’s first Muslim MP.

— Amid the continuing boycott of Muslims in Leh, the Central government intervened, initiating tripartite talks between the Centre, the J&K government, and the LBA. Although the talks saw multiple setbacks, especially after the fall of the Congress government and the rise of V P Singh and Chandra Shekhar governments, progress resumed with the return of Congress in 1991.

— By 1995, during the P V Narasimha Rao government, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Act was passed, paving the way for hill councils in Leh and Kargil. While Leh immediately embraced the Hill Council, Kargil deferred its decision until 2003, when the LAHDC Kargil was finally established.

—  On August 5, 2019, the abrogation of J&K’s special Constitutional status and its division into two UTs, including Ladakh, was met with celebrations in Leh, with the LBA viewing it as the culmination of its long struggle.

— However, six years later, Ladakh’s political landscape has shifted once again. Chhewang, Lakruk, and other former BJP allies have parted ways with the party and are now leading a renewed campaign for Ladakh’s statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. And for the first time, Leh and Kargil are on the same page, at least in their demands.

Do You Know:

— Sixth Schedule contains provisions regarding the administration of tribal areas in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.

— Inclusion under Sixth Schedule would allow Ladakh to create ADCs and ARCs. These are the elected bodies with the power to administrate tribal areas. This would include the power to make laws on subjects such as forest management, agriculture, administration of villages and towns, inheritance, marriage, divorce and social customs.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍From independent kingdom to strategic frontier: Why Ladakh is integral to India’s history and geopolitics

📍Knowledge nugget of the day: Demand of Schedule 6 in Ladakh

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(3) The provisions in Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule in the Constitution of India are made in order to (UPSC CSE 2015)

(a) protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes

(b) determine the boundaries between States

(c) determine the powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats

(d) protect the interests of all the border State

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

To what extent is Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, bearing marginal note “Temporary provision with respect to the State of Jammu and Kashmir”, temporary? Discuss The future prospects of this provision in the context of Indian polity. ( UPSC CSE 2016)

 

THE IDEAS PAGE

Food security amid uncertainty

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

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

What’s the ongoing story: Ashok Gulati writes— “These are uncertain and risky times. US President Donald Trump’s address to the United Nations General Assembly was very candid and clear. It was critical of others and congratulatory to himself and his policies. He criticised the United Nations for not doing enough to stop wars, or even to make sure that its escalators and teleprompter work. He also criticised Europe for having an open-door policy for immigrants and buying energy from Russia. As usual, he also criticised China and India for financing the Russia-Ukraine war by buying Russian crude oil. Enhanced tariffs are his pet punishment for the world.”

Key Points to Ponder:

— What are the implications of enhanced U.S. tariffs on India?

— What are the challenges to India’s food security?

— What are the challenges and opportunities in India’s efforts to achieve self-reliance in fertiliser production?

— What steps have been taken by India to ensure food security?

— What is the significance of India’s defence cooperation with Morocco? 

— What is the nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) system?

Key Takeaways:

— “India is being hit hard with a 50 per cent tariff on goods, and now an enhanced fee of $1,00,000 for H-1B visas. Pharmaceuticals were exempted earlier but are now also on his hit list. All these harsh measures on India may be the result of many factors.

— “Whatever the reasons, India is in a tight spot, and if the punitive tariffs of 50 per cent stay longer, they will inflict heavy losses and layoffs in India. Somehow, our diplomatic efforts have to rise to this challenge and save the economy from this severe blow, including the fast depreciation of the Indian rupee.”

— “When PM Modi talks of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), it may be noted that the two most critical sectors are border security and food security. In securing our borders, we are still heavily dependent on others for all high-tech equipment, be it Russia, France or the US. India has a long way to go to be fully atmanirbhar in defence. But the encouraging news is that India has opened its first defence factory in Morocco, led by Tata Advanced Systems.”

— “Morocco is known for its reserves of phosphate — it accounts for almost 70 per cent of world reserves. India’s food security is heavily dependent on chemical fertilisers to feed its population of 1.45 billion, which is still growing and is likely to be 1.66 billion by 2050.”

— “To ensure our food security, it is critical to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted supply of chemical fertilisers. Nitrogenous fertilisers, especially urea, are heavily dependent on natural gas.”

— “Almost 90 per cent of our urea is produced using imported gas. We need to diversify our sources of gas, and correct its pricing to import parity levels, even for domestically produced gas. This will give the right market signals and encourage domestic exploration.”

— “In the case of phosphatic fertilisers, India imports either phosphatic rock or phosphoric acid, partly manufactures phosphatic fertilisers (DAP) at home and partly imports them from various sources. India needs to ensure long-term supplies of this raw material.”

— “With Morocco being the home of phosphate rock mines, India needs to work closely with it, through joint ventures in mines, and jointly produce phosphoric acid, as well as phosphatic fertilisers like DAP (18-46-0), Single Super Phosphate (SSP with 16 per cent P2O5), and Triple Super Phosphate (TSP with 46 per cent P2O5). TSP can easily replace DAP, as both have 46 per cent P2O5, and we are overusing urea (Nitrogen) and damaging our soils. So, there is no need to have 18 per cent N in DAP, and straight away use urea (46 per cent N), and TSP (46 per cent P2O5).”

— “If India plays its cards well by joining hands with Moroccan counterparts, the way Tata Advanced Systems did by setting up the defence equipment factory, it can be a game-changer for both countries. Jointly, the two countries can be suppliers to the world for phosphatic fertilisers, with strong demand emanating from India itself.” 

— “India’s Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers, J P Nadda, recently signed an agreement to import more than three million tonnes of phosphate annually from Saudi Arabia. But Saudi Arabia just signed a strategic defence partnership with Pakistan. This does not augur well for India. India needs to be cautious on geopolitics to ensure its own food security lines.”

— “So far, it has been a net exporter of agri-produce, but given that almost 90 per cent of gas for urea is imported, and most phosphate is imported in different forms (rock, acid, and finished product), and potash (K) is fully imported, India’s food security needs a critical look. It needs strategic partnerships with countries it can trust to obtain uninterrupted supplies of gas, phosphate, and potash.”

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍How a fertiliser cap can help fuel India

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Govt eases Hindi requirement for Eklavya school staffer exam	The Centre has relaxed norms on Hindi competency in the latest recruitment guidelines for teaching and non-teaching staff in the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) for students from tribal communities. This has been done following an assessment within the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to address concerns surrounding regional representation, it is learnt.The EMR schools were introduced in 1997-98, with the aim to provide quality education and boarding facilities for class six to class twelve tribal students in remote areas, at par with Navodaya Vidyalayas. In 2018-19, the scheme was revamped and made a central sector scheme in the Union Budget. The revamped scheme mandated that an EMRS will be set up in every block with more than 50% Scheduled Tribe population and at least 20,000 tribal persons.
Emissions ‘pooling’, relief for small cars: New draft CAFE rules prescribe	India has proposed to significantly revamp its key vehicle emissions rules, called the Corporate average fuel efficiency (CAFE) norms, and has introduced a draft of the third iteration of the key standards. The proposed CAFE 3 norms propose to address a long standing demand by some carmakers in the country, that is to offer emissions’ relaxation to small, light-weight cars, a metric that is already followed in some countries globally. The draft norms, issued by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) for public consultation, would be applicable to all M1 category vehicles, which are passenger cars with a seating capacity of nine people including the driver and a maximum weight of 3,500 kilogram. Every car maker would have to meet the specified targets under the proposed rules, failing which they would be penalised. The proposed rules introduce some new concepts, such as allowing multiple carmakers to ‘pool’ their emissions to meet targets, and by offering emissions discounts to carmakers that also sell electric vehicles.

 

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