UPSC Key: Kunal Kamra, Vikramshila University and Google tax

Ahead of reciprocal tariffs, US trade team begins 4-day India visit today

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

Main Examination: General Studies II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

What’s the ongoing story: WITH India indicating its willingness to offer tariff cuts on a range of American products under the bilateral trade agreement (BTA), a US delegation, including the Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, Brendan Lynch, is set to begin a four-day visit to India starting Tuesday.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What is meant by reciprocal tariff?

• How reciprocal tariff impact bilateral trade relations, particularly between India and the U.S.

• What are the key trade disputes between India and the U.S. in recent years?

• Evaluate India’s approach to handling trade disputes with major economies like the U.S.

Key Takeaways:

• The visit comes days before the US plans to impose reciprocal tariffs on April 2, which are feared to affect Indian exports of key products such as agriculture, meat and processed food, automobiles, diamonds, gold products, chemicals and pharma products, where tariff differentials range between 8 and 33 per cent.

• Indicating a broad-based discussion with India, the US Embassy on Monday stated that “trade” as well as “investments” would be part of the four-day bilateral meeting starting Tuesday. India’s trade agreements, especially with developed countries, are increasingly being modelled on investment commitments from trade partners in exchange for tariff cuts by India.

• However, government officials have told industry executives that India is planning to settle most trade issues during talks with the US team on a bilateral trade deal.

Do You Know:

• The upcoming meeting with the US delegation assumes significance as the tariff differential between India and the US is high in several sectors. India imposes significantly higher tariffs than the US, with a simple average rate of 17 per cent as compared to the US rate of 3.3 per cent, according to a report by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) released last month.

• The difference is particularly high in the agriculture sector. The simple average tariff for agricultural goods in India is 39 per cent, while the trade-weighted average is 65 per cent. In comparison, the US maintains relatively low agricultural tariffs, with a simple average of 5 per cent and a trade-weighted rate of 4 per cent.

• The tariff differential in the ‘agriculture, meat and processed food’ category therefore stands at 32.37 per cent. Notably, India
exports over $6 billion worth of agricultural products to the US, making it one of India’s largest markets.

• The impact of reciprocal tariffs on the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors could also be significant, as India exports $18.44 billion worth of products to the US, and the tariff differential in this category stands at 8.69 per cent.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍The Basics of Tariffs and Trade Barriers

UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering Similar Theme:
1. With reference to reciprocal tariffs in international trade, consider the following statements:
1. Reciprocal tariffs are imposed to ensure a level playing field between trading partners.
2. The World Trade Organization (WTO) allows reciprocal tariffs under the Most Favored Nation (MFN) principle.
3. India has never imposed reciprocal tariffs on any country in response to trade restrictions.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2, and 3

Kamra booked, BMC team lands at hotel where Shinde video was shot

Syllabus:

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

Main Examination: General Studies IV: Case Studies on above issues.

What’s the ongoing story: A DAY after comedian Kunal Kamra posted a video of his stand-up show in which he takes a jibe at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde among others, the Mumbai Police on Monday booked him for defamation.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What is the right to freedom of speech and expression?

• Freedom of speech and expression in the field of comedy including Political satire and criticism of public officials —what draws restriction?

• In recent years, satirists and comedians have faced legal actions for their work—Examine the balance between freedom of expression and the right to reputation under Indian law.

• Discuss the challenges faced by artists and comedians in exercising freedom of expression in India, in light of the recent incident involving Kunal Kamra and the Shiv Sena party.

• Assess the role of law enforcement agencies in handling cases where artistic expression leads to public unrest. Refer to the recent incident at the Habitat comedy club involving Kunal Kamra to support your analysis.

• Evaluate the role of political satire in a democratic society and the boundaries, if any, that should be observed

Key Takeaways:

• The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) also sent a team to the hotel (The UniContinental) in Khar area which houses the studio Kamra booked, BMC team lands at hotel where Shinde video was shot (Habitat Studio) where the video was shot. The team carried out an inspection of the site and got an unauthorised shed pulled down.

• Meanwhile, police also registered an FIR against some members of Shinde’s Yuva Sena for vandalising the studio on Sunday. While 12 Shinde Sena workers were arrested, they were later released on bail.

• Speaking to BBC News Marathi, Shinde said freedom of expression should not be “misused” and accused Kamra of “speaking on behalf of someone with an agenda”. While he distanced himself from the vandalism carried out by his party workers, he said “every action has a reaction”

• Underlining the “right to freedom of speech and expression”, Kamra said he was “willing to cooperate with the police and courts for any lawful action” against him. He also criticised the “senseless” attack on the venue, saying it “is not responsible for my comedy, nor does it have any power or control over what I say or do”.

Do You Know:

• Kamra is not the first humorist to clash with politicians in a state where interplay between politics and humour has long been an integral part of the conversation. Humorists in Maharashtra have frequently played a key role in both critiquing and reflecting on the political environment, often at the risk of facing backlash for their remarks.

• One of the most prominent figures who drew political ire was Pralhad Keshav Atre (Acharya Atre), a journalist, politician, and humorist, whose sharp wit and satire led him into several run-ins with Maharashtra’s politicians, including Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

• Another notable satirist who faced the ire of Maharashtra’s political class was Purushottam Laxman Deshpande (Pu La Deshpande). Deshpande, known for his iconic contributions to Marathi literature and humor, found himself at odds with the Shiv Sena when he openly criticised political violence.

• In 1995, while accepting the Maharashtra Bhushan Award, Deshpande took a jibe at the growing “goondaism” in the state’s politics, condemning political parties that used hooliganism to gain power.

• A clash also occurred in 2003 over the satirical show “Ghadle Bighadle (Done Undone)”, which aired a skit that mocked NCP leader and then state Home Minister Chhagan Bhujbal. The skit, which parodied Bhujbal with a character named “ArmStrong” (a play on Bhujbal’s name), angered the NCP, leading to Bhujbal’s supporters vandalising the channel’s office. Bhujbal eventually resigned from the Cabinet in wake of the controversy.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍As Kamra controversy rages, a look at Maharashtra’s history of humourists getting under politicians’ skin

📍A JOKE

UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering Similar Theme:
2. Which of the following are valid grounds under Article 19(2) for restricting freedom of speech in India?
1. Sovereignty and integrity of India
2. Friendly relations with foreign states
3. Incitement to an offense
4. Criticism of government policies
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
a) 1, 2, and 3 only
b) 2 and 4 only
c) 1, 3, and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Test to check regular intake of medicines, AI to read slides: Tech may join TB fight

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development

Main Examination: General Studies II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

What’s the ongoing story: A simple strip test can now track whether a patient has been taking their anti-tuberculosis (TB) medicines regularly. Another test can pick up the infection in blood, saliva and stool samples. Meanwhile, drones can deliver medicines to patients and even pick up their samples from hard-to-reach areas.

Key Points to Ponder:

• Goal of eliminating TB by 2025-Know its highlights

• Why are innovations significant?

• India TB Report 2024-What are the key takeaways?

• Tuberculosis (TB) and India-Impact

• World Health Organisation’s Global TB Report 2023-what are the key takeaways?

• India has made tremendous progress in its fight against TB-What measures India adopted?

• “Despite this, elimination by 2025 doesn’t seem to be happening”-Why so?

• Know the term-BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin)

• National Strategic Plan 2017-2025 for TB Elimination in India-Issues and Challenges

Key Takeaways:

• These are among the handful of innovations selected by national experts that may become a part of the country’s national programme on tuberculosis elimination. They would help in widespread screening as well as ensuring follow-ups for treatment.

• Earlier this week, the experts went through demonstrations and data for 228 such innovations from across the globe, scored them depending on how close they are to use in humans, whether they are cost-effective, and if they can be implemented in India.

Do You Know:

• This comes even as India is working towards its goal of eliminating TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global target. “The idea behind the conference was to look for what we can do better. At the conference held last year, around 30 to 40 innovations from within India were demonstrated. Experts selected technologies like hand-held X-ray, low cost nucleic-acid amplification test (a type of RT-PCR test), and AI for reading the X-rays. These innovations have been utilised under the national programme now during the 100-day campaign.

• While India saw a decline in the estimated number of cases and deaths in 2023 — and an increase in the number of patients diagnosed, a positive sign that patients are not being missed out — it still remains far from its goal of eliminating TB by the end of this year. With 28 lakh estimated cases, India still accounted for global TB cases in 2023. And, with 3.15 lakh deaths, the country accounted for 29% of the global burden, according to the Global TB report 2024.

• The use of artificial intelligence to read microscopy slides and X-rays for automated detection of tuberculosis is a huge relief in remote areas where there is a shortage of healthcare workers.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍India’s TB problem and the right to treatment

Previous Year UPSC Mains Question Covering Similar Theme:
📍“Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development.” Analyse. (2021)

GOVT & POLITICS

After Nalanda, another Bihar university now set to rise from the ruins

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: History of India

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

What’s the ongoing story: A decade after Nalanda University came up in the foothills of Rajgir, work is on to revive another ancient centre of learning in Bihar — Vikramshila.

Key Points to Ponder:

• Vikramshila University-Know about the same

• King Dharmapala and the Pala dynasty-Know in brief

• Discuss the historical significance of ancient universities like Nalanda, Vikramshila, and Odantapuri in shaping the intellectual and cultural landscape of India.

• How can their revival contribute to India’s soft power today?

• The Nalanda and Vikramshila universities declined primarily due to what?

• With reference to the revival of Vikramshila University what is the role of heritage conservation and modern education in preserving India’s historical legacy?

• What lessons can contemporary higher education institutions in India learn from ancient universities like Nalanda and Vikramshila?

Key Takeaways:

• While the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has, since December last year, been developing the site of the ancient Vikramshila university to attract more tourists, the Bihar government recently identified 202.14 acres at Antichak village in Bhagalpur district for the Central university.

• Though the Centre had approved the project in 2015 and sanctioned Rs 500 crore, with the state government unable to identify a suitable land for the project, there had been little progress until now.

• Speaking in Bhagalpur on February 24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “At its peak, Vikramshila University was a centre of knowledge for the world. We have already fused ancient Nalanda university’s glory with the new Nalanda University. After Nalanda, it is the turn of Vikramshila as we are opening a Central university.”

Do You Know:

• Founded by Pala king Dharmapala of the Pala dynasty in the late 8th to early 9 Century AD, Vikramshila Mahavihar existed and flourished at the time of Nalanda.

• “While Nalanda university flourished from the Gupta Period (320-550 AD) to the 12th Century, Vikramshila thrived during the Pala Period (8th to 12th century). While Nalanda got more international fame for teaching varied disciplines, Vikramshila was the only university that specialised in tantric and occult studies. In fact, during Dharmapala’s reign, Vikramshila reigned supreme and is known to have controlled Nalanda’s affairs as well,” said ASI Superintending Archaeologist (Patna Circle) Sujit Nayan.

• While Nalanda is the older of the two universities, at one point, the two centres of learning, who had a common patron in King Dharmapala, exchanged knowledge and even teachers, who were called Acharyas.

• At its peak, subjects such as theology, philosophy, grammar, metaphysics and logic were taught at Vikramshila. But the most important branch of learning were the tantras because Vikramshila flourished in the days of tantricism, when occult sciences and magic were subjects of study both in Buddhism as well as Hinduism.

• The university produced several eminent scholars, among them, Atisa Dipankara, who played a key role in the establishment of Buddhism in Tibet.

• The institution prospered for about four centuries before fading out along with Nalanda around the 13th century — a decline that experts attribute to a combination of factors, from the rising of Hinduism and the decline of Buddhism to the invasion of Bakhtiyar Khalji.

• The ruins — from the stupa to the remains of the cells and a vast library — bear witness to this rise and fall of Vikramshila. It was in the library, the ruins of which are at the south-west of the site, that teachers and students are known to have engaged in copying and translating manuscripts.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍History Headline: The story of Nalanda, in the words of Chinese pilgrims

UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering Similar Theme:
3. Consider the following ancient universities in India:
1. Nalanda
2. Takshashila
3. Vikramshila
4. Odantapuri
Which of the above were located in present-day Bihar?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1, 3, and 4 only
c) 2, 3, and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3, and 4

THE EDITORIAL PAGE

The Lohia we need

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: History of India and Indian National Movement.

Main Examination: General Studies II: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.

What’s the ongoing story: Yogendra Yadav Writes: His political thinking offers an ideological resource that is desperately needed to defend our republic today

Key Points to Ponder:

• Discuss the political and social philosophy of Ram Manohar Lohia.

• Ram Manohar Lohia and its relevance in contemporary Indian politics—discuss

• How did Ram Manohar Lohia’s ideas on caste and social justice shape affirmative action policies in India?

• Examine Ram Manohar Lohia stance on reservations.

• Ram Manohar Lohia was a strong advocate of linguistic reorganization of states. Examine the impact of linguistic states on Indian democracy and federalism.

• The concept of ‘Sapta Kranti’ proposed by Lohia aimed at addressing fundamental social injustices. In what ways can these revolutionary ideas be adapted to present-day social and economic challenges in India?

Key Takeaways:
Yogendra Yadav Writes:

• On March 23, the 115th birth anniversary of Ram Manohar Lohia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered him as a “visionary leader, fierce freedom fighter and an icon of social justice”. With the usual exception of Lohiaite socialist parties like the Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Opposition has made little attempt to draw upon Lohia’s political and ideological legacy.

• His legacy remains shrouded in distorted memories of his mercurial politics. Lohia’s most potent ideas — his reformulation of the received socialist doctrine and the accompanying political and policy prescriptions — have not travelled beyond a small and dwindling band of Lohiaites. This is a tragedy, not just for the INDIA bloc, but also for India.

• A recovery of Lohia’s legacy must begin by correcting these distortions. “Anti-Congressism” was not a political philosophy; it was a short-term tactic of anti-establishment politics. Lohia began his political journey with Congress and had opposed the idea of socialists leaving the party after Independence. He advocated “anti-Congressism” in the 1960s, in the heyday of Congress dominance.

• Lohia was not against English, a language he relished and used with great felicity and flair. He opposed the hegemony of English — not because it was a foreign language, but because it represented feudalism and class inequalities.

• Lohia’s policy on social justice was not focused only on OBCs. It so happens that Lohia’s socialist party became the political vehicle for the entry of OBCs in the Hindi heartland, especially Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

• Lohia’s critique of Hindu communalism was articulated through the figures of Vashishtha and Valmiki. The former represented the narrow creed of upper-caste Hindus — fearful, suspicious of the other and repressive to those below — that dominates the Indian mind when it is in retreat. The latter represents the liberal tradition within Hinduism that is open to internal reforms, demands for justice and external influences.

Do You Know:

• March 23 marked the 115th birth anniversary of one of the tallest leaders of 20th century India, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (1910-1967).

• Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Lohia completed his higher education in Europe. He returned to India in 1932 and joined the independence movement as part of the Indian National Congress, but later critiqued the party and its leaders for doing little to dismantle caste and class hierarchies.

• Many decades after his passing and even in a drastically different political landscape, parties have continued to echo his espousal of social justice and describe themselves as ‘Lohiaites’.

• Lohia formed the Congress Socialist Party (CSP) within the Congress in 1933. It became an independent party in 1947, known as the Socialist Party. Later iterations continued to emphasise democratic socialism as their core philosophy.

• He also shared some of Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals, including opposition to capitalism, and promoting the village economy. However, their views greatly diverged on the question of caste. While acknowledging the inequalities of the caste system, Gandhi sought to reform it from within, while Lohia staunchly believed that the entire system had to be dismantled.

• He propounded “Seven Revolutions” – against gender inequality; against political, economic and spiritual inequalities based on the colour of the skin; against inequalities between backward and advanced groups or castes and in favour of special opportunities for the backward castes; etc.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍This word means: Lohiaite

UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering Similar Theme:
4. Which of the following are key themes in Ram Manohar Lohia’s political philosophy?
1. Decentralization of power
2. Opposition to capitalism and excessive bureaucracy
3. Emphasis on socialism with an Indian ethos
4. Support for linguistic reorganization of states
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1, 3, and 4 only
c) 2, 3, and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3, and 4

THE WORLD

US and Russia discuss Ukraine war at Saudi meet, eye Black Sea ceasefire

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

Main Examination: General Studies II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

What’s the ongoing story: US and Russian officials are in Saudi Arabia and holding talks aimed at making progress towards a broader ceasefire in Ukraine as Washington is also eyeing to secure a separate Black Sea maritime ceasefire deal with the Kremlin.

Key Points to Ponder:

• Map Work-Black Sea

• Discuss the geopolitical significance of the Black Sea and its role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

• Critically examine the role of Saudi Arabia as a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

• What are the broader implications of such diplomatic efforts for global peace?

• The Black Sea has emerged as a key battleground in modern warfare and economic diplomacy. • Analyse the role of international agreements like the Montreux Convention and the Black Sea Grain Initiative in maintaining stability in the region.

• Evaluate the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on global food security, particularly in the context of grain exports through the Black Sea.

• What role does the United Nations play in de-escalating conflicts in strategic maritime regions like the Black Sea?

Key Takeaways:

• Earlier, the US delegation held talks with Ukraine officials in Saudi Arabia on Sunday as President Donald Trump intensified his efforts to strike a deal between Russia and Ukraine and cease the hostilities which started with Moscow’s invasion of Kyiv in February 2022.

• The White House in a statement has said that talks between US and Russian officials would revolve around securing a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and allowing the free flow of shipping, however, the water body hasn’t been at the centre of intense military operations in recent months.

Do You Know:

• Russia has been making efforts to gain complete control over the Black Sea since the Crimean crisis of 2014.

• During the ongoing invasion, the domination of the Black Sea has been a major Russian objective, along with the land bridge to connect Russia and Crimea. As such, there have been intense efforts to capture Mariupol, the Sea of Azov port in the breakaway eastern Ukrainian oblast of Donetsk.

• The Odessa oblast has a muti-ethnic population wherein the Russians form the second largest group. It is also the largest region in Ukraine which serves as an important energy and transport corridor with abundant natural resources. The Rhine-Main-Danube canal connects the Black Sea to the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea and the port of Odessa serves as a vital link between Ukraine and the outside world.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Explained: Why is the Black Sea crucial to Russia, and the loss of ‘Moskva’ a significant blow?

Previous Year UPSC Prelims Question Covering Similar Theme:
5. Consider the following pairs: (2019)
Sea Bordering Country
1. Adriatic Sea : Albania
2. Black Sea : Croatia
3. Caspian Sea : Kazakhstan
4. Mediterranean Sea : Morocco
5. Red Sea : Syria
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

ECONOMY

Govt proposes to abolish 6% ‘Google tax’ amid US tariff pressure

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

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

What’s the ongoing story: The government has proposed to abolish the equalisation levy on online advertisements, a part of amendments to the Finance Bill, 2025, in a move, which experts deemed as a signal from India to remove some taxes on businesses, particularly, under pressure from the new United States administration over tariffs.

Key Points to Ponder:

• Which tax is known as Google tax?

• Discuss the rationale behind India’s introduction of the Equalisation Levy.

• Examine the global challenges in taxing digital economies.

• How do unilateral measures like digital services taxes impact international trade dynamics?

• Assess the effectiveness of the Equalisation Levy in achieving its intended objectives.

• What alternative strategies can India adopt to ensure fair taxation of digital services provided by foreign entities?

• Evaluate this perspective and discuss the potential consequences of such tax policies on global digital trade.

Key Takeaways:

• The government has proposed to abolish the equalisation levy on online advertisements, a part of amendments to the Finance Bill, 2025, in a move, which experts deemed as a signal from India to remove some taxes on businesses, particularly, under pressure from the new United States administration over tariffs.

• As part of the 35 amendments to the Finance Bill, 2025, the Centre wants to remove the 6 per cent equalisation levy (EL) it charges on digital ads from April 1, 2025. This has been in force since 2016, on payment exceeding Rs 1 lakh a year to a non-resident service provider for online advertisements.

• Last year, the country had removed a 2 per cent levy on digital services rendered to Indian businesses by offshore technology firms like Google, Meta and Amazon, after it led to a tiff between New Delhi and Washington. However, the 6 per cent levy had continued.

• Also, section 143(1) has been amended to insert a new subclause (iia) which gives power to the tax department to reconcile the income tax return with the return of the previous year to flag any inconsistency in information furnished by the taxpayer.

Do You Know:

• According to Investopedia, A Google tax, also known as a diverted profits tax, refers to anti-tax-avoidance provisions that have been introduced in some countries. Several jurisdictions implemented the provision to stop companies from diverting profits or royalties to other jurisdictions that have lower or even zero tax rates. For example, internet giant Alphabet Inc.’s (GOOGL) Google paid a negligible amount in taxes in the United Kingdom by completing its transactions in the low-tax city of Dublin, Ireland, even though it earned $6.5 billion in revenue in the U.K.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Google Tax: What It Means and How It Works

EXPLAINED

Five contentious changes proposed by the Waqf Bill, 2024

Syllabus:

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

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

What’s the ongoing story: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 has elicited widespread criticism across India.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What is ‘waqf’?

• How are Waqf properties regulated in India?

• Who comprises the Waqf board?

• Is the Muslim personal law board valid in India?

• The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024-know the key features and provisions

• Discuss Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 significance and the concerns raised by various stakeholders?

• What exactly makes the Waqf Bill so controversial?

Key Takeaways:

• The 2024 Bill proposed allowing a non-Muslim Chief Executive Officer, and at least two non-Muslim members to be appointed by state governments to their state’s waqf board. The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) allowed two amendments to this provision — that the appointee shall be an officer at the Joint Secretary-level or higher, and that she shall have knowledge of Muslim law and jurisprudence.

• The 2024 Bill gave the District Collector the power to determine if a disputed property is a waqf or belongs to the government. This determination is currently made by the Waqf Tribunal.

• The 2024 Bill does away with the concept of “waqf by user”, which is a part of the 1995 law. This refers to a property that is treated as waqf based on its long-term use for religious or charitable purposes, even without formal documentation. Several mosques and graveyards could fall in this category.

• The 2024 Bill required every waqf property to be registered on a central database within six months of the law’s commencement. Any “government property” in this database would be flagged to the District Collector, who would then make an inquiry into the matter.

• The Bill has also changed how the Waqf Tribunal will be formed. It states that it will comprise a District Judge, and a state government officer of Joint Secretary rank as its members. Another crucial change in the new Bill is that it has removed the provision that made the Tribunal’s decision final. The Bill allows Tribunal decisions to be challenged in the High Court.

Do You Know:

• The 2024 Bill required every waqf and the property dedicated to the waqf to be registered on a central portal and database, within six months of the law’s commencement. Any “government property” in this database would be flagged to the District Collector who would then “make such inquiry as he deems fit” and submit a report to the state government.

• The JPC accepted an amendment proposed by JD(U) MP Dileshwar Kamait, relaxing the timeline for registering a waqf property, in certain cases, provided the mutawalli provides “sufficient cause for not filing the details of the waqf on the portal”.

• The amended Bill thus gives the Waqf Tribunal the power to extend the timeline in select cases. However, given that the circumstances which can be considered “sufficient”, and the period of extension are not specified, the Tribunal will have to exercise its discretion.

• The JPC also accepted another consequent amendment by BJP MP Dr Radha Mohan Das Agarwal. The 2024 Bill stated that six months after the proposed law’s commencement, no suit, appeals or legal proceedings can be filed by waqfs if they are not registered under the central portal.

• The 2024 Bill gave the District Collector the powers that were previously with the Waqf Tribunal.
The Bill stated that “any government property identified or declared as waqf property, before or after the commencement of the Act, shall not be deemed to be a waqf property.” This determination, however, was to be made by the collector, not the Waqf Tribunal.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Explained: The proposed changes to Waqf law

Judiciary’s in-house inquiry

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance

Main Examination: General Studies II: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability,

What’s the ongoing story: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna on Saturday (March 22) initiated an unprecedented three-member in-house inquiry into the conduct of Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma following allegations that wads of currency notes were found in his official residence where a fire broke out on March 14.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What is the constitutional process for the impeachment of a High Court judge in India?

• What is the role of the Supreme Court Collegium in the context of judicial accountability in India?

• What are the powers and functions of High Court judges?

• What is the Judges Inquiry Act, 1968, and what are its key provisions?

• Who is Justice Yashwant Varma

• Why Justice Yashwant Varma is in news?

• What you know about Justice Varma case?

• Discuss the significance of judicial accountability in ensuring the independence of the judiciary in India.

Key Takeaways:

• It is not necessary that a complaint against a judge is made only by or to parliamentarians. The CJI or Chief Justice of an HC may also be called upon to examine a complaint against a judge.

• The need for an internal mechanism was felt in 1995, after allegations of financial impropriety surfaced against then Bombay High Court Chief Justice A M Bhattacharjee.

• After the Bombay Bar Association, headed at the time by senior advocate Iqbal Chagla, moved a resolution calling for the judge’s resignation, a writ petition was filed before the Supreme Court seeking to restrain the Bar from protesting.

• While hearing the case, Justices K Ramaswamy and B L Hansaria of the SC noted the “hiatus between bad behaviour and impeachable misbehaviour” (C. Ravichandran Iyer v. Justice A.M. Bhattacharjee).

• The SC noted there was no process to hold a judge accountable for “bad conduct inconsistent with the high office”, when such conduct did not meet the high bar of impeachment set by Article 124 of the Constitution.

• In 2014, when a woman additional district and sessions judge from Madhya Pradesh filed a complaint of sexual harassment against a sitting judge of the High Court, the SC revisited its in-house procedure.

• Justices J S Khehar and Arun Mishra summarised and explained this process through “seven steps” (Additional District and Sessions Judge ‘X’ v. Registrar General High Court of Madhya Pradesh).

• Essentially, this process begins when the Chief Justice of a HC, the CJI, or the President of India receives a complaint. The CJ of the HC or the President will forward the complaint to the CJI. This complaint can be dropped at any stage, if not found serious enough by the CJI. However, to test the veracity of the complaint, the CJI can seek a preliminary report from the CJ of the HC concerned.

• If the CJ of the HC, in the preliminary report, recommends that a “deeper probe” is warranted, the CJI may examine the recommendation and the statement of the judge facing the accusations, and then decide to order a three-member inquiry, comprising two other HC Chief Justices and one HC judge.

• This committee has the powers to devise its own procedure “consistent with the rules of natural justice” (which, in this case, would include giving Justice Varma a chance to explain his case).

Do You Know:

• The process of impeachment of a judge of the Supreme Court is laid down in Article 124(4) of the Constitution of India. Article 218 says the same provisions shall apply in relation to a judge of the High Court as well.

• Under Article 124(4), a judge can be removed by Parliament through a laid-down procedure on only two grounds: “proved misbehaviour” and “incapacity”.

• The provision states: “A Judge of the Supreme Court shall not be removed from his office except by an order of the President passed after an address by each House of Parliament supported by a majority of the total membership of that House and by a majority of not less than two-third of the members of the House present and voting has been presented to the President in the same session for such removal on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity.”

• In other words, for an impeachment motion against an SC or HC judge to go through, at least two-thirds of those “present and voting” in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha must vote in favour of removing the judge — and the number of votes in favour must be more than 50% of the “total membership” of each House.

• If Parliament passes such a vote, the President will pass an order for the removal of the judge. The grounds and the process for impeachment have a high bar in order to ensure the independence of the judiciary is protected.

• Notably, The procedure to be followed for impeachment of a judge is laid down in the Judges Inquiry Act, 1968. Under Section 3 of the Act, for a motion of impeachment to be taken up, it has to be moved by not less than 100 members in the Lower House, and at least 50 members in the Upper House.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍SC shunts Judge to Allahabad HC, Bar calls for FIR, move to impeach

Previous Year UPSC Prelims Question Covering Similar Theme:
6. Consider the following statements: (UPSC Prelims GS1 2019)
1. The- motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.
2. The Constitution of India defines and gives details of what Constitutes ‘incapacity and proved misbehaviour’ of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India.
3. The details of the process of impeachment of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India are given in the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.
4. If the motion for the impeachment of a Judge is taken up for voting, the law requires the motion to be backed by each House of the Parliament and supported by a majority of total membership of that House and by not less than two-thirds of total members of that House present and voting. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 3 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4

WHAT IS LACKING IN INDIA’S HEAT ACTION PLANS: FINDINGS OF STUDY

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization.

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

What’s the ongoing story: Most of the heat action plans (HAPs) put forth by multiple Indian cities lack long-term strategies to tackle the growing threat of extreme heat in the country, a new study has found. It also said that the cities having such strategies did not implement them effectively.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What is a Heat Action Plan?

• Is heat wave a notified disaster in India?

• What is the present situation of Heat Waves in India?

• Why is India facing a prolonged heat wave?

• What is the Impact of these Heat Waves?

• Know the effectiveness of India’s Heat Action Plans (HAPs) in mitigating the adverse impacts of heatwaves.

• Highlight the major shortcomings identified in recent assessments and suggest measures to enhance their efficacy.

• Discuss the role of local contextual factors in the formulation and implementation of Heat Action Plans in India.

Key Takeaways:

• In response to a Lok Sabha question asked in July 2024, Minister of Science and Technology and Minister of Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh had said that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was implementing HAPs in 23 states that were prone to heatwave conditions, in collaboration with state authorities.

• The response also showed that between 2020 and 2022, deaths due to heat stroke had increased in the country. While the number stood at 530 in 2020, it jumped to 730 in 2022. However, in 2024, it came down to 269 suspected heatstroke deaths and 161 confirmed heatstroke deaths, according to the NDMA.
Notably, non-profit organisation HeatWatch said in a 2024 report that “between March and June [last year], there have been 733 deaths due to heatstroke in 17 states in India”.

• For their analysis, the researchers identified cities with populations over 1 million (based on the 2011 Census) that were “expected to experience the largest increases in dangerous heat index values, which combine temperature and humidity, relative to their recent historical average,” the study said.

• These cities were Bengaluru, Delhi, Faridabad, Gwalior, Kota, Ludhiana, Meerut, Mumbai, and Surat. The researchers conducted 88 interviews with city, district, and state government officials responsible for implementing heat actions in these nine cities. They also interviewed representatives from disaster management, health, city planning, labour departments, as well as city and district administrators.

Do You Know:

• A heat action plan is essentially an early warning system and preparedness plan for extreme heat events. “The Plan presents immediate as well as longer-term actions to increase preparedness, information-sharing, and response coordination to reduce the health impacts of extreme heat on vulnerable populations,” according to a government document.

• The analysis found that although all the nine cities had short-term emergency measures — such as access to drinking water and changing work schedules — long-term actions were either entirely absent or poorly implemented.

• Long-term measures such as “making household or occupational cooling available to the most heat-exposed, developing insurance cover for lost work, expanding fire management services for heat waves, and electricity grid retrofits to improve transmission reliability and distribution safety” were missing in all the cities, the study said.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Why heatwaves have not been included as a notified disaster in the Disaster Management Act

PRELIMS ANSWER KEY

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

  

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