Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4): A must-know for UPSC exam
(Relevance: Important conferences and summits are important from both the Prelims and Mains perspective of the UPSC exam.)
Recently, the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) was held from 30 June – 3 July in Seville, Spain. A Sevilla Commitment was adopted ahead of the start of the Conference, which laid down a path to close the $4 trillion annual SDG financing gap in developing countries. However, the USA, one of the largest economies, skipped the Conference.
This Conference was supported by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), through its Financing for Sustainable Development Office, and the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
1. Financing for development (FfD) is an ongoing process to align financial flows and policies with economic, social, and environmental priorities. In 1997, the Agenda for Development was adopted by the UN General Assembly (UNGA), which called for consideration of holding an international conference on FfD.
2. According to the Earth Negotiations Bulletin, a division of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), 'the first International Conference on Financing for Development took place in 2002 in Monterrey, Mexico. The resulting Monterrey Consensus 'resolved to address the challenges of financing for development' and 'to eradicate poverty, achieve sustained economic growth and promote sustainable development.'
3. In 2008, a follow-up conference was held in Doha, Qatar. Building on this, the third Conference on Financing for Development adopted the Addis Ababa Action Agenda in 2015. It included a policy framework to realign financial flows to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ten years after Addis Ababa, the FfD conference was held in Spain.
Financing is the engine of development. And right now, this engine is sputtering. – United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres statement at opening of 4th FfD4
4. Many countries face escalating debt burdens, declining investments, decreasing international aid, and increasing trade barriers. The Conference is seen as an opportunity to close the staggering $4 trillion annual financing gap, promoting development, bringing millions of people out of poverty, and helping achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, which are currently lagging.
5. Last year, 3.3 billion people were living in countries that pay more interest on their debts than they spend on health or education, and the number will increase to 3.4 billion people this year, according to Grynspan. And developing countries will pay $947 billion to service debts this year, up from $847 billion last year.
1. Building on the 2015 Addis Ababa Action Agenda, the Sevilla Commitment reaffirms adherence to realizing sustainable development, including effectively implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals and upholding all principles enshrined in it.
2. With the approaching deadline of SDGs, the Sevilla Commitment charts a path on three fronts: catalyzing investment at scale for sustainable development, addressing the debt and development crisis, and reforming the international financial architecture.
3. Under the Sevilla Platform for Action, 'new financing mechanisms were announced to tackle unsustainable debt burdens, and additional initiatives aimed to enhance crisis response and climate resilience, expand access to social protection and support local and digital economies, among others,' according to the UN press release.
4. A Debt Swaps for Development Hub initiative led by Spain and the World Bank was launched. It aims to strengthen capacity and enhance collaboration to scale up debt swaps and lower debt service burdens.
5. Along with this, a Debt-for-Development Swap Programme by Italy that will convert 230 million Euros of debt obligations of African countries into investments in development projects and a Sevilla Forum on Debt to help countries learn from one another and coordinate their approaches in debt management and restructuring were announced.
6. Led by Brazil and Spain, an Effective Taxation of High-Net-Worth Individuals initiative was launched to ensure high-net-worth individuals pay their fair share.
India had made an uncharacteristically strong criticism of the Baku agreement, calling the final agreed amount 'abysmally poor' and 'paltry'. It has been said that the lack of adequate finance was not just an abdication of responsibility by the developed countries, but also a major setback to global climate action.
1. A few days before the start of the FfD4, the World Bank published a Report titled 'Foreign Direct Investment in Retreat', pointing out that the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into developing countries had fallen to $435 billion in 2023, the lowest in nearly 20 years. It warns that rising trade and investment barriers pose a 'significant threat to global efforts to mobilise financing for development.
2. According to M. Ayhan Kose, the World Bank Group's Deputy Chief Economist, the sharp drop in FDI for developing countries 'should sound alarm bells'. Reversing the trend, Kose said, was not just an 'economic imperative' but also 'essential for job creation, sustained growth, and achieving broader development goals'.
3. According to the Report, the prolonged and widespread investment weakness in emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs) has contributed to a large backlog of unmet infrastructure needs.
4. Weak investment growth is undermining efforts to achieve key development goals, including tackling climate change and accelerating the energy transition, and reducing poverty and inequality. By some estimates, EMDEs need to invest at least an additional 1.4 percent of GDP through 2030 just to address climate change and the energy transition.
5. Among EMDEs, China has been the biggest receiver of FDI from 2012 to 2023, accounting for nearly one-third of these inflows. Brazil was second at 10 per cent and India third at 6 per cent, the World Bank said.
6. While data for the 2023 calendar year is the latest available at a global level, FDI into India as per Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data increased to $81.04 billion in 2024-25 from $71.28 billion in 2023-24. However, net FDI into India – which adjusts the gross FDI number by deducting the funds repatriated by foreign investors and the investments made by Indian entities abroad – fell to just $353 million in the last fiscal from $10.13 billion in 2023-24.
Consider the following statements about the International Conference on Financing for Development:
1. The first International Conference on Financing for Development took place in Doha, Qatar.
2. The Sevilla Commitment was signed by the USA, UK, France, Germany, and Italy.
3. The Effective Taxation of High-Net-Worth Individuals initiative was launched by Brazil and Spain.
Which of the following statements is/are incorrect?
(a) 2 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
(Source: US skips global UN meeting aimed at raising trillions of dollars to combat poverty, uneca.org, enb.iisd.org, unsdsn.org, un.org, 'Alarm bells' for developing nations as 2023 FDI lowest since 2005 – World Bank)
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Knowledge Nugget: India's ‘green' power capacity overtakes thermal — What you must know for UPSC Exam
Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your UPSC current affairs environment knowledge nugget for today on India's 'green' power capacity. India has reached a key climate milestone five years ahead of schedule — as of June 30, non-fossil fuel sources account for 50.1 per cent of the country's installed electricity capacity. When the Paris Agreement on climate change was signed in 2015, India had committed to reaching 40 per cent non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. This target was raised to 50 per cent in 2022. 1. The sources — which include nuclear, large hydro, and renewables — made up just 30 per cent of installed capacity in 2015 and 38 per cent in 2020, before rising sharply over the last five years, on the back of solar and wind power. 2. As of June, India's total installed capacity stood at 485 gigawatts (GW). Of this, renewables — including solar, wind, small hydro, and biogas — accounted for 185 GW, according to a press release by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). 3. Large hydro capacities contributed 49 GW, and nuclear energy added 9 GW, taking the total non-fossil fuel capacity just over the halfway mark. Thermal power, mostly coal- and gas-based, made up the remaining 242 GW, or 49.9 per cent. In 2015, thermal's share was 70 per cent. Installed Capacity Thermal Non-fossil fuel Grand Total Non-fossil fuel share (%) Nuclear Large hydro Renewables* June 2015 191.26 5.78 42 35.78 274.82 30.4 June 2020 230.9 6.78 45.7 87.67 371.05 37.8 June 2025 242.04 8.78 49.38 184.62 484.82 50.1 *Solar, wind, small hydro, biomass. (Source: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, CEA) 4. Notably, in 2024, India ranked fourth globally in renewable installed capacity, including large hydro, behind only China, the US, and Brazil. 5. The rise in contribution of renewables to India's energy mix marks a significant shift, driven by the rapid addition of solar and wind power in recent years. However, installed thermal capacity falling below the halfway mark does not mean India's reliance on thermal power has dipped below 50 per cent. On the contrary, since renewable sources such as solar and wind are intermittent and cannot generate power around the clock, thermal plants still produce over 70 per cent of the country's electricity. 6. Bringing down thermal's share in power generation — and hitting India's 500 GW non-fossil fuel target by 2030 — will require much more, starting with the stabilisation and strengthening of the grid. With renewables now contributing 185 GW to India's total installed power capacity, let's understand what the different types of renewable energy sources are. 1. Solar Energy: Solar energy is harnessed from the sun's radiation. It can be transformed into electricity using solar panels (photovoltaic cells) or alternatively can be utilised to produce heat through solar thermal systems. Due to its abundance, solar power stands out as one of the most widely available renewable energy sources. China, the US, India and Japan are among the world's leading producers of solar power. 2. Hydropower: It is created by harnessing the kinetic energy of flowing water in rivers, dams, waterfalls, etc. It is one of the oldest and most widely used forms of renewable energy. 3. Biomass Energy: Biomass is produced from organic materials such as plant residues, animal waste, and wood. It can be heated or converted to liquid or gaseous fuels for consumption. Its usage includes heating, electricity generation, or biofuels for transportation. It is considered renewable because the materials used can be regrown or replenished. 4. Wind Energy: It is generated by converting the kinetic energy of wind into electricity using wind turbines. Onshore and offshore wind farms have become a significant contributor to the renewable energy mix in many countries like China, India and the US. 5. Geothermal Energy: This form of energy is derived from the Earth's internal heat. These can be naturally occurring hot water reservoirs or can be man-made. Occurring at various depths and varying temperatures below the earth's surface, these geothermal resources can be used for electricity generation and direct heating applications. Geothermal power plants which produce electricity, typically utilise steam or hot water from underground reservoirs. 6. Tidal and Wave Energy: It harnesses the movement of ocean water to generate electricity. Tidal energy relies on the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun, whereas wave energy captures the energy of surface waves. The Energy Transition Index (ETI) 2024, released by the World Economic Forum, ranked 120 countries based on their advancements towards a sustainable, affordable, and secure energy future. Here are the countries leading the way in energy transition, as reported by the World Economic Forum. Source: ETI 2024, WEF India has ranked 63rd out of 120 countries in the 2024 Global Energy Transition Index, which is an improvement from its previous position of 67th in 2023. The Bottom 10 Countries in WEF's energy transition index: Source: ETI 2024, WEF 1. On October 2, 2015, India submitted its first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It became a signatory to the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement – an international treaty adopted in 2015, which operates on a five-year cycle of increasingly ambitious climate action plans known as NDC. 2. India's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) initially included two main goals: First, to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33-35 per cent by 2030 from 2005 level, and second, to achieve about 40 per cent of its total installed electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel energy resources by 2030. 3. In August 2022, India updated these targets: The goal for reducing the emissions intensity of GDP was increased to 45 per cent by 2030 from 2005 level, and the target for non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity was raised to 50 per cent by 2030. 4. In addition, India has set itself a target of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by the year 2030 (as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the COP26 summit in Glasgow, UK). Furthermore, India is potentially aiming for 1 TW (form 500 GW) by 2035. India has also set a target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. India has implemented various schemes to achieve its renewable energy targets. Some of the key schemes that have contributed to this include: 📌Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan scheme (PM-KUSUM): This scheme promotes the installation of small grid-connected solar power plants, standalone solar pumps, and solarisation of existing grid-connected pumps in rural areas. 📌PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana: It is a government project aimed at providing free power to Indian families. Launched on February 15, 2024, the initiative would give homes with a rebate for installing solar panels on their roofs. The subsidy will pay for up to 40% of the cost of the solar panels. The plan is anticipated to benefit one crore households in India. The scheme will promote the use of renewable energy. 📌Grid Connected Rooftop Solar program (Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana): Under this scheme, solar PV panels are installed on the roof of a building to meet the electricity needs of the building. Surplus solar power units generated from the rooftop solar plant can also be exported to the grid. 📌Green Energy Corridor Scheme: The series of infrastructure projects under this scheme aimed at synchronising the power generated from renewable energy sources with the national grid of India. 📌National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM): The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) implemented the NGHM with a target to achieve a production capacity of 5 million tonnes per annum of Green Hydrogen by 2030. This will support an addition of about 125 GW of renewable energy capacity in our country. Consider the following statements about Solar Power (PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana): 1. The scheme was launched in 2022. 2. Under the scheme, households will be provided with a subsidy cover of 40 per cent to install solar panels on their roofs. 3. The scheme will promote the use of renewable energy. How many of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None (Sources: India's 'green' power capacity overtakes thermal: Why it matters, the challenges posed, and what's next, Akshay Urja Day 2024: India making strides in advancing renewable energy,Top 10 countries leading energy transition 2024: Where does India rank on the ETI?) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for June 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
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UPSC Key: INS Nistar, Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), and Tourism sector
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Key Points to Ponder: • What is the significance of the commissioning of INS Nistar? • How does it strengthen the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign? • What are the features of the INS Nistar? • What are the issues in maritime security in India? • What initiatives have been taken by the government to strengthen maritime security? • What is the government's doctrine in maritime security? • The commission of INS Nistar firmly reinforces the role of the Indian Navy as the 'first responder' and 'preferred security partner' in the region. — What do you understand by this? Key Takeaways: • INS Nistar is the first of the two diving support vessels being built by Hindustan Shipyard Ltd. • MoS for Defence Sanjay Seth said the commissioning of the 118-m INS Nistar firmly reinforces the role of the Indian Navy as the 'first responder' and 'preferred security partner' in the region. • 'The indigenous shipbuilding Industry has been one of the pillars of the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign,' he said, adding that INS Nistar's induction is a technological leap and a milestone in the Indian shipbuilding chapter towards building a future-ready force. • Currently, all 57 new warships in the pipeline are being constructed domestically. • As per the Navy, INS Nistar is installed with state-of-the-art Diving Equipment such as remotely operated vehicles, self-propelled hyperbaric lifeboat, diving compression chambers. • It can undertake diving and salvage operations up to a depth of 300 m. It would also serve as the 'Mother Ship' for deep submergence rescue vessels to rescue and evacuate personnel from a dived submarine in distress well below the surface. Do You Know: Explained • Indigenously designed and constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Nistar is the first of two diving support vessels (DSVs) that were ordered by the Navy in 2018. Its sister ship, Nipun, was launched in 2022, and is expected to be commissioned in the near future. • Meant to support deep-sea diving and submarine rescue operations, these DSVs will enhance India's operational preparedness in the underwater domain and reinforce the country's strategic maritime posture across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), the Navy said. • The original INS Nistar was a submarine rescue vessel acquired by the Indian Navy from the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1969, and commissioned in 1971. It remained in service till 1989, during which time it was the centrepiece of the Navy's diving and submarine rescue operations. • The new Nistar will carry forward this legacy. But unlike its predecessor, it comprises more than 80% indigenous content, with about 120 MSMEs having participated in its construction. This makes Nistar the first indigenously designed and constructed diving support and submarine rescue vessel in India. • With a displacement of around 10,500 tonnes, length of almost 120 metres, beam of more than 20 metres, and an endurance of more than 60 days at sea, the new Nistar is also larger and more capable than its 800-tonne predecessor. • Moreover, Nistar will be the mothership of an advanced deep submergence rescue vehicle (DSRV). The Indian Navy acquired two DSRVs from the UK's M/s James Fisher & Sons in 2018 and 2019 — one each for Nistar and Nipun. • Nistar can also carry a 15-tonne subsea crane, and support helicopter operations. Aboard Nistar is an operation theatre, an intensive care unit, and an eight-bedded hospital with hyperbaric medical facilities, all critical towards meeting the vessel's operational roles, the Navy said. • The induction of Nistar into the Navy after the successful integration of the two DSRVs is a major milestone for India's deep-sea capabilities. • With the Navy continuing to expand its submarine arm, it has to reckon with increased operational risks of operating in the deep sea. These risks demand a technologically capable platform for submarine rescue operations — the primary mandate of the Nistar-class vessels. • Based in Visakhapatnam, Nistar will serve as the DSRV mothership in the Eastern Seaboard, and Nipun, based in Mumbai, will serve in the Western Seaboard, completing the Navy's dual-coast operational posture. • 'In a world where underwater operations are becoming more complex and risks more unpredictable, INS Nistar ensures that India not only safeguards its own interests but is also ready and equipped to serve the greater good of global maritime safety,' the official said. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍How newly commissioned INS Nistar will help save lives in deep sea Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (1) Which of the following statements about INS Nistar is not correct? (a) It is indigenously designed and constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited. (b) It supports deep-sea diving and submarine rescue operations. (c) It will be the mothership of an advanced deep submergence rescue vehicle (DSRV). (d) It is based in Mumbai and will serve the Western Seaboard. Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism; Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security. What's the ongoing story: In a significant move that strengthens India's fight against cross-border terror, the US State Department Friday designated The Resistance Front, a shadow outfit of Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba that had claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). Key Points to Ponder: • The US State Department on Friday designated The Resistance Front, a shadow outfit of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. How does it strengthen India's fight against cross-border terror? • How does cross-border terror pose a huge security challenge for India? • What are Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT)? • What is the role of FATF? • What are India's efforts to fight terrorism on the global platform? • What is the connection between TRF and Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT)? • What is state-sponsored terrorism? • What are the challenges faced by India in preventing terrorism? Key Takeaways: • In first remarks after Washington's move, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar described it as a 'strong affirmation of India-US counter-terrorism cooperation'. • Designating an outfit as an FTO makes financing, aiding, advising and helping such an organisation a crime under US law. • Sources said this designation will support efforts to curb terrorism financing and to encourage other nations to do the same. It stigmatizes and isolates the TRF internationally, deters donations or contributions to and economic transactions with it, increases public awareness and signals to other governments on the concern about TRF, sources said, adding that the designation will help India to push for listing TRF at the UN as well. • 'The TRF, a proxy of the Pakistan-based terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), has been involved in numerous terror-related activities, including the heinous attack on civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on 22 April 2025 for which it twice claimed responsibility,' it said. • It said India remains committed to a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and will continue to work closely with its international partners to ensure that terrorist organisations and their proxies are held accountable. • The TRF and other associated aliases have been added to LeT's designation as a FTO and SDGT pursuant to Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224, respectively. • The Department of State has also reviewed and maintained the FTO designation of LeT. Amendments to FTO designations go into effect upon publication in the Federal Register. • Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) are foreign organisations that are designated by the Secretary of State in accordance with Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as amended. Do You Know: • TRF, police say, is a shadow group of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) that was cast to give 'an indigenous look' to the militancy in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of the special status. • While Pakistan was on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, they didn't want Lashkar or Jaish to operate under their own names in the Valley, and floated the TRF and the People Against Fascist Forces (PAFF) to skirt accountability, senior officers say. • TRF emerged almost immediately after the abrogation of special status on August 5, 2019. Security officials said that while TRF is a front for the LeT, it works jointly with other terror outfits in the valley. • 'Unlike Lashkar or Jaish, it (TRF) is not an outfit with a global presence; it has restricted itself to Jammu and Kashmir. After some days, you may see the same people operating under a new name. They will keep changing the nomenclature,' the officer cautioned. • Security officials also believe, and hope, that the US decision to declare TRF a terror organisation is likely a signal for Pakistan to step back. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍US designates The Resistance Front as terrorist organisation: What is the significance of the move? 📍Nations openly supporting terrorism continue to be rewarded: PM at G7 UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: Analyse the complexity and intensity of terrorism, its causes, linkages and obnoxious nexus. Also suggest measures required to be taken to eradicate the menace of terrorism. (UPSC CSE 2021) Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Structure, organisation and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity. What's the ongoing story: Facing an impeachment motion following a probe into allegations of cash being found at his official residence in New Delhi, former Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma moved the Supreme Court Friday, calling its in-house inquiry mechanism that indicted him as 'a parallel, extra-constitutional mechanism'. Key Points to Ponder: • What is the in-house procedure? • What are Articles 124 and 218 of the Constitution? • What is the process of removal of a judge of the High Court? How is it different from the removal of a judge of the Supreme Court? • Know about the matter of former Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma • What do you understand about an extra-constitutional mechanism? • Does the Supreme Court have supervisory powers over High Courts? • What are the challenges related to the judiciary in India? • What is the significance of an independent judiciary for a country like India? Key Takeaways: • 'Primarily, the In-House Procedure, adopted via a 1999 Full Court Resolution to handle complaints against judges and preserve judicial independence while maintaining public faith, unjustifiably extends beyond the intended scope of self-regulation and fact-finding. • By culminating in recommendations for removal from constitutional office, it creates a parallel, extra-constitutional mechanism that derogates from the mandatory framework under Articles 124 and 218 of the Constitution, which exclusively vest powers for removal of Judges of the High Courts in Parliament through an address supported by a special majority, following an inquiry under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968,' Justice Varma's plea states. • Justice Varma's plea underlines that the administrative or self-regulating procedures adopted by the Supreme Court 'cannot circumvent or override the constitutionally protected tenure of High Court judges or imbue the Hon'ble CJI with unregulated authority to act as the arbiter of the fate of other judges of the High Courts/this Hon'ble Court'. Constitutionally, the Supreme Court does not exercise supervisory powers over High Courts. • With the argument that the findings of the report are without due process and inadequate, Justice Varma, in his plea, has questioned every consequential action that flows from the report, including the CJI's recommendation. The matter is likely to be heard next week. 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. • Under Article 124(4), a judge can be removed by Parliament through a laid-down procedure on only two grounds: 'proved misbehaviour' and 'incapacity' • For an impeachment motion against an SC or HC judge to be accepted, 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. • The notices for the removal motion will be signed by MPs from different parties. For a motion of impeachment to be taken up, it has to be moved by not less than 100 members in the Lower House. • Once the MPs submit the motion, the presiding officer of the House can either accept or reject it. • After a motion for impeachment is adopted by either House, the Speaker or Chairman has to constitute a three-member committee of inquiry, headed by the Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court judge, and including a Chief Justice of any High Court, and a person who is a 'distinguished jurist'. • If the committee renders a guilty finding, its report is adopted by the House in which it was introduced and the judge's removal is debated. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Explained: How the judiciary' in-house inquiry against Justice Yashwant Varma will work 📍Lok Sabha set to take up motion seeking Justice Varma's removal, Cong on board Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (2) Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 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 only (b) 3 only (c) 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 3 and 4 only Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. General Studies-IV: Issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem-solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. What's the ongoing story: The Supreme Court observed this week that citizens who wished to feed stray dogs should consider doing so inside their own homes. Key Points to Ponder: • What are the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 (ABC Rules)? • Why was it enacted? • What were the verdicts of the 2014 Jallikattu case? • How is it related to this case? • What is sterlisation programme for stray dogs? • Are there any Fundamental duties inscribed in the constitution on compassion for living creatures? Key Takeaways: • The Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta were hearing an appeal filed by a Noida resident who had been allegedly harassed for feeding stray dogs in the common areas of her housing society. • The strongly polarising issue of feeding community dogs has frequently led to litigation over the years. Courts have weighed in on questions of constitutional protections, local governance, and claims over shared civic spaces. • The president of the Residents' Welfare Association of the petitioner's society had allegedly broken some pots in which she had kept water for stray animals, harassed her, and killed 10 sterilised stray dogs. Local authorities had taken no action on her complaints, and had instead asked her to not place the pots again. • The court had said that the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 (ABC Rules) did warrant the protection of street dogs, but 'the authorities will have to bear in mind the concern of common man, such that their movement on streets are not hampered by attacks by these street dogs'. • The ABC Rules, 2023, notified under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, seek to control stray dog populations through sterilisation, and to curb the spread of rabies by vaccinating them. The Rules lay down protocols to ensure that the feeding of dogs respects both animal welfare and public safety. • The ABC Rules, which replaced the Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules, 2001, use the expression 'community animals' instead of 'stray dogs' — recognising that these dogs are not ownerless intruders but territorial beings that inhabit and belong to their local environments. • The Supreme Court has interpreted the constitutionally guaranteed right to life and liberty as extending to animals as well. In its verdict in the 2014 Jallikattu case, the top court held that animal life falls within the meaning of Article 21 of the Constitution (Animal Welfare Board of India vs A. Nagaraja). • Article 51A(g) places a fundamental duty on citizens 'to have compassion for living creatures'. All this means that the presence of dogs in residential areas cannot automatically be considered unlawful. Nor can those who feed them be considered offenders unless their actions violate specific behavioural and spatial guidelines set by the law. • Rule 20 of the ABC Rules, 2023 ('Feeding of Community Animals') states that 'it shall be responsibility of the Resident Welfare Association or Apartment Owner Association or Local Body's representative… to make necessary arrangement for feeding of community animals' if someone living in that area 'feeds or provides care to street animals as a compassionate gesture'. • The Rule states that the feeding locations must be away from high-footfall areas like staircases, building entrances, and children's play areas. The designated spaces must be kept clean and litter-free, and community dogs should be fed at an appointed time. • The Rule also lays down a dispute resolution mechanism involving the chief veterinary officer, representatives of the police, the district Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, organisations conducting animal birth control, and the RWA. • The big picture is that dogs have a right to be fed, but this must be done in ways that minimise disruption to shared social spaces. The Rules try to strike a balance between compassion and public order. Do You Know: • Feeding, commonly misunderstood as an act of kindness, also ensures that dogs are healthy and capable of undergoing sterilisation. The ABC Rules also mandate sterilisation, which, as experience in India and abroad shows, is the only way to stabilise the population of street dogs. • Moreover, unlike dogs that are fed and vaccinated, hungry dogs, like a hungry creature of any species, are prone to turning violent. Hence, the petitioner, in this case, was asserting a statutory right as well as performing a constitutional duty. • To prevent conflict, the petitioner had sought directions for identifying open, designated areas in Noida where community dogs could be fed without triggering disputes. These are referred to in the ABC Rules as 'feeding spots,' which are for the RWAs to designate. • Meanwhile, media coverage of the remarks of the Supreme Court in this instance has led to the belief that it is an order by the court. Significantly, the Bench did not issue any direction asking the appellant to feed stray dogs at home. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Supreme Court on stray dogs: Here's what you need to know Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: General Science Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life. What's the ongoing story: US President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, when leg veins do not allow the blood to flow back to the heart. This clears the speculation over photos of Trump moving around with swollen ankles and bruises in his hand. Key Points to Ponder: • What is chronic venous insufficiency? • Is it common among older people? • What are the reasons for chronic venous insufficiency? • What is the cure? • What is its relation to heart health? • What do you understand by asymptomatic? • How is it diagnosed? • What is the vein glue procedure? • Learn about the role and function of the artery and the vein Key Takeaways: • This condition is most common in those over 70 and Trump, being 79, is no exception. • It may begin with one leg. The pooling of blood and increased pressure in the leg veins can lead to skin changes, pain, swelling and cramps that can affect both legs. In some cases, it might even lead to leg ulcers. • This happens when you are overweight, pregnant, have a genetic history or a history of leg injury or trauma. High blood pressure, prolonged sedentary behaviour in your advancing years, lack of exercise and smoking are all triggers. • A blood clot in a deep vein, often in the calf or thigh (deep vein thrombosis) may be a secondary trigger as are swelling and inflammation of the vein. Sometimes, a long bed-ridden status or cancer can cause this as well. Patients may be both symptomatic and asymptomatic. • Research at Mainz University, Germany has found that people with chronic venous insufficiency are about 60 per cent more likely to have severe cardiovascular disease at the same time than people of the same age and gender without it. • A Doppler ultrasound test can diagnose this condition. This helps visualise blood flow in the veins, identify blockages or clots and evaluate valve function in the legs. • We have medication that helps venous walls to pump better and recommend compression stockings for patients. They should not sit or stand for long periods and remain physically active. In complicated scenarios, one may need minimally invasive surgery procedures like laser ablation which uses laser energy to heat and close damaged veins, improving blood flow. • There is also the 'vein glue' procedure, which involves sealing off the affected veins with medical glue, redirecting blood flow to healthier veins. It's an alternative to traditional treatments like vein ligation and stripping, offering faster recovery times. Do You Know: • According to webmd, Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from your heart. They have thick walls and a muscular layer that keeps your blood moving. Arteries can be as wide as a nickel (about two centimeters). They are the largest type of blood vessel in your body. • The aorta is the largest artery in your body. The aorta carries blood from your heart to your organs. Arteries have smaller branches called arterioles. Both arteries and arterioles change in size to maintain your body's blood pressure level. • Veins carry deoxygenated blood towards your heart and are often located close to your skin. Veins don't have a muscular layer like arteries do, so they rely on valves to keep your blood moving. Veins start as tiny blood vessels called venules, which become full-size veins as they come closer to your heart. • Veins are closer to the surface of your body, and arteries are deep inside your muscles. The walls of a vein are thinner than an artery. Veins carry blood from your organs and towards your heart. Arteries carry blood away from your heart. Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (3) Consider the following statements: 1. Veins carry deoxygenated blood towards the heart. 2. Arteries are closer to the surface of our body. 3. The aorta carries blood from our heart to the organs. 4. Veins have thick walls and a muscular layer that keeps our blood moving. How many of the above statements is/are correct? (a) Only two (b) Only three (c) All four (d) None of the above Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation, of resources, growth, development and employment. What's the ongoing story: The government is committed to raising the contribution of tourism in the country's economy to 10 per cent by 2047, in line with global levels, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on Friday. Key Points to Ponder: • What is spiritual tourism? • What are the initiatives taken by the government to promote spiritual tourism? • What is the scope of tourism in India? • What are the challenges related to tourism in India? • How does tourism contribute to economic development? • What are the steps taken by the government to promote tourism in the country? Key Takeaways: • He said that at present, the tourism sector contributes between 5-6 per cent to India's economy. • 'The growth in India's economy is expected to double every 8 years. Today, the size of our economy is $4 trillion, and it is likely to reach close to $32 trillion by 2047. When the economy reaches around $32 trillion, our commitment is that the contribution of tourism should become 10 per cent, which would be equivalent to the global parameters. This is inevitable,' Shekhawat said in his address at CII YiFi Entrepreneurship Summit 2025. • He said the tourism sector in the country is going to witness a compounded annual growth rate of 24 per cent. • The minister said that every state in India, with its rich diversity and unique cultural identity, offers varied experiences to tourists from around the world. • He said that nearly a decade ago, the biggest challenge to the development of tourism in the country was inadequate infrastructure, he said. • He stated that when it comes to spiritual tourism, India has no competition. Do You Know: • Amid a strong post-pandemic recovery and despite various challenges, the global travel and tourism sector contributed US$10.9 trillion to the world economy in 2023, according to the Economic Impact Trends Report of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). • India has also made notable progress, now ranking as the eighth-largest tourism economy worldwide with a contribution of $231.6 billion, up from its previous position of tenth. This advancement highlights the country's increasing significance in the sector, with the WTTC forecasting a rise to fourth position within the next decade. • The Swadesh Darshan Scheme was launched by the Centre in 2014-15 for the integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits. Under the scheme, the Ministry of Tourism provides financial assistance to states and Union territories for the development of tourism infrastructure. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Knowledge Nugget | India among top 10 global tourism economies in 2024–25: What UPSC aspirants must know UPSC Question Covering similar theme: Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India? (Essay UPSC 2014) Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation, of resources, growth, development and employment. What's the ongoing story: US Crypto Week yielded positive results for cryptocurrency backers after Republican hardliners overcame initial reservations to vote in favour of a raft of legislations that are expected to forward US President Donald Trump's agenda of formalising digital assets amid dedollarisation risks. Key Points to Ponder: • What do you understand about cryptocurrency? • What is de-dollarisation? • Know about GENIUS Act, the CLARITY Act and the anti-CBDC Act • What are stablecoins? • How is it different from cryptocurrency? • What is the scope of fintech in India? • What are the challenges related to cryptocurrency? • What is blockchain technology? Key Takeaways: • The GENIUS Act, the CLARITY Act and the anti-CBDC Act were passed by the House Of Representatives on Thursday after initial differences over central bank digital currency-related privacy fears from hardliners were ironed out at a meeting held by President Trump at the Oval Office on Tuesday. • While the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act is likely to be signed into law by Trump in a ceremony on Friday, the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act and the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act will now face a vote in the Senate, before reaching Trump's desk for a presidential assent. • The passage of the GENIUS Act paves the way for the issuance of stablecoins — asset-backed cryptocurrency. In the case of America, stablecoins are expected to be indexed to the US dollar or US Treasury bills to reinforce confidence. • The Trump administration is also betting on stablecoins to re-emphasise the importance of the US dollar as the world's reserve currency amid fears of dedollarisation raised after the US froze Russian assets after the onset of the Russia-Ukraine War in 2022. • This has prompted countries to step up gold purchases and diversify away from the US dollar as a store of value, to retain access to reserves in the scenario of a unilateral asset freeze in the future. • US-backed stablecoin USDT issuer Tether has forayed into the commodities space by purchasing Adecoagro, a pan-South American agricultural giant to boost its balance sheet, besides paving the way for alternative payments for commodities settlements, Reuters reported. Do You Know: • A cryptocurrency is a medium of exchange, such as the rupee or the US dollar, but is digital in format and uses encryption techniques to both control the creation of monetary units and to verify the exchange of money. • In traditional financial transactions involving fiat money, a third-party organisation—usually a central bank—ensures that the currency is authentic and that the transaction is properly recorded. In contrast, with cryptocurrencies, a network of private computers is continuously engaged in authenticating the transactions by solving complex cryptographic puzzles. • These stablecoins aren't just another form of cryptocurrency. They are fully backed, 1:1, by US government Treasury Bills. In simple terms, this means a bank in the US would be able to issue a digital version of the dollar, backed by government bonds, and it can be used for payments across the world. This brings together the trust of government securities and the speed and transparency of blockchain technology. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍How are cryptocurrency and blockchain technology relevant to the UPSC exam? 📍As stablecoins gets greenlit in the US, India's chance to lead this fintech space UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (4) With reference to 'Blockchain Technology', consider the following statements: (2020) 1. It is a public ledger that everyone can inspect, but which no single user controls. 2. The structure and design of blockchain is such that all the data in it are about cryptocurrency only. 3. Applications that depend on basic features of blockchain can be developed without anybody's permission. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 2 only (d) 1 and 3 only Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Khushboo Kumari is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She has done her graduation and post-graduation in History from the University of Delhi. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. She holds experience in UPSC-related content development. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Indian Express
UPSC's initiative to provide employment pathways for unsuccessful candidates is welcome
Every year, lakhs of people prepare for and sit the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination. In 2024, for instance, 9.9 lakh had applied for the examination conducted on June 16. Of these, 5.8 lakh appeared for the examination. However, of all those who appeared, only 14,627 candidates qualified for the written (main) examination, of which just 1,009 were recommended by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for appointment to the services. The lakhs who don't make the list each year either opt for another attempt — in the general category, candidates have six attempts — or start their professional life, often belatedly. There are several challenges posed by a late entry into the job market. Some of the candidates have competition from younger counterparts and the lack of work experience makes their predicament even more difficult. The spin-offs on lifetime earnings are not difficult to gauge, especially because many end up employed in occupations that are either not in line with their qualifications or possibly at junior levels. An initiative by the UPSC is now providing pathways to the unsuccessful candidates for securing gainful employment. Under the Public Disclosure Scheme, called PRATIBHA Setu now, the Commission has started publicly disclosing information on the non-recommended, willing candidates of the exams it conducts. The UPSC conducts several exams every year — some of the examinations, other than the Civil Services Examination, included under this scheme are the Indian Forest Service Examination, the Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical Service Examination, and the Combined Medical Services Examination. The non-recommended candidates are those 'who qualify the written examinations but are not recommended after the interview'. The portal provides information on these candidates. According to a report in this newspaper, it also provides subject- and discipline-wise search facilities to organisations, enabling them to pick out candidates who meet their requirements. By doing so, this facility is helping match candidates available in the labour market with prospective employers. Initially, this scheme — it was launched in 2018 — had little success in placing candidates in government organisations and public sector entities, as per a report in this paper. Extending it now to the private sector helps cast a wider net, increasing the odds of the candidates being absorbed. Prospective employers now include PSUs, autonomous government organisations and private entities. This is indeed a welcome step. However, the problems in the labour markets in India require deeper and far-reaching policy changes.
