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Indian Express
14 hours ago
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- Indian Express
UPSC Key: Inverted Duty Structure, Proxy Warfare and Martyrs' Day
Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for July 14, 2025. If you missed the July 13, 2025 UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here FRONT PAGE Why hurry, wait for outcome in SC: Opp on EC move to revise rolls nationwide Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc. Mains Examination: General Studies II: Salient features of the Representation of People's Act. What's the ongoing story: On the day The Sunday Express reported that the Election Commission had directed Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of all states to begin preparations for a Bihar-like Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, Opposition parties criticised the EC move and questioned the 'hurry' for a nationwide SIR without consulting political parties. Key Points to Ponder: • What are the legal and ethical implications of revising electoral rolls nationwide while a related matter is sub judice in the Supreme Court? • How the Election Commission of India balances the need for maintaining updated electoral rolls with ensuring free and fair elections in the country? • What is the role of judicial oversight in electoral processes with specific reference to electoral roll revision? • What are the potential consequences of large-scale deletion or inclusion errors in electoral rolls? • Discuss the interplay between political concerns and administrative autonomy in decisions like nationwide revision of electoral rolls. • What is the significance of linking electoral rolls with Aadhaar data? • How do periodic revisions of electoral rolls impact electoral participation, especially among marginalized communities in India? Key Takeaways: • The parties, from the Congress to TMC to Left, said Sunday that the EC should have waited for the matter to conclude in the Supreme Court before giving directions for a Bihar-like SIR. • Recently, the Supreme Court, while hearing a clutch of petitions voicing concerns over the SIR in poll-bound Bihar, declined to restrain the EC from proceeding with the SIR but suggested that the poll panel also consider Aadhaar, voter ID and ration cards for the purpose of updating the rolls. It said the EC could file a counter-affidavit by July 21 and the matter be listed for another hearing on July 28. • The Sunday Express reported that on July 5, a day after a petition was filed in the Supreme Court challenging the SIR in Bihar, the EC wrote to Chief Electoral Officers of all other states, directing them to begin preparations for a similar exercise – this time with January 1, 2026, as the qualifying date. • Among other concerns raised by Opposition members was the 'hurry' and lack of consultation with political parties before undertaking the exercise. Do You Know: • The nomenclature 'Special Intensive Revision' (SIR) indicates that the ECI is exercising its discretionary powers under Section 21(3) of the 1950 law, which permits it to revise electoral rolls 'in such manner as it thinks fit'. For this exercise, the ECI has adopted a hybrid approach — combining door-to-door field verification that is characteristic of an intensive revision with elements of a summary revision, such as the reliance on existing electoral rolls to distribute enumeration forms. • In its instructions, the Commission — referring to paragraph 10 of its order dated June 24, when it formally announced the SIR in Bihar and said detailed guidelines for the rest of the country would follow — has asked all CEOs to complete 'pre-revision activities.' • These include: rationalisation of polling stations (including identification of new buildings to ensure no polling station has more than 1,200 electors); filling up all vacant positions of key officials, from Block Level Officers (BLOs) and Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) to Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), and supervisors who will undertake the enumeration on the ground; and conducting their training. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Why is the Election Commission revising electoral rolls in Bihar, and when have revisions happened previously? GST reforms: Home Minister set to open talks for consensus on rate rationalisation Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development and Indian Polity and Governance Mains Examination: General Studies II: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein What's the ongoing story: TO IMPART urgency to the process of overhauling the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to initiate discussions with all stakeholders — states as well as Central ministries — to build consensus and resolve contentious outstanding issues. Key Points to Ponder: • What is Goods and Services Tax (GST) and How does it work? • What are the different types of Goods and Services Tax (GST)? • Know the differences between Central GST (CGST), State GST (SGST), Union territory GST (UTGST) and Integrated GST (IGST) • How a particular transaction of goods and services be taxed simultaneously under Central GST (CGST) and State GST (SGST)? • Goods and Services Tax (GST) Reforms-what you know so far? • GST Council and Article 279A of the Constitution-Key Provisions • GST Council and Members-Know in detail • What is the role of GST Council? • The term 'rate rationalisation' in the context of GST in India refers to what? • In GST framework, inverted duty structure is seen as problematic-why? • How does the process of GST rate rationalisation align with the principle of cooperative federalism in India? • How the involvement of the Home Minister in GST Council deliberations signifies a shift in the political management of economic reforms? Key Takeaways: • Amongst the many proposals on the table, the one to do away with the 12 per cent slab has been hanging fire for long. This involves shifting some items to the lower 5 per cent slab, and some others to the higher 18 per cent slab. Though this would simplify the multiple rate structure, it is estimated to result in significant revenue losses of Rs 70,000-80,000 crore for the Centre and states combined, top sources said. • 'Any tweaks in GST structure right now, especially when it has stabilised after eight years of rollout, are not going to be easy. A lot of factors will be in consideration, and revenue loss is a big factor. No state, whether Opposition or BJP, will accept the proposals easily. Therefore, the Home Minister plans to hold discussions with states beforehand,' the source told The Indian Express. • The sources said that the Home Minister has already held discussions with Finance Ministry officials last week. Do You Know: • GST, the biggest indirect tax reform in recent years, was introduced in July 2017. But it is riddled with a multiplicity of rates — zero, 5 per cent, 12 per cent, 18 per cent and 28 per cent, in addition to the cess rates for luxury and sin goods, and special carve outs for precious metals. • This rate rationalisation has not been palatable to many states, both BJP-ruled and Opposition. Several attempts to simplify or reduce rates on consumer-focused items were stalled earlier in the GST Council, the overarching federal body with members from both the Centre as well as states. • The GST rate rationalisation has been talked about for over four years now. In its 45th meeting held in September 2021 in Lucknow, the GST Council discussed the need to undertake rate rationalisation including correction of inverted duty structure, to reduce classification related disputes, and enhance GST revenues. The Council then approved changes in GST rates to correct inverted duty structure in many sectors, including textiles and footwear that were brought into effect from January 2022. • As per government data for 2023-24 shared in Parliament last year, around 70-75 per cent of the GST revenue came from 18 per cent tax slab, while the 12 per cent slab contributed 5-6 per cent of the GST collections. The lower 5 per cent slab accounted for 6-8 per cent of the GST, while the higher 28 per cent slab's share was 13-15 per cent. • In its 55th meeting held in Jaisalmer in December 2024, the GST Council held discussions on lowering rates on several items. However, it decided to defer a key decision to lower the tax rate on health and life insurance premiums. • The GoM on rate rationalisation had sought more time to discuss the proposal to tweak rates on as many as 148 items, which is expected to come up for discussion in the next meeting of the GST Council. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍GST Council to meet soon to discuss rate rationalisation, future cess levy 📍Explained: What is the GST Council, and what does it do? EXPRESS NETWORK India's role key in multipolar world, says Singapore minister after meeting EAM 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: India will play an increasingly important role globally as the world 'inexorably' transitions into multipolarity, Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said after holding talks with External Affairs minister S Jaishankar on Sunday. Key Points to Ponder: • What do you understand by 'multipolar world' in global geopolitics? • How India's 'Act East' policy complements its ties with Singapore in shaping Indo-Pacific geopolitics? • What is the importance of India-Singapore economic and technological partnerships in the context of emerging global trade frameworks? • How do India-Singapore defence and security ties contribute to regional stability in the Indo-Pacific? • How does the India-Singapore relationship reflect India's broader foreign policy objectives in the ASEAN region? • 'Singapore has often acted as India's bridge to the larger ASEAN community'—how this positioning aids India's regional diplomacy? Key Takeaways: • Singapore is at the 'heart' of India's Act East Policy, Jaishankar said after his meeting with Balakrishnan. From Singapore, he travels to China. • India-Singapore relations were elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the country in September last year. 'As the world inexorably transitions into multipolarity, India will play an increasingly important role as one of these major poles of opportunity,' Balakrishnan said in a social media post. • The two sides also decided to hold the third India-Singapore ministerial roundtable in New Delhi soon. The External Affairs Ministry said the two sides reviewed progress of the outcomes of Prime Minister Modi's visit as well as the second round of India-Singapore ministerial roundtable. • The focus of India-Singapore ties during Modi's visit as well as the ministerial roundtable was to boost cooperation in areas of investments, industrial parks, semiconductors, infrastructure, skill development and connectivity. Do You Know: • India has emerged as Singapore's fourth-largest tourist destination, with over 650,000 Indians visiting Singapore in 2006. Both countries have collaborated in aviation, aerospace engineering, space programs, IT, biotechnology, and energy sectors. • Singapore has a well-developed semiconductor industry, the outcome of an early start and the vision of its first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. • By the early 1980s, the electronics industry was already accounting for 7% of Singapore's GNP and a quarter of its manufacturing jobs, Miller notes. • Today, Singapore contributes around 10% of the global semiconductor output, along with 5% of the global wafer fabrication capacity (silicon wafer is a circular piece of ultra pure silicon, usually 8-12 inches in diameter, out of which chips are carved) and 20% of semiconductor equipment production. Nine of the world's top 15 semiconductor firms have set up shop in Singapore, and the semiconductor sector contributes significantly to the country's economic growth. • Singapore has players in all segments of the semiconductor value chain: integrated circuit (IC) design, assembly, packaging and testing; wafer fabrication, and equipment/ raw material production. • The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) is a free trade pact between Singapore and India aimed at boosting bilateral trade, signed on June 29, 2005. • The CECA also fostered cooperation in areas such as education, science and technology, intellectual property, aviation, information technology, and finance. Singapore has contributed to infrastructure development in India by investing in projects like upgrading ports, airports, IT parks, and establishing a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Singapore President says ties with India on 'new trajectory' THE EDITORIAL PAGE Drawing a line in water Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Main Examination: General Studies II: India and its neighbourhood- relations. What's the ongoing story: Syed Akbaruddin Writes: Pakistan must decide whether to treat the Indus system as rivers of peace or allow them to become torrents of tension. Key Points to Ponder: • What exactly the supplemental award of the Court of Arbitration in the Hague on June 27 has said? • What does keeping the Indus Waters treaty 'in abeyance' mean? • When the treaty is renegotiated, what changes should India ask for? • How the Indus Waters Treaty has withstood geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan? • What is the relevance and limitations of international arbitration mechanisms like the Permanent Court of Arbitration in resolving water disputes under the Indus Waters Treaty? • 'Trust cannot flow when terror does'-discuss • What is the graded dispute resolution mechanism provided under the Indus Waters Treaty? • What is the role of the World Bank as a guarantor of the Indus Waters Treaty? Key Takeaways: Syed Akbaruddin Writes: • Rivers obey gravity, not flags. Yet, as the snow-fed waters of the Indus system flow silently across borders, the roar of geopolitics now echoes louder than ever. The supplemental award of the Court of Arbitration in The Hague on June 27 has again turned attention to the simmering challenges confronting the Indus Waters Treaty. • The tribunal rejected India's suspension of the Treaty and reaffirmed its jurisdiction despite India's absence from the proceedings. India responded swiftly. It called the court illegal, the proceedings irrelevant, and reiterated that the Treaty stands in abeyance until Pakistan abjures cross-border terrorism. • The simmering dispute over the Indus Waters Treaty is not just about water. It is about sovereignty, security, and a Treaty that has withstood conflicts for over six decades but now strains under the pressures of asymmetric warfare. Do You Know: Syed Akbaruddin Writes: • The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, was hailed as a triumph of cooperative diplomacy. It partitioned the rivers of the Indus basin between India and Pakistan, granting India full rights over the eastern rivers and limited use of the western ones. Despite wars and political breakdowns, the Treaty endured because it insulated water from politics. But terrorism has no insulation. And India, bleeding from attacks launched across the very rivers it shares, reached the limits of forbearance. • The Hague tribunal's award may be procedurally valid. It reflects the logic of legal permanence. Pakistan, which initiated the proceedings, argued that disputes over interpretation should be addressed legally and stated that India's suspension was unjustified. The Treaty, the panel concluded, cannot be suspended unilaterally, and jurisdiction, once triggered, cannot be undone by later events. • India has not cut off water or violated Pakistan's share. Instead, it has frozen the instruments of cooperation as a wake-up call. The message is stark: Treaties are built on trust, and trust cannot flow when terror does. • Article IX of the treaty lays down a graded three-level mechanism, in which disputes are first taken up at the level of the Indus Commissioners of India and Pakistan, then escalated to the World Bank-appointed Neutral Expert, and finally to the International Court of Arbitration (CoA) in The Hague. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍India issues notice to Pakistan seeking review of Indus Waters Treaty: What to know THE IDEAS PAGE Proxies & missiles aren't enough Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies II: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests. What's the ongoing story: Syed Ata Hasnain Writes: In April 2024, as Iranian missiles rained down across Israel and many were intercepted mid-air, analysts around the world took note of the sheer scale of Iran's ballistic reach. Key Points to Ponder: • What are the strategic advantages and disadvantages for Iran in relying on proxy warfare as an element of its foreign policy? • How Iran's proxy strategy affects regional stability in West Asia, with examples from countries like Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon? • How does Iran's reliance on proxies impact its diplomatic engagements with major powers such as the United States, Russia, and China? • What is the role of the Quds Force in shaping Iran's proxy warfare strategy. • Compare and contrast Iran's use of proxies with similar strategies employed by other regional powers in West Asia. • How does Iran's proxy strategy intersect with non-traditional security threats such as terrorism and organized crime? Key Takeaways: Syed Ata Hasnain Writes: • Many seasoned military minds could easily note what didn't happen — there was no Iranian 'air power' to speak of. Not a single Iranian fighter entered contested airspace, no attempt was made to suppress Israeli defences through air dominance, and not one sortie altered the course of events. The longstanding asymmetry in Iran's force structure — a missile-rich, air force-poor doctrine — was laid bare. This was, surprisingly, decades in the making. It's the reality of war that is making this dawn on us. • Iran's defence posture since the 1990s has been shaped less by hard-nosed strategic logic and more by institutional interests — especially those of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). • The IRGC's progressively growing dominance over defence and foreign policy led to a doctrinal preference for asymmetric tools — missiles, drones, and proxy militias. This was driven by Israel's dominance of the conventional war environment in the Middle East and the reputation gained from major victories against Arab conventional armed forces. • It led to Iran choosing to become the world's foremost practitioner of hybrid and grey-zone warfare, from Lebanon to Yemen, Syria to Gaza. Its missile arsenal expanded from basic Scud variants to precision-strike capabilities. Its drones progressed to become battlefield disruptors. But its air force — still operating pre-1979 US-made aircraft like the F-4 and F-14 — remained frozen in time. Do You Know: Syed Ata Hasnain Writes: • The events of 2024-25 should force a review in Tehran. Iran's adversaries — especially Israel — have mastered the art of integrated deterrence: Layered missile defence, electronic warfare, and unmatched airpower. • A revolutionary guard corps is an excellent mechanism for regime protection, internal security, and ideological enforcement. But when war calls for black-and-white outcomes — dominance, not deterrence — only conventional forces can deliver. Air power remains the centre of gravity in any future conflict, especially in the Middle East, where terrain and geography demand long-reach precision and rapid mobility. • Perhaps now, more than three decades after it first chose rockets over wings, Iran will revisit that decision. The conflict dynamics have changed, but the fundamental truth has not: Strategic victory demands air superiority. No amount of missiles can substitute for it. Iran now faces the reality that asymmetry is being countered with global coordination — a major shift from the permissive environment it exploited earlier. Iran's strategic choice to privilege proxies and missiles has reached its upper limit. Israel is not its only adversary. Despite Chinese efforts at rapprochement with Saudi Arabia, the strategic competition in the Gulf remains unresolved. For Iran to transition from a reactive regional disruptor to a true strategic actor, it must reinvest in conventional power. Only then can it match ideology with capability — and rhetoric with reach. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍War clouds over Middle East Previous year UPSC Main Question Covering similar theme: 📍'India's relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.' Discuss. (2018) EXPLAINED Chance to repay Green debt Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies II: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests What's the ongoing story: It was William S Gaud, administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), who coined the term 'Green Revolution'. Key Points to Ponder: • What is CIMMYT International research Centre for? • How the Green Revolution transformed India's food security landscape? • According to the article, in what ways India should now 'repay' that debt internationally? • What are the challenges India faces in balancing domestic food security with its role in global food assistance initiatives? • What are the concept of 'Green Revolution debt' as a moral and strategic responsibility for India? • How can India leverage its food stock surplus to contribute to global food security while safeguarding its domestic interests? Key Takeaways: • In a speech delivered on March 8, 1968, Gaud delved on the 'paramount importance of the world food problem' and how countries such as India were addressing it through planting of high-yielding varieties of wheat. This development, he said, had the makings of a new revolution: 'It is not a violent Red Revolution like that of the Soviets…I call it the Green Revolution'. • It's the same USAID that has been shut down by the Donald Trump administration from July 1. Among the institutions impacted by the closure of the agency — that oversaw civilian foreign aid and development assistance from the US government — is the Mexico-headquartered International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center or CIMMYT. • Synonymous with the renowned agricultural scientist Norman Borlaug, CIMMYT bred the semi-dwarf varieties Lerma Rojo 64A, Sonora 63, Sonora 64 and Mayo 64 that Indian farmers first sowed in 1964-65. Over the next few years, these varieties spread to more countries, heralding Gaud's 'Green Revolution.' • While CIMMYT originated from a Mexican government and Rockefeller Foundation-sponsored programme in the 1940s and 50s, USAID became its main funder. It accounted for about $83 million out of CIMMYT's total $211 million grant revenues received in 2024. With the USAID's dismantling, CIMMYT is now looking at India — one of its major beneficiaries — as a potentially significant benefactor. • CIMMYT is to wheat what the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) — established by the Ford and Rockefeller foundations in 1960 — has been to the other big cereal grain crop. Do You Know: • The Green Revolution was seeded in India by CIMMYT and IRRI. Even the blockbuster wheat varieties Kalyan Sona and Sonalika, released for commercial cultivation by Indian scientists in 1967-68, were developed through selections from the progeny of advanced breeding material supplied by CIMMYT. • Over time, Indian scientists, led by VS Mathur at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi, came out with their own varieties, particularly HD 2285 in 1982 and HD 2329 in 1985. These raised wheat yields to 5-6 tonnes per hectare. It went up further to 7 tonnes-plus with HD 2967, which IARI scientists — mainly BS Malik, Rajbir Yadav and AP Sethi — unveiled in 2011. • India exported 6.1 million tonnes of basmati rice valued at $5.94 billion (Rs 50,311.89 crore) in 2024-25. More than 90% of that was from IARI-bred varieties. Borlaug was once asked why the Green Revolution succeeded in India and not in most other developing countries, specifically Africa. He is said to have replied that it was because 'they didn't have institutions like IARI and scientists like MS Swaminathan'. The latter was instrumental in devising the overall strategy and implementation plan for the Green Revolution, with the full support of the then political leadership — from agriculture minister C Subramaniam to Prime Ministers Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi. • CIMMYT and IRRI, to that extent, remain relevant to India, which has a vital stake in both institutions. With the US under Trump adopting a more transactional, if not coercive, approach to foreign policy, India has both scope and reason to step up funding of the global breeding research and development programme. In 2024, India contributed a mere $0.8 million to CIMMYT and $18.3 million to IRRI. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍With USAID shut, Norman Borlaug's institute knocks on India's doors Mandate of AAIB, probing Ahmedabad plane crash Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies II: Disaster and disaster management. What's the ongoing story: A month after the deadly Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad, where 241 of the 242 people onboard flight AI 171 died, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a preliminary report on Friday night (July 11). Key Points to Ponder: • Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)-what you know about same? • The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in India operates under which ministry? • What are the statutory framework and mandate of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)? • How does the AAIB's preliminary finding of 'fuel control switch transitioning' from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' raise questions about cockpit ergonomics and human machine interface? • What are the implications of the Ahmedabad tragedy for India's expanding civil aviation ambitions under the Tata Air India roadmap? Key Takeaways: • The 15-page report stated that the two engine fuel control switches onboard transitioned from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' position within a second of each other, moments after lift-off. One of the two pilots is recorded as asking the other why he cut off the fuel, to which the other pilot responded, saying he did not. • According to a Reuters report, pilots usually cannot accidentally move the switches, but if switched off, they can immediately cut off engine power. The report has led to further questions about the switches' functioning and what exactly happened, and demands for greater scrutiny of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR). It is one of the two black boxes on aircraft, alongside the Flight Data Recorder (FDR). • Matters of international civil aviation are today governed by the Convention on International Civil Aviation, or the Chicago Convention, signed in 1944. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a UN agency with 193 member countries (including India, the United States, and the United Kingdom), oversees its technical standards. • Annex 13 of this convention lays out the international protocols for investigating aircraft accidents and serious incidents. It bestows the responsibility for investigation with the 'State of Occurrence' — the country where the accident happened. • In addition, other countries connected to the aircraft have a formal right to participate. These include the 'State of Registry' (where the aircraft is registered), the 'State of the Operator' (which operated the flight), the 'State of Design', and the 'State of Manufacture' (of the aircraft in question). • Since the AI 171 air crash occurred on Indian soil, India holds the State of Occurrence right. The investigation into the accident is thus led by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the government agency under India's Ministry of Civil Aviation that is responsible for investigating civil aviation accidents and serious incidents. Do You Know: • In general, the AAIB classifies 'Safety Occurrences' involving aircraft operating in the Indian airspace into the categories of Accidents, Serious Incidents and Incidents. It investigates all Accidents and Serious Incidents involving aircraft with All Up Weight (the total weight of an aircraft with passengers and cargo) of more than 2,250 kg, as well as Turbojet aircraft. It can also investigate other cases if necessary. • Under Rule 3 of Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017, the sole objective of the investigations carried out by AAIB is the prevention of accidents and incidents and not to apportion blame or liability. • As part of the investigation, AAIB deputes one or more Investigators to reach the site and gather evidence soon after it receives notice of the incident. Its website states that the primary aim of the initial investigation is to gather and preserve perishable evidence for subsequent analysis. This can include obtaining samples of the wreckage and from the surroundings, retrieving the black boxes, and so on. • The Investigation team reviews all evidence collected to assess the detailed examinations that must be conducted. Domain experts can then be called in. AAIB also has a Memorandum of Understanding with agencies such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the DGCA for using their laboratories. • The AAIB also conducts safety studies from time to time. The recommendations made in the Investigation Reports and Safety Studies are forwarded to the DGCA, India, or Civil Aviation Regulatory bodies of other ICAO Contracting States for their implementation and follow-up. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Air India crash report: Unanswered questions, and some reading between the lines What is the Martyrs' Day row in Jammu & Kashmir Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. What's the ongoing story: Politics in Jammu and Kashmir is heating up over 'Martyrs' Day' on July 13, the official holiday for which was scrapped after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. This is the first time since then that an elected government is in power. Key Points to Ponder: • What are the historical significance of July 13 as Martyrs' Day in Jammu & Kashmir and its impact on contemporary political discourse in the region? • Know the implications of removing Martyrs' Day from Jammu & Kashmir's official calendar post-Article 370 abrogation? • How do state-sponsored commemorative events shape regional identity and political narratives? • How the abrogation of Article 370 has altered administrative, political, and social dynamics in Jammu & Kashmir? • What are the legal safeguards available under Indian law against misuse of preventive detention provisions? Key Takeaways: • The valley's main political parties had resolved to visit the 'Martyrs' Cemetery' in old Srinagar city on July 13 to pay their tributes, while the BJP opposed any official commemoration. • Now, Jammu and Kashmir Police have put several leaders across the political divide under house detention to prevent them from visiting the cemetery. • Before the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status in 2019, July 13 was officially commemorated as Martyrs' Day in the erstwhile state as a tribute to 22 people killed by the Dogra regime in 1931. They had been assembled outside Srinagar's central jail in protest when they were shot by the police. • In the run-up to July 13, 1931, several incidents had already taken place, brewing discontent against the Dogra rulers. It was in this backdrop that Abdul Qadeer Khan, in June 1931, gave a fiery speech against the Dogras and asked the people to rise against them. Do You Know: • July 13 was officially commemorated as 'Martyrs' day' in Jammu and Kashmir and the day was observed as a state holiday till August 2019. The Chief Minister and political leaders would visit the 'Martyrs' cemetery' in Srinagar to pay tributes. The BJP opposed this. • In 2015, when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) formed a coalition government with the BJP, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti visited the graveyard, but BJP leaders, including the deputy chief minister and ministers, most of whom hailed from Jammu, didn't join her. Since the formation of the coalition, the BJP leaders and ministers had started to demand a holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh, the Dogra king in power when the 1931 killings took place. • July 13 was perhaps the only occasion where the separatists and the mainstream political parties were unanimous, and that is why the departed were called 'martyrs' of all'. While the government would officially commemorate the day declaring it a holiday, the separatists would call a shutdown on the day to protest against their killing. The protests on July 13, 1931 were seen as the first assertion of Muslim identity in Jammu and Kashmir and the beginning of the struggle for freedom. • After the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status on August 5, 2019, the Centre-appointed Lt Governor scrapped the official holiday on July 13. The holiday on the birth anniversary of National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was also scrapped. The official commemorations of the 'Martyrs' day' were stopped and the administration prevented political leaders and parties from commemorating the day by sealing the 'martyrs' cemetery' and putting the leaders under house detention. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍After house arrest of political leaders, Omar slams J&K administration – 'democracy in J&K is a tyranny of unelected' For any queries and feedback, contact 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. Priya Kumari Shukla is a Senior Copy Editor in the Indian Express (digital). She contributes to the UPSC Section of Indian Express (digital) and started niche initiatives such as UPSC Key, UPSC Ethics Simplified, and The 360° UPSC Debate. The UPSC Key aims to assist students and aspirants in their preparation for the Civil Services and other competitive examinations. It provides valuable guidance on effective strategies for reading and comprehending newspaper content. The 360° UPSC Debate tackles a topic from all perspectives after sorting through various publications. The chosen framework for the discussion is structured in a manner that encompasses both the arguments in favour and against the topic, ensuring comprehensive coverage of many perspectives. Prior to her involvement with the Indian Express, she had affiliations with a non-governmental organisation (NGO) as well as several coaching and edutech enterprises. In her prior professional experience, she was responsible for creating and refining material in various domains, including article composition and voiceover video production. She has written in-house books on many subjects, including modern India, ancient Indian history, internal security, international relations, and the Indian economy. She has more than eight years of expertise in the field of content writing. Priya holds a Master's degree in Electronic Science from the University of Pune as well as an Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management (EPPPM) from the esteemed Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, widely recognised as one of the most prestigious business schools in India. She is also an alumni of Jamia Milia Islamia University Residential Coaching Academy (RCA). Priya has made diligent efforts to engage in research endeavours, acquiring the necessary skills to effectively examine and synthesise facts and empirical evidence prior to presenting their perspective. Priya demonstrates a strong passion for reading, particularly in the genres of classical Hindi, English, Maithili, and Marathi novels and novellas. Additionally, she possessed the distinction of being a cricket player at the national level. Qualification, Degrees / other achievements: Master's degree in Electronic Science from University of Pune and Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management (EPPPM) from Indian Institute of Management Calcutta ... Read More
India.com
a day ago
- Politics
- India.com
Opposition Questions ECs Hurry Over Nationwide Electoral Roll Revision Ahead Of SC Verdict
New Delhi: With the Bihar elections approaching, the Election Commission has directed Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) across all states to initiate preparations for a Bihar-like Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. However, Opposition parties have criticized the move, questioning the "hurry" of implementing a nationwide SIR without consulting political parties. Parties across the Opposition spectrum, including the Congress, Trinamool Congress, and the Left, said on Sunday that the Election Commission should have waited for the Supreme Court to conclude its hearing on the matter before issuing directions for a Bihar-like Special Intensive Revision. Last Thursday, the Supreme Court, while hearing a batch of petitions raising concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in poll-bound Bihar, declined to restrain the Election Commission from proceeding with the exercise. However, it suggested that the Commission consider using Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards to update the electoral rolls. The Court allowed the EC to file a counter-affidavit by July 21, with the next hearing scheduled for July 28. According to reports dated July 5, just a day after a petition was filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar, the Election Commission wrote to Chief Electoral Officers across all states, directing them to begin preparations for a similar exercise, this time using January 1, 2026, as the qualifying date. The mention of January 1, 2026, as the qualifying date suggests that while the nationwide exercise may begin soon, a final timeline for its completion across the country is yet to be determined. The objective, however, is to ensure the inclusion of all individuals who turn 18 by that date. Leaders from various Opposition parties on Sunday criticized the Election Commission for moving ahead with plans to implement a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) nationwide, arguing that the poll body should have waited for the Supreme Court to deliver its judgment on the matter. They questioned the rationale behind initiating such a significant exercise without broader consultation and before the legal proceedings, specifically concerning Bihar, had concluded. Opposition leaders voiced strong reservations about the Election Commission's decision to initiate a nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Among their key concerns were the perceived haste in rolling out the exercise and the absence of prior consultation with political parties. They argued that such an important move, one that directly impacts voter inclusion and electoral transparency, should not be undertaken unilaterally, especially while the legality of the process in Bihar is still under judicial scrutiny. Speaking to the media, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who is representing the petitioners in the Supreme Court case challenging the SIR in Bihar, said that any statement by the Election Commission holds little weight until the Court delivers its verdict. 'A statement of the ECI is effectually meaningless because everything will depend on the outcome of the pending case in the Supreme Court, not only on July 28, but on a few dates thereafter,' Singhvi said. 'Depending on that outcome alone, everything else will proceed or not proceed. Merely giving jingoistic statements is meaningless. Let us wait for the entire Supreme Court proceedings to work itself out.' Congress MP and Lok Sabha Whip Manickam Tagore accused the Election Commission of disregarding the Supreme Court's views, saying, 'The latest directives from the ECI show it is not ready to respect the Supreme Court's views as well… it shows how the ECI has been completely compromised.' RJD Rajya Sabha member Manoj Kumar Jha expressed concerns over the timeline in Bihar and the EC's failure to consult political parties. 'As ground reports from The Indian Express and other media platforms indicate, the ECI is brazenly focusing on headline management while ignoring the concerns of enumerators and those undergoing enumeration,' he said. Samajwadi Party Rajya Sabha member Javed Ali Khan criticized both the EC and the BJP, calling the electoral roll revision 'arbitrary.' He added, 'The EC can conduct this exercise nationwide, but it should wait for the Supreme Court order in this matter.' TMC Rajya Sabha member Sagarika Ghose questioned whether the EC was effectively preparing a citizens' register under the guise of electoral roll revision. 'Our party believes the main target of the SIR exercise is Bengal. This is an NRC from the backdoor. The EC should clarify if it is preparing a citizens' register, which is not its job,' Ghose said. She further warned that millions of Indians lack the documents the EC is demanding, giving the Commission excessive discretionary power to decide what constitutes valid documentation and potentially strike voters off the rolls. 'This is a malafide exercise targeting the poorest and most vulnerable. The EC is going far beyond its remit,' she added. CPI(M) leader John Brittas clarified that the Opposition is not opposed to revising voter lists to remove fake voters. 'However, this should not be used as a ploy to conduct an NRC through the backdoor or to manipulate the electorate,' he said. Brittas emphasized that the Election Commission must heed the Supreme Court's observation that deciding citizenship is not within its mandate. 'The EC should also consult political parties before undertaking such an exercise,' he added. 'All valid IDs, including Aadhaar and voter ID cards, should be accepted for this process, and voters must be given sufficient time to participate,' John Brittas added. CPI general secretary D. Raja questioned the Election Commission's urgency in initiating a nationwide revision of electoral rolls. 'The Supreme Court is still hearing the matter, and the EC has yet to respond. Why the rush? Especially when states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal face elections next year. The EC owes an explanation for this haste,' Raja said.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Why the hurry, wait for outcome in SC: Opposition questions EC move to revise rolls nationwide
On the day The Sunday Express reported that the Election Commission had directed Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of all states to begin preparations for a Bihar-like Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, Opposition parties criticised the EC move and questioned the 'hurry' for a nationwide SIR without consulting political parties. The parties, from the Congress to TMC to Left, said Sunday that the EC should have waited for the matter to conclude in the Supreme Court before giving directions for a Bihar-like SIR. Last Thursday, the Supreme Court, while hearing a clutch of petitions voicing concerns over the SIR in poll-bound Bihar, declined to restrain the EC from proceeding with the SIR but suggested that the poll panel also consider Aadhaar, voter ID and ration cards for the purpose of updating the rolls. It said the EC could file a counter-affidavit by July 21 and the matter be listed for another hearing on July 28. The Sunday Express reported that on July 5, a day after a petition was filed in the Supreme Court challenging the SIR in Bihar, the EC wrote to Chief Electoral Officers of all other states, directing them to begin preparations for a similar exercise – this time with January 1, 2026, as the qualifying date. The qualifying date mentioned in the letter indicates that while the nationwide exercise may start soon, a final timeline for the rest of the country is yet to be decided – though the aim is to include everyone who turns 18 years of age by January 1, 2026. Leaders from Opposition parties said Sunday that the EC should have waited for the outcome of the matter in the apex court before rolling out a similar exercise across the country. Among other concerns raised by Opposition members was the 'hurry' and lack of consultation with political parties before undertaking the exercise. Speaking to The Indian Express, Congress Rajya Sabha member Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who is appearing for the petitioners in the Supreme Court in the Bihar SIR case, said: 'A statement of the ECI is effectually meaningless because everything will depend on the outcome of the pending case in the Supreme Court. Not only on (July) 28, but on a few dates thereafter. Depending on that outcome alone, everything else will proceed or not proceed. Merely giving jingoistic statements is meaningless. Let us wait for the entire Supreme Court proceedings to work itself out.' Congress MP and Whip in Lok Sabha Manickam Tagore said the latest directives from the ECI 'shows it is not ready to respect the Supreme Court's views as well… it shows how the ECI has been completely compromised'. RJD Rajya Sabha member Manoj Kumar Jha said: 'Our concern is the timeline in Bihar and refusal of the ECI to consult political parties before embarking on such an exercise. As the ground reports suggest, including those in The Indian Express and other media platforms, the ECI is brazenly going for only headline management and has failed to address concerns of the enumerators and those going undergoing enumeration.' Samajwadi Party Rajya Sabha member Javed Ali Khan took a swipe at both the ECI and the BJP over the electoral roll revision. 'It is being done in an arbitrary way. It can do this exercise across the country, but it should wait for the Supreme Court order in this matter,' Ali said. TMC Rajya Sabha member Sagarika Ghose said the ECI should answer 'if it is preparing a citizen's register' in the name of electoral roll revision. 'Our party has maintained that the main target of the SIR exercise is Bengal… This is an NRC from the backdoor. The ECI should answer if it is preparing a citizen's register which is not its job. The fact is that millions of Indians won't have documents the EC is seeking for this exercise. It gives the EC a lot of discretionary power to decide what valid documents are and strike voters off the roll. This is a malafide exercise targeting the poorest and most vulnerable. The ECI is going way out of its remit,' Ghose said. CPI(M)'s John Brittas said the Opposition is not against a voter's list revision to remove fake voters. 'This shouldn't be a ploy to conduct an NRC through the backdoor and also to tweak and tamper with the electorate. Further, the EC has to take note of the Supreme Court's observations that it is not the job of the EC to decide on citizenship. They should also take political parties into confidence for such an exercise.' 'All those available IDs, including Aadhaar card and voter ID cards, should be made applicable for such a process. And enough time should be given to voters for such an exercise,' Brittas said. CPI general secretary D Raja said the EC should explain the 'hurry' for revision of rolls across India. 'The Supreme Court is hearing the matter, and the ECI is yet to respond. Why this hurry? Because Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have elections next year. The ECI should explain why there is a hurry,' Raja said.
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Nationwide SIR set to roll out soon; CEOs publish previous revision data
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is working on a possible nationwide rollout of Bihar-like Special Intensive Revision (SIR) starting from August, ET has is learnt that chief electoral officers across states have been informally sounded out on the upcoming SIR and the need to start preparing for the same. The first moves have already been made, ET has learnt. Several CEOs have begun publishing (on their website) the electoral roll of the year when the last intensive revision was conducted in a state/Union Territory. For instance, the Delhi CEO website now hosts the 2008 electoral roll - 2008 was the last time the national capital saw an intensive on the other hand, has put out the 2006 electoral roll, drawn up after the intensive revision that year. It is expected that this will serve as a cutoff for electoral roll revision as is the case in Bihar where the 2003 electoral roll is being used as the base to validate elector details. Most states underwent their last intensive electoral roll revision between 2002-2004. "There is informal signalling that SIR may happen soon. In view of the ongoing SIR in Bihar, it is felt that it is best to put out the electoral roll from the last such intensive revision immediately so that electors can conveniently check their name on the list," a senior poll official from a state government told ET on the condition of anonymity. Alongside, several state CEOs have also begun the process of recruiting and training Booth Level Officers for SIR. The format is expected to be similar to the one in Bihar, complete with a pre-printed enumeration form, similar categories of electors - born before 1987, until 2004 and after move is in keeping with the ECI's June 24 announcement of SIR in Bihar. The ECI order clearly stated that the poll panel has decided to begin the SIR "in the entire country for the discharge of its constitutional mandate to protect the integrity of the electoral rolls." It added that the schedule for SIR for the rest of the country would be the one issued separately in due has learnt that the ECI had been mulling a major SIR launch across most states starting from the first week of August. However, a final schedule is still being worked out and may be affected as per leanings from Bihar as well as the ongoing debate on the issue.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Nationwide SIR set to roll out soon; CEOs publish previous revision data
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is working on a possible nationwide rollout of Bihar-like Special Intensive Revision (SIR) starting from August, ET has is learnt that chief electoral officers across states have been informally sounded out on the upcoming SIR and the need to start preparing for the same. The first moves have already been made, ET has learnt. Several CEOs have begun publishing (on their website) the electoral roll of the year when the last intensive revision was conducted in a state/Union Territory. For instance, the Delhi CEO website now hosts the 2008 electoral roll - 2008 was the last time the national capital saw an intensive on the other hand, has put out the 2006 electoral roll, drawn up after the intensive revision that year. It is expected that this will serve as a cutoff for electoral roll revision as is the case in Bihar where the 2003 electoral roll is being used as the base to validate elector details. Most states underwent their last intensive electoral roll revision between 2002-2004. "There is informal signalling that SIR may happen soon. In view of the ongoing SIR in Bihar, it is felt that it is best to put out the electoral roll from the last such intensive revision immediately so that electors can conveniently check their name on the list," a senior poll official from a state government told ET on the condition of anonymity. Alongside, several state CEOs have also begun the process of recruiting and training Booth Level Officers for SIR. The format is expected to be similar to the one in Bihar, complete with a pre-printed enumeration form, similar categories of electors - born before 1987, until 2004 and after move is in keeping with the ECI's June 24 announcement of SIR in Bihar. The ECI order clearly stated that the poll panel has decided to begin the SIR "in the entire country for the discharge of its constitutional mandate to protect the integrity of the electoral rolls." It added that the schedule for SIR for the rest of the country would be the one issued separately in due has learnt that the ECI had been mulling a major SIR launch across most states starting from the first week of August. However, a final schedule is still being worked out and may be affected as per leanings from Bihar as well as the ongoing debate on the issue.
