Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Russia, China and the West
Central Idea
- Russia and China aim to exploit divisions within the West to transform the global order and build a post-Western order. However, the Indian strategic community should not expect the fault lines within the West to be fatal, as history has shown that such dreams have not come to fruition.
Post-Western Order
- Building a post-Western order: Russia and China have talked of upending the world order before, with the history of international communism in the 20th century being about building a post-Western order.
- America’s internal fissures and divisions between the US and Europe: While Moscow and Beijing are convinced that they can put the West on the defensive by pooling their strengths, the success of this strategy rests on the Moscow-Beijing axis successfully leveraging America’s internal fissures and divisions between the US and Europe.
Dividing America from Europe
- The Moscow and Beijing are hoping to divide America from Europe: Russia’s latest version of its foreign policy doctrine singles out the US as the main instigator, organizer, and executor of the aggressive anti-Russian policy of the collective West.
- China’s diplomatic Europe strategy: China’s love for Europe’s strategic autonomy is equally passionate. However, it is unlikely that there will be a decisive movement on either issue, but both sides see the diplomatic dance as a valuable exercise.
Sino-European Engagement
- Europe’s pressure on Russia: Europe wants Xi to put pressure on Putin to end the war in Ukraine, and Beijing would like Europe to distance itself from the US on its China policy.
- Europe not ready to busy China’s peace initiative: While Europe is not ready to buy China’s peace initiative on Ukraine, it has convinced itself that Xi is the only leader who can nudge Putin towards peace.
India’s Perspective
- The realists in India are aware of the many differences between the US and Europe, but they are also aware that Western strategic unity has endured since World War II.
- The Russian and Chinese overreach has cemented broad Western unity rather than separating Europe from the US.
Conclusion
- While Russia and China aim to exploit divisions within the West to transform the global order, it is unlikely that they will succeed in building a post-Western order. The fault lines within the West are real, but they are by no means fatal.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: India's transition to a self-reliant clean energy system.
Central Idea
- Lessons learned from the liberalization of upstream petroleum sector can guide India’s transition to a self-reliant clean energy system.
Background
- In 1980, then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi took a significant step in liberalizing the upstream petroleum sector in India. This move aimed to reduce the country’s reliance on external sources for petroleum and protect it from supply shocks. However, the liberalization did not bridge the gap between domestic demand and indigenous supply.
- In 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme to promote investment in minerals, components, and equipment required for the generation and consumption of clean energy. This decision was driven by the strategic imperative to transition to a self-reliant clean energy system and reduce dependence on external sources of energy.
Bridging the gap between demand and supply in the clean energy sector
- Demand and supply gap: The liberalization of upstream petroleum did not bridge the gap between the domestic demand for petroleum and indigenous supply.
- Capital is not enough: The clean energy sector must not presume that the availability of technical talent and capital will be enough to create a world-class hub for the manufacture of batteries, solar cells, wafers, and modules.
Efficient Implementation of Technology in Clean Energy Sector
- India’s oil and gas producing average: The recovery rate of oil and gas from India’s producing fields has averaged between 25-30%, while fields of comparable geology across the world have a recovery rate between 40-60%.
- China’s dominance in clean energy value chain: China’s dominance of the clean energy value chain is because its process engineers have perfected the implementation of the several technological steps required to convert raw material into end product.
Reduce entry barriers and improve business condition
- India cannot compete on the size of the incentive package, and the endeavor should instead be to lower entry barriers, ease business conditions and remove the perception that India offers a high-cost operating environment.
India’s Dependency on External Market and Two-Track Policy with China
- India remains dependent on the external market for supplies of petroleum, but the country should desist from building a high-cost, domestic, clean energy hub that is forever dependent on subsidies.
- India should continue with its two-track policy and strengthen its trading relationship with China.
Conclusion
- India can learn from the lessons of the last 40 years to transition to a self-reliant clean energy system. The country needs to focus on creating an enabling ecosystem, efficiently utilizing technology, and easing business conditions to attract international investment. India should focus on trading relationships and not build a high-cost, domestic clean energy hub dependent on subsidies.
Mains Question
Q. India’s clean energy sector has enormous potential for growth, however there is a gap between domestic demand and indigenous supply. What specific measures can India take to bridge this gap and emerge as global leader in renewable energy?
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NATO
Mains level: NATO expansion and its implications
Central Idea
- Finland has become the 31st member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and its decision to join the alliance should be viewed through the lens of conventional deterrence. The accession of Finland into NATO is a rational choice that may provide additional security guarantees and help to defend against possible aggression from Russia.
Historical context of Finland-Russia relations
- The relationship between Finland and Russia has been a combination of struggle and compromise, dating back nearly 200 years.
- In 1809, the Russian Tsar Alexander I acquired Finland and made it an autonomous Grand Duchy of the Russian empire.
- Between the two world wars, the Finns felt less threatened by Germany than by Russia.
- 31st NATO member: Finland has become the 31st member of NATO, triggering possible countermeasures from Russia.
- Independent choice: The decision to join NATO is seen as an independent choice, triggered largely by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- Security guarantee: Finland’s accession to NATO is a rational choice to receive additional security guarantees from the alliance. Article 5 of NATO’s founding treaty binds the members together, committing them to protect each other and setting a spirit of solidarity within the alliance.
Preparations for defense against possible aggression
- Defence against possible aggression: Even prior to its membership in NATO, Finland had been preparing to defend itself against possible aggression.
- The Finnish system of conscription has generated sufficient resources for the army, navy, and air force to act effectively in a war situation.
Implications for India and the Arctic region
- Real punch to the Western alliance in the Nordic region: Finland has maintained a small but capable armed force that is well-trained and resilient, and its inclusion in NATO adds real punch to the Western alliance in the Nordic region.
- High north is commercial attraction: As the Arctic ice cap melts amidst global warming, the high north has become attractive commercially and contested geopolitically.
- India is an observer of the Arctic Council: India is an observer of the Arctic Council that seeks to promote wide-ranging cooperation in the polar north.
- China raising profile in the Arctic: The militarisation of the high north appears inevitable as Finland and Sweden turn from neutrals to Western allies and China raises its profile in the Arctic in partnership with Russia.
- Global governance: This might make global governance of the Arctic region increasingly problematic
Way ahead: The need for cautious behavior by NATO and Russia
- Both NATO and Russia should exercise cautious behavior vis-à-vis each other to avoid further escalation of tensions.
- Finland’s newly elected centre-right government should engage in bilateral dialogue with Russia, trying to understand each other’s security concerns.
- There should be at least some NATO members who would be willing to rely more on diplomatic tools and lower the temperatures.
Conclusion
- The decision of Finland to join NATO is seen as a rational choice, triggered largely by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The accession of Finland into NATO should be viewed through the lens of conventional deterrence and could potentially persuade an adversary not to initiate a war. NATO and Russia should search for ways to lower the tensions and avoid implementing measures and imposing countermeasures.
Mains Question
Q. Finland has become the 31st member of NATO. In this light discuss the rationale behind this decision its implications.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: I2U2
Mains level: India-U.S. relationship
Central Idea
- The India-U.S. relationship will be crucial in the next six months with engagements set to happen between the two countries on various forums like the G20, Quad, and I2U2.
Divergence and Convergence
- The appointment of Eric Garcetti as the U.S. Ambassador to India signals the potential for greater partnership, but there are also differences to be overcome.
- The U.S. may want India to change its stance on the Ukraine crisis.
- India may want a stronger position against China.
- However, the two countries share strong areas of convergence such as
- The India-U.S. Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology and
- The Indo-Pacific partnership aimed at promoting security, economic growth, and connectivity in the region.
- In July 2022, India, Israel, the United States (US), and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a hybrid summit announced the establishment of a new minilateral grouping called the I2U2.
- The four countries envision their alliance as an ad-hoc, informal, issue-specific and geoeconomic initiative.
Realignment of U.S. Supply Chains
- Disrupted supply chains: In recent years, there has been growing interest in diversifying supply chains away from China due to geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, and concerns about over-reliance on a single country.
- India is emerging as attractive destination: India’s growing consumer market makes it an attractive destination for U.S. businesses looking to expand their customer base.
Ups and Downs in India-U.S. relationship
- The India-U.S. relationship has had its ups and downs over time, with key moments such as the nuclear deal, liberalisation of markets, and the outsourcing of Indian techies for U.S. companies.
- The U.S. has also played an important role in making India an IT superpower.
- The two countries are also partners in combating climate change and aligned on the importance of space technology.
Trust Deficit
- In the past, there has been a trust deficit between India and the U.S., with Indians feeling that the U.S. has not always supported India and has instead supported Pakistan.
- The U.S. has flagged issues related to terrorism, human rights, and democracy in India. However, the two countries can become stronger together by building on their strategic partnership.
Conclusion
- The next six months will be critical for India-U.S. ties, with both countries looking to enhance collaboration and partnership. While there are differences in opinions to be addressed, the two countries also share strong areas of convergence that can be leveraged to strengthen their strategic partnership.
Mains Question
Q. What is I2U2 initiative? Evaluate how does it fit into the broader context of the India- US relationship?
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Dangers of Fake news and IT rules, 2021
Central Idea
- The addition of the fake news provision in the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (Intermediary Guidelines) must be seen in the context of protecting fundamental rights while combatting fake news. The recent addition by the central government clearly militates against settled law and the Constitution.
- Fake news refers to intentionally fabricated or misleading information presented as if it were real news. It can be spread through traditional media sources like newspapers or television, but it is more commonly associated with social media platforms and other online sources.
- Fake news can range from completely made-up stories to misleading headlines and selectively edited or out-of-context information designed to deceive readers.
- It is often used for political purposes, to manipulate public opinion or to spread misinformation about individuals, organizations or events.
Existing Provisions to Combat Fake News
- Intermediary Guidelines of 2021: The most preferred democratic process to combat the threats and impact of fake news on a polity would be through Parliament-enacted laws. India opted for the speedier alternative of an addition to the Intermediary Guidelines of 2021 (as amended), through Rule 3(1)(v).
- Can not disseminate misleading content: Under this rule, intermediaries including social media platforms have to ensure that users do not disseminate content that deceives or misleads on the origin or knowingly and intentionally communicates any information which is patently false or misleading in nature but may reasonably be perceived as a fact.
Remedies Available
- Complaints and grievance: Any complaints from users, government, or court have to be actioned by the grievance officer of an intermediary, including social media platforms, within 15 days. This timeframe for actioning a complaint for complaints of false or misleading news is reduced to 72 hours.
- Resolution: The next step for resolution is provided through the Grievance Appellate Committees, which the government recently announced appointments for.
- Other actions: These remedies are independent of and in addition to the remedies available in law for a government agency to seek takedowns or blocking, as per due process or for courts to decide thereon.
Critique of the Addition
- Provisions already exists: The recent addition of a separate category for restraint on dissemination by users of content in respect of any business of the Central Government is unwarranted as provisions already exist. The restraint is on users and not intermediaries, as misconceived by many. The onus on intermediaries is only of reasonable effort.
- No transparency: With merely a central government-authorised fact check unit saying so, content could be classified as fake, false or misleading and a takedown and action necessitated, without even a semblance of due process.
- No legitimacy: In the present instance, there is an absolute absence of legitimate aim for this additional restriction on users and an abject lack of procedures that would assure due process.
Reaffirming the Need for Legitimacy
- The recent addition clearly militates against settled law and the Constitution: The Supreme Court in Puttaswamy judgment reaffirmed the need for legitimacy, supported by parliament enacted laws, which are proportionate to meet the test of constitutionality.
- Media One case: Supreme Court’s recent judgment in the Media One case (Madhyamam Broadcasting Limited v. Union of India, April 5, 2023) reiterates that any law or regulation inconsistent with fundamental rights is void. This judgment also reaffirms the four principles that will decide the constitutionality of a law or regulation: (i) unreasonableness or irrationality; (ii) illegality; and (iii) procedural impropriety.
Some of the dangers of fake news
- Inciting communal violence: In India, fake news has been known to incite communal violence. For instance, the spread of fake news on social media was one of the factors behind the Muzaffarnagar riots of 2013.
- Undermining public trust: Fake news can undermine public trust in institutions and the media. This can have serious consequences for democracy and social cohesion.
- Impact on health: Fake news about health issues can have serious consequences. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, fake news about remedies and cures for the disease led to people consuming dangerous substances.
- Misinformation during elections: Fake news can also be used to spread misinformation during elections, which can influence voters and distort the democratic process.
- Economic harm: Fake news can cause economic harm by spreading false information about businesses, leading to loss of investor confidence and financial losses.
- Spreading rumors: Fake news can also be used to spread rumors about individuals, which can have serious consequences, such as the recent case of fake news leading to the lynching of two men in Assam.
Conclusion
- The recent addition is unsustainable and unwarranted as provisions already exist. The fight should be for the protection of fundamental rights that are essential to our very existence.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: OPEC+
Mains level: Crude oil price dynamics
OPEC+ countries announced a voluntary oil production cut of 1.16 million barrels per day, which could impact the Indian economy, which depends on oil imports for 85% of its energy needs.
Recent trend in crude oil prices
- Crude oil prices crashed in April 2020 due to the pandemic and recovered when economies opened up.
- Subsequently, prices rocketed in early 2022, but then the global economy slowed and a recession in advanced markets looms large.
- This has resulted in declining demand for crude oil from major economies, causing oil prices to start falling again.
What is OPEC+?
- OPEC+ is a group of oil-producing countries that cooperate to manage the global supply and prices of crude oil.
- It is made up of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and a group of non-OPEC countries, including Russia, Mexico, Kazakhstan, and others.
- OPEC was founded in 1960 by five countries: Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela.
- The organization’s primary objective was to coordinate and unify petroleum policies among member countries to secure fair and stable prices for petroleum producers and a regular supply for consumers.
Key functions of OPEC+
- Oil Production Regulation: OPEC+ regulates oil production of its member countries to ensure that oil prices remain stable and there is no oversupply or undersupply of oil in the market.
- Price Control: It aims to control the price of crude oil by regulating the supply of oil to the market.
- Market Monitoring: OPEC+ closely monitors the global oil market to understand the demand and supply dynamics of oil.
- Coordination: OPEC+ member countries work together to make decisions on oil production levels, pricing policies, and other matters that impact the global oil market.
- Research and Development: OPEC+ invests in research and development to explore new technologies and methods that can help member countries to produce oil more efficiently and sustainably.
Reason behind recent production cuts
- OPEC+ countries aim to support market stability by reducing oil supplies.
- The recent production cuts, totalling 3.7% of global demand, will raise crude oil prices per barrel and help cover up the losses producer countries faced after prices crashed.
Impact on Indian economy
- India is the third-largest oil consumer and imports 85% of its total crude oil requirement.
- The cut could raise crude by $10/barrel, increasing import bill and worsening the current account deficit by around 0.4% of GDP.
- This will impact foreign exchange reserves and result in the depreciation of the rupee, which in turn can increase imported inflation.
Impact on common people
- If the rise in crude oil import bill is passed on to the public, it may lead to cost-push inflation as every economic activity gets affected by oil price movement.
- On the flip side, state-controlled oil marketing companies may be stopped from passing on the increased burden to consumers, further worsening the financial balance of the oil public sector units.
Alternatives for India
- India can turn to Russia for more supplies of cheap crude, but of late there has been a small decline in Russia’s share in India’s oil imports.
- As a long-term strategy, the government should focus on alternative energy sources and building better roads.
- The government should work on bringing petroleum products within the goods and services tax, and promote energy-efficient use of vehicles or an eco-driving culture.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Office of the Governor
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central idea: The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly passed a resolution urging the Union Government to issue appropriate instructions to Governor to give his assent to bills passed by the Assembly within a specific period.
Who is Governor?
- Parallel to President: The Governors of the states of India have similar powers and functions at the state level as those of the President of India at the Central level.
- Nominal head: The governor acts as the nominal head whereas the real power lies with the Chief Ministers of the states and her/his councils of ministers.
- Similar offices: Governors exist in the states while Lieutenant Governors or Administrators exist in union territories including the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
- Non-local appointees: Few or no governors are local to the state that they are appointed to govern.
Governor-State Relations: How are they guided?
- Acting on aid and advice: Although envisaged as an apolitical head who must act on the advice of the council of ministers, the Governor enjoys certain powers granted under the Constitution.
- Discretion: He has monopoly for giving or withholding assent to a Bill passed by the state legislature, or determining the time needed for a party to prove its majority, or which party must be called first do so, generally after a hung verdict in an election.
- Apparatus of interaction: There are no provisions laid down for the manner in which the Governor and the state must engage publicly when there is a difference of opinion. The management of differences has traditionally been guided by respect for each other’s boundaries.
Role of Governor in Legislature
- Integral part: A Bill passed by the State Assembly becomes law only after it is assented to by the Governor. The Governor being a part of the State legislature, the process of law making is complete only when he signs it, signifying his assent.
- Established practice: In all democratic countries, similar provision exists in their constitutions.
Power of Governor vis-a-vis legislature
- What Article 200 says: The Constitution provides certain options for the Governor to exercise when a Bill reaches him from the Assembly.
- There are four possible scenarios:
- Assent: He may give assent.
- Reconsider: He can send it back to the Assembly requesting it to reconsider some provisions of the Bill, or the Bill itself. In this case, if the Assembly passes the Bill without making any change and sends it back to the Governor, he will have to give assent to it.
- Reserve: The third option is to reserve the Bill for the consideration of the President.
- Withhold: The fourth option, of course, is to withhold the assent.
Why there is ambiguity over the role of governors in India?
- Role of the governor: The question of whether a Governor is permitted by the Constitution to cause uncertainty in the matter of giving assent to the Bills passed by State legislatures assumes great importance.
- Presidential Assent: The provision concerned makes it clear that a Bill can be reserved for the consideration of the President only if the Governor forms an opinion that the Bill would endanger the position of the High Court by whittling away its powers. The Constitution does not mention any other type of Bill which is required to be reserved for the consideration of the President.
- Constitution is silent: the Constitution does not mention the grounds on which a Governor may withhold assent to a Bill.
- No remedy: The Indian Constitution, however, does not provide any such remedy as that of USA or UK. The courts too have more or less accepted the position that if the Governor withholds assent, the Bill will go. Thus, the whole legislative exercise will become fruitless. It does not square with the best practices in old and mature democracies.
Various friction points
In recent years, these have been largely about:
- Selection of the party to form a government
- Deadline for proving the majority
- Sitting on Bills
- Withhold of assents
- Passing negative remarks on the state administration
Why does this happen?
- Political appointment: This is because Governors have become political appointees. Politicians become Governors and then resign to fight elections.
- Nature of appointment: In the Constitution, there are no guidelines for exercise of the Governor’s powers, including for appointing a CM or dissolving the Assembly.
- Defying constituent assembly: The Constituent Assembly envisaged governor to be apolitical.
- Nature of appointment: The CM is answerable to the people. But the Governor is answerable to no one except the Centre.
- Constitutional vacuum: Once can sugercoat it with ideas of constitutional morality and values, but the truth is there is a fundamental defect in the Constitution.
- Security of Tenure: There is no provision for impeaching the Governor, who is appointed by the President on the Centre’s advice. While the Governor has 5-year a tenure, he can remain in office only until the pleasure of the President.
- Powers in legislation: There is no limit set for how long a Governor can withhold assent to a Bill.
What reforms have been suggested?
- From the Administrative Reforms Commission of 1968 to Sarkaria Commission of 1988 and the one mentioned above, several panels have recommended reforms, such as:
- Selection of the Governor through a panel comprising the PM, Home Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker and the CM,
- Fixing his tenure for five years
- Provision to impeach the Governor by the Assembly
- No government has implemented any of these recommendations.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: State Energy Efficiency Index
Mains level: Not Much
The Union Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy has released the report of State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) 2021-22.
State Energy Efficiency Index
- The SEEI 2021-22 has been developed by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in collaboration with Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE).
- SEEI 2021-22 consists of 50 indicators (common and programme-specific) spanning 7 sectors – buildings, industry, municipal services, transport, agriculture, DISCOMs, and cross-sector.
- 36 states and union territories have been assessed for their energy efficiency progress in FY 2020- 21 and FY 2021-22 in SEEI 2021-22.
- Based on their efforts and achievements, states have been classified as ‘Front runner’, ‘Achiever’, ‘Contender’, and ‘Aspirant’.
Highlights of the 2021-22 report
| Category |
States |
| Front Runner (>60 points) |
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Telangana |
| Achiever (50-60 points) |
Assam, Haryana, Maharashtra, Punjab |
Importance of SEEI
- The SEEI improves data collection, enables cross-state collaboration, and develops energy efficiency program ideas.
- It helps states identify areas for improvement, learn from best practices, and adopt an economy-wide approach to energy efficiency implementation.
- By prioritizing energy efficiency, it aims at driving decarbonization efforts and achieving a more sustainable future.
Key recommendations of the report
The report outlines the following recommendations to help states drive change in EE which will contribute towards the fulfillment of SDGs and NDC:
- Enabling fiscal assistance for energy efficiency in the focus sectors.
- Developing institutional capacity in states and UTs to address emerging needs and challenges in energy efficiency implementation.
- Enhancing cross-functional collaborations across financial institutions, energy service companies, and energy professionals in large-scale energy efficiency implementation in states.
- Mainstreaming energy data reporting and monitoring across sectors.
Back2Basics: Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
- BEE was established by the Government of India on 1st March 2002 under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
- The primary objective of BEE is to reduce the energy intensity of the Indian economy by developing policies and strategies based on self-regulation and market principles.
- BEE coordinates with designated consumers, designated agencies, and other organizations to perform its functions under the Energy Conservation Act.
- The Energy Conservation Act provides for both regulatory and promotional functions for BEE.
- BEE’s role includes recognizing, identifying, and utilizing existing resources and infrastructure to promote energy conservation and efficiency.
- It works towards driving energy efficiency policies and programs at the state and local level, enabling cross-state collaboration and developing energy efficiency program ideas.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: UNDEF
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea: The article provides an explanation of the UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF), its history and objectives, as well as the involvement of India and the United States in its establishment.
Why in news?
- There is a controversy surrounding the fund’s support for NGOs funded by George Soros, who is on a watchlist in India.
- He had alleged the Adani turmoil will weaken Indian politics and lead to a “democratic revival” in the country.
What is UN Democracy Fund?
- The UNDEF was established in 2005 with an initial contribution of $10 million each from the United States and India.
- Its aim is to support projects that strengthen the voice and participation of civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the development of democratic institutions and processes.
- It is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from member states and is governed by an advisory board composed of 16 members representing different regions of the world.
Role in promoting democracy and civil society
- UNDEF’s mission is to support projects that strengthen the voice and participation of civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the development of democratic institutions and processes.
- The fund solicits and receives up to 3,000 proposals from NGOs around the world each year.
- An advisory board considers these proposals and recommends proposals for approval by the Secretary-General.
- Between 30 to 50 projects are chosen every year, and in 15 rounds of funding so far, UNDEF has supported over 880 two-year projects in more than 130 countries.
India’s involvement in the governance of UNDEF
- India has been a member of the UNDEF advisory board since the fund’s inception.
- The board is composed of 16 members representing different regions of the world, and it includes the eight largest member state contributors and six other states to reflect diverse geographical representation, including one “small island” and developing states.
- It also has two individual members and two CSOs.
- The CSOs currently serving on the board include CIVICUS and Transparency, Accountability and Participation Network.
India’s involvement in the establishment of UNDEF
- India played a key role in the establishment of UNDEF as it was one of the founding members of the fund.
- In 2005, India’s then PM, Manmohan Singh, and US President George W. Bush announced the US-India Global Democracy Initiative, which included support for the UNDEF.
- India has contributed to the fund on several occasions since its inception, although its contributions have decreased in recent years.
Contradictions with UNDEF
- India’s relationship with UNDEF has been marked by contradictions.
- While India has supported the fund and contributed to it, it has also put George Soros on a watchlist in India while UNDEF has no objections to the fund giving grants to NGOs funded by Soros.
- This underscores a contradiction between the imperatives of the Modi government’s high table diplomacy and its domestic political ideology.
- It requires only Delhi to deploy a soft touch in the former while playing hardball at home for domestic audiences.
India’s contribution so far
- India has contributed to UNDEF on several occasions since its inception, although its contributions have decreased in recent years.
- India gave $5 million to the fund in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2011, but no contribution was made in 2007 and 2010.
- The contributions began dipping from 2012, with the amount being $4.71 million that year.
- In 2014, India slashed its funding, contributing only $200,000 that year and in 2015.
- In 2016, it was a mere $50,000, and no contribution was made in 2017.
- In 2018 and 2019, India was back with $100,000, and in 2020, 2021 and 2022, it gave $150,000.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: State and National Party
Mains level: Read the attached story
The Election Commission of India recognised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as a national party, while revoking the status of the All India Trinamool Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Communist Party of India (CPI).
What is National Party?
- The name suggests that a national party would be one that has a presence ‘nationally’, as opposed to a regional party whose presence is restricted to only a particular state or region.
- National parties are usually India’s bigger parties.
- However, some smaller parties, like the communist parties, are also recognised as national parties in India.
- A certain stature is sometimes associated with being a national party, but this does not necessarily translate into having a lot of national political clout.
How is a political party defined?
The ECI’s Political Parties and Election Symbols, 2019 handbook species following criteria:
National Party Definition
For recognition as a “National Party” in India, the conditions specified are:
- a 6% vote share in the last Assembly polls in each of any four states, as well as four seats in the last Lok Sabha polls; or
- 2% of all Lok Sabha seats in the last such election, with MPs elected from at least three states; or
- Recognition as a state party in at least four states.
For recognition as a “State Party”, any one of five conditions needs to be satisfied:
- two seats plus a 6% vote share in the last Assembly election in that state; or
- one seat plus a 6% vote share in the last Lok Sabha election from that state; or
- 3% of the total Assembly seats or 3 seats, whichever is more; or
- one of every 25 Lok Sabha seats (or an equivalent fraction) from a state; or
- an 8% state-wide vote share in either the last Lok Sabha or the last Assembly polls.
Benefits for recognized National Parties in India
- This is subject to the fulfillment of the conditions prescribed by the Commission in the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.
(a) Reserved Symbol
- If a party is recognised as a ‘state party’, it is entitled for exclusive allotment of its reserved symbol to the candidates set up by it in the state in which it is so recognised.
- If a party is recognised as a ‘national party’ it is entitled for exclusive allotment of its reserved symbol to the candidates set up by it throughout India.
(b) Proposer for nomination
- Recognised ‘state’ and ‘national’ parties in India need only one proposer for filing the nomination.
(c) Campaigning benefits
- National Parties in India are also entitled for two sets of electoral rolls free of cost and broadcast/telecast facilities over state-owned Akashvani/Doordarshan during the general elections.
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