PYQ Relevance:
Q) Assess the importance of the Panchayat system in India as a part of local government. Apart from government grants, what sources the Panchayats can look out for financing developmental projects? (UPSC CSE 2018) |
Mentor’s Comment: UPSC mains have always focused on the Panchayat System (2015), and Local Governance (2021).
The 73rd Amendment of 1992 was a milestone in India’s democracy, establishing the Panchayati Raj system to decentralize governance. It created a three-tier structure at the village, block, and district levels, ensuring regular local elections and reserving 50% of seats for women, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes. This brought democracy to the grassroots, promoting local representation and inclusive leadership. However, progress in strengthening local governance has slowed. Rapid technological and societal changes now risk making Panchayats less relevant. To keep them effective, their role must be reimagined to address modern challenges while preserving their core democratic purpose.
Today’s editorial talks about issues related to local government. This content would help in GS Paper 2 in mains answer writing.
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Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
The special discussion in Parliament on the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution had several salient aspects of the Constitution and policy directions adopted by previous governments but very little on a vital aspect of local governance was highlighted.
Why is the Panchayati Raj movement facing distress?
- Incomplete Devolution of Powers: Many States have not transferred all 29 subjects under the Eleventh Schedule, limiting Panchayats’ decision-making authority. Example: A 2022 Ministry of Panchayati Raj report found that less than 20% of States had fully devolved powers, restricting local governance.
- Declining Fiscal Autonomy: Though direct transfers have increased, untied grants (which Panchayats can use freely) have reduced from 85% (13th Finance Commission) to 60% (15th Finance Commission). Example: Many Gram Panchayats rely on centrally sponsored schemes, leaving little room for independent development planning.
- Marginalization Due to Digital Welfare Schemes: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes like PM-KISAN bypass Panchayats, reducing their role in beneficiary selection and grievance redress. Example: Farmers receive ₹6,000 annually under PM-KISAN directly in their accounts, eliminating Panchayats’ role in rural welfare.
- Political and Bureaucratic Interference: State governments and political parties use Panchayats as tools for electoral gains rather than empowering them as self-governing institutions. Example: In states like West Bengal and Kerala, Panchayat elections are highly politicized, often leading to violence and reducing focus on governance.
- Impact of Urbanization: With India’s rural population declining (from ~75% in 1990 to ~60% today), policy focus has shifted towards urban development and municipal governance. Example: Rural development funds have increasingly been diverted towards urban infrastructure projects, weakening Panchayat-led rural initiatives.
What impact does the distress in Panchayati Raj have on rural development?
- Inefficiency in Rural Welfare Implementation: Panchayats have been sidelined in the distribution of welfare benefits, leading to inefficiencies and reduced grievance redressal. Example: Schemes like PM-KISAN and PM Awas Yojana bypass Panchayats, causing delays in identifying genuine beneficiaries and addressing local concerns.
- Neglect of Rural Infrastructure and Public Services: Panchayats’ inability to raise resources has led to poor maintenance of rural roads, sanitation, and drinking water supply. Example: Many village schools and health centres remain understaffed due to a lack of funds and decision-making power at the Panchayat level.
- Increased Rural-Urban Migration: The failure to create employment and sustainable livelihoods in villages forces rural youth to migrate to cities for work. Example: States like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh witness high rural-to-urban migration as Panchayats are unable to promote local skill development and job creation.
- Weakened Local Decision-Making and Planning: Panchayats struggle to implement need-based development projects due to limited autonomy and lack of funds. Example: In many states, Gram Panchayats cannot initiate independent infrastructure projects like rural roads or drinking water facilities without state approval.
- Reduced Grassroots Participation in Governance: Declining public engagement weakens democratic processes, reducing local accountability and effective implementation of schemes. Example: Many village-level meetings (Gram Sabhas) see low attendance, leading to top-down decision-making that may not reflect local priorities.
What steps can be taken to revive and strengthen the Panchayati Raj system?
- Greater Devolution of Powers and Functions: State governments should fully implement the Eleventh Schedule by transferring all 29 subjects to Panchayats. Example: Kerala’s People’s Plan Campaign empowered Panchayats with financial and planning autonomy, leading to better local governance.
- Enhancing Financial Autonomy: Increase untied grants from Finance Commissions to Panchayats and allow them to generate local revenue through taxes and fees. Example: Maharashtra has successfully implemented property tax collection at the Gram Panchayat level to fund local development.
- Strengthening Administrative Capacity: Appoint dedicated local-level bureaucrats and improve digital governance tools for efficient service delivery. Example: Karnataka’s Gram Swaraj Project uses IT-based platforms to improve transparency and monitoring of Panchayat activities.
- Encouraging Citizen Participation and Accountability: Regular and active Gram Sabha meetings should be mandated for community involvement in decision-making. Example: In Rajasthan, social audits of MGNREGA work through Gram Sabhas have improved transparency and reduced corruption.
- Expanding Panchayats’ Role in Emerging Areas: Panchayats should be given new responsibilities in areas like water conservation, renewable energy, and disaster management. Example: Gujarat’s Mission Mangalam engaged Panchayats in women-led SHGs to promote local entrepreneurship and sustainable rural development.
Way forward:
- Comprehensive Devolution and Strengthening Autonomy – Ensure full transfer of subjects under the Eleventh Schedule, increase untied grants, and empower Panchayats with independent revenue-generating mechanisms to enhance self-governance.
- Capacity Building and Community Engagement – Improve Panchayat administration through digital tools, dedicated local bureaucrats, and mandated Gram Sabha participation to enhance transparency, accountability, and grassroots governance.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: President Rule;
Why in the News?
After Manipur CM N. Biren Singh resigned, President’s Rule was imposed on February 13 due to ethnic violence and the BJP’s failure to find a consensus CM candidate.
What is the President’s Rule?
- President’s Rule, also known as Governor’s Rule, is the suspension of a state government and imposition of direct rule by the central government. It is invoked when the constitutional machinery in a State has failed, making it impossible for the State government to function according to constitutional provisions.
- It is a mechanism to uphold the constitutional order, ensure continuity of governance, and protect the interests of citizens when a State government is unable to function according to the constitutional framework. The President’s Rule is also known as ‘Constitutional Emergency’ or ‘State Emergency’.
Constitutional Provisions
- Article 356: According to Article 356 of the Indian Constitution, the President can declare President’s Rule in a state if they are satisfied that the government of that State cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution. The President can act based on a report from the State’s Governor or even without such a report.
- Article 365: According to Article 365 of the Indian Constitution, the President may invoke President’s Rule if a State fails to comply with or give effect to directions from the Union government.
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What are some previous instances of the imposition of President’s Rule?
- First Instance (1951 – Punjab): The first-ever imposition of President’s Rule was in Punjab (PEPSU state) in 1951 due to the collapse of the Gopi Chand Bhargava-led government.
- 1967 Political Crisis (Multiple States): After the Fourth General Elections, many states had unstable coalition governments. President’s Rule was imposed in states like West Bengal, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh due to political instability.
- 1984 – Punjab (After Indira Gandhi’s Assassination): Following the assassination of Indira Gandhi, there were widespread riots and breakdown of law and order in Punjab. The state was placed under President’s Rule from 1983 to 1985 to handle the crisis.
- 1992 – Dismissal of BJP Governments (Post-Babri Masjid Demolition): After the demolition of Babri Masjid in December 1992, President’s Rule was imposed in Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, where BJP-led governments were in power.
- 2016 – Uttarakhand & Arunachal Pradesh (Judicial Review Cases): President’s Rule was controversially imposed in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh due to political instability, but the Supreme Court later revoked it, citing unconstitutional use of Article 356.
Why has it become less frequent?
- Judicial Review & Bommai Judgment (1994) – The S.R. Bommai vs Union of India case allowed judicial review of President’s Rule, enabling courts to strike down unconstitutional proclamations, deterring its misuse.
- Example: Arunachal Pradesh (2016) – President’s Rule was imposed, citing a breakdown of constitutional machinery. The Supreme Court overturned the decision, ruling that the Governor’s actions were unconstitutional and reinstating the Congress-led government.
- Stricter Conditions for Extension – After one year of President’s Rule, extensions require either a national emergency or the Election Commission’s certification that elections cannot be held, making prolonged Central rule difficult.
- For example, The Supreme Court’s judgment in the S.R. Bommai vs Union of India (1994) case established stricter conditions for extending President’s Rule beyond one year.
- Political & Legal Accountability – Increased coalition politics and judicial interventions have made it harder for the Union government to arbitrarily impose President’s Rule, ensuring greater stability and democratic governance in States.
- Example: Uttarakhand (2016) – The Congress-led government faced internal rebellion, leading to the imposition of the President’s Rule. The High Court and Supreme Court struck it down, restoring the elected government.
What does it mean to keep a legislature in suspended animation?
- Temporary Suspension Without Dissolution – Keeping the legislature in suspended animation means that the state assembly is temporarily inactive but not dissolved during President’s Rule. This allows the possibility of reinstating the assembly if political stability is restored.
- Example: In Manipur (2025), the state assembly was kept in suspended animation after the imposition of President’s Rule, instead of being dissolved.
- Governor Takes Over Legislative Functions – The powers of the legislature are transferred to the Governor or the Union government during this period, effectively sidelining the elected representatives.
- Example: In Arunachal Pradesh (2016), the assembly was suspended, and the Governor was entrusted with the state’s administrative powers after the imposition of President’s Rule.
- Potential for Revival – The assembly can be revived if conditions improve and a popular government can be formed, allowing the political process to resume once the President’s Rule is revoked.
- Example: In Jammu and Kashmir (2018-2019), the state assembly remained in suspended animation after the imposition of President’s Rule, waiting for a stable political situation before elections could take place.
Way forward:
- Strengthening Federal Governance – To prevent the misuse of President’s Rule, it is essential to promote a more robust system of checks and balances, ensuring that any imposition of President’s Rule is transparent and justified, with clear guidelines for intervention.
- Reform of Political Stability Mechanisms – Encouraging political parties to form more stable coalitions and ensuring timely elections through institutional mechanisms will reduce the need for prolonged central intervention, preserving the autonomy of states while maintaining national integrity.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Issues related to Immigration;
Why in the News?
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is ready to present the Immigration and Foreigners Bill 2025 during the second part of the Budget session. The bill will replace the four existing laws governing immigration and the movement of foreigners.
What are the contours of the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025?
- Repeal of Existing Laws: The Bill seeks to repeal four outdated laws—Foreigners Act, 1946; Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920; Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939; and Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000—creating a unified and modern legal framework for immigration and foreigners’ movement.
- Streamlining of Immigration Procedures: It consolidates various provisions related to passport requirements, visa regulations, foreigners’ registration, and immigration officers into a single, comprehensive document, simplifying the immigration process and reducing overlaps.
- Security and National Interests: The Bill introduces specific grounds for refusing entry or stay, including threats to national security, sovereignty, public health, and relations with foreign states, providing a legal basis for rejecting foreign nationals on these grounds.
- Penal Provisions: The Bill imposes stringent penalties, including up to five years of imprisonment or ₹5 lakh fine for entering without proper documents, and up to seven years imprisonment and a fine of ₹10 lakh for using forged travel documents.
- Responsibilities of Institutions: It mandates educational institutions, hospitals, and accommodation providers (hotels/guest houses) to register foreign nationals and share their details with authorities, improving the tracking and monitoring of foreigners within India.
What are the obligations for admitting foreign nationals?
- Educational Institutions and Hospitals: Universities, colleges, and medical institutions are required to admit foreign nationals and register them with authorities, ensuring proper tracking of their stay and activities in India.
- Accommodation Providers: Hotels, guest houses, and other lodging facilities must collect and share the passport details of foreign nationals with the police, facilitating monitoring and identification.
- Compliance with Registration Requirements: Foreign nationals are obligated to comply with the registration and reporting requirements set by the authorities, including staying within legal frameworks for their stay duration and purpose of visit.
How does the Bill penalise the use or supply of forged passports, visas, or other travel documents?
- Imprisonment for Using or Supplying Forged Documents: The Bill mandates imprisonment for at least two years, which could extend to seven years for individuals using or supplying forged travel documents.
- Example: If someone uses a forged passport to enter India, they could face a prison term ranging from two years to seven years.
- Imposition of Hefty Fines: Offenders will be penalized with fines ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh, depending on the severity of the offence.
- Example: If a travel agent is caught supplying forged visas to multiple foreign nationals, they could be fined up to ₹10 lakh.
- Penalizing Fraudulent Passport and Visa Usage: The Bill specifically criminalizes the fraudulent use of passports or visas to gain entry into India, with severe consequences.
- Example: A person entering India with a visa obtained through misrepresentation of their identity or travel intentions could face up to seven years in prison and a fine.
- Severe Penalties for Large-Scale Document Fraud: The Bill has provisions for severe penalties if an individual is found to be involved in a large-scale operation of producing or distributing forged documents.
- Example: A network of individuals producing fake tourist visas for people intending to stay illegally in India would face multiple years of imprisonment and significant fines.
- Deterrence for Document Fraud: The Bill aims to act as a strong deterrent against illegal activities related to forged documents by combining long prison sentences and high fines to dissuade such practices.
- Example: An individual found using a fraudulent visa to work in India illegally might be arrested, detained, and penalized, both by imprisonment and a fine, to prevent further illegal entry attempts.
Way forward:
- Enhance Enforcement and Training: Strengthen the capacity of immigration authorities and law enforcement by providing specialized training on detecting forged documents and ensuring effective implementation of registration requirements, especially for educational institutions and accommodation providers.
- Promote Public Awareness and International Cooperation: Launch awareness campaigns for foreign nationals and stakeholders, such as travel agents, to emphasize the legal consequences of document fraud.
Mains PYQ:
Q How does illegal transborder migration pose a threat to India’s security? Discuss the strategies to curb this, bringing out the factors which give impetus to such migration. (UPSC IAS/2014)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Gulf of Eilat
Why in the News?
Researchers have discovered a significant pause in coral reef growth in the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba during the late Holocene period.
Key Highlights of the Study:
- The study identified a 4,400 – 1,000-year hiatus in coral growth, similar to events observed in Mexico, Brazil, and Australia.
- Scientists attribute this temporary halt to a sea-level drop caused by tectonic activity and cooling events, which exposed coral reefs and disrupted their development.
- Despite this, the reef recovered by recolonizing from deeper coral communities, showcasing its natural resilience.
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About Gulf of Eilat
- Also known as the Gulf of Aqaba, it is a narrow extension of the Red Sea, located between the Sinai Peninsula (Egypt) and the Arabian Peninsula.
- It connects to the Red Sea through the Strait of Tiran and borders Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.
- The city of Eilat (Israel) and Aqaba (Jordan) lie along its shores, making it a strategic trade and tourism hub.
Geographical and Political Significance:
- Strategic Trade Route: Provides access to the Indian Ocean via the Red Sea, critical for Israel and Jordan’s maritime trade.
- Bordering Multiple Nations: Shares coastlines with Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, making it a key area for regional diplomacy and security.
- Tourism & Marine Biodiversity: Known for coral reefs and marine life, attracting divers and boosting the economies of Eilat and Aqaba.
- Geopolitical Sensitivity: The Strait of Tiran has been historically significant in Arab-Israeli conflicts, especially during the Six-Day War (1967) when Egypt blocked Israeli access.
- Energy & Trade Importance: It is an alternative route for oil shipments and goods trade, reducing reliance on the Suez Canal.
PYQ:
[2014] Which of the following have coral reefs?
1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
2. Gulf of Kachchh
3. Gulf of Mannar
4. Sunderbans
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Loggerhead Turtles
Why in the News?
A new study in Nature reveals that loggerhead turtles can learn and remember the magnetic signature of an area, using Earth’s geomagnetic field for navigation during long migrations.
About Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta)
- Loggerhead Sea Turtles belong to the Cheloniidae family, widely distributed across the world’s oceans.
- They are commonly found in Atlantic, Pacific, Indian Oceans, and the Mediterranean Sea.
- They Spends most of its life in saltwater and estuarine habitats, coming ashore only to nest.
- They are omnivorous, feeding primarily on bottom-dwelling invertebrates.
- It is listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
- International trade banned under CITES Appendix I.
Significance of the study
- Loggerhead turtles travel thousands of kilometers across oceans and return to the same feeding and nesting sites.
- Their ability to store magnetic memories helps them navigate vast distances, reinforcing the hypothesis that other migratory species may also rely on Earth’s magnetic field.
PYQ:
[2019] Consider the following statements:
- Some species of turtles are herbivores.
- Some species of fish are herbivores.
- Some species of marine mammals are herbivores.
- Some species of snakes are viviparous.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Corruption Perceptions Index, 2024
Why in the News?
India has ranked 96 out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024, released by Transparency International on February 11, 2025.
About the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), 2024
- The CPI is an annual ranking published by Transparency International, assessing public sector corruption perceptions across 180 countries and territories.
- The CPI score ranges from 0 to 100:
- 0 = Highly Corrupt
- 100 = Very Clean
- The index is based on expert analysis and business surveys from reputable institutions such as the World Bank and World Economic Forum.
- It highlights trends in corruption levels worldwide, enabling comparisons between countries and regions.
Significance of the CPI:
- The CPI helps assess the effectiveness of anti-corruption policies across countries.
- Corruption affects foreign investment, ease of doing business, and economic growth.
- The CPI 2024 emphasizes corruption as a major threat to climate action.
- Funds for climate mitigation and adaptation are often misused, delaying environmental progress.
- Countries with low scores face pressure to strengthen anti-corruption laws.
India’s Ranking in CPI, 2024:
- Overall Performance:
- India ranked 96 out of 180 countries, with a CPI score of 38 (dropping from 39 in 2023 and 40 in 2022).
- The decline highlights ongoing governance challenges, enforcement gaps, and institutional corruption issues.
- Comparison with Other Countries:
- China (76), Sri Lanka (121), Pakistan (135), and Bangladesh (149) ranked below India.
- Denmark remains the least corrupt nation, while over two-thirds of countries scored below 50, indicating widespread corruption.
- Challenges & Areas for Improvement:
- Weak enforcement of anti-corruption laws, regulatory loopholes, and opacity in political funding remain concerns.
- Strengthening institutional accountability, judicial independence, and transparency in governance is essential.
PYQ:
[2017] With reference to the ‘Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988 (PBPT Act)’, consider the following statements:
- A property transaction is not treated as a benami transaction if the owner of the property is not aware of the transaction.
- Properties held benami are liable for confiscation by the Government.
- The Act provides for three authorities for investigations but does not provide for any appellate mechanism.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 2 and 3 only |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: mRNA (Messenger RNA)
Why in the News?
In December 2024, Russia announced the development of a new mRNA-based personalized cancer vaccine, with plans to make it available for free to patients by early 2025.
What is mRNA (Messenger RNA)?
- mRNA is a type of RNA that transports genetic information from DNA to ribosomes, guiding the production of proteins.
- It tells the cell which proteins to make by providing the exact sequence of amino acids.
- Unlike DNA, mRNA does not stay in the cell permanently; it gets degraded after protein synthesis.
- mRNA-based vaccines (like COVID-19 vaccines) teach cells to produce harmless viral proteins, triggering an immune response.
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What is an mRNA Cancer Vaccine?
- Unlike traditional vaccines, mRNA vaccines provide genetic instructions to train the immune system to detect and attack cancer cells.
- This technology gained prominence with the COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna) and is now being adapted for cancer treatment.
- These vaccines are therapeutic, designed for patients who already have cancer, not for prevention.
How do mRNA Cancer Vaccines Work?
- Cancer cells evade the immune system by suppressing immune responses.
- Immunotherapy works by enhancing the body’s natural ability to detect and destroy these cancerous cells.
- Unlike chemotherapy, which kills both healthy and cancerous cells, immunotherapy selectively targets only cancer cells, reducing harmful side effects.
- mRNA cancer vaccines are customized for each patient, targeting specific tumor antigens, making them highly personalized and potentially more effective.
- While traditional infectious disease vaccines prevent illness, mRNA cancer vaccines are therapeutic, meaning they are administered to patients who already have cancer to help their immune system fight the disease.
PYQ:
[2019] RNA interference (RNAi)’ technology has gained popularity in the last few years. Why?
- It is used in developing gene silencing therapies.
- It can be used in developing therapies for the treatment of cancer.
- It can be used to develop hormone replacement therapies.
- It can be used to produce crop plants that are resistant to viral pathogens.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 4
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1 and 4 only |
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