Archives: News

Parliament – Sessions, Procedures, Motions, Committees etc

What are the powers of the Speaker, why is the post crucial?

Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Parliament & State Legislatures

Why in the News?

The pivotal role of the Speaker in parliamentary democracy is underscored as both the TDP and JD(U), crucial allies within the NDA, compete for the position, highlighting its significance.

Constitutional Mandate:

Speaker and Deputy Speaker are elected as per Article 93 of the Constitution, with the Speaker chosen by a simple majority.
The speaker’s term ends with the House dissolution and no-confidence motion can be moved against the Speaker.
No specific qualifications for the Speaker, who is distinct from other members.

Powers of the Speaker

Conducting the House: The Speaker decides House conduct and government business, ensuring adherence to rules, crucial for opposition participation. There are Rules and Procedure for the functioning of the House, but the Speaker has vast powers in ensuring these Rules are followed, and in choosing procedures.
Questions & Records: The Speaker holds authority over determining the validity of queries raised by members and overseeing the publication of House proceedings. The Speaker possesses the power to remove, wholly or partially, statements deemed unparliamentary.
Voice Votes, Division: The speaker can push bills through by voice vote or division, crucial for the legislative process.
- As per the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, if the Speaker thinks that is “unnecessarily claimed”, simply ask the members who are for ‘Aye’ and those for ‘No’ respectively to rise in their places and decide.
No-Confidence Motion: A pivotal moment where the Speaker’s neutrality significantly affects the Opposition is during the presentation of a motion of no-confidence against the government.
- In 2018, when notices for a no-confidence motion were submitted by the YSRCP and TDP, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan postponed the House multiple times before acknowledging the motion and conducting the vote.
Casting Vote: As per Article 100 of the Constitution, pertaining to voting in the Houses, the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha or the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, or any individual acting in such a capacity, “shall refrain from voting initially but must cast a deciding vote in the event of a tie.”
His Removal:
- Motion: A member of the Lok Sabha gives a written notice for the removal of the Speaker, citing specific grounds such as misconduct or inability to perform duties.
- Support: The motion needs support from at least 50 members to be admitted for discussion in the House.
- Resolution: Once admitted, the House discusses the motion. If the majority of members present and voting support the motion, a resolution for the Speaker’s removal is passed.

Note: During the process of removal of the Lok Sabha Speaker in India, the Speaker typically remains present and presides over the proceedings until the resolution for their removal is passed. The Speaker maintains their role in overseeing the House’s functioning unless and until the majority of members vote in favor of the motion to remove them. Once the resolution is passed and approved by the President, the Speaker ceases to hold office and their duties are formally relinquished.

Disqualification of Members

Power of the Speaker: The Speaker of the House holds the authority to disqualify legislators who defect from their party, as per the provisions of the Tenth Schedule.
Introduction of the Anti-Defection Law: The Tenth Schedule, also known as the anti-defection law, was incorporated into the Constitution in 1985 through the Fifty-Second (Amendment) Act.
Judicial Review: The Supreme Court, in the landmark case of Kihoto Hollohan versus Zachillhu in 1992, upheld the power vested in the Speaker to decide on defection cases. It ruled that only the final order of the Speaker is subject to judicial review.
Impact on Government Stability: Defections can change the numerical strength of political parties in the House, potentially destabilizing governments if members defect in significant numbers. Timely action by the Speaker in disqualifying defective members is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the Tenth Schedule and ensuring that governments retain their majority.
Supreme Court Directives: The Supreme Court has issued directives emphasizing the need for Speakers to expedite disqualification proceedings. For instance, in 2020, it ruled that Speakers must decide on disqualification pleas within three months, except in exceptional circumstances.
Impact on Government Formation: Delays in deciding disqualification petitions can have significant political ramifications, as seen in cases where governments have collapsed due to prolonged delays in addressing defection issues.
Case Example: In 2023, the Supreme Court directed the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker to expedite disqualification proceedings against members of factions within the Shiv Sena party. Prolonged delays in these proceedings contributed to the collapse of the government led by Uddhav Thackeray.

Conclusion: The Speaker holds significant powers in conducting the House, ensuring adherence to rules, deciding on crucial matters like no-confidence motions, and maintaining political stability through the judicious application of these powers.

Mains PYQ:

Q ‘Once a Speaker, Always a Speaker’! Do you think this practice should be adopted to impart objectivity to the office of the Speaker of Lok Sabha? What could be its implications for the robust functioning of parliamentary business in India? (UPSC IAS/2020)

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ISRO Missions and Discoveries

What are Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)?

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Achievements Of Indians In S&T

Why in the News?

India’s solar mission Aditya-L1 recently captured images of the Sun and it’s Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) during a solar storm in May.
- The Active region AR13664 on the Sun erupted several X-class and M-class flares, which were associated with Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs).

Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)

CMEs were discovered in 1971 and established their importance in solar-terrestrial relations later in the 1980s.
It consists of massive clouds of solar plasma and magnetic field lines.
It typically accompanies solar flares and filament eruptions.
The frequency of CMEs varies with the 11-year solar cycle, with about one a week observed during solar minimum and an average of two to three CMEs per day observed near solar maximum
They travel at thousands of km per hour.
They can lead to geomagnetic storms, aurorae, and in extreme cases, damage to electrical power grids.
Not all CMEs interact with Earth, but those that do can cause disruptions to satellite communications and power grids.
Halo CMEs are Earth-directed CMEs visible as rings in white-light coronagraph observations.

About Aditya-L1:

Aditya-L1 mission is India’s first space mission to observe the Sun.
It is ISRO’s 2nd space-based astronomy mission after AstroSat, which was launched in 2015.
It was launched on September 2nd 2023 to observe the Sun and the solar corona.
The L1 point is a location in space where the gravitational forces of two massive objects, such as the Earth and the Sun, balance each other out, allowing a spacecraft to “hover” in a stable orbit.

Launch Details:

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) with 7 payloads (instruments) on board.

The 7 payloads include:

1. Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC): Images of the solar corona in visible light to study its structure and dynamics.
2. Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT): Images the solar chromosphere and transition region in ultraviolet light to understand heating and dynamics.
3. Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer (SoLEXS): Measures solar X-ray spectrum to study solar flares and coronal mass ejections.
4. High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS): Measures high-energy solar X-rays to understand particle acceleration.
5. Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA): Measures solar wind plasma properties to study its interaction with Earth’s magnetosphere.
6. Aditya Solar Wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX): Measures energetic particle properties in the solar wind to study their effects on Earth’s atmosphere.

Solar Irradiance Monitor (SIM): Measures solar irradiance variations and their impact on Earth’s climate.

Objectives:

Aditya L1 will study the coronal heating, solar wind acceleration, coronal magnetometry, origin and monitoring of near-UV solar radiation and continuously observe the photosphere, chromosphere and corona, solar energetic particles and the magnetic field of the Sun.

Location:

Aditya is placed in L1 Halo orbit which is about 1.5 million km from the Earth. The orbit allows the mission to look at the Sun continuously.
L1 refers to Lagrangian/Lagrange Point 1, one of 5 points in the orbital plane of the Earth-Sun system.
Lagrange Points are positions in space where the gravitational forces of a two-body system like the Sun and Earth produce enhanced regions of attraction and repulsion.

PYQ:

[2017] The terms ‘Event Horizon’, ‘Singularity’, ‘String Theory’ and ‘Standard Model’ are sometimes seen in the news in the context of-

(a) Observation and understanding of the Universe

(b) Study of the solar and lunar eclipses

(d) Origin and evolution of living organisms on the Earth

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/isro-releases-images-of-sun-captured-by-aditya-l1-during-may-solar-storm/article68273124.ece

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BRICS Summits

BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

Prelims Only | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

Why in the News?

India joined a meeting of foreign ministers from the BRICS group, which was held in Russia. This meeting was the first one after BRICS expanded in 2023 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE became as full-time members.

What is BRICS?

	Details
Members	BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa)
Origin	Coined by economist Jim O’Neill in 2001 as BRIC, formalized as BRICS in 2010
Formation	First meeting of BRIC Foreign Ministers in 2006
South Africa’s Inclusion	Invited to join BRIC in December 2010
Global share of BRICS	Population: 41% GDP: 24% Global trade: 16%
Chairmanship	Rotated annually among members, following sequence B-R-I-C-S
India’s Hosting	Hosted the 2021 BRICS Summit
Key Initiatives	New Development Bank (NDB) established in 2014: Approved 70 infrastructure and sustainable development projects Contingent Reserve Arrangement signed in 2014: Aims to forestall short-term balance of payments pressures and strengthen financial stability Customs agreements signed for trade facilitation BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation initiated in 2021: Involves six existing satellites developed by members

Objective of BRICS

The primary objectives of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) are to promote economic cooperation, development, and influence in world affairs.
Key goals include fostering economic growth and cooperation among member nations, creating institutions for development financing, and strengthening political coordination and dialogue on international issues.

BRICS-11 Expansion

BRICS celebrated its 15th summit by adding six new members, growing from five to eleven countries. This move aims to boost its global influence.
New members include Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Ethiopia, and Argentina, expanding BRICS’ reach across different regions.
These countries full membership commenced on January 1, 2024.

Challenges within BRICS

No Unified Vision: BRICS lacks a clear and unified vision for addressing global issues, hindering coordinated action.
Bilateral Conflicts: Tensions between member countries, such as China-India border disputes and Russia’s conflicts, undermine cohesion and collaboration within BRICS.
Economic Disparities: Economic inequality among member nations, with China dominating the group economically, poses challenges to equitable decision-making and cooperation.
Trade Imbalances: Trade imbalances among member states hinder intra-BRICS trade and economic integration efforts.
Heterogeneity: Cultural, linguistic, and political diversity among member nations limit the development of common strategies and objectives.
Limited Institutional Framework: BRICS lacks robust institutional mechanisms for effective coordination and implementation of collective initiatives.

PYQ:

[2014] With reference to a grouping of countries known as BRICS, consider the following statements:

The First Summit of BRICS was held in Rio de Janeiro in 2009.
South Africa was the last to join the BRICS grouping.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

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Direct Benefits Transfers

PM-KISAN Scheme: Boosting Farmer Welfare

Schemes | Agriculture | Mains Paper 3: Agriculture and related issues

Why in the News?

Prime Minister has approved the 17th instalment of the PM Kisan scheme. This move will benefit 9.3 crore farmers, amounting to a distribution of approximately Rs 20,000 crore.

About the PM-KISAN Scheme

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is a Central Sector Scheme with 100% funding from the Government of India.
It is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare.
Launched: In February 2019.
Aim: To help procure various inputs to ensure proper crop health and appropriate yields, commensurate with the anticipated farm income at the end of each crop cycle.
Objective: To provide eligible farmers with an annual financial assistance of ₹6,000.
- This assistance is distributed in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 each every 4 months, via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the bank accounts of beneficiaries.
Beneficiaries:
- Farmer families that hold cultivable land can apply for the benefits of this plan.
- Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) (a farmer who owns cultivable land up to 2 hectares as per land records of the concerned State/UT.).
- The entire responsibility of identification of beneficiary farmer families rests with the State / UT Governments.

Significance for Farmers

Beneficiaries outreach: Over 11 crore farmers (with more than 3 crore women farmers) across the country have availed of the PM-Kisan scheme, indicating its widespread reach and impact.
Financial Support: This financial aid helps farmers meet their agricultural expenses, purchase seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs, and support their families’ livelihoods.
Improved Agricultural Practices: This contributes to food security and boosts the agricultural sector’s growth.
Poverty Alleviation: The scheme plays a crucial role in alleviating poverty among small and marginal farmers by providing them with a steady source of income just like Universal Basic Income (UBI).
Enhanced Livelihoods: PM-Kisan supports farmers’ livelihoods, by providing a safety net during times of agricultural distress or economic uncertainties, ensuring a better quality of life for rural communities.

PYQ:

[2020] Under the Kisan Credit Card scheme, short-term credit support is given to farmers for which of the following purposes?

Working capital for maintenance of farm assets.
Purchase of combine harvesters, tractors and mini trucks.
Consumption requirements of farm households.
Post-harvest expenses.
Construction of family house and setting up of village cold storage facility.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 5 only

(b) 1, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 4 and 5

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What is happening in the French territory of New Caledonia?

World Mapping | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

Why in the News?

New Caledonia, France’s Pacific island territory, is under a state of emergency due to deadly riots.

About New Caledonia

New Caledonia is a French overseas territory in the Pacific.
It enjoys a large degree of autonomy but depends heavily on France for matters like defence and education.
It includes the island of New Caledonia where the capital, Noumea, is located, the Loyalty Islands; the Belep Islands; and the Ile des Pins.
New Caledonia’s lagoons were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008.

The Crisis: A Quick Recap

New Law: The French government passed a law that has upset people in New Caledonia.
Vote Reforms: Now, French citizens who lived on the island for 10 years or more can vote. The government says it’s fairer this way.
Resistance from Indigenous people: The locals, especially the Kanak community, feel this gives too much power to French settlers and stops them from gaining independence.

How did France occupy this territory?

Exploration: British explorer James Cook named the island New Caledonia in 1774 after the Latin name for Scotland.
French Annexation: France annexed it in 1853 and New Caledonia became a French overseas territory in 1946.
Fewer Locals: France brought in lots of French people. Now, the original Kanak people are only 40% of the population, while others, like the Caldoches and newer French arrivals, make up the rest.

Why are the people protesting?

There were similar fights in the 1990s, leading to promises of more power for locals.
In 2018, 2020, and 2021, they voted on whether to be independent from France. But many boycotted the last vote, saying it wasn’t fair because of the pandemic.

Why is it significant for France?

France sees New Caledonia as important for keeping power in the region.
It wants to stay strong in the Pacific to stand up to other big powers, like China.

PYQ:

[2014] Explain how the foundations of the modern world were laid by the American and French revolutions.

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Health Sector – UHC, National Health Policy, Family Planning, Health Insurance, etc.

IRDAI’s new health insurance rules

Explained | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Governance, Transparency & Accountability, Citizens Charters

Why in the news?

Recently, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) introduced a set of reforms in the health insurance sector aimed at significantly enhancing service standards for policyholders.

The recent rules highlighted by IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) include:

Cashless processing: Insurers are mandated to accept or reject cashless claims immediately, within one hour, and settle such claims on discharge within three hours. Any delay beyond this period would result in the insurer bearing the additional costs, if any.
Claim settlement: Insurers cannot repudiate a claim without the approval of their claims review panel. Documents for claim settlement must be collected from hospitals or third-party administrators, not from the insured.
Policyholders with multiple health policies: They can select the policy under which they want to make a claim, with the primary insurer coordinating the settlement of the balance amount from other insurers.
Reward for No claims: Policyholders with no claims during the policy period may receive either an increased sum insured or discounted premium amounts.
Renewal policies: All individual health policies are renewable and cannot be denied based on previous claims, except in cases of fraud, non-disclosures, or misrepresentation. No fresh underwriting is required for renewal policies unless there is an increase in the sum insured.
Portability requests: Stricter timelines are imposed on portability requests via the Insurance Information Bureau of India portal.
Customer information sheet: Insurers are required to include a customer information sheet as part of the policy document, explaining all customer-facing details such as policy type, sum assured, coverage details, exclusions, deductibles, and waiting periods.

Challenges related to health insurance in India

Opaque Policy Details and Claim Processes: Policyholders often struggle to understand the intricacies of insurance contracts, leading to uncertainty about coverage entitlements and reimbursement procedures.
Claim Rejections: Policyholders frequently face claim rejections due to inadequate documentation and ambiguous claims processes.
Delays in Claim Settlement: Insurance companies often take a long time to process claims, causing inconvenience and financial stress for policyholders

IRDAI and its composition:

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) is the regulatory body overseeing the insurance sector in India. It was constituted under the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999.
The composition of IRDAI typically includes a Chairman and members appointed by the Government of India. The authority regulates various aspects of insurance, including licensing, pricing, and policyholder protection, to ensure the stability and growth of the insurance industry while safeguarding the interests of policyholders.

Conclusion: IRDAI’s recent health insurance reforms aim to improve service standards by mandating timely cashless claim processing, transparent claim settlement, and policyholder rewards for no claims. These changes address challenges like opaque policies and claim rejections, enhancing customer trust. IRDAI plays a vital role in ensuring a fair and efficient insurance sector.

Mains PYQ:

Q Public health system has limitation in providing universal health coverage. Do you think that private sector can help in bridging the gap? What other viable alternatives do you suggest? (UPSC IAS/2015)

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WTO and India

Settling trade disputes through ‘litigotiation’

Explained | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

Why in the News?

In March, India and the U.S. settled their last lingering WTO poultry dispute, marking the end of seven trade disputes resolved since Prime Minister Modi’s U.S. visit.

What is ‘Litigotiation’?

‘Litigotiation’ is a blend of “litigation” and “negotiation,” referring to a strategic process where legal disputes are managed through a combination of courtroom litigation and settlement negotiations.
This approach recognizes that most legal disputes do not end with a court verdict but rather with a negotiated settlement reached during the litigation process.

Trade dispute on poultry products between India and USA at the WTO

Indian Scenario: India had prohibited the import of various agricultural products from the US because of concerns related to Avian Influenza.
U.S. argued: The U.S. challenged India’s import restrictions on poultry products, which were imposed due to concerns about avian influenza (bird flu) potentially transmitting to humans.
It argued that India deviated from internationally recognized standards that were set by the World Organization for Animal Health (formerly OIE) and failed to provide scientific justifications for its measures, violating the WTO’s Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement.
The dispute was initiated by the U.S. in 2012 and remained unresolved for over a decade, making it the oldest of the seven trade disputes between India and the U.S. In 2015, India lost a long-pending dispute over poultry imports from the US at the WTO.
The recent settlement allowed India to avoid a yearly $450 million claim.
- In exchange, India agreed to reduce tariffs on select U.S. products such as cranberries, blueberries, frozen turkey, and premium frozen duck meat, marking a significant diplomatic breakthrough.

What are the standards set by the World Organization for Animal Health?

The Terrestrial Animal Health Code
- First published in 1968, provides standards for the improvement of terrestrial animal health and welfare and veterinary public health worldwide.
- These standards should be used by Veterinary Services to set up measures for the early detection, reporting, and control of pathogenic agents, including zoonotic agents, and preventing their spread.
The Aquatic Animal Health Code
- Introduced in 1995, provides standards for the improvement of aquatic animal health and welfare worldwide.
- These standards should be used by Aquatic Animal Health Services to set up measures for the prevention, early detection, reporting, and control of pathogenic agents in aquatic animals (amphibians, crustaceans, fish, and mollusks).
- Implementation of the recommendations in the Aquatic Code ensures the safety of international trade in aquatic animals and aquatic animal products.

About WTO:

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an intergovernmental organization that regulates and facilitates international trade among its member nations. It was established in 1995 and has 164 member countries, representing over 98% of global trade and global GDP.

Conclusion: The India-U.S. settlement underscores the power of diplomatic negotiations in resolving complex trade disputes, fostering stronger bilateral ties, and promoting a more stable and cooperative international trade environment.

Mains PYQ:

Q WTO is an important international institution where decisions taken affect countries in a profound manner. What is the mandate of WTO and how binding are their decisions? Critically analyse India’s stand on the latest round of talks on Food security. (UPSC IAS/2014)

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Climate Change Negotiations – UNFCCC, COP, Other Conventions and Protocols

Bonn Climate Conference 2024: 3rd Glasgow dialogue flags need for loss & damage cooperation

Explained | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

Why in the News?

This week, the Third Glasgow Dialogue on Loss and Damage occurred during the 60th Session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB60) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bonn, Germany.

Key highlights of the Conference:

Dialogue on Loss and Damage (L&D): The conference focused on discussions around the mechanisms under the UNFCCC, including the Santiago Network on Loss and Damage (SNLD), the Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM), and the recently operationalized Loss and Damage Fund (LDF).

The SNLD was established at COP25 in 2019 to catalyze technical assistance for developing countries in implementing approaches for averting, minimizing, and addressing loss and damage

The WIM was established at COP19 in 2013 to promote approaches for averting, minimizing, and addressing loss and damage associated with climate change impacts

The LDF was operationalized at COP27 in 2022 to provide financial support to developing countries for averting, minimizing, and addressing loss and damage

Progress in Mechanisms: The co-chairs of each mechanism highlighted the progress made in addressing L&D in the UNFCCC negotiations. This includes positive steps taken in forming the Board of the LDF and formalizing its institutional arrangements and additional rules.
Global South Concerns: Countries from the Global South, including the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), and the Arab Group, emphasized the growing cases of L&D in developing nations. There were calls for better cooperation and coordination between countries and mechanisms to address L&D more effectively.

African Group of Negotiators (AGN): It is a coalition of African countries that work together to coordinate their positions and negotiate on various international issues, such as climate change, sustainable development, and human rights.

Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS): It is a coalition of small island developing states that work together to address common challenges and promote their interests in international forums.

Arab Group: It is a coalition of Arab states that work together to promote their collective interests and coordinate their positions on various international issues.

Need for Clarity and Coordination: There were calls for a clear relationship between the SNLD, WIM, and LDF, as they each continue to have separate discussions despite having the same goal of addressing L&D. Coordination between these mechanisms would address gaps and improve resource mobilization for developing nations.

About Article 6 and its structural mandate:

Article 6 of the UNFCCC deals with cooperative approaches for the implementation of climate action. It provides a framework for international cooperation in areas such as emissions trading, sustainable development, and the transfer of mitigation outcomes.
The structural mandate of Article 6 aims to facilitate cooperation between countries to enhance climate action and achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Article 6.2: Authorisation is the formal approval process where emission reductions (Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes or ITMOs) are sanctioned by the host country for transfer to another country.
Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement focuses on operationalising market mechanisms for emission reduction units (6.4ERs), addressing issues like authorisation, carbon removal activities, and the role of the supervisory body in developing market procedures.

Key Goals and Objectives:

Raised Ambition: International cooperation under Article 6 aims to raise ambition by enabling countries to achieve more ambitious emission reduction targets.
Supporting Sustainable Development: The cooperation mechanisms must support sustainable development, addressing not only climate change but also other sustainability issues.
Ensuring Environmental Integrity: The mechanisms must ensure environmental integrity by preventing emission reductions from being counted more than once and ensuring that countries do not circumvent their climate action efforts

Way Forward:

Clarity and Coordination: There is a need for clarity on the framework of L&D as a whole, with a defined relationship between its key mechanisms. This would ensure better coordination and cooperation in addressing L&D effectively.
Enhanced Technical Interventions: Countries emphasized the importance of technical interventions such as Early Warning Systems and timely provision of finance to improve responses to L&D. Implementing these interventions could minimize the impacts of extreme weather events and facilitate faster recovery.
Tailored Responses: Responses to L&D must be tailored to the unique contexts of each country, with individual vulnerability and needs assessments being a priority. This would ensure that assistance and support are provided where they are most needed.
Trigger-based Funding Mechanisms: Suggestions were made for trigger-based funding mechanisms or timeline-based provision of funds for countries facing devastating impacts and remaining most vulnerable. Such mechanisms would ensure timely and adequate support for those in need.

Mains PYQ:

Q Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at the World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)? (UPSC IAS/2021)

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Electoral Reforms In India

Is it time for Proportional Representation?

Explained | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Indian Constitution – historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure

Why in the News?

India should contemplate proportional representation to ensure fairer political outcomes, given NDA’s 293 seats (43.3%) compared to INDIA bloc’s 234 seats (41.6%).

First Past the Post (FPTP) System

First Past the Post (FPTP) is a voting system where the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins, regardless of whether they achieve an absolute majority.
Simple and feasible method used in large democracies like India, the U.S., the U.K., and Canada.
Provides stability to the executive as the ruling party/coalition can enjoy a majority in the legislature without obtaining a majority of the votes across constituencies.
Criticized for potentially resulting in over or under-representation of political parties compared to their vote share.

Proportional Representation (PR) System:

Ensures representation of all parties based on their vote share. Commonly implemented through party list PR, where voters vote for parties rather than individual candidates. PR system applied at each State/Union Territory (UT) level in federal countries like India.

Pros and Cons Comparison between FPTP and PR

First Past the Post (FPTP):

Pros: Simple, stable majority governments, clear constituency representation.
Cons: Disproportionate representation, underrepresentation of minorities, many wasted votes.

Proportional Representation (PR):

Pros: Fairer representation, inclusivity of smaller parties, fewer wasted votes.
Cons: Complex, potential for unstable coalitions, weaker direct constituency representation.

International Practices:

The PR system is used in presidential democracies like Brazil and Argentina, as well as parliamentary democracies like South Africa, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain.
Mixed Member Proportional Representation (MMPR) system employed in Germany and New Zealand.
Germany: Germany uses MMPR for elections to the Bundestag. Half of the seats are filled through FPTP constituencies, and the other half are allocated to ensure proportional representation based on party votes, provided parties receive at least 5% of the vote.
New Zealand: New Zealand’s House of Representatives is elected using MMPR, with 60% of seats filled through constituency elections and 40% allocated proportionally based on party votes.
The Mixed Member Proportional Representation (MMPR) system is a hybrid electoral system that combines elements of First Past the Post (FPTP) and Proportional Representation (PR) to ensure both local representation and proportionality in election results.

Way Forward:

The Law Commission, in its 170th report titled ‘Reform of the Electoral Laws’ (1999), recommended the experimental introduction of the Mixed Member Proportional Representation (MMPR) system. It suggested that 25% of seats in the Lok Sabha could be filled using a Proportional Representation (PR) system by increasing the total number of seats.
Incremental implementation of MMPR system for additional seats during delimitation exercises to address population disparities while ensuring fair representation for all regions.

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Prime Minister’s Office : Important Updates

What are Cabinet Committees, and why is the CCS the most important of them all?

Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Indian Constitution – historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure

Why in the News?

After the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi, he is set to share the four big portfolios of Home, Defence, Finance, and External Affairs with its alliance partners.

What are the Cabinet Committees?

Cabinet committees in India are groups of ministers formed by the Prime Minister to handle specific tasks or issues more efficiently.
The PM sets up these committees with selected members of the Cabinet and assigns specific functions to these committees.
The PM may change the number of committees, and modify the functions assigned to them.
Usually, only Cabinet ministers are members of these committees. However, non-Cabinet ministers are not unheard of to be members or special invitees to committees.
If the PM himself is a member of any such committee, he acts as the head of that committee.

Evolution of Cabinet Committees in India’s Governance

Cabinet committees operate under the Government of India Transaction of Business Rules, 1961.
These committees are categorized as Standing (Permanent) or Ad-Hoc (Temporary).
They are established based on Article 77(3) of the Constitution, allowing the President to make rules for efficient transaction of government business and allocation among ministers.
Membership varies from three to eight, predominantly comprising Cabinet ministers, with the Prime Minister often presiding.
The number, terminology, and composition may change over time.

Note: All Cabinet Committees except the Cabinet Committee on Accommodation and the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs are headed by the Prime Minister.

There are 8 Cabinet committees at present —

Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (composed of the PM (ex-officio Chairman) and the Minister of Home Affairs),
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (headed by the PM himself),
Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (headed by the PM),
Cabinet Committee on Investment and Growth,
Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs,
Cabinet Committee on Employment & Skill Development,
Cabinet Committee on Accommodation, and
Cabinet Committee on Security.

The Committees on Investment and Employment were innovations introduced in 2019 by the Modi government.

About Cabinet Committee on Security

Head of the Committee: The Prime Minister assumes the role of the committee’s head.
Membership: Cabinet ministers of Finance, Defense, Home Affairs, and External Affairs serve as members.
Key Responsibilities: The committee addresses issues related to law and order, internal security, and foreign affairs policy with security implications, including matters concerning atomic energy.
Economic and Political Considerations: It also examines economic and political issues relevant to national security.
Financial Oversight: The CCS reviews cases involving capital defence expenditure exceeding Rs 1,000 crore.
Departmental Considerations: Additionally, it evaluates matters concerning the Department of Defence Production, Department of Defence Research and Development, Services Capital Acquisition plans, and procurement of security-related equipment.

Why is CCS so important?

The CCS, led by the Prime Minister, includes key ministers overseeing finance, defence, home affairs, and external affairs, playing a pivotal role in national security discussions and appointments.
It makes major decisions regarding significant appointments, national security issues, and defence expenditure, indicating its crucial role in India’s security framework.
Apart from defence matters, the CCS addresses law and order, internal security, foreign policy on security issues, and matters related to atomic energy, showcasing its broad spectrum of responsibilities.

Alliance Partners in the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)

1996 Government Transition: A notable instance was during the 1996 H.D. Deve Gowda government, following Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s resignation as Prime Minister. Deve Gowda, then CM of Karnataka, took office as Prime Minister on June 1. Mulayam Singh Yadav from the Samajwadi Party served as Defence Minister, P. Chidambaram, founder of the Tamil Manila Congress earlier that year, became Finance Minister, and Indrajit Gupta of CPI assumed the role of Home Minister.
2001 Appointment: During Vajpayee’s tenure leading the NDA government in 2001, George Fernandes, founder of the Samata Party, was appointed Defence Minister, holding the position for three years. Notably, during his tenure as Defence Minister in Vajpayee’s second and third ministries (1998–2004), Fernandes oversaw critical events such as the Kargil War and nuclear tests at Pokhran.
Party Distribution: However, during the UPA government, the Congress retained all CCS positions, whereas in the Modi government, the BJP held all four positions.

PYQ:

[2014] The size of the cabinet should be as big as governmental work justifies and as big as the Prime Minister can manage as a team. How far the efficacy of a government then is inversely related to the size of the cabinet? Discuss.

[2017] Out of the following statements, choose the one that brings out the principle underlying the Cabinet form of Government:

(a) An arrangement for minimizing the criticism against the Government whose responsibilities are complex and hard to carry out to the satisfaction of all.

(b) A mechanism for speeding up the activities of the Government whose responsibilities are increasing day by day.

(d) A device for strengthening the hands of the head of the Government whose hold over the people is in a state of decline.

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