Current Affairs Reverse Engineering – Care (11-07-2025)
NITI Aayog suggests reduced ‘core’ grant support for State S&T bodies
UPSC Relevance: GS-3 Economy
Context: Core grant support
Why in News
NITI Aayog’s 2025 report recommends shifting State Science & Technology Councils from core grant support to project-based funding to enhance accountability and innovation at the state level.
Introduction
- The NITI Aayog released a report titled “Roadmap for Strengthening State Science and Technology Councils”, recommending key reforms to enhance the performance and impact of State S&T Councils.
- The report urges the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to discontinue ‘core grant support’ and move towards a ‘project-based funding’ model.
- This recommendation comes amid concerns over the limited contributions of State S&T Councils to India’s overall scientific productivity and the need to revamp their governance and funding mechanisms.
Background: What are State S&T Councils?
- Established in the 1970s, State Science and Technology Councils were created to decentralise scientific research and governance in India.
- They serve as nodal agencies for promoting science, technology, and innovation (STI) in States.
- Key functions include:
- Supporting scientific research and innovation
- Science popularisation at the grassroots level
- Supporting patent filing
- Formulating State-specific S&T policies
- While these Councils were envisioned to cater to the socioeconomic context of individual states, over the years, their effectiveness has varied widely.
Key Findings of the NITI Aayog Report
Declining Role and Limited Output
- India’s major scientific advances and R&D outputs are still largely driven by Centrally funded institutions such as IITs, CSIR labs, and Central universities.
- The State S&T Councils have not significantly contributed to national S&T output, facing challenges in keeping up with the rapidly evolving R&D ecosystem.
Funding Disparities
- Funding from the Central Government (DST) is negligible.
- Example: Gujarat’s Council has a budget of ₹300 crore, but only ₹1.07 crore comes from the DST.
- Kerala, with ₹150 crore annual budget, received zero funding from the DST.
- Between 2023-24 and 2024-25, there was a 17.65% increase in overall S&T funding at the State level, showing rising interest.
- However, regional disparities in allocation are stark:
- Increased Budgets: Maharashtra (+130%), Kerala (₹173.34 crore), Uttar Pradesh (₹140 crore)
- Decreased Budgets: Sikkim (-16.16%), Tamil Nadu (-4%), Uttarakhand (-5%)
Overdependence on Core Grants
- Councils are heavily dependent on core grants from DST, with limited success in attracting project-based funds from other Central agencies like MoEFCC, MNRE, DBT, etc.
- Lack of linkages with industry, public sector units, and State universities is a major drawback.
Major Recommendations of the Report
- Shift from Core Grant to Project-Based Funding
- Replace unconditional core support with competitive, merit-based project funding.
- Encourage Councils to actively seek funds from various Central ministries and schemes.
- Improve Governance and Institutional Capacity
- Reform governance structures of State S&T Councils to increase autonomy, efficiency, and responsiveness.
- Strengthen internal monitoring, evaluation, and performance tracking.
- Strengthen Linkages with Industry and PSUs
- Councils should collaborate with private industry and State-based PSUs for research funding and technology transfer.
Focus on State-Funded Universities
- Direct support towards State-funded universities and colleges, instead of focusing predominantly on Centrally funded research institutions.
- This will boost grassroots innovation and regional academic ecosystems.
Address Regional Imbalances
- Create regionally balanced funding mechanisms to ensure smaller and hilly States are not left behind in S&T development.
- Promote inter-State collaborations to share best practices.
Significance of the Reform
- India’s ambition to become a global innovation hub requires leveraging State institutions, not just Central ones.
- Revamping State S&T Councils can lead to:
- Localized innovation ecosystems
- Better alignment of research with regional needs
- More inclusive and balanced national S&T growth
- Project-based funding ensures accountability, performance-based outcomes, and efficient utilisation of public funds.
Challenges Ahead
- Capacity constraints in some State Councils may hamper their ability to formulate and implement quality projects.
- Political interference and poor coordination between State and Central agencies can dilute impact.
- The transition period from core to project-based support needs to be carefully managed to avoid disruption.
Way Forward
- Provide handholding support and training to weaker Councils to build proposal writing and project management capabilities.
- Foster collaborative platforms where Central institutions mentor State bodies.
- Encourage States to frame their own STI policies aligned with national missions like National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), National Research Foundation (NRF), etc.
Conclusion
- The NITI Aayog’s report is a timely call to revamp India’s decentralised science governance by empowering State S&T Councils through performance-linked funding, institutional reform, and strategic partnerships.
- For India to realize its goal of becoming an innovation-driven economy, the potential of these Councils must be unlocked, not neglected.
CARE MCQ |
UPSC PYQ |
Q1. With reference to the “State Science and Technology Councils” in India, consider the following statements:
Which of the above statements are correct? (A) 1 and 3 only |
Q. The Government of India has established NITI Aayog to replace the (2015)
(a) Human Rights Commission (b) Finance Commission (c) Law Commission (d) Planning Commission Ans: (d) |
| Answer 1- A
Explanation
|
Himachal Pradesh floods and their climate change linkage
Source: Indian Express
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/himachal-floods-himalaya-climate-change-10118288/
UPSC Relevance: GS 3 Environment and Ecology
Context: Floods and their climate change linkage
Why in News
The recent floods in Himachal Pradesh illustrate the growing vulnerability of the Himalayan region to climate change-induced extreme weather events like cloudbursts, landslides, and flash floods.
Introduction
- The recent floods in Himachal Pradesh have once again exposed the fragile state of the Himalayan ecosystem.
- With cloudbursts, landslides, and flash floods causing widespread devastation across Mandi, Kullu, and Chamba districts, the episode underscores the intensifying impact of climate change on India’s mountainous regions.
- Over ₹700 crore in economic damages and significant human and ecological loss demand urgent policy and adaptive responses.
The Immediate Disaster: Heavy Rainfall and Cloudbursts
During the early phase of the monsoon, Himachal Pradesh received torrential rainfall — over 71 mm within a few hours — triggering multiple cloudbursts. These sudden, localized downpours led to:
- Landslides and road blockages, disrupting connectivity and emergency response.
- Flash floods, sweeping through valleys and settlements.
- Loss of lives, homes, and farmland, displacing thousands and destroying infrastructure.
This event is not isolated but is part of a growing pattern in the Himalayan region.
The Climate Connection: Science Behind the Extremes
1. Increased Atmospheric Moisture
- A direct effect of global warming is the increase in atmospheric water vapour. For every 1°C rise in temperature, the atmosphere can hold 7% more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall when precipitation occurs.
2. Frequent and Severe Cloudbursts
- Cloudbursts — intense rainfall events within a short duration — have become more common. In the Himalayas, steep slopes channel water rapidly into rivers, making even short bursts of rain deadly.
3. Glacier Melting and River Swelling
- Glaciers in the Himalayas are melting at an alarming rate, with some losing up to 30 meters of thickness annually. This increases river flow during summers, amplifying the flood risk when coupled with monsoonal rainfall.
4. Erratic Monsoons
Climate models show changing monsoon behaviour:
- Earlier onset and uneven distribution.
- Shorter but more intense rainy spells, increasing the risk of both floods and droughts.
Environmental and Economic Consequences
1. Environmental Toll
- Soil erosion and sedimentation degrade land quality.
- Agricultural land is inundated, impacting food production.
- Forests and ecosystems suffer irreversible damage due to landslides and debris flow.
2. Economic and Livelihood Loss
- Estimated ₹700 crore+ in losses.
- Road and bridge destruction cut off access to remote villages.
- Livelihoods disrupted in tourism, agriculture, and small businesses.
3. Social Consequences
- Thousands displaced with food and shelter insecurity.
- Increased poverty and vulnerability in already fragile regions.
- Strain on state disaster management capacity and public finances.
Structural Vulnerability of the Himalayan Region
The Himalayas are particularly sensitive to extreme events due to:
- Steep terrain, which accelerates runoff.
- Unstable slopes, prone to landslides.
- Unplanned development, such as road cutting, hydroelectric projects, and deforestation.
Adaptive Strategies for Climate Resilience
1. Climate-Resilient Infrastructure
- Reinforced roads and bridges to withstand flash floods.
- Flood protection structures, like embankments and levees.
- Slope stabilization techniques in landslide-prone areas.
2. Community-Based Disaster Preparedness
- Awareness campaigns to educate locals on flood risks.
- Training for emergency response and first aid.
- Local resource mapping for evacuation and relief.
3. Early Warning Systems
- Invest in satellite-based forecasting and automated weather stations.
- Disseminate alerts via SMS, radio, and community networks.
4. Sustainable Land and Water Management
- Afforestation and reforestation to bind soil and slow runoff.
- Rainwater harvesting to regulate water flow and store excess.
- Avoiding construction in vulnerable flood plains and steep slopes.
Climate-Smart Agriculture
- Promotion of flood-resistant crop varieties.
- Shifting cropping patterns and schedules to suit changing monsoons.
- Soil conservation techniques, such as contour ploughing and cover cropping.
Broader Policy Imperatives
1. Climate Policy Reform
- Integrate climate resilience into state planning and disaster budgeting.
- Encourage renewable energy to mitigate further climate change.
2. Ecosystem-Based Adaptation
- Wetland restoration, which absorbs excess rainfall.
- Forest conservation, which stabilizes slopes and reduces runoff.
3. Interstate and International Coordination
Given the Himalayan watershed spans India, Nepal, and Bhutan, coordinated planning on:
- River basin management,
- Data sharing on weather and glaciers,
- Joint infrastructure and disaster planning is critical.
Conclusion
- The Himachal Pradesh floods are not merely a natural calamity but a climate emergency warning.
- They highlight the need for systemic adaptation, sustainable development, and community involvement to protect lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems in the Himalayan belt.
- A multi-pronged strategy — combining technology, traditional knowledge, infrastructure upgrades, and ecological preservation — is essential to build long-term resilience in the face of an uncertain climate future.
CARE MCQ |
UPSC PYQ |
Q2. With reference to the ongoing reform debate within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A) 1 and 3 only |
Q. In the context of India’s preparation for Climate -Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements:(2021)
Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans: (d) |
| Answer 2- B
Explanation
|
United Nations for World Population Day
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS2 Social Issues
Why in News
World Population Day 2025 highlights the need to empower youth—especially young women—by ensuring access to education, health, and reproductive rights, aligning with the 1994 ICPD promise.
Introduction
- As the world crosses the 8 billion population mark, the focus on macro-level planning is essential. However, to create inclusive and sustainable societies, attention must equally be paid to micro-level vulnerabilities—particularly young people, women, and marginalised groups.
- The 2025 theme of the United Nations for World Population Day — “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world” — aligns with the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda, emphasizing sexual and reproductive rights, freedom of choice, and gender equality.
- India, with the largest youth population globally, stands at a critical demographic juncture.
- Leveraging this demographic dividend through rights-based policies and investments in education, health, and employment is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity.
India’s Youth Bulge: Opportunity and Challenge
Demographic Profile
- According to UNICEF, India has 371 million youth (15–29 years) — the largest in the world.
- This presents both a challenge (resource strain) and an opportunity (economic growth potential).
Economic Potential
- With the right investments, India’s youth can add $1 trillion to GDP by 2030 (World Bank & NITI Aayog).
- However, failure to provide education, skills, and reproductive autonomy may result in a demographic disaster rather than a dividend.
Current Status: Progress and Persistent Gaps
Progress Made
- Schemes like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ and the National Adolescent Health Programme have reduced child marriage and adolescent fertility.
- Child marriage has dropped from 47% in 2006 to 23.3% in 2019-21 (NFHS-5).
Persisting Issues
- Teenage pregnancies still affect 7% of girls aged 15–19, with regional disparities.
- 36% of Indian adults face unintended pregnancies; 30% have unmet reproductive goals (UNFPA, 2025).
- Gender inequality and socio-cultural norms continue to curtail reproductive choices, especially among young women.
Case Studies:
1. Project Udaan (Rajasthan, 2017–2022)
- Objectives: Prevent child marriage and teenage pregnancy.
- Strategies:
- Keeping girls in secondary school through government scholarships.
- Awareness generation on reproductive health.
- Access to modern contraceptives.
- Outcomes:
- 30,000 child marriages prevented.
- 15,000 teenage pregnancies averted.
2. Advika Programme (Odisha, 2019–present)
- Partnership: Government of Odisha with UNICEF & UNFPA.
- Key Features:
- Community mobilisation and leadership training.
- Skill development and child protection awareness.
- Impact:
- 11,000 villages declared child marriage-free.
- 950 child marriages stopped in 2022 alone.
3. Project Manzil (Rajasthan, 2019–2025)
- Aim: Economic empowerment of young women.
- Approach:
- Human-centred design to align skill training with aspirations.
- Gender-friendly employment creation.
- Results:
- 28,000 young women trained; 16,000 employed.
- Enhanced bargaining power and delayed marriage decisions.
Key Structural Barriers
- Lack of access to contraception and safe abortion.
- Gender-based violence and child marriage.
- Low female labour force participation (hovering around 25%).
- Inadequate mental health and life skills education.
- Socio-cultural taboos around reproductive autonomy.
The Way Forward:
- Universal access to reproductive healthcare including safe abortion and infertility care.
- Invest in girls’ education, conditional cash transfers, and community mobilisation.
- Ensure housing, childcare, and workplace flexibility to enhance participation.
- Promote life-skills training to develop autonomy and confidence.
Policy Suggestions for India
- Integrate Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in school curricula.
- Expand schemes like Mission Shakti and Skill India with a youth-gender lens.
- Promote safe digital platforms for youth to access SRH (Sexual and Reproductive Health) information.
- Increase budgetary allocation for adolescent health programmes under National Health Mission (NHM).
Conclusion
- As India celebrates World Population Day 2025, it must reflect on the promise of the ICPD — that every individual has the right to make informed choices about their body and future.
- By investing in the empowerment of youth, especially girls, India can unlock immense economic and social potential.
- Projects like Udaan, Advika, and Manzil illustrate that rights-based, holistic, and community-engaged strategies can produce transformative results.
- But to scale up these successes, India must ensure cross-sectoral convergence, address socio-cultural barriers, and promote an ecosystem of dignity, choice, and opportunity.
- Empowering youth today is not just about population control — it is about nation-building and ensuring a fair, inclusive, and hopeful future for the largest generation of young people in history.
CARE MCQ |
UPSC PYQ |
Q3. Consider the following statements regarding youth empowerment and reproductive rights in India:
Which of the above statements is/are correct? A. 1 and 4 only |
Q. India is regarded as a country with “Demographic Dividend”. This is due to (2011)
(a) Its high population in the age group below 15 years Ans: (b) |
| Answer 3- A
Explanation
|
India’s Role in FATF’s latest report on terrorist financing risks
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS 2 International Relations
Context: FATF Report
Why in News?
India played a key role in the FATF’s July 2025 report which, for the first time, officially recognised state sponsorship as a method of terrorist financing, aligning with India’s longstanding concerns about Pakistan.
Introduction
- The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) released its landmark report titled “Comprehensive Update on Terrorist Financing Risks”, which, for the first time, officially recognised state sponsorship as a significant method of funding terrorism. India played a key role in this global initiative.
India’s Contribution to the FATF Report:
- India was one of the key contributors to the FATF project.
- The initiative was co-led by the United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (UNCTED) and France.
- India’s involvement helped bring attention to the long-standing issue of state-sponsored terrorism, especially emanating from Pakistan.
Key Highlights of the FATF Report:
- State Sponsorship Recognised:
- For the first time, FATF has acknowledged that states themselves can finance terrorism.
- While not developing a specific typology, FATF clearly noted that state financing of terrorism violates FATF Standards, the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, and UNSC Resolution 1373 (2001).
- Undermines International Peace and Security:
- The report recognised state-sponsored terrorism as a long-standing threat to international peace, regional stability, and financial systems.
- Impact on Financial Institutions:
- Countries are expected to incorporate this finding into their National Risk Assessments (NRAs).
- For example, the United States’ 2024 NRA had already flagged threats from Pakistan-based terrorist outfits.
- Operational Challenges:
- The cost of doing business with Pakistan is expected to rise due to increased due diligence and compliance burdens for financial institutions globally.
India’s National Risk Assessment (2022):
- India’s 2022 NRA on Money Laundering and Terror Financing flagged state-sponsored terrorism, specifically from Pakistan, as a major national security concern.
- Based on this, Indian financial institutions, including banks, have been instructed to apply enhanced due diligence on any transaction involving Pakistan.
Modus Operandi of State-Sponsored Terrorism (as per the FATF report):
- Oil Smuggling:
- Illicit oil trade from Iran to Pakistan is cited as a potential source of terror financing.
- Sham Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs):
- Pakistan-based terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) are exploiting fake NPOs to:
- Raise funds
- Store and move illicit money
- Disguise operations under the garb of charitable activities
- These groups have also misused humanitarian assistance programmes.
- Pakistan-based terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) are exploiting fake NPOs to:
- Digital Platforms:
- The report highlights the emerging misuse of online gaming platforms for:
- Propaganda
- Radicalisation
- Recruitment
- Fundraising for terror-related activities
- The report highlights the emerging misuse of online gaming platforms for:
Significance of the Report:
- Strengthens India’s long-standing diplomatic and security position against Pakistan’s state-sponsored terrorism.
- Reinforces the global framework for counter-terror financing through FATF standards and international cooperation.
- Encourages member states to improve their regulatory and enforcement measures, especially in monitoring:
- NPOs
- Digital transactions
- Cross-border financial flows
Way Forward:
- Stricter enforcement of FATF recommendations at national and international levels.
- Enhance global cooperation for intelligence sharing and tracking state-linked terror networks.
- Monitor new avenues of terror financing, especially in the digital economy.
- Countries must update their NRAs and banking risk frameworks to reflect the risks associated with state-sponsored actors.
Conclusion:
- India’s leadership and inputs in the FATF’s recent report signify its growing influence in global counter-terrorism efforts.
- By formally recognising state-sponsored terrorism as a systemic threat, the FATF has set a new global precedent that aligns with India’s long-standing concerns and provides a stronger legal and diplomatic framework for international action against countries that aid and abet terrorism.
CARE MCQ |
UPSC PYQ |
Q4. With reference to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) report titled “Comprehensive Update on Terrorist Financing Risks, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? |
Q. With reference to the “United Nations Credentials Committee”, consider the following statements: (2022)
1. It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and works under its supervision. 2. It traditionally meets in March, June and September every year. 3. It assesses the credentials of all UN members before submitting a report to the General Assembly for approval. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? a) 3 only b) 1 and 3 only c) 2 and 3 only d) 1 and 2 only |
| Answer – 4 – B
Explanation –
|
India’s first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel- INS Nistar
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS 3 Defence
Context: INS Nistar
Why in News?
INS Nistar, India’s first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel, was inducted into the Indian Navy on July 9, 2025, enhancing deep-sea rescue and saturation diving capabilities.
Introduction
- The Indian Navy received INS Nistar, its first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel (DSV), from Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam.
- The induction marks a significant achievement under the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
Key Features of INS Nistar
- Indigenous Content:
- Around 75% indigenous components, reflecting India’s push for self-reliance in defence production.
- Designed and constructed under the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
- Design and Dimensions:
- Length: 118 metres
- Displacement: Nearly 10,000 tonnes
- Name ‘Nistar’ derived from Sanskrit, meaning liberation, rescue, or salvation.
Diving and Rescue Capabilities:
- Equipped with state-of-the-art diving equipment.
- Capable of Deep Sea Saturation Diving up to 300 metres.
- Features a Side Diving Stage for operations up to 75 metres.
- Equipped with Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) for diver monitoring and salvage operations up to 1000 metres depth.
- Role as a Mother Ship:
- Functions as the Mother Ship for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV).
- Enhances India’s capability for submarine rescue and evacuation, crucial in case of submarine emergencies.
Strategic Significance
- Enhances Blue Water Capabilities:
The induction strengthens India’s ability to project power and undertake specialised underwater operations in distant waters. - Rare Capability:
Only a few navies globally possess similar deep-sea rescue and saturation diving capabilities, placing India among an elite group. - Boost to Indigenous Defence Sector:
Reinforces India’s capacity to design and build sophisticated naval platforms indigenously, aligning with the broader goals of defence indigenisation.
Conclusion
- INS Nistar’s induction is a milestone in the Indian Navy’s modernisation efforts.
- Its advanced features and indigenous pedigree not only enhance the Navy’s operational depth and safety of submarine personnel but also demonstrate India’s growing defence-industrial capabilities under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
CARE MCQ |
UPSC PYQ |
Q5. With reference to INS Nistar, recently inducted into the Indian Navy, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above are correct? (A) 1 and 2 only |
Q. Which one of the following is the best description of ‘INS Astradharini’, that was in the news recently? (2016)
Answer: (c) |
| Answer – 5 – B
Explanation –
|
Electoral Roll Accuracy and the Right to Vote in India
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS2 Polity and Governance
Context: Right to Vote
Why in News?
The Supreme Court’s directive to include Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards in Bihar’s electoral roll revision highlights India’s commitment to inclusive universal adult suffrage and the need to balance electoral integrity with democratic inclusion.
Introduction
- The recent Supreme Court directive (July 10, 2025) to the Election Commission (EC) to accept Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar has reignited discourse on the robustness of India’s electoral framework.
- By remarking that the “right to vote goes to the very root of the functioning of our republic”, the Court emphasized the foundational importance of universal adult suffrage (UAS) in India’s democratic architecture.
- The ongoing legal debate over electoral roll revisions offers a prism through which to examine the legal status, historical roots, and contemporary challenges in safeguarding India’s democratic ethos.
The Genesis of Universal Adult Suffrage in India
Unlike the gradual, exclusionary franchise expansion in Western democracies, India adopted universal adult suffrage from the outset of its republican journey in 1950.
- UK: Franchise extended gradually—from male property owners to women (1928).
- US: Despite the 15th and 19th Amendments, literacy tests and poll taxes restricted voting until the 1960s.
- India: Article 326 granted every adult citizen (21 years, later reduced to 18 in 1989) the right to vote, irrespective of caste, creed, gender, property, or literacy.
Operationalisation of UAS
Two key legislations ensured practical implementation:
- Representation of the People Act, 1950: Deals with the preparation and revision of electoral rolls.
- Representation of the People Act, 1951: Regulates conduct of elections, candidature, and election-related offences.
Sukumar Sen, the first Chief Election Commissioner, ensured inclusivity by introducing symbols for illiterate voters — a milestone in deepening participatory democracy.
Is Voting a Fundamental Right in India?
Constitutional Debates
- Despite proposals by B.R. Ambedkar and K.T. Shah to include the right to vote under Fundamental Rights, the Constituent Assembly rejected the idea, placing it instead under statutory provisions.
Judicial Interpretation
- Kuldip Nayar v. Union of India (2006): Declared the right to vote as a statutory right, not a fundamental one.
- Rajbala v. State of Haryana (2016): A two-judge bench called it a constitutional right, but this remains subordinate to Kuldip Nayar.
- Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India (2023): The majority declined to reopen the debate, while Justice Ajay Rastogi (in dissent) connected it to Articles 19(1)(a) and 21.
Statutory Yet Sacrosanct
Even though not a fundamental right, the courts recognize the vote as a democratic imperative central to the republic’s survival, echoing John Dewey’s vision of democracy as both a governmental and social ideal.
The Critical Role of Electoral Rolls
Legal Framework
Section 21 of the RPA, 1950 empowers the EC to revise electoral rolls, ensuring they reflect only eligible voters.
Why Accuracy Matters
- Inclusions of ineligible voters lead to impersonation and dilution of genuine votes.
- Exclusions of eligible voters undermine democratic participation.
- Duplications or outdated entries compromise electoral integrity.
Courts hold that only substantial, systemic errors that materially affect the election outcome can invalidate elections — not isolated errors.
The Debate in Bihar: Citizenship and the Burden of Proof
The Controversy
In the current Bihar SIR, concerns were raised over attempts to verify citizenship through EROs, risking the disenfranchisement of legitimate voters.
Judicial Safeguards
- Lal Babu Hussein v. ERO (1995): Struck down EC orders allowing District Collectors to unilaterally delete voters over suspicion of citizenship.
- The court emphasized natural justice, past voting records, and adherence to the Citizenship Act.
Recent Developments
- Md. Rahim Ali (2024) reiterated that mere suspicion or unsubstantiated claims cannot be grounds for exclusion from electoral rolls.
- The Supreme Court emphasized due process and quasi-judicial conduct by EROs.
Understanding “Ordinary Residence”
Statutory Definition
Under Section 19 of the RPA, 1950:
- Any Indian citizen aged 18 or above, not disqualified, and ordinarily resident in a constituency is entitled to be enrolled.
Judicial Interpretation
- Ordinary residence implies habitual and genuine presence, not a temporary or casual stay.
- Manmohan Singh case (1991): Clarified that a person must show regular presence and intent to reside, not merely use a nominal address.
Special Categories of Voters
- Postal Ballots: For service voters, armed forces, election staff.
- Overseas Voters: Covered under Section 20A of the RPA, 1950 but must vote in person (no postal/proxy voting yet).
The Role of Political Parties and Voter Awareness
- Although electoral rolls are maintained by EC, the Lakshmi Charan Sen v. A.K.M. Hassan Uzzaman (1985) judgment emphasized that political parties, too, must help ensure proper inclusion and exclusion in electoral rolls — a necessity in a largely illiterate or unaware electorate.
Conclusion:
The Supreme Court’s Role
As the Supreme Court resumes hearings on July 28, it must balance vigilance with inclusion. Expanding the list of acceptable documents like Aadhaar and ration cards helps safeguard the democratic rights of the marginalized and migratory populations.
Shared Democratic Responsibility
Ensuring the sanctity of the vote is not the EC’s job alone:
- Citizens must verify and update their records.
- Parties must assist in inclusion efforts.
- Institutions must uphold transparency and natural justice.
As Winston Churchill aptly noted, democracy begins with the “little man making a little cross on a little bit of paper.” That simple act encapsulates the soul of a republic — and it must be preserved with diligence, inclusion, and care.
CARE MCQ |
UPSC PYQ |
| Q6. Which of the following best describes the legal status of the ‘right to vote’ in India?
A) It is a Fundamental Right under Article 21 |
Q. Right to vote and to be elected in India is a (2017)
Answer: (c) |
| Answer – 6 – C
Explanation –
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