UPSC CARE Mains Practice 14th november 2025

UPSC CARE Mains Practice 14th November 2025

Mains Practice Questions for the Day

1Q. The Election Commission of India has initiated a nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to address concerns regarding inaccuracies, illegal enrolments, and migrant disenfranchisement. Discuss the need for SIR, the key challenges involved in its implementation, and the way forward to ensure inclusive and error-free electoral rolls. (GS – PAPER II – Government Policies & Interventions)

(GS Paper 2 – Health, Governance)

Introduction:

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a comprehensive house-to-house verification of India’s electoral rolls undertaken under Section 21(3) of the RPA 1950. It aims to rebuild accurate, citizen-only, error-free rolls amidst rising concerns of illegal enrolments, Aadhaar-based inaccuracies, migration, and data gaps.

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Why SIR Was Needed

Aadhaar-related risks: CAG (2021) and Standing Committee flagged weak verification during 2010–12 Aadhaar enrolment, enabling illegal immigrants to obtain Aadhaar and enter rolls.
Mass errors accumulated: Due to rapid migration, urbanisation and non-reporting of deaths.
Duplicate / bogus voters: ECINET analysis shows lakhs of duplicate entries across states.
Migrant misalignment: Over 15 crore internal migrants face residency-based exclusion or double entries.
Electoral integrity: Inflated rolls distort turnout, constituency representation and public trust.
ECI’s constitutional obligation: Under Articles 324 & 326, to ensure only eligible citizens are enrolled.

Key Challenges in Implementing SIR

Documentation gaps: Marginalised groups lack birth certificates/parent documents; rigid criteria may cause wrongful exclusion.
Citizenship verification dilemma: ECI is not legally empowered to determine citizenship—this lies with MHA.
Operational constraints: Shortage of BLOs, training gaps, flood-prone areas (Bihar), linguistic barriers.
Technology limitations: Aadhaar data errors, mismatched records, low rural internet access (20% households).
High migrant mobility: Seasonal migration makes “ordinary residence” (Sec. 20) hard to prove.
Political perception risks: Allegations of partisan deletions may erode trust.
Appeal burden: DM/CEO-level appeals may rise due to large-scale deletions.

Way Forward

Flexible documentation: Accept Aadhaar, ration card, voter ID (as advised by SC, July 2025).
Tech-enabled verification: Biometric cross-checks, AI duplicate detection, ECINET integration with civil databases.
Strengthen BLO capacity: More recruitment, training, transport support for remote areas.
Migrant-friendly reforms: Mobile enrolment units; legally protect voting rights at original residence; expand pilot remote voting (e.g., Bihar’s E-SECBHR blockchain model).
Transparency: Political party BLAs and civil society monitoring for non-partisan verification.
Phased implementation: Start with high-risk constituencies; extend timelines to reduce errors.

Conclusion:

A well-implemented SIR is crucial for free, fair, and inclusive elections, but must balance integrity with accessibility. By ensuring flexible documentation, strong monitoring, and migrant-sensitive reforms, India can achieve electoral rolls that are accurate, transparent and democratic.

2Q.India–Bhutan relations have evolved from a treaty-based friendship to a comprehensive strategic partnership founded on mutual sensitivity, development cooperation, and shared geopolitical concerns.”Discuss in the context of the Indian Prime Minister’s 2025 visit to Bhutan.

Relevance: GS Paper-3(Environment),

Introduction:

India–Bhutan relations, rooted in the 1949 Treaty of Friendship and modernised in 2007, represent one of South Asia’s most stable and mutually respectful bilateral partnerships. The Indian PM’s 2025 state visit to Bhutan reaffirmed this trajectory by deepening cooperation in energy, connectivity, digital integration, human development, and security—demonstrating how a small–big neighbour relationship can be managed with sensitivity and strategic convergence.

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1. Evolution of the Relationship: From Treaty to Strategic Partnership

a) Treaty foundation with respect for sovereignty

The 2007 revision of the 1949 Treaty replaced “guidance” with “cooperation,” committing both countries to respect sovereignty and refrain from allowing activities harmful to each other’s security.
This transformed the relationship into one of mutual agency, not dependence.

b) Institutionalised high-level engagement

Regular visits reflect political confidence and ensure continuity in economic and strategic cooperation.
The 2025 visit further consolidated this institutional trust.

2. Development Cooperation: Expanding Economic and Energy Partnership

a) Hydropower as the backbone

Joint inauguration of the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Project, raising Bhutan’s installed capacity by 40%.
Resumption of work on Punatsangchhu-I signals renewed momentum.
Hydropower accounts for two-thirds of Bhutan’s exports to India and supports Bhutan’s carbon-negative status.

b) New MoUs widening the scope beyond hydropower

Renewable energy partnership extending to green energy.
Cooperation in health and mental wellness (NIMHANS–PEMA Secretariat).
Indicates a shift to diversified development cooperation.

c) Strengthening Bhutan’s development plans

India committed ₹10,000 crore for Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan, including PTA, HICDPs, and economic stimulus measures.
A ₹40 billion concessional LoC for energy infrastructure further reflects India’s role in long-term capacity-building.

3. Connectivity: Transforming Bhutan’s Integration with India and the Region

a) Historic rail connectivity

MoUs for the Kokrajhar–Gelephu and Banarhat–Samtse rail links:

Reduces logistic costs and enhances market access.
Strategic for Bhutan’s economic diversification.

b) Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC)

India supports this 2,600 sq. km flagship economic and spiritual hub.
Immigration check-posts at Hatisar and Darranga, and multimodal logistics facilities at Jogighopa, align Bhutan with India’s Act East and Neighbourhood First policies.

c) Digital and space connectivity

Expansion of UPI integration for cross-border payments.
Joint Plan of Action on Space Cooperation for communication, remote sensing and development services.

4. Cultural and People-to-People Bonds

Participation in the Kalachakra ceremony underscores deep Buddhist linkages.
Land allotted in Varanasi for a Bhutanese temple represents cultural reciprocity.
Nehru–Wangchuck scholarships enhance educational and human capital ties.
Hosting of the Piprahwa relics symbolizes shared civilisational heritage.

5. Shared Security and Geopolitical Convergence

a) Strategic geography and border stability

Bhutan’s location near the Chumbi Valley and close to the Siliguri Corridor makes its stability vital for India’s strategic calculus.

b) Security cooperation

Training of the Royal Bhutan Army by India, joint border management, and intelligence cooperation provide a foundation of trust.

c) Doklam and beyond

The 2017 Doklam standoff demonstrated Bhutan’s reliance on India amidst Chinese assertiveness.
Operation All Clear (2003) reflects Bhutan’s commitment to India’s internal security.

d) Regional stability

The partnership counters destabilising influences and maintains peace in the eastern Himalayas.

Conclusion:

India–Bhutan relations have matured into a holistic, future-oriented partnership grounded in shared values, development priorities, and strategic interests. The 2025 PM visit reinforced this evolution by strengthening cooperation in energy, connectivity, technology, culture, and security. As the geopolitical landscape becomes more complex, India and Bhutan continue to demonstrate how asymmetry can be managed through mutual trust, sensitivity, and long-term strategic interdependence—making the relationship a stabilising anchor in the Himalayan region.