GS PAPER 1
Indian Polity
Over 30 civil society organisations, led by the National Council for People’s Right to Information (NCPRI), have urged the Union government to refrain from diluting the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. Their primary concern is an amendment passed in 2023 that, once implemented, would significantly restrict access to government-held information.
Key Issue: Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act
- Current Provision: Section 8(1)(j) allows the government to refuse information requests if they pertain to an individual’s personal details. However, a proviso permits disclosure if public interest outweighs the right to privacy.
- Amendment Impact: In 2023, the Union government removed this proviso via the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, effectively making the exemption a blanket prohibition on sharing personal information, even if public interest is at stake.
- Current Status: Since the DPDP Act’s subordinate legislation has not been notified, the amendment is yet to take effect.
Civil Society Concerns
- Transparency at Risk: The amendment may weaken accountability as government officials could withhold information citing privacy concerns.
- Frequent Misuse of Exemptions: Studies indicate that Section 8(1)(j) is already one of the most commonly used grounds for rejecting RTI applications.
- Call for Reversal: Activists demand that the DPDP Rules, 2025, exclude the amendment, and Parliament must pass a law restoring the proviso.
Conclusion
- The proposed changes to the RTI Act could curtail access to crucial government information, weakening transparency and accountability. Civil society groups continue to push for legislative intervention to uphold the spirit of the RTI Act and ensure the right to information is not compromised.
UPSC Mains Practice Question
Ques:Right to Information (RTI) is a crucial tool for ensuring transparency and accountability in governance. Discuss the impact of recent amendments to the RTI Act on citizens’ access to information.(250 words)
GS PAPER 2
Indian Polity
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has restrained the Education Ministry and the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) from publishing the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings for 2025. The order came in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a petitioner who challenged the credibility and transparency of the ranking system.
Key Issues Raised in the Petition
- Lack of Verification – The petitioner argued that institutions self-report data such as student strength, faculty numbers, salaries, research funding, placements, and graduation outcomes without any external audit or verification.
- Misleading Nature of Rankings – Without an independent validation process, the ranking may not accurately reflect the quality of institutions, potentially misleading students and stakeholders.
- Comparison with NAAC Accreditation – The petitioner pointed out that, unlike NAAC’s Annual Quality Assurance Report (AQAR), where expert committees audit data, NIRF rankings rely on unaudited information.
- Demand for Transparency – The petitioner sought a verification mechanism that cross-checks submitted data with government records and also called for the disclosure of the calculation method used in the rankings.
Court’s Response
- A Division Bench of Justices J. Nisha Banu and S. Srimathy put a temporary hold on publishing the NIRF 2025 rankings.
- The authorities were directed to file a counter affidavit justifying the ranking process.
- The next hearing is scheduled for April 24, 2025.
Way Forward
- Strengthening the verification process for NIRF rankings by incorporating third-party audits.
- Enhancing data transparency by making ranking methodologies and raw data public.
- Ensuring alignment with international best practices in university rankings.
- The court’s intervention raises critical questions about the credibility of institutional rankings, reinforcing the need for data validation and transparency in national ranking frameworks.
UPSC Mains Practice Question
Ques :Critically analyze the role of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in assessing the quality of higher education institutions in India. How can its credibility and transparency be improved?(250 words)
GS PAPER 3
Prelims fact
The issue of genetically modified (GM) food crops in India has gained renewed attention as the Supreme Court prepares to hear petitions challenging the Environment Ministry’s approval of GM mustard in 2022. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has stated that progress is being made in this area, even as legal and safety concerns persist.
Current Status of GM Crops in India
- Bt Cotton remains the only GM crop approved for commercial cultivation in India.
- The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) granted conditional approval for GM mustard in 2022, but cultivation has been delayed due to legal challenges.
- The Supreme Court is set to hear petitions against GM mustard’s approval starting April 15, 2025.
- A previous ruling in July 2024 resulted in a split verdict, with the court directing the government to formulate a national policy on GM crops.
Key Issues in the Debate
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Scientific and Economic Benefits
- GM crops can improve agricultural productivity and enhance resilience against pests and climate change.
- The government’s BioE3 policy promotes biotechnology for food crops, enzyme production, and pharmaceuticals.
- According to the DBT, bio-agriculture contributes only 8.1% to India’s $165.7 billion bio-economy, indicating potential for growth.
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Safety and Environmental Concerns
- Activists and environmental groups have raised concerns about biosafety, potential contamination of native species, and long-term health risks.
- There are calls for more transparency and independent risk assessments before approving GM crops.
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Regulatory and Legal Uncertainty
- India lacks a clear national policy on GM crops, leading to legal disputes.
- The Supreme Court’s final ruling could determine the future course of GM food crop approvals.
Way Forward
- Developing a comprehensive national policy on GM crops to balance scientific advancements with safety regulations.
- Strengthening independent regulatory mechanisms to ensure thorough biosafety assessments.
- Encouraging public awareness and stakeholder consultations to build trust in GM technology.
- The Supreme Court’s decision will be a turning point in India’s agricultural biotechnology sector, influencing policy direction, scientific research, and public perception of GM crops.
UPSC Mains Practice Question
Ques : Discuss the role of genetically modified (GM) crops in enhancing agricultural productivity in India. What are the key challenges in their adoption?(250 words)
GS PAPER 4
Prelims fact
Byadgi chilli farmers are facing financial distress as prices have plummeted due to oversupply, stockpiling, and stricterexport regulations.
Byadgi Chilli: Key Information:
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Origin & Cultivation:
- Grown primarily in Byadgi, Karnataka, and surrounding regions.
- Cultivated in well-drained red and black soil under warm climatic conditions.
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Characteristics:
- Known for its deep red color and wrinkled appearance.
- Mild in spiciness but rich in color due to high pigment content (Capsanthin).
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Agricultural Practices:
- Requires moderate irrigation and well-managed pest control.
- Harvesting takes place from December to March.
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Economic Importance:
- Widely used in spice blends, oleoresin extraction, and food coloring.
- Major export commodity, but recent price fluctuations have affected farmers.
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Challenges:
- Export rejections due to pesticide residue concerns.
- Price volatility due to oversupply and stockpiling.
In News : ASEAN
The 14th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts’ Working Group on Counter-Terrorism (EWG on CT) was recently held in New Delhi.
About the Meeting
- Table-top counter-terrorism exercise to be held in Malaysia (2026) and a field training exercise in India (2027) under the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts’ Working Group on Counter-Terrorism (EWG on CT).
- India and Malaysia have assumed co-chairmanship of EWG on CT (2024-2027).
- The European Union (EU) hosted a workshop in New Delhi on preventing and countering violent extremism, emphasising India-EU counterterrorism cooperation.
What is ASEAN?
- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional intergovernmental organisation aimed at political, economic, and security cooperation.
- Established: August 8, 1967, in Bangkok, Thailand with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
- Motto: “One Vision, One Identity, One Community.”
- Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia.
- Member States (10 Nations):
- Founding Members (1967): Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand.
- Later Additions: Brunei (1984), Vietnam (1995), Laos & Myanmar (1997), Cambodia (1999).
- Economic & Demographic Strength:
- Total Population: 662 million (2022).
- Combined GDP: $3.2 trillion (2022).
Institutional Mechanism of ASEAN
- ASEAN Summit: Meets annually to discuss regional issues and set policy directions. Chaired by a rotating presidency.
- ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC): Oversees implementation of ASEAN agreements and decisions.
- ASEAN Secretariat: Supports and facilitates ASEAN’s activities and initiatives.
- ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF): Platform for dialogue on political and security issues among ASEAN members and their dialogue partners. India joined in 1996.
- Decision-Making Process: Based on consultation and consensus.
ASEAN-India Relations
- India became a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN in 1992 and a Full Dialogue Partner in 1996.
- Joined the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in 1996.
- India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was signed in 2009 (Goods) and 2014 (Services & Investments).
- ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership was established in 2012.
- India actively participates in ADMM-Plus (ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus).
ASEAN Future Forum
- Proposed by Vietnam in 2023 (43rd ASEAN Summit).
- A common platform for ASEAN member states and partners to share ideas and policy recommendations.
- India is a founding member.
GS PAPER 5
Editorial Analysis
Context :
- A national budget is far more than a mere financial statement; it is a reflection of a country’s economic vision, governance philosophy, and policy priorities.
- In democratic systems, the principle of parliamentary control over public finance is fundamental, ensuring fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability.
- However, in India, the role of Parliament in shaping the Budget remains minimal, with an executive-driven process that sidelines legislators.
- To rectify this imbalance, critical institutional reforms, such as pre-Budget discussions and the establishment of a Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO), must be implemented to enhance legislative oversight and ensure a more democratic financial governance framework.
The Budget as a Pillar of Democracy
- The Budget serves as the financial blueprint of a nation, determining the allocation of resources and setting the government’s economic and social priorities.
- Historically, legislative control over public finance has been a cornerstone of democratic governance, preventing executive overreach.
- Across the world, different democracies have varying degrees of legislative influence over budget-making, some parliaments actively draft and modify budget proposals, while others merely approve government proposals with limited scrutiny.
- Despite these differences, one principle remains consistent: greater parliamentary engagement in budgetary matters correlates with improved economic stability and social outcomes.
- An Analysis of Structural Weakness in India’s Budgetary Process
Executive Monopoly Over Budget Formulation
- Unlike other legislative proposals, the Budget is drafted almost entirely within the Finance Ministry, with minimal input from Parliament.
- The executive, particularly the finance minister and senior bureaucrats, play the dominant role in budgetary planning, while even Cabinet Ministers remain largely uninformed until the final presentation.
- This secrecy stands in contrast to democratic practices in many developed nations where the legislature is actively engaged in budget formulation. For example:
- In the United States, congressional committees engage in extensive pre-Budget discussions, and the President’s budget proposal is subjected to rigorous debate and scrutiny before approval.
- In Germany and Sweden, parliamentary committees assess budget proposals well before they are finalised, ensuring that lawmakers have a meaningful role in shaping financial policies.
- In India, however, the absence of legislative involvement in the early stages of budget-making weakens Parliament’s ability to shape fiscal policies.
- By the time the Budget is presented, its core framework is already established, leaving little room for meaningful amendments or deliberations.
Limited Time for Debate and Review
- Once the Budget is presented in the Lok Sabha, it is expected to be debated, scrutinised, and approved within a limited timeframe.
- However, parliamentary discussions on budgetary allocations are often rushed and superficial.
- The government typically presents the Budget in early February, and Parliament is expected to pass it before the end of March.
- Given the extensive details of financial allocations across various sectors, this short window leaves little opportunity for rigorous analysis.
Weak Role of Parliamentary Committees
- While parliamentary standing committees are intended to provide oversight, their influence over the Budget remains limited.
- The Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) do review demands for grants from various ministries, but their recommendations are not binding.
- The government is free to disregard their suggestions, rendering committee scrutiny largely ineffective.
- In contrast, legislative committees in countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom play a stronger role in budget analysis.
- These nations have dedicated budget offices that provide legislators with independent economic research, ensuring that parliamentary committees can offer informed recommendations.
The Marginal Role of Rajya Sabha
- Another structural weakness in India’s budgetary process is the limited role of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) in financial matters.
- While the Rajya Sabha is a key legislative body responsible for reviewing laws and policies, it has little authority over budgetary decisions.
- According to Article 110 of the Indian Constitution, the Budget is classified as a Money Bill, meaning it is primarily the domain of the Lok Sabha (Lower House).
- Once the Lok Sabha passes the Budget, the Rajya Sabha can only discuss it but cannot amend or reject it.
No Power to Modify the Budget
- Perhaps the most significant limitation on Parliament’s role is the inability to modify or amend the Budget in any meaningful way.
- While members of Parliament (MPs) can raise objections and suggest changes, they cannot directly alter expenditure or taxation proposals.
- Unlike in countries such as France and Sweden, where legislators have the authority to propose alternative spending allocations, Indian MPs lack such power.
- Even within the Lok Sabha, opposition parties often find it difficult to push for budgetary amendments, as the ruling party typically enjoys a majority and can pass the Budget with minimal resistance.
Required Reforms to Address these Structural Weaknesses
The Need for Pre-Budget Discussions
- One crucial reform to enhance parliamentary involvement in budgeting is the institutionalisation of pre-Budget discussions.
- These discussions, held during the monsoon session, would allow legislators to assess the nation’s fiscal health, outline budget priorities, and contribute to economic planning.
- A dedicated five to seven-day debate period would enable parliamentarians to voice public concerns, advocate for equitable resource allocation, and provide policy recommendations for the government’s consideration.
- Pre-Budget discussions would also encourage better coordination among subject committees, fostering informed and holistic decision-making.
Establishing a Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO)
- Currently, India lacks an institutional mechanism that provides parliamentarians with independent and non-partisan budgetary analysis.
- A PBO, modelled after institutions such as the U.S. Congressional Budget Office and similar bodies in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, would bridge this gap by offering data-driven insights and expert economic forecasts.
- A well-structured PBO would play a crucial role in analysing government expenditures, revenue projections, and fiscal policies.
- It would conduct independent economic assessments, evaluate medium- and long-term budgetary trends, and provide parliamentarians with research-backed policy briefs
Reclaiming Parliamentary Authority in Budget-Making
- The current budgetary process in India diminishes the role of elected representatives, undermining democratic principles.
- By integrating pre-Budget discussions and establishing a PBO, Parliament can transition from being a passive approver of financial proposals to an active participant in economic policy-making.
- These reforms are not just procedural improvements but fundamental steps toward strengthening representative democracy.
- They would ensure that budgetary decisions reflect collective deliberation rather than executive fiat, leading to more equitable economic policies and greater public trust in financial governance.
Conclusion
- A truly democratic budgetary process requires more than just executive efficiency; it demands active legislative participation and oversight.
- The current system in India, which marginalises Parliament’s role, needs urgent reforms to restore balance and accountability.
- Institutionalising pre-Budget discussions and establishing a PBO would significantly enhance Parliament’s capacity to shape economic policy, ensuring a more transparent, democratic, and effective governance framework.
- By reclaiming its rightful authority over public finance, Parliament can reinforce its role as the guardian of India’s economic and democratic integrity.