SPECIAL INTENSIVE REVISION (SIR) OF ELECTORAL ROLLS & ELECTORAL FORMS
TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU
The Election Commission of India (ECI) recently completed a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, requiring all voters to re-submit forms and identity proof. The process, aimed at cleaning and updating the rolls, raised debates on inclusion and voter rights, and will be expanded to other States soon.
Background and Legal Basis
- The Representation of the People Act, 1950 (Section 21) authorises the Election Commission to prepare and revise electoral rolls.
- Normally, a summary revision is carried out before every general or by-election.
- The EC can also undertake a special revision anytime — this is what is being done through the SIR exercise.
- The SIR process ensures accuracy, inclusion, and removal of duplicate or ineligible names in the rolls.
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Process
- Submission of Enumeration Forms – Every registered voter must submit the form again to confirm or update their details.
- Proof of Identity – Voters registered after 2003 must submit documents proving citizenship; Aadhaar is accepted as per the Supreme Court’s interim order.
- Publication of Draft Rolls – Lists are published publicly for citizens to verify details.
- Claims and Objections Period – Citizens can correct errors or object to wrong entries.
- Verification by Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) – EROs cross-check forms and resolve objections.
- Final Roll Publication – The verified and updated electoral rolls are released officially.
Various Electoral Forms under Registration of Electors Rules, 1960
Form No. | Purpose |
Form 6 | For new voter registration or for citizens shifting to another constituency. |
Form 6A | For Overseas Electors (NRIs) to register as voters using passport and residence details. |
Form 7 | To object to inclusion of a name or request deletion of an ineligible entry. |
Form 8 | For correction of details like name, age, gender, or address in the roll. |
Form 8A | For transposition — shifting voter details within the same constituency. |
Registration of Overseas Electors
- Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) can register through Form 6A.
- They must provide a self-attested copy of their passport and residence details abroad.
- Once registered, they can vote in their Indian constituency if present during elections.
What Citizens Should Do
- Check Draft Rolls carefully when published.
- Submit the correct form —
- Form 6 for new voters or migrants.
- Form 8 for corrections.
- Form 7 for objections/deletions.
- Keep documents like Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, or birth certificate ready.
- Seek help from political parties, BLOs (Booth Level Officers), or civil society groups to avoid errors or exclusion.
Significance of the Exercise
- Ensures clean and updated electoral rolls, reducing bogus voting.
- Promotes transparency and fairness in elections.
- However, experts suggest providing more time and awareness to prevent genuine voters, especially women and marginalized groups, from being left out due to document issues.
Conclusion
The SIR initiative is a crucial step toward ensuring free and fair elections through accurate voter lists. Yet, the process must balance verification with inclusivity, protecting every citizen’s right to vote while keeping the rolls error-free.
SEVOTTAM SERVICE DELIVERY EXCELLENCE MODEL
TOPIC: (GS2) GOVERNANCE: THE HINDU
The Sevottam Service Delivery Excellence Model has recently gained attention for its role in promoting citizen-focused governance, accountability, and transparency in public administration. It aims to improve the quality and responsiveness of government services across India.
Overview of the Sevottam Model
- The term “Sevottam” combines Seva (Service) and Uttam (Excellence), representing high-quality public service.
- Developed by the Quality Council of India and adopted in 2006, it is recognized under IS 15700:2005 standards.
- The model provides a framework for central and state government departments to assess, monitor, and enhance service delivery.
Objectives of Sevottam Framework
- Citizen’s Charter Implementation:
Defines service entitlements, timelines, and performance standards while incorporating citizen feedback. - Service Delivery Preparedness:
Ensures organizations build capacity and establish efficient processes for reliable and timely delivery. - Effective Grievance Redressal:
Establishes transparent and responsive systems to address complaints promptly.
Core Principles
- Clear Service Standards: Helps citizens know what services to expect.
- Feedback Mechanism: Collects public input to identify service gaps.
- Capacity Building: Strengthens human resources and organizational systems.
Three Key Modules
- Citizen’s Charter – Defines and communicates standards.
- Grievance Redress Mechanism – Handles complaints efficiently.
- Capability Building – Enhances staff skills and institutional processes.
Importance of Sevottam
- Promotes self-assessment and internal accountability in public organizations.
- Encourages benchmarking and reward mechanisms for service excellence.
- Integrates quality and sustainability into daily governance practices.
Challenges and Way Forward
- Limited awareness and training among officials and citizens.
- Need for grassroots-level implementation and participatory reforms.
- Strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems can make Sevottam more effective nationwide.
Conclusion
The Sevottam model is a key step toward making governance more citizen-centric, transparent, and accountable.
ARE WOMEN DECIDING ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS?
TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU
In the recent State Assembly elections, political parties across India, especially in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, have introduced welfare and cash transfer schemes aimed at women voters.
Background
- Over the years, the number of women voters has steadily increased, often matching or surpassing male voter turnout in several States.
- Governments have launched direct benefit schemes such as Bihar’s Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, M.P.’s Ladli Behna, Maharashtra’s Ladki Bahin, and Tamil Nadu’s Urimai Thogai to attract women voters.
- The trend reflects a shift in India’s electoral politics — from caste and religion-based mobilization to gender-based voter targeting.
Women as a Political Constituency
- Political parties increasingly treat women as a distinct vote bank through welfare schemes and benefits.
- While this signals greater recognition of women’s role in politics, experts warn that portraying women mainly as beneficiaries (labharthis) risks reducing their political agency.
- The framing of women as “sisters” or dependents keeps them on the margins of political decision-making, instead of recognizing them as active citizens.
Impact of Welfare and Cash Schemes
- Positive Aspects:
- Cash transfers and incentives (e.g., free cycles, toilets, education-linked benefits) have improved women’s mobility, dignity, and access to resources.
- Some schemes, like Ladli Behna and Lakshmir Bhandar, have conditional benefits that encourage girls’ education and empowerment.
- Concerns:
- Schemes announced just before elections may appear as vote-buying tactics.
- Implementation issues — delays, verification hurdles, or confusion with other benefits — can reduce trust.
- Surveys show no consistent “women’s vote” pattern yet; voting preferences vary across regions and parties.
Intersection of Identities
- Women’s choices are shaped by caste, class, religion, and region, making them a diverse rather than monolithic group.
- Treating women as one uniform bloc overlooks social differences and risks turning welfare politics into clientelism (a transactional vote-for-benefit system).
Challenges in Electoral Participation
- In Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, more women than men were left out due to documentation gaps.
- This exclusion highlights a paradox: women are celebrated as voters but excluded by bureaucratic hurdles like lack of ID or address proof — often caused by marriage or migration.
Are Women Deciding Elections?
- Women are now equally important voters, not merely passive recipients.
- Increasing turnout shows rising political awareness and autonomy among women.
- However, analysts note that women’s votes are still interlinked with other identities and not yet decisive in determining overall election outcomes.
- The real progress lies in the emergence of women’s independent voting behaviour, signalling growing agency within Indian democracy.
Conclusion
Women voters have become a crucial part of India’s democratic story — visible, vocal, and valued. Yet, their role remains limited by social structures and political framing as dependents. The path ahead lies in strengthening women’s autonomy, representation, and equal participation, beyond welfare politics.
KERALA’S MOVE TO AMEND THE WILDLIFE (PROTECTION) ACT, 1972
TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: THE HINDU
Kerala has introduced the Wildlife (Protection) Kerala Amendment Bill, 2025, seeking powers to declare certain wild animals, like the wild boar, as ‘vermin’ within the State.
Background
- Kerala faces growing human-wildlife conflicts, especially with wild boars damaging crops and attacking people in farming regions bordering forests.
- The State’s repeated requests to the Centre to declare wild boars as vermin (allowing culling) under Section 62 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, were not accepted.
- The new Bill attempts to empower the State to take independent decisions on managing such conflicts, including allowing capture, translocation, or killing of dangerous animals.
Key Provisions of the Kerala Amendment Bill, 2025
- State Power to Declare ‘Vermin’: The State can decide when a Schedule II species becomes a pest (vermin) in certain areas and periods.
- Expanded Authority of Chief Wildlife Warden: The Warden can order killing, tranquillising, or relocation of any animal that has severely injured a person.
- Federal Implication: The Bill transfers powers previously vested in the Central Government to the State, challenging existing federal arrangements.
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
- Central legislation aimed at protecting wild animals, birds, and plants.
- Divides species into Schedules I–VI, providing varying degrees of protection.
- Section 62: Empowers the Central Government to declare any Schedule II animal as vermin for a specific region and time.
- Concurrent List (Seventh Schedule): Wildlife protection falls under the Concurrent List, meaning both Centre and States can make laws.
- However, any State law inconsistent with the Central Act needs Presidential assent under Article 254(2) of the Constitution.
Issues and Concerns
- Federal Tension: Raises questions about division of powers between Centre and State in environmental governance.
- Risk to Conservation: Could weaken national safeguards and promote indiscriminate culling.
- Lack of Transparency: Both Centre and State lack clear, data-based criteria for declaring species as vermin.
- Human-Wildlife Conflict Mismanagement: Focus on lethal control ignores non-lethal, coexistence-based measures (like fencing, compensation, and relocation).
Way Forward
- Preserve National Safeguards: Maintain baseline protections under the Central Act.
- Devolve with Accountability: Allow State-level flexibility with data-driven and transparent procedures.
- Promote Non-lethal Solutions: Encourage coexistence strategies — crop insurance, habitat restoration, fencing, and early-warning systems.
- Enhance Centre-State Coordination: Establish joint committees for faster, science-based decisions.
- Public Awareness and Compensation: Improve community participation and ensure timely relief to affected farmers.
Conclusion
Kerala’s amendment reflects genuine frustration over unresolved human-wildlife conflicts but risks undermining ecological prudence. Effective environmental federalism must balance State autonomy with national conservation standards, ensuring that speed does not replace reason and devolution does not become dilution of wildlife protection.
KERALA’S MOVE TO AMEND THE WILDLIFE (PROTECTION) ACT, 1972
TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: THE HINDU
Kerala has introduced the Wildlife (Protection) Kerala Amendment Bill, 2025, seeking powers to declare certain wild animals, like the wild boar, as ‘vermin’ within the State.
Background
- Kerala faces growing human-wildlife conflicts, especially with wild boars damaging crops and attacking people in farming regions bordering forests.
- The State’s repeated requests to the Centre to declare wild boars as vermin (allowing culling) under Section 62 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, were not accepted.
- The new Bill attempts to empower the State to take independent decisions on managing such conflicts, including allowing capture, translocation, or killing of dangerous animals.
Key Provisions of the Kerala Amendment Bill, 2025
- State Power to Declare ‘Vermin’: The State can decide when a Schedule II species becomes a pest (vermin) in certain areas and periods.
- Expanded Authority of Chief Wildlife Warden: The Warden can order killing, tranquillising, or relocation of any animal that has severely injured a person.
- Federal Implication: The Bill transfers powers previously vested in the Central Government to the State, challenging existing federal arrangements.
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
- Central legislation aimed at protecting wild animals, birds, and plants.
- Divides species into Schedules I–VI, providing varying degrees of protection.
- Section 62: Empowers the Central Government to declare any Schedule II animal as vermin for a specific region and time.
- Concurrent List (Seventh Schedule): Wildlife protection falls under the Concurrent List, meaning both Centre and States can make laws.
- However, any State law inconsistent with the Central Act needs Presidential assent under Article 254(2) of the Constitution.
Issues and Concerns
- Federal Tension: Raises questions about division of powers between Centre and State in environmental governance.
- Risk to Conservation: Could weaken national safeguards and promote indiscriminate culling.
- Lack of Transparency: Both Centre and State lack clear, data-based criteria for declaring species as vermin.
- Human-Wildlife Conflict Mismanagement: Focus on lethal control ignores non-lethal, coexistence-based measures (like fencing, compensation, and relocation).
Way Forward
- Preserve National Safeguards: Maintain baseline protections under the Central Act.
- Devolve with Accountability: Allow State-level flexibility with data-driven and transparent procedures.
- Promote Non-lethal Solutions: Encourage coexistence strategies — crop insurance, habitat restoration, fencing, and early-warning systems.
- Enhance Centre-State Coordination: Establish joint committees for faster, science-based decisions.
- Public Awareness and Compensation: Improve community participation and ensure timely relief to affected farmers.
Conclusion
Kerala’s amendment reflects genuine frustration over unresolved human-wildlife conflicts but risks undermining ecological prudence. Effective environmental federalism must balance State autonomy with national conservation standards, ensuring that speed does not replace reason and devolution does not become dilution of wildlife protection.
INDIA NEEDS A UNIFIED MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE
TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU
World Mental Health Day (October 10) highlighted India’s growing mental health burden, with 13.7% of the population affected by mental disorders.
Current Scenario in India
- Mental health is a constitutional and legal right under Article 21, reinforced by the Supreme Court in Sukdeb Saha vs. State of Andhra Pradesh.
- Prevalence: 13.7% lifetime occurrence of mental disorders (around 200 million people).
- Workforce gap:
- 0.75 psychiatrists and 0.12 psychologists per 1 lakh people.
- WHO recommends at least 3 psychiatrists per 1 lakh.
- Treatment gap: 70–92% across mental health conditions (85% for depression and anxiety).
- Budget share: Only 1.05% of total health spending goes to mental health, against the WHO norm of 5%.
Magnitude of the Crisis
- Around 230 million Indians live with some form of mental disorder.
- Treatment gap: 70–92%; majority receive no professional care.
- Professional shortage: Only 0.75 psychiatrists per 1 lakh people, far below the WHO minimum of 1.7.
- Schools and colleges often lack full-time counsellors.
- Government mental health budget (~₹270 crore) remains underutilized.
Challenges in India’s Mental Health Ecosystem
- Severe workforce shortage in rural and semi-urban areas.
- Inadequate infrastructure and poor medicine availability in PHCs.
- Weak rehabilitation and follow-up services – only 15% of needs are met.
- Persistent stigma and myths – over 50% see mental illness as personal weakness.
- Fragmented governance – poor coordination between ministries of Health, Education, Labour, and Social Justice.
Policy Gaps
- Mental Healthcare Act (2017) and National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2022) exist but remain poorly implemented.
- Manodarpan scheme (for student counselling) largely inactive.
- Lack of trained staff in mental health centres and medical institutions.
Global Comparison
- Mental disorder prevalence globally: 13.6%.
- Treatment gaps: Developed nations (Australia, UK, Canada): 40–55%. India: 70–92%.
- Budget allocation: 8–10% in advanced countries vs. 1.05% in India.
- Insurance coverage: Over 80% in developed nations; <15% in India.
- Workforce models: Other countries use mid-level mental health providers, who deliver ~50% of counselling services — a model India has yet to adopt.
Steps Needed for a Unified Response
- Raise funding to at least 5% of the health budget for mental health infrastructure, workforce, and medicines.
- Train and deploy mid-level professionals to fill gaps in rural and semi-urban areas.
- Integrate mental health with primary healthcare and Ayushman Bharat insurance for universal access.
- Update national diagnostic manuals to include ICD-11 disorders (like complex PTSD, gaming disorder, etc.).
- Create real-time monitoring systems at district and state levels for tracking cases and budget use.
PROGRAMMES:
- DMHP covers 767 districts but faces shortages in medicines, manpower, and rehabilitation.
- Tele-MANAS helpline handled over 20 lakh counselling sessions but lacks deep rural coverage.
- Manodarpan has reached 11 crore students but suffers from uneven implementation.
Conclusion
India’s mental health crisis demands urgent, unified, and well-funded action. Legal guarantees must translate into practical, on-ground services through better coordination, workforce expansion, and increased funding.
JUDICIAL OFFICERS WITH BAR EXPERIENCE ELIGIBLE FOR DISTRICT JUDGE POSTS
TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU
The Supreme Court Constitution Bench, led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, ruled that judicial officers with at least seven years of Bar experience before joining service can now be appointed as District or Additional District Judges under Article 233(2) of the Constitution.
Background
- Earlier, only practising advocates with seven years of experience were eligible for direct recruitment as District Judges.
- In-service judicial officers, even if they had similar Bar experience before joining the judiciary, were excluded.
- This exclusion was seen as a barrier to merit and motivation within the subordinate judiciary.
Supreme Court’s Key Observations
- Lawyers remain advocates even after joining judicial service — their prior Bar experience continues to count.
- The Constitution does not restrict eligibility for District Judges only to practising advocates.
- Article 233(2) allows the Governor to appoint District Judges from among persons who have been advocates for not less than seven years.
- The Court clarified that this seven-year experience can be combined experience — part as advocate, part as judicial officer.
- The minimum age for both advocates and judicial officers to apply for District Judge posts is 35 years as of the application date.
Objective and Implications
- Aims to bring younger, experienced officers into senior judicial posts.
- May reduce case pendency by infusing energy and competition in the district judiciary.
- Ensures equal opportunity for judicial officers who have prior Bar experience.
- Strengthens the pipeline for High Court judges, as District Judges are often elevated to the higher judiciary.
CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS
Article 233 – Appointment of District Judges
- Appointed by the Governor in consultation with the High Court.
- Candidate must be an advocate of at least seven years’ standing or from the judicial service of the State.
Article 234 – Recruitment of Judicial Officers
- Deals with the appointment of judges below the District Judge level.
- Requires consultation with the State Public Service Commission and High Court.
Article 235 – Control over Subordinate Courts
- The High Court has administrative and disciplinary control over all lower courts.
Article 236 – Interpretation
- Defines terms like “District Judge” and “judicial service” for clarity in Articles 233–235.
Conclusion
The judgment broadens the eligibility pool for District Judges by recognising Bar experience before joining service. This constitutional interpretation promotes fairness, career mobility, and judicial efficiency — key to strengthening India’s judicial system.
UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE (UHC)
TOPIC: (GS2) GOVERNANCE: THE HINDU
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is a key global and national health goal, ensuring that all citizens can access essential health services without financial hardship. India has been making strides toward UHC through schemes like Ayushman Bharat and the National Health Mission.
Core Principles of UHC
- Access to Essential Services: Services should be available, affordable, and socially accessible.
- Financial Protection: Prevents citizens from falling into poverty due to healthcare costs.
- Equity: Ensures healthcare opportunities for all, including vulnerable and marginalized groups.
Components of UHC
- Essential Health Services: Maternal and child health, immunization, disease treatment, mental health, and NCD care.
- Quality of Care: Services must be safe, effective, and patient-centered.
- Financial Risk Protection: Insurance and government-funded schemes reduce out-of-pocket expenditure.
Key Strategies in India
- Strengthening Primary Healthcare: Establish Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) for continuous care.
- Financial Protection: Expand programs like Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY).
- Infrastructure Development: Build hospitals, clinics, labs, and digital networks, especially in rural areas.
- Healthcare Workforce Development: Train and recruit doctors, nurses, and paramedics.
- Governance & Policy: Transparent policies, regulations, and community participation ensure accountability.
Technological Developments
- Telemedicine: Extends healthcare access to remote areas.
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs): Enable seamless data sharing and continuity of care.
- Health Information Systems: Help monitor outcomes and support evidence-based policies.
Importance of UHC
- Promotes health equity and reduces disparities.
- Enhances economic productivity through healthier populations.
- Prevents poverty from catastrophic healthcare costs.
- Strengthens global health security by preparing for pandemics.
- Contributes to Sustainable Development Goals.
Challenges
- Low health spending in developing countries.
- Shortage of skilled healthcare workers, particularly in rural areas.
- Urban-rural infrastructure divide.
- High out-of-pocket expenses.
- Rising burden of non-communicable and infectious diseases.
India’s Key Programs for UHC
- Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY & HWCs): Financial protection and comprehensive primary care.
- National Health Mission (NHM): Focus on maternal-child health and rural infrastructure.
- Jan Aushadhi Scheme: Affordable generic medicines.
- National Digital Health Mission (NDHM): Digital health IDs and integrated health services.
Way Forward
- Strengthen preventive care and community engagement.
- Explore innovative financing like public-private partnerships.
- Collaborate globally for knowledge sharing and sustainable funding.
Conclusion:
Universal Health Coverage is essential for equitable, affordable, and quality healthcare, ensuring no one is left behind. Strengthening infrastructure, financial protection, and community participation will help India achieve sustainable health for all.
ARMY INDUCTS ‘SAKSHAM’ COUNTER-UAV SYSTEM
TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: THE HINDU
The Indian Army has started inducting the indigenously developed ‘Saksham’ Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) to tackle the growing threat from hostile drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) across the battlefield.
About ‘Saksham’ System
- Full form: Situational Awareness for Kinetic Soft and Hard Kill Assets Management.
- Developed by: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Ghaziabad, in collaboration with the Indian Army.
- Nature: A modular and high-end Command & Control (C2) system.
- Network: Operates through the secure Army Data Network (ADN) for real-time communication and control.
Key Features and Functions
- Detection and Tracking: Identifies and monitors suspicious aerial objects, including mini- and micro-drones.
- Identification: Differentiates between friendly and hostile drones using advanced sensors and radar integration.
- Neutralisation Capability: Uses soft kill (jamming) and hard kill (kinetic interception) measures to destroy or disable enemy UAVs.
- Scalability: Modular design allows integration with multiple radar and weapon systems.
Significance
- Strengthens India’s airspace defence and battlefield situational awareness.
- Boosts Atmanirbhar Bharat by relying on indigenous defence technology.
- Enhances preparedness against cross-border drone threats and terrorist infiltration attempts.
INDIA–U.K. SIGN £350-MILLION MISSILE DEAL
TOPIC: (GS2) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: THE HINDU
India and the United Kingdom signed a £350-million defence deal for the purchase of Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) for the Indian Army.
Defence Cooperation:
- India signed a £350-million deal to buy Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) manufactured in Belfast, U.K.
- The agreement will enhance India’s anti-air and anti-armor capabilities and strengthen bilateral defence industry cooperation.
- The deal is part of a larger plan for a “Complex Weapons Partnership” being discussed between both countries.
Naval Collaboration:
- Both leaders approved a £250-million project to develop electric-powered engines for naval ships, advancing sustainable defence technologies.
- The initiative aligns with India’s Maritime Security Vision and the Indo-Pacific strategy.
Economic and Investment Ties
- Investment Commitments:
- 64 Indian companies have pledged to invest £1.3 billion (₹15,430 crore) in the U.K., boosting economic relations.
- The partnership reflects growing business confidence driven by the progress of the India–U.K. Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
- Education Cooperation:
- The University of Lancaster and University of Surrey have received approval to open campuses in India, responding to the increasing demand for higher education from Indian students.
Global and Diplomatic Cooperation
- Peace in Gaza and Ukraine: Both Prime Ministers endorsed a two-state solution to the Israel–Palestine conflict and called for a ceasefire and humanitarian relief in Gaza.
- They also stressed dialogue and diplomacy for resolving the Ukraine war.
- Joint Global Vision: The leaders reaffirmed commitment to a rules-based international order, cooperation on climate action, and migration management under the Commonwealth framework.
Significance for India
- Strengthens defence self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) through joint production and technology sharing.
- Enhances India’s strategic depth in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Expands educational and economic linkages, reinforcing India’s global partnerships amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.
Conclusion
The India–U.K. missile deal and related collaborations strengthen strategic, defence, and economic ties, enhancing India’s global influence.