A COMMISSION IN CRISIS
TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is facing criticism after the Supreme Court (August 14, 2025) ordered it to publish details of 65 lakh voters excluded from Bihar’s draft rolls. This, coupled with allegations from the Opposition, has raised questions on the credibility, transparency, and impartiality of the ECI.
Background
- The ECI was once respected for its neutrality under leaders like Sukumar Sen, India’s first Chief Election Commissioner, who successfully oversaw the country’s first elections.
- Today, the institution faces an unprecedented trust crisis, with political parties and civil society questioning its independence.
Issues Leading to Crisis
Supreme Court Order on Bihar Electoral Roll
- The SC rejected ECI’s refusal to publish data on the 65 lakh deleted voters.
- Directed that names, reasons for deletion, and voter IDs be published in searchable format.
- Court also upheld Aadhaar as valid proof for inclusion in voter rolls.
Unconvincing Communication
- The ECI press conference on August 17 was seen as vague and defensive.
- Failed to address doubts on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar.
- CEC’s reasoning, such as denying video footage to avoid “privacy violations,” was widely criticized as illogical.
Stonewalling Data Requests
- Opposition parties, including Congress, repeatedly sought digital copies of voter rolls (Maharashtra and Haryana).
- Requests were ignored, leading to legal battles in the Delhi High Court.
- CEOs of states later denied data, citing technical excuses, undermining transparency.
Denial of Accountability
- ECI has avoided sharing post-election data, making scrutiny of bogus or duplicate voting patterns nearly impossible.
- Critics argue this prevents detection of systematic voter manipulation.
Concerns Raised
- Loss of Trust: Major Opposition parties have openly expressed distrust in the ECI.
- Perception of Bias: Seen as tilted towards the ruling party.
- Impact on Democracy: Refusal to share essential electoral data threatens voter confidence and the integrity of elections.
- Public Disconnect: CEC’s claim that the ECI stands “like a mountain” with voters was seen as disconnected from ground realities.
Significance
- The credibility of the ECI is central to India’s electoral democracy.
- Its impartial functioning ensures free and fair elections, a constitutional mandate under Article 324.
- A crisis of trust in the ECI risks weakening the democratic framework and citizens’ faith in the system.
ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA (ECI)
It is an autonomous constitutional body that conducts free and fair elections in India. Established under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution.
- Responsible for elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, President, and Vice-President.
- Works independently of the government to maintain democratic integrity.
Related Constitutional Articles
- Article 324 – Provides for the Election Commission and its powers.
- Article 325 – No person to be ineligible for inclusion in electoral rolls on grounds of religion, race, caste, or sex.
- Article 326 – Elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies are based on adult suffrage (18 years and above).
- Article 327 – Parliament can make laws on elections.
- Article 328 – State Legislatures can make laws on elections for their respective Houses.
- Article 329 – Bars courts from interfering in electoral matters before completion of the process.
The ECI ensures free, fair, and impartial elections and is backed by Articles 324–329 of the Constitution.
Conclusion
The ECI’s credibility crisis is self-created, stemming from evasive responses, denial of data, and procedural opacity. Unless it restores transparency and neutrality, India’s electoral democracy may face deeper challenges to legitimacy and voter trust.
WHY INDIA NEEDS A NATIONAL SPACE LAW
TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU
India is celebrating its second National Space Day on August 23, following the success of Chandrayaan-3 and progress on missions like Gaganyaan and the proposed Bharat Antariksh Station. However, while achievements in space technology are advancing, India still lacks a comprehensive national space law, crucial for regulating private participation, liability, and global compliance.
Outer Space Treaty (1967)
- Declares outer space as the “province of all mankind”.
- Prohibits national appropriation of space or celestial bodies.
- Makes states responsible for activities of both government and private entities.
- Companion treaties deal with liability and rescue obligations.
- Not self-executing: requires national laws for domestic enforcement.
- Many nations (U.S., Luxembourg, Japan) have enacted laws to regulate licensing, liability, and commercial rights.
India’s Approach to Space Legislation
- Incremental and methodical strategy rather than hasty lawmaking.
- Current progress includes:
- Indian Space Policy, 2023 – outlines private sector participation.
- IN-SPACe Norms, Guidelines, and Procedures (NPGs) – authorisation rules for private entities.
- Catalogue of Indian Standards for Space Industry – ensures safety compliance.
- Pending aspect: A comprehensive Space Activities Law, which will codify principles of the Outer Space Treaty into enforceable Indian law.
Key Industry Concerns
- Statutory Authority for IN-SPACe: Currently lacks formal legal backing. Needs legislative power to function as a central regulatory body.
- Licensing and Approvals: Multiple ministries create delays for private firms. Need for a single-window clearance with clear rules, fees, and timelines.
- Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Proposals to allow 100% FDI in satellite component manufacturing. Would attract international capital for startups.
- Liability and Insurance: India is internationally liable for damages from space activities. Private companies must carry third-party liability insurance.
- Innovation & IP Protection: Space law should safeguard intellectual property rights. Prevent brain drain by ensuring innovation-friendly environment.
A National Space Law must:
- Provide statutory recognition to IN-SPACe.
- Lay down transparent licensing and liability rules.
- Create investor-friendly policies with robust insurance options.
- Secure innovation while balancing national security.
- Such a law will enhance India’s global credibility, support startups, and ensure safe, sustainable, and responsible growth of the space sector.
KESSLER’S SYNDROME
Kessler’s Syndrome (also called the Kessler Effect) is a concept proposed by NASA scientist Donald J. Kessler in 1978.
- It describes a chain reaction in space where collisions between satellites or debris create even more fragments.
- These fragments then collide with other satellites or debris, producing further debris.
- Over time, this cascading effect can make low Earth orbit (LEO) overcrowded with junk, increasing the risk of collisions.
- If unchecked, it could make certain orbits too dangerous for satellites or human missions, threatening communications, navigation, weather forecasting, and space exploration.
Kessler’s Syndrome is the runaway growth of space debris caused by repeated collisions in orbit.
Conclusion:
A well-framed National Space Law will help India bridge policy gaps, empower private players, and meet global obligations. It is essential to secure India’s position as a responsible and competitive space power.
NUCLEAR LAWS AND THE ROLE OF THE OPPOSITION
TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU
The Union Government is planning to amend the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages Act (CLNDA), 2010 and the Atomic Energy Act (AEA), 1962 in the upcoming Parliament session. The move aims to reduce supplier liability and allow private participation in nuclear energy, sparking debates on accountability, safety, and foreign influence.
Background
- CLNDA, 2010 was passed after intense debate, mainly on compensation for nuclear accidents.
- Opposition parties at the time (BJP and Left) pushed for higher liability for equipment suppliers, especially after disasters like Bhopal Gas Leak (1984) and Fukushima (2011).
- Western suppliers resisted due to fear of unlimited liability, stalling nuclear cooperation.
- Atomic Energy Act, 1962 governs nuclear power; discussions on opening it up to private players have been ongoing since the Raja Ramanna Committee Report (1997).
Proposed Amendments
- CLNDA Changes: Dilute supplier liability for nuclear accidents. Align Indian law closer with international conventions like the Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC).
- AEA Changes: Permit private sector entry into nuclear energy. Encourage investment in new technologies like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
Concerns Raised
- Congress objections (Feb 2025):
- Dilution of accountability for suppliers.
- Higher risks for citizens in case of accidents.
- Tilt towards foreign corporations, particularly U.S. and French firms.
- Critics argue this protects foreign suppliers while shifting burden on Indian operators and citizens.
Nuclear Energy in India – Current Status
- Nuclear power contributes only ~3% of total electricity.
- Installed capacity: 24 reactors, 8.8 GW (as of 2024).
- Targets:
- 22.48 GW by 2031-32
- 100 GW by 2047 (centenary of Independence).
- Ambitious goals require massive investment and new technology adoption.
ATOMIC ENERGY ACT, 1962
- Central Control – The Act gives the Central Government exclusive authority over the production, development, and use of atomic energy in India.
- Research & Development – Empowers the government to conduct, regulate, and promote research in atomic energy and related areas.
- Mining & Acquisition – Provides the government with rights to control mining and acquisition of materials like uranium, thorium, and plutonium, which are essential for nuclear energy.
- Nuclear Plants & Safety – Allows the government to establish nuclear power plants, regulate their operation, and ensure safety standards.
- Control over Radioactive Materials – Strict control on the use, disposal, transport, and handling of radioactive substances to prevent misuse and environmental hazards.
- Confidentiality & Security – Mandates protection of classified information related to atomic research and prohibits unauthorized disclosure.
- Export & Import – Regulates the import and export of nuclear materials and technology, keeping in line with national security.
- Compulsory Acquisition – The government can acquire land, equipment, or material needed for atomic energy projects.
Way Forward
- Need for parliamentary debate balancing:
- Energy security
- Climate change mitigation
- Safety and accountability in case of accidents
- Role of private and foreign players in sensitive sectors.
- Opposition must act responsibly — scrutinize risks, suggest safeguards, and avoid mere political obstruction.
Conclusion:
The proposed amendments to nuclear laws must balance India’s energy ambitions with citizens’ safety and accountability. A constructive role by the Opposition is vital to ensure transparent, secure, and responsible nuclear governance.
MIGRANT CITIZENS AND INDIA’S DEMOCRATIC DEFICIT
TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU
Millions of migrant workers in Bihar have been removed from voter rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), with nearly 3.5 million names deleted. This move has raised concerns of large-scale disenfranchisement and highlighted the systemic challenges faced by migrants in exercising their voting rights.
Background
- India has over 1.4 billion people, and every vote is vital for democracy.
- In Bihar, where migration is a survival strategy, many families remain absent during verification, leading to mass deletions of voters labelled as “permanently migrated”.
- This creates a risk of permanent exclusion from both home and destination State electoral rolls.
Structural Issues in the Electoral System
Sedentary Citizen Assumption
- India’s voter registration relies on fixed residence proof and in-person verification.
- Migrants living in rented rooms, construction sites, or slums often lack such documentation.
- As a result, electoral processes exclude mobile and vulnerable populations.
Regionalism and Host-State Resistance
- Migrants are viewed as outsiders or potential threats to local jobs and politics.
- Demands for domicile-based job quotas discourage voter registration at destinations.
- Migrants remain unregistered in host States while being removed from home rolls.
Past Studies on Migrant Exclusion
- A 2015 TISS-ECI study showed migrants face a triple burden:
- Administrative barriers
- Digital illiteracy
- Social exclusion
- Found that higher migration correlated with lower voter turnout in source States like Bihar.
Impact of Voter Deletions
- Turnout Gap: Bihar’s average turnout is just 53.2%, among the lowest in India.
- Scale of Migration: Nearly 7 million Bihari migrants move annually, with 2.7 million returning home during festivals. Many will still be unable to vote due to deletions.
- Parallels with Welfare Access: Limited use of One Nation One Ration Card shows migrants’ dependence on home States for identity and entitlements.
- Gendered Concerns: Cross-border marriages along the India-Nepal border risk disenfranchising women due to strict documentation rules.
Challenges for Democracy
- The deletions reflect a bureaucratic approach that ignores India’s high internal mobility.
- Migrants are forced to choose between economic belonging in host States and political identity in home States.
- This undermines inclusivity and widens the democratic deficit.
Way Forward
- Develop portable and mobile voter identity systems to allow voting across States.
- Ensure cross-verification between origin and destination rolls instead of blanket deletions.
- Empower panchayats and local bodies to conduct migrant outreach and registration.
- Replicate Kerala’s migration survey model in high migration States like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
MAJOR MIGRANT INFLUXES IN INDIA
Partition of 1947
- Massive migration between India and Pakistan.
- About 14–15 million people crossed borders (Punjab, Bengal, Sindh).
- Refugees settled mainly in Delhi, Punjab, West Bengal, Assam.
Tibetan Migration (1959 onwards)
- After the Dalai Lama fled Tibet due to Chinese occupation.
- Thousands of Tibetans migrated to Himachal Pradesh (Dharamshala), Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh.
Bangladesh Liberation War (1971)
- Influx of around 10 million refugees into West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya during the war.
Sri Lankan Tamil Migration (1983 onwards)
- Due to civil war and LTTE conflict in Sri Lanka.
- Many Tamil refugees moved to Tamil Nadu.
Kashmiri Pandit Exodus (1990s)
- Due to insurgency and militancy in Kashmir Valley.
- Thousands of Kashmiri Pandits migrated mainly to Jammu, Delhi, other parts of India.
Rohingya Migration (2012 onwards)
- Due to persecution in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.
- Many Rohingya Muslims entered India through Bangladesh, settled in Jammu, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Northeast states.
Economic Migration (Ongoing)
- Rural to urban migration within India for jobs.
- Example: Workers from Bihar, UP, Odisha, Jharkhand migrate to Delhi, Mumbai, Surat, Punjab, Kerala for construction, textiles, and agriculture.
Conclusion
India risks witnessing its largest silent voter purge, not of adversaries but of poor migrant workers. To safeguard democracy, reforms must ensure that mobility does not cost citizens their most basic right, the right to vote.
MACHINE-READABLE ELECTORAL ROLLS
TOPIC: (GS2) GOVERNANCE: THE HINDU
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has demanded that the Election Commission (EC) provide “machine-readable” voter rolls to political parties. The issue has gained attention after allegations of duplicate entries and vote theft in certain constituencies.
What are Electoral Rolls?
- Electoral rolls are the official lists of eligible voters in India.
- They are updated regularly when:
- New voters register,
- People shift residence, or
- Voters become ineligible (death, disqualification, etc.).
- Prepared under EC supervision by district-level officials using the ERONET (Electoral Roll Management System).
Present Format of Voter Rolls
- Shared as image PDF files or printouts.
- These image PDFs contain names but are not searchable by computer systems.
- Photos of voters are included in the database but not in public PDFs.
- With nearly 99 crore voters, detecting duplicates is highly resource-intensive.
What are Machine-Readable Rolls?
- Text-based PDFs or data files where entries can be indexed and searched using computers.
- Enable quick identification of duplicate entries, irregular additions, or fake voters.
- Earlier, activists like P.G. Bhat analysed such files to highlight irregularities.
Why EC Stopped Sharing Machine-Readable Rolls
- In 2018, just before the 2019 elections, EC directed States to stop uploading them.
- Reason: fear that foreign entities could misuse voter data (full names and addresses).
- Supreme Court in Kamal Nath vs. EC (2018) refused to compel EC to provide such data, though EC’s own manual mentions draft rolls should be in text format.
Technical Challenges
- Opposition suggests converting current PDFs into text using Optical Character Recognition (OCR).
- However, difficulties include:
- Rolls are divided into hundreds of parts per constituency.
- Processing all (over 6 crore pages nationwide) is extremely costly (~$40,000 per update).
Arguments For & Against
- For: Easier detection of duplicates and fraud. Improves transparency and trust in elections.
- Against: Risks of data misuse, privacy breaches. High resource and financial costs for digitisation.
Way Forward
- Balance between transparency and privacy.
- Explore controlled access to machine-readable rolls for recognised parties.
- Develop secure platforms to prevent misuse while enabling fraud detection.
Conclusion:
The issue of machine-readable electoral rolls reflects the need to balance transparency with voter privacy. Ensuring secure and regulated access can strengthen both electoral integrity and public trust.
INCREASE OF PRIVATE SECTOR SHARE IN INDIA’S DEFENCE PRODUCTION
TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY: THE HINDU
The private sector contributed ₹33,979 crore (22.56%) to India’s total defence production of ₹1,50,590 crore in FY 2024-25, the highest-ever participation since 2016-17.
Defence Production in India
Sectoral Share (FY 2024-25):
- Defence Public Sector Units (DPSUs) → 57.50%
- Ordnance Factories → 14.49%
- Non-defence PSUs → 5.4%
- Private Sector → 22.56%
Defence Budget Expansion:
- Grew from ₹2.53 lakh crore (2013-14) to ₹6.81 lakh crore (2025-26).
Production Milestones:
- Defence output touched a record ₹1.50 lakh crore (2024-25), more than 3 times the 2014-15 level.
- 65% of defence equipment is now indigenously manufactured (earlier import dependence was 65–70%).
- Target: ₹3 lakh crore by 2029 to establish India as a global hub.
Growth in Defence Exports
- Exports grew 34-fold, from ₹686 crore (2013-14) to ₹23,622 crore (2024-25).
- Exported items include bulletproof jackets, helicopters, interceptor boats, lightweight torpedoes.
- India exports to 100+ countries; U.S., France, Armenia were top buyers in 2023-24.
Government Interventions
- Innovation & R&D
- iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence): Encourages startups in defence tech.
- ADITI scheme (₹750 crore, 2023–26): Focuses on critical tech like AI, quantum, nuclear, space, and underwater surveillance.
- DTIS: Improves testing facilities for the aerospace & defence sector.
- Industrial Corridors: Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh & Tamil Nadu promote local manufacturing with incentives.
- Indigenisation Push: SRIJAN (2020): Lists imported items for domestic manufacturing to reduce dependency.
- Ease of Doing Business: Defence Product List simplified (2019). Licence validity extended from 3 years to 15 years, with further extension up to 18 years.
Way Forward
- Level Playing Field: Transparent procurement to ensure fair competition between private firms and DPSUs.
- Strengthen Export Base: Expand destinations, support private firms in global markets.
- Boost Startups: Widen iDEX and ADITI coverage for emerging defence domains (AI, cyber, quantum).
- Joint Ventures: Partner with global defence majors for co-development & technology transfer.
- Skill Development: Training programmes for advanced defence technologies to create a specialised workforce.
Conclusion:
India’s growing private sector role in defence reflects a shift towards self-reliance and global competitiveness. Sustained reforms, innovation, and partnerships will be crucial for achieving the ₹3 lakh crore production target by 2029.
PROMOTION AND REGULATION OF ONLINE GAMING BILL, 2025
TOPIC: (GS2) GOVERNANCE: THE HINDU
The Lok Sabha has passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, by voice vote. The Bill bans real money gaming platforms that involve monetary deposits and gambling-like mechanisms.
Key Features of the Bill
- Ban on Real Money Games: Prohibits offering, operating, advertising, or participating in online money games such as fantasy sports and card games with cash stakes.
- Creation of Authority: Provides for an authority to promote e-sports as a safe, creative, and recreational industry.
- Public Interest Rationale: Cites social, financial, psychological, and health harms caused by addiction to money gaming platforms.
- Algorithms & Fraud Concerns: Notes that manipulative algorithms can worsen fraud, cheating, and addiction risks.
Government’s Stand
- National Interest: IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stressed that families are being destroyed and life savings are being lost due to these platforms.
- No Draft Consultation: Government argued prohibition laws don’t require draft consultations, though industry was previously consulted.
- Political Consensus: The Bill enjoyed cross-party support, reflecting a shared concern over online gaming harms.
Concerns & Challenges
- Industry Pushback: The gaming sector argues the Bill could face constitutional challenges on grounds of:
- Trade restrictions (violation of freedom of trade).
- Legislative competence (whether the Union has full powers in this domain).
- Impact on Innovation: May discourage investment in India’s online gaming industry, which sought clear regulatory guidelines rather than an outright ban.
Significance
- Aims to protect citizens from gambling harms while separating real-money gaming from skill-based e-sports.
- Provides much-needed clarity in regulation, though the balance between protection and innovation remains debated.
Conclusion:
The Online Gaming Bill, 2025 seeks to safeguard citizens from gambling-related harms while promoting e-sports as a regulated industry. Its success will depend on striking a balance between public welfare and fostering innovation in digital gaming.
SALTWATER CROCODILE POPULATION SURVEY IN SUNDARBANS
TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: THE HINDU
A 2025 survey by the West Bengal Forest Department reported a rise in the saltwater crocodile population within the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve (SBR), reflecting successful conservation measures.
About Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)
- World’s largest living reptile and the biggest crocodilian species.
- Sexual dimorphism:
- Males can grow far larger.
- Females usually measure 2.5–3 m.
- Habitat: Mangroves, estuaries, swamps, rivers, and even open seas.
- Salinity Tolerance: Can thrive in both fresh and saltwater.
- Distribution in India: Found in Odisha, West Bengal (Sundarbans), Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Ecology and Behaviour
- An apex predator in wetland ecosystems.
- Opportunistic feeder: consumes fish, birds, mammals, and carrion.
- Communicates using hisses, growls, barks, and chirps.
Conservation Status
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern.
- CITES: Appendix I (global), except Australia, Indonesia, PNG → Appendix II.
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I (highest protection).
Conservation Initiatives in India
- Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project (West Bengal, 1976): Captive breeding and release programme. Over 577 crocodiles released till 2022.
- Regular population surveys in the Sundarbans ensure monitoring of species recovery.
Other Crocodile Species in India
- Gharial (Critically Endangered): Restricted to small river stretches, mainly Chambal.
- Mugger/Marsh Crocodile (Vulnerable): Found in freshwater lakes, rivers, and marshes.
Conclusion:
The rising saltwater crocodile numbers in the Sundarbans highlight effective conservation and habitat protection, but continued monitoring is vital to maintain the balance between species survival and human safety.