SECULARISM AND THE BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE CONSTITUTION
TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU
The Supreme Court of India recently dismissed a petition challenging the participation of Kannada writer Banu Mushtaq, a Muslim, in inaugurating the Mysuru Dasara festival.
Issue in Brief
- A petition alleged that Ms. Mushtaq’s role in the event violated Articles 25 & 26 (freedom of religion).
- The Court clarified that Dasara is a state-sponsored cultural event, not a purely religious function.
- It stressed that the Preamble ensures equality and secularism, and participation across faiths does not infringe anyone’s rights.
Key Observations of the Supreme Court
- Secularism is a basic feature of the Indian Constitution.
- Public cultural events organised by the State cannot exclude anyone based on religion.
- Religious freedom (Art. 25 & 26) cannot be misused to prevent others from joining celebrations.
- The Court rebuked attempts to communalise inclusive occasions.
Broader Significance
- India’s pluralistic traditions allow people of all faiths to join cultural and religious celebrations.
- Restricting participation in state events on religious grounds is against constitutional morality.
- Such petitions often reflect political opportunism, aiming to divide communities.
History of the Basic Structure Doctrine in India
- 1967 – Golaknath Case: Parliament cannot amend Fundamental Rights.
- 1973 – Kesavananda Bharati Case: Supreme Court ruled that Parliament can amend the Constitution, but cannot alter its “basic structure” (including secularism, democracy, rule of law, federalism, judicial independence).
- Indira Gandhi v. Raj Narain (1975): Free and fair elections declared part of basic structure.
- Minerva Mills Case (1980): Balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles upheld as basic structure.
- Over time, courts have reaffirmed secularism as a non-negotiable part of basic structure.
Way Forward
- Promote inclusive participation in public cultural events.
- Discourage politicisation of religion through strict judicial scrutiny.
- Enhance constitutional literacy among citizens to prevent misuse of provisions.
SECULARISM IN INDIA:
Secularism in India
- The word “Secular” was added to the Preamble by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment in 1976.
- India’s model ensures equal respect for all religions without state religion, unlike the U.S. where secularism emphasizes state neutrality but allows private religious expression freely.
Key Articles on Religion (Articles 25–28)
- Article 25: Freedom of conscience and right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion.
- Article 26: Right of every religious group to manage its own affairs in matters of religion.
- Article 27: No person can be compelled to pay taxes for promoting any religion.
- Article 28: Freedom as to attendance at religious instruction in educational institutions; non-compulsory for state-supported schools.
Conclusion
The judgment highlights that secularism is not just a constitutional provision but a civilisational value in India. Protecting this principle is crucial to preserving India’s unity in diversity and the integrity of its democratic framework.
CPCB REPORT 2023
TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: THE HINDU
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) released its 2023 report on river water quality, noting a slight reduction in polluted river stretches.
Background
- CPCB monitors river water health in two-year cycles.
- The key indicator is Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD):
- BOD > 3 mg/litre → water unfit for bathing.
- BOD > 30 mg/litre → marked as ‘Priority 1’ (severely polluted).
- A polluted river stretch is identified when two consecutive locations in a river exceed the limit.
Findings of CPCB Report 2023
- Overall Sites: 807 polluted locations in 2023 vs. 815 in 2022.
- Polluted River Stretches (PRS): 296 PRS found in 271 rivers (2023), 311 PRS in 279 rivers (2022).
- State-wise Data: Maharashtra: Highest polluted stretches (54).Kerala: 31 stretches. Madhya Pradesh & Manipur: 18 each. Karnataka: 14.
- Most Polluted (Priority 1): Reduced to 37 stretches in 2023 (from 45 in 2022). Highest number in Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand (5 each).
- Monitoring Network: 4,736 sites across rivers, lakes, canals, drains, and creeks.
Causes of River Pollution
- Untreated sewage discharge from urban areas.
- Industrial effluents with chemicals and heavy metals.
- Agricultural runoff containing pesticides and fertilizers.
- Encroachments and waste dumping along riverbanks.
Government Initiatives
- Namami Gange Mission: integrated programme for Ganga rejuvenation.
- National River Conservation Plan (NRCP): aimed at reducing pollution in major rivers.
- Jal Shakti Abhiyan: promotes water conservation and sustainable water management.
- National Water Quality Monitoring Programme: for continuous assessment of water bodies.
- Swachh Bharat Mission: indirectly reduces river pollution by improving sanitation.
Way Forward
- Expand sewage treatment infrastructure in cities and towns.
- Strict enforcement of industrial effluent treatment and discharge norms.
- Promote organic farming to curb chemical runoff.
- Strengthen monitoring with real-time data technology.
- Inter-state cooperation for rivers flowing across multiple regions.
Conclusion
The slight decline in polluted river stretches shows incremental progress, but the challenge remains large. Strengthening pollution control, investing in wastewater management, and encouraging sustainable practices are vital to restore the health of India’s rivers.
NEW GST REFORMS AND THEIR IMPACT
TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY: THE HINDU
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon citizens to celebrate a “GST Savings Festival”, highlighting that the new GST structure will accelerate growth, boost savings, and benefit all sections of society.
Background
- The Goods and Services Tax (GST) was introduced in 2017 to replace multiple indirect taxes with a unified system.
- It was framed on the principle of “One Nation, One Tax”, ensuring uniformity in taxation across states.
Key Features of the New GST Reforms
- Lower Tax Burden: Reduced GST rates on household essentials and daily-use goods.
- Boost to Savings: Promotes higher disposable income for households and businesses.
- Support to Businesses: Particularly benefits farmers, traders, MSMEs, and local manufacturers.
- Simplified Structure: Eases compliance for industries while ensuring transparency.
Economic Impact
- Increase in GDP: Expected to add nearly ₹20 lakh crore to the current GDP of about ₹330 lakh crore.
- Strengthening Manufacturing: Encourages purchase and sale of Made in India products, supporting Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
- Investment Climate: Reforms aim to attract investment by lowering production costs and improving ease of doing business.
Cooperative Federalism
- The GST Council, with active participation of both Centre and States, plays a key role in rate decisions.
- Reforms reflect Centre-State cooperation in ensuring pro-people measures.
- States are urged to promote industry, improve infrastructure, and support manufacturing growth.
Broader Significance
- Citizen-Centric Approach: Reduced prices for essential items improve affordability.
- Inclusive Growth: Benefits all sections of society, from rural households to urban businesses.
- Strategic Goals: Aligns with India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Conclusion
By lowering tax rates, encouraging domestic manufacturing, and strengthening cooperative federalism, they lay the foundation for a self-reliant and globally competitive India.
DECRIMINALISING DEFAMATION
TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU
Justice M.M. Sundresh of the Supreme Court recently observed that it is “high time to decriminalise defamation.”
Defamation in India
- Defamation is the act of making false statements about a person that harms their reputation. It can be criminal (punishable under law) or civil (compensation claims).
- Two types in India:
- Civil Defamation: Compensation claimed in civil courts.
- Criminal Defamation (IPC Sections 499–500): Punishable with imprisonment up to 2 years, fine, or both.
Place in Indian Law and History
- In India, defamation is addressed under Section 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for criminal defamation and under civil law for damages.
- The Supreme Court in the Subramanian Swamy vs. Union of India (2016) case upheld criminal defamation as a reasonable restriction on free speech, protecting reputation as part of the right to life.
Supreme Court’s Position So Far
- 2016 – Subramanian Swamy vs Union of India: Court upheld criminal defamation as a reasonable restriction on free speech under Article 19(2).
- It linked right to reputation with Article 21 (Right to Life and Dignity).
- However, the judgment faced criticism for curbing press freedom and political expression.
Recent Developments
- Justice Sundresh’s oral remark highlights the overuse and misuse of criminal defamation.
- Case context: Petition by The Wire and its journalist challenging summons in a case filed by a former JNU professor.
- The court stayed the proceedings and tagged it with other pending criminal defamation cases, including those involving Rahul Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor.
- The SC has repeatedly cautioned that courts should not be used to settle political or personal rivalries.
Key Issues with Criminal Defamation
- Misuse for political vendetta: Leaders often face multiple cases for their speeches.
- Burden on judiciary: Trial courts handle numerous defamation cases that could be civil matters.
- Chilling effect: Journalists, activists, and opposition leaders avoid speaking freely.
- No clear public interest: Treating private disputes as “crimes” does not serve society at large.
Way Forward
- Decriminalisation: Retain defamation only as a civil wrong, with compensation, not jail.
- Strengthen free speech: Ensure criticism of leaders/policies is not criminalised.
- Balance reputation & expression: Protect dignity through civil law remedies.
Conclusion:
The SC’s observation reignites the debate on whether India should shift defamation entirely to the civil law domain, ensuring both protection of reputation and safeguarding of democratic free speech.
INDIA’S CORN IMPORTS AND THE U.S. PRESSURE
TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY: THE HINDU
The U.S. has been pressing India to allow imports of American corn. India, however, is resisting the move due to concerns over genetically modified (GM) crops, protection of farmers, and the objectives of its ethanol blending programme.
Corn and Ethanol in India
- India produces about 50 million tonnes of maize annually.
- Traditionally used for poultry feed, livestock feed, and human consumption.
- With the ethanol blending target of 20% by 2025, demand for maize as a feedstock has sharply risen.
- Around 10–12 million tonnes of maize are expected to go into ethanol production this year.
Does India Import Corn?
- India has largely been self-sufficient in maize production, sometimes even exporting.
- Recently, imports rose to about 1 million tonnes in 2024–25, mostly from Myanmar (60%) and Ukraine.
- Imports are largely to support ethanol blending, but India avoids buying U.S. corn as it is genetically modified (GM).
Why India Avoids U.S. Corn
- GM Concerns: India has only approved GM cotton for cultivation. GM brinjal and mustard remain under review. Importing GM corn may cause food safety and political concerns.
- Ethanol Policy Purpose: Ethanol blending aims at reducing oil imports, saving foreign exchange, and supporting Indian farmers.
- Farmer Protection: Cheap U.S. corn costs about 70% of Indian maize prices (excluding transport costs). This could disrupt India’s growing maize ecosystem and hurt farmers, especially in states like Bihar.
U.S. Pressure and its Motives
- The U.S. has high maize yields (3 times India’s) and surplus production.
- Corn and soybeans are politically important in the U.S. Midwest (Republican stronghold).
- With China halting U.S. soybean imports, American lobbies are pushing India as an alternative market.
Implications for India
- Economic: Importing corn would undercut Indian farmers and harm ethanol-linked rural incomes.
- Strategic: Accepting GM imports could open the door for wider GM food lobbying.
- Political: Could cause unrest among farmers, especially in poll-bound states.
- Environmental: Weakens the long-term goal of sustainable import substitution.
Way Forward
- Strengthen domestic maize production through higher yields (current: 4 tonnes/ha vs global 6 tonnes).
- Expand ethanol feedstock sources – maize, sugarcane by-products, and new crops.
- Invest in agri-research for non-GM high-yield maize varieties.
- Maintain cautious trade policy to balance WTO rules with farmer interests.
- Promote rural income security so ethanol blending continues to benefit Indian farmers, not foreign exporters.
Conclusion:
India’s refusal to import U.S. corn is not just about trade—it is about protecting farmers, food safety, and energy security while ensuring ethanol blending benefits flow to the domestic economy.
H-1B VISA FEE HIKE AND ITS IMPACT ON YOUNG INDIAN WOMEN
TOPIC: (GS2) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: THE HINDU
The U.S. government has introduced a one-time $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, a massive jump from the earlier fee of a few thousand dollars.
Background on H-1B Visas
- The H-1B visa allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialised jobs like IT, engineering, and research.
- Indians are the largest beneficiaries, accounting for nearly 70% of all approvals annually.
- The new steep fee will apply only to fresh applicants, not those renewing or extending visas.
Gender and Salary Skew in H-1B Workers
- In FY24, 74% of continuing H-1B workers were men, and only 26% were women.
- For fresh approvals, women made up 37%, showing a gradual rise in participation.
- Women’s salaries are lower at every level:
- Bottom 25%: Women earned $71,000, men earned $80,000.
- Median: Women earned $91,000, men earned $99,000.
- Top 25%: Women earned $125,000, men earned $131,000.
- With such wage gaps, employers may prefer sponsoring male workers, as women’s lower pay makes the visa cost harder to justify.
Why Indian Women Are Hit Harder
- India and China together make up 83% of all H-1B workers.
- The gender gap is much sharper among Indians compared to Chinese applicants.
- 75% of Indian women approved for new jobs in FY24 were below 35 years, compared to 65% of men, meaning most are at the early career stage.
- A large share (44%) of these women hold a Master’s degree, showing high qualifications, yet face greater barriers due to cost.
Wider Concerns
- For employers, sponsoring new workers will now be more costly than extending existing ones, discouraging fresh hiring.
- This may limit opportunities for young professionals just entering the global workforce.
- The new policy risks deepening both gender inequality and economic barriers in skilled migration.
Conclusion
The $100,000 H-1B entry fee may limit opportunities for young Indian women, despite their growing numbers and higher education. It underscores issues of immigration policy, gender disparity, and access to global job markets.
HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION AND INDIA’S GROWTH CHALLENGE
TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY: THE HINDU
The government is shifting focus towards boosting household consumption as other growth drivers like exports and private investments remain weak.
Drivers of India’s Economic Growth
The Indian economy is powered by four key factors:
- Household consumption: everyday spending by families.
- Private investment: business and corporate investments.
- Government expenditure: public spending, especially infrastructure.
- Net exports: exports minus imports.
Current Situation
- Government expenditure has been the main driver in recent years through capital investment and interest-free loans to States.
- Private investment is growing but remains sluggish; capacity utilisation is below 80% since 2011, limiting expansion.
- Exports face global trade challenges, including high tariffs from the U.S.
- This leaves household consumption as the most reliable growth driver.
Why Household Spending Matters
- It contributes over 55% of India’s GDP, making it the single largest growth engine.
- Unlike exports, it is less affected by global shocks.
- Rising household demand can push industries to expand capacity, encouraging private investments and job creation.
Policy Measures to Boost Consumption
- GST Reforms (2025): Over 75% of rural spending and about two-thirds of urban spending now fall under the 0–5% tax bracket, lowering prices of essential goods.
- Income Tax Cuts (Budget 2025): Reduced tax rates increase disposable income, though most of it is being saved rather than spent.
- Wage Growth Challenges: Excess labour and skill gaps limit salary increases, slowing overall consumption growth.
The Conundrum
- Government spending cannot keep rising indefinitely because of competing needs like defence and welfare.
- Private sector investment depends on demand, which remains subdued.
- Thus, household consumption must be stimulated, but it requires higher income and confidence to spend.
Way Forward
- Strengthen rural demand via agriculture reforms, MSP improvements, and direct income support.
- Enhance urban consumption through better wage growth and formal job creation.
- Promote skill training to bridge the mismatch between jobs and labour.
- Balance fiscal policy continue targeted spending while nudging the private sector to invest.
Conclusion
Household consumption is India’s key growth driver, needing focused policy support. Sustaining 8%+ growth requires higher wages, more disposable income, and better skill development.
PHC DOCTORS, CAREGIVERS WHO NEED CARE
TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU
Recent discussions in public health have highlighted the growing burden on Primary Health Centre (PHC) doctors, who form the backbone of rural health services.
Importance of PHC Doctors
- Frontline of rural health: They are often the only accessible medical professionals for people in villages and remote regions.
- Community link: Act as a bridge between health policies and grassroots needs.
- Population served: Each PHC caters to 30,000 people on average (20,000 in tribal/hilly areas, 50,000 in urban areas).
- Multiple roles: They serve not just as doctors, but also as health planners, coordinators, and programme managers.
Range of Responsibilities
- Conduct immunisation drives, school health programmes, disease surveillance, and outbreak response.
- Mentor ASHA, ANM, and other village health workers.
- Attend Gram Sabhas and inter-sectoral meetings to promote community health.
- Regular visits to Anganwadis and sub-centres for monitoring and support.
- Act as a link to national programmes like the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK).
Challenges Faced by PHC Doctors
- High Patient Load – Doctors handle around 100 outpatients daily, covering everything from routine care and emergencies to maternal and mental health.
- Diverse Medical Responsibilities – They must manage a wide range of conditions and continually update their knowledge across all medical fields.
- Administrative Pressure – Maintaining over 100 physical registers and entering data into multiple portals leads to duplication and extra workload.
- Stress and Burnout – Long working hours and late-night documentation cause emotional exhaustion, detachment, and low motivation, a common issue in low- and middle-income countries.
Way Forward
- Streamline documentation: Remove redundant registers; promote automation and meaningful record-keeping.
- Delegate non-clinical work: Use support staff for data entry and administrative tasks.
- Learn from global initiatives: Adopt models like the U.S. “25 by 5” campaign to cut documentation time drastically.
- Systemic reforms: Focus on support and facilitation, not just compliance and checklists.
- Invest in doctor well-being: Ensure adequate staffing, recognition, and work-life balance.
Conclusion
Primary health care is the foundation of Universal Health Coverage (SDG 3.8). India cannot achieve its health goals if PHC doctors remain overburdened and undervalued. Strengthening their well-being is not just about fairness, but about building a resilient healthcare system for all.