General Studies Paper -3

Context: The government is bringing into effect a policy that will discourage solar power project developers from relying on imported panels.

About Solar Energy Sector

• Solar energy is the most abundant & cleanest energy resource on earth.
  • India is endowed with vast solar energy potential.
• Solar energy can be used mainly in three ways one is direct conversion of sunlight into electricity through PV cells, the two others being concentrating solar power (CSP) and solar thermal collectors for heating and cooling (SHC).

What is driving India’s solar power plan?

• India gets around 250 to 300 days of sunshine per year; equivalent to about 2,200–3,000 sunshine hours in a year depending upon the location.
• In terms of energy, it receives around 5,000 trillion kWh of solar energy every year, and the incidence ranges from 4 to 7 kWh per square metre per day in most areas.
• Rampant air pollution emphasizes the need for cleaner energy sources like solar to combat pollution caused by fossil fuels
• Therefore, the government has undertaken a series of policy measures and provided financial incentives, keeping solar energy at the forefront of the push to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070 and meet 50% of its electricity requirements from renewable sources.
• Status : India, one of the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases, has set a target of 500 GW from non-fossil sources by 2030.
  • Solar energy has emerged as a major prong of India’s commitment to achieve these ambitious targets.
• India stands 4th globally in Renewable Energy Installed Capacity, 4th in Wind Power capacity and 5th in Solar Power capacity (as per International Renewable Energy Agency – Renewable capacity statistics 2023).
• Benefits
• Solar provides the ability to generate power on a distributed basis and enables rapid capacity addition with short lead times.
• From an energy security perspective, solar is the most secure of all sources, since it is abundantly available.
• The social and economic benefits include reduction in drudgery among rural women and girls engaged in the collection of fuel wood from long distances and cooking in smoky kitchens, minimization of the risks of contracting lung and eye ailments, employment generation at village level.
• It will lead to the improvement in the standard of living and creation of opportunities for economic activities at village level in an environment friendly manner.
• It supports the government agenda of sustainable growth, while emerging as an integral part of the solution to meet the nation’s energy needs and an essential player for energy security.

Related Initiatives

• Solar energy has taken a central place in India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change with the National Solar Mission (NSM)
• PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijlee Yojana :It is a Central Scheme that aims to provide free electricity to one crore households in India, who opt to install roof top solar electricity units.
• The International Solar Alliance (ISA) : It is an action-oriented, member-driven, collaborative platform for increased deployment of solar energy technologies
  • The ISA was conceived as a joint effort by India and France to mobilize efforts against climate change through deployment of solar energy solutions.
  • It was conceptualized on the sidelines of the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Paris in 2015.
• Permitting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 percent under the automatic route,
• Waiver of Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for inter-state sale of solar and wind power for projects to be commissioned by 30th June 2025.
• The Approved Models and Manufacturers of Solar Photovoltaic Modules (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2019, requires module makers to submit to an inspection of their manufacturing facilities by the National Institute of Solar Energy.
  • Being on the list as an ‘approved’ manufacturing facility certifies a company as legitimately manufacturing solar panels within its premises and not importing modules.
• In 2010, the Centre launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) to focus on the promotion and development of solar power.

Concerns and Challenges

• Despite government nudges, solar power installed capacity had reached only 73.31 GW, with rooftop solar around 11.08 GW by December 2023.
• The tepid growth of rooftop solar to limited consumer awareness, inconsistent policies, high capital cost and a dearth of suitable financing options.
• Policy uncertainty and regulatory pushbacks have been a major factor limiting growth in rooftop solar
• More importantly, restrictions and/or ambiguity on provisions such as banking of electricity and net metering have undermined rooftop solar opportunities in India
• In recent years, a significant fraction of India’s solar installations has been met by imports.
  • This affects the interests of domestic panel manufacturers who have to pay the government to be certified while at the same time losing out on orders to the cheaper Chinese panels.

Conclusion and Way Forward

• India’s energy demand is expected to increase more in the coming decades due to its sheer size and enormous potential for growth and development.
• Therefore, It is imperative for India to not only find alternatives to coal-based fuels but also secure its energy demands in a sustainable manner.
  • Most of this new energy demand must be met by low-carbon, renewable sources.
• The extensive use of solar power plants is a crucial step towards cleaner, cheaper, and sustainable energy, offering benefits at both utility and individual levels.

As soon as the targets are moved in line with India’s demand, there is no doubt India can become a clean energy powerhouse.”

General Studies Paper -2

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the successful completion of nine years of the Digital India initiative.

About Digital India programme

• It was launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on July 01, 2015 with an aim to transform India into a knowledge-based economy and a digitally empowered society by ensuring digital services, digital access, digital inclusion, digital empowerment and bridging the digital divide.
• It is coordinated by MeitY with the Ministries and Departments in the Central and State Governments partnering it in their respective domain areas.
• Digital India symbolises an empowered India which boosts Ease of Living and transparency.

Achievements

• Financial Inclusion: Due to the Digital India campaign, over 11 Crore farmers now receive money directly in their bank accounts.
  • The Government of India, in collaboration with the EKstep Foundation, launched an AI chatbot with PM-Kisan to extend financial help to farmers.
• Ayushman Bharat: leverages digital platforms to provide health insurance coverage to vulnerable sections of society.
  • Over 34.6 crore Ayushman Cards were created
• Over 674 crore documents issued by DigiLocker.
• Over 137 Crore Aadhaar numbers have been generated, a unique ID for every Indian which is empowering millions with digital identity.
• BharatNet has laid 6.83 lakh kilometres of optical fibre network, enough to circle the Earth over 17 times.
• Over Nine crore FASTags issued it’s almost equal to the number of vehicles manufactured worldwide in 2023.
• Pradhan Mantri Grameen Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDisha), the world’s largest digital literacy program, equips rural communities with essential digital skills like marketing, e-commerce, finance, and cybersecurity, enabling them to participate fully in the digital economy
• The Government has come up with e-Marketplace (GeM), a dedicated platform for different goods & services procured by government organisations/departments/PSUs, offering 11,900 product categories and 321 service categories.
• BHIM is a UPI-based payment app that simplifies digital transactions.
  • It has empowered millions of users to send and receive money seamlessly.
  • There has been more than 535 lakh crore rupees of UPI transactions.
• Swamitva Scheme: Using drones and technology, the Swamitva Scheme aims to provide land titles to rural landowners.
• The Jan Dhan Yojana has facilitated the opening of bank accounts for millions of unbanked individuals.
  • The program also encourages digital payments, reducing the reliance on cash transactions.

Challenges

• While Digital India has made significant strides, challenges such as digital literacy, internet penetration in remote areas, and cybersecurity remain.
  • Disparities in digital access persist and bridging the urban-rural divide and reaching marginalized communities remains a challenge.
• Financial Resource Issues
• Coordination Issues because Program covers many other departments
• Balancing convenience with privacy protection is essential.

Conclusion and Way Forward

• The Digital India program has become a transformative force, altering the pace of India’s growth story while transforming the country into a digitally empowered society and a knowledge-based economy.
• Digital India is paving the way for a more inclusive, prosperous, and digitally connected India.

As India continues its digital journey, collaboration, innovation, and citizen participation will be key drivers.

General Studies Paper-2

Context: A stampede at a religious gathering in Hathras has claimed the lives of over 100 people.

• Many such incidents happened in the past like Kalkaji temple’s platform collapse or the Vaishno Devi temple stampede that happened in 2022.

What is a stampede?

• Stampedes are often described as the disruption of the orderly movement of crowds leading to injuries and fatalities.
• There are many factors like – poor event management, higher density of people allowed, or even due to natural disasters like sudden heavy rain, flood, or earthquake.

How can such events be Prevented?

• Proper risk analysis and capacity planning should be done according to the periodicity of the event, weather and terrain.
• Safety codes and communication need to be followed strongly with multiple entry and exit points, availability of emergency medical personnel, first aid kits and ambulances.

NDMA Guidelines on Crowd Management

• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has formulated guidelines on crowd management to prevent and mitigate the risks of crowd disasters at events and venues of mass gatherings.
• Risk Assessment and Planning: Develop a comprehensive crowd management plan based on the risk assessment, outlining roles and responsibilities, communication protocols, and emergency response procedures.
• Infrastructure and Facilities: Ensure adequate space, entry/exit points, signage, lighting, and sanitation facilities at the venue.
• Crowd Flow Management: Use technology like CCTV cameras and drones to monitor crowd movement and identify potential risks. Deploy trained personnel to guide and assist the crowd.
• Emergency Response: Develop an emergency response plan for incidents like stampedes, fires, medical emergencies, or terrorist attacks. Ensure adequate medical facilities and trained personnel are available at the venue.
• Training and Awareness: Provide training to organizers, security personnel, volunteers, and other stakeholders on crowd management techniques and emergency procedures.
• Use of Technologies: Use of technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics for crowd prediction and behavior analysis.

General Studies Paper-2

Context: The President of France and Prime Minister of India elevated the ‘Partnership for the Planet’ as one of the three pillars of the Indo-French Horizon 2047 Roadmap in 2023.

Background

• The year 2023 marked 25 years of India-France Strategic Partnership.
• Pillars of Indo-French Horizon 2047;
  • Partnership for security and sovereignty
  • Partnership for the planet
  • Partnership for the people

Partnership for Environment Sustainability

• Four environment protection projects were signed between India and France in 2023.
  • The First project is in Rajasthan for increasing forest cover, creating better conditions for wildlife to live and reproduce, while sustaining livelihoods of local communities.
  • The second project aims at improving sanitation in the small towns of Himachal Pradesh.
  • The third project seeks to improve solid waste management in 18 cities as part of CITIIS, India’s flagship circular economy programme.
  • The fourth is a green credit line with the State Bank of India was disbursed for electric buses and energy-efficient housing.

Major Highlights of India and France Relations

• Strategic Partnership: After India’s 1998 nuclear tests, France was the first country to initiate a Strategic Dialogue with India.
  • By displaying a greater understanding of India’s security compulsions as compared to other countries, France refused to impose bilateral sanctions on India.
  • France was the first western country India signed a strategic partnership with.
• Economic: Trade relations have witnessed steady growth, with bilateral trade reaching $13.4 Bn in 2022-23.
  • France is one of the largest investors in India with FDI inflow of US$ 659.77 million for FY 2022-23.
  • For FY 2023-24, Indian exports to France totaled $3.06 billion and imports from France totaled $2.36 billion.
• Defense: Bilateral defense cooperation between the two sides is reviewed under Annual Defence Dialogue (Defence Minister level) and High Committee on Defence Cooperation (Secretary level).
  • P-75 Scorpene Deal 2005: An agreement for building six Scorpène submarines under technology transfer at Mazagaon Docks Ltd. in India with French help.
  • The procurement of Rafale jets as part of India’s air power is a testament to the deep defense ties.
  • Joint defense exercises between the Air forces (Garuda series) and the Armies (Shakti), Navies (Varuna) are conducted regularly.
• Space: There’s a rich history of cooperation in the field of space for over 50 years between ISRO and the French Space Agency, Centre National D’Etudes Spatiales (CNES).
  • France remains a major supplier of components and equipment for the Indian space programme.
• Energy Cooperation: In 2023, both leaders welcomed the progress made during discussions related to the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project (JNPP). However, the progress here has been slow, though the first pact was agreed in 2008.
  • The two sides have also agreed to establish a partnership on Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMR).
  • The International Solar Alliance was launched jointly by India and France.
• Education: It is estimated that there are about 10,000 Indian students in France. An agreement on mutual recognition of degrees was signed in 2018.
  • In 2023, it was agreed to increase the number of Indian students in France to 30,000 by 2030.
• Community in France: Mainland France has an estimated 1,19,000 Indian community (including NRIs) members, largely originating from erstwhile French colonies of Puducherry, Karaikal, Yanam, Mahe and Chandernagore and the States of Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Punjab.
• Tourism: About 2.5 lakh French traveled to India in 2019 while about 7 lakh Indians went to France for tourism.
  • Rajasthan continues to lead among all Indian destinations for French tourists.
• Support on international fora: France has continued to support India’s claim for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council and the reforms of the United Nations.
  • France’s support was vital in India’s accession to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) and Australia Group (AG). France continues to support India’s bid for accession to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
  • India and France have resolved to work together for adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) in the UN.

General Studies Paper -2

Context: The 16th Finance Commission chaired by  Dr. Arvind Panagariya  has begun its work.

About 16th Finance Commission

• The Government of India, with the approval of the President of India, has constituted the Sixteenth Finance Commission, in pursuance to Article 280(1) of the Constitution.
• It Focuses on devolution of the consolidated fund to states and local bodies.

Duration and Scope

• The 16th Finance Commission recommendations will cover a period of five years starting from April 1, 2026.
• Distribution of Tax Proceeds: Determine how taxes shared between the Union and States (under Part XII, Chapter I of the Constitution) should be distributed.
  • Allocate shares of these proceeds among the States.
• Grants-in-Aid Principles: Define principles governing grants-in-aid of State revenues from the Consolidated Fund of India.
  • Specify sums to be granted to States under Article 275 of the Constitution, excluding purposes specified in provisos to clause (1) of that article.
• Augmentation of State Consolidated Fund: Recommend measures to enhance the Consolidated Fund of a State.
  • This enhancement aims to supplement resources for Panchayats and Municipalities within the State, based on recommendations from the respective State Finance Commissions.
• Review of financing Disaster Management initiative : It is also mandated to review the present arrangements on financing Disaster Management initiatives, with reference to the funds constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (53 of 2005), and make appropriate recommendations thereon.

Existing Challenges and Issues

• Despite efforts by multiple Finance Commissions, financial support to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) remains inadequate.
  • The fiscal health of municipalities is poor, affecting both city productivity and quality of life.
• Intergovernmental transfers (IGTs) to ULBs are only 0.5% of GDP, much lower than in other developing countries (2-5%).
  • For instance, South Africa allocates 2.6%, Mexico 1.6%, the Philippines 2.5%, and Brazil 5.1% of their GDPs to their cities.
  • Other Issues include predictability, earmarking, and horizontal equity of IGTs.
• Impact of Taxation System: Introduction of GST reduced ULBs’ tax revenue significantly.
  • State Finance Commissions recommended minimal IGTs from states to ULBs (about 7% of state revenue).
• Role of Census Data: Lack of updated Census data (2011 being the latest) hampers evidence-based fiscal devolution.
• Significant urbanization and migration to Tier-2 and 3 cities underscore the need for accurate data.
• Concerns with Parallel Agencies: Growth of parallel agencies undermines local governments financially and operationally.
  • Programs like MP and MLA Local Area Development Schemes distort federal structure roles.

Conclusion and Way Forward

• Cities contribute significantly to India’s GDP (66%) and government revenues (90%) and they are Essential for overall national development
• Therefore, The 16th FC must consider India’s urbanisation dynamism
• Migration to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities underscores the importance of capturing demographic changes and infrastructure demands accurately.
• The 16th Finance Commission should prioritize recommending robust fiscal measures to strengthen ULBs financially.
• Stable IGTs are critical to supporting ULBs until they can enhance their own revenue generation capabilities.
• Property tax collection should be improved in parallel with State GST to enhance local revenues.

Emphasis on maintaining transparent accounts and efficient resource allocation for pollution control, primary healthcare, solid waste management, and drinking water facilities.

General Studies Paper -3

Context: India has made significant progress in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators but needs to address challenges in certain areas, according to the National Indicator Framework progress report 2024, launched on the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation’s (Mospi’s)18th National Statistics Day.

Findings

• The report presents the time series data on the SDG national indicators based on the data received from the concerned line ministries.
• The National Indicator Framework tracked 290 indicators across 17 SDG goals.
• Progress Made: The neonatal mortality ratio has declined to 20 per 1000 live births during 2020 compared with 25 in 2015.
• The share of fully vaccinated children (between 12-23 months of age) increased to 76.6 per cent in 2019-21 from 62 per cent in 2015-16.
• The gross enrolment ratio or number of students enrolled as a proportion of the school-age population for higher secondary had risen nearly ten percentage points to 57.6 in 2021-22 from 48.32 in 2015-16.
• In terms of decent work and employment opportunities, the total outstanding credit to MSMEs stood at Rs 22.6 trillion in 2022-23 from Rs 12.16 trillion in 2015-16.
• The number of waste recycling plants installed has increased from 829 in 2020 to 2447 in 2024
• The Maternal Mortality Ratio has declined from 130 per 1,00,000 live births in 2014-16 to 97 per 1,00,000 live births in 2018-20.
• Challenges in Areas: The gender wage gap for casual labourers has widened compared to 2017-18. In 2022-23 (July-September), the average wage gap between male and female casual labourers widened to Rs 178, compared with Rs 96 in 2017-18.
• Similarly, the amount of hazardous waste generated per capita increased to 9.28 metric tonnes in 2022-23 from 7.19 metric tonnes in 2017-18.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Adoption: The United Nations General Assembly, during its 70th Session in 2015, adopted the document titled “Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
  • This document outlines 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 associated targets.
• The SDGs, also known as the Global Goals, came into force with effect from 1st January 2016.
• Aim: The SDGs serve as a comprehensive blueprint aimed at achieving a better and more sustainable future for all.
• The goals call for action on addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice.
• Applicability: The SDGs are universal, applying to all nations—developed, developing and least developed countries.
  • Countries are primarily responsible for following up and reviewing the progress made in implementing the goals and targets at the national level until 2030.
• Legality: The SDGs are not legally binding, but they have effectively become international obligations and have the potential to reorient domestic spending priorities in countries.

Countries are expected to take ownership and develop a national framework to monitor these goals.

General Studies Paper -2

Context: A recent World Bank working paper has called for granting greater authority to Panchayats while strengthening local fiscal capacity to offset what it identified as “recentralisation”.

About

• Recentralisation is resulting from the widespread adoption of online payment systems, MIS-based beneficiary selection, and digital beneficiary tracking.
• The working paper highlighted the Gram Panchayat (GP) council members spend excessive time at Block Development offices and District Collectorates, acting as intermediaries rather than empowered decision-makers.

Recommendations

• Enhanced fiscal capacity and broader decision-making authority are deemed essential for improving governance.
• Empowering ward members (WMs) within village councils, who currently lack financial resources.
• Building local tax capacity is highlighted as vital for panchayat autonomy.
  • The improved tax collection can be achieved through filling bill collector vacancies, digitizing property records, and granting GPs more freedom to levy their own taxes and cesses.

Panchayati Raj System in India

• In the early 1950s, the first National Development Council (Balwant Rai Mehta Committee report) recommended the formation of a democratic system of governance at the grassroot level.
• In 1993, by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, the Panchayat system came to be implemented in the rural areas to allow for development to happen at grassroot level.
• There are three levels:
  • Gram Panchayat: This is the village council, the most basic level.
  • Block Panchayat: This council looks after a group of villages.
  • Zila Panchayat: This is the district council, overseeing a larger area.
• Panchayati Raj is important because it brings democracy down to the village level.

Significance

• Decentralization of Power: The Panchayati Raj System decentralizes political power and administrative authority which empowers local communities to manage their own affairs and make decisions on local development issues.
• Promotion of Local Self-Government: It facilitates local self-government by providing a platform for villagers to participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives directly.
• Inclusive Development: PRIs ensure inclusive development by involving marginalized and vulnerable groups, such as women, Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and other backward classes, in local governance.
  • This helps in addressing social disparities and promoting social justice at the grassroots level.
• Accountability and Transparency: PRIs provide a platform for citizens to voice their concerns and hold local representatives accountable for their actions.
• Political Empowerment: The Panchayati Raj System serves as a training ground for grassroots leaders, nurturing political leadership at the local level.
  • It encourages political participation among citizens and prepares them for higher levels of governance.

Challenges

• Unequal Capacity and Resources: While some Panchayats are well-equipped with financial resources, infrastructure, and skilled personnel, others lack adequate resources and capabilities to effectively discharge their functions.
• Political Interference: In some cases, local Panchayats face interference from higher levels of political authority or local vested interests.
  • This undermine the autonomy and decision-making authority of local elected representatives, affecting the effectiveness of the Panchayati Raj institutions.
• Weak Financial Autonomy: PRIs often rely heavily on funds allocated by state and central governments, which can be delayed or insufficient.
  • This dependency affects their ability to plan and implement local development projects effectively.
• Social and Cultural Factors: In many rural areas, entrenched social hierarchies, caste dynamics, and gender biases influence local governance.
• Infrastructure and Service Delivery: Despite efforts to improve rural infrastructure and service delivery through PRIs, challenges such as inadequate roads, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions persist in many rural areas.

Way Ahead

• Addressing the concerns requires sustained efforts from both government authorities and civil society organizations.
• Strengthening the Panchayati Raj System involves enhancing financial autonomy, ensuring equitable distribution of resources, promoting inclusive governance practices, and empowering local communities to participate meaningfully in decision-making processes.
• By addressing these challenges, India can further harness the potential of decentralized governance to promote sustainable and inclusive development at the grassroots level.

General Studies Paper -2

Context: The three new criminal laws which will come into effect from July 1 are Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023.

About

• The laws will replace the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (IEA) respectively.
• If the date of the offence committed falls before July 1, then the case will be filed under the old laws.
  • This is because the new laws didn’t exist when the crime happened (before July 1).

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

• UAPA’s definition of ‘terrorist act’ adopted: Section 113 of the Act has modified the definition of the crime of terrorism to entirely adopt the existing definition under Section 15 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA).
  • Damage to monetary stability of India by way of production or smuggling or circulation of counterfeit Indian paper currency, coin or of any other material has also been added as a terrorist offense.
  • The offense is punishable with death or imprisonment for life.
• Cruelty defined: The Act proposes to define “cruelty” against a woman by her husband and his relatives, which is punishable with a jail term of up to three years. The newly inserted section 86 defines ‘cruelty’ as
• Wilful conduct likely to drive a woman to commit suicide or cause grave injury or danger to the life, limb, or health (whether mental or physical);
• Harassment of a woman to coerce her or any person related to her to meet any unlawful demand for property or valuable security.
• Crimes against Women and Children: Provisions related to the gang rape of a minor woman are consistent with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (Pocso).
  • A provision for life imprisonment or death penalty in the case of girls below 18 years of age has also been made.
  • There is the provision of 20 years imprisonment or life imprisonment in all cases of gang rape and the new crime category of gang rape of a woman under 18 years of age in the Sanhita.
• Innovative Legal Procedures: Features like Zero FIR allow complaints to be filed at any police station, streamlining the initiation of legal action.
• Mental illness replaced by ‘unsoundness of mind’: The revised Act replaces the term ‘mental illness’ with ‘unsoundness of mind’ in a majority of the provisions.
  • It has also added the term ‘intellectual disability’ along with unsoundness of mind in section 367.
• Enhancement of minimum punishment for ‘mob lynching’: It has removed the minimum punishment of seven years and now penalises mob lynching at par with murder.
• Petty organized crime: It includes a more precise definition; ’Whoever, being a member of a group or gang, either singly or jointly, commits any act of theft, snatching, cheating, unauthorised selling of tickets, unauthorised betting or gambling, selling of public examination question papers or any other similar criminal act, is said to commit petty organised crime.’

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

• Community service defined: Under Section 23, ‘work which the Court may order a convict to perform as a form of punishment that benefits the community, for which he shall not be entitled to any remuneration.’
  • A Magistrate of the First or Second Class has been specifically empowered to impose this punishment, to encourage a more reparative approach to minor crimes.
• Handcuffing: It should be restricted to select heinous crimes like rape and murder instead of extending its usage to persons who have been accused of committing ‘economic offences.’
  • In another significant change, the power of the police to use handcuffs has been expanded beyond the time of arrest to include the stage of production before court as well.
• Preventive detention powers: The detained person must be produced before the Magistrate or released in petty cases within 24 hours.

Bharatiya Sakshya (Second), 2023

• Admissibility of electronic evidence: Section 61 of the original Bill allowed the admissibility of electronic evidence by underscoring that an electronic record shall have the same legal effect as a paper record.
• This provision has now been revised to state that the admissibility of an electronic record is subject to section 63 (corresponding to the requirement of a certificate under section 65B of the Indian Evidence Act).

General Studies Paper -3

Context: Space junk, or space debris, is a growing problem that poses a global threat to space exploration and human safety.

What is Space debris?

• Space debris are defined as all non-functional, man-made objects, including fragments and elements thereof, in Earth orbit or re-entering into Earth’s atmosphere.
• Kessler Syndrome: It is a theoretical scenario in which a cascade of collisions between artificial objects in low Earth orbit leads to a rapidly increasing amount of space debris, making the use of near-Earth space impossible for an extended period of time.

Dangers of space junk

• According to NASA, debris can travel at speeds of up to 18,000 mph, which is 10 times faster than the speed of a bullet, so even a tiny chip can rupture a spacesuit or damage delicate solar arrays and electronics on a satellite.
• The International Space Station has experienced damage from a two-inch piece of space junk striking one of its components in 2021, and astronauts have had to evacuate to a space capsule due to the threat of incoming debris.

International agreements on space debris

• The Space Liability Convention of 1972: It defines responsibility in case a space object causes harm.
  • The treaty says that “a launching State shall be absolutely liable to pay compensation for damage caused by its space objects on the surface of the earth or to aircraft, and liable for damage due to its faults in space.
• Zero Debris Charter: Twelve nations and the European Space Agency (ESA) have signed the Zero Debris Charter at the ESA/EU Space Council. It aims to become debris neutral in space by 2030.
• Absence of law: However, there is no law against space junk crashing back to earth.

Missions on Removing Space Debris

• Remove Debris mission: It is the European Space Agency’s debris removal demonstration mission in the low Earth orbit (LEO) that aims to test and validate multiple active debris removal technologies.
• Space Debris Removal System (SDRS): It is a proposed mission by the Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos) to demonstrate the feasibility of removing space debris from low Earth orbit.
• Cleanup Mission: It is China National Space Administration’s (CNSA) to demonstrate the feasibility of cleaning up space debris using a combination of active and passive methods.

Steps taken by India

• Project NETRA (Network for space object Tracking and Analysis), an early warning system, was initiated by ISRO to help detect space hazards to Indian satellites.
  • The project is expected to give India its own capability in space situational awareness (SSA), something that other space powers already have.
  • The SSA is used to predict threats from debris to Indian satellites.
• The ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Operations Management (IS4OM) was established in 2022 to continually monitor objects posing collision threats and to mitigate the risk posed by space debris.

General Studies Paper -3

Context: The World Bank has approved a second round of 1.5 billion dollars in financing to help India accelerate the development of low-carbon energy.

Background

• In June 2023, the World Bank approved the 1.5 billion dollars for the First Low-Carbon Energy Programmatic Development Policy Operation.
• The fresh funding is expected to help India expand its green hydrogen production and boost the mobilisation of finance for low-carbon investments.

India’s Green Energy Transition

• India, as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, faces a critical challenge in balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability.
• Central to this challenge is the transition from conventional fossil fuels to cleaner, renewable energy sources.
• This shift is not merely a trend but a necessity driven by global environmental concerns, energy security, and economic imperatives.
• India is pursuing energy transition in various sectors including electricity, industry, transport, agriculture, cooking, etc

Present Status

• India stands 4th globally in Renewable Energy Installed Capacity (including Large Hydro), 4th in Wind Power capacity & 5th in Solar Power capacity (as per REN21 Renewables 2024 Global Status Report).
• India saw the highest year-on-year growth in renewable energy additions of 9.83% in 2022.
• The installed solar energy capacity has increased by 30 times in the last 9 years and stands at 84.27 GW as of May 2024.
• India has been ranked 63rd on a global Energy Transition Index released June 2024 by the World Economic Forum.

Advantages

• Environmental: With cities grappling with severe air pollution and concerns over climate change growing, reducing dependency on coal and fossil fuels is crucial to improving air quality and mitigating global warming.
• Energy Security: Diversifying energy sources enhances India’s energy security by reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels, thus stabilising energy prices and mitigating geopolitical risks.
• Economic Opportunities: The renewable energy sector offers significant economic opportunities, including job creation, technological innovation, and attracting investments.
• India has become a global hub for solar energy manufacturing, driving down costs and increasing accessibility.
• Inspiration for World :   India can serve as an example for the world by fostering what is potentially the largest green workforce in the world and building a domestic supply of critical battery materials via recycling, contributing significantly to the fight against climate change on both national and international scales.

Challenges

• Financial Viability and Cost Competitiveness: the costs of renewable energy technologies, particularly solar and wind, have decreased significantly over the years, achieving cost competitiveness with conventional sources remains a challenge.
  • Factors such as initial capital costs, land acquisition, and financing barriers can make renewable projects financially challenging, especially for smaller developers and in rural areas.
• Infrastructure Development : Building the necessary infrastructure to support renewable energy deployment, such as transmission lines, substations, and energy storage facilities, is essential but often faces logistical and bureaucratic hurdles.
  • Delays in infrastructure development can hinder the timely commissioning of renewable projects and affect grid connectivity.
• Policy and Regulatory Framework :inconsistencies in policies across different states, regulatory delays in project approvals, and evolving regulatory frameworks pose challenges for investors and developers.
• Lack trained manpower : there is a shortage of trained professionals and technicians with specialized skills in renewable energy technologies.

Initiatives

• India has taken bold action to develop a domestic market for green hydrogen, underpinned by rapidly expanding renewable energy capacity.
  • The first tenders under the National Green Hydrogen Mission’s incentive scheme have demonstrated significant private sector interest
  • Permitting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 percent under the automatic route for renewable energy projects
  • Launch of Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), Solar Rooftop etc.
  • Panchamrit :The country has set an enhanced target at the COP26 of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy by 2030. This has been a key pledge under the Panchamrit.
• India has implemented various measures, including the waiver of transmission system charges for inter-state solar and wind power sales, establishing renewable power purchase obligations, and creating Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Parks.
• In October 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea of One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) for the first time at the First Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

Way Forward

• India’s resources, including its long coastline, abundant sunshine, and various vacant lands, can facilitate renewable power generation via hydro, solar, and wind.
• The nation thus has the potential to rank among the top global producers of both wind and solar energy.
• Continued commitment to renewable energy targets, supportive policies, technological advancements, and international collaborations will be key to accelerating India’s green energy transition.
• By addressing existing challenges effectively, India can not only meet its energy needs sustainably but also emerge as a global leader in renewable energy innovation and implementation.