Polity

Empower Citizens, Expose Corruption”- Lokpal of India adopts a new motto -PIB 

The Full Bench of Lokpal of India has adopted a new Motto replacing the old one.  The Logo with the new Motto of Lokpal of India, is as under: - 

About Lokpal

Statutory Status: The Lokpal is a statutory body established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.

Mandate: Its primary function is to inquire into allegations of corruption against certain categories of public servants, including Ministers and senior officials.

Organisational Structure:

• The Lokpal comprises a Chairperson and up to eight Members.
• Four of the Members must be Judicial Members.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Chairperson:
  Must be either:
  • A former Chief Justice of India, or
  • A former Judge of the Supreme Court, or
  • An eminent person with impeccable integrity and experience, as defined by the Act.
     
• Judicial Members:
  Must be either: Former Judges of the Supreme Court, or Former Chief Justices of a High Court.

Social Representation Requirement: At least 50% of the Members must belong to Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), minorities, or be women.

Powers of the Lokpal

1. Supervision of CBI: Directs and oversees CBI investigations in corruption cases.
2. Control on Officer Transfers: Investigating officers in Lokpal-referred cases cannot be transferred without its approval.
3. Search & Seizure: Authorizes CBI for search and seizure in corruption cases.
   Civil Court Powers: Inquiry Wing has civil court powers (e.g., summoning, examining, document production).
4. Confiscation: Can confiscate assets acquired through corrupt means in special cases.
5. Transfer/Suspension Recommendation: May recommend transfer/suspension of officials under investigation.
6. Evidence Protection: Can prevent destruction of evidence during preliminary inquiry.
7. Annual Report: Submits yearly report to the President (laid before Parliament).

Why the Census 2027 is critical for India’s economic growth & development - Indian Express

After a six-year delay, India will conduct its Census in two phases during 2026 and 2027, providing a crucial population snapshot as of March 1, 2027.

The Census serves as a crucial "reality check," providing a comprehensive snapshot of India's socio-economic landscape every decade (now 16 years due to delays), forming the statistical bedrock for all future policymaking and surveys.

Importance of census 

• Foundation for All Data: The Census collects critical data on age, gender, family status, economy, unemployment, language, education, disability, and migration, forming the fundamental statistical basis for all subsequent surveys, socio-economic analysis, and policymaking.
• Outdated Baselines are Costly: Relying on outdated Census data makes it increasingly difficult and expensive for both public and private sectors to accurately understand India's current reality.
• Administrative Data is Insufficient: While governments collect growing administrative data, it cannot replace the Census due to:
  • Comparability Issues: Differences in data collection methodologies and definitions across administrative zones and states.
  • Unreliable Data: Potential for exaggeration or suppression of information due to perverse incentives among data collectors. For example, the NFHS 2020-21 showed 30% of households lacked toilets, contradicting government "Open Defecation Free" claims.
• Critical Reset: The Census 2027, despite a six-year delay, is crucial for providing a much-needed "reset" for India's economy, policymakers, and citizens, offering a clear picture of the nation's social reality and boosting economic development.

Environment 

Environment Ministry’s forest committee clears Arunachal’s Etalin hydel project - Indian Express 

The Environment Ministry's Forest Advisory Committee has given in-principle forest clearance to the 3,097-MW Etalin hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh.

Forest Advisory Committee (FAC):
The Forest Advisory Committee is a statutory body constituted under Section 3 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. It plays a key role in evaluating proposals related to the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes.

Etalin Hydropower Project 

• The Etalin project is one of India’s largest proposed hydropower ventures in terms of generation capacity, planned to generate 3,097 MW of electricity.
• It is located in Arunachal Pradesh’s Dibang Valley, on the Dri and Talo rivers (local names for the Dibang river).
• The project is a joint venture between Jindal Power Limited and the Hydropower Development Corporation of Arunachal Pradesh Limited.
• It is designed as a run-of-the-river project, meaning it does not require large-scale water storage or dams.
   

Ecological and Social Implications:

• The project will lead to the diversion of 1,175 hectares of forest land and the felling of approximately 2.78 lakh trees in an ecologically sensitive region.
• The area is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including tigers and snow leopards, and hosts 56% of India’s bird species, underlining its status as a major biodiversity hotspot.
• There is strong opposition from the local Idu Mishmi tribe, and serious concerns have been raised about the lack of a current, comprehensive environmental impact assessment.

This project reflects the ongoing debate between infrastructure development and conservation in the ecologically fragile Northeast.

Defence 

Drone warfare & India - Indian Express 

Ukraine's "Operation Spider's Web" and recent India-Pakistan hostilities during "Op Sindoor" highlight how cheap, swarming drones effectively challenge traditional militaries by overwhelming defenses

Brief history of drones 

• Early Use (WWI & Korean War): Drones (UAVs) were initially used for anti-aircraft gunner training and specialized offensive missions.
• Modern Military Adoption (Post-1990s): Significant military use began after the 1991 Gulf War.
• Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict (2020): A turning point where Azerbaijan's use of Bayraktar TB2 and Harop drones proved decisive.
• Recent Conflicts:
  • Yemen: Houthi rebels used drones to target Saudi oil infrastructure.
  • Gaza: Hezbollah and Hamas deployed drones for surveillance and strikes.
  • Ukraine:
    • Both sides use commercial (DJI), military (Bayraktar TB2, Orion-10, Shahed-136), and loitering munitions.
    • Ukraine notably employs FPV racing drones for precision targeting (tanks, soldiers) and bombing air bases.
    • Ukraine conducted "Operation Spider's Web" (June 1) using 100-150 FPV drones to attack Russian airfields, claiming significant aircraft damage ($7 billion losses).
    • Russia uses Iranian-made Shahed Kamikaze drones in swarms to overwhelm air defenses and target infrastructure.

Threats posed by drone swarms- 

• Rising Threat: Drone swarms are increasingly small, undetectable, and untraceable, posing a growing challenge.
• Case Studies: While Pakistan’s low-grade drones failed, Ukraine’s use (e.g., Operation Spider's Web) highlights their effectiveness.
• Target Vulnerability: Dense, porous-border nations like India are especially exposed to swarm attacks.
• Defense Difficulty: Launches from mobile platforms (like trucks) near targets are hard to intercept.
• Need for Coordination: Countering swarms needs integrated action from police, armed forces, and civic bodies.
• Strategic Impact: Their low cost and high damage potential demand a rethinking of traditional defense strategies.

Countering drone threats

Limitations of Traditional Kinetic Systems:

• Missiles and anti-aircraft guns (especially SAMs) are costly and less effective against large drone swarms.

Preferred Kinetic Alternatives:

• Automated Gun Systems: C-RAM (Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar) and Phalanx systems are favored for their ability to automatically track and engage targets.

Cost-Effective Alternatives:

• Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs): Lasers and microwave pulses disable drones by damaging sensors or overheating circuits.
• Electronic Warfare (EW): Disrupting drone operations through GPS jamming and communication interference.
• Spoofing: Misleading drones with false navigation signals to send them off course.
• Drone-on-Drone: Using interceptor drones to chase and collide with enemy drones.

• Nets & Net Launchers: Systems like SkyWall and DroneCatcher deploy nets to capture or disable drones.

India’s Preparedness

• Alakshetra Air Defence Control System: Developed by Bharat Electronics Ltd. Integrates IAF radar and command network.
• Bharagvastra: Solar Defence system with mini-missiles to eliminate swarms.
  DRDO’s Anti-Drone System: Offers 360° radar coverage, soft kill (jamming), and hard kill (laser).