Polity 

Centre plans revision of ‘safe harbour’ clause - The Hindu 

In a bid to disincentivise “fake news” content, the government plans to revise the guidelines for intermediary platforms and revisit the “safe harbour” provisions that protect these platforms, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has, according to sources, said in reply to questions from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communication and Information Technology.

Government Measures Against Fake News

• Revising guidelines for intermediary platforms: Reassessing “safe harbour” provisions under the IT Act, 2000, to tackle fake news.
• Intermediary Responsibility and Safe Harbour:
  • Section 79 of the IT Act, 2000: Intermediaries are not liable for user-generated content if they follow government-issued guidelines.
  • The government now seeks to make intermediaries more accountable by revisiting these protections.
• Self-Regulation: Govt. favours self-regulation to combat fake news but has not proposed a new law yet.
• Fact Check Unit: The government wants to grant statutory status to the PIB’s Fact Check Unit to tackle misinformation about government.
• Legal Battle: Govt. plans to file a Special Leave Petition (SLP) against the Bombay HC’s ruling that invalidated Fact Check Unit’s power to remove safe harbour.

How the judiciary maintains accountability - The Hindu

The recent comments by the Vice-President of India on the role of judges has caused much anxiety and is a matter of serious concern that needs to be analysed properly.

Parliament and Judicial Supremacy

• No Concept of ‘Super Parliament’: Parliament is the highest institution under popular sovereignty; no authority, including the judiciary, can override it.
• Judicial Powers Bound by Constitution: As per L. Chandra Kumar v. Union of India (1997), judicial powers are enshrined in the Constitution, ensuring independence within the framework of separation of powers.
• Violation of Separation of Powers: If judiciary acts arbitrarily, it breaches Article 50 and the Parliament (with majority) can initiate removal proceedings against the concerned judge.

Presidential Assent and Judicial Oversight

• President’s Role Defined by Constitution: As head of State, Executive, Armed Forces, and Parliament, the President functions under Articles 52–55, 53, and 79.
• Delay in Assent Undermines Sovereignty: Inordinate delay in granting assent to Bills violates democratic principles and popular will.
• Judicial Timeframe Justified: Court directions setting a time limit for assent align with constitutional morality and do not demean the dignity of the President.

Accountability and Rule of Law

• Judges Not Above Law: Rule of law, deriving from constitutional supremacy, applies to all—including judges.
• Misbehaviour Includes Constitutional Breach: Judges can be removed for violating the Constitution; they must act within defined limits.
• Parliamentary Override: Parliament can nullify judicial verdicts through legislation, reaffirming popular sovereignty.

Judiciary as Guardian of Constitution

• Judicial Review and Article 142: Judiciary ensures legality of State actions and protects citizens’ rights; Article 142 empowers SC to do complete justice in absence of specific legal provisions.

In turbulent times, constitutional functionaries and citizens must uphold democratic principles and avoid divisive rhetoric.
 

What are the challenges faced by the civil services? - The Hindu

On the occasion of Civil Services Day (April 21), Cabinet Secretary T. V. Somanathan IAS, spoke about the importance of civil services in maintaining and strengthening democracy, the need for lateral entrants and greater transparency.

Merit vs. Spoils System

• Merit System: Appointments made through independent, competitive selection (e.g. UPSC in India); aims for neutral, career bureaucrats offering non-partisan advice.
• Spoils System: Political executives appoint loyalists to government posts; originated in the U.S., phased out post-1883.

Role of Civil Services

• Ensure democratic continuity: Done through conduct of elections, smooth power transitions, and administration during President’s Rule.
• Act as a knowledge repository: Advises on policy, and implements governance schemes.
• Major role: Responsible for service delivery, relief operations, and regulatory administration.

Challenges in Civil Services

• Erosion of neutrality: Caused by rising political interference, especially in postings and transfers.
• Lack of domain expertise among generalist officers: Causes difficulty in addressing technical issues.
• Corruption: Pervasive corruption with limited accountability mechanisms.

Required Reforms

• Preventing undue pressure: Safeguard autonomy of civil servants from undue political pressure, especially regarding tenures and transfers.
• Shift focus to outcomes rather than procedures: Improve evaluation through results-based frameworks.
• Lateral entry: Introduce lateral entry of domain experts at senior levels to enhance capacity and expertise.
• Balancing: Ensure balance between elected authority and bureaucratic independence to uphold constitutional governance.

Economy 

India climbs 3 spots to 130 among 193 nations in HDI, but inequality continues to be a burden - The Hindu

India moved up three spots in the Human Development Index, ranking 130 out of 193 countries in 2023, as per the Human Development Report 2025 released recently by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

India’s HDI Ranking – 2023

• India’s rank: India ranked 130 out of 193 countries.
• Progress in HDI value: It improved from 0.676 (2022) to 0.685 (2023); still in medium human development category, nearing 0.700 high development threshold.

• Gross National Income per capita: It rose from $2,167.22 (1990) to $9,046.76 (2023).
• Current state: 135 million Indians exited multidimensional poverty between 2015-16 and 2019-21.

Inequality and Gender Gaps

• State of Inequality: Reduced India’s HDI by 30.7%, among the highest regional losses.
• Improvements: Noted in health and education inequality, but income and gender disparities persist.
• Challenges: Low female labour force participation and political representation.

Health and Education Progress

• Life expectancy: Increased to 72 years (2023) from 58.6 years (1990).
• Contributing schemes: National Rural Health Mission, Ayushman Bharat, Janani Suraksha Yojana, Poshan Abhiyaan.
• Expected years of schooling: Rose to 13 years (2023) from 8.2 years (1990).
• Concerns: On education quality and learning outcomes.

Human Development Report (HDR) 

• Overview: Released annually since 1990 by the Human Development Report Office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
• Focus: Global development issues.
• Human Development Index (HDI): Composite index assessing average achievements in human development.

• Basis: 3 key indicators aligned with SDGs:

India's large dams on the Chenab - Indian Express 

While the announcement followed the attack in Pahalgam by Pakistani terrorists, there has long been a feeling in J&K that the IWT prevents the full exploitation of India’s water resources. In 2002, the Legislative Assembly of the erstwhile J&K state had passed a resolution calling for the termination of the IWT and, in 2011, the National Conference government had appointed a consultant to quantify the loss suffered by J&K on account of the Treaty.

Large Dams in Jammu & Kashmir

• September 2023: J&K has 15 large (specified) dams listed in the National Register of Large Dams.
• As per NDSA, a large dam is:
  • >15 metres in height, or
  • 10–15 metres with at least one criterion (crest length, reservoir capacity, flood discharge, foundation, or design).

• Four large dams are on the Chenab River: Salal, Aalal, Baglihar, and Dul.

Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and Chenab

• Control: Chenab, along with Indus and Jhelum, is designated as a Western River under IWT, with control assigned to Pakistan.
• India can use these rivers for:
  • Domestic, non-consumptive, and agricultural purposes (Annexure C),
  • Hydroelectric power generation (Annexure D).
• Agricultural limits for India (cusecs):
  • Ranbir Canal: 1,000 (summer), 350 (winter),
  • Pratap Canal: 400 (summer), 100 (winter).
• Relaxation for India: India can build run-of-the-river hydroelectric projects.

Key Hydroelectric Projects on Chenab

Baglihar Dam

• Location: Ramban district.
• Height: 143 metres.
• Gross Storage: 428.28 MCM; Live Storage: 31.11 MCM.
• Installed capacity: 450 MW (Stage-I).
• Operated by: J&K Power Development Corporation.
• Commissioned: 2009.

Salal Dam

• Type: Concrete dam.
• Height: 81.38 metres.
• Gross Storage: 284.1 MCM; Live Storage: 271.3 MCM.
• Installed capacity: 690 MW (3 x 115 MW, Stages I & II).
• Commissioned: 1987 to 1995.
• Operated by: NHPC Limited.
   

Defence 

Civil defence drill today: what will happen, why - Indian Express

Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack, the Centre on Monday directed all states and Union Territories to conduct mock drills recently and strengthen civil defence mechanisms across 244 categorised Civil Defence Districts in the event of a hostile attack.

Civil Defence Districts

• Definition: Specific areas (towns/districts) designated by govt for implementing civil defence measures, to ensure preparedness in vulnerable or strategic zones.

• Recommended by the Ministry of Defence based on:
  • Proximity to international borders
  • Vulnerability to attacks
  • Presence of vital installations (defence, nuclear, power plants, etc.)
  • Critical infrastructure (railways, ports, highways)
• Total Districts Notified: 259 districts notified by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in 2010 across all states and UTs.
• Category-wise Division:
  • Category I (13 districts): Full civil defence implementation
  • Category II (201 districts): Partial implementation
  • Category III (45 districts): Limited implementation
• States with Maximum such Districts:
  • West Bengal (32)
  • Rajasthan (28)
  • Assam, Punjab, J&K (20 each)
• Notable Category I Districts: Delhi, Mumbai, Surat, Vadodara, Chennai, Bulandshahr, Kota, Chennai, Talcher
• Recent Developments: As of January 2023, MHA identified 295 vulnerable towns/districts across the country requiring civil defence preparedness during peacetime.

Civil Defence Mock Drill

• Activation of air raid sirens, hotlines/radio links with IAF.
• Manning of control/backup control rooms.
• Civilian and student training in civil defence procedures.
• Activation of civil defence units (firefighting, rescue, warden services).
• Blackout measures and camouflaging of vital installations.
• Updating and rehearsing civil defence and evacuation plans.
• Cleaning and readiness of bunkers and trenches.

Impact on General Public

• Public Participation: Involves civil defence volunteers, students, NCC, NSS, NYK, and local authorities.
• Disruptions: Likely power cuts, halted vehicular traffic, and temporary evacuations in notified areas.
• Civil Defence Act, 1968 Provisions:
  • Government empowered to impose curfews, restrict movement, seize property, and detain without trial.
  • Can requisition services, control supply chains, and censor communication during emergencies.

Global History of Civil Defence

• Origin: Siege shelters in ancient cities.
• WWI: Air raids prompted basic precautions (UK Zeppelin raids).
• WWII: Full-scale civil defence (shelters, evacuations, volunteer training).
• Cold War: Nuclear fallout shelters, warning systems, nationwide drills.
• Present: Focus shifted to disasters, terror threats, emergency management.

India’s Civil Defence History

• British India: Introduced during WWII for urban safety.
• Post-Independence: Paper plans prepared post-1947; limited implementation.
• Post-War Developments:
  • 1962 (China) & 1965 (Pakistan) wars led to Civil Defence Act, 1968.
  • 1971 war validated the importance of the Act in saving lives.
• Post-1985 Expansion:
  • Included nuclear and natural disaster threats.
  • Categorisation of Civil Defence Districts regularly updated based on perceived threats.