Mediation as a Solution to Judicial Backlog

For Prelims: Mediation, Public Interest Litigation, Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms, SUPACE 

For Mains: Judicial Backlog in India, Mediation Provisions, Benefits, and Challenges 

Source: TH 

Why in News? 

The backlog of cases in India’s judicial system has reached alarming levels, with over 82,000 pending cases in the Supreme Court (SC), 62 lakh in High Courts, and nearly 5 crore in lower courts.  

• Amidst growing concerns over judicial delays, mediation is emerging as a viable alternative to reduce the burden on courts and facilitate quicker dispute resolution. 

What are the Causes for Judicial Backlog in India? 

• Low Judge-to-Population Ratio: India has only 21 judges per million people, one of the lowest ratios globally. This results in an overwhelming workload for judges, slowing down case disposal. 
• Rise in Litigation: Growing legal awareness and mechanisms like Public Interest Litigation (PIL) have led to an increase in the number of cases filed. 
  • Litigants often approach courts for every small dispute, including non-meritorious cases which further clog the judiciary. 
  • Nearly half of all pending cases involve the government as a litigant, increasing the burden on courts. 
• Adversarial Legal System: The Indian Judicial system encourages multiple interim applications and successive appeals, prolonging the litigation process.  
  • Further, laws like the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, have further clogged high courts with bail applications. 
• Infrastructure and Procedural Deficiency: Lack of sufficient courtrooms, and digital infrastructure delays proceedings. Budgetary constraints limit the expansion of judicial capacity. 
  • Adjournments, difficulty in locating witnesses, and delays in obtaining evidence contribute to the backlog. 
• Underutilized ADR Mechanisms: Although Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms like mediation, arbitration, and conciliation are available, they are not widely used. 

How Can Mediation Help in Reducing Judicial Backlog? 

• Mediation: It is an ADR process in which a neutral third party (mediator) facilitates discussions between disputing parties to help them reach a mutually agreeable solution.  
  • Mediation is voluntary, confidential, and cost-effective, with mediators guiding parties to a mutual solution. 
• Legal Framework:  
  • Mediation Act, 2023: Mandates pre-litigation mediation for civil and commercial disputes, except in urgent cases. 
    • The Mediation Act, 2023 grants mediation agreements the same legal status as a court decree and mandates resolution within 120 days, extendable by 60 days if needed. 
    • However, cases related to criminal offenses, third-party rights, and taxation are exempt from mediation.  
  • Commercial Court Act 2015: Parties are mandated to try mediation before entering courts.  
  • Code of Civil Procedure, 1908: Includes ADR methods like Arbitration, Mediation, and Conciliation for resolving disputes outside traditional court proceedings. 
• Role in Reducing Judicial Backlog: Mediation resolves civil, commercial, family, consumer, and property disputes, allowing courts to focus on criminal and constitutional cases, reducing their workload. 
  • NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) suggests pre-litigation mediation in government cases to ease court congestion and minimize legal disputes. 
  • Mediation helps resolve business, family, and community disputes while preserving relationships, often leading to amicable settlements in matrimonial cases. 

What are the Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms? 

Click here to Read: Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms 

What are the Challenges Regarding  Mediation in India? 

• Lack of Awareness: Many litigants and lawyers prefer traditional litigation over mediation due to lack of awareness about its benefits. 
• Enforcement Mechanism: While the Mediation Act, 2023 mandates the Mediation Council of India (MCI), no such body has been formed yet for effective implementation. 
  • Government agencies, involved in 50% of cases, often prefer prolonged litigation over quick mediation settlements. 
• Non-Binding Nature: Since mediation is voluntary and non-binding until agreement, parties may walk away without resolution. 
• Limited Institutional Support: Court-annexed mediation centers are not available in all courts, limiting access to mediation services. 

Way Forward 

• Adopt Best Practices: India can adopt global best practices like the UK’s mediation mandate, and Italy’s mandatory mediation to reduce judicial backlog. 
• Institutional Upgrade: Establish the MCI to regulate mediation, authorize mediators, and enforce standardized practices. 
  • Expanding court-annexed mediation can further ease backlog and enhance creditworthiness. 
  • Additionally, increase the judge-population ratio from 21 to 50 per million (as per the Law Commission's 1987 report) to ensure timely justice and effectively address broader issues of judicial backlog. 
• Online Mediation: Encourage online mediation by developing digital platforms to assist mediators, similar to the Supreme Court’s SUPACE for legal research. 
  • Promote institutional mediation for businesses to resolve disputes efficiently. 
• Training: Conduct awareness campaigns for litigants and legal professionals while introducing structured training programs for mediators. 

Drishti Mains Question:

How can mediation serve as an effective tool to reduce judicial backlog in India?

AI’s Environmental Impact & Mitigation

For Prelims: UNEP, Artificial Intelligence (AI), LLM (large language model), Rare Earth Elements, E-waste, Greenhouse Gas (GHGs), Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, UNESCO, Carbon Credits.    

For Mains: Environmental impact of artificial intelligence (AI) life cycle and ways to mitigate them.  

Source: TH 

Why in News?

Amid rising global adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), many experts have raised concerns about the environmental impacts of the AI life cycle and recommended measures to mitigate them. 

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? 

• About: AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines, enabling them to perform tasks that typically require human cognition, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and decision-making. 
• AI Market: The global AI market is valued at USD 200 billion and could contribute USD 15.7 trillion to the economy by 2030. 
• India’s Initiatives: India plans to build its own LLM (large language model) to compete with DeepSeek and ChatGPT. 
  • India launched “AI for India 2030 initiative” that emphasizes ethical, inclusive and responsible AI adoption to position India as a global leader in AI innovation. 
• AI Life Cycle: It refers to the structured process of developing, deploying, and maintaining AI models to deliver meaningful results. 

AI Data Centers 

• About: AI data center is a specialized facility that provides the computing power, storage, and networking needed for AI model processing and training. 
• Key Features: 
  • High-Performance Computing (HPC): Uses GPUs, and accelerators for fast model training and complex computations. 
  • Massive Storage: Stores large training data and AI outputs e.g., cloud storage. 
  • Efficient Networking: High-speed interconnection ensures real-time data transfer. 
  • Energy Efficiency: Uses liquid/air cooling and renewable energy to manage high power consumption. 

What are the Environmental Impacts of AI?  

• GHG Emissions: AI-driven data centres require vast amounts of electricity, mostly sourced from fossil fuels.  
  • AI hardware and data centres currently contribute 1% of global Greenhouse Gas (GHGs) emissions, and this is expected to double by 2026. 
  • E.g., Training one LLM emits 3,00,000 kg of CO₂, (equivalent to five cars' lifetime emissions). 
• Increased Computing Power: Generative AI models like ChatGPT use 10–100 times more power than earlier versions, increasing demand for graphic processing units (GPUs) and worsening the environmental footprint.  
  • E.g., a single LLM query requires 2.9 watt-hours of electricity, compared with 0.3 watt-hours for a regular internet search. 
• E-waste Generation: Data centers generate substantial e-waste, including hazardous substances like mercury and lead, exacerbating the global e-waste crisis. 
  • Generative AI could account for up to 5 million metric tons of e-waste by 2030. 
• Impact of Other Inputs Related to AI Industry: AI data centers require vast raw materials, with AI chips depending on REEs from harmful mining.  
  • They also consume significant water for cooling of data centers.

What Initiatives are Taken to Curb the Environmental Impacts of AI? 

• COP29 of UNFCCC: At COP29 of UNFCCC 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the International Telecommunication Union emphasised the urgent need for greener AI practices. 
• Legislative Actions: Both the EU (EU AI Act, 2024) and the US (Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act, 2024) have enacted laws to reduce AI’s carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices. 
• Global Ethical Guidelines: Over 190 countries adopted non-binding ethical AI guidelines at UNESCO’s “Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence” promoting sustainability by reducing carbon footprint, and energy consumption. 
• AI Action Summit 2025: UN Secretary-General urged countries to design AI algorithms and infrastructures that consume less energy and integrate AI into smart grids to optimize power use. 
• UNEP’s Recommendations: UNEP has proposed five key strategies to mitigate AI’s environmental footprint: 

Way Forward 

• Renewable Energy: Companies should use renewable energy for data centers and locate them in renewable energy-rich regions to reduce fossil fuel emissions. 
  • Purchasing carbon credits can help offset emissions. 
  • AI itself can help enhance the efficiency of renewable energy grids for a smoother clean energy transition. E.g., Use of Google’s DeepMind to improve wind energy forecasting. 
• Energy-Efficient Models: Smaller, domain-specific AI models, optimised algorithms, specialised hardware, and energy-efficient cloud data centres can reduce the carbon footprint by 100 to 1,000 times. 
• Businesses should use pre-trained AI models instead of training from scratch to save energy and computation. 
• Transparency and Accountability: Organizations need standardized frameworks for tracking AI emissions and clear sustainability reporting to ensure accountability and reduce environmental impact.

Drishti Mains Question: 

Discuss the environmental costs associated with the artificial intelligence (AI) life cycle. How can sustainable AI practices mitigate these impacts?

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)  

Prelims

Q. With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following?(2020)

1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units
2. Create meaningful short stories and songs
3. Disease diagnosis
4. Text-to-Speech Conversion
5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy

Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only  

(b) 1, 3 and 4 only 

(c) 2, 4 and 5 only  

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 

Ans: (b)

---

Mains

Q. What are the main socio-economic implications arising out of the development of IT industries in major cities of India? (2021)

Q. “The emergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Digital Revolution) has initiated e-Governance as an integral part of government”. Discuss. (2020)

SC's Direction on Remission

For Prelims: Remission, Pardoning Power of the President, Article 72, President, Supreme Court, Article 161, Governor, Prison Act, 1894, Kehar Singh vs. Union of India (1989), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). 

For Mains: SC Directions on Remission, Remission Rules in India and Related Constitutional and Legal  Provisions. 

Source: TH 

Why in News? 

The Supreme Court (SC) issued guidelines on remission, directing states to consider the premature release of prisoners under remission policies, even without a formal application.  

• This judgment, delivered in a suo-motu case initiated in 2021, aims to address prison overcrowding while ensuring a fair and non-discriminatory approach to remission. 

What are Latest SC Guidelines on Remission Policy (2025)? 

• Directive: States must formulate a clear remission policy within 2 months, ensuring alignment with constitutional and judicial principles. 
• Legal Precedent: Remission criteria must be reasonable, as upheld in the Mafabhai Motibhai Sagar Case (2024). 
• Due Process Requirement: Remission cannot be revoked arbitrarily, if conditions are violated, the state must issue a notice with reasons and allow the convict to respond before a final decision. 

Note 

• As per National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2022, India's prisons have a 131.4% occupancy rate, with 75.8% undertrials.  
• As per Prison Statistics in India Report (2022), premature releases rose from 2,321 (2020) to 5,035 (2022).  

What is Remission? 

• About:  
  • Remission refers to the reduction of the duration of a prison sentence without altering the nature of the sentence.  
  • It allows a convict to be released earlier than the original term prescribed by the court, provided they meet specific eligibility criteria. 
• Constitutional Provisions: 
  • Article 72 empowers the President of India to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or remissions of punishment, or to suspend, remit, or commute the sentence of any person convicted of an offense under Union law or in cases involving military courts. 
  • Article 161 grants similar powers to the Governor for offenses under state laws. 
  • Article 32 & 226: Enable the SC and High Courts, respectively, to intervene in remission cases through writ jurisdiction. 
• Statutory Provisions: 
  • Section 473 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 (earlier Section 432 of the CrPC): Grants state governments the power to remit sentences at any time, with or without conditions.  
    • Non-compliance with conditions can lead to cancellation of remission and re-arrest without a warrant. 
  • Section 475 of BNSS (earlier Section 433A of CrPC): Life convicts sentenced for offenses punishable by death cannot be released before completing 14 years of imprisonment. 

Key Terms 

• Pardon: Completely absolves the convict, removing both conviction and sentence, along with all associated punishments and disqualifications. 
• Commutation: Replaces a punishment with a lesser one, such as converting a death sentence to rigorous imprisonment. 
• Respite: Grants a reduced sentence considering special circumstances, like physical disability or pregnancy of the convict. 
• Reprieve: Temporarily delays the execution of a sentence, particularly the death penalty, allowing time for the convict to seek pardon or commutation. 

What are the Supreme Court Rulings Related to Remission? 

• In Laxman Naskar v. Union of India (2000), the Supreme Court (SC) outlined 5 factors for remission: societal impact, crime severity, risk of recidivism, prison conduct, and potential for reintegration, ensuring a balanced approach to justice and public safety. 
• In Epuru Sudhakar v. State of Andhra Pradesh (2006), the SC ruled that judicial review of remission orders is permissible on grounds such as non-application of mind, mala fide intent, reliance on extraneous or irrelevant considerations, exclusion of relevant materials, or arbitrariness. 
• In the State of Haryana vs. Mahender Singh (2007), the SC held that while remission is not a fundamental right of a convict, the State must exercise its executive power judiciously, considering each case based on relevant factors. 
• In Sangeet & Anr. v. State of Haryana (2013), the SC held that remission under Section 432 CrPC requires a convict’s application and cannot be granted suo-motu by the government. 
• In Mohinder Singh v. State of Punjab (2013), the SC reaffirmed that courts do not have the authority to grant remission on their own, emphasizing that remission must be initiated through a formal request. 
• In Union of India v. V. Sriharan (2015), the SC upheld life imprisonment without remission until the convict's "last breath," deeming it an alternative to the death penalty. 
• The SC, in 2024 quashed the Gujarat government's remission order for the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case and set aside its 2022 judgment that had allowed Gujarat to decide their premature release.  
  • It ruled that, as per Section 432(7) of the CrPC, the "appropriate government" for remission is where the offender is sentenced, not where the crime occurred. This principle was reaffirmed from V. Sriharan v. Union of India (2015) . 
• In Mafabhai Motibhai Sagar v. State of Gujarat (2024), the SC ruled that remission conditions must be reasonable, ensuring they are neither arbitrarily stringent nor vague. 

Read More: 

• What are the Different Types of Pardoning Power? 
• What are the Issues in Granting Remission? 

Drishti Mains Question:

Differentiate between pardon, commutation, remission, reprieve, and respite under Indian law. How do these executive powers contribute to the principles of justice and reform? 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Mains:

Q. Instances of the President’s delay in commuting death sentences has come under public debate as denial of justice. Should there be a time specified for the President to accept/reject such petitions? Analyse. (2014)

Peatland Conservation

For Prelims: Peatlands, Wetlands, Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, carbon sequestration 

For Mains: National Wetland Inventory & Assessment, Significance of Wetlands, Challenges in Wetland Conservation  

Source: DTE 

Why in News? 

A recent study has highlighted the alarming state of under-protection of peatlands, which are crucial for carbon storage and climate regulation. 

What are the Key Highlights of the Study About Peatland? 

• Limited Protection: Only 17% of global peatlands are under legal protection, far less than other critical ecosystems such as mangroves (42%) and saltmarshes (50%) and tropical forests (38%). 
• High Human Pressure: Around 22% of global peatlands face high human pressure (mainly in Europe and US). 
• Freshwater Security and Biodiversity: Peatlands contain 10% of the world’s unfrozen freshwater and support diverse ecosystems. 
• Indigenous Role in Conservation: 27% of global peatlands are on indigenous people’s land, where traditional conservation practices have led to better ecosystem preservation, yet 85% remain outside formal conservation frameworks. 
• Carbon Storage and Climate Impact: Peatlands store 600 gigatonnes of carbon, more than all the world’s forests combined, but, when degraded they release CO₂, 2-5% of annual human-driven greenhouse gas emissions. 

What are Peatlands? 

• About: 
  • Peatlands are terrestrial wetland ecosystems characterized by waterlogged conditions that prevent complete decomposition of plant material, leading to the accumulation of peat (type of soil). 
  • They store more carbon than any other terrestrial ecosystem, making them crucial for climate regulation. 
• Global Distribution:  
  • Peatlands cover approximately 4.23 million km² (2.84% of Earth's terrestrial surface) and are found in every climatic zone. 
  • Canada, Russia, Indonesia, the US and Brazil contain 70% of global peatlands. 

• Types: 
  • Northern and Temperate Peatlands: Predominantly found in Europe, North America, and Russia, formed under high precipitation and low temperature conditions. 
  • Tropical Peatlands: Found in Southeast Asia, Central and South America, Africa, and Australasia, often associated with rainforests and mangroves. 
• Significance: 
  • Water Security & Disaster Risk Reduction: Peatlands play a crucial role in regulating water flows, mitigating floods, droughts, and seawater intrusion. 
    • Healthy peatlands (soggy and spongy) help lower temperatures, prevent wildfires, and naturally filter water for safe drinking, while poor drainage leads to water pollution. 
  • Biodiversity Conservation: Peatlands are biodiversity hotspots, supporting endangered species like the Bornean orangutan.  
    • They also preserve archaeological and ecological records such as pollen data and ancient artefacts. 
  • Preventing Zoonotic Disease Risk: Peatland degradation increases human-wildlife interaction, raising the risk of zoonotic diseases like Ebola and HIV/AIDS (originating from Congo's peatlands).  
    • Biodiversity loss also fuels vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue. 
  • Livelihoods & Economic Importance: They support local economies, traditional knowledge, and cultural heritage by providing food, fibre, and raw materials.

Read More:  

• What are Wetlands? 
• What is the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands? 

What are the Challenges in Peatland Conservation? 

• Weak Legal Protection: Only 17% of global peatlands are under legal protection. 
  • Weak enforcement, bureaucratic delays, and competing interests hinder restoration efforts. 
• Economic Exploitation: Peatlands face large-scale drainage for cash crops (palm oil, rice), industrial agriculture, forestry, and peat extraction, while urbanization and infrastructure expansion drive irreversible degradation. 
• Climate Change & Natural Degradation: Rising temperatures and droughts accelerate peatland drying, increasing wildfires and CO₂ emissions, while human activities further disrupt their ecosystem balance. 
• Financial Constraints: Limited funding for conservation and short-term economic priorities often lead to unsustainable land use, undermining restoration efforts. 
• Weak Indigenous Land Rights: Over 85% of peatlands on indigenous peoples’ lands are not part of other protected areas.  
  • Limited awareness and research gaps further hinder effective policy measures. 

Way Forward 

• Protect & Sustain: Stop harmful activities like draining and converting peatlands for farming while promoting sustainable peatland management to ensure long-term carbon sequestration. 
• Restoration & Rewetting: Replenish water levels to revive peatlands, making them effective for storing carbon and reducing emissions sustainably. 
• Policy & Legal Framework: Establish clear national and global targets for peatland restoration, include them in climate action plans under the Paris Agreement, and strengthen laws to prevent further damage. 
• Standardized Definitions: Adopt globally consistent definitions of peatlands prioritizing conservation, restoration, and sustainable management over industrial interests. 
• Global Cooperation & Knowledge Sharing: Strengthen international efforts under UNEP, FAO, Ramsar Convention, and IUCN to map, protect, and restore peatlands, monitor emissions, and engage local communities for sustainable management. 
• Inclusion in Climate Agreements: Recognize peatlands as vital ecosystems in global climate and biodiversity frameworks and incorporate their restoration into national climate action plans under the UNFCCC.

Drishti Mains Question:

Peatlands are vital for climate regulation and biodiversity but face degradation due to weak protection and exploitation. Discuss their significance and suggest measures for sustainable conservation

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)  

Prelims

Q. If a wetland of international importance is brought under the ‘Montreux Record’, what does it imply? (2014)

(a) Changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur in the wetland as a result of human interference.  

(b) The country in which the wetland is located should enact a law to prohibit any human activity within five kilometers from the edge of the wetland.  

(c) The survival of the wetland depends on the cultural practices and traditions of certain communities living in its vicinity and therefore the cultural diversity therein should not be destroyed.  

(d) It is given the status of ‘World Heritage Site.’  

Ans: (a)

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Mains

Q. What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India. (2018)

Tea Horse Road

Source: IE 

Why in News? 

China’s Ambassador to India highlighted the Ancient Tea Horse Road, connecting China to India via Tibet, emphasizing its centuries-old role in facilitating exchanges between China and the Indian subcontinent. 

What is Ancient Tea Horse Road? 

• About: 
  • Tea Horse road, often referred to as the Southern Silk Road, is a network of caravan paths and a crucial trade route that connected China, Tibet, and India for centuries. 
• Pathway: 
  • It stretches from southwest China (Yunnan & Sichuan), passing through Tibet, Nepal, and India, eventually reaching Kolkata. 
  • Key Centers: 
    • Lijiang & Dali (Yunnan, China): Tea processing and trade hubs. 
    • Lhasa (Tibet): A major convergence point for tea and Tibetan goods like horses. 
    • Kalimpong & Kolkata (India): Final trade destinations before export to Europe and Asia. 
• Major Routes: 
  • Route 1: Originated from Ya'an (near Chengdu), passed through Kangding, Lhasa, and extended to Nepal and India. 
  • Route 2: Started in central Yunnan, passing Lijiang, Zhongdian, and Deqin, reaching Lhasa before extending into India. 

• Origin & Evolution: 
  • The Tea Horse Road dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) and initially facilitated the trade of sugar, textiles, and rice noodles from China to Tibet and India, while horses, gold, saffron, and medicinal herbs were traded in the opposite direction. 
  • The trade eventually centered around tea and horses, leading to the route being named the "Tea Horse Road." 
  • Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE) formalized the trade, regulating the exchange of Tibetan horses for China’s military and Chinese tea for Tibet.  
    • The 13^th-century Mongol expansion further heightened the route’s importance for supplying horses. 
• Decline of Tea Horse Road: 
  • End of the Qing Dynasty (1912): Political instability weakened control over trade routes. 
  • Modernization of Infrastructure: Modern transportation networks made traditional routes obsolete. 
  • World War II and Economic Shifts: Though briefly revived for military logistics, industrial production and mechanized transport led to its decline. 
  • Establishment of Modern China (1949): Land reforms and road construction made the traditional portering system redundant. 

Read More: What is the Silk Road? 

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Prelims

Q. Belt and Road Initiative is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of (2016)

(a) African Union 
(b) Brazil 
(c) European Union 
(d) China 

Ans: (d)

1st Regional Dialogue on Social Justice

Source: PIB 

Why in News? 

The first ever Regional Dialogue on Social Justice under the Global Coalition for Social Justice was held in New Delhi. 

• It also marked the 74^th Foundation Day of Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) (founded on 24^th February 1952). 

What is the Global Coalition for Social Justice? 

• About: Launched in 2023 by the International Labour Organization (ILO), it aims to tackle social justice deficits and fast-track progress toward the SDGs. 
• Objective: It promotes strong, sustainable, and inclusive development through global solidarity, policy coherence, and coordinated action among various stakeholders. 
• Membership: It is open to governments, organizations, businesses, and academia, with members committed to social justice and labor rights under UN and ILO principles. 
  • Membership is voluntary and India is a member. 

What are India’s Constitutional Provisions on Social Justice? 

• Preamble: It ensures social, economic, and political justice, and guarantees equality of status and opportunity. 
• Fundamental Rights: Article 23 prohibits human trafficking and forced labour and Article 24 bans child labour in hazardous occupations. 
• Directive Principles of State Policy: 
  • Article 38: It directs the State to reduce social and economic inequalities.  
  • Article 39: It ensures equal livelihood, fair wages, and protection from exploitation.   
  • Article 39A: It guarantees free legal aid for disadvantaged people.   
  • Article 46: It mandates special educational and economic promotion for SCs, STs, and weaker sections to prevent discrimination. 

ESIC 

• About: It is a statutory body formed under the Employees State Insurance Act, 1948 and functions under the Ministry of Labour and Employment. 
• Purpose: It provides social security and health insurance to employees in establishments with 10 or more employees (in less than 10 employees if it’s a hazardous industry e.g., firecrackers, toxic chemicals etc). 
• Eligibility: Employees earning up to Rs 21,000 per month. 
• Benefits Provided: Medical care, sickness benefit, Maternity benefit, disability benefit, dependent’s Benefit, and unemployment allowance. 

Note: The ILO's World Social Protection Report 2024-26 shows India's social protection coverage (excluding health) rose from 24.4% in 2021 to 48.8% in 2024. 

• The employability of Indian graduates has risen from 33.95% in 2013 to 54.81% in 2024. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)  

Prelims

Q.‘Economic Justice’ as one of the objectives of the Indian Constitution has been provided in (2013) 

(a) the Preamble and the Fundamental Rights 

(b) the Preamble and the Directive Principles of State Policy 

(c) the Fundamental Rights and the Directive Principles of State Policy 

(d) None of the above 

Ans: (b)

Black Plastic

Source: IE 

Black Plastic, widely used in kitchenware and containers, faces scrutiny over potential health risks, raising concerns about its safety. 

• About: Black plastic is often made from recycled electronic waste. Its black color comes from a substance called Black Carbon (short-lived pollutant, significant contributor to warming). 
• Composition: Its composition may contain toxic substances such as brominated flame retardants, antimony, lead, cadmium, and mercury.  
  • These heavy metals are toxic at high exposure levels and banned in many countries. The flame-retardant decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) in black plastic poses potential health risks. 
  • Despite bans on certain chemicals, legacy plastics (cannot be reused or recycled) with harmful elements continue to enter the recycling chain. 
• Concerns: While exposure through kitchen utensils is lower, concerns about cumulative chemical exposure remain. 

Read more: India as the World Largest Plastic Polluter 

Advancing Small-Scale Fisheries

Source: PIB 

India has taken over the Chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) from Bangladesh reinforcing its commitment to the blue economy. 

• India aims to improve livelihoods, sustainability, and economic development of the Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF). 
• About BOBP-IGO (2003): It is a regional fisheries body supporting SSF in the Bay of Bengal.  
  • Members include Bangladesh, India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, with Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand as cooperating non-contracting parties. 
• About SSF: SSF are traditional, low-capital fisheries by fishing households, using small vessels (if any), making short, nearshore trips either for subsistence or commercial purposes. 
• Global Importance of SSF:  

• Fisheries Sector in India: India is the world's 2^nd largest fish producer, with 28 million people engaged in the sector. 
  • India is the 6^th largest marine capture fish producer (1/3^rd of the total fish production). 
  • India has 13 coastal States and UTs, a coastline of 7,516 km, and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.20 million sq. km. 
  • India has 5 million active marine fishermen, with around 50% of the workforce being women. 

Read More: Transforming Fisheries Sector 

Jurisdiction of Lokpal

Source: TH 

The Supreme Court (SC) has stayed a Lokpal order that classified High Court (HC) judges as "public servants" under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, thereby bringing them under its jurisdiction.  

• Case Background: Lokpal claimed that High Courts were created under British-era laws like the Indian High Courts Act 1861, and Article 214 merely recognizes them rather than establishing them, making their judges subject to its jurisdiction. 
  • However, it excluded SC judges, as the SC was established by the Constitution (Article 124), not an Act of Parliament. 
• SC Ruling: The SC ruled that all judges, whether in HCs or the SCs, are appointed under the Constitution, making them immune from Lokpal oversight. 
  • SC judges are appointed under Article 124, and HC judges under Article 217. 
• Jurisdiction of Lokpal: Lokpal has jurisdiction over the Prime Minister ((with exceptions for matters of national security, international relations, etc.), Union Ministers, MPs, and Government Officials (Group A-D).  
  • It also covers chairpersons, members, officers, or employees of entities established by an Act of Parliament, those partially/wholly funded or controlled by the Central Government, or organizations receiving foreign donations over Rs 10 lakh/year under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, 2010. 

Read more: Lokpal and Lokayukta 

PRAKRITI 2025

Source: PIB 

The PRAKRITI 2025 (Promoting Resilience, Awareness, Knowledge, and Resources for Integrating Transformational Initiatives), the International Conference on Carbon Markets, organized by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), united global experts to discuss carbon market challenges and opportunities. 

• Insights of PRAKRITI 2025: Highlighted that India’s Carbon Market is influenced by global policies like the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), impacting steel, and high-emission sectors. Urgent domestic reforms are needed to mitigate these effects. 
• EU’s CBAM: It imposes a fair carbon price on imports, ensures parity with EU-produced goods, and promotes cleaner industrial production globally. 
• Carbon Markets: Carbon markets (trading systems), under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, allow entities to buy carbon credits to offset emissions by supporting projects that reduce or remove greenhouse gases.  
• India’s Carbon Markets: India ranks 2^nd in global CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) project registrations.  
  • The Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme has saved over 106 million tonnes of CO₂ since 2015. The carbon market in India is regulated by the BEE. 
• BEE: Established in 2002 under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, BEE operates under the Ministry of Power and aims to reduce India's energy intensity by developing policies, promoting self-regulation, and coordinating with stakeholders.

Read more: Rise of India's Carbon Marketplace