IASEC Mains Conference

India’s governance structure has 55 ministries & 54 departments leading to overlaps & inefficiencies

To meet the goals of Viksit Bharat by 2047, streamlining ministries & improving coordination can enhance efficiency & policy outcomes.

Disband obsolete institutions like the Salt Commissioner.

Why fragment transport into separate ministries for roads, railways, aviation, and shipping? A single Ministry of Transportation would eliminate inefficiencies and improve coordination. Major economies operate with far fewer ministries—China: 24, UK: 18, Germany: 16

Guiding principles:
1️⃣ Align with Union & Concurrent Lists, devolving state subjects.
2️⃣ Transition to specialized regulators (e.g., DGCA for aviation).
3️⃣ Group ministries with functional overlap to reduce redundancy.
4️⃣ Merge frequently interacting departments to boost accountability.
5️⃣ Ensure policy synergy by integrating related policy areas, e.g., education and skill development. These principles can create a leaner, more effective government.

Recent Supreme Court Judgements:

1. Child marriage : Society for Enlightenment and Voluntary Action vs UOI

Article Mindmap

2.On UP Madarsa Act : Anjum Kadri vs UOI

Article

3.Article 39(b) : Property Owners Association vs State Of Maharashtra

Article Mindmap

4. On minority status of Educational Institutions: Aligarh Muslim University vs Naresh Agarwal case

Article

5. SC Guidelines on Bulldozer Justice

Article

Recent 4B Movement started in USA

How new feminism is taking shape in USA in response to Roe vs wade decision

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/your-body-my-choice-vs-4b-radical-movement-answer-to-clock-turning-back-9674383/

#PSIR

Section 479 of BNSS and how it is different from CRPC

Data of Undertrial prisoners in India

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/indias-undertrial-prisoners-9680578/

#GS2

SC Decision on so called Bulldozer Justice , SC has released guidelines

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/what-supreme-court-said-about-bulldozer-justice-9668571/

#GS2 #Polity

What are the key findings of the report?

1.Resource-Expenditure Gap: Urban local bodies (ULBs) in 18 states face a 42% gap between their income and expenditure, with only 29% of spending directed toward development work.

2.Revenue Dependence: ULBs generate only 32% of their revenue independently, relying heavily on Union and state government funds; they collect just 56% of their property tax demand.

3.Staff Shortages and Limited Recruitment Powers: ULBs operate with an average 37% staff vacancy rate, and 16 states provide them with limited or no recruitment autonomy.

4.Incomplete Implementation of the 74th Amendment: While 17 out of 18 functions have been devolved on average, compliance remains weak. Critical areas like urban planning and fire services are the least devolved.

#GS2 #Polity

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/cag-flags-resource-expenditure-gap-37-staff-vacancy-in-urban-local-bodies-9668945/#google_vignette

Course scheme of Last year's ASTRA (polity)
All questions in CSE-2024 can be solved from our ASTRA (Polity)

Updated and enlarged version for CSE-2025 is starting soon.
Registrations: here

This article discusses the progress made by Indian women in the last one decade on different fronts

Except employment opportunities, there is progress in all other parameters

#GS1 #Society

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/its-not-social-constraints-or-access-anymore-women-are-held-back-by-lack-of-employment-opportunitie-9666738/

#Mindmap for the article

Article by Yogendra Yadav on democracy

Mainly for #PSIR and other optional

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/yogendra-yadav-writes-democracy-after-trump-9664999/

Very detailed article on issue of Net Borrowing ceiling imposed by Centre on state of kerela under Article 293

Kerela has challenged this in SC


Impact of NBC on State and cooperative federalism
Pre Constitutional status of the same
Suggestions from constituent assembly
And what more can be done to resolve the issue.

#GS2 #Polity #Federalism

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/net-borrowing-ceiling-as-a-financial-fetter-on-states/article68853078.ece

Recent Supreme Court Judgements:

1. Child marriage : Society for Enlightenment and Voluntary Action vs UOI

Article Mindmap

2.On UP Madarsa Act : Anjum Kadri vs UOI

Article

3.Article 39(b) : Property Owners Association vs State Of Maharashtra

Article Mindmap

4. On minority status of Educational Institutions: Aligarh Muslim University vs Naresh Agarwal case

Article

5. SC Guidelines on Bulldozer Justice

Article

This #mindmap covers the guidelines issued by Supreme Court on the issue of child marriage

Source article ⬇️

https://www.scconline.com/blog/post/2024/10/18/supreme-court-issues-comprehensive-guidelines-for-effective-implementation-of-prohibition-of-child-marriage-act/

Recently SC has issued guidelines against child marriages

This article covers the prevalence of child marriage data, reasons why it is taking place

#GS1 #society

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/child-marriage-supreme-court-9633830/

Another Imp Judgement by SC on Minority Status of educational institutions

The case was related to the character of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) whether it is a minority institution or not under Article 30(1) of the Constitution.

SC overturned the judgement of S Azeez Basha case of 1967

SC has laid down the criteria/test for determining the nature of Institution on basis of
1. Establishment
2. Administration

And has referred the specific AMU case to the 3 judge bench.

#GS2 #Polity #Judgement


https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/what-supreme-court-ruled-in-amu-minority-status-case-9660677/

#Mindmap of SC recent decision in Property Owners Association case related to Article 39(b)

#GS2 #Judgement #Polity

Covers 3 articles:

1. https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/the-meaning-of-private-property-has-evolved-sc-verdict-on-article-39b-recognises-this-9655307/

2. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/can-all-private-properties-be-acquired-by-the-state-explained/article68840840.ece

3. https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/scs-interpretation-of-private-property-curtails-states-power-but-enhances-judicial-review-9659005/

Another Judgement by SC

The case was related to interpretation of DPSP Article 39(b) related to material resources of community

Chronology of Judgements in this :

1.State of Karnataka Vs Ranganatha Reddy (1977) and

2.O Chinnappa Reddy in the Sanjeev Coke case (1982)

SC has overturned these Judgements

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/the-meaning-of-private-property-has-evolved-sc-verdict-on-article-39b-recognises-this-9655307/

#GS2 #Polity #Judgement

In Judgement on UP madarsa act

SC held the view that ordinary law can not be struck down on basis of that it violates Basic Structure doctrine(BSD)

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/validity-of-law-cannot-be-challenged-for-violating-basic-structure-supreme-court/article68833244.ece#:~:text=Allowing%20courts%20to%20strike%20down,uncertainty%20in%20our%20constitutional%20adjudication'&text=The%20Supreme%20Court%20on%20Tuesday,Basic%20Structure%20of%20the%20Constitution

#GS2 #Polity #Judgement

SC Recent Judgement on UP Madarsa Act

#GS2 #Polity #Judgement

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/with-up-madarsa-verdict-supreme-court-upholds-positive-secularism-9655311/?ref=latestnews_hp

International Labour Organization (ILO) in its latest report ‘The impact of care responsibilities of women’s labour participation’ released last week :

India has 53 per cent of women outside the labour force due to care responsibilities and needs further investment in the care economy

Related PYQ(GS3-2023):

Q.Distinguish between 'care economy' and 'monetized economy'. How can care economy be brought into monetized economy through women empowerment?

#GS1 #GS3

https://indianexpress.com/article/business/indian-women-remain-outside-labour-force-international-labour-organization-report-9650392/

#Mindmap for the above article

Detailed article on Indian federalism from the speech of CJI DY Chandrachud

#GS2 #PSIR

Article link ⬇️

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/cji-d-y-chandrachud-indian-federalism-is-a-dialogue-9646716/

Election expenditure

India vs USA vs UK

Suggesteions by Indrajit gupta and law commission

ECI's 2016 suggestion to reduce the influence of money in elections

#GS2 #Polity

https://www.thehindu.com/elections/the-burgeoning-expenditure-of-elections-explained/article68806360.ece/amp/

Under-representation of women in Judiciary #GS2 #Polity https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-under-representation-of-women-in-the-judiciary/article68807637.ece#:~:text=In%2014%20States%2C%20more%20than,the%20Supreme%20Court%20are%20women.

Odisha model of disaster management #GS3 #DM

4 Pillars of Odisha Model:

1. Multi Layered Institutional framework
2. Ground - up approach
3. Extensive capacity building
4. Investment in Infra and technology
https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/25-years-since-1999-super-cyclone-odisha-s-journey-from-ruin-to-resilience-124102700699_1.html

#Mindmap for the above article, relevant PYQs are also added.

Role of standing committees,decline in their working and specific recommendations

#GS2 #Polity

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/when-parliament-isnt-in-session-standing-committees-are-where-the-action-is-9637441/

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/mangroves-cyclone-danas-9640247/

#casestudy

Importance of mangroves

Experts pointed out that the mangrove belt barrier enabled wind reduction, thereby minimizing the cyclone’s impact and also acted as a “storm surge protection” meaning absorption of the wave energy, thus shielding the coastal communities there.

#Mindmap of article

Debate on Aeging population and decreasing population in southern states

Article have compared the situation in some northern States with Southern states.

Does Pro-Natal policies work ??

Internal migration as solution for decreasing population in some states

#GS1 #Society

One can expect questions from this domain in upcoming years because this is emerging issue.

This year also there was question on demographic winter.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-economics/how-should-south-india-deal-with-its-ageing-population-9632112/#:~:text=*%20With%20declining%20fertility%20and%20increasing,to%2014.9%25%20during%20this%20period

5 core constitutional values that have shaped the constitutional culture in India:

1.Respect for democratic institutions
2.Smooth transition of elected government
3.Fundamental rights and Independent Judiciary
4.Federalism - to tackle the diversity in India
5.Contribution of Media and Civil society

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/an-approaching-milestone-in-constitutional-governance/article68780175.ece

[Demo] Updated Handout from our ASTRA-Agriculture for CSE 2025

Compare with last year’s handout - here

SUBSCRIBE to this course-here

Check GS Reflections from our material
GS1 here
GS2 here
GS3 here

Indian Railways #GS3 #Infra

Rising accidents

Higher Operating ratio

Loss in passenger service

Stressful working conditions - worker shortage

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/what-are-the-stress-factors-for-indian-railways/article68773677.ece

Progress made by India from 1990 in achieving SDG Goals and comparison with other countries #GS1 #GS2 https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/indias-sdg-focus-and-its-human-development-issues/article68765920.ece

Marital Rape(MRE) Complete legal history, Previous judgements by SC and HCs, Importance of Puttaswamy Judgement. #GS1 #GS2

#gS3 reflections from our initiatives

On same theme but more detailed article https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/a-nobel-prize-for-explaining-why-nations-fail-or-succeed/article68755021.ece

Nobel Prize in Economics 2024

Economist Daron Acemoglu and his colleagues have emphasised on Importance of democratic institutions in fostering growth in countries

Can be used in optionals #PSIR and others.
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/economics-nobel-2024-underlines-the-connection-between-wealth-of-nations-and-democracy-9619955/

#gS1 reflections from our initiatives

1.Importance of RTI Act (2005):

1.1.The RTI Act has been a powerful tool for Indians, enabling transparency and accountability by exposing corruption and government inefficiency.

1.2.It has faced significant backlash as it recently entered its 20th year, with resistance from those in power seeking to weaken its impact.

2.Vacancies in Information Commissions:

2.1.Governments have not been appointing information commissioners, leading to severe backlogs, with over 4 lakh pending appeals and complaints nationwide.

2.2. A 2023-24 report by the Satark Nagrik Sangathan highlighted that seven out of 29 information commissions were non-functional last year due to vacancies.

2.3.Since May 2015, no new appointments have been made to the Central Information Commission, despite Supreme Court directives to fill these vacancies.


3.Supreme Court's Judgment on "Dead Letter":

3.1.In 2023, the Supreme Court criticized the failure to fill vacancies, warning that it renders the RTI Act ineffective. The Court noted that the current state of vacancies and delays is causing the right to information to become a "dead letter," undermining its purpose as an Act of Parliament.

4.Impact on Citizens:

4.1.Due to the backlog, a fresh appeal filed in states like Chhattisgarh or Bihar might not be addressed until 2029, effectively denying timely access to information.

4.2.This failure in administration deprives citizens of their right to transparent governance and accountability.

5.Failure to Impose Penalties:

5.1.The report found that information commissions fail to impose penalties in 95% of cases where such penalties are warranted, fostering a culture of impunity among officials.

5.2.This erodes the framework of accountability intended by the RTI Act, making it difficult for applicants to receive accurate or complete information.

6.Regressive Amendments:

6.1.Over the past five years, legislative changes have weakened the RTI Act.

6.2.In 2019, amendments reduced protections, and the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, further restricted access by exempting all personal information from RTI disclosures.

7.Threats to RTI Activists:

7.1.According to Transparency International India, nearly 100 people have been killed for using the RTI Act, with many others facing threats, assaults, and false cases.

7.2.The Whistleblowers Protection Act, passed in 2014, remains largely unimplemented, leaving RTI users vulnerable to retribution.

Erosion of RTI Act #GS2 #GS4 https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/scuttling-peoples-right-to-information/article68748541.ece