Forging a New Era of India-ASEAN Relations

For Prelims: Indo-Pacific region, ASEAN, Act East Policy, Free Trade Agreement, Strategic Partnership to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership 

For Mains: Areas of Cooperation Between India and ASEAN, Significance of the Indo-Pacific Region for India, Key Issues Hindering India's Active Engagements in the Indo-Pacific.

Source: ORF 

Why in News?

Amid China’s growing assertiveness, the US strategic recalibration, and uncertainties in the Indo-Pacific, ASEAN’s role has become increasingly significant. For India, it remains a cornerstone of the Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision, as emphasized at the 2018 Shangri-La Dialogue, promoting a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific.

What Opportunities does ASEAN Present to India? 

• Economic and Trade Opportunities: ASEAN, with 650 million people and a GDP of USD 3.2 trillion, is a key economic and trade partner for India.  
  • Bilateral trade has reached USD 122.67 billion (2023–24), 11% of India’s global trade.  
  • Singapore is India’s largest ASEAN trade partner and 6th largest trade partner (FY 2024-25) with a share of around 3% of India’s overall trade & also the top FDI source at USD 14.94 billion. 
  • Full utilisation of ASEAN-India FTA (AIFTA) and finalising ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) can further boost trade and investment. 
• Defence Cooperation: India is increasingly emerging as a reliable defense partner, providing military hardware and technology to ASEAN nations.  
  • Key deals, such as the sale of the BrahMos cruise missile system to the Philippines, signify a new phase of strategic cooperation.  
  • India's assistance also includes providing training, maintenance, and technical expertise to help modernize the armed forces of various ASEAN member states, thereby strengthening their defense capabilities and promoting self-reliance. 
• Strategic & Security Engagement: ASEAN provides a strategic counterbalance amid regional tensions, reinforcing India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision while supporting ASEAN Centrality.  
  • India engages through East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum, ASEAN Maritime Forum, and joint exercises like the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (South China Sea, 2023).  
  • Cooperation spans anti-piracy measures, disaster management, and promoting a rules-based regional order aligned with India’s SAGAR doctrine. 
• Connectivity & Infrastructure Integration: India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport projects are poised to enhance regional physical connectivity and integration, while also boosting economic development in India’s Northeast by positioning it as a hub for regional trade.  
  • Digital initiatives like 5G, cybersecurity, and participation in the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) strengthen technological and economic linkages. 
  • These efforts provide alternatives to China’s Belt and Road Initiative and promote economic and cultural integration in the region. 
• Tech & Energy Cooperation: India-ASEAN collaboration also spans IT, fintech, e-commerce, AI, and start-ups (via ASEAN-India Start-up Festival), supported by the ASEAN-India Science & Technology Development Fund.  
  • Cooperation in energy resources, solar and clean technology, and semiconductors strengthens energy security and sustainability, highlighted by the ASEAN-India High-Level Renewable Energy Conference in 2022. 
• Cultural & People Ties: India-ASEAN historical and cultural links support soft power through the Artists’ Camp, Music Festival, and Network of Universities (2022), enhancing academic and societal bonds.  
  • Participation in Initiative for ASEAN Integration Work Plan IV and centers of excellence promotes innovation, connectivity, and sustainable development. 
  • Year 2025 has been designated the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism, featuring youth summits, start-up festivals. 
  • Also, Indonesia’s Ramayana Ballet and Thailand’s Ayutthaya, called the “Ayodhya of Thailand,” reflect shared cultural heritage. 

What are the Areas of Friction Between India & ASEAN? 

• Trade Imbalance & RCEP Withdrawal: India’s trade deficit with ASEAN has widened sharply, rising from USD 9.66 billion (2016–17) to USD 45.2 billion (2024–25), largely due to faster import growth compared to export growth. 
  • To address concerns over market access, tariff asymmetry, and unfair trade practices, India is reviewing the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITGA). 
  • Earlier, India withdrew from RCEP in 2019 to prevent a surge of Chinese goods via ASEAN markets, while efforts to renegotiate the ASEAN-India FTA have been slow and limited. 
• Delays in Connectivity Projects: Projects like the IMT Trilateral Highway and KMMT Project face funding, security, and bureaucratic delays, impeding trade, investment, and people-to-people ties and affecting India’s regional credibility. 
• Limited Defence Cooperation & Divergent Strategies: ASEAN’s divergent security priorities and economic dependence on China (ASEAN-China trade USD 702 billion vs ASEAN-India USD 122.67 billion, 2023–24) limit defence collaboration, as ASEAN countries are reluctant to counter China militarily or strategically due to their strong economic ties, resulting in only partial support for India’s Indo-Pacific vision. 
  • ASEAN countries also differ politically, with Vietnam and the Philippines supporting India’s open, inclusive Indo-Pacific vision, while Cambodia and others prefer neutrality.  
  • Also, India and ASEAN differ on their approach to Myanmar’s political crisis, where India maintains pragmatic ties with the junta for border and connectivity reasons, whereas ASEAN pursues diplomatic engagement via the Five-Point Consensus, causing friction. 
• Digital Trade & Data Governance Challenges: Regulatory mismatches in digital trade, fintech, and data governance slow India-ASEAN collaboration.  
  • While ASEAN favors a liberal digital trade regime, India enforces data sovereignty under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. 

What Strategies Can India Pursue to Strengthen Ties with ASEAN and Assert Leadership in the Indo-Pacific? 

• Enhance Connectivity (Physical + Digital): Expedite projects like IMT Trilateral Highway and KMMT Project to scale up maritime linkages, air corridors, and digital infrastructure. 
  • Implement mutual recognition agreements, interoperable digital platforms, and pilot projects with ASEAN partners, balancing India’s data sovereignty under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 with ASEAN’s liberal digital trade regime. 
  • Bilateral initiatives like India–Singapore UPI linkage (2023) should be expanded to a regional digital payments architecture. 
• Maritime Security & Blue Economy: India and ASEAN should deepen maritime cooperation beyond naval exercises and piracy patrols by enhancing underwater domain awareness, logistics and MRO support, and addressing non-traditional threats like terrorism, drug smuggling, and human trafficking.  
  • On the blue economy front, joint initiatives in marine technology, offshore renewable energy, and sustainable fisheries can combat IUU fishing and strengthen regional food security. 
• Sustainability, Resilience & Development Partnerships: Deepen collaboration on climate change, renewable energy, disaster management, food security, and digital skilling. 
  • India can launch supply chain diversification initiatives in critical technologies and co-develop green energy corridors and sustainable agriculture models to boost regional resilience. 
• Strengthening Institutional & People-Centric Engagement: Leverage platforms like East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ADMM-Plus to strengthen strategic dialogue. 
  • Integrate Quad–ASEAN cooperation, institutionalize Track-1.5 dialogues, scholarships, cultural exchanges, and bolster people-to-people ties to reinforce India’s leadership role in the Indo-Pacific. 
    • The designation of 2025 as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism is an excellent opportunity to promote travel and cultural understanding. 
• Space for Sustainability: India can elevate its space collaboration with ASEAN from a transactional level to a strategic partnership by spearheading a dedicated "Space for Sustainability" program.  
  • Building on the success of the South Asia Satellite (GSAT-9), India should extend its space diplomacy to ASEAN by launching a dedicated Regional Satellite for Sustainability.  
    • This mission would provide critical data for crop monitoring, tracking marine pollution, and delivering disaster alerts, bolstering India's role as a trusted and low-cost space partner in Southeast Asia. 

ASEAN 

• About: ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) is a regional intergovernmental organization founded in 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand. 
  • It consists of 10 member countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia.  
• Objective: Promoting economic growth, regional stability, and cooperation among member states. 
• India’s Engagement with ASEAN: India formal engagement with ASEAN started in 1992 as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner, became a Dialogue Partner in 1995.  
  • It was elevated to Strategic Partnership in 2012, and upgraded to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022. 

 

Indo-Pacific Region 

• The Indo-Pacific spans the Indian Ocean and western/central Pacific Ocean, hosting diverse cultures, ecosystems, and major powers such as India, China, Japan, and the US.  
• It accounts for over half the world’s population, 60% of global GDP, and two-thirds of global economic growth.  
• India’s vision promotes a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, advocating peaceful dispute resolution and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

Conclusion 

India–ASEAN relations stand as a cornerstone of Act East and Indo-Pacific vision, rooted in shared prosperity, strategic trust, and cultural connection. By deepening cooperation in connectivity, digital innovation, climate resilience, and maritime security, the partnership can evolve into a future-ready, rules-based and inclusive regional architecture. 

Drishti Mains Question:

Discuss the role of ASEAN in advancing India’s vision of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Questions (PYQ)

Prelims

Q. With reference to “Look East Policy” of India, consider the following statements: (2011)  

1. India wants to establish itself as an important regional player in East Asian affairs.  
2. India wants to plug the vacuum created by the termination of the Cold War.  
3. India wants to restore the historical and cultural ties with its neighbors in Southeast and East Asia.  

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only   

(b) 1 and 3 only     

(c) 3 only     

(d) 1, 2 and 3   

Ans: (d)

---

Mains

Q1. The new tri-nation partnership AUKUS is aimed at countering China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. Is it going to supersede the existing partnerships in the region? Discuss the strength and impact of AUKUS in the present scenario. (2021) 

Tourism as India’s Growth Engine

For Prelims: UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Swadesh Darshan, PRASAD, Heal in India Initiative 

For Mains: Role of tourism in India’s economic resilience and employment generation, Challenges hindering growth of India’s tourism sector

Source:BS 

Why in News?

Following the 50% US tariffs imposed on Indian goods, experts such as former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant have suggested that tourism could help offset potential losses by attracting high-value tourists, since tourism is free from tariff barriers. 

What is the Potential of India’s Tourism Sector? 

• India’s Tourism: The tourism sector in India has regained its pre-pandemic momentum, contributing 5% to GDP in FY23 and creating 7.6 crore jobs. 
  • India recorded 9.95 million foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in 2024 but still below pre-pandemic levels. Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) grew 10% in 2024 to Rs 2.9 lakh crore compared to 2023, reinforcing tourism’s role in jobs, revenue, and global standing. 
  • India accounts for 1.5% of international tourist arrivals. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) 2024-25 report, India is the 8th largest tourism economy, contributing USD 231.6 billion. 
  • India ranked 10th out of 46 destinations in the Medical Tourism Index (2020–21) released by the Medical Tourism Association. 
• Key Source Markets: Between 2020 and 2024, US, Bangladesh, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Germany, and France emerged as the top source countries for India’s foreign tourist arrivals. 
  • Travel purposes are mainly leisure (46%), diaspora visits (27%), and business travel (10%). 
• Future Growth: The WTTC has projected that the travel and tourism sector will contribute almost Rs 42 trillion to India’s economy by 2035, supporting 64 million jobs. 
  • By 2028, FTAs are expected to rise to 30.5 million, generating over Rs 5.13 lakh crore in revenue. 
  • By 2047, India aims to become a USD 3 trillion tourism economy, attracting 100 million international tourists, 20 billion domestic trips, and creating 200 million tourism-related jobs. 

What are the Challenges Hindering the Growth of Indian Tourism? 

• Visa and Travel Hurdles: Paper-based processes, complex approvals, limited visa-free access make FTAs entry difficult.  
  • For example, only citizens of Bhutan, Nepal, and Maldives can travel to India without a visa, whereas China allows 70 countries and Thailand 90 countries visa-free access. 
• Poor Infrastructure: Limited hotel rooms and weak transport networks reduce tourist comfort.  
  • India has around 200,000 hotel rooms, compared to China’s 20 million. Many government-run hotels operate at a loss, discouraging investment. 
• Lack of Cleanliness: Inadequate waste management and untidy surroundings near airports and public areas leave poor first impressions on visitors, especially when compared to cleaner international tourist destinations. 
• Safety Concerns: Inadequate security and emergency services pose risks to tourists, particularly in remote or high-traffic areas. 
• Low Global Promotion: India lacks a strong, ongoing international marketing campaign. Past initiatives like “Incredible India” were successful, but no major campaign has run in the last decade. 
  • As of July 2025 India has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites while Greece has around half, but attracts three times more tourists. This highlights underutilization of cultural assets, weak global branding, poor visitor facilities, and limited promotion, making it harder for India to attract high-value tourists. 
• Urban and Connectivity Gaps: Difficult access to remote or high-potential destinations reduces tourist inflow.  
  • Regions like the Himalayan religious circuits remain underdeveloped in terms of roads, airports, and accommodations. 

How can India Attract High-Value Tourists? 

• Simplify Entry and Travel: Expanding e-Tourist Visa and visa-on-arrival to more countries, while making them faster and cheaper, can boost arrivals.  
  • For high-value tourists, seamless travel through better airports, quicker immigration, and multilingual support is essential. 
• Promote Unique, Premium Experiences: Promote Niche Tourism like Ayurveda retreats, luxury wildlife safaris, spiritual wellness tours, high-end cultural festivals, and river cruises. These attract tourists willing to pay more. 
  • Lakshadweep, with its pristine beaches, coral reefs, and clear waters, holds immense promise as a high-value tourist destination. With sustainable tourism practices and carefully planned infrastructure, the islands can become a premier hotspot. 
  • Invite influencers, travel writers, and opinion leaders for luxury experiences that build aspiration and word-of-mouth. 
• Showcase Destination Diversity with Circuits: Schemes like Swadesh Darshan and PRASAD can be used to package experiences into premium itineraries, such as the Buddhist Circuit for international pilgrims, a luxury Himalayan Circuit combining wellness and adventure, and Spiritual Circuits with upgraded PRASAD sites.  
  • These initiatives transform India from a single-site destination into a multi-day immersive journey, encouraging longer stays and higher spending by tourists. 
• World-Class Infrastructure and Connectivity: The initiative to develop 50 top tourist destinations through challenge-mode partnerships with states ensures premium facilities, luxury hotels, and seamless connectivity. 
  • Classifying hotels under the Infrastructure Harmonized Master List (HML) will draw private investment into high-end hospitality, crucial for attracting affluent travelers. 
• Upgrade Service Quality: High-value tourists want comfort. More focus on training manpower in hospitality (chefs, guides, service staff) is key. 
  • Encourage global-standard hotels, boutique stays, luxury trains, and cruises. 
• Medical and Wellness Tourism: The Heal in India initiative, blending modern medicine with Ayurveda, Yoga, and wellness, positions India as a global healthcare hub.  
  • With Medical Value Travel projected at USD 13.42 billion by 2026, India can attract affluent patients seeking holistic, high-quality care. 
• Knowledge as Value Additions: Initiatives like the Gyan Bharatam Mission (digitizing manuscripts, preserving heritage) can support cultural tourism aimed at scholars, and global heritage enthusiasts. 
  • Strengthen Safety and Comfort: 24x7 helplines, tourist police, welcome booklets, and multilingual guides can build trust and attract more tourists. 

Initiatives Related to Tourism in India 

• Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat 
• Dekho Apna Desh Initiative 
• Paryatan Parv 
• PRASAD Scheme 
• Swadesh Darshan Scheme

Conclusion 

Tourism offers India a tariff-free path to resilience by creating jobs, earning foreign exchange, and strengthening global branding. With ‘Seva’ and ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ as guiding values, India can redefine its tourism landscape and emerge as a world-class destination by 2047. 

Drishti Mains Question:

“Tourism in India must shift from volume to value.” In light of India’s global trade challenges, examine how the tourism sector can boost economic resilience.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Mains 

Q.1 How can the mountain ecosystem be restored from the negative impact of development initiatives and tourism? (2019)   

Q.2 The states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are reaching the limits of their ecological carrying capacity due to tourism. Critically evaluate. (2015)

Stray Dog Management in India: Balancing Public Safety and Animal Welfare

For Prelims: Rabies, Article 21, Supreme Court of India, National Rabies Control Program 

For Mains: Balancing People Rights Vs Animal Welfare

Source: IE 

Why in News?

The Supreme Court (SC) of India issued a suo motu directive to remove stray dogs in the National Capital Region (NCR), following tragic attacks on children. 

• This directive has sparked discussions on the legal and ethical aspects of balancing public safety with animal welfare.

Menace of Stray Dog in India

• India has 62–80 million stray dogs. Over 2.2 million dog bite cases were reported in 2024 alone. Rabies from dog bites accounts for 36% of global deaths, primarily affecting children, women, and the elderly. 
• National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data shows that more than 4000 dog bite fatalities occurred in 2019.  
• Delhi alone recorded over 35,000 animal bite incidents in the first half of 2025. The cost of treating rabies through post-exposure prophylaxis places a financial strain on healthcare systems, with an average cost of Rs 5,128 per case. 

What are the Legal and Policy Frameworks for Stray Dogs Management in India? 

• Constitutional Provision; 
  • Article 246(3): States manage preservation, protection, and improvement of livestock, prevention of animal diseases, and veterinary training/practice. 
  • Articles 243(W) & 246: Local bodies are responsible for controlling the stray dog population. 
  • Article 51A(g): Fundamental duty of citizens to show compassion for all living creatures. 
  • Article 21 (expanded by SC in Animal Welfare Board of India v. Nagaraja (2014): Right to life extended to animals (Jallikattu Case). 
• Legal and Policy Framework: 
  • Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960: Prohibits cruelty and mandates humane treatment. 
  • Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023: Provide for sterilization, vaccination, and release of stray dogs back to their habitats. 
  • Rabies Control Efforts: The National Rabies Control Program (NRCP), led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, aims for rabies elimination by 2030 through vaccination, sterilization, and surveillance.  

What are the Key Ethical Aspects Surrounding Stray Dog Management? 

• Human Safety vs. Animal Rights: Rising dog-bite cases and rabies deaths create a moral conflict between ensuring public safety and protecting animals’ right to life. 
  • High incidence of attacks on children raises ethical concerns of negligence in safeguarding the most vulnerable. ABC Rules prioritise animal welfare over human safety, risking Article 21 rights when aggressive strays are released. 
  • Whereas animals, as living beings, deserve protection and humane treatment. The removal or abandonment of stray dogs is viewed as a violation of their fundamental right to life. 
• Disparity in Treatment: Well-bred dogs are often treated as family members or status symbols, while stray dogs are seen as social outcasts, raising concerns about unequal treatment. 
• Ethical Dilemmas in Control Methods: Instances of culling, poisoning, or cruel relocation violate ethical principles of compassion and humane treatment. 
• Corruption and Mismanagement: Mismanagement and misuse of funds allocated for sterilization, vaccination, and stray dog welfare programs undermine both the effectiveness of these initiatives and the ethical obligation to ensure humane treatment for animals.

Ethical Frameworks Guiding Stray Dog Management 

• Utilitarian Ethics: Sterilization and vaccination serve the greater good by reducing the risk of rabies while avoiding cruelty. This approach often advocates for stricter measures to protect human health, aiming for the overall benefit of society. 
• Deontology: The State and society have a duty to protect both citizens and animals. 
• Rights-Based Ethics: Stray dogs are seen as having inherent rights, and ethical action involves protecting those rights and ensuring their welfare. 
• Cultural Ethos of Ahimsa: Indian tradition emphasizes compassion and coexistence with all living beings. 
• One Health Approach: Ethical stewardship demands integrating animal welfare with human and environmental health.

Best Practices in Stray Dog Management 

• In Bengaluru, assessments of the ABC program showed a 10% reduction in the street dog population from 2019 to 2023, with a 20% increase in the neutering rate, reflecting positive results in managing stray populations. 
• The Netherlands achieved a “stray dog-free” status through the CNVR (Collect, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return) program, and encouraged adoption. 
• Istanbul, Turkey the city runs comprehensive Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return programs, tags sterilized dogs with ear markers, and engages community feeders.  
  • Over the past decade, the stray population has stabilized, rabies is nearly eliminated, and coexistence with humans is maintained. 
• Bangkok, Thailand replaced mass culling with TNVR. This approach halted rabies outbreaks and significantly reduced community aggression toward dogs.

What Measures Should Be Taken to Balance Public Safety and Animal Welfare? 

• Service Roles for Dogs: Collective measures should be taken by all key stakeholders to Leverage Dogs' Cognitive and Social Skills for Critical Roles in Drug Detection, Bomb Sniffing, and Therapy, while Promoting a Positive View of Dogs in Society. 
• Policy Implementation: Governments must collaborate with civil society to enhance vaccination, sterilization programs, and prevent pet abandonment. A national policy should address the human-dog conflict. 
• Dedicated Facilities: Establishing feeding stations, veterinary healthcare facilities, and supporting animal welfare organizations is key to managing stray dog populations effectively. 
  • Additionally, a dedicated helpline must be established for reporting attacks. 
• Public Awareness and Education: Educate the public on responsible pet ownership, the importance of sterilization, and the safe interaction with animals to prevent dog bites and reduce abandonment. 

Conclusion 

The ethical responsibility to protect animals must be aligned with society’s duty to safeguard its citizens. By fostering compassion, implementing effective policies, and engaging in public awareness campaigns, India can build a future where both human and animal rights are respected, ensuring peaceful coexistence. 

Drishti Mains Question: 

Discuss the Ethical dimensions in Balancing Public Safety and Animal Welfare in the Context of Stray Dog Population Control.

Nominations to UT Assemblies

Source: TH 

Why in News?  

The Union Home Ministry asserts that the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) can nominate five members to the Legislative Assembly without the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.

• J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 (amended 2023) provides for 90 elected members and allows the LG to nominate up to five members.

Did You Know?

• Only J&K, Delhi, and Puducherry are represented in the Rajya Sabha because they are the only union territories with elected legislatures. 
• The composition of the Legislative Assemblies of UTs are governed by acts of Parliament. 
• The Delhi Assembly has 70 elected members and no provision for nominated MLAs under the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991. 
• The Puducherry Assembly has 30 elected members, with the Union government allowed to nominate up to three members under the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963. 

What are the Constitutional Provisions Regarding Nominated Members? 

• Rajya Sabha: Under Article 80, the President can nominate 12 members having special knowledge in literature, science, art, and social service, on the advice of the Union Council of Ministers. 
  • Nominated members enjoy most privileges of elected MPs, such as participating in debates, and introducing bills, but cannot vote in presidential elections. They can vote for the Vice President. 
  • They are also not required to declare assets and liabilities under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. 
  • Nominated members have six months from taking their seat to join a political party; joining after this period leads to disqualification. 
• Legislative Councils: Under Article 171, nearly one-sixth of members in a State Legislative Council are nominated by the Governor, based on the advice of the Council of Ministers. 
• Anglo-Indian Members: Earlier, the Constitution allowed the President (Article 331) to nominate two Anglo-Indian members to the Lok Sabha and Governors (Article 333) to nominate one Anglo-Indian member to State Legislative Assemblies. 
  • Both provisions were abolished by the 104th Constitutional Amendment in 2020.

Judicial Precedents Regarding Nominated Members 

• Puducherry Case (K. Lakshminarayanan vs Union of India, 2018):  The Madras High Court upheld the Union government’s power to nominate three MLAs to the Puducherry Assembly without needing the UT government’s advice.  
  • It recommended statutory clarity on the nomination process, including the authority and procedure, but the Supreme Court later set aside these recommendations on appeal. 
• Delhi Case (Government of NCT of Delhi vs Union of India, 2023):  The Supreme Court had delved into the concept of “triple chain of command,” where civil servants are accountable to ministers, ministers to the legislature, and the legislature to the electorate.  
• It ruled that the LG must follow the advice of the Council of Ministers, except in matters beyond the Delhi Assembly’s powers.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) 

Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements: 

1. The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha are not the members of that House. 
2. While the nominated members of the two Houses of the Parliament have no voting right in the presidential election, they have the right to vote in the election of the Vice President.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only  

(b) 2 only 

(c) Both 1 and 2  

(d) Neither 1 nor 2 

Ans: (b)

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Source: IE 

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) will start commercial  Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production from used cooking oil at its Panipat refinery after ISCC CORSIA (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification for CORSIA) certification, marking India’s first SAF plant and a key step in reducing aviation emissions. 

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) 

• About: SAF is a biofuel produced from sustainable feedstocks, chemically similar to conventional Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), and can be used in existing aircraft engines and infrastructure without modifications (‘drop-in’ fuel). 
• Possible Feedstocks for SAF: Oils & fats (Used Cooking Oil, algae oils, animal fats, oil-rich seeds), municipal solid waste, agricultural/forestry residues (sugarcane bagasse, husks etc), and sugars & starches via Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) pathway. 
  • The ATJ pathway converts renewable alcohols (ethanol, butanol) from sugars, starches, or residues into hydrocarbon-based SAF. 
• Significance: SAF reduces GHG emissions by up to 80%, contributes over 60% to aviation decarbonisation, boosts energy security, creates green jobs, and supports up to 50% fuel blends. 
• Challenges in SAF Adoption: SAF faces high costs (2-3 times conventional fuel), infrastructure gaps, and challenges in feedstock collection due to seasonal and scattered supply. 

ISCC CORSIA Certification 

• ISCC CORSIA ensures compliance with ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).  
  • From 2027 (mandatory phase), international airlines must offset emissions above 2020 levels, with SAF blending being a key compliance route. 
• CORSIA is a global ICAO initiative to limit international aviation CO₂ emissions growth by stabilizing net emissions at 2020 levels through carbon offsetting, credits, and SAF. 

India’s Roadmap 

• NBCC (National Biofuel Coordination Committee)  targets 1% SAF blending in 2027 and 2% in 2028 for international flights, with domestic mandate post-2027.  
• This supports Net Zero 2070, gives a first-mover advantage, promotes a circular economy (UCO recycling), and opens export opportunities to European airlines.

Read More: India to Join International Climate Action in Civil Aviation, RUCO initiative 

Bioactive Peptides

Source: PIB 

A study finds that bioactive peptides (BAPs)  from traditional fermented foods can deliver health benefits tailored to specific population groups, opening scope for personalized nutrition in India. 

• Bioactive Peptides (BAPs): Bioactive peptides are short chains of 2–20 amino acids that remain active after digestion and directly affect body functions.  
  • They are essentially "hidden" or "encrypted" within the larger structure of a parent protein.  
    • They become "activated" or "released" when the parent protein is broken down by enzymes during digestion, fermentation, or other forms of processing. 
  • BAPs interact with biomolecules via electrostatic forces, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic interactions, providing antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antioxidant, and immune-modulatory effects. 
  • Peptides and proteins are both made up of amino acid chains linked by peptide bonds.  
    • The key difference is that peptides are shorter chains, while proteins typically have more than 50 amino acids. 
• Health Benefits: BAPs can regulate blood pressure, blood sugar, immunity, inflammation, and influence cardiac and metabolic health. 
  • However, the way biopeptides work varies from person to person due to factors such as genetic makeup, gut microbiota, diet, and overall health.  
    • This highlights the importance of precision nutrition, where diets and health plans are tailored to an individual’s unique biology, an approach particularly crucial in a diverse population like India. 

Amino Acids:  

• Amino acids are organic compounds that act as the building blocks of proteins, essential for growth, repair, and normal functioning of the body.  They are of three types: 
  • Essential amino acids, which the body cannot produce and must be obtained from food (such as histidine, leucine, and lysine). 
  • Nonessential amino acids, which the body can synthesize on its own (such as alanine, glutamic acid, and glycine). 
  • Conditionally essential amino acids are usually not essential, except in times of illness and stress (eg: arginine, cysteine, and glutamine )

Read more: Chlorella Growth Factor 

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana

Source: TH

The Finance Ministry stated that nearly one-fourth of PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts are inoperative, raising concerns about financial inclusion and account usage. 

• Scale of Inoperative Accounts: Out of 56.04 crore PMJDY accounts, 13.04 crore (23%) are inoperative. Uttar Pradesh has the highest share (2.75 crore), followed by Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. 
  • As per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, a savings account is marked inoperative if there are no transactions for over 2 years. 
    • However, Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) continue to flow even into inactive accounts. 
• About PM Jan Dhan Yojana: It provides a basic zero-balance account for every unbanked adult without any opening or maintenance charges.  
  • Account holders receive a RuPay debit card with Rs 2 lakh accident insurance cover and are eligible for an overdraft facility of up to Rs 10,000 to meet emergencies.  
  • The scheme also serves as a key platform for Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) and subsidies, and through its integration with the JAM trinity (Jan Dhan–Aadhaar–Mobile), it ensures transparent and efficient delivery of welfare schemes. 
• Transformative Impact: PMJDY has significantly boosted women’s financial inclusion-women owning bank accounts rose from 53% (2015-16) to 79% (2019-21). 
  • Leveraging PMJDY’s financial inclusion base, access to Mudra loans has expanded, recording a CAGR of 9.8% between 2019 and 2024. 
  • The scheme has also boosted savings habits with an average deposit of  Rs 4,352.

Read more: Ten Years of Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana 

Gulf of Mannar

Source: TH

The Gulf of Mannar (GoM) in Tamil Nadu, severely affected by coral bleaching has implemented artificial reef restoration using triangular and perforated trapezoidal modules placed underwater via divers.  

• Concrete frames successfully hosted various coral species, boosting coral cover, survival rates, and fish density, while reducing bleaching impacts and enhancing community awareness, capacity, and livelihoods. 

Gulf of Mannar 

• The Gulf of Mannar, part of the Laccadive Sea in the Indian Ocean, lies between the southeast coast of India and the northwest coast of Sri Lanka, encompassing 21 islands.  
• It is bounded by Rameswaram, Adam’s (Ram setu) Bridge, and Mannar Island (Sri Lanka), and rivers like the Tambraparni (India) and Malvathu Oya River  (Sri Lanka) flow into the gulf.  
• The gulf hosts the Tuticorin port and is known for pearl banks and the sacred chank (a gastropod mollusk). 

Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park & Biosphere Reserve: 

• The Marine National Park (162.89 km²), established in 1982 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, hosts coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, estuaries, mudflats, sandy shores, marshes, and rocky coasts, supporting 117 coral species, over 450 fish species, and threatened species like sea cow (Dugong dugon), whale sharks, and sea turtles.  
• The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (10,500 km²) established in 1989 and recognized by UNESCO in 2001 includes 21 islands and surrounding coastal areas.  
  • It encompasses the Marine National Park and is the first Marine Biosphere Reserve in South and South-East Asia, serving as a crucial hub of marine biodiversity. 

Read More: Hydrocarbon Exploration in Gulf of Mannar, Coral Breach in Gulf of Mannar