Content: India Leads Global Fight on World Environment Day 2025 with the theme: ‘One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution’ Campaign intensifies for the Fight to End Plastic Pollution on World Environment Day India Leads Global Fight on World Environment Day 2025 with the theme: ‘One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution’ Theme & Vision 2025 Theme: “One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution” PM Modi emphasized India’s cultural ethos of environmental balance and early action on plastic pollution. Aimed at a “Whole of Government & Whole of Society” approach. Relevance : GS 2(Governance) , GS 3(Environment and Ecology) Key Announcements & Initiatives National Plastic Waste Reporting Portal launched: Enables online tracking of plastic waste from collection to disposal. Covers all ULBs and Panchayats—ensuring transparency and accountability. National Plastic Pollution Reduction Campaign launched: Targets Tiger Reserves, urban & rural areas under Swachhta Hi Sewa. Special emphasis on curbing single-use plastic in Govt offices. Includes Hackathon, youth engagement activities (poems, skits, slogans). National Expo on Eco-Alternatives: 150+ startups, recyclers, local bodies showcased innovations. Dedicated pavilion for Mission LiFE. Student art competition exhibits highlighted. Publications Released Government Initiatives on Ending Plastic Pollution – showcases multi-stakeholder efforts. Compendium on Eco-Alternatives to Banned SUPs – a directory of eco-friendly options. Awards & Participation 21 winners awarded under Ideas4LiFE across 7 themes. 69,000 events, 21 lakh people participated nationwide in pre-campaign month. Technical Sessions Highlights Local Bodies’ Role: Shared best practices from urban & rural waste management. Focus on Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen Phase II). Startups & Innovation: Showcased eco-packaging, milk delivery without plastic, and deinking tech. EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility): Discussed reuse of rigid plastics, chemical recycling, and Deposit Refund Systems. Takeaways India positioning itself as a global leader in plastic pollution reduction. Push towards circular economy via innovation, regulations, and behavioural change. Blend of policy, tech, public participation, and inter-governmental cooperation. Campaign intensifies for the Fight to End Plastic Pollution on World Environment Day Context & Theme World Environment Day (June 5) 2025 theme: Ending Plastic Pollution Globally Builds on Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0) focusing on sustainable urban plastic waste management. Campaign duration: June 1–5, 2025, aimed at public awareness, action, and behavioural change. Relevance : GS 2(Governance) , GS 3(Environment and Ecology) Plastic Pollution Challenge Plastic constitutes 46% of dry waste in urban India. Single-use plastics (SUP) and thin plastic bags banned progressively since 1999 and July 2022 respectively. Urbanization exacerbates plastic waste challenges. SBM-U 2.0 emphasizes reduction, segregation, and eco-friendly alternatives. Key Campaign Initiatives Plastic Out, Fabric In: Nearly 2,400 kiosks set up in cities distributing over 3 lakh cloth bags via vending machines in high-traffic areas. Plastic collection drives conducted at Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (RRR) Centres. Launch of Swachh Bharat Harit Bharat green pledge encouraging sustainable lifestyle commitments. City-Level Impactful Actions Mira Bhayandar: “Thaila Bank” converts old clothes into reusable cloth bags by SHG women. Pimpri Chinchwad: Citywide cycle rallies promoting SUP-free future and green pledges. Chhattisgarh: Didi Jhola Bank launched by Gurur Shiv Shakti SHG offering eco-friendly bags at bus stand markets. Lucknow: Over 10,000 volunteers participated in Gomti river cleanup. Indore: ‘RRR Slum Haat’ distributed essentials from RRR centers and encouraged plastic alternatives among shopkeepers. NDMC (Delhi): Hosted Recycle Mela, launched e-carts and wet-cleaning trolleys, promoted plastic-free shops. Jamshedpur: Plog Run and cleanup collected 300+ kg plastic waste for processing. Raipur: Deputy CM launched Plastic-Free Campaign supporting Swachh Bharat Harit Bharat. Anantnag: Ongoing ‘Plastic Bhiksha’ drive with door-to-door SUP collection by sanitation workers. Overall Takeaways Multi-city, multi-stakeholder engagement showcasing collective civic action. Strong focus on sustainable alternatives (cloth bags) replacing plastic. Emphasis on women’s SHGs empowering eco-friendly solutions. Integration of awareness, technology (vending machines), and grassroots activism. Reinforcement of Swachh Bharat Mission’s role in driving urban sustainability. Wide citizen participation fostering long-term behavioural change.

Content: Injustice in the delay The university versus constitutionally protected speech A Eurocentric reset, a gateway for India Injustice in the delay The Delay and Its Impact Initial Delay: The decadal Census originally scheduled for 2021 was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Further Delay: Now expected to conclude by March 2027, the extended postponement appears politically motivated. Governance Impact: The absence of up-to-date demographic data has weakened policy planning and social welfare delivery, especially for vulnerable groups. Social Justice Concerns: Delay undermines rights–based entitlements tied to population data (e.g., food security, pensions, housing). Relevance : GS 2(Governance ,Social Issues) Practice Question : “The prolonged delay in conducting the Census in India raises concerns of both administrative inefficiency and democratic deficit.” Critically examine the implications of the delayed Census on governance, social justice, and federalism.(250 Words) Digital Administration of Census First-ever Digital Census: Will enable faster data collection and improved access to population-level data. Pros: Can make data more dynamic, real-time, and useful for rapid decision-making. Risks: Heightened concerns over data privacy, digital exclusion, and cybersecurity threats. Trust Building: Transparency in methodology, data protection protocols, and citizen awareness are crucial. Demographic Crossroads Dual Pressure: India faces challenges of both youth bulge and ageing population. Regional Imbalance: Stark variations in fertility rates, literacy, and health metrics across States necessitate updated data. Policy Need: Fresh census data is essential for targeted interventions, infrastructure planning, and workforce management. Caste Enumeration Historical Shift: First time since 1931 that caste will be explicitly enumerated. Positive: Can lead to better data-driven affirmative action and resource allocation. Negative: Risk of further social fragmentation or politicization of caste identities. Delimitation Linkage Crucial Constitutional Link: The next inter-State delimitation exercise is mandated to follow the first Census after 2026. Current Scenario: Parliamentary seat allocation still based on the 1971 Census. Concern of Southern States: States with lower population growth (e.g., Kerala, Tamil Nadu) may lose representation if population is the sole criterion. Centre’s Silence: No clarity yet from the government on how it will address these federal concerns. Political Ramifications Perception of Bias: Delay in Census is increasingly speculated as a strategic move by the Ruling Party to maintain or increase representation for high-growth Hindi-speaking states. Call for Consensus: Centre must build bipartisan trust on delimitation and reassure States about fair representation. Democratic Integrity: Prolonged delay without transparent intent can erode public faith in democratic and federal processes. Conclusion The announcement of the Census is necessary and overdue, but the delay raises issues of justice, transparency, and equity. Both technical and political dimensions of the Census must be handled with care to uphold constitutional principles and social harmony. The university versus constitutionally protected speech Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Free Speech John Milton’s Areopagitica (1644): Argued against government licensing of publications, emphasizing liberty of thought and expression. Speech as Human Dignity: Free expression is central to individual autonomy, dignity, and fulfillment. Truth as Public Good: Censorship assumes the state’s infallibility; real truth emerges through open debate. Relevance : GS 2(Education , Governance) Practice Question : “Universities must be the foremost protectors of free thought and expression in a democracy.” Discuss in light of increasing restrictions on academic freedom and constitutionally protected speech in India.(250 Words) Concerns Over Institutional Censorship in Academia Academic Voices Silenced: Professors are increasingly required to seek prior permission to express views, undermining intellectual freedom. Expression ≠ Activism: Mere dissent or opinion expression should not be labelled as political activism by university authorities. Historic Precedent: Even political involvement was once acceptable in academia. Role of Courts and Constitutional Safeguards Protected Speech: Courts must uphold constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression, as per past pro-free speech judgments. Case References: Texas v. Johnson (1989): US Supreme Court protected flag burning as free speech. Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India (2020): Reaffirmed Internet access as a component of free speech and emphasized proportionality in restrictions. Dr. Janet Jeyapaul v. SRM University (2015): Private universities performing public functions are ‘state’ and subject to Article 14. Universities as Sites of Free Thought Ancient Indian Tradition: Thinkers like Aryabhata, Chanakya, and Charaka thrived in state-independent gurukuls. Modern Crisis: Today’s universities are over-regulated and underfunded, inhibiting free intellectual inquiry. Suffocation Hampers Scholarship: Controlled environments discourage creativity and prevent meaningful academic contribution. Democracy and Speech Speech Enables Choice: Without access to all views, democratic choice is compromised. Marketplace of Ideas: Truth competes and prevails in an open forum (Holmes doctrine). Fake News Era: More voices are needed, not fewer, to allow the public to discern truth from falsehood. Limits of Free Speech — Constitutional Clarity Not Absolute: Article 19(2) allows reasonable restrictions only on defined grounds: Sovereignty & integrity, security of state, public order, decency/morality, foreign relations, defamation, incitement to offence. Legislation Required: Restrictions must be imposed only through law, not via executive or institutional diktats. Proportionality Doctrine: Any restriction must be necessary, least intrusive, and proportionate — with burden of proof on the state. Implications for Private Institutions No Parallel Censorship: Private institutions can’t impose restrictions outside Article 19(2); regulatory constraints don’t justify silencing faculty. Education ≠ Business: SC reiterates that education is a noble occupation — not profit-making, thus must respect constitutional norms. Conclusion and Way Forward Freedom is Foundational: Free speech is the soul of democracy and the university. Support, Not Suppression: Institutions should support faculty within constitutional bounds to promote a culture of robust debate. Celebrate Diversity of Opinions: Universities must live up to their name — a universe of ideas — and not enforce intellectual conformity. A Eurocentric reset, a gateway for India Overview of the U.K.-EU Reset The new U.K.-EU agreement under PM Keir Starmer signals a reset in cooperation on: Food standards, fishing rights Defence, border coordination Though appearing Eurocentric, this reset holds strategic significance for India in trade, diplomacy, migration, and soft power. Relevance : GS 2(International Relations) Practice Question : “The U.K.-EU realignment presents India with both opportunities and strategic dilemmas.” Analyse the impact of the renewed U.K.-EU cooperation on India’s trade, diplomacy, and migration policies.(250 Words) Implications for Indian Exporters FY24 Export Data: India-EU: $86 billion India-U.K.: $12 billion Post-Brexit Challenge: Dual regulatory regimes in the U.K. and EU raised compliance costs and complexity. Reset Advantage: A harmonised regulatory framework could simplify procedures in pharma, textiles, seafood, and agro-exports. India supplies 25% of the U.K.’s generic drugs; unified approval can cut costs and delays. Seafood Exports: Worth ₹60,524 crore (~$7.38B), may benefit if standards align — though SMEs may struggle with tighter regulations. Policy Response Needed: Strengthen support schemes: RoDTEP, PLI Build capacity among MSMEs to comply with emerging standards. Strategic and Geopolitical Opportunities Foreign Policy Convergence: Renewed U.K.-EU coordination on defence and Indo-Pacific aligns with India’s strategic interests. Existing Frameworks: EU-India Strategic Partnership (2025 Roadmap) U.K.-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2022) India’s Defence Ties: France (trade: $15.1B in 2024-25), Germany, and U.K. are critical for naval and tech collaboration. Multilateral Impact: Potential cohesive Western support for India at UN, G20, WTO Opportunity to engage with the West as a bloc in tackling climate change, digital reforms, and global governance. Talent Mobility and Indian Diaspora Indian Diaspora: Largest globally; strong presence in both U.K. and EU. Over 1.1 lakh Indian student visas issued by U.K. in 2024. Mobility Benefits: Post-Brexit restrictions hurt access to EU markets. U.K.-EU alignment may lead to partial reintegration, enabling smoother mobility for professionals. Could enhance India’s bilateral migration pacts with Germany, France, Portugal under a broader regional framework. Strategic Takeaways for India Rare Window of Opportunity: Economic: Liberalised trade and reduced barriers Diplomatic: Coordinated partnerships with Europe Migration: Integrated talent corridor Call to Action for India: Fast-track export ecosystem reforms Upgrade logistics, infrastructure, and compliance capacity Assertively engage in global governance platforms Use soft power and G20 leadership to amplify role in Global South diplomacy Conclusion The U.K.-EU reset, while centred in Europe, presents India with: A chance to streamline exports Deepen defence ties Boost skilled migration Strengthen global presence India must respond strategically, swiftly, and confidently to capitalise on this geopolitical recalibration.

Content : Trump revives controversial travel ban against 12 nations UMEED portal set to go live, Telangana Waqf Board ‘waiting for clarity’ on managing properties Is IBC an effective resolution tool? AI’s unchecked ascent: How big tech is outpacing the regulatory rulebook Dassault Aviation ties up with Tata for Rafale fighter fuselage production in India Digital Census to speed up enumeration, aid policies with timely and accurate data: Centre Trump revives controversial travel ban against 12 nations Relevance : GS 2(International Relations) Stated Justification Triggered by a flamethrower attack at a Jewish protest in Colorado. Suspect alleged to be an illegal immigrant, prompting concerns over security loopholes. Exemptions: Athletes from these countries participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are exempt. Geopolitical and Diplomatic Implications 7 out of 12 fully banned countries are in Africa: African Union strongly criticized the move, citing damage to: Educational exchange Commercial relations Diplomatic engagement People-to-people connectivity May cause further alienation of African and Muslim-majority nations. Domestic and Legal Ramifications Echoes Trump’s 2017 travel ban, which faced strong legal opposition and multiple lawsuits. Civil rights groups likely to challenge the order in court again. Raises questions about immigration policy continuity and targeted discrimination. Economic & Social Impact Potentially affects: Students, scholars, and researchers from banned countries Migrant workers and families seeking reunification Tech and healthcare sectors relying on skilled migrants from these regions Could lead to a decline in U.S. soft power and educational appeal globally. Political Strategy Aligns with Trump’s “America First” narrative and hardline immigration stance. Likely aimed at consolidating support among his conservative voter base ahead of electoral milestones. May serve as a distraction tactic from domestic controversies (e.g., Harvard crackdown). Potential Repercussions May escalate anti-U.S. sentiment in affected regions. Could strain bilateral ties and cooperation in areas like: Counterterrorism Climate diplomacy Global health initiatives May backfire by fueling extremist propaganda. UMEED portal set to go live, Telangana Waqf Board ‘waiting for clarity’ on managing properties About the UMEED Portal UMEED stands for Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development. Initiative by the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs. Aims to collate documents related to waqf properties for better management and transparency. Scheduled to go live imminently with a six-month window for uploading documents. Relevance : GS 2(Governance ) Concerns from Telangana State Waqf Board (TGSWB) TGSWB is still awaiting clear guidelines on: What documents are required. Which formats or types will be accepted. Uncertainty over historical properties: Many Qutb Shahi-era mosques lack formal documentation. Board unsure how to handle such legacy cases on the portal. Technical and Operational Concerns Portal to follow a three-tier approval system: Mutawalli uploads property documents (e.g., gazette notifications). TGSWB officer verifies submissions. CEO of TGSWB grants final approval. Previous online management system to be discontinued. No data migration from old portal to new one. Raises concerns over loss of existing digital records. Legal and Procedural Issues TGSWB suggests Centre should have waited for the Supreme Court judgment related to Waqf property management before rollout. The premature launch could lead to confusion or legal inconsistencies in handling waqf property rights. Steps Taken by TGSWB Actively collecting and updating documentation. CEO has reached out to government agencies for official property papers. Field staff deployed to obtain and verify waqf records. Broader Implications Highlights the gap between central policy rollout and state-level preparedness. Risks of alienating religious institutions due to lack of consultation or clarity. Raises issues of digital transition in governance without adequate groundwork or coordination. Is IBC an effective resolution tool? Why was IBC introduced? Enacted in 2016 as India’s first comprehensive bankruptcy law. Aimed to: Shift control from debtors to creditors. Ensure time-bound resolutions (within 330 days). Improve creditor recovery and reduce judicial delays. Replace fragmented, inefficient earlier mechanisms. Relevance : GS 3(Banking ) ,GS 2(Governance) Impact on Borrower Behaviour & Credit Discipline Led to a cultural shift in how borrowers respond to financial distress. Borrowers now show proactive distress resolution due to credible threat of insolvency. Supreme Court remark: “The defaulter’s paradise is lost.” Over 30,000 cases settled before admission, covering defaults worth₹13.78 lakh crore. Study by IIM-Bangalore found: Reduction in cost of debt for distressed firms. Improved corporate governance (more independent directors). Credit discipline significantly improved. IBC as a Recovery Tool Dominant route for bank recoveries in FY 2023–24 (48% of total recoveries). Recovery rate of 32.8% on admitted claims. Resolutions fetched over 170.1% of liquidation value. Resolution plans achieved 93.4% of fair value on average. Out of total cases, 2,758 went into liquidation, but 10 companies were resolved for every 5 liquidated. Challenges Facing IBC Judicial delays at NCLT/NCLAT slow down the resolution process. Cases often get caught in extended litigation, risking asset value erosion. Lack of clarity in non-traditional enterprise defaults (IP valuation, tech assets, employee dues). No data migration from earlier digital systems into UMEED-like platforms. Post-Resolution Uncertainty Bhushan Steel verdict reignited fear of judicial reversals after resolution implementation. Such reversals threaten commercial finality, reducing investor confidence. Risk: Applicants may hesitate to invest in distressed assets due to lack of certainty. Way Forward Strengthen tribunal infrastructure (faster benches, trained staff). Institutionalize pre-packaged insolvency for faster resolution. Ensure judicial restraint in re-evaluating commercial decisions post-resolution. Build a more future-ready IBC that accommodates: Startups Digital and IP-heavy firms Service-based economies Conclusion The IBC has been a game-changer for India’s insolvency landscape. While it has improved credit discipline and recovery outcomes, its success depends on balancing judicial oversight with commercial pragmatism. As India moves toward a $5 trillion economy, a robust, predictable, and evolving insolvency framework is essential. AI’s unchecked ascent: How big tech is outpacing the regulatory rulebook Rapid Growth of AI by Tech Giants Major players like OpenAI, Meta, Google, Microsoft, and Anthropic are advancing AI at an unprecedented pace. Frequent model upgrades and wider public deployments signal a competitive AI arms race. Their AI innovations are powered by massive datasets — often scraped from the internet or collected from users. Relevance : GS 3(Technology) Data Practices Under Scrutiny Tech giants have been repeatedly accused of violating user privacy: Google’s Incognito Mode case resulted in a $7.8 billion-valued settlement. Google also paid $1.4 billion for illegal location and biometric tracking. Meta faced similar charges over misuse of biometric data. OpenAI faces lawsuits from authors, publishers, and media houses (e.g., NYT, Ziff Davis) over copyright violations in training its LLMs. The Problem with Settlements Out-of-court settlements allow companies to avoid admitting guilt or setting legal precedent. This emboldens Big Tech, as they sidestep meaningful regulatory consequences while continuing business as usual. Unchecked Innovation vs. Sluggish Regulation Despite mounting lawsuits, AI deployment continues largely unhindered. Regulatory systems are struggling to catch up or lack clarity on foundational AI issues. Conventional legal constraints appear ineffective in curbing the rapid AI expansion. Global Regulatory Landscape European Union: GDPR enforces strong data rights and steep penalties. Meta was fined under the Digital Markets Act. The AI Act, targeting AI governance, will be implemented by August 2025. EU also acting against Chinese firms (e.g., TikTok, SHEIN) over unlawful data transfers. India: Enacted the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. Aims to balance data protection and innovation, seeking global AI leadership while building regulatory capacity. China: Enforces strict data localization and privacy laws. Simultaneously promotes AI development by local tech giants, backed by the state. Key Concerns Foundational tension: AI models need vast data, while legal and ethical systems demand limits. Risk of user privacy and public interest being treated as afterthoughts, rather than guiding principles. Courts and regulators are reactive, not proactive — playing catch-up. Core Insight AI development is outpacing regulation across jurisdictions. While Big Tech pushes the frontiers of AI, legal guardrails remain underdeveloped or weakly enforced. This gap risks undermining user rights, IP protections, and societal safeguards. Conclusion The AI innovation cycle led by Big Tech is moving too fast for the regulatory apparatus. Without strong, enforceable, and anticipatory regulation, AI’s ascent may compromise fundamental rights and public trust. There is an urgent need for globally coordinated, future-ready AI governance frameworks. Dassault Aviation ties up with Tata for Rafale fighter fuselage production in India Overview of the Agreement Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. (TASL) have signed four Production Transfer Agreements. The partnership aims to manufacture Rafale fighter aircraft fuselage sections in Hyderabad, India. This is meant not only for Indian requirements but also for global markets. Relevance : GS 3(Internal Security ,Economy , Defence) Significance of the Move Marks the first time Rafale fuselages will be produced outside France. Positions India as a critical node in the global aerospace supply chain. Signals deepening industrial trust between France and India, especially in the defense and strategic sector. Production and Capacity Tata’s Hyderabad facility will manufacture: Lateral rear fuselage shells Complete rear section Central fuselage Front section First fuselages expected by 2028. Facility capacity: Up to two complete fuselages per month. Implications for Indian Aerospace Industry Boosts domestic defense manufacturing, aligned with ‘Make in India’ and Atmanirbhar Bharat goals. Enhances TASL’s role as a key aerospace and defense manufacturing partner. Likely to generate high-skilled jobs and promote technology transfer in precision aerospace engineering. Strategic and Geopolitical Relevance Strengthens the India-France strategic defense partnership. Enhances India’s self-reliance in fighter jet components and reduces dependence on foreign imports. Could serve as a template for future high-end defense collaborations with other nations. Statements from Leadership Dassault CEO Eric Trappier: This is a decisive step to build an Indian supply chain that aligns with global quality and competitiveness standards. TASL CEO Sukaran Singh: Partnership demonstrates trust in Tata’s capabilities and marks a milestone in India’s aerospace journey. Conclusion The Dassault-Tata agreement is a landmark development in India’s defense manufacturing ecosystem. It not only furthers the vision of indigenisation but also enhances India’s role in the global defense supply chain. Success of this project could pave the way for future indigenous aircraft production and full-spectrum aerospace capability development. Digital Census to speed up enumeration, aid policies with timely and accurate data: Centre Overview of the Digital Census 2027 The 2027 Census will be India’s first major digital Census, enabling real-time data collection using smartphone-based mobile applications. Aim: Faster publication and greater accuracy in data to help improve policy formulation and scheme implementation. Relevance : GS 2(Digital Governance, Social Justice) Key Digital Tools Two mobile apps: Census 2021-Household PE-Census 2021 (Population Enumeration) A web-based portal: Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS) ➤ To manage appointments, monitor field progress, and auto-generate records. Features & Capabilities Real-time monitoring of each enumerator’s fieldwork via CMMS. Digital entry reduces manual data digitisation delays seen in earlier censuses. Provisions remain for paper schedules in case of connectivity issues in remote areas. Scale and Logistics Estimated to cover 33 crore households and 136 crore individuals. About 30 lakh enumerators will be deployed across 24 lakh enumeration blocks, each block covering ~800 people. Comprehensive Caste Data Collection For the first time in Independent India, the Census will include comprehensive caste data. Existing mobile applications will be updated to accommodate caste-related questions. Challenges Highlighted App-related user issues already reported: Login difficulties Data deletion due to lack of edit options Ensuring digital literacy and technical training for lakhs of enumerators will be critical. Importance and Policy Implications Reduces time lag — earlier Census outputs took up to a decade to be fully released. Enables data-driven governance, improving targeting and effectiveness of welfare schemes. Supports evidence-based decisions in health, education, urban planning, and employment. Broader Significance Reflects India’s push towards digital governance and public data systems. Sets the stage for integrating digital tools in large-scale public data projects. Ensures accountability, transparency, and efficiency in Census operations.