Content :
Simultaneous election Bill gives EC unbridled powers; loopholes remain: ex-CJIs
Genetic analysis of Assam rhino horn samples initiated
Smarter, faster, stronger: how Artificial Intelligence is transforming the manufacturing landscape
India marks 4,000% growth in solar capacity over past decade: Union industry minister
Once-in-a-billion event: Intense marine heatwave in Mediterranean shocks with 8°C warming
Simultaneous election Bill gives EC unbridled powers; loopholes remain: ex-CJIs
Legislative Context
What is being reviewed?
Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 – Proposes enabling simultaneous elections (Lok Sabha + State Assemblies).
Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 – Amends UT laws in light of simultaneous polls.
Parliamentary Oversight:
Under review by a Joint Committee of Parliament led by BJP MP P.P. Chaudhury.
Relevance : GS 2(Elections Reforms)
Core Concerns Raised by Former CJIs
1. Unfettered Powers to Election Commission (EC)
Section 82A(5) gives EC the power to recommend postponing state elections unilaterally, if it believes simultaneous elections aren’t feasible.
No oversight or checks — no role for:
Parliament
Union Council of Ministers
Judiciary
CJI View: EC’s role must be accountable in a constitutional democracy. Former CJIs D.Y. Chandrachud, J.S. Khehar, and earlier Ranjan Gogoi flagged lack of checks.
2. Ambiguity in “Remaining Period” Clause
Current law: If an assembly is dissolved early, elections must still be held for its remaining term.
Problem: If the remainder is only a few weeks or months, holding elections becomes:
Logistically wasteful
Constitutionally incoherent
Against the goal of synchronization
Recommendation: Parliament should clearly define what constitutes a “meaningful” remainder period (e.g., >6 months).
Basic Structure Doctrine and Constitutional Validity
All three former CJIs agreed:
The Bill does not violate the Basic Structure of the Constitution.
But operational clarity, checks and balances, and democratic safeguards are missing.
Why Basic Structure remains intact?
Free and fair elections, federalism, and parliamentary democracy are untouched in principle.
The Bill’s goals relate to administrative efficiency, not fundamental rights or the core architecture of the Constitution.
Key Governance and Constitutional Implications
Issue
Implication
EC’s unchecked discretion
Risks weakening accountability and violating the principle of separation of powers
Unclear “remainder period”
Could lead to frequent, fragmented elections, defeating the very idea of “One Nation, One Election”
Operational feasibility
Without legislative safeguards, implementation may face legal challenges or state resistance
Lack of Parliamentary oversight
Raises concerns on executive overreach via constitutional bodies
Takeaways
Checks on EC’s Power: Essential to maintain democratic accountability; EC is a constitutional body, not above scrutiny.
Legal Certainty Needed: Ambiguities like “remainder of term” must be legislated to avoid misuse or constitutional crises.
Political Federalism at Stake: Simultaneous polls must not become a backdoor method to centralise electoral control.
Process vs. Principle: Though the principle is constitutional, the process must uphold federal balance and democratic oversight.
129th Amendment) Bill, 2024
Purpose: Enables simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies.
Key Provision Introduced: Inserts Article 82A, empowering Parliament to make laws for holding simultaneous elections.
Constitutional Amendments Involved: Amends Articles 83, 172, and 327 to fix uniform tenure and synchronize terms of legislatures.
Fixed Term Mechanism: Proposes a five-year fixed tenure for both Parliament and state assemblies starting from a notified “appointed date.”
Mid-Term Polls Provision: If a legislature is dissolved early, elections will be held only for the remainder of the original term, not a fresh 5-year period.
Election Commission’s Powers: Empowers the Election Commission to recommend postponement of elections if simultaneous polls are not feasible.
Rationale: Aims to reduce frequent election cycles, lower costs, minimize administrative disruptions, and improve governance continuity.
Concerns Raised:
Potential threat to federalism by aligning state elections with the Centre.
Accountability issues due to short mid-term mandates.
Absence of oversight mechanisms on EC’s enhanced powers.
Current Status: Under examination by a Joint Parliamentary Committee; proposed as part of broader electoral reforms.
Genetic analysis of Assam rhino horn samples initiated
Context and Background: Assam’s Historic Rhino Horn Destruction Drive
In September 2021, the Assam government burnt 2,479 rhino horns — the largest such destruction globally — as a symbolic commitment to wildlife conservation and to debunk myths around the medicinal value of horns.
These horns had been stored for decades in treasuries across Assam and were either seized from poachers or collected from natural deaths.
Only horns linked to court cases (50) or having scientific or heritage value (94) were spared.
Relevance : GS 3(Environmental Governance)
Genetic Study: Objectives and Process
Why this study?
Tiny samples were retained before the horns were burnt — 2,573 horn samples in total — to enable long-term DNA-based profiling of India’s rhino population.
Key Objectives:
Build a national DNA database under RhODIS-India (Rhino DNA Index System), modelled on South Africa’s RhODIS.
Document individual DNA profiles and analyse genetic diversity, population structure, and illegal trade traceability.
Detect changes in short tandem repeat (STR) allele frequencies, which are useful for understanding genetic bottlenecks, inbreeding, or population recovery over time.
Process:
Conducted under the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun — India’s apex institution for wildlife genetics.
Supervised by Dr. Samrat Mondol, an expert in conservation genetics.
Independent experts documented the technical repackaging and transfer process at Kaziranga, between July 3–8, 2025.
Policy and Conservation Significance
Dimension
Impact
Wildlife Forensics
Helps in forensic tracing of horns in global illegal wildlife trade. Genetic “fingerprints” can match horns seized anywhere globally.
Conservation Planning
Provides a population-level genetic map to manage health and diversity of Kaziranga’s ~2,800+ rhino population.
Anti-Poaching
Deterrent against rhino horn trade; allows enforcement agencies to trace horn origin if intercepted.
Data Infrastructure
Establishes a national-level wildlife genetic archive — useful for other endangered species too.
International Model
India joins countries like South Africa using RhODIS to link genetics with law enforcement and conservation.
Takeaways
Ethical Conservation: Assam’s decision to destroy horns rather than monetise or stockpile reflects a paradigm shift in conservation ethics.
Science-Policy Synergy: Combines genetic science with state-level governance for effective species management.
Kaziranga Model: Reinforces Kaziranga’s role as a global benchmark in rhino conservation — already home to over 70% of India’s one-horned rhinos.
Global Messaging: Counters demand for rhino horns by showing India’s commitment to ending myth-driven poaching.
Conclusion
This genetic analysis will:
Strengthen anti-poaching action and wildlife crime prosecution.
Enhance population health tracking of Indian rhinos.
Help frame data-driven breeding, translocation, and conservation strategies.
RhODIS-India may serve as a template for other endangered megafauna (e.g., elephants, tigers) in India.
Assam Rhinos :
Species: Indian one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), primarily found in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List; population recovering but still threatened by poaching and habitat loss.
Global Significance: Over 70% of the global population of one-horned rhinos resides in Assam, especially in Kaziranga, Pobitora, Orang, and Manas National Parks.
Major Threats: Poaching for horn (linked to traditional medicine myths), habitat fragmentation, annual floods, and invasive species like Mimosa.
Conservation Success: From ~200 rhinos in 1905 to over 2,900 in 2023, due to strict protection, translocation, and anti-poaching measures.
Kaziranga Model: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kaziranga sets global benchmarks in rhino conservation through tech-enabled patrolling and community participation.
Smarter, faster, stronger: how Artificial Intelligence is transforming the manufacturing landscape
AI in Manufacturing: A Structural Transformation, Not Just an Upgrade
Paradigm Shift:
AI is now deeply embedded in production processes — from shop floor automation to product design and smart logistics.
Machines predict failures (predictive maintenance), robots adapt to tasks (cobots), and decisions are made on real-time data, not instinct.
India’s AI Adoption Surge:
AI adoption in manufacturing jumped from 8% to 22% in just one year (FY24).
Backed by the ₹10,372 crore National AI Mission, focusing on indigenous models, infrastructure, and skilling.
Global Context:
The AI-in-manufacturing market is projected to rise from $4.1B (2024) to $25B (2029).
India is rapidly aligning its digital and manufacturing policies to tap into this global trend.
Relevance : GS 3(Technology) , GS 2(Governance)
AI Applications Across the Manufacturing Value Chain
Area
AI Applications
Production
Predictive maintenance (↓ downtime 30%), AI-powered cobots, defect detection (vision systems), SOP compliance
R&D
Digital twins, generative AI for faster product design, energy simulations
Quality Control
Real-time micro-defect detection, AI-based inspection drones
Planning & Logistics
Demand forecasting, AI-driven scheduling (↑ responsiveness by 20%)
Procurement
ML-based smart sourcing
Safety & Compliance
AI-powered CCTVs, centralised safety dashboards
Case: Chennai Petroleum Corporation generates 1 TB of daily data — used for predictive maintenance, digital twins, and safety analytics.
The Digital Backbone: AI + IoT + Cloud = Industry 4.0
IoT at the Edge: Sensors feed live data from machines, materials, and environments.
Edge Computing: Enables instant responses in robotics and safety tasks (real-time control).
Cloud Infrastructure: Powers AI model training, digital twin simulations, and coordination across factories.
Systems Integration:
APIs and hubs link AI to ERP, supply chains, and MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems), enabling enterprise-wide intelligence.
Value Creation: From Operational Hygiene to AI-Led Innovation
Operational Hygiene
Predictive maintenance
Automated inspections
Stock tracking
SOP compliance
Results in cost saving, higher compliance — now industry baseline.
Innovation & Customisation
GenAI accelerates design-to-prototype timelines.
Mass customisation enables personalised production at scale.
Drones and AI-planning enhance energy efficiency and safety.
Embedding AI across R&D to delivery builds agility and future-readiness.
Structural Challenges
Integration Costs: High upfront investment, especially for MSMEs.
Talent Deficit: Need for AI-skilled workforce across design, deployment, and governance.
Trust & Transparency:
44% of manufacturing leaders cautious about GenAI (Reuters/Ipsos 2024) — concerns about hallucinations and explainability.
Data Governance: Industrial AI must comply with safety, IP, and confidentiality norms.
Strategic Outlook: AI as a Growth Catalyst for $5 Trillion Economy
AI is not optional — it is central to India’s industrial competitiveness and digital self-reliance.
National policies are creating an AI + manufacturing innovation ecosystem through:
Public-private collaboration
Indigenous R&D
Focus on edge-AI, GenAI, and agentic systems
The goal: make Indian manufacturing globally competitive, energy efficient, and human-machine collaborative.
Key Analytical Takeaways
Dimension
Insight
Policy Backing
National AI Mission & digital infrastructure push is enabling rapid AI adoption.
Tech Integration
AI is being layered across hardware (IoT, cobots) and software (GenAI, twins).
Industrial Strategy
AI drives both efficiency (cost, quality) and differentiation (customisation, speed).
Economic Role
Foundational to India’s transition to a high-value, innovation-driven economy.
India marks 4,000% growth in solar capacity over past decade: Union industry minister
Renewable Energy Progress: Nearing the 50% Milestone
Installed Renewable Capacity (as of June 2025):
Total power capacity: 476 GW
Non-fossil fuel sources: 235.7 GW (≈49%), including:
Renewables: 226.9 GW
Nuclear: 8.8 GW
Target: Achieve 50% of 472 GW by end of 2025; on track as per Power Minister.
10-Year Growth:
Solar PV module capacity: ↑ 38-fold
Solar PV cell capacity: ↑ 21-fold
Installed solar capacity: ↑ 4,000%
India among the first G20 countries to meet its Paris Agreement NDCs.
Relevance : GS 3(Energy Security )
Roadmap to 2030: National Commitments
Target under NDCs:
500 GW of installed non-fossil energy by 2030.
Aligned with commitments to the UNFCCC for climate mitigation.
Shift from Coal:
Coal still dominates energy mix but the trajectory signals gradual phase-out.
RE expansion and green hydrogen strategy are key to decarbonization.
Energy Storage & Grid Resilience: The Next Frontier
Current Energy Storage Status:
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS): 205 MW (~506 MWh)
Hydro Pumped Storage: 5 GW
Future Targets:
BESS: 74 GW by 2031–32
Pumped Hydro:
3 GW target for 2025–26
Scale up to 50 GW in 5–6 years
Cost Decline:
BESS costs down 75% — from ₹10 lakh/MW to ₹2.5 lakh/MW/month in 3–4 years.
Reflects technology maturing and improving commercial viability.
Green Hydrogen Push: India’s Strategic Bet
National Green Hydrogen Mission:
Rs 19,744 crore investment
Target: 10 million tonnes of green hydrogen
Electrolyser capacity: 60–100 GW
Goal: Ensure energy independence and reduce import dependence.
Complements the larger push for Atmanirbhar Bharat in clean energy value chains.
Industrial Self-Reliance & Supply Chain Resilience
India’s new RE strategy emphasizes end-to-end supply chain integration:
Critical minerals → PV cells → Modules → Storage → Recycling.
Focus Areas:
Reduce dependence on single-source geographies for rare earths & minerals.
Explore alternative global partnerships and new-age technologies (e.g., sodium-ion batteries, flow batteries).
Institutional Mechanisms and Collaborations
Organiser: Indian Energy Storage Alliance (IESA)
Promotes energy storage, e-mobility, and hydrogen ecosystems.
Stakeholder Engagement:
Convergence of ministries (Power, Commerce, Renewable Energy, etc.).
Industry leadership in deployment, innovation, and manufacturing scale-up.
Takeaways
Dimension
Insights
Policy Leadership
India is on track to meet its intermediate RE goals, with active government push and enabling policy environment.
Tech Advancement
Decline in energy storage costs, massive solar scale-up, and new electrolyser targets show industrial maturity.
Strategic Focus
Integration of hydrogen, storage, and minerals into one policy ecosystem strengthens energy self-reliance.
Challenges Ahead
Huge gap in storage capacity (205 MW vs 74 GW target), storage infra ramp-up remains a bottleneck.
Broader Implications
“Renewable targets alone are not enough — storage, flexibility, and supply chain sovereignty will define India’s clean energy future.”
This marks a systemic shift from just generation targets to energy systems thinking, encompassing:
24×7 RE reliability
Domestic manufacturing ecosystem
Climate-aligned economic resilience
Once-in-a-billion event: Intense marine heatwave in Mediterranean shocks with 8°C warming
What Is Happening? | The Event
Mediterranean Marine Heatwave (July 2025):
A record-breaking marine heatwave is underway in the Mediterranean Sea, with SST (Sea Surface Temperatures) soaring up to +8°C above normal — particularly in the Balearic Sea and Tyrrhenian Sea.
Labeled a “1-in-a-billion” climatological anomaly, statistically six standard deviations above normal, making it almost impossible without anthropogenic global warming.
Heat Dome Formation:
Triggered by a persistent high-pressure system — a “heat dome” — in June 2025, which is trapping heat and reducing wind circulation, causing:
Poor vertical mixing of water layers.
Continuous build-up of heat in both atmosphere and sea surface.
Relevance : GS 1(Geography) ,GS 3( Environment and Ecology)
Scientific and Climatological Significance
Unprecedented Nature:
Not the hottest ever recorded, but the hottest relative to the seasonal average for early July.
Reflects climate-forced anomalies, not natural variability.
Role of Climate Change:
Caused by atmospheric circulation changes and decline in aerosol concentrations (less solar reflection).
Findings align with 2024 Nature Communications paper: Marine + atmospheric heatwaves together amplify intensity.
Trendline:
Aquaculture (2024): Marine heatwaves have tripled in frequency over the last 40 years and last 50% longer.
Spanish Mediterranean waters warming at 0.75°C per decade — a sign of irreversible shifts.
Ecological Fallout: Oceans Under Siege
Mass Mortality Events:
Between 2015–2019, five consecutive years of mass die-offs along thousands of km of coastline (per Global Change Biology, 2022).
Coral bleaching, fish kill, and death of benthic (bottom-dwelling) organisms like sponges and gorgonians expected
Livelihood Disruption:
Severe implications for fisherfolk, tourism, and aquaculture industries.
Spain, Italy, and France’s coastal economies may see long-term disruptions.
Potential Collapse of Marine Biodiversity Hotspots:
Disruption in phytoplankton, fish breeding grounds, and food chains, especially for migratory species.
Extreme Weather Linkages: From Sea to Sky
Heat–Moisture–Storm Feedback Loop:
Elevated SST increases evaporation, thus atmospheric moisture — fueling convective storms.
Leads to higher dew points, creating explosive rainfall potential.
Autumn Storm Threat:
Already in July, SSTs match or exceed late summer norms.
If high temperatures persist, autumn could see:
Flash floods, landslides, and storm clusters.
Example: October 29–30, 2024 — over 200 deaths in Spain due to record rainfall in 24 hours.
Vulnerable Zones Identified:
Coastal Italy, Spain, Alps, and Western Balkans face compound risks of landslides, urban flooding, and river overflows.
Global Relevance | Why India Should Care
Climate System Interconnectedness:
Mediterranean warming affects European monsoons, North African desertification, and possibly jet stream dynamics — all of which can influence Southwest Monsoon variability over India.
Parallels with Indian Ocean:
Indian Ocean also witnessing frequent marine heatwaves, disrupting monsoon circulation and fisheries (as shown in recent MoES studies).
Precedent for Western Indian States:
Events like these foreshadow Gujarat–Konkan rainfall anomalies, storm surges, and unexpected urban flood disasters.
Key Analytical Takeaways
Dimension
Insight
Scientific
Heat dome + climate change = unprecedented marine + atmospheric heatwave.
Ecological
Mass mortality of marine life, collapse of food chains, disruption of coastal livelihoods.
Climatic
Increased risk of catastrophic rainfall, flash floods, and convective storms.
Policy Urgency
Need for marine heatwave monitoring, early warning systems, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Critical Reflection
“Marine heatwaves are not isolated oceanic events — they are harbingers of compound disasters in our warming world.”
This event is a climate warning bell for nations globally, including India, to:
Scale up climate modelling for marine ecosystems.
Invest in blue economy resilience.
Integrate marine heatwave alerts in disaster preparedness frameworks.
