UPSC CSE Mains Answer Writing

Introduction

Under Article 324 and the RP Act, 1950, the ECI has ordered a Special Summary Revision in 17 States/UTs with 1 January 2027 as the qualifying date.

Why clean rolls matter

• Universal adult franchise (Article 326) depends on accurate rolls
• Prevents bogus and duplicate voting
• Builds trust in outcomes

Challenges

• Migration and duplicate entries
• Wrongful deletions of poor and migrant voters
• Low youth and women enrolment

Conclusion

Door-to-door verification, transparent deletion notices and voter awareness must go together.

• Articles 324, 326; RP Act, 1950
• Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021
• Form 6 (enrolment), Form 7 (objection/deletion)

Introduction

President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Dhal Singh Bisen (Uttarakhand), Sudha Yadav (Karnataka), Braj Mohan Ram (Odisha) and Dushyant Gautam (Sikkim), and moved two others. Under Articles 153–162, the Governor is the constitutional head of a State and a link with the Union.

Role

• Appoints the Chief Minister and summons the Assembly.
• Assents to, withholds or reserves Bills (Article 200).
• Issues ordinances (Article 213); reports under Article 356.

Controversies

• Appointment: seen as political, without State consultation.
• Delay on Bills: Bills kept pending for long periods.
• Hung assemblies: discretion in inviting parties to form governments.
• Article 356 misuse before the S.R. Bommai judgment (1994).

Judicial and expert view

• *Nabam Rebia* (2016): discretion is limited.
• 2025 rulings (Tamil Nadu case and the Presidential Reference): Governors cannot sit on Bills indefinitely, though the Constitution Bench declined to fix rigid timelines.
• Sarkaria (1988) and Punchhi (2010) Commissions sought apolitical appointees and consultation with the CM.

Way forward

• Consult the Chief Minister before appointment.
• Fixed timelines for decisions on Bills.
• Codify discretionary powers by convention.
• Security of tenure, as Punchhi suggested.

• Articles 153–162, 200, 213, 356, 361
• Sarkaria (1988), Punchhi (2010) Commissions
• S.R. Bommai (1994), Nabam Rebia (2016), B.P. Singhal (2010)

Introduction

NITI Aayog's framework, prepared by the NITI Frontier Tech Hub, asks States to approve data centres only after verifying power, water and infrastructure, and wants projects above 20 MW to be demand-response ready.

Why it matters

• AI, cloud and data localisation are driving demand
• Data centres use large amounts of electricity and cooling water

Sustainable path

• Renewable power purchase and green open access
• Air or liquid cooling and recycled water
• Siting in water-secure, cooler regions
• Efficiency standards (PUE)

Conclusion

Growth with resource discipline will keep India's digital boom from straining cities.

• NITI Frontier Tech Hub; five-pillar assessment; 20 MW demand-response threshold
• DPDP Act, 2023
• PUE = total facility energy / IT energy

Introduction

Total exports (goods and services) rose 13.84% to US$476.20 bn in April–September 2026-27, but imports grew 15.68% to US$551.13 bn, widening the trade deficit from US$58.10 bn to US$74.93 bn.

Reasons

• Larger import base: imports start higher, so similar growth adds more dollars.
• Energy: crude oil and gas dominate the import bill.
• Electronics and inputs: rising exports of phones need imported components.
• Gold imports in the festive season.
• Weak external demand for labour-intensive goods.

Is it a concern?

• Services surplus (IT, business services) offsets part of the goods deficit.
• Remittances keep the current account manageable.
• But persistent deficits pressure the rupee and reserves.

Measures

• Manufacturing depth: PLI schemes and component ecosystems to raise domestic value addition.
• Energy transition: renewables, green hydrogen and EVs to cut oil imports.
• Trade agreements: FTAs with the UK, EFTA (TEPA) and others for market access.
• Logistics: PM Gati Shakti and the National Logistics Policy to cut costs.
• Export promotion: district export hubs, RoDTEP, and the new National Strategic Trade Command Centre for data-led policy.

Conclusion

The aim is not import compression but higher-value exports and lower energy dependence.

• April–September 2026-27: exports US$476.20 bn, imports US$551.13 bn, deficit US$74.93 bn
• Foreign Trade Policy 2023: US$2 trillion by 2030
• PLI schemes; PM Gati Shakti

Introduction

Ladakh LG Vinai Kumar Saxena announced Sankoo district, carved out of Kargil, as the UT's eighth district.

Benefits

• Shorter distances to offices in a high-altitude, snow-bound area
• Closer monitoring of schemes and disaster response
• Better local representation and jobs

Limits

• New districts need staff, buildings and funds
• Without devolution, power stays centralised
• Ladakh's demands for statehood and Sixth Schedule status remain

Conclusion

New districts help only if backed by capacity and genuine participation through the Hill Development Councils.

• Ladakh UT since 31 October 2019 (J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019)
• LAHDC Leh and Kargil
• Article 239: administration of UTs

Introduction

ADB and Japan have signed a US$100 million loan from LEAP 2 (financed by JICA, administered by ADB) for AM Green's green ammonia plant at Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, with a capacity of about 1.1 million tonnes a year.

Potential

• Hard-to-abate sectors: fertiliser, refining, steel and shipping can decarbonise with green hydrogen and ammonia.
• Import substitution: India imports ammonia and LNG for fertilisers.
• Exports: Japan, Korea and Europe seek green ammonia; India has low-cost solar and wind.
• Targets: the National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023) aims for 5 million tonnes a year by 2030.

Challenges

• Cost: green hydrogen still costs more than grey hydrogen.
• Finance: large upfront capital and long-term offtake contracts needed.
• Infrastructure: storage, pipelines and port terminals.
• Water and land for electrolysis and renewables.
• Standards: certification for export markets.

Policy response

• SIGHT programme incentives for electrolysers and production.
• Green Hydrogen Standard (2023) and hubs at ports.
• Waiver of inter-State transmission charges for RE used in green hydrogen.

Way forward

Blended finance from multilaterals, viability-gap support, demand mandates in fertilisers and refineries, and bilateral offtake deals can make projects like Kakinada bankable.

• National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023): 5 MMT/year by 2030; ₹19,744 crore
• SIGHT programme; Green Hydrogen Standard (2023)
• LEAP 2: JICA-financed, ADB-administered

Introduction

The SCO (2001) is a Eurasian grouping; India joined as a full member in 2017. Rajnath Singh represents India at the 25th Council of Heads of Government in Dushanbe.

Significance

• Access to Central Asia's energy and markets
• Counter-terrorism cooperation through RATS
• A platform to engage Russia and China together

Constraints

• China–Pakistan alignment and India's opposition to the BRI
• Lack of direct connectivity to Central Asia
• Consensus-based, slow decision-making

Conclusion

India should use the SCO for connectivity (Chabahar, INSTC) and anti-terror cooperation while guarding its core interests.

• SCO founded 2001; India full member 2017
• RATS: Tashkent; Secretariat: Beijing
• India's 2023 presidency: 'SECURE SCO'

Introduction

India won 4 gold, 5 silver and 2 bronze on day one of the 5th Asian Para Games at Aichi-Nagoya, with Mona Agarwal setting a Games record in shooting. Such success shows ability, not disability.

How sport advances inclusion

• Changes attitudes: athletes like Avani Lekhara and Sumit Antil challenge stigma.
• Health and confidence for millions of persons with disabilities.
• Rights: the RPwD Act, 2016 (Section 30) requires access to sports and recreation.
• Economic gains: jobs, scholarships and recognition.

Policy gaps

• Access: few accessible stadiums, coaches and classification facilities.
• Funding: para-sport gets a small share outside TOPS and Khelo India.
• Data: only 2.2% counted as disabled in Census 2011; many are invisible.
• Education link: low school participation of children with disabilities.
• Accessible India Campaign targets missed in many States.

Measures

• Accessible sports infrastructure under Khelo India and Smart Cities.
• Dedicated para-sport coaches and classifiers.
• School-level talent identification under Samagra Shiksha.
• Employment quotas and cash awards on par with Olympians.

Conclusion

Para-sport success should be a lever for universal accessibility, not an exception.

• RPwD Act, 2016 (21 disabilities; Section 30 on sports)
• UNCRPD; Accessible India Campaign (2015)
• Paris 2024 Paralympics: 29 medals

Introduction

September 2026 WPI inflation (base 2022-23) was 11.39%, double the CPI rate of 5.54%.

Reasons

• WPI covers only goods; CPI includes services such as housing and health
• Fuel and power (25.85%) and crude weigh more in WPI
• Food has a larger weight in CPI
• Retail prices adjust with a lag

Implications

• Producer margins squeezed; cost pressures may pass to consumers later
• RBI targets CPI but watches WPI as a lead indicator
• GDP deflator is affected

Conclusion

Fuel-tax calibration and supply measures can stop wholesale pressures reaching households.

• September 2026: WPI 11.39%, CPI 5.54%; fuel & power 25.85%
• WPI base 2022-23; CPI base 2024=100
• Urjit Patel Committee (2014)

Introduction

Sudhakar Dalela, a 1993-batch IFS officer, will be India's next Ambassador to Nepal. The two countries share an open border, the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship, and deep cultural ties.

Pillars of the relationship

• People-to-people: open border; Nepali citizens work and serve in India (Gorkha regiments).
• Economy: India is Nepal's largest trade partner and transit route.
• Energy: cross-border power trade; India buys Nepal's surplus hydropower.
• Connectivity: Jaynagar–Kurtha railway, integrated check posts, petroleum pipeline (Motihari–Amlekhganj).

Challenges

• Boundary: Kalapani–Lipulekh–Limpiyadhura dispute after Nepal's 2020 map.
• China factor: BRI projects and growing Chinese influence.
• 1950 Treaty: Nepal seeks revision.
• Political instability in Kathmandu.
• Perceptions of interference, e.g., the 2015 border blockade.
• Project delays: Pancheshwar multipurpose project stalled.

Way forward

• Settle boundary issues through dialogue (Boundary Working Group).
• Fast-track hydropower and transmission links; long-term power purchase.
• Deliver projects on time to build trust.
• Expand education, health and pilgrimage circuits (Ramayana and Buddhist circuits).

Conclusion

A respectful, development-led partnership can keep Nepal a close neighbour under the Neighbourhood First policy.

• Treaty of Peace and Friendship, 1950
• Motihari–Amlekhganj pipeline; Jaynagar–Kurtha rail
• Kosi (1954) and Gandak (1959) agreements