13 November 2025

• On Nov 12, 2025, the Supreme Court (Justices Surya Kant & Joymalya Bagchi) directed all High Courts to disclose the time taken to pronounce reserved judgments.
• The move followed a plea by four life convicts alleging inordinate delay by the Jharkhand High Court.
• Aim: Enhance transparency, accountability, and public trust in judicial functioning.

Key Points

•  SC Directive:
  • High Courts to report.
    • Date of reservation of judgments.
    • Time gap till pronouncement and uploading online.
• Data to cover judgments reserved after Jan 31, 2025, and pronounced till Oct 31, 2025.
• Dashboard Proposal: Public tracking of pending, reserved, and delivered cases.
• Rationale: Promote transparency, meet public expectations, and ensure timely justice.
• No statutory deadline exists; conventionally, judgments should be delivered within 2–6 months.

Static Linkages

• Article 21: Right to life → includes right to speedy justice (Hussainara Khatoon, 1979).
• Article 19(1)(a): Ensures judicial transparency.
• Article 227: High Courts’ supervisory power over subordinate judiciary.
• Malimath Committee (2003) & 2nd ARC recommended time-bound and accountable justice.
• NJDG: Tracks pendency but not judgment delays.

Critical Analysis

• Pros
  • Improves judicial transparency and public confidence.
  • Enables data-driven reform and monitoring.
  • Encourages self-accountability among judges.
• Cons
  • May affect judicial independence.
  • Infrastructure gaps in digital tracking.
  • Complex cases may require more deliberation time.

Way Forward

• Integrate dashboards with NJDG for real-time data.
• Frame guidelines for pronouncement within 6 months.
• Strengthen staff support and e-infrastructure.
• Conduct annual judicial performance audits..

• Event: In October 2025, Google announced plans to establish its largest Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centre outside California in Andhra Pradesh (Visakhapatnam).
• Political Reactions: The move triggered political debates in neighbouring States — Tamil Nadu and Karnataka — highlighting regional competition for global tech investments.
• Broader Context: The event signifies India’s ongoing shift from centralized investment decisions to a model of competitive federalism, where States actively compete to attract global capital and industries.

Key Points

• The project will boost India’s AI, cloud, and digital infrastructure, creating high-skilled jobs.
• Andhra Pradesh’s stable policies and infrastructure attracted Google’s choice.
• NITI Aayog and DPIIT rankings on Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), Startup Promotion, and Export Readiness spur inter-State competition.
• Recent examples:
  • Vedanta-Foxconn (Gujarat vs Maharashtra).  EV hubs (Tamil Nadu vs Telangana).
  • Electronics parks (Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka).
  • FDI inflows touched USD 71 billion (2023–24), with over half driven by State-led initiatives (DPIIT).

Static Linkages

• Articles 245–263: Define Union–State legislative relations; Seventh Schedule divides powers.
• Finance Commission: Enhances fiscal devolution enabling States’ autonomy.
• NITI Aayog (2015): Replaced Planning Commission to promote cooperative and competitive federalism.
• 1991 Reforms: Dismantled licensing; empowered States to attract industries.
• FRBM Act (2003): Enforces fiscal discipline amid competitive incentives.

Critical Analysis

• Pros
  • Decentralized Growth: States design context- specific industrial policies.
  • Efficiency Boost: Competition improves governance and service delivery.
  • Investor Confidence: Predictable State policies attract long-term FDI.
  • Innovation Ecosystem: Strengthens local R&D and skilling initiatives.
• Cons
  • Fiscal Stress: Excessive subsidies risk financial instability.
  • Unequal Growth: Richer States attract more investment.
  • Regulatory Dilution: Relaxed norms may affect environment/labour welfare.
  • Coordination Gaps: Fragmented policy frameworks may confuse investors.
• Stakeholder View
  • Centre: Ensures balanced development.
  • States: Gain autonomy and brand identity.
  • Investors: Seek transparency and reliability.
  • Citizens: Expect inclusive growth and jobs.

Way Forward

• Compete via competence, not concessions.  Fiscal prudence under FRBM norms.
• Strengthen NITI Aayog & Inter-State Council for coordination.
• Support lagging States via targeted assistance.  
• Prioritize ESG-linked investments.
• Enhance data transparency on investment outcomes.

FINE-TUNE AI LABELLING FRAMEWORK

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• MeitY has proposed amendments to the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 to mandate labelling of AI-generated or synthetic media.
• Triggered by viral AI deepfakes, including a fake video of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
• Part of India’s push for responsible AI governance under the Digital India Act (proposed) and NITI Aayog’s AI Strategy (2018).

Key Points

• Synthetic media: AI-created, altered, or algorithmically generated content.
• New norms: Labels to cover 10% of video visuals or 10% of audio duration.
• Scope: Applies to Significant Social Media Intermediaries (SSMIs).
• Graded compliance: Larger creators face stricter disclosure; smaller ones encouraged to self-label.
• Verification: Platforms to use C2PA standards and AI-detection tools.
• Audit gap: Only 30% of AI content correctly labelled in tests across platforms.

Static Linkages

• Right to Privacy (Article 21) – Protects individuals from unauthorized use of likeness or personal data.
• IT Act, 2000 – Section 79 – Safe harbour protection for intermediaries subject to due diligence.
• Digital India Programme – Promotes secure and responsible digital governance.
• Ethical Governance (2nd ARC Report) – Emphasizes transparency and accountability in public information systems.
• UNESCO AI Ethics Framework (2021) – Advocates labelling and traceability of AI- generated content.

Critical Analysis

• Pros:
  • Builds transparency, trust, and accountability.  
  • Aligns India with global AI standards (EU, U.S.).
• Cons:
  • Detection limits; easy watermark removal.  
  • Ambiguity in classifying mixed media.
  • Compliance burden on smaller creators.

Way Forward

• Tiered labelling: Fully, assisted, or altered AI.
• Independent auditors for content verification.
• Indigenous AI tools under IndiaAI Mission.
• Digital literacy and principle-based regulation.

QUALIFIED SUCCESS

• In the recent Bihar Assembly elections, women outnumbered men by 4.34 lakh votes, though 42 lakh fewer women were registered on electoral rolls after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
• The SIR exercise saw large-scale exclusions favouring men, especially women aged 18–29 under the “permanently shifted” category, likely due to marriage-related migration.
• Despite deletions, women’s higher turnout may benefit Nitish Kumar’s government, which has long focused on women-centric welfare schemes, including the recent Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana (₹10,000 transfers).
• The Election Commission’s opacity on the SIR process raises questions about voter roll integrity and inclusivity.

Key Points

• Turnout gap: 4.34 lakh more women voted despite a smaller voter base.
• Gender ratio drop: From 907 (2023) to 892 (2024) after SIR.
• Most affected: Young women (18–29).
• Welfare link: Ongoing cash transfers blurred Model Code boundaries.
• Structural factor: High male out-migration boosted women’s turnout.
• Legal backdrop: SC directed release of SIR data revealing gendered deletions.

Static Linkages

• Universal Adult Franchise as enshrined in Article 326 of the Constitution.
• Representation of the People Act (1950 & 1951): Provisions related to preparation and maintenance of electoral rolls.
• Role and autonomy of the Election Commission of India (Article 324) in ensuring free and fair elections.
• Gender empowerment and inclusive governance as part of democratic deepening.
• Concepts of direct benefit transfer (DBT) and its electoral implications under welfare federalism.

Critical Analysis

• Positives:
  • Strengthens gender participation in democracy.
  • Reflects success of welfare-driven inclusion.
  • Encourages women’s political agency.
• Concerns:
  • ECI’s non-transparency weakens electoral credibility.
  • Roll bias against women undermines fairness.
  • Ethical questions over welfare-linked vote mobilisation.

Way Forward

• Audit electoral rolls through independent oversight.
• Portable registration for migrant and married women.
• Publish gender-wise data under transparency norms.
• Clarify MCC compliance for DBT schemes.
• Awareness drives for women’s voter inclusion.

• Retail inflation (CPI-based) fell to a record low of 0.25% in October 2025 due to GST rate cuts, favourable base effect, and decline in food prices.
• Rural inflation entered the negative zone (-0.25%) for the first time; urban inflation was 0.88%.
• The fall may prompt the RBI to consider a rate cut in its December MPC meeting.

Key Points

• CPI Inflation: 0.25% (lowest ever).
• Food Inflation: (-)5.02% — indicating retail food price deflation.
• Core Inflation: 4.4% (unchanged).
• GST Reform: Simplified to two slabs (5% & 18%), plus 40% for luxury/sin goods.
• Gold & Silver Inflation: 57.83% and 62.36%, raising the miscellaneous CPI segment.
• RBI Forecast: CPI inflation to average 2.6% in FY2025-26, rising to 4% by early 2026.

Static Linkages

• CPI: Measures consumer price changes; published by MoSPI.
• MPC: Formed under RBI Act, 1934 (amended 2016) to maintain price stability.
• Inflation Target: 4% ± 2% under the Monetary Policy Framework (2016).
• GST Council: Under Article 279A, decides tax slabs impacting prices.
• Base Effect: Comparison with a low/high inflation base year affects readings.

Critical Analysis

• Positives:
  • Relief to consumers and input costs.  Opens space for monetary easing.
  • GST simplification may boost consumption.
• Concerns:
  • Risk of deflation impacting farm income.
  •   Incomplete GST transmission to consumers.
  • Sticky core inflation (4.4%) limits rate-cut scope.

Way Forward

• Calibrated RBI action — avoid premature rate cuts.
• Ensure GST cuts reach end consumers.
• Strengthen agri-supply chains for stable food prices.
• Enhance CPI data transparency for policy accuracy.

LOWER TAXES BOOST BUYS, JOBS MUST GROW

Context of the News

• Despite global uncertainty and high U.S. tariffs, India’s economy shows resilience.
• The IMF revised India’s FY26 GDP growth to 6.6% (from 6.4%), with FY27 projected at 6.2%.
• Domestic demand, driven by tax cuts, GST rationalisation, good monsoon, and low inflation, offsets weak exports.
• Economic Survey and RBI highlight strong rural demand, services exports, and stable external balance.

Key Points

• GDP Growth: Q1 FY26 – 7.8%; Q2 – 7.2%; FY26 – ~6.9%.
• Inflation: Averaging 2.2% (H1), projected ~2% (H2).
• Rural Demand: Higher MSPs, good monsoon, tractor/two-wheeler sales up, and increased agri spending.
• Manufacturing: Growth in steel, IIP, and non-oil exports.
• Services: E-way bills and tolls up; IT exports, air travel moderate.
• Trade:
  • Non-oil exports +7%; electronics exports +40%.
  • U.S. tariffs hit textiles, gems, and leather; exports to U.S. down 12% in Sept.
• External Sector:
  • CAD ~1% of GDP, forex reserves $690 bn.  
  • FDI weak, FIIs volatile.
• Fiscal & Investment:
  • Centre’s capex +40%, private investment rising in power, infra, pharma, logistics.

Static Linkages

• Agriculture Dependence: Monsoon-linked output drives rural income.
• Trade Policy: Reciprocal tariffs under WTO’s MFN framework.
• CAD Concept: Measures trade balance in goods & services (RBI).
• Fiscal Consolidation: Guided by FRBM Act (2003).
• Inflation Targeting: RBI’s 4% ± 2% framework under MPC.

Critical Analysis

• Pros:
  • Robust domestic demand and low inflation.  $690 bn forex reserves ensure stability.
  • Electronics and services exports remain strong.
• Cons:
  • U.S. tariffs hurt labour-intensive sectors.
  • FDI inflows and private capex remain modest.  Weak wage growth dampens consumption.
• Stakeholders:
  • Govt: Focus on domestic-led recovery.
  • Industry: Seeks long-term export policy clarity.  
  • RBI: Balances inflation with growth.
  • Households: Face income stagnation despite low prices.

Way Forward

• Deepen structural reforms and ease of doing business.
• Promote labour-intensive manufacturing via PLI.
• Strengthen rural safety nets and job creation.  Focus public capex on high-multiplier infra.
• Gradual RBI rate cuts if inflation stays low.

EROSION OF CIVILITY IN CLASSROOMS

Context of the News

• Recent instances of student violence and declining academic civility in Indian universities such as Delhi University and JNU have reignited debate on the true purpose of higher education.
• Many educators argue that education is not value-neutral—it should nurture critical thought, democratic citizenship, and social responsibility.
• However, neoliberal reforms have turned education into a market-oriented, skill-based commodity, weakening its role as a space for free inquiry and social transformation.

Key Points

• Marketisation of Education: Learning increasingly linked to employability and private profit, reducing it to a commodity.
• Decline of Public Institutions: Underfunding and privatisation have widened inequality in access to quality higher education.
• Suppression of Academic Freedom: Ideological control and intolerance have restricted free debate and dissent.
• Shift from Humanities to STEM: The liberal arts are being sidelined, weakening civic and ethical education.
• Erosion of Student Politics: Student engagement now mirrors divisive politics rather than democratic dialogue.

Static Linkages

• Articles 21A, 41, 45 – Ensure right to and promotion of equitable education.
• NEP 2020 – Advocates holistic, multidisciplinary learning and critical thinking.
• Kothari Commission (1964–66) – Saw education as the instrument of social transformation.
• Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy – Promotes critical consciousness and participatory dialogue.
• Directive Principles – Encourage equality of opportunity and cultural development.

Critical Analysis

• Pros:
  • Encourages democratic citizenship and critical awareness.
  • Revives a culture of reasoned debate and ethical inquiry.
• Cons:
  • Market-driven education erodes inclusivity and creativity.
  • Political interference threatens institutional autonomy.
  • Decline of liberal education limits holistic development.
• Stakeholders:
  • Students (seek empowerment), Teachers (struggle for autonomy), State (balances control and freedom), Society (bears civic consequences).

Way Forward

• Strengthen and fund public universities.
• Integrate civic ethics, constitutional values, and critical pedagogy in curricula.
• Balance employability with liberal learning.
• Foster campus spaces for dialogue and non- violent conflict resolution.
• Regulate private universities for equity and access.