INTEGRATED MAINS AND PRELIMS MENTORSHIP (IMPM) 2025 Daily KEY
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Right to Information (RTI) Act and Election Commission (EC) and its significance for the UPSC Exam? Why are topics like Significance of Mental Health , Light Emitting Diode (LED), Suspension of Operations (SoO) important for both preliminary and main exams? Discover more insights in the UPSC Exam Notes for September 15, 2025 |
- The Right to Information (RTI) Act is built on the idea that in a democracy—defined as governance “of the people, by the people, for the people”—government-held information ultimately belongs to citizens.
- The State only safeguards this information on their behalf. Since citizens validate representatives through elections, and those representatives in turn authorize the bureaucracy, the natural principle of the RTI law is that information must ordinarily be disclosed to the public.
- At the same time, the Act recognized the need for certain exemptions, especially in areas such as national security. Among these, Section 8(1)(j) on “personal information” was crucial.
- The original clause carefully balanced transparency with individual privacy: information could be withheld if it was unrelated to public activity or amounted to an unreasonable intrusion into personal life, unless wider public interest required disclosure.
- A key safeguard in the original section was the proviso stating that any information which cannot be withheld from Parliament or a State legislature also cannot be denied to citizens.
- This acted as a guiding principle for Public Information Officers (PIOs) in differentiating between public and private domains, a task made complex by the evolving notion of “privacy” (as even acknowledged in the Justice K.S. Puttaswamy vs Union of India case).
- Typically, information collected by the government during normal duties was not seen as an invasion of privacy and was meant to be shared unless it offended constitutional restrictions under Article 19(2), which only mentions “decency” and “morality” in relation to privacy.
- The situation has changed drastically with the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, which amends Section 8(1)(j). The revised version reduces the provision to just six words, allowing much broader grounds for withholding information. The biggest concern lies in how “personal information” is to be interpreted.
- Two contrasting interpretations exist. One is the narrow view, where “person” refers to a natural individual. The other, drawn from the DPDP Act, defines “person” far more widely to include companies, associations, Hindu Undivided Families, firms, and even the State.
- If this broader definition is applied, nearly all information could qualify as “personal”, effectively turning RTI into a “Right to Deny Information” (RDI). This undermines the very essence of transparency.
- Complicating matters, the DPDP Act contains an overriding clause that supersedes other laws, coupled with hefty penalties—up to ₹250 crore—for violations. This creates a chilling effect for PIOs, who, fearing punitive action, will be more inclined to deny requests rather than risk disclosure. In practice, this shifts the balance decisively towards secrecy.
- The implications for accountability and anti-corruption efforts are severe. First, it erodes citizens’ ability to monitor corruption—often more effectively than formal institutions like vigilance commissions or the Lokpal.
- Second, it could result in essential information being withheld: for example, access to one’s own corrected marksheet, pension lists used to weed out “ghost beneficiaries,” or even official orders signed by public servants could be blocked.
- Such an expansive interpretation could lead to the denial of the vast majority of information requests. Third, it creates fertile ground for corruption, since records exposing irregularities or fake employees could now be hidden under the “personal information” tag.
- While Section 8(2) of the RTI Act still allows disclosure in cases of overriding public interest, this provision is rarely applied. Expecting citizens to prove such “larger public interest” for every request undermines the very notion of RTI as a fundamental right. In practice, fewer than one percent of exemption cases are overturned on this basis.
- Alarmingly, the amendments have not provoked significant public debate, unlike earlier RTI-related controversies about Commissioners’ tenure and salaries. One reason may be that the changes are presented under the guise of “data protection,” which appears harmless to most people.
- Another factor is the instinctive belief that one’s personal data should remain private, even when it may be crucial for public accountability.
- Ultimately, Sections 8(2) of the RTI Act and 44(3) of the DPDP Act represent a serious rollback of democratic transparency and an erosion of fundamental rights
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Answer (C)
👉 Hence, option C is directly connected with the RTI Act. |
- Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a focused academic support programme, generally introduced in schools, to help students consolidate their learning in the final stretch before examinations.
- Unlike regular classroom teaching, which spreads across the academic year, SIR is a short-term, concentrated effort designed to revisit key concepts, strengthen understanding, and improve performance.
- During SIR, students are often grouped based on their performance levels so that teachers can provide targeted support. For instance, those struggling with fundamentals receive remedial teaching, while average and advanced learners are given more practice to refine their skills.
- The sessions typically include repeated revision of important topics, solving past examination papers, mock tests, and doubt-clearing exercises. This ensures that students not only recall their lessons better but also develop confidence in applying their knowledge under exam conditions.
- The purpose of SIR is to bridge learning gaps, reinforce memory through repeated exposure, and provide individual attention where necessary. It is particularly valuable for board exam students or competitive exam aspirants, where scoring well can significantly impact their future academic or career opportunities
- The Representation of the People Act, 1950 (RPA, 1950) is one of the two key laws governing elections in India, the other being the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
- While the 1951 Act deals mainly with the conduct of elections and related offences, the 1950 Act primarily lays down the legal framework for the allocation of seats, delimitation of constituencies, and preparation of electoral rolls.
- Enacted soon after the adoption of the Constitution, the RPA 1950 gave practical effect to the constitutional provisions under Articles 81, 82, 170, 325, and 326. It defines how seats in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies are distributed among states and Union Territories, how these constituencies are demarcated, and how voters are registered.
- The Act empowers the Election Commission of India (ECI) to supervise the preparation, revision, and correction of electoral rolls to ensure fair representation.
- It also specifies who is eligible to be registered as a voter: any citizen of India who is not less than 18 years of age on the qualifying date and is ordinarily resident in a constituency.
- At the same time, it disqualifies certain persons from being registered, such as those of unsound mind (declared by a competent court) or those disqualified for corrupt practices or offences related to elections. Importantly, the Act prohibits the inclusion of a person’s name in more than one constituency or multiple times in the same roll.
- Over the years, the RPA 1950 has been amended several times. Notable changes include lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 through the 61st Constitutional Amendment (1988), and provisions for delimitation of constituencies following each Census (though the process is currently frozen until 2026).
- In essence, the RPA 1950 forms the backbone of India’s electoral system, ensuring that representation in legislatures is based on population, fairness, and universal adult suffrage
- The Election Commission (EC) has firmly conveyed to the Supreme Court that decisions regarding the timing and manner of conducting special intensive revisions (SIR) of electoral rolls fall solely within its domain and are not open to judicial intervention.
- This statement was made in response to a petition urging the Court to direct the Commission to hold SIR exercises at fixed intervals across the country to detect and remove foreign nationals allegedly registered as voters.
- According to the EC, whether the revision should be carried out in a summary or an intensive manner depends entirely on prevailing circumstances, and such a determination is its exclusive prerogative.
- The Commission stressed that under the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, it enjoys complete discretion both over the nature of revisions and the timing of these exercises.
- The law does not impose any fixed schedule for such revisions, but authorizes the Commission to order them in any constituency or part thereof “in such manner as it may think fit.”
- The petitioner, Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, had argued that regular SIRs before every general, state, or local body election were essential to ensure the credibility of the electoral process.
- However, the EC rejected the idea of court-mandated revisions, asserting that such directions would intrude upon its exclusive jurisdiction.
- The issue arises in the backdrop of the Bihar SIR exercise, which has been challenged by petitioners, including opposition parties, on grounds that it amounts to “citizenship screening” disguised as voter list revision.
- Reassuring the Court, the EC said it remains fully aware of its legal duty to preserve the integrity of electoral rolls. It confirmed plans for a nationwide SIR with January 1, 2026, as the qualifying date. The Commission noted that on July 5, it had instructed all Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of States and Union Territories to begin pre-revision activities in preparation for this exercise.
- Furthermore, a conference of all CEOs was scheduled for September 10 in New Delhi to strengthen coordination and streamline preparations for the nationwide SIR
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Answer (D)
1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body. 2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections. 3. Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognized political parties. |
Global Mental Health Scenario
- According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over one billion people worldwide are currently living with mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and other related conditions.
- These illnesses are exacting a heavy human and economic burden. Although several countries have strengthened their mental health frameworks and programmes, WHO emphasizes that far greater investments and global action are required to expand services and safeguard mental well-being.
Why Mental Health Matters
- Mental health issues cut across age groups and economic backgrounds. They are the second-largest cause of long-term disability, significantly reducing healthy life years. In addition to affecting individuals and families, these conditions substantially increase healthcare expenses and inflict heavy global economic losses.
- WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has described reforming mental health services as one of the most urgent public health challenges of our time.
Key Global Findings
- Two recent WHO reports — World Mental Health Today and Mental Health Atlas 2024 — reveal both progress and persistent shortcomings in addressing mental health conditions.
- Findings show that women face a disproportionate share of the burden, although anxiety and depression remain the most common disorders across genders. Suicide continues to be a grave concern, taking about 7,27,000 lives in 2021, and ranking as a major cause of death among young people.
- At the current pace, the world is unlikely to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of cutting suicide mortality by one-third by 2030, achieving only around 12% reduction instead.
- Economically, the impact is enormous — depression and anxiety alone cost the global economy nearly $1 trillion annually.
Gaps in Mental Health Systems
- Despite many nations adopting rights-based approaches and creating support systems, these efforts have not always translated into comprehensive legal reforms. Only 45% of countries have mental health laws aligned with international standards.
- Government spending on mental health has also stagnated, averaging just 2% of health budgets worldwide since 2017.
- While high-income countries spend up to $65 per person, low-income nations allocate as little as $0.04. Globally, there are only 13 mental health workers per 100,000 people.
- Progress towards community-based care has been slow — fewer than 10% of countries have fully shifted away from institutionalized care.
- Psychiatric hospitals continue to dominate, with nearly half of admissions being involuntary and over one-fifth lasting more than a year. Primary healthcare integration is improving, with 71% of countries fulfilling at least three of WHO’s five criteria, yet data on service coverage remains sparse. In poorer nations, less than 10% of those in need get treatment, compared to more than 50% in wealthier countries.
India’s Position
- In India, stigma, workforce shortages, and hesitation to seek professional help remain pressing challenges, according to Health Ministry officials. While infrastructure has expanded, the National Tele-Mental Health Programme has grown, and awareness campaigns have increased, the system still faces funding and workforce gaps.
- Anil Bansal of the Delhi Medical Association points out that India’s mental health budget has remained stagnant at around ₹1,000 crore, with ₹1,004 crore allocated in FY 2025–26.
- He further highlights that the country has only about 0.7 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, far below the WHO benchmark of 3 per 100,000.
- Effective funding for community-based programmes and optimal utilization of available resources remain major concerns
1.With reference to the World Health Organization (WHO), consider the following statements:
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WHO was established as a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
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The Director-General of WHO is appointed by the World Health Assembly.
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WHO publishes the annual World Development Report to assess global health and development trends.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
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Answer (A)
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Centre reopens PLI scheme for white goods till Oct. 14, cites market growth
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international Significance
For Mains Examination: GS II - Governance
Context:
The Union government has reopened the application window for the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for white goods, it said on Sunday, citing market growth and growing industry confidence following the success of earlier rounds of the scheme
Read about:
Production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme
Light Emitting Diode (LED)
Key takeaways:
- A Light Emitting Diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that emits light when an electric current passes through it. Unlike a traditional incandescent bulb, which produces light by heating a filament until it glows, an LED works on the principle of electroluminescence.
- This means that when electrons in the semiconductor recombine with holes (the absence of electrons), energy is released in the form of photons, which we see as light.
- The color of light produced by an LED depends on the type of semiconductor material and the energy band gap of that material. For example, different compounds of gallium, arsenic, or phosphorus are used to produce red, green, blue, or white light.
- White LEDs are usually created either by combining multiple colors (such as red, green, and blue) or by coating a blue LED with a phosphor material that converts part of the blue light into other wavelengths, producing white light.
- LEDs are highly efficient compared to conventional lighting sources. They use much less electricity, generate very little heat, and have a long lifespan, often lasting tens of thousands of hours.
- This makes them suitable for a wide range of applications, from indicator lights in electronic devices to large-scale lighting systems for homes, streets, and industries. Moreover, because they can be made very small, LEDs are also widely used in displays, medical devices, and even optical communication systems
Production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme
- The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme is a flagship initiative of the Government of India designed to boost domestic manufacturing, attract investment, and reduce dependence on imports. It was first announced in 2020 as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self-Reliant India Mission) and is administered by various ministries depending on the sector.
- The basic idea of the scheme is to offer financial incentives to companies based on the incremental sales of goods manufactured in India over a base year. This means that the more a company produces and sells from its Indian facilities, the higher the incentive it receives.
- The incentives are usually offered as a percentage of the incremental revenue, for a fixed number of years, encouraging firms to expand capacity and scale up production.
- The PLI scheme initially focused on three sectors — mobile and electronics manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices — but it has since expanded to cover 14 sectors, including automobiles and auto components, advanced chemistry cell batteries, textiles, white goods (like air conditioners and LEDs), food processing, solar PV modules, drones, and telecom equipment.
- The objectives behind the scheme are multifold. It aims to strengthen India’s position in global supply chains, create large-scale employment opportunities, enhance export competitiveness, and promote domestic value addition.
- By incentivizing large-scale manufacturing, the government also expects to reduce the import bill, especially in strategic sectors like electronics, renewable energy, and pharmaceuticals.
- One of the important features of the scheme is that it is performance-linked rather than input-linked. Instead of subsidizing raw materials or capital expenditure, the government rewards actual production and sales, making it outcome-driven and reducing chances of misuse.
- Overall, the PLI scheme is seen as a critical step toward transforming India into a global manufacturing hub, supporting the Make in India initiative, and helping the country achieve its $5 trillion economy goal
Additional Information
- The Union government has announced the reopening of applications for the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for white goods, highlighting industry confidence and market expansion as key reasons for the move.
- According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the window has been reopened to accommodate the industry’s growing interest in investing under the scheme.
- This renewed appetite has been driven by the success of domestic manufacturing of key components for air conditioners (ACs) and LED lights under earlier phases of the programme.
- The application period will run from September 15 to October 14, and both new participants as well as existing beneficiaries who wish to expand their investments will be allowed to apply, provided they meet the scheme’s guidelines.
- So far, the ministry has approved 83 applicants with committed investments worth ₹10,406 crore. These investments are expected to boost local manufacturing of AC and LED light components across the entire value chain, including parts that are currently not produced in adequate quantities within India.
- The Cabinet had cleared the PLI scheme for white goods in April 2021, aimed at supporting the production of components and sub-assemblies for ACs and LED lights.
- The scheme is scheduled to be implemented over a seven-year period from FY 2021-22 to FY 2028-29, with a financial outlay of ₹6,238 crore
1.Consider, the following statements : (UPSC 2023)
Statement-I : India accounts for 3.2% of global export of goods.
Statement-II : Many local companies and some foreign companies operating in India have taken advantage of India's ‘Production-linked Incentive’ scheme.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
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Answer (b)
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The Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement is a tripartite ceasefire arrangement aimed at paving the way for political dialogue. First signed in 2008, it brought together the Union government, the Manipur state government, and two umbrella bodies of Kuki-Zomi insurgent groups — the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF), which collectively represent 24 outfits.
Recently, the SoO pact with groups under KNO and UPF was renewed under revised terms. Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his maiden visit to Manipur since the outbreak of ethnic conflict in May 2023, underscored the message that peace is essential for development. He laid foundation stones for projects worth ₹4,300 crore in Churachandpur and inaugurated initiatives worth ₹1,200 crore in Imphal.
The Prime Minister also addressed the issue of displacement, acknowledging that more than 58,000 people remain in relief camps. In Imphal, he highlighted the launch of the ₹3,600 crore Manipur Urban Road Project and the ₹500 crore Infotech Development Project, while in Churachandpur he emphasized tribal development and strengthening local governance.
During his addresses in both Churachandpur (hill district dominated by Kuki-Zo tribes) and Imphal (valley, largely Meitei population), Modi struck a consistent note: peace as a prerequisite for progress, reconciliation between hills and valley communities, empowerment of women and youth, and infrastructure as a unifying tool.
Six major takeaways from the PM’s speeches:
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Peace as foundation for progress: Modi described violence as a betrayal of both Manipur’s ancestors and its future generations, urging for a “new dawn of hope” in the state.
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Rehabilitation of the displaced: After visiting relief camps in Churachandpur, he promised 7,000 new houses, a ₹3,000-crore special package, and ₹500 crore for immediate relief measures.
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Strengthening local governance: Responding to longstanding demands from hill districts, he assured steps to bolster local bodies with adequate financial support, stressing that development of tribal communities remains a national priority. The demand for stronger Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) has long been rooted in the perception of neglect under a Meitei-centric administration.
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Massive infrastructure push: The Prime Minister presented infrastructure as a bridge for unity. He pointed to ₹3,700 crore already invested in highways, ₹8,700 crore sanctioned for new works, and ₹22,000 crore allocated for the Jiribam–Imphal rail link. Additionally, he launched big-ticket projects like the Urban Road Project and Infotech Development Project in Imphal.
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Women empowerment: Citing Manipur’s unique women-led market system, especially the Ima Keithel markets, Modi called women the driving force of India’s growth and Atmanirbhar Bharat. He announced four new women-run markets and working women’s hostels.
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Youth, sports, and integration: Linking Manipur’s historical role in the freedom struggle to its present sporting achievements, he described the state’s youth as a bridge between past and future. Stressing that “without Manipur, India’s sports story is incomplete,” he highlighted initiatives like the National Sports University, an Olympic Park, and polo facilities
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Answer (B)
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