INTEGRATED MAINS AND PRELIMS MENTORSHIP (IMPM) 2025 Daily KEY
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Election of Vice President of India and Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) and its significance for the UPSC Exam? Why are topics like Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), Outsourced semiconductor assembly and testing (OSAT) , Adverse Effects of Social Media, PM SVANidhi important for both preliminary and main exams? Discover more insights in the UPSC Exam Notes for September 10, 2025 |
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The Vice-President of India is chosen by an electoral college consisting of members from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, including nominated members. Unlike the Presidential election, state legislatures do not have a role in this process.
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The election takes place in Parliament House, New Delhi, through a secret ballot. It follows the proportional representation system using a single transferable vote (STV). Each MP assigns preferences to candidates, with all votes carrying the same value.
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To win, a candidate must secure a minimum threshold of votes known as the quota, which is calculated as: (total valid votes ÷ 2) + 1. If no one achieves this in the first round, the candidate with the fewest first-preference votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed according to the next preferences. This continues until a candidate crosses the quota.
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Eligibility for contesting the Vice-President’s office requires the person to be an Indian citizen, at least 35 years old, qualified to become a Rajya Sabha member, and enrolled as a voter in any parliamentary constituency. They cannot hold an office of profit under the Union or State governments, except for posts such as President, Governor, or Minister.
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In the recent election, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) led by Naveen Patnaik and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) under K. Chandrashekar Rao announced that their MPs would abstain from voting.
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The two main contenders were C.P. Radhakrishnan, the Governor of Maharashtra, and Justice Sudershan Reddy, a retired Supreme Court judge. The election became necessary after Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned unexpectedly on July 21, the first day of the monsoon session, citing health reasons.
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At present, the electoral college for the Vice-President’s election consists of 781 MPs — 239 from the Rajya Sabha and 542 from the Lok Sabha
- The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha are not the members of that House.
- While the nominated members of the two Houses of the Parliament have no voting right in the presidential election, they have the right to vote in the election of the Vice President.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer (b)
Statement 1: The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha are not the members of that House.
Statement 2: While the nominated members of the two Houses of Parliament have no voting right in the presidential election, they have the right to vote in the election of the Vice President.
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- Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) are overseas investors who invest in a country’s financial assets such as shares, bonds, and other securities, but without taking direct control over the companies they are investing in.
- Think of it as international investors buying into the Indian stock market or debt market with the intention of earning returns, rather than managing or owning the business itself.
- In India, FPIs include entities like foreign institutional investors (FIIs), qualified foreign investors (QFIs), and other types of funds or institutions that are registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
- Their investments are typically short- to medium-term, and they can easily enter or exit the market depending on economic conditions, interest rates, or global financial trends. This is why FPI flows are often referred to as “hot money” — they move quickly and can impact the stock market and currency stability.
- For example, if FPIs invest heavily in Indian stocks, it boosts liquidity and market confidence, often pushing stock prices higher. On the other hand, if they withdraw funds suddenly due to global uncertainty, it can cause sharp market declines and put pressure on the Indian rupee.
- In short, FPIs play a significant role in providing capital, increasing liquidity, and integrating India’s financial markets
Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) are both forms of foreign capital inflow, but they differ in intent, nature, and impact.
👉 FPI is when foreign investors buy financial assets like shares, bonds, or other market instruments in another country without seeking control over the business. It’s essentially a short-term financial investment, often motivated by quick returns. FPIs can enter and exit markets rapidly, making them highly volatile. For example, when foreign investors buy shares in Indian companies through the stock market, that counts as FPI.
👉 FDI, on the other hand, involves long-term investment in the productive capacity of a country. Here, a foreign company or individual invests directly in building a factory, setting up a business, or acquiring significant ownership (usually more than 10%) in an existing company. Unlike FPI, FDI brings not just capital but also technology, expertise, jobs, and management control. For instance, if Toyota sets up a manufacturing plant in India, or Walmart buys a majority stake in Flipkart, that is FDI.
Key difference in essence:
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FPI = investment in markets (securities) → quick, mobile, volatile.
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FDI = investment in businesses (ownership + control) → stable, long-term, developmental.
👉 A simple analogy:
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FPI is like renting a hotel room — you enjoy the stay, can leave anytime, and don’t own the property.
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FDI is like buying a house — you invest heavily, take responsibility, and stay for the long run
1.Which of the following is issued by registered foreign portfolio investors to overseas investors who want to be part of the Indian stock market without registering themselves directly? (UPSC CSE 2019)
(a) Certificate of Deposit
(b) Commercial Paper
(c) Promissory Note
(d) Participatory Note
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Answer (d)
Participatory Notes (P-notes) are financial instruments issued by registered Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) to overseas investors who wish to invest in Indian stock markets without directly registering with SEBI. They are essentially offshore derivative instruments, linked to Indian securities. For example, if an FPI buys shares of Infosys in India, it can issue a P-note to an overseas investor. That overseas investor will gain the benefits (returns) from Infosys’ shares without directly owning them in India. This route is often used by investors who want to save time and avoid the regulatory process of registration, though SEBI keeps a close watch on P-notes due to concerns about transparency and misuse |
Antibiotics, AMR and Mental Health: An Overlooked Connection
A Hidden Challenge
- As India gradually strengthens its mental health awareness, another silent threat undermines this progress — the unchecked use of antibiotics.
- While antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is widely recognised as a major public health concern, its consequences for mental well-being remain underexplored.
- At the heart of this lies the gut-brain axis, a complex communication system between the digestive tract and the brain.
Antibiotic Overuse in India
- India ranks among the world’s highest consumers of antibiotics. Easy over-the-counter availability, self-medication, and low public awareness have normalised their misuse.
- The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation estimates that AMR caused nearly 2.67 lakh deaths in India in 2021, with projections rising to 1.2 million by 2030 if current patterns persist.
- A 2022 study in The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia reported that almost half of the antibiotics used in India were unapproved combinations, worsening resistance. Beyond fuelling AMR, such misuse disrupts gut microbiota, a key factor for mental health.
Gut and Mental Well-being
- The human gut hosts trillions of microbes that influence neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine — regulators of mood, sleep, and stress. When antibiotics disturb this microbial balance, it can affect brain function, potentially leading to psychiatric issues.
- Research by institutions like NIMHANS and AIIMS has begun examining the role of gut imbalance in mental disorders. Though still evolving, evidence suggests a strong link, highlighting the need for early interventions.
- The gut microbiome, often called the “second brain,” interacts with the nervous system through short-chain fatty acids, immune modulation, and vagus nerve signalling, thereby influencing mood and behaviour.
Emerging Therapies: Psychobiotics
- The field of psychobiotics — probiotics and prebiotics that support mental health — is showing promise. A 2020 Frontiers in Psychiatry meta-analysis found that probiotics significantly reduced depressive symptoms, especially in mild to moderate cases.
- This indicates the potential for gut-targeted therapies to complement psychiatric care in India, where mental health resources remain limited.
Gaps in Awareness and Systemic Issues
- Most Indians remain unaware of the gut-brain link and the dangers of antibiotic misuse. The tendency to seek quick pharmaceutical fixes over lifestyle changes further entrenches this problem.
- Rural and semi-urban regions, where healthcare is fragmented and regulation weak, face particular risks as antibiotics are often dispensed without prescriptions.
- Additionally, economic incentives drive over-prescription. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics to meet patient expectations, while unregulated pharmacies sell them freely, deepening the AMR crisis.
Mental Health Impacts of Dysbiosis
- Gut imbalance contributes to inflammation, linked to major depressive disorder. Elevated cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-alpha cross into the brain, disrupting neurotransmitters and plasticity. Gut-derived metabolites such as butyrate and propionate also influence brain gene expression and stress regulation.
Towards Solutions
- This crisis demands a shift in understanding mental illness — not only as a brain disorder but also as a systemic condition connected to gut health. A multidisciplinary approach involving psychiatry, gastroenterology, nutrition, and public health is needed.
- India’s culinary heritage, rich in fermented foods like curd, idli, dosa, and pickles, already offers natural probiotics that support microbial health. Public health campaigns under the National Health Mission and Ayushman Bharat can integrate gut-brain awareness, while school curricula can introduce microbiome science to the next generation.
- Regulatory action is equally vital. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) must tighten antibiotic sale regulations, enforce prescription-only access, and penalise violations.
- Surveillance networks such as INSAR should be expanded and linked with mental health indicators to inform better policies. Investing in India-specific microbiome research will further enable targeted therapies
1.Which of the following are the reasons for the occurrence of multi-drug resistance in microbial pathogens in India? ( UPSC CSE 2019)
- Genetic predisposition of some people
- Taking incorrect doses of antibiotics to cure diseases
- Using antibiotics in livestock farming
- Multiple chronic diseases in some people
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 2, 3 and 4
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Answer (b)
👉 So, 2 and 3 only are correct |
- Most of today’s semiconductors take the form of integrated circuits, commonly known as “chips.” These are essentially assemblies of tiny electronic circuits made up of transistors, diodes, capacitors, resistors, and the complex web of interconnections between them.
- Primarily built from silicon, these chips may contain millions or even billions of transistors that function like miniature switches, turning on and off to process different forms of data, including images, sound, and radio signals.
- Semiconductors are the foundation of modern electronics, playing a crucial role in sectors such as communications, computing, healthcare, defense, transportation, clean energy, and many more.
- Their design and production involve highly sophisticated processes, and they provide the essential capability for electronic devices to store, process, and transmit information.
- In 2021, the Government of India launched the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), a strategic program aimed at strengthening domestic semiconductor design and manufacturing capacity.
- The mission also seeks to foster innovation, job creation, and economic growth. It is being implemented under the leadership of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with other agencies.
- During his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that semiconductor chips manufactured in India would be available in markets by the end of 2025.
- Earlier, in February 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the setting up of a semiconductor unit with an investment of ₹7,600 crore. This project is a joint venture involving CG Power and Industrial Solutions, Renesas Electronics America, and Stars Microelectronics (Thailand).
- The first company to receive government approval for financial incentives under the ₹76,000 crore semiconductor program was Micron Technology. However, Micron has begun by building a pilot line, which is much larger in scale compared to CG Semi’s facility, and its initial production is expected by December 2025.
- In addition, the Union Cabinet recently sanctioned the establishment of four new semiconductor assembly and testing plants, with a combined investment of ₹4,594 crore, under the same mission.
- Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has emphasized that the global semiconductor industry will face a shortage of nearly one million skilled professionals by 2033, and India is well-placed to supply this workforce. A key objective of the India Semiconductor Mission, therefore, is also to develop a strong talent base that can meet both domestic and international demand
- The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), launched in 2021, is a flagship initiative of the Government of India aimed at developing a strong semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem within the country.
- It represents a strategic effort to reduce dependence on imports, strengthen national security, and position India as a global hub for electronics manufacturing.
- Semiconductors, often described as the backbone of modern technology, power almost every aspect of daily life, from mobile phones and laptops to medical devices, cars, defense equipment, and clean energy systems.
- Their design and production, however, are highly complex, capital-intensive, and technologically demanding, which makes self-reliance in this sector a national priority.
- The mission operates under the guidance of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and its objectives extend beyond infrastructure creation to include the promotion of innovation, capacity building, employment generation, and the development of a skilled talent pool.
- With a financial outlay of ₹76,000 crore, the mission supports semiconductor fabrication plants, compound semiconductor and display fabs, as well as assembly, testing, marking, and packaging (ATMP) units.
- The government has also encouraged partnerships between Indian companies and global leaders to bring advanced technology, investment, and expertise to the domestic ecosystem.
- A significant development under this initiative is the joint venture between CG Power and Industrial Solutions, Renesas Electronics America, and Stars Microelectronics of Thailand, which was cleared by the Union Cabinet in February 2024 with an investment of ₹7,600 crore.
- At the same time, Micron Technology became the first company to receive approval for government incentives, setting up a large pilot facility expected to commence production by December 2025. More recently, the Cabinet approved the establishment of four semiconductor assembly and testing plants with an investment of ₹4,594 crore, further consolidating India’s commitment to building a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem.
- The mission also addresses the human resource dimension of this industry. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has highlighted that the world could face a shortage of around one million skilled semiconductor professionals by 2033, and India, with its strong base in engineering and IT, can help bridge this gap.
- Developing a robust talent pipeline is therefore a central goal of the ISM, alongside boosting domestic capacity in research, design, and high-value manufacturing.
- In his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the government’s ambition by declaring that semiconductors made in India would be available in the global market by the end of 2025. This timeline underscores the urgency of the initiative and the scale of India’s aspirations to move from being a consumer of semiconductors to becoming a significant producer and exporter.
- In essence, the India Semiconductor Mission is not merely an industrial policy but a strategic national program. It seeks to ensure technological sovereignty, strengthen supply chain resilience, create employment opportunities, and place India at the center of the global semiconductor value chain in the coming decades
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Answer (A)
👉 Therefore, Monolithic IC fabrication is best suited for digital ICs |
- On August 25, 2025, the Supreme Court asked the Union government to draft a framework for regulating social media, noting that many influencers turn free speech into a commercial tool in ways that could hurt the sentiments of vulnerable communities.
- A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi directed that such rules be framed in consultation with the National Broadcasters and Digital Association (NBDA).
- This direction gains importance at a time when India has nearly 491 million active social media users, underlining the delicate balance between safeguarding freedom of expression and protecting personal dignity.
- Under the Constitution, restrictions on free speech can only be imposed on the eight specific grounds listed in Article 19(2) — namely, sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, contempt of court, defamation, and incitement to offences.
- As Jay Vinayak Ojha, research fellow at the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, pointed out, laws already exist to regulate expression on these grounds. Importantly, the Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that the State cannot go beyond these constitutional limits.
- In the landmark Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015) case, the Court struck down Section 66A of the IT Act, 2000, which criminalised vague expressions like “annoyance,” “insult,” or “hatred.” The judgment clarified that even speech that “offends, shocks, or disturbs” is constitutionally protected, and any restriction must meet the reasonableness test under Article 19(2).
- The principle was reaffirmed in Kaushal Kishore v. State of Uttar Pradesh (2023), where a Constitution Bench ruled that the grounds in Article 19(2) are exhaustive and cannot be expanded. The judges stressed that no one can be penalised merely for holding opinions that do not align with constitutional values.
- This judicial position was further highlighted in March 2025, when the Court dismissed a criminal case filed by the Gujarat Police against Congress MP Imran Pratapgadhi, who was accused of inciting disharmony through a poem.
- Justices A.S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan stated that while speech may sometimes unsettle even judges, the judiciary has a duty to zealously protect the fundamental right to free expression under Article 19(1)(a).
- The Court’s approach to commercial speech has also evolved. In Hamdard Dawakhana v. Union of India (1959), the constitutionality of the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, 1954 was challenged by advertisers.
- Although the Court recognised that advertising is a form of speech, it held that once an advertisement is linked to trade or commerce, it falls outside the ambit of free speech, as its purpose is not the exchange of ideas but the promotion of products.
- On the issue of regulation, Mr. Ojha pointed out that digital media already operates under a strong legal framework. The IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, issued under the IT Act, 2000, require platforms to prevent the spread of obscene, pornographic, or harmful content.
- Influencers, too, are subject to general criminal laws and can be held accountable for their online content. However, he cautioned that any additional regulation must be crafted carefully to avoid infringing upon the fundamental right to free speech
Street Vendors in India
- India has an estimated 50–60 lakh street vendors, with the highest numbers found in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad. Most of them are migrant workers, typically putting in 10–12 hours of work each day.
- Anyone without a permanent shop falls under the category of a street vendor. Government data suggests that street vending contributes to around 14% of total non-agricultural urban informal jobs in the country
Legal Framework
- To safeguard their rights and regulate vending in public spaces, the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 was enacted. The Bill was first introduced in the Lok Sabha on September 6, 2012 by Kumari Selja, then Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation.
- The Act defines a street vendor as a person who sells goods of daily use or provides services to the public in a public or private space, either from a temporary stall or by moving around.
- However, implementation has remained uneven. According to NASVI (National Association of Street Vendors of India), except for a few districts in Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, town vending committees—a critical mechanism under the Act—are yet to be set up. Consequently, many vendors still operate without institutional protection
Social Dynamics
- Street vending in the Global South is shaped by gender and caste-class hierarchies. For instance, women run the majority of street food stalls, accounting for 70–80% of them.
- Further, a 2010 survey of street children in Delhi reported about 51,000 children living on the streets. Nearly 70% were surviving independently, of which 36% were Dalits and 17% were Adivasis
Government Scheme & Recent Extension
In 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, the government launched a lending scheme to support street vendors as part of its economic relief package.
On Wednesday, the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended the scheme’s lending period from December 31, 2024, to March 31, 2030, expected to cover 1.15 crore beneficiaries, including 50 lakh new vendors.
As per the revised guidelines:
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The first loan tranche has been raised from ₹10,000 to ₹15,000.
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The second tranche has increased from ₹20,000 to ₹25,000.
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The third tranche remains at ₹50,000.
The scheme is to be jointly implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Department of Financial Services, with an overall allocation of ₹7,332 crore.
By July 30, nearly 96 lakh loans worth ₹13,797 crore had been distributed to 68 lakh vendors. After clearing the first tranche, vendors can move to the second, and subsequently to the third, ensuring a gradual credit ladder.
Follow-Up Question
1.What rights and protections does the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 offer to street vendors? How effective has it been in safeguarding the interests of street vendors?