Foreigners' Tribunals, India-UK FTA, Haridwar Stampede I UPSC News 27 July 2025
Foreigners' Tribunals, India-UK FTA, Haridwar Stampede | UPSC News 27 July 2025
A Motivational Thought for the Day: "The true test of a warrior is not the battle itself, but the discipline of preparing for it day after day. Today is your training ground; make it count."
Table of Contents
🏛️ GS Paper I (Indian Heritage and Culture)
The Enduring Legacy of the Cholas: Commemorating Rajendra Chola I
On July 27, 2025, India commemorated the monumental achievements of one of its greatest emperors, Rajendra Chola I, highlighting the relevance of this golden era to India's contemporary identity and foreign policy. The Prime Minister participated in the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival celebrations at the magnificent Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple. The event marked the 1000th anniversary of Rajendra Chola I's legendary maritime expedition to Southeast Asia and the commencement of the temple's construction.
Historical Significance of Rajendra Chola I (c. 1014–1044 CE):
- Military and Naval Prowess: A brilliant military strategist, he completed the conquest of Sri Lanka and led a remarkable naval expedition around 1025 CE, defeating the formidable Srivijaya kingdom (modern-day Malaysia and Indonesia).
- North-South Integration: He led a successful expedition to North India, reaching the river Ganges, and assumed the title 'Gangaikonda' (the one who conquered the Ganga).
- Patron of Arts: He established a new capital, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and commissioned the spectacular Brihadisvara Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which stands as a testament to the zenith of Dravidian architecture.
Contemporary Relevance: The celebration serves as a powerful connection to modern foreign policy initiatives like the 'Act East' Policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), reminding the world of India's deep, historical trade and cultural linkages with the wider Indo-Pacific region.
⚖️ GS Paper II (Polity, Governance, Social Justice & IR)
The Citizenship Conundrum: Scrutiny of Assam's Foreigners' Tribunals
A comprehensive report by the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) and Queen Mary University of London has concluded that Assam's Foreigners' Tribunals (FTs) have become "routine instruments of exclusion." FTs are quasi-judicial bodies established under the Foreigners Act, 1946, to adjudicate whether a person is a "foreigner." The report highlights institutionalised arbitrariness, executive interference in the appointment and tenure of members, and routine violations of due process, a key component of Article 21 of the Constitution. The burden of proof is often shifted onto the accused, contrary to Supreme Court rulings like Sarbananda Sonowal vs Union of India (2005). The report warns that a potential nationwide National Register of Citizens (NRC) could escalate this regional crisis to a national one.
Electoral Integrity and the Role of the ECI: The Bihar SIR Case
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has defended its decision in the Supreme Court to conduct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Citing its mandate under Article 324, the ECI argued the move was a necessary response to numerous complaints from various political parties about inaccuracies in voter lists, aimed at restoring public confidence. To prove this was a systemic issue and not politically motivated, the ECI submitted a 625-page annexure with complaints from parties like AAP, Congress, and BJP from different states, thereby asserting its role as an impartial guardian of electoral democracy.
Environmental Governance vs. Economic Reality: The Overage Vehicle Ban
The Delhi Government has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the blanket ban on diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in the National Capital Region (NCR). The ban, originating from a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order in 2014 and upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018, was aimed at curbing vehicular pollution. The government argues that age is a crude proxy for pollution and advocates for a scientific, performance-based system based on emission levels. This legal challenge highlights the complex conflict between environmental goals and the socio-economic impact on citizens, especially those from lower-income groups.
Strengthening Access to Justice: NALSA's 'Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana'
On Kargil Vijay Diwas, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) launched the 'Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana' in Srinagar. This scheme is designed to provide free legal aid to serving defense personnel, veterans, and their families, fulfilling the mandate of Article 39A of the Constitution. Its most innovative feature is a community-centric delivery model that enlists ex-servicemen as 'nyay mitras' (legal volunteers), leveraging their understanding of the community to ensure last-mile delivery of justice and build an ecosystem of trust.
'Neighbourhood First' in Action: Resetting India-Maldives Ties 🇮🇳🇲🇻
Prime Minister Modi's visit to the Maldives marks a successful reset of bilateral relations, previously strained by the 'India Out' campaign of President Mohamed Muizzu's administration. India announced a substantial USD 565 million line of credit, agreed to reduce the Maldives' debt repayment by 40%, and commenced negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This diplomatic engagement reinforces India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and serves as a strategic counter to China's growing influence in the Indian Ocean Region, showcasing a blend of development partnership and security cooperation.
India's Trade Diplomacy: Navigating FTAs with the UK and US
India is pursuing a 'dual-track' trade strategy. The recently signed India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is hailed as a "gold standard" deal, offering 99% duty-free access for Indian exports and reducing tariffs on UK cars and whisky. In contrast, negotiations with the US for a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) are complex and urgent, driven by a need to avert steep tariffs. Sticking points include US demands for market access in India's agriculture and dairy sectors, which remain "red lines" for India.
Regional Stability in Southeast Asia: The Thailand-Cambodia Border Clash
Armed clashes have escalated between Thailand and Cambodia along their disputed border, a conflict rooted in colonial-era maps and centered on the Preah Vihear Temple. In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded the temple to Cambodia, but disputes over surrounding land persist. This conflict undermines regional stability and tests the effectiveness of ASEAN's conflict resolution mechanism, which is constrained by its principle of non-interference. For India, this instability poses a challenge to its 'Act East' Policy, which relies on a peaceful and stable Southeast Asia.
📈 GS Paper III (Economy, Environment, S&T, Security)
Infrastructure as a Growth Engine: Development Push in Tamil Nadu
The Prime Minister unveiled development projects worth over ₹4800 crore in southern Tamil Nadu, showcasing an integrated infrastructure strategy. Key projects include a new terminal at Tuticorin Airport, multiple rail and road projects, expansion of the V.O. Chidambaranar Port, and the foundation for a power transmission system for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. These initiatives align with national blueprints like the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and the Sagarmala Programme, aiming to create a synergistic effect that unlocks the region's economic potential.
Decoding India's Economic Recovery: The 'K-Shaped' Conundrum
The debate over a 'K-shaped recovery' in India has intensified, symbolizing an uneven economic rebound. A K-shaped recovery describes a phenomenon where different parts of the economy recover at starkly different rates. Evidence includes divergent consumption patterns, such as strong sales of premium SUVs while entry-level car sales lag. This suggests that while large corporations and high-income groups are thriving (the upper arm of the 'K'), the informal sector, MSMEs, and lower-income groups are stagnating or struggling (the lower arm). The government refutes this narrative, pointing to broad-based growth and welfare schemes.
The Global Freshwater Emergency: A Planetary Wake-Up Call 💧
A landmark study in Science Advances reveals that unsustainable groundwater depletion is now contributing more to global sea-level rise than the melting of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets combined. The research identifies four continental-scale "mega-drying" regions, including a Pan-Eurasian belt stretching to Northwest India. This reframes India's water crisis, typically seen as a domestic issue, as a matter of global responsibility. The findings add urgency to the effective implementation of India's National Water Mission and other conservation efforts like the Jal Shakti Abhiyan.
A Man-Made Disaster: The Haridwar Temple Stampede
A stampede at the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, killed at least six people. The incident was reportedly triggered by a snapped high-voltage electric wire on a crowded pathway. This tragedy highlights systemic failures in crowd management and a persistent 'implementation gap' between the comprehensive guidelines issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and their on-ground enforcement at pilgrimage sites. It underscores the need for proactive safety audits and strict accountability to prevent such predictable, man-made disasters.
Biodiversity in the Spotlight: Discovery of Amolops shillong
Scientists have discovered a new species of cascade-dwelling frog, named Amolops shillong, in fragmented urban forest patches of Shillong, Meghalaya. This "cryptic" species, distinguished through genetic analysis, is an excellent indicator of a healthy freshwater ecosystem. The discovery in an urban area serves as an "ecological wake-up call," highlighting the importance of conserving urban biodiversity and integrating natural microhabitats into city planning.
India's Evolving National Security Doctrine: Key Takeaways from the NSS Conference
The concluding address at the 8th National Security Strategies (NSS) Conference outlined India's shift towards an integrated, technology-driven security doctrine. Key directives include dismantling inter-agency silos, adopting a proactive "security-first" mindset, and leveraging national databases like NATGRID. The doctrine emphasizes a 360-degree approach, viewing development schemes as tools against extremism and financial irregularities as indicators of terror financing, framing national security as an essential enabler of India's global ambitions.
🎯 Prelims Corner
- Haridwar Stampede: Occurred at Mansa Devi temple, Haridwar, triggered by a snapped high-voltage wire.
- Foreigners' Tribunals (FTs): Quasi-judicial bodies under the Foreigners Act, 1946, in Assam. A recent report alleges they are "instruments of exclusion."
- Rajendra Chola I: The 1000th anniversary of his maritime expedition defeating the Srivijaya kingdom was commemorated. He built the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple.
- Overage Vehicle Ban: The ban on 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles in Delhi-NCR, ordered by the NGT in 2014, is being challenged by the Delhi Govt.
- India-Maldives Relations: India announced a USD 565 million line of credit and started FTA negotiations.
- Global Freshwater Crisis: A study found that groundwater depletion is now the largest terrestrial contributor to sea-level rise.
- Amolops shillong: A new species of cascade frog discovered in urban forests in Shillong, Meghalaya.
- NALSA Scheme: The 'Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana' was launched to provide legal aid to defense families using ex-servicemen as nyay mitras.
- Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant: Located in Tamil Nadu. An Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) is being built to evacuate power from Units 3 & 4.
✍️ Mains Practice Question
Question: The recent report on Assam's Foreigners' Tribunals highlights a crisis in citizenship adjudication, while the Delhi Government's challenge to the overage vehicle ban points to a conflict in environmental governance. In light of these events, critically analyze the challenges faced by quasi-judicial bodies (like NGT and FTs) and executive agencies in balancing constitutional rights, developmental needs, and national priorities. (250 words, 15 marks)
📝 Daily Quiz
Q1. The recent deadly stampede in Uttarakhand occurred at which temple?
A. Kedarnath Temple
B. Badrinath Temple
C. ✅ Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar
D. Yamunotri Temple
Answer: C. Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar
Q2. The NLSIU and Queen Mary University of London report critically examined the functioning of which quasi-judicial bodies?
A. National Company Law Tribunals
B. Central Administrative Tribunals
C. National Green Tribunal
D. ✅ Foreigners' Tribunals in Assam
Answer: D. Foreigners' Tribunals in Assam
Q3. The Government of India commemorated the 1000th anniversary of the maritime expedition of which historical ruler?
A. Ashoka the Great
B. Chandragupta Maurya
C. ✅ Rajendra Chola I
D. Krishnadevaraya
Answer: C. Rajendra Chola I
Q4. According to a recent study in Science Advances, what is now the largest terrestrial contributor to sea-level rise?
A. Melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet
B. Melting of the Antarctic Ice Sheet
C. ✅ Depletion of global groundwater
D. Melting of Himalayan glaciers
Answer: C. Depletion of global groundwater
Q5. The 'Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana' was launched by which authority to provide legal aid to defense personnel?
A. Ministry of Defence
B. Bar Council of India
C. National Human Rights Commission
D. ✅ National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)
Answer: D. National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)
🧠 Revision Flashcards
Sources: This analysis is compiled from publicly available information from The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB, and PRS India.
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