1. Technology and the Judiciary: Enhancing Access to Justice
Context:
The Chief Justice of India (CJI) emphasized that while technology can augment judicial efficiency, it must be anchored in constitutional values. The human aspects—discretion, empathy, and conscience—are irreplaceable in delivering justice.
Relevance:
- GS Paper 2: Judiciary, e-Governance
- GS Paper 4: Ethics – AI, fairness, justice
- Essay: Role of Technology in Democracy
Key Applications of Technology in Judiciary:
- Automated Case Management: AI-driven scheduling, prioritization, backlog reduction.
- Predictive Analysis: Data analytics to forecast outcomes based on historical judgments.
- OCR and NLP: Faster processing of legal documents through digitization and language models.
- Blockchain: Secure and tamper-proof maintenance of judicial records.
- AI Chatbots: Real-time legal assistance and procedural guidance to litigants.
Key Government Initiatives:
- National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG): Consolidated data on case pendency across courts.
- Case Information System (CIS): Open-source software for case tracking.
- eCourts Project:
- Phase I (2011–15): Court computerization
- Phase II (2015–23): High Court-led expansion
- Phase III (2023–24): ₹7000 crore allocated for digitization and AI integration
Challenges:
- Bias and Opacity: AI may reinforce systemic prejudices in judicial decisions.
- Data Security: Sensitive legal data prone to breaches.
- Legitimacy Issues: Difficulty verifying identities of digital witnesses.
- Digital Divide: Poor rural connectivity affects equitable access to justice.
Mains Linkage:
“Technology is an enabler, not a replacement for human conscience in justice delivery.” Examine the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI and digital tools into India’s judiciary.
2. Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI): A Geoengineering Debate
Context:
A study explored the feasibility of Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI)—a solar radiation management (SRM) technique—to cool the planet using existing aircraft.
Relevance:
- GS Paper 3: Climate Change, Environment
- Essay: Technology and Ethics in Climate Response
- Prelims: Climate mitigation technologies
Geoengineering Overview:
Geoengineering is large-scale human intervention in Earth’s climate system. Two major types:
- Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR): Direct air capture, afforestation, biochar
- Solar Radiation Management (SRM): Reducing incoming solar radiation
What is SAI?
- Involves injecting sulfur dioxide (SO₂) into the stratosphere.
- Mimics volcanic eruptions (e.g., Mt. Pinatubo, 1991) by forming sunlight-reflecting aerosols.
- Reduces global surface temperatures temporarily.
Other SRM Techniques:
- Marine Cloud Brightening
- Cirrus Cloud Thinning
- Surface Albedo Enhancement
- Space-based Reflectors
Benefits vs Challenges:
Fast and cost-effective
Temporary prevention of regional disasters (e.g. heatwaves)
May reduce focus on carbon emission cuts
Transboundary and ethical concerns
Insufficient research on long-term effects
Mains Linkage:
“SAI offers a technological quick fix to climate change but raises serious governance and ethical dilemmas.” Critically evaluate.
3. India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC): A Strategic Infrastructure Vision
Context:
India proposed the creation of an IMEC Fund and a dedicated Secretariat to ensure timely implementation and coordination.
Relevance:
- GS Paper 2: International Relations
- GS Paper 3: Infrastructure, Economic Growth
- Prelims: Map-based questions on corridors
About IMEC:
- Launched at G20 2023 in New Delhi.
- Members: India, EU, US, Saudi Arabia, UAE, France, Germany, Italy.
- Corridors:
- East Corridor: India ↔ Arabian Gulf
- Northern Corridor: Arabian Gulf ↔ Europe
Strategic Importance:
- Reduces transportation time (by 40%) and cost (by 30%)
- Counters China’s Belt and Road Initiative
- Diversifies trade away from choke points (e.g. Suez Canal, Hormuz Strait)
- Supports India’s vision of becoming a $30 trillion economy by 2047
Multi-Modal Vision:
Not just a trade route—includes energy grids, digital infrastructure, and logistics integration (e.g. India-Myanmar-Thailand Highway).
Mains Linkage:
“IMEC is more than a connectivity project; it is a geopolitical statement.” Examine its significance for India in the changing global order.
4. Rising Heat Risk in India: Findings from CEEW Study
Context:
The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) published a study assessing district-level heat risk in India.
Relevance:
- GS Paper 3: Disaster Management, Climate Change
- GS Paper 1: Geography – Urbanization
- Essay/Interview: Resilience, Sustainable Development
Key Concepts:
- Heatwave: 2+ days of extreme heat (region-specific thresholds).
- Heat Stress: Body cannot maintain safe temperature levels.
- Heat Risk: Risk = Intensity + Exposure + Vulnerability
Major Findings:
- Rise in Warm Nights: Heat stress continues overnight; recovery limited.
- Humidity Rise in North India: Reduces body’s cooling via sweat.
- Urban Heat Islands: Cities like Delhi, Mumbai suffer due to dense concrete, less greenery.
- High-risk Districts: Over 50% districts face severe exposure.
Policy Recommendations:
- Develop a national Heat Action Plan (HAP) repository
- Utilize State Disaster Mitigation Funds (SDMF) for heat risk
- Declare heatwaves as state-specific disasters
- Include vulnerable groups in planning (elderly, outdoor workers)
Mains Linkage:
“Heatwaves are no longer episodic events but represent chronic climate stress. Suggest strategic approaches to build India’s heat resilience.”
5. Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA): Nine Years of Maternal Health Progress
Context:
PMSMA, launched in 2016, completed 9 years with a significant decline in India’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR).
Relevance:
- GS Paper 2: Welfare Schemes, Health
- GS Paper 1: Issues related to Women & Children
- Essay: Health & Development
Core Objectives:
- Provide free antenatal care (ANC) to pregnant women in 2nd & 3rd trimester.
- Conducted on the 9th of every month at public health facilities.
- Services Offered:
- Check-ups by OB-GYNs, radiologists, physicians (including private doctors)
- Free tests (including ultrasound), Iron-Folic Acid, calcium
- Identification of High-Risk Pregnancies using red stickers
Achievements:
- 6+ crore women screened
- MMR reduced from 130 → 80 (per lakh live births between 2014–23)
- Supports: JSY, PMMVY, POSHAN Abhiyaan
Extended PMSMA (E-PMSMA), 2022:
- Additional sessions (up to 4/month) for high-risk pregnancies
- Digital tracking of mother & child till 45 days after delivery
- SMS alerts for timely intervention
Mains Linkage:
“Timely antenatal care can prevent maternal and neonatal deaths.” Critically examine the impact of PMSMA in India’s public health landscape.
6. India’s Global Leadership at ICDRI 2025: Coastal Resilience and SIDS
Context:
India led global discussions at the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI) 2025, held in Nice, France.
Relevance:
- GS Paper 2: India and International Organizations
- GS Paper 3: Infrastructure, Disaster Management
- Essay: Sustainable Infrastructure
India’s Five Global Priorities:
- Integrate disaster resilience in education
- Build a global digital repository for infrastructure data
- Promote innovative finance for vulnerable nations
- Advocate for SIDS as Large Ocean Countries
- Strengthen multi-hazard early warning systems
“Call to Action” for SIDS:
- 100% early warning coverage by 2030
- Resilience units in finance ministries
- Global Data Hub 2.0
- One-stop accreditation for climate finance
About ICDRI & CDRI:
- ICDRI is the flagship conference of Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
- CDRI aims to mobilize $10 trillion investment by 2050 for infrastructure resilience.
Mains Linkage:
“As climate risks escalate, India’s role in global disaster-resilient infrastructure is becoming pivotal.” Discuss in the context of ICDRI 2025.