Current Affairs 19 March 2025

Content:

1. EC relents, to hear pleas to upload booth-wise turnout
2. Supreme Court to see if Lokpal has powers over judges
3. What factors influence women’s political participation?
4. EC sets ball rolling on linking voter ID cards with Aadhaar
5. India takes 24th spot in free speech survey
6. Chandrayaan-3 data says water ice easier to find on moon than believed

EC relents, to hear pleas to upload booth-wise turnout

Background

• The Supreme Court directed the Election Commission (EC) to consider a plea for uploading authenticated, booth-wise voter turnout data.
• The demand is for scanned, legible copies of Form 17C (account of votes recorded) to be uploaded after each phase of polling.

Relevance : GS 2(Election Reforms ,Judiciary )

Election Commission’s Earlier Position

• In May 2024, the EC had refused to publicly disclose turnout data, citing no legal mandate.
• The EC maintained that such data was only for candidates and polling agents.
• This position was upheld under the previous Chief Election Commissioner but seems to be changing under the new CEC, Gyanesh Kumar.

Significance of Form 17C

• Form 17C records the votes polled at each booth and is crucial for transparency.
• Uploading scanned copies could ensure greater electoral integrity and reduce concerns over discrepancies.

Potential Implications

• Transparency & Trust: Could enhance public confidence in electoral processes.
• Legal & Policy Reforms: May lead to changes in election regulations regarding data disclosure.
• Political Reactions: Different parties may interpret the move based on their interests and concerns about electoral fairness.

Way Forward

• The EC’s decision post-hearing will be critical in shaping the discourse on electoral transparency.
• If the plea is accepted, it may set a precedent for future elections.
• If rejected, the petitioners may explore legal alternatives or push for legislative changes.

Supreme Court to see if Lokpal has powers over judges

Background

• The Supreme Court has decided to assess whether judges of constitutional courts (High Courts and Supreme Court) fall under the jurisdiction of Lokpal.
• The case was taken up suo motu after the Lokpal issued an order on January 27, 2024, claiming authority to investigate complaints against serving High Court judges.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance, Judiciary)

Key Legal Issues

• Definition of Public Functionary: Lokpal Act, 2013, covers the Prime Minister, Union Ministers, MPs, and central government officials, but its applicability to judges is unclear.
• Judicial Independence vs. Accountability: The examination will weigh the need for judicial independence against transparency and accountability.
• Separation of Powers: The judiciary is an independent organ under the Constitution. The case will test whether external oversight by Lokpal violates this principle.

Supreme Court’s Position

• A Bench led by Justice B.R. Gavai will conduct a detailed examination of the issue.
• Justice Gavai acknowledged that the court will “consider the issue of the jurisdiction of the Lokpal.”

Lokpal’s Interpretation

• Lokpal classified High Court judges as public servants under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
• It equated them with Ministers and government officials, asserting that complaints against them fall within its purview.

Potential Implications

1. Impact on Judicial Independence
   1. If Lokpal gains jurisdiction, judges could be investigated by an external body, potentially affecting their autonomy.
   1. This may raise concerns about executive influence over the judiciary.

• Enhancing Judicial Accountability
  • If upheld, this could set a precedent for greater scrutiny of judicial conduct.
  • It could strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms in higher judiciary.

• Possible Constitutional Challenge
  • The Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 and Articles 124 & 217 provide specific mechanisms for judicial discipline.
  • Any overlap with Lokpal’s jurisdiction may lead to a constitutional conflict.

Way Forward

• The Supreme Court’s ruling will have far-reaching consequences on judicial oversight.
• If judges are brought under Lokpal’s jurisdiction, it could necessitate legislative changes.
• The final decision will likely shape future debates on judicial accountability and the scope of Lokpal’s authority.

What factors influence women’s political participation?

Context : Increasing Women’s Voter Turnout

• Women’s political participation in India has improved, but their role beyond voting remains limited.
• Unlike Western democracies, where the gender gap in political engagement narrowed in the 1990s, India saw this shift only in the 2010s.
• A significant increase in women’s voter turnout has been observed in recent elections, attributed to targeted welfare policies and efforts by the Election Commission.

Relevance : GS 2(Social Issues ,Elections )

Role of Welfare Schemes in Shaping Women’s Voting Behavior

• Political parties view women voters as a distinct constituency, often framing them as passive beneficiaries rather than active political agents.
• Welfare schemes such as Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ladli Behna Yojana, and Ladli Laxmi Yojana have played a crucial role in influencing voting patterns.
• However, high voter turnout among women does not necessarily translate into real political empowerment or independent political agency.

Women’s Political Participation Beyond Voting

• Women’s involvement in political activities beyond voting—such as participation in rallies, campaigns, and political discussions—remains lower than that of men.
• Only 14% of women report seeking advice from their spouses for voting decisions, showing some degree of independence, but this is still significantly higher than men.
• Social norms and structural barriers continue to limit women’s engagement in political processes.

Factors Influencing Women’s Increased Voter Turnout

• Self-empowerment hypothesis suggests that rising literacy and employment opportunities have encouraged women to vote independently.
• However, contradictions exist:
  • Female workforce participation remains low, weakening the argument that economic independence is the primary driver.
  • Women’s voter registration still lags behind men’s, despite Election Commission efforts.
• Male migration (especially in economically weaker states) has resulted in higher female voter turnout, as more women are left to vote independently.

Intersectionality: Caste, Class, and Regional Variations

• Women’s voting behavior is shaped by caste, class, and regional identities, not just gender.
• State-specific political contexts play a crucial role:
  • In Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal, regional political movements shape women’s voting preferences rather than a unified national gender-based trend.
  • Women from marginalized communities may prioritize caste and economic concerns over gender solidarity when voting.

Key Takeaways

• Women’s voter turnout has increased significantly, but deeper political engagement remains limited.
• Women’s political preferences are not solely based on gender but are shaped by caste, class, and regional identities.
• The idea of a unified “women’s constituency” in Indian elections remains premature, as their electoral choices are driven by broader socio-political factors.

EC sets ball rolling on linking voter ID cards with Aadhaar

Background & Decision

• The Election Commission (EC) has initiated steps to link Aadhaar with the Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC).
• The decision was taken during a high-level meeting led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
• The EC announced plans for technical consultations with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to facilitate this linkage.

Relevance : GS 2(Election Reforms )

Legal & Constitutional Framework

• Article 326 of the Constitution: Ensures voting rights only to citizens, clarifying that Aadhaar is an identity proof, not proof of citizenship.
• Representation of the People Act, 1950:
  • Section 23(4), 23(5), 23(6): Specifies legal provisions regarding voter registration and verification.
• Supreme Court Judgment (WP Civil No. 177/2023): Forms the basis for linking Aadhaar with EPIC, ensuring that submission remains voluntary.

Concerns Raised

• Voluntariness vs. Coercion:
  • EC maintains that linkage will be voluntary, but past instances (such as welfare scheme enrollments) raise concerns about potential coercion.

• Data Security & Privacy Risks:
  • Potential for misuse of voter data, linking political choices with personal identity records.
  • Past Aadhaar-related data leaks raise alarms about data security vulnerabilities.

Potential Benefits

• Reducing Electoral Fraud:
  • Aims to eliminate bogus voters, duplicate voter IDs, and impersonation.
  • Strengthens the integrity of electoral rolls by ensuring a single identity per voter.

• Improved Electoral Process:
  • Streamlining voter registration and verification.
  • Facilitates easier electoral roll maintenance and migration tracking (voters moving across constituencies).

• Enhancing Electoral Participation:
  • Could help ensure migrant workers and marginalized communities retain their voting rights.

Challenges & Criticism

• Disenfranchisement Risks:
  • Past reports indicate exclusion of genuine voters due to Aadhaar mismatches or unavailability.
  • Rural, elderly, and economically disadvantaged citizens may face difficulties in linking Aadhaar with EPIC.

• Privacy & Surveillance Concerns:
  • Critics argue this could lead to mass surveillance and profiling of voters.
  • Potential for misuse by political entities in targeted campaigning and electoral manipulation.

• Implementation Hurdles:
  • Technical challenges in linking Aadhaar to voter ID, ensuring error-free mapping.
  • Ensuring voluntary participation while avoiding indirect coercion.

India takes 24th spot in free speech survey

Context : Survey Overview & Key Findings

• Conducted by: Future of Free Speech, a U.S.-based independent think tank.
• Title of Report: Who in the World Supports Free Speech?
• Period: October 2024.
• Countries Surveyed: 33.
• India’s Rank: 24th out of 33, with a score of 62.6.

Relevance : GS 2(International Relations, Democratic Rights)

Global Trends in Free Speech

• Erosion of Commitment:
  • While support for free speech remains strong in principle, its practical application is weakening globally.

• Decline in Democracies:
  • Since 2021, more countries have seen a decline rather than an improvement in free speech protection.
  • Democratic nations like the U.S., Israel, and Japan witnessed some of the biggest drops.

• Top Performers:
  • Norway (87.9) and Denmark (87.0) ranked highest in the Future of Free Speech Index.

• Biggest Improvements:
  • Indonesia (56.8), Malaysia (55.4), and Pakistan (57.0) improved the most but still remained at the lower end of the ranking.

• Authoritarian-Led Anomalies:
  • Nations like Hungary (85.5) and Venezuela (81.8) ranked high, despite government-imposed restrictions, showing a disconnect between government policies and public sentiment.

India’s Performance & Key Insights

• Score & Rank:
  • India ranked 24th out of 33, with a score of 62.6.
  • Positioned between South Africa (66.9) and Lebanon (61.8).

• Public Support vs. Government Restrictions:
  • Majority of Indians believe free speech is important, but support for government criticism is below the global average.
  • 37% of Indian respondents supported restricting criticism of government policies, the highest among all surveyed nations.
  • In contrast:
    • U.K.: Only 5% supported government-imposed restrictions.
    • Denmark: Just 3% supported such restrictions.

Disconnect Between Public Sentiment & Reality

• Inconsistent Free Speech Protection:
  • Nations that rank high in support for free speech generally have strong legal protections for free expression.
  • However, India, Hungary, and Venezuela are exceptions, with low free speech protection despite high public support.
  • The report identifies this as a sign of democratic backsliding.

• Perception vs. Observed Reality:
  • Indians believe free speech has improved, but external observers and rankings indicate a decline.
  • Similar trends observed in South Africa, where public perception differs from ground realities.

Implications for India

• Democratic Backsliding:
  • The survey’s findings align with broader concerns of deteriorating democratic values in India.
  • The high percentage (37%) of Indians favoring government control over speech may indicate a shift towards acceptance of restrictive policies.

• Legal & Policy Implications:
  • Potential for increased government regulation over digital platforms, press freedom, and political expression.
  • Concerns on laws like sedition, UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act), and IT Rules .

• Media & Civil Society Challenges:
  • Affects journalistic independence, whistleblower protections, and freedom of academic discourse.
  • Risks self-censorship among public intellectuals, activists, and media houses.

Chandrayaan-3 data says water ice easier to find on moon than believed

Chandrayaan-3’s data reveals that water ice on the Moon is more accessible than previously thought, with potential stability even in non-polar regions. Temperature variations at Shiv Shakti Point highlight extreme lunar conditions, influencing water ice distribution and its viability for future human missions.

Relevance : GS 3(Science and Technology)

• Temperature Variations:
  • Surface temperature at Shiv Shakti Point recorded at 82°C.
  • Just a meter away, temperature dropped to 58°C, highlighting micro-scale thermal variations.
  • Nighttime temperature plummeted to -181°C, showcasing extreme lunar conditions.

• Implications for Water Ice Stability:
  • Previously, water ice was thought to be stable only at polar regions.
  • New data suggests higher latitude regions could also support water ice at shallow depths.
  • Slopes facing away from the Sun with an inclination greater than 14° maintain lower temperatures, allowing ice to stabilize beneath the surface.

Significance for Lunar Exploration and Human Missions

• Water as a Crucial Lunar Resource:
  • Essential for drinking and sanitation for astronauts.
  • Potential source of rocket fuel via electrolysis to separate hydrogen and oxygen.
  • Reduces dependence on Earth-based supply missions, making long-term lunar habitation feasible.

• Advancements in Lunar Thermophysics Understanding:
  • First-ever in-situ temperature measurements in a high-latitude lunar region.
  • Challenges previous remote-sensing estimates from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO).
  • Helps in refining 3D thermophysical models to predict water ice migration and stability.

Strategic Importance for India and Global Lunar Missions

• India’s Lunar Science Leadership:
  • Enhances ISRO’s credibility in space exploration.
  • Positions India as a key contributor to international lunar resource utilization efforts.

• Support for Future Moon Bases:
  • Identifying water-rich zones eases site selection for permanent lunar habitats.
  • Facilitates fuel depots for deep-space missions (e.g., Mars exploration).

• Collaborations & Future Missions:
  • Findings can guide Artemis Accords nations (NASA-led coalition) and other global lunar projects.
  • India could leverage this data for Chandrayaan-4 and potential manned lunar missions.

Conclusion

• Chandrayaan-3’s findings expand the scope of lunar water availability, challenging existing assumptions.
• The discovery of temperature fluctuations and ice stability at non-polar locations enhances lunar resource planning for long-term human presence.
• Future studies on lunar thermophysics will further refine water ice mapping, aiding sustainable moon colonization efforts.