Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 23 April 2025

Content:

1. Matters that count
2. A move that endangers the right to vote
3. Exploring India’s potential in the Arctic region

Matters that count

Core Issues Raised

• Unfounded criticism of judiciary by ruling party members and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar undermines constitutional principles.
• Judiciary accused of overreach in matters like directing the Centre under Articles 355 and 356 or regulating online content.
• Calcutta High Court intervention in deploying Central forces in Murshidabad shows judiciary’s role in maintaining law and order.

Relevance : GS 2 (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice)

Practice Question : Attempts to undermine judicial independence in the name of legislative supremacy threaten the core of constitutional democracy. Critically examine this statement in the context of recent events and judicial interventions in India. (250 words)

Role of Judiciary in Constitutional Democracy

• Judicial review is essential to uphold the Constitution and fundamental rights.
• Article 13 empowers courts to invalidate laws violating fundamental rights.
• Articles 32 and 226 give SC and HCs power to enforce rights via writs.
• Even constitutional amendments are subject to the basic structure doctrine.

Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances

• Judiciary is not subservient to legislature or executive.
• Ensures rule of law remains above majoritarian pressures.
• Constructive institutional friction promotes governance stability.

Threats to Democratic Integrity

• Majoritarianism misinterprets democracy as rule by legislative majority alone.
• Blurring lines between executive and legislature weakens accountability.
• Pressure tactics against judiciary in the name of legislative supremacy threaten the independence of courts.

Recent Judicial Interventions

• Supreme Court upheld legislative supremacy by setting timelines for Governors and President on state bills.
• This restored balance in federal governance and curbed arbitrariness by unelected authorities.

Conclusion: Upholding Democracy

• Judiciary must remain independent and vigilant in defending constitutional norms.
• Attempts to intimidate courts are anti-democratic and must be resisted to maintain a healthy, functional democracy.

A move that endangers the right to vote

Context:

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is reviving its push to link Aadhaar with Voter ID, citing the need to remove bogus entries and enhance electoral integrity.
• This move has drawn criticism for jeopardizing the fundamental right to vote and violating the constitutional right to privacy.

Relevance : GS 2(Polity ,Constitution )

Practice Question : The Election Commission’s move to link Aadhaar with Voter ID is being projected as a step to ensure electoral purity. Critically examine this claim in light of constitutional safeguards, privacy concerns, and previous experiences of Aadhaar-based exclusions. Suggest alternative approaches to improve the accuracy of electoral rolls.(250 words)

Constitutional and Legal Concerns

• Violation of Universal Suffrage: Linking Aadhaar with voter ID undermines the principle of universal and equal suffrage by disproportionately affecting the marginalized (elderly, disabled, migrants, remote populations).
• Article 326: Right to vote, though statutory, is an expression of democratic participation, and cannot be obstructed by exclusionary administrative processes.
• Section 9, Aadhaar Act (2016): Aadhaar is not proof of citizenship; linking it to voter ID contradicts its legal status.
• Lal Babu Hussein Case (1995): Electoral deletions must follow natural justice and procedural fairness — currently lacking in the Aadhaar-linking process.

 Impact on Voters and Electoral Roll

• Mass Disenfranchisement: Past Aadhaar linkage (2015) led to arbitrary deletion of 55 lakh voters in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana due to mismatches.
• Lack of Opt-out Provision: Current Form 6B coerces disclosure of Aadhaar by offering no meaningful alternative.
• Burden on Voters: Citizens unwilling to provide Aadhaar must physically appear before an officer — unfair and impractical.

Surveillance and Profiling Risks

• Digital Profiling: Linking Aadhaar could allow electoral data to be cross-referenced with other databases — enabling micro-targeting and suppression of opposition.
• Dragnet Surveillance: Aadhaar-seeded electoral databases raise the danger of state overreach and political misuse, especially in absence of strong data protection enforcement.
• Section 50, Aadhaar Act: UIDAI is under executive control — granting it control over voter data weakens ECI’s independence.

Systemic and Technical Flaws in Aadhaar

• CAG Audit (2021): Over 4.75 lakh Aadhaar numbers were cancelled due to duplication and faulty biometrics.
• Residency Verification Lapses: UIDAI does not require robust proof of residence — undercuts credibility as a de-duplication tool for citizenship-based voter rolls.

Judicial Stand and Administrative Commitments

• G. Niranjan v. ECI (2023): ECI assured the SC that Aadhaar-voter linkage was non-mandatory — its current proposal violates that assurance.
• K.S. Puttaswamy Judgment (2018): Aadhaar’s use was confined to welfare benefits from the Consolidated Fund of India — not for electoral purposes.

Alternative Recommendations

• Booth-level Verification: Strengthen traditional door-to-door voter verification methods.
• Electoral Roll Audits: Conduct periodic, independent audits of voter rolls.
• Social Audits and Grievance Redress: Introduce citizen oversight mechanisms to uphold transparency and procedural fairness.

Conclusion

• The proposed Aadhaar-voter ID linkage, though presented as a reformative measure, endangers the core democratic principle of participatory inclusion.
• It subverts privacy, increases surveillance, risks massive disenfranchisement, and undermines ECI’s autonomy — defeating the very goal of electoral integrity.

Exploring India’s potential in the Arctic region

Context :

• Geopolitical Shifts & Climate Change: The Arctic, once an isolatedfrontier, is becoming central to trade and diplomacy due to:
  • Global warming shrinking Arctic sea ice.
  • Fracturing of global trade blocs and supply chain realignments.
• Arctic as a Trade & Energy Frontier: NSR (Northern Sea Route) emergence = shorter Europe-Asia link, massive cost/time savings.

Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)

Practice Question : “India’s engagement with the Arctic region presents both opportunities and challenges in terms of trade, geopolitical alliances, and environmental concerns. Analyze India’s Arctic policy and suggest the steps needed to ensure a sustainable and strategic presence in the region.”(250 Words)                                                                 

Strategic Significance of Arctic for India

• Historical Engagement:
  • Signatory to Svalbard Treaty (1920).
  • Established Himadri—India’s Arctic research base (2008).

• Scientific Relevance:
  • Arctic climate changes linked to Indian monsoons, agricultural patterns.
  • Partnered studies with IGSD and NCAER to assess Arctic-India climate interlinkages.

• Policy Framework:
  • India’s Arctic Policy (2022) emphasizes:
    • Scientific research
    • Connectivity
    • International cooperation
    • Capacity building

 Trade and Maritime Opportunity

• Northern Sea Route (NSR):
  • Ice melt opened up shortest cargo route between Europe and Asia.
  • Potential to reduce dependency on congested and geopolitically sensitive routes like Suez and Malacca.
  • Cargo on NSR grew from 41,000 tonnes (2010) to 37.9 million tonnes (2024).

• India’s Maritime Push:
  • $3 billion Maritime Development Fund (2025-26 Budget).
  • Promotion of shipbuilding clusters and Arctic-suited fleet development (e.g., ice-breakers).

• Chennai–Vladivostok Maritime Corridor:
  • Can connect Indian ports to Arctic NSR ports (Pevek, Tiksi, Sabetta).
  • Expands India’s blue economy and Indo-Pacific outreach.

IV. Geopolitical Balancing Act

• Russia as a Natural Partner:
  • Expertise in Arctic navigation and infrastructure.
  • India-Russia working group on NSR established post-2023 Modi-Putin summit.

• China Factor:
  • China’s Polar Silk Road as an Arctic extension of BRI.
  • If India leans too far towards Russia, it indirectly strengthens China’s Arctic ambitions.

• Western Bloc Risks:
  • Aligning with U.S. may restrict India’s access to Russian-dominated Arctic routes/resources.

• Middle Path Strategy:
  • Simultaneous cooperation with U.S., Russia, Japan, South Korea.
  • Collective push for a more inclusive Arctic Council and rules-based Arctic governance.

Challenges Ahead

• Ecological Fragility:
  • Arctic warming at 4× global average.
  • Paris Agreement threshold breach (1.5°C) in 2024—sign of prolonged climate stress.

• Infrastructure Gaps:
  • India lacks Arctic-ready shipping and navigational capabilities.

• Policy Execution:
  • Arctic Policy 2022 still needs clear targets, institutional mechanisms, and sustained funding.

The Way Forward

• Strategic Actions Needed:
  • Invest in Arctic-ready shipbuilding and polar training programs.
  • Appoint a Polar Ambassador for diplomatic coherence and visibility.
  • Use forums like Arctic Circle India Forum (May 2025) to lead multilateral dialogues.

• Balance Sustainability with Opportunity:
  • Advocate for sustainable exploration.
  • Push for frameworks ensuring indigenous rights, ecological safety, and global equity.