Prelims Pinpointer 11-12-2025 Current Affairs Notes

Prelims

C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji)

Who He Was

• C. Rajagopalachari (1878–1972) was a freedom fighter, intellectual, writer, and statesman.
• He was the first and only Indian Governor-General, earning Gandhi’s praise as “keeper of my conscience.”

Early Life

• Born on 10 December 1878 in Thorapalli, Tamil Nadu.
• Educated in Hosur, Bangalore, and Presidency College, later becoming a successful lawyer in Salem.
• Entered public life in 1917 as Chairman of Salem Municipality.

Role in the Freedom Movement

• Led major Rowlatt Satyagraha protests in Madras Presidency.
• Quit legal practice during the Non-Cooperation Movement, mobilising statewide public resistance.
• Supported the Khilafat Movement, strengthening communal unity and provincial agitations.
• Led the Vedaranyam Salt March (1930), the Tamil parallel to Gandhi’s Dandi March.
• Participated actively in Civil Disobedience and the Quit India Movement, facing repeated imprisonment.

Post-Independence Contributions

• Served as Governor of West Bengal (1947–48) during sensitive post-partition transitions.
• Held office as Governor-General of India (1948–50) until the post was abolished.
• Became Union Home Minister (1950) after Sardar Patel.
• As Chief Minister of Madras (1952–54), introduced administrative reforms and controversial education initiatives.

Unique Facts

• Only Indian to serve as Governor-General of India.
• Founded the Swatantra Party (1959), India’s major pro-market conservative party.
• Acted as Gandhi’s ideological counsellor, influencing key strategic decisions.
• Coined slogans advocating linguistic choice, including “English ever, Hindi never.”
• Known for exceptional intellect, austerity, clarity, and uncompromising integrity.

Boreendo & Indus Valley Flute Tradition

About the Boreendo

• The Boreendo is a spherical clay vessel-flute producing soft, breathy folk melodies.
• Originates from Keti Mir Muhammad Lund (Sindh) and links directly to Indus Valley musical heritage.
• Its survival depends on one maestro (Zulfikar Loond) and one potter, prompting UNESCO safeguarding.

Characteristics

• Made from hand-moulded terracotta, making it eco-friendly and easily crafted.
• Features an egg-shaped hollow body with one inlet and 3–5 sound holes enabling simple melodic shifts.
• Tilt-based sound control adjusts pitch through angling rather than complex fingering.
• Women decorate instruments with local natural motifs, preserving community aesthetics.
• Produces haunting acoustic tones, traditionally played at festivals, bonfires, and pastoral gatherings.
• Sound depth varies with size: larger Boreendos produce deeper resonance.

Cultural Significance

• Represents Thari pastoral identity and strengthens bonds between community and landscape.
• Skills are transmitted orally within artisan families, though now supported by schools and festivals.
• Its limited number of practitioners makes safeguarding crucial for musical continuity.

Indus Valley Flute Tradition

• Excavations at Mohenjo-daro and Harappa reveal clay and bone flutes forming Boreendo’s ancient lineage.
• Artefacts include hollow cylindrical and spherical flutes resembling modern vessel flutes.
• Uneven finger-hole spacing hints at microtonal scales used in ancient performances.
• Evidence suggests use in both solo and collective musical settings within Indus Valley culture.

Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme

Context: Production-linked incentive schemes resulted in ₹1.88 lakh crore investment across 14 sectors as of June, generating ₹17 lakh crore incremental production-sales and 12.3 lakh jobs.

About the Scheme

• Introduction

• • The PLI Scheme, launched in 2020 under Atmanirbhar Bharat, incentivises domestic manufacturing and reduces import dependence.
  • Initially limited to three sectors, it now covers 14 strategic industries with an outlay of ₹1.97 lakh crore.
  • Firms must meet minimum investment thresholds, incremental sales targets, and manufacture within India.

• Key Features

• • Sectoral Coverage: Includes electronics, IT hardware, auto components, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, solar PV, ACC batteries, textiles, food processing, specialty steel, drones, telecom equipment, and white goods.
  • Incentive Design: Offers 4–6% incentives on incremental sales, with higher rates for strategic sectors.
  • Eligibility: Requires new capacity creation and annual CAGR-linked sales performance.
  • Compliance: Firms submit periodic audited claims; false reporting triggers repayment with interest.
  • Oversight: DPIIT coordinates implementation; ministries approve applicants based on value-addition and technology standards.

Benefits of the Scheme

• Manufacturing Transformation

• • Strengthens Make in India and enhances global competitiveness.
  • Enables economies of scale and promotes cutting-edge technology adoption.

• Export Expansion

• • Attracts investment, builds domestic capacity, and boosts exports.
  • Integrates India into global value chains and generates employment.

• Support for ‘Vocal for Local’

• • Ensures level playing field and reduces import dependence.
  • Benefits MSMEs and offers significant employment gains.

• Achievements

• • Attracted ₹1.90 lakh crore investments and generated ₹17 lakh crore incremental output by 2025.
  • Exports crossed ₹7.5 lakh crore, with 12.3 lakh jobs created.
  • Mobile exports rose sharply, making India the second-largest phone producer.
  • Pharmaceutical PLI turned India from a net API importer to a net exporter.
  • Textile PLI attracted ₹28,711 crore commitments with substantial job creation.

Challenges

• Slow uptake in high-tech areas like ACC batteries and solar modules.
• Low disbursement: only ₹21,689 crore released by mid-2025.
• Heavy compliance burden, guideline changes, and sectoral imbalance.
• Global competition from cheaper imports affects viability.

Way Forward

• Revise lagging schemes, extend timelines, and support domestic demand.
• Simplify procedures through digital systems and single-window approvals.
• Strengthen MSME linkages and promote R&D-based ecosystems.
• Ensure policy consistency and periodic independent evaluation.

Conclusion

• PLI has significantly boosted manufacturing, exports, and jobs. Addressing execution gaps will further advance India’s self-reliance and manufacturing strength.

Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA)

Context: Haryana government doctors defied ESMA, extending two-day strike indefinitely, shutting all OPD, emergency, post-mortem services statewide; 3,000 doctors demanding promotions and four ACP increments.

Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA)

• Introduction and Purpose

• • • ESMA (1968) ensures uninterrupted availability of services essential for public welfare.
    • The Act prevents employees in notified essential services from refusing work or participating in strikes.
    • Employees cannot claim bandhs, curfews, or disruptions as valid reasons for absence.

• Scope and Coverage of Essential Services

• • Essential services include sanitation, public health, water supply, hospitals, and national defence.
  • Units producing or distributing petroleum, coal, electricity, steel, or fertiliser fall under ESMA.
  • Banking services may also be notified as essential when required.
  • The Act covers communication, transportation, and government activities involving procurement and distribution of food grains.
  • State governments may enforce ESMA independently or jointly within specified territories.
  • Each state has its own ESMA version, with provisions differing slightly from the central law.
  • States may invoke ESMA when strikes affect specific regions, while the Centre steps in during nationwide disruptions, especially involving railways.
  • Governments can also choose which essential services need ESMA enforcement during emergencies.

• Provisions and Penalties

• • Individuals initiating or participating in strikes face disciplinary measures, including possible dismissal.
  • Once ESMA is enforced, the strike becomes illegal, enabling prosecution under the Act.
  • Any police officer may arrest violators without a warrant, ensuring quick restoration of services.
  • Offenders may face imprisonment up to one year, a fine, or both, depending on the severity.

Election Commission of India

About the Election Commission of India (ECI)

• The ECI is an autonomous constitutional authority administering Union and State elections, including Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Assemblies, and Presidential/Vice-Presidential polls.
• It was established on 25 January 1950, celebrated as National Voters’ Day.
• The Commission is empowered under Part XV, Articles 324–329 of the Constitution.

Structure of the ECI

• The body comprises one Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two Election Commissioners (ECs) appointed by the President.
• They hold office for six years or until 65 years, whichever is earlier.
• Retiring Commissioners may be reappointed by the Government.
• The CEC can be removed for proven misbehaviour or incapacity, through a 2/3 majority of members present and voting, supported by 50% of total House strength.

Major Functions and Responsibilities

• Determining electoral constituencies and preparing or revising electoral rolls.
• Notifying election schedules and conducting elections.
• Registering political parties and granting them national or state status.
• Enforcing the Model Code of Conduct.
• Advising the President on disqualification of MPs.

Key Features of the 2023 Act

• Judicial Background

• • The Act replaced the 1991 law after petitions challenged the Centre’s exclusive role in EC appointments.
  • In Anoop Baranwal (2023), the SC ordered a temporary selection panel of PM, LoP, and CJI.

• Selection Process

• • The new Act creates a Selection Committee of:
    • Prime Minister (Chair)
    • Leader of Opposition or largest opposition leader
    • Union Cabinet Minister chosen by PM
  • A Search Committee, led by the Law Minister, shortlists five names, though Section 8 permits choosing beyond this list.

• Service Conditions

• • CEC/EC must have held a Secretary-level post, with election management experience and integrity.
  • They receive a Supreme Court judge’s salary, serve six years or until 65, and cannot be reappointed.
  • ECs elevated as CECs cannot exceed six years total tenure.
  • Pension-drawing appointees get salary reduced by pension amount.
  • Removal: CEC via judge-like impeachment; ECs removable on CEC’s recommendation.

• Key Concerns with the Act

• • Removal of the CJI from the panel increases executive dominance.
  • Petitions argue it violates separation of powers and circumvents the constitutional bench ruling.
  • Committee functions even with vacancies, enabling appointments without opposition presence.
  • Executive majority raises fears of compromised independence and threats to free and fair elections.
  • The Search Committee could deepen executive control, affecting EC’s credibility.

• Global Appointment Models

• • South Africa: Panel includes top judicial and rights institutions.
  • UK: Appointments require House of Commons approval.
  • US: President appoints; Senate confirms.

• Way Forward

• • Restore CJI’s role or include neutral members to dilute executive power.
  • Follow Goswami Committee (1990) advice to bar ECs from post-retirement government roles.
  • Grant financial autonomy by charging expenses to the Consolidated Fund of India.
  • Provide ECs the same removal safeguards as CEC, as recommended by the 255th Law Commission.

Central Information Commission (CIC)

Context: PM Modi chaired meeting with Amit Shah and Rahul Gandhi to finalize Chief Information Commissioner and eight Information Commissioners appointments; Gandhi gave dissent note on government-suggested names.

About the CIC

• The CIC is an independent statutory authority created to address complaints and appeals under the RTI Act, 2005.
• It ensures transparency and accountability across all central public authorities and Union Territories.
• The Commission handles RTI disputes involving ministries, PSUs, banks, financial institutions, and autonomous bodies.
• It acts as the final appellate authority for RTI matters at the central level.
• Its functioning reinforces citizens’ right to access information from public institutions.

Statutory Provision

• The CIC was constituted in 2005 through a Gazette notification under the RTI Act.
• It is a statutory body, not a constitutional authority.
• Section 12 of the RTI Act establishes the CIC and defines its responsibilities.
• The Act forms the legal base for its structure, powers, procedures, and jurisdiction.
• It ensures implementation of RTI objectives across central authorities.

Composition

• The CIC consists of one Chief Information Commissioner and up to 10 Information Commissioners.
• Initially, it began with five members, including the first CIC.
• Members work collectively to dispose of appeals and complaints.
• As of 2024, Heeralal Samariya is the Chief Information Commissioner.
• The Commission functions as a multi-member body ensuring balanced decision-making.

Appointment Mechanism

• CIC and ICs are appointed by the President of India.
• Appointment is based on recommendations of a Selection Committee comprising:
  • Prime Minister (Chairperson)
  • Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha
  • Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the PM
• This mechanism aims to ensure bipartisan input in appointments.
• The process prevents unilateral executive appointments.

Qualifications

• Appointees must be persons of eminence in public life with expertise in law, administration, journalism, science, management, or social service.
• They cannot be MPs, MLAs, or members of UT legislatures.
• They must not hold an office of profit or have political links.
• They must not engage in business or professional activities during tenure.
• Their background must demonstrate integrity and governance experience.

Tenure & Service Conditions

• The CIC and ICs serve for three years or until 65 years, whichever is earlier.
• They are not eligible for reappointment after completing their term.
• An IC may become CIC, but the combined tenure cannot exceed five years.
• Their salaries and service conditions are fixed by the Government.
• Conditions cannot be altered to their disadvantage, ensuring independence.

Removal Mechanism

• The President may remove members for insolvency, criminal conviction, outside employment, mental or physical infirmity, or conflict of interest.
• Removal on grounds of misconduct or incapacity requires a Supreme Court inquiry.
• The President acts only after the Court confirms the charges.
• Members may also resign by formally writing to the President.
• This system provides security of tenure for institutional autonomy.

Functions

• The CIC investigates cases where applicants face denial, delay, or misleading responses.
• It acts when PIOs are absent, causing filing difficulties.
• It reviews unreasonable fee demands or incomplete information.
• It examines complaints about false or inaccurate disclosures.
• It ensures overall RTI compliance by central authorities.

Powers

• The CIC exercises civil court powers during inquiries, including summoning records and witnesses.
• It hears second appeals against decisions of public authorities.
• It can order disclosure of information and enforce compliance directions.
• It may impose penalties on PIOs for non-performance or misleading replies.
• It issues guidelines and submits annual reports to Parliament.

Challenges

• Lack of transparency in selection procedures, with dominance of retired bureaucrats.
• Weak record-management systems delay processing of RTI requests.
• Large backlog causes long waiting time for second appeals.
• Poor-quality responses from various CPIOs hinder effective functioning.
• Low awareness among marginalised communities reduces RTI utilisation.

Way Forward

• Increase resources and staffing to reduce pendency and accelerate hearings.
• Improve digital data management to streamline RTI processing.
• Conduct awareness drives to educate citizens on RTI rights.
• Strengthen coordination with public authorities for timely compliance.
• Promote a culture of transparency and accountability across the administration.

Tier II Bonds & Basel Norms

Context: Bank of India raised ₹2,500 crore Basel III compliant Tier II bonds at 7.28% per annum through NSE Electronic Bidding Platform for capital augmentation.

Tier II Bonds

• • Tier II bonds are subordinated debt instruments issued by banks to augment capital.
  • They qualify as supplementary capital under Basel-III and strengthen the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR).
  • CAR reflects a bank’s financial resilience using (Eligible Capital ÷ RWA) × 100%.
  • Tier II bonds differ from Tier I (AT1) bonds, which support core capital components.
  • They help banks meet regulatory norms without issuing new equity or diluting ownership.

• Key Features

• • Maturity: These bonds carry long-term maturity, usually not less than five years.
  • Subordination: Payments occur after depositors and senior creditors during liquidation proceedings.
  • Coupon Payments: They offer higher interest rates due to increased credit risk.
  • Call Options: Banks may redeem them after a defined period such as five or ten years.
  • Loss Absorbency: Tier II bonds absorb losses mainly during liquidation or non-viability situations.
  • Issuers: Both public and private banks issue them to maintain CAR levels and support expansion.
  • Investors: Institutional bodies like insurers, pension funds, and mutual funds predominantly invest.

• Difference Between Tier I and Tier II Bonds

• • Tier I bonds act as immediate shock absorbers during ongoing financial stress.
  • Tier II bonds absorb losses primarily when the bank reaches non-viability or liquidation.
  • Tier I instruments are perpetual without maturity, ranking just above equity holders.
  • Tier II bonds possess fixed maturity and rank senior to Tier I but junior to senior debt.
  • Tier I instruments may be written down or converted when CET1 levels breach thresholds.

About Basel Norms

• • Basel Norms are global banking regulations designed to ensure banks hold adequate capital for absorbing unexpected losses.
  • They were developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) to enhance global financial stability.
  • The framework aims to strengthen risk management and reduce vulnerability during financial stress.

• Three Pillars of Basel Framework

• • Pillar 1 – Minimum Capital Requirements: Banks must maintain capital proportional to their risk-weighted assets, with higher risk demanding higher capital.
  • Pillar 2 – Supervisory Review: Regulators evaluate internal risk systems and ensure capital remains above required thresholds.
  • Pillar 3 – Market Discipline: Banks disclose risk exposure and capital positions, promoting transparency and responsible behaviour.

• Evolution of Basel Norms

• • Basel I (1988): Introduced a capital adequacy system focused mainly on credit risk and RWAs.
  • Basel II (2004): Enhanced the framework by integrating the three-pillar approach for better supervision and disclosure.
  • Basel III (2010): Responded to the 2007–08 crisis by tightening capital, liquidity, and leverage standards.
  • Basel IV (2017): Sought to standardise RWA calculations and curb manipulation through internal risk models.

• Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS)

• • BCBS is the primary global standard-setter for banking regulation and supervision.
  • Established in 1974 following the Herstatt banking collapse to improve international coordination.
  • The Committee includes 45 members from 28 jurisdictions, representing major economies including India.
  • It formulates banking norms, fosters supervisory cooperation, tracks implementation, and monitors emerging global financial risks.
  • BCBS functions under the Group of Central Bank Governors and Heads of Supervision (GHOS).

UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List

Why in News?

• Deepavali has been newly inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
• This recognition highlights its cultural significance as a global symbol of light, harmony, and community celebration.

UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage

• The list recognises and protects living cultural traditions and expressions valued by communities.
• It aims to promote cultural diversity, identity, and continuity across societies.
• Encourages international cooperation to safeguard intangible heritage practices.
• Includes festivals, rituals, oral traditions, performing arts, crafts, and community practices.
• Helps generate global awareness on the need to preserve cultural knowledge for future generations.

India’s Cultural Heritage Elements on UNESCO’s List

• India has 16 elements inscribed across festivals, rituals, oral traditions, and performing arts.
• Deepavali (2025): Celebrates the triumph of light over darkness through lamps, prayers, sweets, and family gatherings.
• Nawrouz (2024): A spring festival marking renewal, harmony, and the arrival of nature’s rebirth.
• Garba (2023): Devotional circular dance worshipping feminine divine energy during Navaratri.
• Durga Puja (2021): Kolkata’s artistic pandals, rituals, and community participation honour Goddess Durga.
• Kumbh Mela (2017): Massive pilgrimage where holy river baths symbolize spiritual purification.
• Yoga (2016): Ancient discipline blending physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
• Traditional Brass & Copper Craft (2014): Thatheras’ handmade metal utensils using age-old metallurgical skills.
• Sankirtana of Manipur (2013): Vaishnava ritual of devotional singing, drumming, and dancing.
• Buddhist Chanting of Ladakh (2012): Recitation of sacred texts expressing Himalayan Buddhist philosophy.
• Kalbelia Songs & Dances (2010): Snakelike dance movements and music of the Kalbelia community.
• Chhau Dance (2010): Masked dance-drama depicting epics and folklore in eastern India.
• Mudiyettu (2010): Kerala ritual theatre narrating the battle of Kali and Darika.
• Ramman (2009): Garhwal festival blending theatre, rituals, and dance for Bhumiyal Devta.
• Vedic Chanting (2008): Ancient oral tradition preserving Sanskrit hymns for millennia.
• Ramlila (2008): Folk re-enactment of Ramayana episodes with community engagement.
• Kutiyattam (2008): Kerala’s classical Sanskrit theatre with ritualistic performance tradition.

The Unit

About the Unit

• The Unit is a pilot digital settlement currency designed for BRICS cross-border trade.
• It is backed by physical gold and BRICS national currencies, strengthening trust and stability.
• Developed by the International Research Institute for Advanced Systems (IRIAS) with informal BRICS support.
• It aims to reduce dependence on the US dollar while preserving domestic monetary sovereignty.

Design and Working

• Its value uses a 40% gold + 60% BRICS currency basket, ensuring risk diversification.
• The Unit’s valuation is recalibrated daily based on gold movements and currency fluctuations.
• Transactions operate on a permissioned Cardano blockchain, enabling secure and tamper-proof settlements.
• It does not replace national currencies, functioning solely as a trade-settlement instrument.

Key Features

• Gold-anchored stability limits exposure to fiat instability and geopolitical currency shocks.
• Blockchain transparency ensures auditable, immutable transactions among member economies.
• AI-driven governance through the Unit Foundation minimises political interference and enhances neutrality.
• Reserve sovereignty allows nations to retain gold domestically while using it as backing.
• It enhances gold liquidity by promoting its active transactional use rather than passive storage.

Significance

• Represents a major BRICS push toward de-dollarisation and South–South financial cooperation.
• Could pioneer the world’s first large-scale gold-backed digital settlement system if widely adopted.
• Strengthens BRICS influence in global monetary reform and alternative payment infrastructures.

50 Years of CITES (CoP20 Samarkand)

What is CITES?

• CITES is a legally binding treaty regulating global wildlife trade to prevent species extinction.
• Conceived by the IUCN in 1963, finalised in 1973, and enforced in 1975.
• It now includes 185 Parties, making it one of the largest conservation mechanisms.
• Operates through Appendices I, II, III providing graded trade controls.

Functions

• Regulates international wildlife trade through permits and certificates.
• Maintains species Appendices based on extinction risk.
• Strengthens global enforcement against illegal wildlife trafficking.
• Promotes sustainable use and coordinated conservation action.

2025 CITES CoP20 – Key Highlights

• Hosted in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, marking CITES’ 50th anniversary.
• 77 species added to protection lists across Appendices.

Major Uplistings – Appendix I

• Several sharks and rays including oceanic whitetip, whale shark, manta and devil rays.
• Galápagos land iguanas and marine iguana uplisted due to rapid decline.
• African reptiles such as Home’s hinge-back tortoise added for strict protection.

Downlistings – Conservation Success

• Saiga antelope (Kazakhstan) given limited export flexibility under Appendix II.
• Guadalupe fur seal (Mexico) downlisted after population improvement.

India’s Position

• India opposed EU’s proposal to list guggul (Commiphora wightii) in Appendix II, citing insufficient scientific basis.