UPSC DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS (16th May,2025)

Presidential Reference to SC on Timeline to Act on State Bills

Syllabus: GS2/Polity and Governance

Context

• President Droupadi Murmu sought the Supreme Court’s advisory opinion under Article 143 on whether the President and governors need to follow timelines to decide on state bills.

Background

• Recently, the Supreme Court verdict laid down a timeline for the President and governors to decide on state bills.
• Though, the Governor is not bound by any time limit to act on a Bill.
  • This creates a situation where the Governor can simply not act on a Bill indefinitely this is referred to as a “Pocket Veto”, although the term is not officially used in the Constitution. 
• The Supreme Court ruled that Governors cannot delay or withhold assent to Bills indefinitely once they are passed or re-passed by the state Assembly.
• The ruling set a timeline for the Governor to act on Bills:
  • One month for re-passed Bills.
  • Three months if the Bill is withheld contrary to Cabinet advice.
• It raises questions about the scope of judicial authority under Article 142, and whether the courts can enforce accountability on constitutional functionaries like Governors and the President.

What is Article 142?

• Article 142 of the Indian constitution is a provision that empowers the Supreme Court to pass any decree or order necessary for doing complete justice in any case or matter pending before it. 
  • It also makes such decree or order enforceable throughout the territory of India.
• The importance of Article 142 lies in the following aspects:
  • It enables the Supreme Court to exercise executive and legislative functions in certain situations, such as issuing guidelines, directions, or orders to the government or other authorities. 
  • It allows the Supreme Court to intervene in matters of public interest, human rights, constitutional values, or fundamental rights, and to protect them from any violation or infringement. 
  • It enhances the Supreme Court’s role as the guardian of the constitution and the final arbiter of the law. 
• Criticism: It may encroach upon the principle of separation of powers and the domain of the executive and the legislature, and may invite criticism of judicial overreach or activism. 

Article 143 – Power of President to consult Supreme Court

• Article 143(1): The President can refer any question of law or fact that is of public importance to the Supreme Court for its advisory opinion.
  • The Court may choose to answer or decline.
  • The opinion is not binding, but is highly respected.
• A similar power to make references was granted to the Federal Court of India under Section 213 of the Government of India Act, 1935.
• Article 145(3) requires any such reference to be heard by five judges, after which the SC returns the reference to the President with the majority opinion.
• Need for the Article: Under the Constitution, the President acts on the aid and advice of the Cabinet.
  • The advisory jurisdiction allows her the means to seek independent advice to act on certain constitutional matters. 
  • It is a power that the President has invoked on at least 15 occasions since 1950.

Conclusion

• In essence, this development is not merely a legal inquiry but a crucial test of India’s federal structure, with implications for the balance of power between the Centre and the States, judicial oversight, and constitutional morality.
• The outcome could redefine how delays in Bill assent are addressed and reaffirm the judiciary’s role in safeguarding democratic processes.

Put Pakistan Nuclear Arsenal under Watch: India

Syllabus: GS3/Science and Technology/GS2/IR

Context

• The Union Defence Minister questioned the security of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal and called for its supervision by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

About

• Pakistan has tried to leverage its nuclear status against India. 
• While India follows a no-first-use policy when it comes to nuclear weapons, Pakistan doesn’t have any such stated policy of restraint.

Pakistan’s Nuclear Arsenal

• Pakistan first tested nuclear weapons in 1998 in response to nuclear tests by India. 
• Pakistan has vastly expanded its nuclear forces and remains outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) regime; the country is also a major source of proliferation concern.
• It is believed to possess an arsenal of about 170 nuclear warheads.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

• It is an international organization that promotes the peaceful use of nuclear energy while working to prevent its use for military purposes, including nuclear weapons.
• It was established in 1957.
• Headquarters: Vienna, Austria.
• Membership: 180 (as of 15 November 2024).
• Motto: “Atoms for Peace and Development”.
• Main Objective: Promote Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy.
• IAEA Safeguards are embedded in legally binding agreements. 
  • These safeguards are accepted by the states after the conclusion of such agreements with the agency.
• In 2005, the IAEA and its Director General, Mohamed ElBaradei, were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work for a safer and more peaceful world.
• Role: 
  • Nuclear Safeguards and Verification: Monitors nuclear programs of member states to ensure they are not diverted to weapons programs, especially under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
  • Nuclear Safety and Security: Assists countries in strengthening nuclear safety standards, responding to emergencies, and preventing nuclear terrorism.
  • Technical Cooperation: Provides technical assistance to developing countries to use nuclear technology for sustainable development.
• Role in Global Affairs: Works closely with the United Nations (UN) (it reports to the UN General Assembly and Security Council).
  • Plays a critical role in non-proliferation diplomacy, such as inspecting Iran’s nuclear program.

India and Its Nuclear Safety Commitments

• In 2014, India ratified the Additional Protocol (AP), which granted the IAEA greater access to India’s civil nuclear programme. 
• India has signed an item-specific safeguards agreement under the IAEA along with Pakistan and Israel.
  • They are nuclear-power states that are not a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
• India also changed its export laws to line up with the NSG, MTCR, Wassenaar Arrangement, and Australia Group — the four key nuclear control regimes.

India-Pakistan Nuclear Installation Agreement

• Signed in 1988 and brought into force in 1991, Non-nuclear aggression agreement (NAA) commits the two countries to abstain from attacking each other’s civilian nuclear facilities. 
• It requires an annual exchange of the exact locations by latitude and longitude of power plants, enrichment labs, isotope separation units, and any site holding a significant quantity of radioactive material.
• The goal is to avoid triggering a nuclear catastrophe. However, the agreement does not mandate detailed disclosures about the nature or activities of these facilities.
• India has repeatedly proposed expanding the agreement to include a pledge not to target civilian and economic infrastructure, but Pakistan has consistently rejected such proposals.

Conclusion

• Pakistan’s lack of a declared no-first-use nuclear policy, in contrast to India’s commitment to such a doctrine, contributes to strategic instability in South Asia, raising the risk of escalation in the event of a conflict. 
• Pakistan uses its nuclear capability to counter India’s conventional military edge, but its unrestrained doctrine highlights the need for confidence-building, dialogue, and regional arms control to maintain long-term peace and stability.

Account Aggregators: Blueprint for Consent Managers under India’s DPDP Act

Syllabus: GS3/ Economy

Context

• With the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 and Draft DPDP Rules, 2025, India aims to expand its consent-based data-sharing system by building on the Account Aggregator model.

What is an Account Aggregator (AA)?

• Definition: An Account Aggregator is a type of Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC-AA) regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
  • It helps individuals securely and digitally access and share information from one financial institution to another in a real-time, consent-based, and secure manner.
  • It acts as an intermediary between Financial Information Providers (FIPs) and Financial Information Users (FIUs).
  • The AA does not store or process the data; it simply facilitates the encrypted transfer of data.
  • The system is based on a ‘consent layer’, ensuring user control and privacy.
• Working: Users link their bank accounts to an AA.
  • Gives consent to share data (e.g., bank statement) with a Financial Information User (FIU) like a bank or NBFC. 
  • The AA fetches the data from the Financial Information Provider (FIP), like a bank, and shares it securely with the FIU.
• Examples of licensed Account Aggregators (AAs): 
  • CAMS FinServ: A subsidiary of Computer Age Management Services (CAMS).
  • PhonePe AA: A subsidiary of PhonePe, leveraging its digital reach.

Key Stakeholders of Account Aggregator

• Financial Information Providers (FIPs): Banks, mutual fund companies, insurance companies, etc.
• Financial Information Users (FIUs): Lenders, wealth managers, insurers, etc.
• Account Aggregators (AAs): Licensed entities that facilitate data flow between FIPs and FIUs.

The DPDP Act and Consent Managers (CMs)

• The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 introduces Consent Managers (CMs) as intermediaries to facilitate:
  • Consent collection and withdrawal
  • Consent lifecycle management
  • Secure data sharing between Data Principals (individuals) and Data Fiduciaries (entities processing personal data).

Draft DPDP Rules, 2025

• The recently released Draft DPDP Rules, 2025 outline the registration process, obligations, and permitted activities of consent managers.
• Given the significant structural alignment between the Account Aggregator (AA) and Consent Manager (CM) frameworks, certain revisions have been proposed to the Draft Rules. They are as;
  • Mandatory Registration with the Data Protection Board (DPB): Entities seeking to operate as consent managers under the DPDP regime must be mandatorily registered with the DPB.
  • Enable Sector-Specific Consent Managers: The DPB should allow for the registration of sector-specific consent managers, provided they operate on common, interoperable APIs and technical specifications as prescribed.
  • Allow Commercial Arrangements with Data Fiduciaries: Consent managers should be allowed to have business deals with data fiduciaries (like banks or companies that use personal data). 

Significance of a Unified Consent Infrastructure

• Avoids duplication: Aligning AA and CM frameworks reduces regulatory overlap.
• Increases efficiency: Leveraging existing AA insights accelerates CM implementation.
• Promotes innovation: Encourages startups and established entities to develop secure data services.
• Supports Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): Strengthens India’s ambition for a holistic, interoperable data governance regime.

Concluding remarks

• India has an unprecedented opportunity to become a global pioneer in citizen-centric data governance. 
• By harmonising the Account Aggregator framework with the emerging Consent Manager regime under the DPDP Act, India can move toward a secure, scalable, and inclusive data economy.

Unemployment at 5.1%, Women Labour Force Rises: PLFS Data

Syllabus: GS3/Economy; Employment

Context

• The latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data, released by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI), shows that India’s unemployment rate stood at 5.1% in April 2025.

Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)

• About: It is conducted by the MoSPI to assess employment and unemployment trends in India.
  • It provides key labour market indicators, including the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), Worker Population Ratio (WPR), and Unemployment Rate (UR).
• Features: 
  • Revamped Sampling Design (2025): The survey now includes monthly estimates for both rural and urban areas, improving data accuracy.
  • Current Weekly Status (CWS) Approach: Measures employment status based on activity in the last seven days preceding the survey.
  • Expanded Coverage: The sample size has increased to 22,692 First Stage Units (FSUs), covering both rural and urban sectors.
    • Earlier, 12,800 FSUs surveyed in PLFS up to December, 2024.
  • Annual Reports: PLFS results are now released based on the calendar year, ensuring timely updates.

Key Findings of the PLFS Report

• Unemployment Rate: It  is defined as the percentage of persons unemployed among the persons in the labour force.
  • Overall (persons aged 15 years and above): 5.1%
  • Male: 5.2%; Female: 5.0%
  • Rural: 4.5%; Urban: 6.5%
  • Youth among urban females (15-29 years): 23.7%

• Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR): It is defined as the percentage of persons in the labour force (i.e. working or seeking or available for work) in the population.
  • For persons aged 15 years and above: 55.6%
  • Rural: 58.0%; Urban: 50.7%
  • Male: 79.0% (rural areas); 75.3% (urban areas)
  • Female: 38.2% (rural areas); 25.7% (urban areas)
• Worker Population Ratio (WPR): It measures employed persons as a percentage of the total population.
  • Overall: 52.8%
  • Rural WPR: 55.4%; Urban WPR: 47.4%
  • Female WPR: 36.8% (rural areas); 23.5% (urban areas)

Significance of the Findings

• The rise in female labour force participation, particularly in rural areas, signifies increasing economic engagement. 
• However, high youth unemployment among urban females raises concerns about gender disparities, job availability, and skill gaps.
• The revamped PLFS model provides monthly employment estimates, but timely implementation of corrective measures remains a challenge.

Why is the Agriculture Sector Missing from India’s FTAs?

Syllabus: GS/ Economy, Agriculture

Context

• Despite India’s active negotiations of Free Trade Agreements with global partners, the agriculture sector, vital to its economy and employment,  remains largely excluded.

Why Agriculture is Missing from India’s FTAs?

• Fear of Import Surge: Entry into FTAs like RCEP was abandoned over concerns that cheap agri imports, especially dairy from New Zealand and Australia, would hurt Indian farmers.
• Agriculture is a State subject, whereas trade is in the Union list. This leads to inconsistent policies — bans, export quotas, or quarantine rules — harming exporter confidence.
• Infrastructural Deficiencies: Absence of cold chains, agro-processing hubs, and efficient port logistics, especially in landlocked states limits agricultural trade potential.
• Indian agricultural exports suffer from quality issues like pesticide residues, aflatoxins, and weak compliance with global SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) norms.

Efforts taken by other countries

• Thailand: Thailand’s agri-export success is driven by its focus on industrial crops like rubber, strong agro-processing linkages, and over 18 FTAs that enhance market access and boost value-added exports.
• Brazil: It leveraged mechanised farming, logistics corridors, and value addition in soy, coffee, and meat to reach $166 bn agri exports.

India’s Existing Strengths

• Basmati Rice: India’s agricultural strength lies in its globally recognized products such as Basmati rice, which alone contributes to around 21% of the country’s agricultural exports.
• GI-Tagged Products: Gaining visibility under schemes like One District One Product (ODOP).
• Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) works towards quality promotion and certification, though more integration with smallholder farmers is needed.

How to make Indian Agriculture FTA-Ready?

• Shift from Commodities to Branding & Value Addition and develop agro-processing clusters near APMCs.
  • Promote branded products and niche categories like organic, GI-tagged, or processed food.
• Institutional Reforms: Create a National Agricultural Trade Council with Centre-State-industry coordination.
  • Ensure single-window clearances and digital export compliance.
• Infrastructure and Logistics: Invest in inland container depots, cold storage, and rural logistics in landlocked states.
• Agri-Investment Strategy: Move from input subsidies to Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) to incentivise diversification and innovation.

Efforts taken by India

• The Agri Export Policy of 2018 is a comprehensive initiative by the Indian government to boost agricultural exports and integrate Indian farmers into global value chains.
• The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority facilitates certification, market intelligence, export promotion, and capacity-building programs for stakeholders.
• Initiatives like the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) aim to tap into growing global demand for chemical-free, sustainable produce.
• Negotiation of Market Access: India continues to engage in bilateral and multilateral negotiations to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers for its agricultural goods and secure preferential market access.

Concluding remarks

• India’s cautious approach to agriculture in FTAs safeguards farmer interests but also restricts the sector’s export potential. 
• Moving forward, a balanced strategy with targeted reforms can help integrate Indian agriculture into global markets more effectively.

‘Samudrayaan’: India’s First Manned Deep Ocean Mission To Be Launched by 2026

Syllabus: GS3/ S&T

In News

• India is set to launch its first manned deep-ocean mission, ‘Samudrayaan’, by 2026, aiming to explore marine resources at a depth of 6,000 metres using the indigenously developed submersible ‘Matsya’.

About Samudrayaan Mission

• The Samudrayaan Mission is part of the manned Deep Ocean Mission.
• It would have MATSYA 6000,  a indigenously designed 4th generation manned submersible vehicle capable of carrying three people to a depth of 6,000 meters.
• It is being developed by National Institute of Ocean Technology (Chennai).
• MATSYA 6000 has an operational endurance of 12 hours and an emergency endurance of 96 hours.
• India’s research vessel Sagar Nidhi will be used to deploy and recover the MATSYA 6000.

Significance of the Mission

• Scientific Research: Enables collection of deep-sea samples, critical for understanding marine biodiversity, geology, and chemistry.
• Resource Exploration: Potential for assessment of living (marine biodiversity) and non-living resources (minerals, polymetallic nodules).
• Technology Demonstration: Showcases indigenous capability in high-pressure deep-sea engineering.
• Tourism Potential: May lay foundation for future deep-sea tourism.
• Strategic Capability: Enhances India’s presence in global ocean research and resource diplomacy.
• League of Nations: With this mission, India will join a select group of nations (the US, Russia, France, Japan, and China) that have the technology and capabilities for manned deep-sea exploration.

About Deep Ocean Mission (DOM)

• The Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) was launched by the Ministry of Earth Sciences in 2021, and aims to explore and harness deep-sea resources in a sustainable and technologically advanced manner. 
• With a ₹4,077 crore outlay over five years, DOM supports India’s Blue Economy and aligns with SDG-14 (Life Below Water).
• The mission is being spearheaded by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) and comprises six components:
  • Manned Submersible Development (Samudrayaan).
  • Deep-sea Biodiversity Exploration
  • Mining Polymetallic Nodules
  • Ocean Climate Advisory Services 
  • Marine Station for Ocean Biology to promote research
  • Advanced Ocean Observation Systems using underwater sensors and AI.