VisionIAS Student Wellness Cell: Scenarios & Support

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

Jan Yojana Abhiyan

• The Panchayati Raj Ministry initiated the People's Plan Campaign for Panchayat Development Plans (PDPs) for 2025-26.
• It aims to enhance people's involvement in creating Panchayat Development Plans.
• It's carried out across all Panchayat levels, engaging elected officials, frontline workers, and community organizations.
• The campaign involves Ward Sabhas, identifying thematic gaps through the Panchayat Development Index (PDI), and promoting inclusive participation.
• The Thematic approach localizes Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), using a "Whole of Government and Whole of Society approach".
• PDI is a tool to measure holistic development in Panchayats.
• The campaign also works with Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), involving Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) students.
• Approved GPDPs are accessible on the e-Gram Swaraj portal.
• Article 40 (DPSP) directs the organization of Village Panchayats as self-government units
• 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments provide constitutional recognition local self-government systems.
• Article 243G recognizes Panchayats as self-governing entities,tasked with preparing economic development plans based on the Eleventh Schedule.
• Public participation boosts project acceptance and resource mobilization.
• MGNREGA uses Gram Sabhas and MIS for progress review.
• Active engagement counters dependency and boosts awareness.
• Includes deprived sections, as seen in Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan's mobilization of community volunteers.
• Active participation ensures local ownership and long-term solutions, such as through Joint Forest Management (JFM) initiatives.
• Active involvement streamlines project design by incorporating local knowledge.
• Future strategies include integrating participatory planning, strengthening local governance, integrating technology, building community capacity, and encouraging behavioral changes.

Free Legal Aid

• The Supreme Court wants Legal Services Authorities (LSAs) to enhance free legal aid access for prisoners.
• Mandates cooperation among the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and state/district authorities for effective implementation of SOP-2022.
• Calls for strengthened monitoring of Prisoner Legal Aid Clinics (PLACs) through regular reviews by LSAs.
• LSAs should regularly update data to resolve identified issues.
• Counselors should implement regular inspections and audits.
• Increase awareness with local language materials.
• LSAs should conduct periodic interactions with convicts, jail visiting lawyers, and Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs).
• High Courts may broadcast legal aid info on their websites.
• Legal aid in India provides free legal services to those unable to afford legal representation.
• Includes advice, court representation, mediation, and other dispute resolutions.
• Article 21 ensures that no person is deprived of their life or personal liberty.
• Article 39-A ensures 'Equal Justice and Free Legal Aid'.
• The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 constitutes legal services authorities.
• Includes NALSA, State Legal Services Authority (SLSAs), and District Legal Services Authority (DLSAs).
• Section 341 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 says the State must provide legal aid to accused persons who lack such means.
• Functions include forming policies and organizing Lok Adalats.
• Social benefits include fighting inequality and aiding marginalized communities.
• Safeguards rights, aligning with fair trials and equality, strengthening legal standards and knowledge.
• DISHA scheme is a key government initiative
• Tele-Law aids legal advice via SLSA lawyers while Nyaya Bandhu enlists lawyers for pro bono services.
• The Nyaya Mitra Program aids in clearing old cases, and Lok Adalats offer alternative resolution methods.
• Challenges towards free legal aid is less awareness and insufficient resources as well as delays.
• Policies are encouraged that increase funding and simplify norms as well as building capacities, raising awareness and leveraging innovation.

Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005

• The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 nears its 20th anniversary, prompting reflections on its impact and future challenges.
• It came into effect in October 2005.
• It empowers citizens to access information held by Public Authorities (PAs), with the Department of Personnel and Training as the coordinating agency.
• The Act is based on human rights principles, referencing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and various covenants.
• The act replaced the Freedom of Information Act, 2002.
• Key bodies overseen by Central and State Information Commissions:
  • Central and State Information Commissions oversee implementation and handle appeals.
  • Every public authority must designate Central/State Public Information Officers to provide information.
• All citizens can request information. Public authorities have proactive disclosure obligations under Section 4 to minimize formal requests.
• It applies to bodies established by the Constitution or other laws, including substantially financed non-governmental organizations.
• Section 8 lists exemptions from disclosure.
• The RTI often has exemptions for certain types of information.
• Lower courts cannot entertain suits or uses, but writ jurisdiction of higher courts remains.
• Penalties exist for failure to provide timely or correct information, and appeals are available.
• Exemptions and authorities definition are often open to interpretation which dilutes the act through amendments.
• Amendment of 2019 modified Information Commissioners' terms, while the DPDP Act, 2023 amended section 8(1)(j) to exempt personal info
• The RTI Act increases citizens' democratic engagement and governmental openness, increasing answerability.
• RTI uncovers illegal acts and helps in policy deployment.
• Concerns were raised about non-compliance due to political parties.
• Key actions are required like establishing harmony.

Supreme Court Questions Feasibility of Gram Nyayalayas

• The Supreme Court questions the feasibility of Gram Nyayalayas, mandated by the 2008 Act, which intend to ensure access to justice for all citizens.
• Key issues included the non-mandatory establishment by States/UTs. There's also a crunch on funding.
• Key aspects is they burden high courts and also the process ends up taking a long time.

Section 6A of Citizenship Act

• The Supreme Court upheld Section 6A of the Citizenship Act.
• Section 6A, a special provision via the 1985 Citizenship Amendment Act, which was resultant of the 'Assam Accord'.
• The act granted citizenship to individuals migrating to Assam from East Pakistan (Bangladesh) up until March 25, 1971, following which a ten-year term as a foreigner.
• Court ruled Act is under Parliament's scope and does not violate equality (Article 14).
• There was no harm to the culture (Article 29 (1)). The launch of Operation Searchlight led to large influx.

Universal Postal Union (UPU)

• India Post and UPU are celebrated.
• UPU formed in 1874 via the Treaty of Bern and serves as
• It addresses digital technology.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

India-China Agreement on Line of Actual Control (LAC)

• India and China are trying to disengage to resume patrolling (prior to May 2020).
• Prior to May 2020, that is. Disengagement in Ladakh is the first of three steps: Disengagement.
• The Depsang Plains are at a strategic zone near the Karakoram Pass. It is a flat terrain that is suitable for military offenses.
• Chinese incursions resulted in clashes at Pangong Tso and Galwan.
• The Galwan incident killed 20 Indian troops.
• Long range firepower was deployed and border build up.
• No mutually agreed Line of Actual Control (LAC) exists along the border.
• The LAC demarcates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory after the 1962 China-Indian war.
• It is a 3,488 km long.
• Middle sector is largely undisputed.
• Other concerns were economic and diplomatic issues.

India-Maldives Relations

• The President of Maldives began a state visit to India.
• Agreement to make the vision "Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership".
• India and Maldives can support project completion and also initiate talks on Bilateral Free Trade Agreement.
• RuPay card to enhance ease of payments.
• Maldives gets aid.
• Maldives sits like a "toll gate". It's central so Maldives are first in line defence for things like terrorism.

India-Canada Relationship

• Diplomatic tensions escalated between India and Canada.
• Extradition requests in regards to terrorists are unfulfilled.
• It's essential to abide by law and order and promote trust. Diaspora should be supported.

ASEAN

• The Prime Minister of India attends a summit in Vientiane, Lao PDR for 2024.
• It is to promote ties. It has 10 total.
• Decision Making is done through consultation.
• It's a platform for new ideas, since India is a founding member.
• There was a look into the AITIGA deal to enhance trade and simplify.
• It shares great values of digital transformation. It will further promote more cooperation moving forward.

BRICS

• A Summit was held in Kazan, Russia that was headed towards better partnership.
• With new partners on the way, it's bound towards being better.

ECONOMY

Nobel Prize in Economics

• The 2024 Nobel Prize in Economics went to 3 recipients
• Research shows relevance of structure to country prosperity.

ECONOMY

B Ready Index

• Launched by WB to help businesses and improve Preliminary and main growth in 50 economies now.

Scaling of India's Small Companies

• The economic survey highlights rise of Multi-plant in a Manufacturing environment. It differs more than a Small scale firms in many respects and comes with challenges and requirements.

PM GatiShakti

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