Crest Learning UPSC

#Prelims Key Data & Facts 1. Total pending cases (2024): 5.2+ crore → Shows massive burden on the judiciary. (Supreme Court: ~80k; HCs: ~60 lakh; Lower courts: ~4.6 crore — NJDG) 2. Govt. = ~50% of total litigation → Indicates that the executive is the biggest contributor to pendency. (Law Commission Report 2018) 3. Govt. tax litigation success rate <30% → Reflects inefficient litigation strategy, causing unnecessary judicial burden. 4. Mediation success rate (Delhi HC): ~60% → Demonstrates ADR’s potential to reduce case load effectively. 📜 Important Provisions / Policies 1. Commercial Courts Act, 2015 (Sec 12A) – Pre-institution mediation mandatory → Ensures disputes are resolved before reaching courts. (E.g., commercial contract disputes) 2. Mediation Act, 2023 – Institutionalises mediation → Aims to make mediation a mainstream dispute resolution tool. 3. National Litigation Policy, 2010 – Govt. as “responsible litigant” → Seeks to avoid unnecessary appeals and delays. (Yet poorly implemented) 4. Article 50 (DPSP) – Separation of judiciary and executive → Ensures judicial independence, indirectly affecting governance quality.

➡️Topic: Criticism of the Indian Judiciary – Causes & Reforms • Judicial delays are symptoms of governance failures (legislative, executive, administrative), not the judiciary acting as a “roadblock”. 👉Key Challenges A. Poor Legislative Drafting 🔷Explanation: Ambiguous language causes interpretation disputes, increasing litigation. 🔷Example: Frequent tax exemption disputes due to unclear clauses in GST laws. B. Government Over-Litigation 🔷Explanation: Govt. files routine appeals even in weak cases, clogging the system. 🔷Example: Appeals in tax disputes despite <30% success; Centre is party to half of all pending cases. C. Arbitrary Administrative Behaviour 🔷Explanation: Vague tenders and contracts cause disputes later referred to courts. 🔷Example: Infrastructure project delays often arise from unclear contract terms, not judicial orders. 👉Solutions A. Legislative Reforms 🔷Explanation: Clear, expert-vetted drafting can reduce avoidable disputes. 🔷Example: Setting up pre-legislative scrutiny committees like in the UK to vet bills. B. Litigation Management 🔷Explanation: Filtering appeals and enforcing litigation policies reduces pendency. 🔷Example: Departmental legal cells can resolve tax disputes internally before court. C. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) 🔷Explanation: Mediation/arbitration resolves disputes faster, keeping them out of courts. 🔷Example: Commercial Courts Act Sec 12A mediation reduced burden in commercial cases. D. Administrative Reforms 🔷Explanation: Clearer contracts, transparent tenders, and grievance mechanisms prevent escalation. 🔷Example: Digital tender systems with standardised clauses reduce contract disputes. 🚀 4. Way Forward 1. Institutionalise legislative vetting → Prevent ambiguity at the source. 2. Litigation reduction targets for govt. → Ensure accountability in executive behaviour. 3. Expand ADR nationwide → Divert cases from courts to mediation. 4. Strengthen judicial infrastructure → Address genuine capacity issues. 5. Shift narrative to structural reform → Focus public debate on causes, not blame.

👉Cough syrup name is - Coldrif (Diethylene glycol) (DEG)

➡️ In Ajmer, Rajasthan, rural women trained by NGO MJAS use filmmaking to fight child marriage, domestic violence, and land injustice. Their short films, shared locally and online, are reshaping norms and empowering silenced voices. 👉Digital Empowerment 🔷MJAS teaches camera use, editing, and digital skills. Women gain tech tools to express and advocate. 🔹Example: One shoots, another edits—despite low education. Shows skill-building breaks barriers. 👉Participatory Media 🔷Films cover child marriage, honor killings, and abuse. Real stories told by real voices. 🔷Shared in villages and online. Spreads awareness and sparks dialogue. 👉Gender Justice & Agency 🔷Women highlight land rights and violence. Films become tools for justice. 🔷They gain confidence and compete with mainstream media. Transforms them into change-makers. 👉Supporting Data 🔷Child Marriage (Rajasthan): ~25% girls married before 18 Still common despite laws. 🔷Spousal Violence: ~30% women affected Shows need for awareness. 🔷Land Ownership (Women): <15% Reflects economic exclusion. 🔷UNESCO: Only 24% of news subjects are women Grassroots media improves representation.

➡️ Nobel prize 2025 👉What Did They Discover? 🔷Your immune system protects you from germs—but it must not attack your own body. 🔷Sometimes, the immune system gets confused and causes autoimmune diseases (like type 1 diabetes or lupus). 👉What These Scientists Found 🔹Shimon Sakaguchi found special cells called Regulatory T-cells. These cells act like peacekeepers—they calm down the immune system so it doesn’t attack your own body. 🔹Mary Brunkow and Fred Ramsdell studied a sick mouse (called the “scurfy mouse”) that had a broken immune system. 🔹They discovered the problem was a faulty gene called FOXP3. 🔹This same gene causes a rare human disease called IPEX syndrome, where the body attacks itself. 👉Why It Matters 🔹FOXP3 is the “master switch” that creates peacekeeping T-cells. 🔹Without it, the immune system goes wild and causes damage. 🔹Their work led to new treatments for:• Autoimmune diseases 🔹Cancer (by adjusting immune responses) 🔹Organ transplants (by preventing rejection)

#Prelims 1. Agricultural Protection • Agriculture: 18% of GDP, 65% rural population. • U.S. wants dairy market access (~$5 bn/yr), India restricts to protect 120 mn small farmers & due to religious sensitivities. 2. Digital Sovereignty • India enforces data localization (Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023) for security & privacy. • U.S. pushes for free data flows benefiting its tech firms. 3. Strategic Autonomy • India rejects linking trade to foreign policy (e.g., oil from Russia). • U.S. imposed 25% tariffs on Indian steel/aluminium (2018); India retaliated at WTO. 4. MSME & Manufacturing Protection • MSMEs: 30% of GDP, 48% exports, 110 mn jobs. • India uses tariffs & PLI to support local industries vs U.S. demand for tariff cuts. 5. Balanced IPR Regime • India defends TRIPS-flexible IP laws (Patents Act 3(d)). • Pharma exports $25 bn/yr; U.S. pharma lobbies for stricter rules. #Mains Intro: India prioritizes strategic autonomy, rural protection, and domestic capacity in trade negotiations. 1. Agriculture – Protects livelihoods & religious sensitivities; seeks S&DT at WTO. 2. Digital Sovereignty – Data localization to secure national interest; digital economy = 11% of GDP. 3. Strategic Autonomy – Rejects geopolitical linkages; retaliated against Section 232 tariffs. 4. MSMEs & Manufacturing – Shields key sectors through tariffs & Make in India. 5. IPR Flexibility – Balances innovation & public health; resists TRIPS-plus norms. Conclusion: India’s red lines ensure trade serves national interest, balancing economic growth with sovereignty & inclusivity.

➡️Exercise KONKAN 2023 reflects India’s growing emphasis on maritime diplomacy, interoperability, and Indo-Pacific security architecture.

#Mains Reduces Pendency & Delays • Court pendency: 4.57 crore cases; ADR offers faster disposal. • Lok Adalats resolve compundable offences like theft or trespass quickly. 2. Ensures Access to Justice • ADR is less formal, inexpensive, and accessible, especially for marginalized communities. 3. Strengthens Social Harmony • Mediation fosters dialogue, understanding, and preserves relationships. • Quoted by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud: Mediation is a social change tool rooted in constitutional values. 4. Relieves Judicial Burden • High Courts facing 33% vacancy; District Courts 21% vacancy. • States like UP, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala face workloads of 4000+ cases per judge. 5. Faster Resolution of Commercial Disputes • Pre-litigation mediation for civil and commercial cases helps avoid increasing pendency. 6. Inter-State Disparities Highlighted • India Justice Report shows certain states with exceptionally high backlogs → targeted ADR can balance the system. Challenges • Uneven adoption across states. • Lack of awareness among citizens. • Limited trained mediators. • Infrastructure gaps in rural areas. Way Forward • Institutionalise ADR centres in every district. • Enhance mediator training & public awareness. • Mandate pre-litigation mediation for select civil/commercial disputes. • Strengthen Lok Adalat framework with digital tools. • Regular monitoring of ADR outcomes through NJDG.

Why ADR is crucial for Indian judiciary ☝️#prelims

#mains 👉Reasons for Rising UPI Use • Smartphone penetration & cheap data. • Government & RBI push for digital economy. • Migrant workers → frequent P2P transfers. • Retail & service sector growth. • Declining reliance on cash. 👉Challenges • Uneven regional penetration (NE & rural areas lag). • Cybersecurity threats & fraud. • Digital literacy gaps. • Infrastructure bottlenecks in remote regions. 👉Way Forward • Strengthen digital infrastructure in lagging regions. • Promote vernacular digital literacy campaigns. • Enhance cybersecurity frameworks. • Encourage small merchants through incentives. • RBI & NPCI should ensure interoperability and offline payment options.

#prelims • Telangana has the highest per capita UPI transaction intensity in India. • Other high-intensity states → Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra. • Data Proxy: Used PhonePe transaction data. • Low UPI Intensity: Northeastern States, Kerala, Goa. • Ticket Size: Average UPI transaction is below ₹500, showing use for low-value payments. • P2M (Peer-to-Merchant) transactions dominate volume; P2P (Peer-to-Peer) dominate value. • UPI growth factors: Decline in cash withdrawals as % of GDP + rising digital penetration. • Largest UPI App: PhonePe (as per RBI bulletin).

#Mains India’s disaster strategy is shifting toward risk-informed, technology-driven, and community-led resilience. Anchored in the Sendai Framework and PM’s Ten Point Agenda, it aims to mainstream DRR into development. 👉Heat Action Plan (Ahmedabad) → Reduced heatwave deaths by 60% using early warnings and public outreach. 👉GIS Mapping in flood-prone states → Enabled real-time risk zoning and resource deployment in Bihar and Assam. 👉Odisha’s cyclone shelters and CBDRR → Community-led preparedness saved lives during Cyclone Fani. 👉Sendai Framework & PM’s Agenda → Integrated into Smart Cities and AMRUT for disaster-resilient urban planning. ⚠️Challenges 👉Fragmented institutional coordination → Overlapping roles of NDMA, SDMAs, and DDMAs reduce operational efficiency. 👉Urban vulnerability due to poor planning → Cities like Bengaluru face frequent floods from unregulated expansion. 👉Low disaster literacy in communities → Limited awareness hampers timely response and preparedness. 👉Funding gaps in state DRR budgets → Inadequate allocations restrict implementation of resilience measures. 👉Climate change amplifying disaster frequency → Heatwaves, floods, and landslides are becoming more frequent and severe. ✅ Solutions 👉Integrate DRR into development schemes → Embed resilience in PMAY, Jal Jeevan Mission, and Smart Cities. 👉Expand GIS, AI, and satellite tech → Advanced tools improve forecasting and risk mitigation. 👉Strengthen DDMAs and local training → Decentralized planning ensures faster, context-specific disaster response. 👉Leverage CSR and private sector for DRR → Corporates can fund resilient infrastructure and relief efforts. 👉Apply “Build Back Better” in reconstruction → Rebuilding must enhance safety, sustainability, and future resilience. Way Forward 👉Create a National Resilience Index → District-level benchmarking of disaster preparedness and response. 👉Launch Urban Employment Schemes with DRR focus → Engage youth in building and maintaining resilient infrastructure. 👉Mandate school and hospital safety audits → Critical institutions must be disaster-proof to protect lives. 👉Expand CDRI’s global partnerships → Access international expertise and funding for resilient infrastructure. Conclusion India must scale multi-sectoral coordination, climate-adaptive planning, and local capacity building. A resilient India demands proactive governance, inclusive planning, and smart infrastructure.

@mains 1. Policy Vacuum• India lacks a National Employment Policy with measurable targets. • Example: Unlike South Korea’s Employment Strategy 2030. 2. Fragmented Schemes• Skilling and job creation spread across ministries—low coordination. • Example: PMKVY (MSDE), MGNREGA (MoRD), Startup India (DPIIT). 3. Public-Private Partnership• CII urges joint action for job creation. • Example: Tata STRIVE and NSDC collaboration for vocational training. 4. District-Level Planning• Employment strategies must be localized. • Example: Kerala’s Kudumbashree model for women-led microenterprises. 1. Sectoral Job Engines• Focus on labor-intensive sectors:• 🧵 Textiles (e.g., Surat) • 🏨 Tourism (e.g., Rajasthan heritage circuits) • 🌾 Agro-processing (e.g., Punjab’s food parks) • 🏥 Healthcare (e.g., Ayushman Bharat skilling) • 🏘️ Construction (e.g., PMAY urban jobs) 2. Skilling Gaps• 70% of youth lack formal vocational training (NSDC). • Example: Need for AI, robotics, and green energy modules in ITIs. 3. Entrepreneurship Push• Startup India, Stand-Up India, PMEGP support self-employment. • Example: Zoho and Zerodha—non-metro startups creating jobs. 4. Urban Employment Distress• Rising informal urban jobs, need for Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme. • Example: Rajasthan’s Indira Gandhi Urban Employment Scheme. 5. Labour Code Implementation• Four new codes pending full rollout—impact on MSMEs and gig workers. • Example: Code on Social Security includes gig workers for the first time. 🧭 Strategic & Long-Term Implications 1. Demographic Window Closing by 2043• Urgent need to convert youth bulge into productive employment. • Example: Compare with Japan’s aging crisis—India must act now. 2. Social Stability• Employment reduces risks of unrest, migration stress, and extremism. • Example: Youth unemployment linked to protests in Sri Lanka (2022). 3. Geopolitical Leverage• A skilled workforce boosts India’s global competitiveness. • Example: India as a talent hub for global IT and pharma sectors.

➡️India’s Response to Crowding Disasters 👉Context 👉Karur Rally Tragedy (2025): A political rally in Tamil Nadu led to a crowd crush, exposing serious gaps in public safety planning. 👉No Central Law on Crowd Control: India lacks a national legislation; crowd management is governed by fragmented state-level protocols. 👉Key Challenges 🔹Unregulated Mass Gatherings: Events often bypass safety audits, leading to overcrowding and risk of stampedes. 🔹Weak Accountability of Organizers: Event organizers are rarely held liable, shifting responsibility to police and administration. 🔹Limited Training of Enforcement Personnel: Police and volunteers lack expertise in crowd psychology and emergency response. 🔹Inadequate Infrastructure at Venues: Poor design of entry-exit points and lack of emergency corridors worsen crowd risks. 👉Solutions & Initiatives 🔹NDMA Guidelines on Mass Gatherings: Recommend advance planning, risk mapping, and evacuation protocols for large events. 🔹Technology-Based Monitoring: Use of AI sensors, drones, and CCTV analytics enables real-time crowd density tracking. 🔹State-Level Legal Reforms: Karnataka’s proposed Crowd Control Bill (2025) aims to fix legal responsibility on organizers. 🔹Training Modules by NIDM & BPR&D: Specialized courses introduced for police and civic staff on crowd management techniques. 👉Way Forward 🔹National SOP Framework under NDMA: Uniform crowd control protocols should be developed and adopted across states. 🔹Mandatory Safety Audits for Large Events: Pre-event certification must be enforced for gatherings exceeding defined thresholds. 🔹Smart Surveillance Systems: GIS mapping and mobile alert platforms can improve crowd safety and public communication. 🔹Legal Accountability for Organizers: Amend laws to impose penalties on organizers for negligence and safety violations.