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🔆 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) — The House of Multilaterals 📍 Why in News? 🟢 The 26th SCO Summit was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, on August 31–September 1, marking 25 years of the organisation. 🟢 The Bishkek Declaration condemned military strikes on Iran, reaffirmed support for its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and criticised violations of international law and the UN Charter. 📍 SCO at a Glance 🟢 Established on June 15, 2001, with China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as founding members. 🟢 India and Pakistan joined in 2017. 🟢 The organisation has 29 charter bodies, including the Council of Heads of State, Council of Heads of Government, Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and various working mechanisms. 📍 Key Outcomes 🟢 Members condemned terrorism, separatism and extremism and called for an inclusive Afghan government. 🟢 SCO members supported greater use of local currencies in trade. 🟢 Announcement of the establishment of an SCO Development Bank. 🟢 Members reiterated support for sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. 🟢 SCO provides a platform for India and Pakistan to engage within a wider multilateral framework despite bilateral tensions. 📍 India’s Key Position 🟢 India stressed “no double standards” in fighting terrorism and called for peace and stability in Afghanistan. 🟢 It supported greater connectivity while emphasising sovereignty and territorial integrity. 🟢 India has used the SCO to advance its diplomatic objectives, including at the 2017 Tianjin Summit and 2024 Kazan Summit. 📍 Importance for India 🟢 Platform for engagement with China, Russia, Central Asia and Pakistan. 🟢 Cooperation on counter-terrorism and regional security. 🟢 Scope for enhancing trade, connectivity and economic cooperation. 🟢 Provides a forum to discuss Afghanistan and wider Eurasian security. 🟢 Supports India’s multi-alignment and strategic autonomy. 📍 Major Challenges 🟢 India-China border tensions and India-Pakistan differences constrain deeper cooperation. 🟢 Divergent positions among members on Russia-Ukraine, Iran and West Asian conflicts. 🟢 China-led initiatives such as the BRI remain a source of strategic concern for India. 🟢 SCO lacks a collective defence mechanism and members themselves have significant bilateral disputes. 📌 UPSC Mains Model Question Q. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation provides India with an important platform for pursuing its strategic and diplomatic interests in Eurasia. Discuss the opportunities and challenges for India within the SCO. (10 Marks | 150 Words) #InternationalRelations

🔆 Totaliser Machines in EVM Counting — Protecting Secrecy of Voting Patterns 📍 Why in News? 🟢 The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to state its position on introducing totalisers for counting votes recorded through EVMs. 🟢 The issue concerns protecting the secrecy of voting patterns at individual polling booths and preventing possible intimidation/victimisation of voters. 📍 What is a Totaliser? 🟢 A totaliser is a proposed mechanism that combines votes from multiple polling booths before displaying the results. 🟢 The article describes a totaliser as an interface connected to the main control unit of a cluster of 14 EVMs. 🟢 It provides consolidated candidate-wise votes across the connected EVMs, rather than revealing the voting pattern of each individual polling booth. 📍 Why was it Proposed? 🟢 Booth-wise results can potentially reveal the voting preferences of particular localities. 🟢 Since booths are often geographically clustered, voting patterns may sometimes be associated with particular social groups or communities. 🟢 Petitioners argued that such information could facilitate intimidation or victimisation of voters after elections. 🟢 A totaliser would therefore provide a greater degree of voter anonymity by aggregating results. 📍 Centre’s Position 🟢 The Centre has consistently opposed the introduction of totalisers. 🟢 Its concern has been that identifying booth-wise voting patterns could help candidates understand areas of weak support and potentially influence their subsequent political behaviour. 🟢 In 2018, the Centre also raised concerns that installing a totaliser could potentially create a data-breach risk before vote counting begins. 📍 Election Commission of India (ECI) Stand 🟢 The ECI has consistently supported introducing totalisers for counting EVM votes. 🟢 It first suggested the measure to the UPA government in 2008. 🟢 In 2018, the ECI told the Supreme Court that the time had come for introducing totalisers. 🟢 The poll body has argued that the mechanism can help protect voter anonymity. 📍 Supreme Court’s Current Position 🟢 The Supreme Court has asked the Central government to state its position on introducing a totaliser system. 🟢 It specifically sought information on whether there are impediments to introducing such a mechanism and whether it could have negative consequences. 🟢 The ECI has also been asked to submit its proposal to the government. 📍 Constitutional & Democratic Significance 🟢 Secrecy of ballot: Strengthens the principle that individual voters should not be identifiable through their booth’s collective voting pattern. 🟢 Free and fair elections: Reduces the possibility of post-election intimidation or victimisation based on locality-level voting behaviour. 🟢 Voter autonomy: Helps ensure that citizens can vote according to their choice without fear of consequences. 🟢 Transparency vs privacy: The debate involves balancing transparent vote counting with protection of voter anonymity. 🟢 Electoral trust: Any technological mechanism must preserve both public confidence in EVM counting and the secrecy of electoral preferences. 📍 Key Takeaway 🟢 The totaliser debate is essentially about whether election results should reveal “who voted where” at the booth level or only aggregate electoral preferences, while maintaining the integrity and transparency of EVM counting. #Polity

Steady gaze: On the launch of the ISRO’s EOS-05 satellite https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/steady-gaze-on-the-launch-of-the-isros-eos-05-satellite/article71435323.ece

Bogged down: On the U.S.-Iran conflict escalation https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/bogged-down-on-the-us-iran-conflict-escalation/article71435336.ece

🔆 Perimenopause & Menopause Policy — Bringing Women’s Midlife Health into Public Healthcare 📍 Why in News? 🟢 Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have announced dedicated policies focusing on the health needs of perimenopausal and menopausal women. 📍 Key Features 🟢 Tamil Nadu: Perimenopausal care policy announced on August 17, focusing on early identification, screening, counselling and treatment through PHCs and higher centres. 🟢 Karnataka: Introduced ‘Ruthu Thare’ on August 4 — described in the article as the country’s first dedicated women’s health policy with a strong focus on perimenopause and menopause. 🟢 Planned interventions include community screening, women’s-health clinics, district-level well-women screening and referrals to higher healthcare facilities. 📍 Understanding Menopause 🟢 Menopause = permanent end of menstrual periods, confirmed after 12 consecutive months without a cycle. 🟢 Perimenopause = transition period before menopause, often involving irregular periods and bodily changes over several years. 🟢 Common symptoms include hot flashes, sleep problems, mood changes, joint pain, fatigue and debility. 📍 Why it Matters? 🟢 Women’s healthcare often remains heavily focused on reproductive-age needs, leaving midlife health relatively neglected. 🟢 Integrating menopause care into routine public healthcare can improve early diagnosis, access to treatment and quality of life. 🟢 The article stresses that awareness among health professionals, women and families is essential for effective implementation. 📍 UPSC Mains Practice Q. Women’s health policies must move beyond reproductive health to address the needs of women across the life cycle. Discuss with reference to recent initiatives on menopause care. (10 Marks | 150 Words) #women #health

🔆 Can Jurists be appointed as Supreme Court judges? 📍 Constitutional Provision 🟢 Article 124(3) provides three routes for appointment as a Supreme Court judge: 🟢 At least 5 years as a High Court judge 🟢 At least 10 years as a High Court advocate 🟢 Or, in the President’s opinion, a “distinguished jurist” 📍 Why has this provision remained unused? 🟢 The Constitution does not define “distinguished jurist” or prescribe a minimum period of professional experience. 🟢 In practice, Supreme Court judges have overwhelmingly been appointed from High Court judges and senior advocates. 🟢 The appointment process may also explain the provision’s limited use, as a jurist would first need to be recommended through the Supreme Court Collegium. 📍 Why is the provision significant? 🟢 It can bring diversity of professional backgrounds and outstanding legal scholarship to the Supreme Court. 🟢 The provision was inspired by the possibility of appointing eminent legal scholars and academics beyond conventional judicial pathways. 📍 A forgotten route? 🟢 The provision remains a constitutional possibility, but has never been invoked since the inception of the Constitution. 🟢 Its revival could help bridge the gap between “law in books” and “law in action”, subject to a credible and transparent appointment process. #polity

🔆 India’s Data Centre Boom: Colliding with Climate Reality 📍 Why in News? 🟢 India is witnessing a rapid data centre expansion, driven by rising demand for cloud computing, AI and digital services. 🟢 India’s data centre capacity is projected to increase from about 520 MW in 2020 to nearly 1.5 GW by 2030. 🟢 However, the boom is raising concerns over electricity demand, water consumption, heat generation and pressure on transmission infrastructure. 📍 Rapid Growth of Data Centres 🟢 Google, Meta, Amazon and Microsoft are among companies expanding data infrastructure in India. 🟢 Industry projections indicate over $200 billion in investment over the coming decade. 🟢 States are competing to attract investment through electricity-duty exemptions, incentives and fast-track approvals. 🟢 Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Gujarat are emerging as important data centre hubs. 📍 The Electricity Challenge 🟢 India’s data centres consumed an estimated 50 TWh of electricity in 2024-25, with demand expected to rise sharply. 🟢 The Union Ministry of Power estimates that AI-related electricity demand could add 26.3 GW by 2031-32. 🟢 Data centres require reliable and uninterrupted power, while renewable energy remains variable. 🟢 This can increase dependence on coal and other conventional sources, creating a conflict with India’s climate goals. 🟢 Rising demand is also straining an already constrained power grid and transmission system. 📍 The Water Challenge 🟢 A 100-MW data centre can consume about 2 million litres of water daily, equivalent to the daily use of roughly 6,500 households. 🟢 India’s data centres consumed an estimated 150 billion litres of water in 2024-25, with demand projected to rise further by 2030. 🟢 Water is primarily used for cooling high-heat-generating servers. 🟢 The concern is particularly serious because several data centres are located in regions already facing groundwater stress and urban water scarcity. 📍 Heat and the Climate Feedback Loop 🟢 Data centres generate significant heat, requiring additional cooling. 🟢 Rising ambient temperatures increase cooling requirements, which in turn raise electricity consumption. 🟢 If this additional power comes from fossil fuels, it leads to more emissions, creating a climate–heat–energy feedback loop. 📍 Key Governance Gaps 🟢 Data centre policies largely offer incentives such as duty exemptions, subsidies and fast-track approvals. 🟢 Many policies do not impose mandatory requirements on renewable energy use, water disclosure or local environmental assessment. 🟢 India lacks a comprehensive national sustainability framework for the sector. 📍 What Needs to Change? 🟢 Establish a national sustainability framework covering renewable energy sourcing, water consumption and environmental disclosure. 🟢 Introduce enforceable standards and benchmarks for power and water efficiency. 🟢 Mandate water audits and hydrogeological assessments before approval in water-stressed regions. 🟢 Improve transmission infrastructure and promote renewable energy integration. 🟢 Encourage geographically decentralised data centres rather than excessive clustering around existing urban hubs. 🟢 Develop a regulatory framework that protects both consumers and environmental resources. 📍 Key Takeaway 🟢 Data centres are becoming critical infrastructure for India’s digital economy, but their environmental footprint cannot remain an afterthought. 🟢 India must balance its AI and digital ambitions with sustainable use of electricity, water and land resources. 🟢 The challenge is not whether India should build more data centres, but how and where they are built—and whether future generations bear their environmental costs. 🔹 UPSC Mains Question: “India’s data centre boom presents a growing tension between digital transformation and environmental sustainability.” Examine the challenges posed by data centres to India’s energy and water security and suggest a sustainable policy framework. #Environment

🔆 Majority of India’s Gig Workers Remain Outside Government Coverage 📍 Why in News? 🟢 The Union Budget 2025-26 announced healthcare coverage for gig workers registered on the e-Shram portal. 🟢 However, a significant gap remains between India’s estimated gig workforce and workers actually registered on the portal. 🟢 This raises concerns about the government’s ability to provide effective social security to India’s rapidly expanding gig and platform workforce. 📍 The Coverage Gap 🟢 NITI Aayog estimated India’s gig workforce at 77 lakh in 2020-21. 🟢 The estimate increased to 1.27 crore in 2024-25, with a projected 2.35 crore gig workers by 2029-30. 🟢 However, only 8.58 lakh gig workers were registered on the e-Shram portal as of January 2026. 🟢 This means five out of every six gig workers remain outside the government’s reach, based on current estimates. 📍 What is e-Shram? 🟢 The e-Shram portal is a national database created for unorganised workers, including gig and platform workers. 🟢 Registration is a prerequisite for accessing several government benefits. 🟢 The platform is intended to facilitate the delivery of social security and welfare schemes. 📍 Why is the Gap Significant? 🟢 The government lacks a dedicated mechanism to accurately measure the size of India’s gig workforce. 🟢 Official estimates rely on sources such as the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), which may not fully capture the rapidly changing nature of gig work. 🟢 Large numbers of unregistered workers could therefore remain outside the reach of healthcare, insurance and other welfare benefits. 📍 Uneven Registration Across States 🟢 Gig-worker registrations on e-Shram are highly uneven across States. 🟢 Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar account for the highest number of registered gig workers. 🟢 Highly urbanised States such as Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Kerala do not figure among the top 10 States by registration. 🟢 This indicates gaps in awareness, outreach, registration and the identification of platform workers. 📍 Where are Gig Workers Concentrated? 🟢 The food industry accounts for the largest share of registered gig workers at 32.8%. 🟢 Automobile and transportation account for 25.4%. 🟢 Other major sectors include domestic and household work, construction and agriculture. 🟢 The pattern reflects the expanding role of digital platforms in sectors ranging from food delivery and mobility to household services. 📍 Why is Social Security Crucial? 🟢 Gig workers often lack traditional employer-employee relationships and therefore remain outside conventional social security systems. 🟢 Their income can be affected by algorithmic management, fluctuating demand and lack of employment security. 🟢 The Code on Social Security, 2020 recognises gig and platform workers, but the effective delivery of benefits remains a major challenge. 📍 Key Takeaway 🟢 The rapid growth of India’s gig economy is outpacing the government’s ability to identify and register its workers. 🟢 Social security cannot remain merely a policy announcement—it requires accurate data, universal registration, portability of benefits and effective last-mile delivery. 🔹 UPSC Mains Question: “India’s expanding gig economy has exposed the limitations of its traditional social security framework.” Examine the challenges faced by gig workers and suggest measures to ensure their effective social protection. #Economy

Warning on warming: On the UNEP report, Limiting Overshoot https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/warning-on-warming-on-the-unep-report-limiting-overshoot/article71428123.ece

Out of neglect bin: On perimenopausal policy https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/out-of-neglect-bin-on-perimenopausal-policy/article71428165.ece