NEWS:Supreme Court mandates Aadhaar inclusion in Electoral Roll applications rectifying exclusionary approach during Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision

GS-2 governance

• The Election Commission of India (EC) Form 6 requires Aadhaar details for voter registration to authenticate entries.
• The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar initially excluded Aadhaar from the list of acceptable documents for voter inclusion.
• The Supreme Court directed the EC to include Aadhaar in the list of documents for voter registration.
• The court’s directive aims to ease the burden on voters and ensure inclusivity in the electoral process.

Special Intensive Revision (SIR) – Bihar

• Purpose:
  It is a special drive launched by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and implemented by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Bihar.
  The aim is to revise and update the electoral rolls in detail before elections.
• Key Features:
  1. Correction of Entries – Ensuring names, addresses, gender, age, and photographs in the voter list are accurate.
  2. Addition of Eligible Voters – Special focus on enrolling first-time voters (18+).
  3. Deletion of Duplicate/Invalid Names – Removal of entries of deceased, shifted, or duplicate voters.
  4. Booth-Level Verification – Booth Level Officers (BLOs) go door-to-door for physical verification.
  5. Special Camps – Organized at polling stations to help citizens register, correct, or verify their details.
• Timeline:
  Conducted periodically, usually before major elections, to ensure clean and updated electoral rolls.

NEWS:The UN launched an emergency appeal for nearly $140 million to aid approximately 457000 people affected by the earthquake in eastern Afghanistan

GS-2 international relation

• The 6.0 magnitude earthquake on August 31 and subsequent aftershocks resulted in over 2,200 deaths in the mountainous eastern region.
• The emergency response plan spans four months and focuses on the provinces of Kunar, Laghman, and Nangarhar.
• Over 3,600 individuals sustained injuries, and more than 6,700 homes suffered damage or destruction.

United Nations (UN) – Overview

• Founded: 24 October 1945 (after WWII, replacing the League of Nations).
• Headquarters: New York, USA.
• Members: 193 member states.
• Official Languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish.
• Current Secretary-General (2025): António Guterres (Portugal).

Objectives (as per UN Charter)

1. Maintain international peace and security.
2. Promote human rights and fundamental freedoms.
3. Foster social and economic development.
4. Uphold international law.
5. Provide a platform for international cooperation.

Main Organs of the UN

1. General Assembly (UNGA) – All members, one vote each; deliberative body.
2. Security Council (UNSC) – 15 members (5 permanent: US, UK, France, Russia, China + 10 non-permanent); responsible for peace & security.
3. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) – Coordinates economic, social, and environmental activities.
4. International Court of Justice (ICJ) – Judicial organ located at The Hague.
5. Secretariat – Administrative arm headed by the Secretary-General.
6. Trusteeship Council – Inactive since 1994 (after Palau gained independence).

Specialized Agencies (Examples)

• WHO (World Health Organization)
• UNESCO (Education, Science & Culture)
• FAO (Food & Agriculture)
• IMF & World Bank (Finance & Development)
• ILO (Labour)

NEWS:Opposition scrutinizes non-tariff barriers impacting Indian agricultural exports to Europe ahead of crucial EU-India Free Trade Agreement talks

GS-3 economy

• Opposition members questioned non-tariff barriers on Indian agricultural exports to European countries, including the U.K.
• The Standing Committee on External Affairs, headed by Shashi Tharoor, held a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the matter.
• The meeting occurred a day before EU negotiators met with the Indian government to discuss the EU-India Free Trade Agreement.
• Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal stated that India would emphasize the principle of common but differentiated responsibility.

Tariff and Non-Tariff Barriers

1. Tariff Barriers

• Definition: Taxes imposed on imported goods to make them costlier compared to domestic goods.
• Objective: Protect domestic industries, generate government revenue, correct trade imbalances.

Types of Tariffs

1. Ad valorem tariff – % of the value of the good (e.g., 10% on imported steel).
2. Specific tariff – Fixed charge per unit (e.g., ₹1000 per ton of wheat).
3. Compound tariff – Combination of both.

Examples (India)

• Import duty on gold, petroleum, and automobiles.
• Customs duty revisions announced in Union Budgets.

---

2. Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs)

• Definition: Regulatory or policy measures other than tariffs that restrict imports/exports.
• Objective: Protect consumers, ensure quality, safeguard environment, but sometimes misused as protectionism.

Types of NTBs

1. Quota restrictions – Limits on quantity (e.g., sugar exports capped by govt).
2. Licensing requirements – Import/export licenses needed.
3. Standards and technical barriers – Quality, safety, or environmental standards (e.g., BIS certification in India).
4. Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures – Food safety, animal & plant health standards.
5. Subsidies to domestic producers – Makes imports less competitive.
6. Voluntary Export Restraints (VERs) – Exporting country agrees to restrict exports.
7. Customs procedures / Red-tapism – Deliberate delays in clearance.

MAINS MOCK QUESTION

“The United Nations, while being the cornerstone of global multilateralism, is increasingly seen as outdated and ineffective in addressing contemporary challenges.” Critically examine this statement. Suggest reforms to make the UN more relevant in the 21st century.