NEWS 1:Election Commission modifies vote counting to prioritize postal ballots addressing opposition concerns and ensuring transparency before EVM counts

GS-2 polity and governance

• The Election Commission (EC) will modify the counting process for postal ballots, starting with the Bihar Assembly election.
• The new process ensures postal ballot counting concludes before EVM counting.
• The penultimate round of EVM counting will begin only after all postal ballots are accounted for.
• This decision overturns the EC’s 2019 order, which allowed EVM counting to continue regardless of the postal ballot stage.

 Postal ballot

      It is a method of voting in which a voter who cannot be physically present at the polling station is allowed to cast their vote by post. It is an alternative to in-person voting and is widely used in elections to ensure inclusiveness and participation.

Under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, postal ballots are allowed for specific categories of voters:

Eligible Voters for Postal Ballot

1. Service voters
   • Members of the Armed Forces of India
   • Members of Armed Police Force serving outside their state
   • Government of India employees posted abroad
2. Special voters
   • President of India, Vice President, Governors, Union Cabinet Ministers, etc.
3. Electors subjected to preventive detention
4. Voters on election duty
   • Polling staff, security personnel, drivers, etc., who are deployed away from their polling booth.
5. Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and senior citizens (above 80 years) – included after 2019 amendments to make voting more accessible.

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Process

1. Eligible voter applies to the Returning Officer (RO) for a postal ballot.
2. Ballot paper is issued and sent by post.
3. The voter marks their choice in secrecy.
4. The marked ballot is sent back to the Returning Officer before the counting day.

NEWS 2:Delhi government partners with IIT Kanpur for cloud seeding trials aiming to combat escalating air pollution through artificial rain.

GS-3 environment

• The Delhi government signed an MoU with IIT Kanpur on Thursday.
• The collaboration aims to conduct cloud seeding trials.
• The trials are intended to combat the rising air pollution in Delhi.

Cloud Seeding

• Cloud seeding is a form of weather modification technology used to enhance precipitation (rain or snow), suppress hail, or disperse fog
• A process of artificially stimulating clouds to produce rain or snow.
• Works by introducing certain substances (called seeding agents) into clouds to encourage condensation and droplet formation.

Methods & Agents

• Silver Iodide (AgI) – most common, mimics ice crystals.
• Sodium Chloride (NaCl) – table salt, used in coastal/warmer areas.
• Dry Ice (Solid CO₂) – rapidly cools air, aiding condensation.
• Liquid Propane – causes freezing by expansion.

Delivery Methods:

• Aircraft (spraying agents directly into clouds)
• Ground-based generators (burning silver iodide flares, particles rise into clouds)
• Rockets / drones (emerging methods)

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Uses

• Increase rainfall in drought-prone areas.
• Enhance snowfall for water reservoirs.
• Hail suppression in agricultural regions.
• Fog clearing around airports and highways.

NEWS 3:Eight States with international borders(north eastern states) 0.13% of exports

GS-3 economy

India’s Northeast region faces economic marginalization due to trade policies, infrastructure deficits, and geopolitical shifts impacting export potential.

• The concentration of India’s export economy in four states (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka) accounts for over 70% of all merchandise exports.

• The northeastern states, comprising eight states with over 5,400 kilometers of international borders, contribute only 0.13% to national exports.
• India’s trade with Myanmar has declined since the 2021 coup in Naypyidaw, impacting regional integration.
• The northeast lacks representation in key economic decision-making bodies, such as the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council and the Board of Trade.

• Total Value (FY 2021-22): Over ₹1,800 crore for agricultural and allied products.
• Growth (2018-19 to 2019-20): Increased by 13.9%, from $442.58 million USD to $504.11 million USD.

📍 Major Exporting State

• Assam Dominance: Accounted for over ₹1,700 crore (approx. 99%) of the region’s total exports.

📦 Key Export Commodities

Category	Examples	Highlights
Agricultural & Allied	Tea, Cereals, Dairy products, Rice, Sesame seeds, Spices	Assam’s tea share > 50% of India’s tea exports.
Unique Regional Products	Mizo chilli, King chilli, Dale chilli (Sikkim), Lakadong turmeric (Meghalaya), Kew pineapple (Tripura), Joha rice, Bhut jolokia	High capsaicin content in chillies; specific varieties in demand.
Horticultural Products	Oranges, Pineapples, Lemons, Bananas, Jackfruit, Tomatoes, Potatoes, Cabbage, Onions	Region produces a surplus of various fruits and vegetables.
Other Items	Ayush & herbal products, Cane & bamboo products, Muga & Eri fabrics	Diverse range showcasing traditional crafts and natural resources.

🌐 Key Export Destinations

• Global Reach: United States, China, Germany, Australia, Russia, Burkina Faso.
• Neighboring Countries: Bhutan and Bangladesh (via Land Custom Stations).
• Myanmar Trade: Moreh (Manipur) handles almost all trade with Myanmar.

🏗️ Infrastructure Development

• LPAI Initiative: Land Port Authority of India (LPAI) is upgrading Land Customs Stations (LCS) to Integrated Check Posts (ICP).
• Operational ICPs: Agartala, Srimantpur, Moreh, and Sutarkandi.

MAINS MOCK QUESTION

The introduction of postal ballots for service voters, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities has widened the scope of electoral participation in India. Critically examine the significance of the postal ballot system in strengthening democracy, and discuss the challenges associated with its implementation.