NEWS:Clearing the air on ‘citizenship’ in Bihar poll roll revision

GS-2 governance

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is conducting citizenship verification during Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, prompting debate despite constitutional and statutory clarity that only Indian citizens are eligible to vote or contest elections.

• Only Indian citizens can be electors, per Article 326 and the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
• The ECI is constitutionally empowered under Article 324 to supervise electoral roll preparation and verification.
• The Supreme Court, in Lakshmi Charan Sen vs A.K.M. Hassan Uzzaman (1985), upheld the continuous revision of rolls.
• Section 16 of the 1950 Act disqualifies non-citizens from voter registration.
• ECI must delete names of non-citizens if found during revision or complaint inquiry.
• Aadhaar cards are not proof of citizenship, as per Section 9 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016.
• OCI cardholders are ineligible to vote, per Section 7B(2) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

• Constitutional Framework:
  • Article 326 mandates elections on the basis of adult suffrage, but strictly limits voter eligibility to citizens of India aged 18 or above.
  • Article 102(1)(d) and Article 191 disqualify non-citizens from becoming MPs or MLAs, respectively.
• Statutory Duties of the ECI:
  • Under Section 15 to 24 of the RP Act, 1950, the ECI is obligated to revise, verify, and correct electoral rolls.
  • Section 16(2) empowers deletion of names of non-citizens, even during roll updates.
• Legal Clarifications:
  • The Supreme Court in Dr. Yogesh Bhardwaj vs State Of U.P. (1990) held that illegal presence does not qualify as ordinary residence.
  • Aadhaar, issued to residents, is not a proof of citizenship and cannot justify inclusion in voter lists.
• Misuse and Integrity Concerns:
  • Inclusion of foreign nationals invalidates the electoral roll and undermines the electoral process.
  • ECI’s failure to act on complaints or suspicions would breach its constitutional responsibilities.

NEWS:Understanding Russia’s Taliban gauntlet

GS-2 international relation

On July 3, 2025, Russia became the first major power to formally recognise the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), accrediting the Taliban’s ambassador in Moscow.

• On July 3, 2025, Russia formally recognised the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) and accredited Taliban ambassador Gul Hassan in Moscow.
• This is a major diplomatic shift from Russia’s earlier opposition to the Taliban during their 1996–2001 rule.
• Despite past tensions, Moscow sees the Taliban as the only effective authority in Afghanistan post-2021.
• Russia suspended the Taliban’s designation as a terrorist group in April 2025, but the group remains on Russia’s official list.
• Recognition aims to enhance regional influence, counter the Islamic State–Khorasan Province (IS-K), and develop economic linkages to South and Southeast Asia.
• India is unlikely to change its position, maintaining engagement without formal recognition.
• Russia’s move may encourage China and Central Asian nations to follow a similar course.

NEWS:New Microscope reveals molecular jostling faster than ever before

GS-3 science and technology

A team from Caltech team has now found a way to indirectly detect molecules by observing their interactions with light.

• Caltech researchers have developed a non-intrusive microscope that captures molecular motion in real-time at angstrom-scale resolution.
• The technique indirectly detects molecules by observing light interactions influenced by Brownian motion.
• Achieves imaging speeds of hundreds of billions of frames per second, making it the fastest single-shot microscope globally.
• Enables wide-field imaging (a few sq. cm area) and single-shot 2D molecular sizing, surpassing traditional point-scanning methods.
• Tested successfully using fluorescein-dextran, a molecule used in biomedical diagnostics.
• Also works in gas-phase environments, capturing black carbon nanoparticles in flames.
• Technique could revolutionize fields like biomedical research, drug design, and nanomaterial engineering.

Detailed Insights:

• Historical Context: Builds on the foundational concept of Brownian motion described by Albert Einstein in 1905, offering real-time visualisation at nanoscale.
• Technical Advancement: Utilises a combination of ultrashort laser pulses, digital micromirror devices (DMD), and a streak camera to reconstruct molecular interactions from minimal light data.
• Operational Mechanism: Measures changes in light scattering due to molecule mass and motion—smaller molecules scramble light more, enabling size estimation.
• Comparison with Past Techniques: Unlike traditional invasive methods with limited scope, this approach is non-invasive, high-speed, and wide-field, requiring no extensive sample prep.
• Applications and Impact: Could significantly enhance real-time molecular diagnostics, reaction tracking, and nanoparticle analysis, even in turbulent environments like flames.
• Limitations Noted: Currently captures ensembles of molecules, not single molecules, but still provides chemical composition insights.

• Brownian Motion: Random motion of particles suspended in fluid, caused by collisions with surrounding molecules.
• Angstrom (Å): Unit of length equal to 10⁻¹⁰ meters, used to measure atomic-scale distances.
• Digital Micromirror Device (DMD): An array of tiny mirrors used to manipulate light digitally in imaging systems.
• Streak Camera: Device that converts photons to electrons and visualises light intensity variations over time with ultra-high temporal resolution.

NEWS:Redeeming India’s nuclear power promise,

GS-3 science and technology

India’s Union Budget 2025–26 unveiled a bold nuclear energy roadmap targeting 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047. With current capacity at 8.18 GW, this major expansion marks nuclear energy as a cornerstone in India’s transition to a developed economy

• India targets 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047, up from 8.18 GW.
• ₹20,000 crore allocated to develop five indigenously designed Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) by 2033.
• Proposed amendments to the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and , Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 to allow private and foreign participation.
• NPCIL to scale up 700 MW PHWRs and partner with entities like NTPC and REC.
• Global push toward nuclear energy reaffirmed at COP28’s “Triple Nuclear Energy” declaration.
• India’s electricity demand expected to increase fivefold, driven by urbanisation and growth.
• Nuclear energy essential as renewables contribute only 20–25% of electricity generation despite major capacity.
• PHWR (Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor): Uses natural uranium as fuel and heavy water as moderator and coolant.
• Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): Compact, factory-fabricated nuclear reactors with lower upfront cost and modular scalability.
• CLNDA (2010): Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act holds both operator and supplier liable for nuclear accidents, deterring foreign investment.
• Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE): A metric to compare the cost of energy production across different sources over their lifecycle.

MAINS MOCK QUESTION

Functions and duties of ECI to form accountable representative government. critically comment