Headline: Polls Rigged, CEC Should Quit Immediately: Rahul
Preliminary Facts (For Mains Answer Introduction)
Rahul Gandhi’s Allegations: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday alleged that elections in India are being rigged, and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar acted as “deshdrohis (traitors)” by destroying the country’s votes. He demanded the immediate resignation of the CEC and said the CEC should turn an approver in the alleged ‘vote chori’ issue, calling it an “act of nationalism”.
Dissent by Two ECs: The Congress leader appreciated the dissent registered by the two Election Commissioners (Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi) but asserted that it started after he had already held several press conferences. “They are, in a way, saying that the vote does not exist in India anymore,” he said. The press conference came a day after The Indian Express reported that two Election Commissioners had major differences with the CEC and formally objected 14 times in 10 months to decisions made in the name of the poll body.
Priyanka Gandhi’s Demand: Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra demanded that the CEC be “criminally prosecuted for treason” for “intentionally allowing an unfair election to take place” by deleting around 13 crore voters from the electoral rolls. “If he [CEC] has done an illegal act, he has been fully aware that this is happening under his nose, his colleagues have brought it to his attention, he has ignored it and intentionally allowed an unfair election to take place. He should be criminally prosecuted just like any other criminal, and he should be tried for treason,” she said.
Congress Working Committee Meeting: The Congress Working Committee would meet on September 29 to discuss the way forward for the principal Opposition party on the issue of alleged ‘vote chori’.
“Fundamentally Broken”: Mr. Gandhi claimed that since 1947, India has never found itself in a situation where the election has been “fundamentally broken”. “Without any doubt, both the Prime Minister and Amit Shah are at the top of this conspiracy, and they are going to be investigated for what they have done to this country. This is an act against the Indian state. This is an act against India’s people,” he said.
Syllabus Mapping (Relevance)
GS Paper II: Polity & Governance – Election Commission, Electoral integrity, Democratic processes.
GS Paper II: Constitution – Article 324, Independence of Election Commission, Accountability.
GS Paper II: Governance – Constitutional bodies, Institutional integrity.
GS Paper I: Society – Democratic values, Public trust, Electoral reforms.
GS Paper II: Polity – Opposition politics, Accountability mechanisms.
Deep Dive: Core Issues & Analysis (For Mains Answer Body)
A. Rahul Gandhi’s Key Allegations
| Allegation | Details |
| Elections Rigged | “100% certain” that elections, including the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, are being rigged |
| CEC as Traitor | CEC Gyanesh Kumar acted as a “deshdrohi (traitor)” by destroying the country’s votes |
| PM and Shah Involved | “Both the Prime Minister and Amit Shah are at the top of this conspiracy” |
| CEC Should Resign | Demanded immediate resignation of the CEC |
| CEC Should Be Approver | CEC should turn an approver in the alleged ‘vote chori’ issue; “act of nationalism” |
| Elections Fundamentally Broken | India has never been in a situation where elections are “fundamentally broken” |
B. Priyanka Gandhi’s Demand
| Aspect | Details |
| Criminal Prosecution | CEC should be “criminally prosecuted for treason” |
| Reason | “Intentionally allowing an unfair election to take place” |
| Voter Deletion | Around 13 crore voters deleted from electoral rolls |
| No Legal Protection | CEC should not have legal protection if he has done illegal acts |
| Treason | Anyone who “played around” with the democratic process is committing “treason” against the nation |
C. The Congress’s Strategy
| Aspect | Details |
| CWC Meeting | September 29 to discuss the way forward |
| Vote Chori Issue | Principal Opposition party’s strategy on alleged ‘vote chori’ |
| Public Expression | “If tomorrow the BJP sweeps the national election, India will not believe it” |
| Future Elections | Public expression will not allow the BJP to get the type of majority they were getting |
D. The EC’s Response (from earlier reports)
| Aspect | Details |
| All Actions Legal | All actions in accordance with relevant laws and instructions |
| Internal Notes | Standard administrative practice; differing views part of decision-making |
| Unanimous Decisions | All decisions, including SIR, were unanimous |
| One Part of the Picture | Highlighting specific notes while overlooking larger body of approvals |
Key Terms (For Prelims & Mains)
Vote Chori: A term used by the Opposition to describe alleged electoral manipulation and rigging.
Deshdrohi: Hindi for “traitor”; Rahul Gandhi used the term to describe the CEC and accused the PM and Home Minister of being at the top of a conspiracy.
Article 324(5): The constitutional provision that the CEC can be removed only in like manner and on like grounds as a Supreme Court Judge.
Election Commission Act, 2023: The law governing the appointment, conditions of service, and functioning of the Election Commission.
SIR (Special Intensive Revision): The comprehensive revision of electoral rolls that formed the backdrop to the internal objections.
CWC (Congress Working Committee): The highest decision-making body of the Congress party.
Approver: A person who agrees to testify against co-accused in exchange for leniency.
Mains Question Framing
GS Paper II (Polity): “Rahul Gandhi has alleged that elections in India are being rigged and demanded the CEC’s resignation. Discuss the constitutional and political dimensions of this controversy.”
GS Paper II (Governance): “The Opposition’s demand for the CEC’s removal raises important questions about accountability in constitutional bodies. Examine the legal framework for the removal of the CEC.”
GS Paper II (Constitution): “The independence of the Election Commission is fundamental to democratic governance. Critically examine the balance between independence and accountability in the context of recent allegations.”
GS Paper I (Society): “Public trust in elections is essential for democratic legitimacy. Discuss the implications of the ‘vote chori’ allegations for India’s democracy.”
Linkage to Broader Issues & Debates
Electoral Integrity: The allegations of rigging, if proven, would undermine the very foundation of India’s democracy. The EC’s credibility is essential for free and fair elections.
Institutional Independence: The controversy raises questions about the independence of the Election Commission and whether it is functioning as a multi-member constitutional body or as a one-man autocracy.
Accountability of Constitutional Bodies: The CEC’s removal is governed by Article 324(5), which provides the same protection as Supreme Court judges. This high bar makes removal difficult, even in cases of alleged misconduct.
Opposition Strategy: The Congress’s decision to hold a CWC meeting and the demand for the CEC’s resignation reflect the Opposition’s strategy to keep the issue alive.
Public Trust: The allegations have the potential to erode public confidence in the electoral process, particularly if the CEC does not provide a convincing response.
Judicial Oversight: The Opposition has demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe, highlighting the role of the judiciary in ensuring accountability of constitutional bodies.
Conclusion & Way Forward
Rahul Gandhi’s allegations that elections in India are being rigged, and his demand for the CEC’s immediate resignation, have escalated the political controversy surrounding the Election Commission. The Congress leader’s claim that the PM and Home Minister are “at the top of this conspiracy” and Priyanka Gandhi’s demand for the CEC’s criminal prosecution for treason represent the sharpest attack on the EC in recent memory.
The controversy began with The Indian Express report that two Election Commissioners had formally objected 14 times in 10 months to decisions made in the name of the poll body. The EC has maintained that all decisions were unanimous and that differing views are a normal part of deliberation.
The Congress Working Committee will meet on September 29 to decide the party’s future course of action.
The Way Forward
- CEC’s Response: The CEC should provide a detailed response to the allegations and clarify the decision-making process.
- Documentary Proof: The EC should provide documentary proof of how the disputed decisions were taken, including minutes of meetings and records of voting.
- Judicial Oversight: The Supreme Court may consider taking suo motu cognisance of the matter, as demanded by the Opposition.
- Parliamentary Scrutiny: The motions for the CEC’s removal filed in Parliament should be considered through the established constitutional process.
- Electoral Reforms: The controversy highlights the need for reforms to strengthen the independence and collective decision-making of the Election Commission.
- Public Trust: All stakeholders must work to restore public confidence in the electoral process.
The Election Commission is a critical institution for India’s democracy. The resolution of this controversy must uphold the constitutional principles of independence, accountability, and collective decision-making that are essential for free and fair elections.
Headline: Digi Yatra to Be Available to Passengers Flying Overseas
Preliminary Facts (For Mains Answer Introduction)
International Expansion: Facial recognition-based airport access system Digi Yatra is preparing to extend its biometric travel system to international departures, while also pursuing interoperability with the European Union’s equivalent framework that will allow travellers from India easy airport access overseas and expanding domestic access for foreign travellers.
Pilot Programme: The pilot programme for international departures will run between October and December at Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Mumbai airports, Digi Yatra CEO Suresh Khadakbhavi told The Hindu.
e-Passport Enrolment: The pilot will test electronic passport-based enrolment, allowing travellers to scan an e-passport and verify their identity with a selfie. The resulting digital credential will be stored on the passenger’s phone and linked to a boarding pass that airlines will issue before passengers arrive at the terminal.
Airline Participation: Air India and IndiGo are expected to participate in the trial, which will cover Indian and foreign nationals departing on international flights. Initially, the system will be used at airport entry points and security checkpoints.
Immigration Excluded: Immigration will remain outside the first phase because of its regulatory and operational sensitivity, Mr. Khadakbhavi explained.
Pre-Arrival Boarding Pass: The issuance of boarding pass before passengers arrive at the airport marks a departure from current practice. The Digi Yatra CEO said it is needed to create a unique digital identity that can be recognised at airport gates.
Feedback Collection: The three-month trial will also collect passenger feedback before any wider rollout, including possible domestic use for expatriates and other foreign travellers.
EU Interoperability: Alongside the airport trials, Digi Yatra is working on interoperability with the European Union’s digital identity framework, known as EU Digital Identity, that allows EU citizens, residents, and businesses to store and share verified digital identity data and official documents. Through their APTITUDE consortium, the platform aims to enable cross-border sharing of travel credentials within three to six months.
One ID Initiative: The effort is part of a broader self-sovereign identity push under the global airline body International Air Transport Association’s One ID initiative for contactless air travel.
Domestic Reach: Domestically, Digi Yatra is active at 39 airports and is expected to reach 64 by March 2027, according to the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Syllabus Mapping (Relevance)
GS Paper III: Science & Technology – Facial recognition, Digital identity, Biometric systems.
GS Paper II: Governance – Digital governance, E-governance, Public service delivery.
GS Paper III: Economic Development – Aviation sector, Infrastructure, Tourism.
GS Paper II: International Relations – India-EU cooperation, Digital cooperation.
GS Paper III: Security – Data privacy, Cybersecurity.
Deep Dive: Core Issues & Analysis (For Mains Answer Body)
A. Digi Yatra International Pilot: Key Features
| Aspect | Details |
| Duration | October to December 2026 |
| Airports | Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai |
| Enrolment Method | e-Passport scan and selfie verification |
| Credential Storage | Digital credential stored on passenger’s phone |
| Boarding Pass | Issued by airlines before passenger arrives at terminal |
| Airlines | Air India and IndiGo expected to participate |
| Coverage | Indian and foreign nationals departing on international flights |
| Usage | Airport entry points and security checkpoints |
| Immigration | Excluded from first phase due to regulatory and operational sensitivity |
| Feedback | Collected during the three-month trial |
B. EU Interoperability
| Aspect | Details |
| Framework | EU Digital Identity |
| Mechanism | APTITUDE consortium |
| Timeline | Cross-border sharing of travel credentials within 3-6 months |
| Long-term Objective | Passenger travelling from India to Europe can share verified credentials with both departure and destination airports |
| Global Initiative | IATA’s One ID initiative for contactless air travel |
C. Domestic Reach
| Aspect | Details |
| Current Airports | 39 |
| Target by March 2027 | 64 |
| Mandatory | Face recognition at terminal entrances and security checkpoints where available |
| Inconsistency | Face-based boarding remains uneven across airports and airlines |
| Reasons | Investment decisions, infrastructure gaps, differing operational priorities |
Key Terms (For Prelims & Mains)
Digi Yatra: A facial recognition-based airport access system that allows passengers to enter airports and pass through security checkpoints using biometric verification.
e-Passport: An electronic passport with an embedded chip containing biometric data, including the holder’s photograph and fingerprints.
Digital Credential: A digital representation of a passenger’s identity, stored on their phone, that can be used for verification at airport gates.
EU Digital Identity: The European Union’s framework that allows EU citizens, residents, and businesses to store and share verified digital identity data and official documents.
APTITUDE Consortium: The platform through which Digi Yatra is working on interoperability with the EU’s digital identity framework.
IATA One ID: The International Air Transport Association’s initiative for contactless air travel using a single digital identity.
Self-Sovereign Identity: A digital identity model where individuals have control over their personal data and can share it selectively.
Biometric Verification: The use of unique physical characteristics, such as facial features, for identity verification.
Mains Question Framing
GS Paper III (Science & Technology): “Digi Yatra is extending its biometric travel system to international departures and pursuing interoperability with the EU’s digital identity framework. Discuss the technological and governance implications.”
GS Paper II (Governance): “The expansion of Digi Yatra to international departures marks a significant step in digital governance. Examine the benefits and challenges of biometric-based airport access systems.”
GS Paper III (Security): “Biometric systems like Digi Yatra raise important questions about data privacy and cybersecurity. Discuss the safeguards needed to protect passenger data.”
GS Paper II (International Relations): “India-EU cooperation on digital identity interoperability under Digi Yatra and EU Digital Identity reflects growing digital diplomacy. Analyse the significance of this partnership.”
Linkage to Broader Issues & Debates
Digital Governance: Digi Yatra is part of India’s broader push for digital governance, using technology to enhance efficiency and passenger experience.
Data Privacy: The collection and storage of biometric data raise important privacy concerns. The system must ensure robust data protection measures.
International Travel: The interoperability with EU Digital Identity will facilitate seamless travel between India and Europe, benefiting millions of travellers.
Aviation Sector: Digi Yatra enhances the efficiency of airport operations, reducing queues and improving the passenger experience.
Cybersecurity: The storage of digital credentials on passengers’ phones requires robust cybersecurity measures to prevent unauthorised access.
Inclusivity: The expansion of Digi Yatra to foreign travellers and expatriates domestically will enhance accessibility and inclusivity.
Global Standards: The alignment with IATA’s One ID initiative positions India at the forefront of global contactless travel standards.
Conclusion & Way Forward
The expansion of Digi Yatra to international departures marks a significant milestone in India’s digital governance journey. The pilot programme at five major airports will test e-passport-based enrolment, allowing travellers to scan their e-passport and verify their identity with a selfie. The digital credential will be stored on the passenger’s phone and linked to a boarding pass issued before arrival at the terminal.
The interoperability with the EU’s Digital Identity framework, through the APTITUDE consortium, will enable cross-border sharing of travel credentials within three to six months. This is part of the broader IATA One ID initiative for contactless air travel.
Domestically, Digi Yatra is active at 39 airports and is expected to reach 64 by March 2027.
The Way Forward
- Successful Pilot: Ensure the successful completion of the international pilot programme.
- Feedback Integration: Incorporate passenger feedback before wider rollout.
- Data Privacy: Strengthen data protection measures to safeguard biometric data.
- Cybersecurity: Implement robust cybersecurity protocols to prevent unauthorised access.
- EU Interoperability: Work towards seamless interoperability with EU Digital Identity.
- Domestic Expansion: Expand Digi Yatra to more domestic airports and enable access for foreign travellers.
- Airline Coordination: Address inconsistencies in face-based boarding across airlines.
- Global Standards: Align with IATA’s One ID initiative for contactless air travel.
Digi Yatra’s expansion to international departures and its interoperability with EU Digital Identity represent a significant step forward in digital governance and international travel. With robust data protection and cybersecurity measures, the system can enhance the passenger experience while ensuring the security of personal data.
Headline: ‘Make in India’ of 12 Years Shows Patchy Performance
Preliminary Facts (For Mains Answer Introduction)
Mixed Results: Twelve years on from the launch of the Make in India campaign on September 25, 2014, a look at 12 metrics spanning growth, investment, employment, and exports shows India’s manufacturing sector has not been able to materially increase its share in India’s economic growth, employment, or global exports. While recent incentive schemes by the government have seen some success, those gains are limited to a handful of sectors.
Growth Performance: The manufacturing sector has grown faster than the overall economy in only half of the 12 years under consideration, based on the old series. Under the new series, it has outpaced overall growth in all three years (2023-24 to 2025-26) for which data is available, but that gap is shrinking fast. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) data is more stark—the manufacturing sector within the IIP outpaced the overall index’s growth in only three out of the 12 years, as per the old series.
Share in Economy: The older series of Gross Value Added (GVA) data shows the manufacturing sector’s share in overall GVA is lower in 2025-26 than it was when Make in India was launched in 2014. The new series shows that the sector’s share has increased marginally from 14.6% in 2022-23 to 15.6% in 2025-26.
Exports: India saw the value of its non-petroleum goods exports grow 53% to $388.3 billion in 2025-26 from $253.5 billion the year the Make in India campaign was launched. However, non-petroleum goods exports grew more than 400% over the 12 years before this, albeit on a much smaller base. India’s share in global merchandise exports grew from around 0.8% in 2002 to 1.7% in 2013, where it remained even in 2025-26.
Investment Trends: The gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) by the private sector formed a lower share of GDP in 2023-24 than it did in 2014-15. The new series shows that GFCF as a percentage of GDP has been falling since 2022-23.
FDI and Capacity Utilisation: The growth of foreign direct investment (FDI) to the manufacturing sector has been slower than the growth in overall FDI in 7 of the 12 years. Its share in overall FDI grew from nearly 48% in 2014-15 to 55% in 2025-26. The RBI’s data on capacity utilisation shows this metric has been slowly increasing but is still below the 80% mark that is considered the limit after which companies invest to create new capacity.
PLI Scheme Performance: The government’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes have yielded some results. Launched across 2020 and 2021, the 14 schemes have resulted in a cumulative investment of ₹2.4 lakh crore as of March 2026. However, this performance is highly concentrated—the top five sectors (solar modules, pharmaceuticals drugs, automobiles and their components, specialty steel, and large scale electronics manufacturing) together account for nearly 83% of all the investment under these schemes.
Syllabus Mapping (Relevance)
GS Paper III: Economic Development – Manufacturing, Industrial policy, Make in India.
GS Paper III: Economic Development – Growth, Investment, Employment, Exports.
GS Paper II: Governance – Government policies, PLI schemes.
GS Paper III: Economic Development – Global trade, Export competitiveness.
GS Paper III: Economic Development – Private investment, Capacity utilisation.
Deep Dive: Core Issues & Analysis (For Mains Answer Body)
A. Manufacturing Growth Performance
| Metric | Performance |
| Old Series (GDP) | Manufacturing grew faster than overall economy in only 6 of 12 years |
| New Series (GDP) | Outpaced overall growth in all 3 years (2023-24 to 2025-26), but gap shrinking |
| Old Series (IIP) | Manufacturing outpaced overall index in only 3 of 12 years |
| New Series (IIP) | Same as overall index in 2023-24, slower in next two years |
B. Share in Economy
| Metric | 2014-15 | 2025-26 | Change |
| Manufacturing Share in GVA (Old Series) | Higher | Lower | ↓ Decline |
| Manufacturing Share in GVA (New Series) | 14.6% (2022-23) | 15.6% (2025-26) | ↑ Marginal Increase |
C. Exports Performance
| Metric | 2014-15 | 2025-26 | Change |
| Non-Petroleum Goods Exports | $253.5 billion | $388.3 billion | ↑ 53% |
| Previous 12 Years Growth | – | – | >400% (smaller base) |
| India’s Share in Global Merchandise Exports | 1.7% (2013) | 1.7% (2025-26) | No change |
D. Investment Trends
| Metric | Trend |
| Private Sector GFCF (Old Series) | Lower share of GDP in 2023-24 than in 2014-15 |
| Private Sector GFCF (New Series) | Falling as % of GDP since 2022-23 |
| FDI to Manufacturing | Slower growth than overall FDI in 7 of 12 years |
| FDI Share in Overall FDI | 48% (2014-15) to 55% (2025-26) |
| Capacity Utilisation | Slowly increasing but below 80% mark |
| Bank Credit to Industry | Growing, led by MSMEs; likely for working capital, not fresh investment |
E. PLI Scheme Performance
| Aspect | Details |
| Number of Schemes | 14 |
| Launch Period | 2020-2021 |
| Cumulative Investment (March 2026) | ₹2.4 lakh crore |
| Concentration | Top 5 sectors account for 83% of investment |
| Top 5 Sectors | Solar modules, pharmaceuticals drugs, automobiles and components, specialty steel, large scale electronics manufacturing |
Key Terms (For Prelims & Mains)
Make in India: A government campaign launched on September 25, 2014, to encourage companies to manufacture their products in India.
Gross Value Added (GVA): A measure of the value of goods and services produced in an economy, minus the cost of intermediate goods and services.
Index of Industrial Production (IIP): A monthly index that measures the growth of industrial production in India.
Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF): A measure of investment in fixed assets, such as machinery, equipment, and buildings.
Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: Government schemes that provide incentives to companies based on incremental sales from products manufactured in India.
Capacity Utilisation: A measure of how intensively factories are being used; below 80% is considered insufficient to trigger new investment.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Investment made by a company or individual in one country in business interests in another country.
UNCTAD: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development; provides data on global trade and investment.
Mains Question Framing
GS Paper III (Economic Development): “Twelve years after the launch of Make in India, the manufacturing sector has shown patchy performance in growth, employment, and exports. Critically examine the achievements and shortcomings of the campaign.”
GS Paper III (Economic Development): “The PLI schemes have attracted ₹2.4 lakh crore in investment, but gains are concentrated in a few sectors. Discuss the need for a more broad-based industrial policy.”
GS Paper II (Governance): “The Make in India campaign has not materially increased manufacturing’s share in GDP, employment, or exports. Analyse the governance and policy challenges in promoting manufacturing.”
GS Paper III (Economic Development): “Private investment and capacity utilisation remain below potential despite Make in India. Examine the factors constraining private investment in manufacturing.”
Linkage to Broader Issues & Debates
Industrial Policy: The patchy performance of Make in India raises questions about the effectiveness of India’s industrial policy and the need for a more comprehensive strategy.
Job Creation: Manufacturing is critical for job creation, particularly for the large number of young people entering the workforce. The sector’s inability to increase its employment share is a concern.
Export Competitiveness: India’s stagnant share in global merchandise exports (1.7% since 2013) indicates that the country has not been able to significantly enhance its export competitiveness.
PLI Concentration: The concentration of PLI investment in a few sectors suggests the need for a more broad-based incentive structure.
Capacity Utilisation: The below-80% capacity utilisation indicates that companies are not investing in new capacity, which could constrain future growth.
Bank Credit vs. Investment: The growth in bank credit to industry, particularly MSMEs, may be for working capital rather than fresh investment, indicating weak investment demand.
Conclusion & Way Forward
Twelve years after the launch of Make in India, the manufacturing sector’s performance has been patchy. While the sector has shown some growth, it has not been able to materially increase its share in India’s economic growth, employment, or global exports. The PLI schemes have attracted significant investment, but gains are concentrated in a few sectors.
The data shows that manufacturing’s share in GVA has declined under the old series and increased only marginally under the new series. Private sector GFCF has fallen as a share of GDP, and capacity utilisation remains below the 80% threshold. FDI to manufacturing has grown slower than overall FDI in most years.
The Way Forward
- Broad-Based Industrial Policy: Move beyond sector-specific incentives to a more broad-based industrial policy.
- Boost Private Investment: Address the factors constraining private investment, including regulatory uncertainty and infrastructure bottlenecks.
- Enhance Export Competitiveness: Focus on improving India’s share in global merchandise exports through quality, cost competitiveness, and market access.
- Capacity Creation: Encourage investment in new capacity by improving the business environment and demand conditions.
- Skill Development: Invest in skill development to meet the needs of the manufacturing sector.
- MSME Support: Strengthen support for MSMEs, which are critical for employment generation.
- PLI Review: Review the PLI schemes to ensure broader sectoral coverage and greater impact.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track the progress of Make in India.
The Make in India campaign has had some successes, but the overall performance has been below expectations. A more comprehensive and broad-based approach is needed to make India a global manufacturing hub.
