Daily Current Affairs 10 September 2026 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 10 September 2026 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

BRICS

Source: PIB
GS II: International Relations- Important International Institutions

Why in the News?

India under its 2026 BRICS Presidencyis set to host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12-13 September 2026. This marks India’s fourth Chairship of BRICS.

News in Brief

• BRICS has expanded from the original four-member BRIC grouping to 11 full members, increasing its geographical, demographic and economic significance.
• India’s 2026 Chairship is guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
• During its Chairship, India held more than 350 meetings and high-level engagements across 25 cities, producing several cooperation initiatives in agriculture, health, energy, infrastructure, MSMEs, startups and global value chains.
• India aims to strengthen BRICS as a constructive platform for inclusive global governance, practical cooperation and the interests of the Global South.

Aims, Objectives and Areas of Cooepration

• BRICS was established as a platform for dialogue and coordination on major global political and economic issues.
• It seeks to promote a more democratic, legitimate and balanced international order, while advancing sustainable development, social inclusion and shared prosperity among emerging economies.
• Over time, BRICS cooperation has expanded to cover a wide range of strategic and developmental issues, including;
• • Terrorism and security
  • Climate change
  • Food and energy security
  • Trade and agriculture
  • Labour and employment
  • Telecommunications and technology
  • International finance and the global economy
• The grouping also advocates greater representation and equity for emerging and developing countries in international institutions, including the WTO and the global financial architecture.
• Overall, BRICS seeks to make global governance more inclusive, representative and responsive to contemporary challenges.

Evolution of BRICS

• The 2008 global financial crisis was a turning point in the evolution of BRICS.
• It exposed weaknesses in the existing global financial architecture and encouraged the BRIC countries to coordinate their positions on global economic governance.
• They called for a more representative international financial system, greater voice for emerging economies in the IMF and World Bank, and opposed protectionism while supporting an open, rules-based multilateral trading system.
• This cooperation paved the way for the first BRIC Summit in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009.
• BRIC had formally emerged as a political cooperation forum in 2006, comprising Brazil, Russia, India and China.
• South Africa joined as a full member in 2011, transforming BRIC into BRICS and expanding its geographical representation.
• Over time, the grouping’s agenda widened beyond economic issues to include development, finance, health, climate action, technology and trade.

Expansion of BRICS

• A major expansion took place in January 2024, when Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE became full members. Indonesia joined in January 2025, becoming the eleventh full member.
• BRICS also introduced a Partner Country category to expand structured engagement.
• In 2025, ten countries joined this framework, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vietnam.
• The Partner Country Framework expands BRICS outreach without altering its full-membership structure.
• It strengthens South-South Cooperation and creates opportunities for collaboration in trade, finance, climate action, and sustainable development.
• Overall, BRICS  has evolved from a four-country economic dialogue into a broader framework for political, economic, financial and social cooperation, with greater geographical representation and a stronger role in global governance.

BRICS Presidency

• The BRICS Presidency rotates annually among member countries.
• Each Presidency runs from 1 January to 31 December.
• The country holding the Presidency,
  • Sets the priorities for the year’s agenda
  • Hosts the annual BRICS Summit
  • Organizes  and steers key ministerial and working-group meetings.
• With the expansion of BRICS membership, member countries are also discussing a new formula for the rotation of the Presidency.

India’s BRICS Leadership: Key Milestones and Outcomes

• Before 2026, India had chaired BRICS in 2012, 2016 and 2021.
• Each Chairship reflected the priorities and challenges of its time, while demonstrating India’s sustained engagement with the grouping and its commitment to constructive multilateralism and the interests of developing economies.

2012 : Laying the Foundation for Stronger Cooperation

• India hosted the Fourth BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 29 March 2012 under the theme “BRICS Partnership for Global Stability, Security and Prosperity.”
• Discussions focused on global governance reform, sustainable development, food security and energy security.
• The Summit adopted the Delhi Declaration and an Action Plan for strengthening BRICS cooperation, providing a stronger foundation for institutional and sectoral engagement. Key outcomes included the proposal to establish a New Development Bank (NDB) to support infrastructure and sustainable development, the Master Agreement on Extending Credit Facility in Local Currency to promote intra-BRICS trade, and the groundwork for the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) as a financial safety mechanism. India also institutionalised cooperation in agriculture, health and science.

2016: Goa Summit and Expanded BRICS Outreach

• India hosted the Eighth BRICS Summit in Goa in October 2016 under the theme “Building Responsive, Inclusive and Collective Solutions.”
• India’s Chairship focused on strengthening intra-BRICS cooperation and expanding outreach, with emphasis on counter-terrorism, trade, innovation and multilateral coordination.
• The period saw the operationalisation of the New Development Bank, including its initial loans, particularly for renewable energy projects.
• BRICS also prioritised renewable energy access, clean energy transition and energy security, while strengthening cooperation on health issues such as HIV and tuberculosis.
• India secured stronger language on combating terrorism and promoted adherence to Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards.
• The BIMSTEC Outreach Summit further expanded BRICS engagement with the wider Bay of Bengal region.
• Cooperation mechanisms such as the BRICS Agriculture Research Platform, BRICS Railway Research Network and BRICS Sports Council were also advanced, along with youth-centric initiatives.

2021: Consolidating Cooperation in a Changing World

• India hosted the 13th BRICS Summit virtually on 9 September 2021, marking the 15th anniversary of BRICS.
• The theme was “BRICS@15: Intra-BRICS Cooperation for Continuity, Consolidation and Consensus.”
• India focused on strengthening institutional continuity, deepening cooperation and building consensus among members.
• The Chairship advanced cooperation in health, digital technologies, counter-terrorism and sustainable development.
• Major outcomes included the adoption of a unified BRICS Counter-Terrorism Action Plan and the hosting of the first BRICS Digital Health Summit.
• A BRICS Vaccine Research and Development Centre was launched to strengthen collective preparedness for future pandemics.
• The Chairship also advanced cooperation on the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation, enabling the sharing of remote-sensing data for environmental protection, disaster management and climate monitoring.
• India further introduced initiatives such as the BRICS Alliance for Green Tourism and the first BRICS Water Ministers Meeting.

BRICS 2026: Key Outcomes

• India assumed its fourth BRICS Chairship on 1 January 2026.
• During the year, it convened ministerial meetings and engagements across priority areas of cooperation.
• These discussions advanced cooperation under BRICS’ three pillars: political and security cooperation, economic and financial cooperation, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
• More than 350 meetings and high-level engagements across 25 cities generated several practical and development-oriented outcomes.

Agriculture and Food Systems

• Agreement on BRICS Centres of Excellence on Agro-Ecology to promote joint research, knowledge-sharing and capacity building in natural, organic and regenerative farming.
• Establishment of the BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture to promote AI-driven decision-making, geospatial intelligence, IoT-enabled monitoring and data analytics in agriculture.
• BRICS AGRIN (Agro-Inputs, Genetic Resources and Information Network) was agreed upon as a voluntary, farmer-centric framework for cooperation in seeds, germplasm and agricultural inputs.

Health and Well-Being

• Launch of the BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyle, along with a roadmap for 2026–2029, focusing on preventive approaches to obesity and other non-communicable diseases.
• Establishment of the BRICS Expert Working Group on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) for cooperation in research, evidence generation, capacity building and the protection of traditional and indigenous knowledge.
• Greater focus on mental health through the BRICS Training Hub Network and the BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence, with NIMHANS India as the coordinating centre.
• Adoption of principles to strengthen climate resilience through community-based adaptation and promote academic collaboration on traditional and indigenous knowledge systems.

Sustainable Lifestyles and Skilling

• Promotion of sustainable lifestyles through a Network of BRICS Institutions for Knowledge Sharing, Research and Innovation and Sustainable Lifestyles Week.
• Launch of BRICS CONNECT for Skilling, a cooperation network focusing on social security, women’s workforce participation, skills and employability, and digital public infrastructure.

Energy and Urban Development

• Adoption of the BRICS Guiding Principles on Energy Storage and Smart Grids and the launch of the BRICS Digital Centre of Excellence for Smart Grids and Energy Storage.
• Establishment of the BRICS Urban Mobility Hub and adoption of voluntary principles for climate-resilient urban infrastructure.
• Creation of a BRICS Urban Research and Knowledge Network to promote applied research, peer learning and institutional collaboration.

MSMEs, Startups and Innovation

• Establishment of the BRICS MSME Cooperation Portal, along with a Dialogue on MSME Finance and a Workplan on the Internationalisation of MSMEs.
• Creation of the BRICS Incubator Network to connect incubators, national nodal agencies and startups across member countries.
• Proposal for a BRICS Startup Innovation Fund to support early and growth-stage startups.
• Development of the BRICS Science and Research Repository as a platform for scientific knowledge storage and sharing.

Trade, Logistics and Global Value Chains

• Adoption of the BRICS Logistics Supply-Chain Cooperation Framework to improve transport logistics resilience, connectivity and sustainability.
• Advancement of cooperation on global value chains through the GVC Action Plan 2026–2030, including a Technical Council and Joint Study.
• In-principle approval of the BRICS Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters to promote trade facilitation, lower transaction costs and address illicit trade.
• An MoU on cooperation in standardisation to strengthen quality infrastructure, technical cooperation and reduce technical barriers to trade.

Youth and Sports

• Adoption of the BRICS Youth Cooperation Framework 2026 to provide continuity and structure to cooperation under the BRICS Youth Track.
• Institutionalisation of sport technology cooperation through a new Working Group for sharing research, technical knowledge and best practices.

Overall, the outcomes of ministerial meetings under India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship reflect an emphasis on practical cooperation, innovation, inclusive growth, sustainable development and strengthening the voice of the Global South.

Conclusion

India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship highlights the grouping focus on practical cooperation, inclusive growth and the Global South, while strengthening BRICS as a platform for a more representative and inclusive global order.

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding BRICS:

1. The expansion of BRICS has increased its representation of the Global South but may also make consensus-building more complex due to the diversity of members’ economic and geopolitical interests.
2. The Partner Country category enables wider engagement with BRICS without granting full membership to participating countries.
3. BRICS cooperation is limited to economic and financial issues.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

PM SHRI: Transforming School Education Under NEP 2020

Source: PIB
GS II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education and Human Resources

Why in the News?

The Press Information Bureau highlighted the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) Scheme, which aims to develop more than 14,500 existing schools as exemplar institutions aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

News in Brief

• Launched on 7 September 2022, PM SHRI is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education.
• The scheme has a total project cost of ₹27,360 crore for the period 2022–23 to 2026–27.
• As of July 2026, 13,092 schools, around 90% of the target, have been selected across States and Union Territories.
• The selected schools include institutions under Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) and NCERT.
• The scheme is expected to directly benefit more than 20 lakh students.

About PM SHRI Scheme

Objective

• The scheme seeks to strengthen existing schools and develop them as model or exemplar schools demonstrating the effective implementation of NEP 2020.
• These schools aim to provide,
  • Quality education
  • Modern and safe infrastructure
  • Inclusive and equitable learning
  • Experiential and learner-centered pedagogy
  • Technology-enabled education
  • Sustainability and environmental consciousness
  • Exposure to 21st- century skills.
• PM SHRI schools are also expected to act as mentor institutions for neighboring schools, creating a wider ripple effect in school education.

Key Features of PM SHRI Schools

Inclusive and Equitable Education

• Focus on students from diverse social, linguistic and academic backgrounds.
• Promotes multilingual learning.
• Encourages the use of the mother tongue, local or regional language, particularly during the early years.
• Seeks to reduce educational disparities, especially for rural and underserved communities.

Experiential Learning

• The scheme promotes:
  • Inquiry-based learning
  • Integrated and holistic learning
  • Play and toy-based learning
  • Bagless days
  • Internships with local artisans
  • Learning about local arts, crafts and traditions
  • Celebration of important cultural events
  • Preservation of indigenous knowledge.

 Technology-enabled Education

• PM SHRI schools promote:
  • ICT facilities
  • Smart classrooms
  • Internet connectivity
  • Digital learning platforms
  • STEM-based programmes
  • Digital literacy and technological competencies
• Platforms such as DIKSHA support the availability and sharing of digital educational resources.

Holistic Development

• The schools integrate academic education with:
  • Sports
  • Arts
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Life skills
  • Leadership development
  • Creativity
  • Socio-emotional competencies
• This reflects the broader vision of NEP 2020 of moving beyond conventional academic achievement.

Green and Sustainable Schools

• Environmental sustainability and eco-friendly practices form an important benchmark for school quality under the PM SHRI framework.

Teacher and School Leadership Development

• PM SHRI focuses on strengthening teachers and school leaders through structured professional development.
• DIETs- District Institutes of Education and Training receive financial assistance for capacity-building programmes.
• Teachers and principals receive training in pedagogy, school safety, ICT integration and educational leadership.
• Promote continuous professional development among educational personnel.

The Six Pillars of PM SHRI Schools

The scheme is based on six  major pillars derived from the broader framework of NEP 2020.

It aims to transform education with a commitment to quality assurance through,

• Curriculum. pedagogy and assessment
• Access and infrastructure
• Human Resources and School Leadership
• Management, Monitoring and Governance
• Inclusive Practices and Gender Equity
• Beneficiary Satisfaction

Selection of PM SHRI Schools

Schools are selected through a three-stage Challenge Mode.

Stage 1: Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

States and Union Territories (UTs) enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre, outlining their commitments towards providing the requisite support and enabling the selected schools to achieve the prescribed quality standards for PM SHRI Schools.

Stage 2: Identification of Eligible Schools

Schools meeting minimum benchmarks are identified using prescribed indicators and UDISE+ data.

Stage 3: Selection through the Challenge Method

• Eligible schools compete based on specified quality criteria. Compliance is verified through physical inspection, followed by final selection by an Expert Committee.
  • Urban schools require a minimum score of 70%.
  • Rural schools require a minimum score of 60%.
• Assessment covers infrastructure, pedagogy, learning outcomes, PM POSHAN, vocational education, green initiatives and stakeholder commitment.

Every School, A Model School

• PM SHRI represents a paradigm shift from an infrastructure-centric approach to school development towards the establishment of holistic, inclusive, equitable, and future-ready learning institutions.
• The initiative operationalises the vision and priorities of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by emphasising quality and competency-based learning, continuous teacher professional development, technology-enabled education, and the creation of a safe, inclusive, and enabling school environment.
• By combining these elements, PM SHRI schools aim to create learning environments that prepare students with knowledge, skills and adaptability needed for the future.
• In this way, the scheme seeks to develop schools that can serve as models for improving the wider schools education system.

Challenges

• Ensuring uniform quality across States and regions.
• Bridging rural-urban disparities in infrastructure and digital access.
• Effective implementation of multilingual and experiential learning.
• Ensuring adequate teacher capacity and continuous training.
• Scaling successful practices from PM SHRI schools to neighbouring schools.
• Maintaining quality standards after the initial financial support period.

Way Forward and Conclusion

Going forward, the focus should be on ensuring the effective implementation of PM SHRI across regions, strengthening teacher capacity, bridging digital and infrastructure gaps, and sharing successful practices with neighbouring schools. Regular quality assessment and greater community participation can further help sustain improvements in learning outcomes.

PM SHRI represents an important step towards translating the vision of NEP 2020 into practice. By creating inclusive, technology-enabled and holistic learning environments, the scheme has the potential to develop model schools and contribute to broader improvements in India’s school education system.

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

With reference to the PM SHRI Scheme, consider the following statements:

1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at developing existing schools as exemplar institutions aligned with NEP 2020.
2. Schools are selected through a three-stage Challenge Mode based on prescribed quality benchmarks.
3. Only schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education are eligible to become PM SHRI Schools.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a)

Mains Practice Question

Q. Discuss the challenges associated with improving the quality and accessibility of school education in India. Suggest measures to make the education system more inclusive, equitable and future-ready. (250 words).

SIR Of Electoral Rolls And Constitutional Concerns

Source: Indian Express
GS II: Indian Polity and Governance- Representation of the People Acts, Election Commission of India, Universal Adult Suffrage, Constitutional rights and equality, Electoral reforms, Democratic representation and accountability

Why in the News?

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has been undertaken by the Election Commission of India to ensure that voter lists are accurate, updated and free from ineligible or duplicate entries, while ensuring that no eligible voter is excluded.

News in Brief

• The exercise involves house-to-house verification by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), followed by the publication of draft electoral rolls and a period for filing claims and objections before the final roll is prepared.
• The SIR has generated concerns regarding the possible exclusion of eligible citizens, documentation requirements and procedural safeguards available to voters whose names are deleted or flagged during the revision process.
• The issue has significant constitutional relevance as it involves balancing accurate electoral rolls and electoral integrity with universal adult suffrage, equality and the prevention of wrongful disenfranchisement.
• The Supreme Court has upheld the legality of the SIR, linking the exercise to the constitutional objective of free and fair elections.

Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls

Electoral rolls are periodically revised to maintain their accuracy and credibility. The process generally aims to:

• include newly eligible voters;
• remove entries of deceased persons;
• correct errors in voter details;
• update changes in residence; and
• remove entries that are legally ineligible.

The Core Challenge

• Electoral-roll management must balance two equally important objectives:
  • Maintaining accurate, credible and reliable electoral rolls, which are essential for free and fair elections; and
  • Protecting the right of every eligible citizen to participate in the democratic process, by preventing wrongful exclusion.

Constitutional and Legal Framework

• The concerns surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls need to be understood in the context of India’s constitutional commitment to Universal adult suffrage, equality and free and fair elections.
• While electoral rolls must be regularly updated to remove ineligible entries, the process must also ensure that eligible citizens are not wrongfully excluded.

Article 326: Universal Adult Suffrage

• Article 326 provides the constitutional basis for elections in India on the principle of adult suffrage.
• Every citizen who is 18 years of age or above and is not otherwise disqualified under the Constitution or any law is entitled to be registered as a voter.
• Disqualification from registration can arise only on legally prescribed grounds, including:
  • non-residence;
  • unsoundness of mind, where declared by a competent court; and
  • disqualification arising from crime, corrupt practices or other grounds specified by law.
• Thus, the principle underlying Article 326 is that the electoral system should remain as inclusive as possible, with exclusion permitted only according to law.

Article 14: Equalitybefore law

• Article 14 guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws to “any person”.
• This constitutional principle requires State action to be fair and non-arbitrary.
• Therefore, if eligible persons are excluded from electoral rolls without a reasonable basis or without following due procedure, it may raise concerns relating to arbitrariness, equality and fairness in State action.

Representation of the People Act, 1950: Key Provisions

The preparation, revision and maintenance of electoral rolls are primarily governed by the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

Section16: Disqualification for Registration

A person is disqualified from registration in an electoral roll if he or she,

• is not a citizen of India;
• is of unsound mind and has been declared so by a competent court; or
• is disqualified from voting because of corrupt practices or other offences specified by law.

The provision makes it clear that exclusion from electoral rolls must be based on specific legal grounds.

Section 21: Revision of Electoral Rolls

• Section 21 provides for the preparation and revision of electoral rolls.
• Such revision is necessary to keep voter lists updated by including newly eligible voters and addressing changes in the electorate.
• The process of revision must, however, follow the procedure prescribed under the law and the rules governing electoral registration.

Section 22: Correction and Deletion of Entries

• Section 22 provides for the correction or deletion of entries in an electoral roll after due inquiry.
• An entry may be corrected or deleted where:
  • the entry is erroneous or defective;
  • the elector has died;
  • the person is no longer ordinarily resident in the constituency; or
  • the person has become ineligible for registration under the law.
• An important safeguard is that the affected person should be given an opportunity to be heard before an entry is deleted, except in circumstances provided under the law.

Key Concerns Raised by the SIR Exercise

While the objective of revising electoral rolls is to improve their accuracy and credibility, concerns have been raised regarding whether the process could lead to the exclusion of eligible voters.

Burden of Proving Eligibility

• One major concern is the possibility of placing an excessive burden on individuals to establish their citizenship or eligibility, particularly when they were already included in previous electoral rolls.
• This raises important questions:
  • On what basis can an already registered elector be excluded?
  • What evidence is required to establish continued eligibility?
  • Who bears the burden of proving eligibility?
  • What remedies are available to a person whose name has been removed?
• A revision process should therefore distinguish between identifying genuinely ineligible entries and placing an unreasonable documentary burden on ordinary citizens.

Procedural Safeguards and Natural Justice

• Another concern relates to the procedures followed while deleting or questioning entries in electoral rolls.
• Issues raised include:
  • inadequate communication regarding the reasons for exclusion;
  • uncertainty over the procedure for challenging deletion;
  • possible shifting of the burden of proof onto citizens; and
  • the need for clear safeguards during verification by election officials.
• These issues are closely linked to the principles of natural justice, particularly the right to receive notice and a fair opportunity to present one’s case.

Risk of Wrongful Disenfranchisement

• The most significant consequence of an inaccurate exclusion is the loss of an eligible citizen’s opportunity to participate in the electoral process.
• Large-scale or wrongful deletion of names can affect:
  • political participation;
  • representative democracy;
  • the inclusiveness of elections;
  • public confidence in electoral institutions; and
  • the legitimacy of the electoral process.
• Therefore, while preventing duplicate or ineligible entries is important, the electoral system must also minimise the risk of wrongful disenfranchisement.

Concerns Beyond the Right to Vote

• Questions regarding electoral registration and citizenship may sometimes create wider concerns for individuals, particularly where electoral records are used alongside other documents in administrative processes.
• The article highlights concerns relating to possible difficulties in accessing documents or welfare benefits, including:
  • passports;
  • ration cards;
  • food security benefits; and
  • other government services.
• However, electoral-roll exclusion and eligibility for other documents or welfare schemes are governed by their respective laws and procedures.
• Nevertheless, wrongful exclusion can create practical difficulties and uncertainty for affected individuals.

Possibility of Arbitrary Exclusion

• An electoral-roll revision must not result in arbitrary or discriminatory exclusion.
• Any deletion should be based on:
  • grounds recognised by law;
  • proper verification;
  • a transparent procedure;
  • adequate notice; and
  • an opportunity to challenge the decision.
• Maintaining these safeguards is essential for balancing electoral integrity with electoral inclusion.

Constituent Assembly and Democratic Principles

• The Constituent Assembly attached great importance to the conduct of elections in a manner that was fair, honest and impartial.
• The introduction of universal adult suffrage was itself a major democratic decision, as India adopted the principle from the very beginning of the Republic despite widespread social and economic inequalities.
• The broader constitutional principle is that every person who is legally entitled to participate in elections should not be excluded because of arbitrary action, prejudice or procedural shortcomings.
• Thus, the integrity of elections depends not only on preventing ineligible persons from voting but also on ensuring that eligible citizens are not denied their rightful place in the electoral process.

SIR and the Broader Concerns for Democracy

• The debate surrounding SIR highlights a fundamental challenge in electoral governance.
  • How can India maintain accurate electoral rolls without excluding genuine voters?
• If large numbers of eligible citizens are wrongfully excluded, it could lead to ,
  • reduced democratic participation
  • disenfranchisement of eligible voters
  • weakening of the principle of universal adult suffrage
  • reduced trust in electoral institutions
  • greater disputes over voter eligibility and citizenship
• At the same time, inaccurate electoral rolls containing duplicate, deceased or otherwise ineligible entries can also undermine the credibility of elections.
• Therefore, the challenge is to ensure both accuracy and inclusiveness.

Way Forward and Conclusion

Electoral-roll revision must strike a balance between ensuring accurate voter lists and protecting eligible citizens from wrongful exclusion. The process should ensure proper notice, an opportunity to be heard, transparent verification and an effective mechanism for correcting or restoring wrongly deleted names.

Ultimately, free and fair elections require not only the removal of ineligible entries but also the inclusion of every eligible voter, thereby upholding the constitutional principles of universal adult suffrage and inclusive democracy.

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding electoral rolls in India:

1. Article 326 of the Constitution provides for elections based on adult suffrage.
2. Section 16 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 deals with disqualification for registration in an electoral roll.
3. The Representation of the People Act, 1950 provides safeguards, including an opportunity to be heard, before deletion of an elector’s entry in specified circumstances.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d)

Mains Practice Question

Q. Discuss the importance of free, fair and inclusive elections in strengthening democracy in India with refence to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Suggest some measures to prevent the wrongful exclusion of eligible voters from electoral rolls. (250 words)

Study Finds Higher Pollution From Winter Waste Burning

Source: The Hindu
GS III: Environmental Pollution and Degradation

Why in the News?

A recent study by World Resources Institute India has found that open burning in Indian cities increases sharply during winter, with the incidence of burning, quantity of waste burned and associated emissions being up to three times higher than in summer.

News in Brief

• The study was based on field surveys conducted between 2019 and 2026 across 11 polluted Indian cities.
• Tier 2 cities recorded the highest quantity of waste burned, while Tier 3 cities recorded the highest incidence of burning, at 49.6 incidents per sq. km per day during winter.
• Open waste burning contributed less than 1% of total citywide PM2.5 and PM10 emissions, but remains a major health concern because it often occurs close to residential areas.
• Poorer neighbourhoods experienced significantly higher burning, with some areas recording nearly 84 incidents per sq. km per day during winter.

Why does Waste Burning Increase in Winter?

Waste burning tends to increase during winter due to a combination of seasonal and urban waste-management factors.

• Unfavourable atmospheric conditions
  • Lower temperatures and stagnant air reduce the dispersion of pollutants, allowing smoke and particulate matter to remain concentrated near the ground.
• Post-monsoon accumulation of waste
  • Waste may accumulate in open spaces and dumping sits, especially where regular collection is inadequate.
• Gaps in waste-management services
  • In the absence of efficient collection and disposal systems, accumulated household and municipal waste is often burnt as an easy means of disposal.
• Multiple pollution sources
  • Emissions from waste burning add to pollution from vehicles, industries and biomass burning, further worsening winter air quality.

Why is Open Waste Burning a Concern?

Localized Health Risks

• While open waste burning may account for only a small share of a city’s overall particulate emissions, its impact can be severe at the local level.
• Waste is often burnt close to houses, roads and informal settlements, directly exposing nearby residents to harmful smoke and pollutants.

Release of Harmful Pollutants

• Burning mixed municipal waste, particularly plastic and other synthetic materials, releases several harmful pollutants, including:
  • PM2.5 and PM10
    • PM 2.5- Fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less.
    • PM 10- Particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less.
    • These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and may even enter the bloodstream.
  • Carbon monoxide (CO)
  • Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  • Toxic substances released from plastics and mixed waste
• Regular exposure to these pollutants can increase the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular problems.

An Issue of Environmental Justice

• Open waste burning has a clear environmental justice dimension because its burden is not shared equally across urban populations.
• Poorer and underserved neighbourhoods often have inadequate door-to-door waste collection, limited access to scientific waste-disposal facilities and a higher presence of open dumping sites.
• As a result, residents in these areas are more likely to live close to locations where mixed waste is regularly burnt.
• This exposes vulnerable communities, including children, elderly persons and outdoor workers, to higher levels of harmful smoke and particulate matter.
• The issue, therefore, goes beyond waste management and air pollution and raises broader concerns related to public health, social equity and the quality of urban governance.

An Issue of Urban Governance

• Open waste burning reflects weaknesses in urban governance and the delivery of basic municipal services.
• From an urban governance perspective, the issue involves:
  • Service delivery gaps– Inadequate door-to-door waste collection, irregular services and poor waste segregation can lead to waste accumulation and open burning.
  • Institutional coordination– Effective action requires coordination between urban local bodies, pollution control authorities, sanitation departments and public health agencies.
  • Monitoring and enforcement– Municipal authorities need to identify waste-burning hotspots, monitor violations and ensure effective enforcement of waste-management rules.
  • Inclusive urban planning- Poorer and informal settlements should receive equitable access to sanitation and waste-management services, preventing unequal exposure to pollution.
  • Accountability and citizen participation- Greater community participation, public awareness and accountability of urban local bodies can improve compliance and service delivery.

Way Forward and Conclusion

India needs to strengthen door-to-door waste collection, source segregation and decentralized waste-processing facilities, while improving monitoring of waste-burning hotspots and enforcing regulations more effectively. Targeted interventions in underserved neighborhoods and the integration of solid waste management with city-level clean air action plans can help address the problem.

Open waste burning reflects the close link between poor waste management, air pollution and social inequality. A combination of reliable urban services, public awareness, scientific waste disposal and an airshed-based approach is essential to prevent waste burning and improve urban air quality.

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding open waste burning in Indian cities:

1. The incidence and emissions from open waste burning can be significantly higher during winter than during summer.
2. Open waste burning is the dominant source of PM2.5 and PM10 emissions in all Indian cities.
3. Poorer neighbourhoods can experience higher exposure to pollution from open waste burning due to inadequate waste-management services.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only

Mains Practice Question

Q. Open Waste burning is not merely a waste-management problem but also a challenge of public health, urban governance and environmental justice. Discuss. (250 words)

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