September 24, 2025

Current Affairs

Secularism and the Mysuru Dasara Case

Context: The Supreme Court dismissed a petition challenging the Karnataka government’s decision to invite Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq, a Muslim, to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara festivities.

The Court reminded the petitioner of the Preamble, which enshrines secularism, liberty of thought and faith, equality, and fraternity as core ideals of the Indian Constitution.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Preamble, Article 25, landmark cases related to secularism.
Mains: Indian model of secularism.

Supreme Court’s Ruling

The Court noted that the inauguration was a State function and not a purely religious ritual, and hence no citizen could be excluded on the basis of religion.
Denying participation on religious grounds violates the Preamble’s ideals of equality and fraternity.
The Court reaffirmed the M. Ismail Faruqui (1994) case judgment,“the State has no religion of its own and must act with neutrality”

Constitutional Position on Secularism

India follows a model of secularism that ensures respect for all religions while maintaining State neutrality.

The Preamble explicitly declares India to be a secular State (42nd Amendment, 1976).
Secularism has been upheld as part of the basic structure of the Constitution in Kesavananda Bharati (1973) and S.R. Bommai (1994).
Article 25 guarantees freedom of religion while allowing the State to regulate secular activities associated with religious practice.
In R.C. Poudyal (1993), the Court observed that secularism means equal treatment of all religions without discrimination.
In Dr. Balram Singh v. Union of India (2024), the Court held that secularism allows the State to intervene to eliminate practices that impede equality and development.

The Mysuru Dasara judgment underlines that Indian secularism is not about a rigid separation of religion from the State, but about principled equidistance and equal respect for all faiths.

Also Read: What makes the Indian Constitution Secular?

RBI’s Inflation Targeting Framework and the Debate on Continuity

Context: The existing flexible inflation targeting framework of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is set to expire in March 2026. RBI had sought views from economists, market participants and other stakeholders on whether the current target, band, and measure should continue. Most respondents back the continuation of the existing structure.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key Features of the 2015 Monetary Policy Framework.

The monetary policy framework in India has evolved over the years. From relying on multiple indicators such as money supply and wholesale prices, the RBI shifted its focus to retail inflation in 2014.

In February 2015, a new Monetary Policy Framework Agreement was signed between the Government of India and the RBI, which institutionalised inflation targeting in India.

Key Features of the 2015 Monetary Policy Framework

The primary objective of monetary policy is to maintain price stability while keeping in mind the objective of growth.
The framework is operated by the RBI, which uses instruments such as the repo rate to achieve the target.
The inflation target is fixed at 4% CPI inflation, with a tolerance band of +/-2 % (2-6%).
The inflation target is decided by the Government of India in consultation with the RBI, and is to be set once every five years. The current target has been notified till March 31, 2026.
The relevant measure of inflation is the Consumer Price Index (CPI-Combined) published by the National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
The RBI is deemed to have failed in its mandate if inflation remains above 6% or below 2% for three consecutive quarters.
In case of such failure, the RBI must submit a written report to the Government explaining the reasons for the failure, remedial measures, and the time frame within which inflation will be brought back to the target.

Role of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)

The MPC was constituted in 2016 as a statutory body to set the policy repo rate required to achieve the inflation target.
It comprises six members: RBI Governor (Chairperson), the Deputy Governor in charge of monetary policy, one RBI officer nominated by the RBI Board, and three external members appointed by the Government.
Decisions are taken by majority vote, with the Governor having a casting vote in case of a tie.

Performance of the Flexible Inflation Targeting (FIT) Regime (2016-2025)

Inflation has declined significantly since the adoption of FIT: from nearly 10% in 2012-13, CPI inflation is projected to average 3.1% in 2025-26, the lowest in the FIT era.
The framework has anchored inflation expectations of households and markets, thereby improving monetary policy credibility.
It has enhanced macroeconomic stability by reducing uncertainty for consumers and investors.
Low and stable inflation has supported sustainable growth, as extreme price fluctuations erode consumer purchasing power and discourage investment.
India’s adoption of FIT has brought it in line with global best practices, where most modern central banks follow inflation targeting frameworks.

Review of Flexible Inflation Targeting (FIT) Regime:

The FIT regime requires a review every five years. The current review must be completed by March 2026. The RBI’s recent discussion paper has sought comments on key issues:

Whether monetary policy should target headline inflation or core inflation.
Whether the 4% inflation target remains optimal.
Whether the tolerance band (2-6%) should be revised.
Whether the target should be a point (4%) or a range only.

Former members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) are largely in favour of retaining the targets as per the existing Flexible Inflation Target (FIT) regime and want to continue to focus on keeping headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation at 4% in the medium term.

Also Read: Time to Review Inflation Targeting

Climate-Health Vision with lessons from India

Context: The Global Conference on Climate and Health held in Brazil in July 2025 shaped the Belém Health Action Plan which will be launched at COP30. The plan marks a global shift towards placing health at the centre of climate action.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Belém Health Action Plan; Major international climate agreements and action plans.

Belém Health Action Plan

The Belém Health Action Plan aims to become a global reference for strengthening climate-resilient health systems. The draft plan is structured around three main pillars:

Surveillance and Monitoring: Aims to strengthen health surveillance systems to effectively respond to climate-related threats, such as vector-borne disease outbreaks and mental health impacts from extreme weather events.
Evidence-Based Policy Strategy: Seeks to accelerate the implementation of proven solutions by fostering cooperation among governments, academic institutions, civil society, and other key actors.
Innovation and Production: Proposes investments in research and technology to develop solutions tailored to the specific needs of the most vulnerable populations.

Why does the Climate-Health link matter?

Climate change exacerbates malnutrition, heat stress, respiratory ailments and vector-borne diseases. This makes it imperative to frame climate action not as a distant environmental agenda but as an immediate public health priority.

Insights from India’s Welfare Experience:

India’s welfare policies demonstrate how non-health interventions can generate substantial health and climate co-benefits. For example:

The PM POSHAN scheme has simultaneously improved child nutrition, strengthened education outcomes, promoted agricultural diversification, and built climate-resilient food systems through the use of millets.
The Swachh Bharat Mission has tackled sanitation, dignity, and public health while mobilising communities through cultural symbolism rooted in Gandhian ideals.
The MNREGA programme has improved rural livelihoods while restoring degraded ecosystems through water conservation and afforestation works.
The PM Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) has reduced household air pollution and carbon emissions by providing clean cooking fuel to rural households.

These initiatives demonstrate that intentional, intersectoral action can multiply impacts across health, environment, and development.

From this experience, three insights emerge for integrated climate-health governance:

Strong political leadership ensures inter-ministerial cooperation and elevates climate action as a public health and empowerment issue rather than a technocratic agenda.
Community engagement enhances legitimacy when policies are anchored in local culture and participatory structures, as seen in parent–teacher committees under PM POSHAN or mass mobilisation under Swachh Bharat.
Embedding climate goals within existing delivery systems such as ASHAs, self-help groups and panchayats ensures sustainability without creating parallel structures.

Challenges in Implementation:

Despite these successes, certain barriers persist :

Administrative silos reduce effectiveness when multiple departments are involved.
Economic barriers such as high LPG refill costs in PMUY hinder access for poor households.
Social and cultural practices limit adoption unless supported by long-term behavioural change.
Monitoring remains focused on outputs (E.g., toilets built) rather than real outcomes like improved health.

Way Forward

To overcome these challenges and build effective climate-health governance, India’s experience points towards a three-pillar framework:

Strategic Prioritisation: Reframe climate policies as immediate health imperatives.
Procedural Integration: Mandate health impact assessments across all climate-relevant policies.
Participatory Implementation: Mobilise communities around tangible health gains like clean air, safe water, and nutritious food.

India can provide a model for the Global South, promoting a whole-of-society response to climate and health challenges.

Queer Couples’ Rights in India

Context: Recently, a same-sex couple moved the Bombay High Court challenging the discriminatory levy of gift tax under the Income Tax Act.

Relevance of the Topic : Mains: Evolution of Rights of Transgenders/ Queer Couples’ and related issues.

Under the Income Tax Act, no such tax on gifts is levied on heterosexual couples. No such exemption exists for queer couples, which violates Articles 14 and Article 15 of the Constitution.

The case highlights the persistent problem of how to operationalise queer rights recognised in court verdicts and government advisories without a legal framework of relationship recognition.

Who are Queer Couples?

Queer couples are partners where one or both identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or other non-heteronormative identities.
Such couples do not fall within the conventional legal framework of marriage in India, as the marriage laws (like the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 or Special Marriage Act, 1954) recognise only heterosexual unions.
They may cohabit, share financial and emotional responsibilities, and live as families, but the state does not currently grant them the same legal status and protections as heterosexual couples.

Evolution of Queer Rights in India:

Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018): The SC decriminalised consensual same-sex relations by striking down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.
Deepika Singh v. Central Administrative Tribunal (2022): The SC expanded the definition of family beyond marital ties to include non-traditional households. The legal understanding of “family” may include manifestations like queer families as well as single parents.
Supriya Chakraborty v. Union of India (2023): The SC upheld the validity of the Special Marriage Act, 1954, and held that the right to marry is not a fundamental right for queer persons. There is no unqualified fundamental right to marry under the Constitution. But it unanimously recognised that queer persons have the right to relationship, cohabitation, and choice of partner. The SC also directed the Union Government to set up a Cabinet Secretary-led committee to identify entitlements of queer couples in the absence of marriage recognition.

Right To Marry in India:

As per Article 21 of Indian Constitution, Marriage is an element of the Right to Life. Article 21 guarantees the Right to Marry the person of one's choice.
For Queers: The government has already acknowledged the right to love, right to cohabit, right to choose one’s partner, right to one’s sexual orientation as fundamental rights under Article 21.

Policy Measures after the 2023 Verdict

The Department of Food and Public Distribution issued an advisory directing states to treat queer partners as members of the same household for ration cards.
The Department of Financial Services issued an advisory clarifying that queer persons can open joint bank accounts and nominate their partners.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued guidelines prohibiting discrimination in hospitals and allowing queer partners to claim the body of a deceased partner.

These measures are steps forward, but they remain limited to advisories and face challenges in practical implementation.

Challenges in Realising Queer Rights:

Even if courts or government issue favourable orders, queer couples require a recognised mechanism to prove that they are in a partnership.
Departments and authorities lack a uniform way to identify queer couples who should receive entitlements.
Without a recognised proof of association, advisories and court verdicts risk remaining ineffective in practice.

The Bombay High Court admitted the petition of the same-sex couple challenging discriminatory taxation of gifts. A favourable ruling could extend equality in tax treatment to queer couples. However, implementation of such a verdict will still require a credible method to verify who qualifies as a partner in a queer relationship.

The Deed of Familial Association (DoFA) as a Possible Solution

In 2023, Justice N. Anand Venkatesh of the Madras High Court suggested that the Tamil Nadu government should consider recognising a Deed of Familial Association (DoFA).
A DoFA would allow queer partners to submit affidavits of their free will to a District Magistrate or other authorised officer to register their association.
The issuance of a DoFA would give official proof of a queer relationship that could be presented before departments or institutions.
It could help operationalise court orders, advisories, and government circulars by creating a uniform recognition of queer partnerships.

Such a mechanism would reduce arbitrariness, help protect rights, and ensure that entitlements already granted are actually accessible.

Also Read: Embracing Diversity: Paving the Way for Transgender Inclusivity and Equality

Blending Isobutanol with Diesel

Context: The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) was exploring the possibility of blending isobutanol with diesel. The move comes after the efforts to blend ethanol with diesel were unsuccessful.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Isobutanol and its feasibility to blend with Diesel: Pros & Cons.

Biofuel blending in Petrol and Diesel is an important contributor to the government’s objective of scaling the net zero emission target by 2070.

Isobutanol and its feasibility to blend with Diesel

Isobutanol is a higher molecular weight alcohol with inflammable properties. It is used as a solvent in several industries, including painting.
It is produced from either thermochemical pathways (such as synthesis gas to mixed alcohols) or biochemical pathways (such as fermentation by specially designed microbes under sterile conditions).

Isobutanol Blending vs Ethanol Blending with Diesel

Studies suggest:

Isobutanol has higher energy content as compared to ethanol and is more amenable to pipeline distribution.
Isobutanol blends better with diesel compared to ethanol. There is no need to add any complement for efficiency.
Less water absorption (less hygroscopic) compared to ethanol, thus it has lower corrosion risks.
The flash point or the lowest temperature at which isobutanol yields a vapour igniting a momentary flash is higher than ethanol.
- A lower flash point was among the reasons that ethanol was not considered ideal for blending with diesel. Fuels with lower flash points are more volatile and entail a higher risk of catching fire.
Proposed blending opens avenues for the surplus ethanol production sources to be diverted to produce isobutanol. Isobutanol can be produced from the same feedstock required to produce ethanol such as sugarcane syrup and molasses and grains etc.

The proposed blend would have an impact on reducing emissions and help with import substitution.

Associated Concerns:

Isobutanol and diesel may have issues on miscibility (ability of two substances to mix to form a homogenous mixture) though it can be sorted out by mixing biodiesel to the blend. Biodiesel is the fuel manufactured from non-edible vegetable oils, used cooking oil and/or animal fat.
Isobutanol has significantly lower cetane number (measure of combustion quality) as compared to diesel (the base fuel). This would reduce the blend’s overall cetane number. This raises concerns about diesel knock which can result in reduced power and potential damage to engines.
- An ideal combustion translates to rapid ignition and the fuel combusting completely to produce the necessary energy.
- ‘Knocking’ occurs when the fuel burns unevenly and/or prematurely in the vehicle’s fuel cylinder. However, cetane value can be restored through proper additives which would entail incremental costs.

The blending paradigm is still being studied and the pilot project would take about 18 months to complete. If successful, India would be the first country to have blended isobutanol with diesel.

Also Read: What are Biofuels?

Proper studies should be initiated encompassing varied vehicle classes and types. Phased blending targets with no more than 10% blending of isobutanol should be considered.

Dadasaheb Phalke Award

Context: Renowned Malayalam actor Mohanlal is set to receive the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for the year 2023. It will be presented during the 71^th National Film Awards ceremony and he will be the 55^th recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

About Dadasaheb Phalke Award

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award was instituted in 1969 in honour of Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, the pioneer of Indian cinema, by the Government of India.
It is India's highest award in the field of cinema.
It is presented annually at the National Film Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an organisation set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The Directorate of Film Festivals in India, established in 1973, is responsible for organizing major film events such as the International Film Festival of India, the National Film Awards, and the Indian Panorama.
Based in New Delhi, the organization operates under the works as part of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The recipient is honoured for their ‘great and outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema’ and is selected by a committee consisting of eminent personalities from the Indian film industry.
The award comprises a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and a cash prize of Rs. 10 Lakh.
The first recipient of the award was actress Devika Rani (widely acknowledged as the First Lady of Indian cinema), who was honoured at the 17th National Film Awards.

About Dhundiraj Govind Phalke (April 1870 – 16 February 1944):

He was widely known as Dadasaheb Phalke and is referred to as ‘the Father of Indian cinema.’
He directed India's first full-length feature film, Raja Harishchandra, which was released in 1913, marking a significant milestone in the history of Indian cinema.
Over his 19-year career, from 1913 to 1937, Phalke produced and directed a total of 95 feature films and 27 short films.
Some of his most acclaimed works include Mohini Bhasmasur (1913), Satyavan Savitri (1914), Lanka Dahan (1917), Shri Krishna Janma (1918), and Kaliya Mardan (1919).