ASUSE 2025: District-Level Mapping of India’s Unincorporated Economy

GS Paper III – Indian Economy

Why in News?

The National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the first comprehensive district-level estimates of India’s unincorporated non-agricultural sector based on ASUSE 2025.

 What is ASUSE?

The Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) collects information on India’s unincorporated non-agricultural enterprises.

It covers three broad sectors:

• Manufacturing
• Trade
• Other Services

It includes enterprises such as proprietorships, partnerships, cooperatives and trusts/societies, while LLPs are excluded.

Key Findings

Geographical Concentration

• The top 10 districts account for around 10% of establishments, workers and GVA.
• The top 50 districts account for around 33% of establishments, workforce and GVA.
• Only 16 districts have more than 5 lakh unincorporated establishments.

Labour Productivity

• The national average GVA per worker is around ₹1,56,539.
• 280 districts exceed the national benchmark.
• 331 districts record GVA per worker between ₹1 lakh and ₹1.5 lakh.

This highlights substantial inter-district differences in labour productivity.

Women’s Participation

• In 237 districts, women constitute at least one-third of the unincorporated workforce.
• In 25 districts, women constitute more than 50% of workers.
• In Mizoram, female-owned proprietary units constitute at least 50% of establishments in every district.

Significance

• Decentralised Planning : Moves economic policymaking beyond broad state-level averages towards district-specific interventions.
• Targeted Credit Delivery : District-level enterprise data can help financial institutions identify areas requiring better access to formal credit and working capital.
• Formalisation : The findings can support the transition of unincorporated enterprises towards formal systems through platforms such as the Udyam Assist Platform.
• Women-Led Entrepreneurship : District-level gender-disaggregated data can improve the targeting of women entrepreneurship and livelihood programmes.
• Employment Generation : ASUSE provides evidence on the role of small and unincorporated enterprises in generating non-farm employment.

Impact

• Better District Planning : District administrations can identify enterprise clusters, productivity gaps and local economic constraints.
• Improved Financial Inclusion : Credit and financial-support programmes can be better aligned with the requirements of local enterprises.
• Higher Productivity : Skill development, technology adoption, infrastructure and market linkages can be directed towards low-productivity districts.
• Inclusive Growth : Greater policy attention to women-owned and small enterprises can widen participation in economic activity.
• Better Resource Allocation : Government interventions can be increasingly based on granular statistical evidence rather than aggregate state-level indicators.

27th World Knowledge Forum: AI and the Emerging Co-Intelligence Order

GS Paper III – Science & Technology | Artificial Intelligence | Global Governance

Why in News?

The 27th World Knowledge Forum was held in Seoul, South Korea, focusing on the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on global governance, human civilisation and technological change.

Theme : “The Promethean Moment: Architecting the Co-Intelligence Order”

What is the World Knowledge Forum?

The World Knowledge Forum (WKF) is an international forum that brings together global leaders, policymakers, business leaders, academics and experts to discuss major challenges shaping the future of the world economy and society.

Key Focus Areas

• Artificial Intelligence: Examining AI’s potential to transform economies, governance and human capabilities.
• Global Governance: Discussing the need for institutions and regulatory frameworks capable of managing rapidly evolving technologies.
• Human Civilisation: Exploring how AI may reshape human work, knowledge, creativity and social relations.
• Technology-Driven Disruptions: Addressing economic, geopolitical and societal disruptions arising from emerging technologies.

What is the “Promethean Moment”?

• The term Promethean refers to the Greek myth of Prometheus, who brought fire to humanity.
• In the context of AI, it symbolises a technological breakthrough that can significantly expand human capabilities while also creating new risks and responsibilities.

What is a “Co-Intelligence Order”?

A co-intelligence order refers broadly to a future in which human intelligence and artificial intelligence work together, rather than AI being viewed only as a replacement for human capabilities.It highlights:

• Human–AI collaboration in decision-making and innovation.
• Augmented human capabilities through AI-assisted knowledge and analysis.
• Responsible governance to ensure AI remains aligned with human interests.
• Shared responsibility among governments, technology companies, researchers and society.

Key Challenges

• Ethical Concerns: Bias, discrimination and accountability in AI-based decisions.
• Job Displacement: Automation may disrupt traditional employment patterns and require large-scale reskilling.
• AI Safety: Highly capable systems may produce unintended or difficult-to-control outcomes.
• Data Governance: AI depends heavily on access to large datasets, raising privacy and ownership concerns.
• Digital Divide: Unequal access to computing infrastructure and AI capabilities could widen global inequalities.
• Governance Gap: Technological development is advancing faster than many existing regulatory frameworks.

Way Forward

• Human-Centric AI: Keep human welfare, dignity and agency at the centre of AI development.
• Risk-Based Regulation: Regulate AI according to the level of potential harm and societal impact.
• International Cooperation: Develop common principles on AI safety, transparency and accountability.
• AI Literacy: Expand digital and AI literacy among citizens, workers and policymakers.
• Reskilling: Prepare workers for changing labour markets through continuous education and skill development.
• Responsible Innovation: Encourage technological advancement alongside safety, transparency and accountability.

Buellia maharajensis: A New Lichen Species from the Western Ghats

GS Paper III – Environment | Biodiversity | Species Discovery | Western Ghats

Why in News?

A newly discovered lichen species, Buellia maharajensis, has been reported from Mathikettan Shola National Park in Kerala, highlighting the rich and still under-explored microbial and cryptogamic diversity of the Western Ghats.

About Buellia maharajensis

• Type: Lichen species
• Genus: Buellia
• Location: Mathikettan Shola National Park
• State: Kerala
• Biogeographic region: Western Ghats
• Significance: Adds to the documented lichen diversity of the Western Ghats.

What are Lichens?

Lichens are stable symbiotic associations between a fungal partner and a photosynthetic partner, usually an alga and/or cyanobacterium.

• Fungus: Provides structure, protection and helps absorb water and minerals.
• Photosynthetic partner: Produces organic nutrients through photosynthesis.

Ecological Significance of Lichens

• Bioindicators: Lichens are sensitive to atmospheric pollution and environmental changes and can therefore indicate ecosystem health.
• Primary Succession: They can colonise exposed surfaces and contribute to soil formation and ecosystem development.
•  Nutrient Cycling: Lichens contribute to the cycling of nutrients and organic matter.
•  Biodiversity: Their presence contributes to the ecological complexity of forest and montane ecosystems.

Mathikettan Shola National Park

·         State: Kerala

·         District: Idukki

·         Region: Western Ghats

·         Ecosystem: Shola forests and montane grasslands

·         Location: High-altitude landscape of the southern Western Ghats

Call to Action for 6G Leadership and Security

Why in News?

India endorsed the “Call to Action for 6G Leadership and Security”, joining a US-led coalition of 26 governments aimed at shaping secure and resilient next-generation telecommunications.

What is it?

A multilateral government-to-government initiative for cooperation in the development, deployment and governance of secure, open, interoperable and resilient 6G networks.

Aim

·         Promote secure 6G architecture.

·         Strengthen trusted telecom supply chains.

·         Address cybersecurity and national-security risks.

·         Promote interoperability.

·         Coordinate positions in global standards-setting bodies.

Key Features

·         12-Month Action Roadmap: Focuses on expert coordination, R&D mapping and supply-chain resilience.

·         Open and Interoperable Networks: Promotes openness and interoperability in 6G systems.

·         Supply-Chain Security: Seeks greater transparency in telecom hardware and software.

·         Open RAN: Encourages open and interoperable radio access network architectures.

·         Standards Coordination: Promotes common security principles in international standards.

·         Strategic Autonomy: Membership does not compromise national policy choices or spectrum-allocation autonomy.

Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Amendment Rules, 2026: Strengthening Trust in Digital Markets

GS Paper III – Economy

Why in News?

The Department of Consumer Affairs notified the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) (Amendment) Rules, 2026, amending the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020.

The amendments will come into effect from 1 January 2027.

Aim

The amendments seek to strengthen:

·         Consumer protection

·         Price transparency

·         Platform accountability

·         Grievance redressal

·         Protection against deceptive digital practices

Key Amendments

·         National Consumer Helpline : Every e-commerce entity must participate in the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) convergence process, strengthening integration between platforms and the consumer grievance-redressal system.

·         Grievance Transparency : Consumers must be provided copies of complaints recorded by the platform''s grievance officer, improving transparency in complaint handling.

·         Search Transparency : E-commerce platforms cannot manipulate or present search results in a manner that misleads consumers.

·         Sponsored Listings : Paid or sponsored listings must carry clear and prominent disclosure, enabling consumers to distinguish advertising from organic search results.

·         Price Transparency : Where discounts are advertised, platforms must display: Reduced/sale price

Prior price : The prior price refers to the lowest price charged during the preceding 30 days.

Dark Patterns

·         Platforms must comply with the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023 and undertake annual self-audits.

·         Dark patterns are deceptive or manipulative user-interface practices designed to influence consumers into making choices they may not otherwise make.

Consumer Data : Specified uses of consumer information require express and affirmative consent, strengthening consumer control over personal information.

Product Information

Marketplaces must provide relevant information such as:

·         Best-before/use-before dates

·         Return and refund conditions

·         Warranty information

·         Delivery details

·         Payment-related information

Dryland Congress 2026: Building Climate-Resilient Dryland Agriculture

GS Paper III – Agriculture | Environment | Climate Change | Land Degradation

Why in News?

The Dryland Congress 2026 is being organised in New Delhi to deliberate on challenges and opportunities related to climate-resilient dryland agriculture.

Theme : “Transforming Dryland Agriculture through South–South Cooperation”

Organised by:

·         Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

·         International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)

What are Drylands?

·         Drylands are regions characterised by water scarcity and limited moisture availability.

·         They are commonly identified using the Aridity Index (AI):

·         Aridity Index = Precipitation ÷ Potential Evapotranspiration

·         Areas with an Aridity Index below 0.65 are generally classified as drylands.

Global Significance

·         Drylands cover around 45% of the Earth''s land surface.

·         They support a substantial share of the world''s population and agricultural and livestock systems. They are particularly vulnerable to drought, land degradation and climate variability.

India : Drylands account for around 68% of India''s cultivated land.

They support: Over 40% of India''s population, Around 60% of livestock.

Major Challenges

·         Water Scarcity : Low and highly variable rainfall creates uncertainty in agricultural production.

·         Drought Risk : Increasing climate variability can intensify the frequency and severity of agricultural droughts.

·         Land Degradation : Deforestation, overgrazing, inappropriate agricultural practices and soil erosion can reduce land productivity.

·         Low Farm Productivity : Limited irrigation, poor soil moisture retention and inadequate access to technology constrain agricultural output.

·         Livelihood Vulnerability : Rainfed farmers and livestock-dependent communities are particularly exposed to climatic shocks.

India’s Approach :  PMKSY – Watershed Development Component

The Watershed Development Component (WDC) of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) promotes integrated watershed management, particularly in rainfed and degraded areas.

Key interventions include:

·         Soil and moisture conservation

·         Ridge-to-valley treatment

·         Water harvesting and storage

·         Groundwater recharge

·         Improved land productivity

·         Afforestation and vegetative measures

Ridge-to-Valley Approach

·         The watershed is treated systematically from higher elevations/ridges towards lower valleys.

·         Ridge → Slope → Drainage line → Valley

Each One Teach One: Education as an Instrument of Intergenerational Empowerment

GS Paper I – Society | GS Paper III – Inclusive Growth | GS Paper IV – Social Responsibility

Why in News?

Assam geography teacher Rajesh Bordoloi received the National Teachers Award 2026 for the innovative “Each One Teach One” initiative.

What is the Initiative?

·         The programme was launched at Adarsha Tribal Higher Secondary School, Kalbari, Jorhat district, Assam.

·         Under the initiative, Class 10 students teach their mothers basic literacy and digital skills, creating a model of intergenerational learning.

How Does it Work?

Students help their mothers to:

·         Read and write basic text.

·         Operate smartphones and use essential applications.

·         Make UPI payments.

·         Use online banking services.

·         Access digital government services.

Key Features

·         Reverse Learning Model : Students move beyond being learners to becoming teachers, mentors and community change-makers.

Women’s Digital Literacy : Mothers acquire basic literacy and digital capabilities that can improve their access to financial and public services.

·         Community-Centred Education : The learning process extends from the classroom to the household, linking formal education with community development.

·         Tribal Inclusion : Nearly 99% of the students belong to the Mising community, and many are first-generation learners.

·         Social Transformation : The initiative can strengthen school–community linkages and create awareness regarding issues such as child marriage and girls’ education.

Challenges

·         Digital Infrastructure : Poor internet connectivity and limited access to smartphones can restrict the effectiveness of digital-literacy programmes.

·         Digital Safety : First-time digital users may face risks such as online fraud, phishing and financial scams.

·         Gender and Social Barriers : Social norms may limit women''s access to technology, financial decision-making and independent mobility.

·         Sustainability : Such initiatives require continued mentoring and institutional support to ensure that newly acquired skills are retained.

Way Forward

·         Integrate family and community-based learning into school outreach programmes.

·         Expand digital-literacy initiatives in rural, tribal and educationally disadvantaged communities.

·         Provide training on cybersecurity and safe digital payments alongside digital literacy.

·         Strengthen school–parent partnerships through community learning programmes.

·         Encourage students to undertake socially relevant peer and community teaching activities.

·         Converge such initiatives with programmes promoting adult literacy, women''s empowerment and digital inclusion.

Eravikulam National Park: Habitat of the Resplendent Shrub Frog

GS Paper III – Environment | Biodiversity | Protected Areas

Why in News?

A recent survey identified Eravikulam National Park as an important habitat of the Resplendent Shrub Frog, an Endangered amphibian associated with the high-altitude ecosystems of the Western Ghats.

Eravikulam National Park

·         Location : Located in Idukki district, Kerala .Situated in the Southern Western Ghats.

·         Established : Declared a National Park in 1978.

·         Highest Peak : Contains Anamudi, the highest peak in South India, at about 2,695 m.

·         Vegetation : The park is characterised by high-altitude ecosystems including: Montane grasslands, Shola forests, High-altitude flora, Several medicinal plants

·         Neelakurinji : Eravikulam is famous for Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana), a flowering plant associated with the Western Ghats. It is noted for its mass flowering cycle of approximately 12 years.

 Important Fauna

Govind Ballabh Pant: Freedom Fighter, Reformer and Nation Builder

GS Paper I – Modern Indian History | Freedom Struggle | Post-Independence India

Why in News?

10 September 2026 marked the 139th birth anniversary of Govind Ballabh Pant, a prominent freedom fighter, administrator and statesman who played an important role in both the national movement and post-Independence nation-building.

Major Contributions

·         Kumaon Parishad: Pant was associated with the Kumaon Parishad, which raised issues concerning colonial exploitation in the Kumaon region, including the practice of coolie-begar and burdensome taxes.

·         Coolie-Begar Movement: He opposed the colonial practice of compelling local people to provide unpaid labour and transport services to officials.

·         Kakori Case: As a lawyer, Pant appeared in the legal proceedings connected with the Kakori case, representing revolutionaries including Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfaqulla Khan.

·         Simon Commission Protest: He participated in protests against the Simon Commission in Lucknow, as part of the wider nationalist opposition to the Commission''s exclusion of Indian members.

·         Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh: After Independence, Pant became the first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, serving from 1950 to 1954.

·         Zamindari Abolition: His government was associated with the implementation of the U.P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950, aimed at dismantling intermediary landlordism and restructuring agrarian relations.

·         Union Home Minister: Pant became the Union Home Minister in 1955 and continued in the position until his death in 1961.

·         States Reorganisation: As Home Minister, he played an important role in the implementation of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, which reorganised several Indian states largely along linguistic lines.

Navier–Stokes Equations: Understanding Fluid Motion

GS Paper III – Science & Technology | Physics | Mathematics

Why in News?

An AI-based system was reported to have made progress in solving aspects of the Navier–Stokes equations, renewing attention on one of the most challenging problems in mathematical physics.

What are Navier–Stokes Equations?

The Navier–Stokes equations are a set of partial differential equations (PDEs) used to describe the motion of viscous fluids such as liquids and gases.

They mathematically relate factors such as:

·         Fluid velocity

·         Pressure

·         Density

·         Viscosity

·         External forces

Physical Principles

·         The equations are primarily based on: Conservation of mass, Conservation of momentum

·         Energy conservation is also relevant to the broader fluid-dynamics framework, but the core Navier–Stokes momentum equations arise from Newton''s second law applied to a fluid.

What Makes the Equations Difficult?

·         Non-linearity : Fluid velocity can interact with itself, producing highly complex behaviour.

·         Turbulence : At high Reynolds numbers, fluid flow can become chaotic and difficult to predict precisely.

·         Three-Dimensional Flow : The mathematical behaviour of 3D fluids is substantially more difficult than simplified 1D or 2D cases.

·         Existence and Smoothness : For the three-dimensional incompressible Navier–Stokes equations, mathematicians have not yet proved whether smooth solutions always exist for all time or whether singularities can develop.

Millennium Prize Problem

·         The Clay Mathematics Institute selected the Navier–Stokes existence and smoothness problem as one of its seven Millennium Prize Problems.

·         The central question is essentially: Do smooth, globally defined solutions exist for the 3D incompressible Navier–Stokes equations, given appropriate initial conditions?

·         A correct mathematical proof resolving the problem carries a US$1 million prize.

·         Important: The existence of practical numerical solutions or AI-generated approximations does not by itself constitute a mathematical proof of the Millennium Problem.

Applications

·         Weather and Climate : Used in modelling atmospheric motion and fluid flows relevant to weather systems.

·         Oceanography : Helps model ocean currents, circulation and fluid transport.

·         Aerospace : Used to study airflow around aircraft wings, rockets and other aerodynamic surfaces.

·         Medicine : Can be applied to modelling blood flow and other biological fluid systems.

·         Engineering : Important in the design of pipelines, turbines, engines and other systems involving fluid movement.

ORV Sagar Manthan: Strengthening India’s Indigenous Ocean Research Capability

GS Paper III – Science & Technology | Blue Economy | Ocean Resources

Why in News?

·         India launched its first indigenously built Ocean Research Vessel (ORV) Sagar Manthan at Rishi Bankim Shipyard, Kolkata.

·         The vessel strengthens India''s capabilities in deep-sea exploration, ocean observation and marine scientific research.

About ORV Sagar Manthan

·         Builder : Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE)

·         Institution : National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)

·         Ministry : Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)

·         Type : Ocean Research Vessel (ORV)

Key Capabilities

Deep-Sea Exploration : The vessel can support scientific investigations of the deep ocean and exploration of marine mineral resources.

AUV and ROV Operations :

AUV – Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

·         Operates largely without a physical tether.

·         Used for autonomous underwater surveys, mapping and data collection.

ROV – Remotely Operated Vehicle

·         Connected to the surface vessel through a tether/cable.

·         Controlled remotely for underwater observation, sampling and operations.

Ocean Mapping  : The vessel can support surveys of deep-sea mineral resources including:

·         Polymetallic sulphides

·         Cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts

·         Other seabed geological features

Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002: Regulating Illicit Financial Flows

GS Paper III – Internal Security | Economy | Financial Regulation

Why in News?

The Financial Intelligence Unit–India (FIU-IND) issued compliance notices to 15 offshore Virtual Digital Asset (VDA) Service Providers for alleged non-compliance with mandatory requirements under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

Aim of PMLA

The PMLA seeks to:

·         Prevent and combat money laundering.

·         Confiscate proceeds of crime derived from criminal activity.

·         Prevent the financial system from being used for illicit activities.

·         Disrupt financial networks associated with organised crime and other serious offences.

Key Provisions

Section 3 – Money Laundering

·         Section 3 defines the offence of money laundering in relation to processes or activities connected with proceeds of crime, including their concealment, possession, acquisition, use or projection/claim as untainted property.

Section 4 – Punishment

·         Money laundering is punishable with Rigorous imprisonment of 3 to 7 years, and Fine.

·         For certain scheduled offences, the maximum punishment may extend to 10 years.

Scheduled / Predicate Offence

·         A scheduled offence is an underlying criminal offence listed in the Schedule to the PMLA.

·         The proceeds generated from such an offence constitute proceeds of crime, which can become the basis for money-laundering proceedings.

Institutional Framework

Directorate of Enforcement (ED)

Nature: Indian law-enforcement agency under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.

Legal Basis: Primarily enforces the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA).

Key Functions:

·         Investigates money-laundering offences.

·         Traces and identifies proceeds of crime.

·         Can provisionally attach properties linked to proceeds of crime.

·         Conducts prosecution before the Special Courts under the PMLA.

Financial Intelligence Unit–India (FIU-IND)

Nature: Central national agency for receiving and analysing financial intelligence.

Administrative Control: Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.

Key Functions:

·         Receives Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) and other prescribed financial information.

·         Analyses financial transactions to identify possible money laundering and terrorist financing.

·         Disseminates relevant financial intelligence to law-enforcement and investigative agencies.

·         Acts as India''s key financial intelligence interface with international counterparts.

Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

Nature: Inter-governmental international body.

Established: 1989.

Headquarters: Paris, France.

Key Functions:

·         Establishes global standards for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing.

·         Assesses countries'' AML/CFT frameworks through mutual evaluations.

·         Identifies jurisdictions with strategic deficiencies and monitors their progress.

·         Promotes international cooperation and information sharing.

·         India is a FATF member.

Virtual Digital Assets

What does it mean?

VDA service providers carrying out specified activities can fall under the “reporting entity” framework of the PMLA and are required to comply with applicable Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorist Financing (CFT) obligations.

Key Compliance Requirements

·         Customer Due Diligence (CDD): Verify and identify customers and beneficial owners.

·         Record-Keeping: Maintain prescribed records of transactions and customer information.

·         Transaction Reporting: Report prescribed transactions to the Financial Intelligence Unit–India (FIU-IND).

·         Suspicious Transaction Reporting: Report transactions suspected to involve money laundering or related offences.

·         Other AML/CFT Obligations: Follow applicable requirements under the PMLA framework.

Why is it Important?

·         Cross-Border Transfers: VDAs can enable rapid movement of value across jurisdictions.

·         Beneficial Ownership: Complex transaction structures can make it difficult to identify the ultimate beneficial owner.

·         Anonymity Concerns: Certain virtual-asset arrangements can make transaction tracing more challenging.

·         Regulatory Oversight: Bringing specified VDA activities within the PMLA framework strengthens India''s AML/CFT architecture.

Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs): Registration, Regulation and Recognition

GS Paper II – Polity & Governance | Election Commission | Political Parties

Why in News?

India has over 2,800 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs), while only around 750 RUPPs contested the 2024 General Elections, highlighting concerns regarding the proliferation, regulation and electoral participation of political parties.

What is an RUPP?

·         A Registered Unreognised Political Party (RUPP) is a political party that is registered with the Election Commission of India (ECI) under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, but has not fulfilled the conditions required for recognition as a State or National Party.

·         A party can therefore be registered with the ECI without receiving the status of a recognised State or National Party.

Constitutional and Legal Basis

·         Article 19(1)(c): Guarantees citizens the fundamental right to form associations or unions, subject to reasonable restrictions.

·         Section 29A, RPA 1951: Provides the statutory framework for registration of political parties with the ECI.

·         Article 324: Vests the ECI with the superintendence, direction and control of elections.

Registration Requirements

·         Application: A political party seeking registration under Section 29A must apply to the ECI within 30 days of its formation.

·         Constitution of the Party: Its rules must conform to the Constitution and contain an express commitment to the principles of socialism, secularism and democracy, as required under Section 29A.

·         Election Participation: A registered party is required to participate in elections as prescribed under the ECI''s regulatory framework; failure to comply can have consequences under applicable rules.

·         Financial Disclosure: Political parties are subject to statutory requirements concerning contributions, accounts and financial reporting.

Supreme Court: Deregistration of Political Parties

In Indian National Congress vs Institute of Social Welfare (2002), the Supreme Court held that the ECI does not possess a general power to deregister political parties once they have been registered under Section 29A.

·         However, limited circumstances can permit deregistration, including:

·         Fraudulent registration: Registration was obtained through fraud or forgery.

·         Constitutional disavowal: A party subsequently ceases to abide by the Constitution or its mandatory constitutional commitments.

·         Unlawful status: The organisation is declared unlawful by the competent authority under law.

Recognition as a State Party

Recognition as a National Party

Why RUPPs Matter

·         Political Participation: Registration facilitates participation in the democratic electoral process.

·         Political Pluralism: A large number of registered parties reflects the constitutional space available for political association and representation.

·         Regulatory Challenge: A very large number of registered but electorally inactive parties creates challenges for monitoring compliance and maintaining transparency.

·         Electoral Integrity: Effective financial disclosure, audit and compliance mechanisms are important for maintaining public confidence in elections.

Way Forward

·         Stronger compliance monitoring: Ensure timely submission of mandatory financial and electoral reports.

·         Greater transparency: Improve public disclosure of party finances and contributions.

·         Digital compliance: Use technology to monitor filings and identify persistent non-compliance.

·         Clear regulatory framework: Balance electoral regulation with the constitutional freedom to form political associations.

·         Institutional safeguards: Strengthen ECI''s capacity while ensuring that regulatory powers remain within the statutory and judicial framework.

West Bank: Israeli Settlement Expansion and the Two-State Solution

GS Paper II – International Relations

Why in News?

The United Kingdom announced an import ban on goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied territories, along with measures targeting entities and individuals involved in settlement expansion.

About the West Bank

·         The West Bank is a landlocked territory in West Asia, located west of the Jordan River and bordering Israel and Jordan.

·         It is internationally regarded as part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and its future status is central to negotiations over a Palestinian state.

Oslo II and the Three Areas

The 1995 Oslo II Interim Agreement divided the West Bank into Areas A, B and C as an interim administrative arrangement.

Area C is particularly significant because it contains all Israeli settlements and constitutes about 60% of the West Bank.

Israeli Settlements

·         Israeli settlements are civilian communities established by Israel in territories occupied since the 1967 Arab–Israeli War, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

·         The UN Security Council, through Resolution 2334 (2016), stated that Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, have no legal validity under international law and constitute an obstacle to the two-state solution.

Why Settlement Expansion Matters?

·         Territorial Contiguity : Expansion of settlements and associated infrastructure can fragment Palestinian-populated areas, creating difficulties for establishing a geographically contiguous Palestinian state. UN reporting has highlighted the fragmentation of Areas A and B within Area C.

·         Viability of Two-State Solution : The two-state framework envisages Israel and an independent Palestinian state coexisting. Settlement expansion is therefore a major issue in debates over the territorial basis of such a settlement.

·         Control over Land and Resources : Area C contains significant land and natural resources and remains under Israeli control, making its status important for Palestinian economic and infrastructure development.

·         International Law : Settlement activity has remained a major issue in discussions involving the Fourth Geneva Convention, UN resolutions and international humanitarian law.

Significance for India

·         Strategic Balancing : India maintains relations with Israel as well as the Palestinian Authority, requiring a balanced diplomatic approach.

·         West Asian Stability : The Israel–Palestine conflict affects regional security, energy markets, trade routes and India''s wider interests in West Asia.

·         Diaspora and Energy Interests : The Gulf region hosts a large Indian diaspora and remains important for India''s energy security and economic relations.

·         Global South Diplomacy : India''s position involves support for a negotiated two-state solution, dialogue and peaceful resolution of outstanding issues.

·         Humanitarian Concerns : India has historically supported humanitarian assistance to Palestinians while maintaining diplomatic relations with Israel.