Daily Current Affairs - 24 April 2025
India’s Five-Pronged Response to the Pahalgam Terror Attack: A Strategic Shift in National Policy
In response to the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 innocent lives, the Indian government announced a firm, five-point action plan. For the first time, India has invoked a comprehensive blend of diplomatic, economic, military, and legal tools to hold Pakistan accountable for cross-border terrorism.
The move represents a mature evolution in India’s counter-terror and foreign policy doctrine, grounded in the Constitution and global diplomatic conventions. Let us break it down, enriching each point with relevant static content to empower deeper understanding.
1.Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty
The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), signed on September 19, 1960, between India and Pakistan, regulates the use of the Indus River System and its five tributaries. Brokered by the World Bank, it aims to establish a cooperative framework for water sharing and information exchange between the two countries.
Water Allocation: The treaty clearly divides the six rivers between the two countries:
- Pakistanis given unrestricted use of the western rivers—the Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum. However, India is allowed limited non-consumptive uses such as irrigation, domestic, and agricultural purposes.
- India, on the other hand, is allocated the eastern rivers—the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—for unrestricted usage.
This allocation grants Pakistan about 80% of the water, while India is allocated the remaining 20%.
- Article 51(c)of the Indian Constitution encourages respect for treaty obligations, but customary international law allows withdrawal in case of material breach by the other party (such as state-sponsored terrorism).
Current Implication:
Suspension marks a policy weaponization of a water-sharing treaty, signaling India’s right to leverage its upper riparian position. It also opens scope for India to reclaim its hydrological sovereignty within the treaty framework.
2.Closure of the Attari-Wagah Integrated Check Post
The Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari is one of the most active in South Asia, established under India’s Land Ports Authority Act, 2010 in Punjab.
- It handles:
- Passenger movement (e.g., Sikh pilgrims to Pakistan)
- Trade (e.g., agriculture, textiles)
- Track-II diplomacyand cultural exchange
- Part of India’s Neighborhood First Policyand regional connectivity initiatives under SAARC and BIMSTEC.
Current Implication:
The closure underlines India’s zero-tolerance doctrine — that normal ties cannot continue in the shadow of violence. It also curtails covert logistical pathways often exploited by non-state actors.
3.Visa Restrictions and Expulsions
- The SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (1992)allows limited categories (judges, journalists, parliamentarians) to travel without standard visas.
- SPES visas(Special Permit for Entry and Stay) are granted for sensitive bilateral events or persons of interest.
- India’s Ministry of Home Affairsand MEA jointly monitor visa processes, especially under Section 3 of the Foreigners Act, 1946.
Current Implication:
By annulling visas and imposing a 48-hour expulsion window, India is invoking its sovereign right under both domestic law and international norms to deny entry to potentially hostile elements.
4.Withdrawal of Military Advisors
- Military attachés are senior defense officers posted in embassies under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961).
- They:
- Act as backchannel liaisons
- Monitor regional military developments
- Facilitate cooperation in peacekeeping, joint drills, and crisis de-escalation
- India’s Defense Diplomacy Policypost-2016 has increasingly used attachés to build partnerships in Asia and Africa.
Current Implication:
India’s decision to withdraw its Defense, Navy, and Air Force advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad and declare Pakistan’s corresponding military officials as persona non grata is a significant diplomatic and military signal. This means the listed military officials are no longer welcome in India and must leave within a set deadline.
This highlights that India considers military-to-military engagement with Pakistan untenable in the face of continued terrorism. It is a full severance of defense cooperation, further reducing channels for dialogue and increasing the risk of miscommunication.
5.Reduction of Diplomatic Staff to 30
- Under Article 11 of the Vienna Convention, host nations can cap the size of foreign missions.
- India has previously used this measure after:
- 1971 war
- 2001 Parliament attack
- 2016 Pathankot attack
- Diplomats often work under cover for intelligence agencies, especially under the Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW)or ISI in Pakistan’s case.
Current Implication:
This is a surgical diplomatic downgrade — not a total severance (which would require breaking off relations), but a calibrated signal of intense displeasure.
Conclusion:
India’s five-pronged response is not a knee-jerk reaction, but a calibrated policy doctrine rooted in:
- Constitutional duties under Article 355(protecting states from external aggression)
- A growing body of counter-terror jurisprudence and statecraft.
- The doctrine of proportionate, legal, and multidimensional deterrence.
In doing so, India balances realpolitik with international norms, choosing assertive yet lawful retaliation over emotional or militaristic impulse.
Measures to Protect India’s Informal Workforce from Extreme Heat
Introduction:
The informal workforce in India, which constitutes more than 80% of urban employment, is increasingly confronted with significant challenges stemming from rising summer heatwaves. This at-risk group, which includes street vendors, construction workers, and waste collectors, experiences heightened health risks and financial instability, with women being particularly impacted.
Body Part:
The Crisis of Extreme Heat and Informal Workers:
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning regarding elevated maximum temperatures and a rise in the frequency of heatwave days from April to June in states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh.
- For informal workers who do not have access to cooling infrastructure, these heatwaves transcend typical weather events and pose significant threats to life.
- Reports suggest that 61% of street vendors experience a reduction of over 40% in their daily earnings during extreme heat events.
- Furthermore, 75% of workers do not have cooling facilities available at their workplaces, which increases their risk of dehydration, heatstroke, and chronic health issues such as kidney damage.
- Women, who represent 82% of the informal workforce, face heightened vulnerabilities due to gender-specific barriers in obtaining access to cooling spaces and resources.
Climate Experts’ Recommendations:
- Proposed urgent actions by climate specialists emphasize fair access to cooling resources and enhanced urban development:
- Acknowledgment of the ‘Right to Cool’: Promoting cooling initiatives as a fundamental right under Article 21 to guarantee shaded bus stops, cooling shelters, and universal thermal comfort.
- Compensated Heat Leave: Implementing obligatory paid leave during extreme heat alerts to protect the health of workers.
- Complimentary Water ATMs: Establishing hydration stations at work sites to prevent dehydration.
- Mobile Cooling Units: Distributing cooling facilities equipped with fans and first-aid supplies in areas with high foot traffic.
- Gender-Inclusive Planning: Creating shelters and public facilities that are equally accessible and accommodating for women, addressing their specific challenges in accessing these resources.
Structural Solutions:
- The India Cooling Action Plan (2019) recognized the importance of cooling as a developmental priority; however, experts point out its shortcomings in providing equitable access.
- To safeguard workers from extreme heat exposure, it is crucial to implement city-level heat action plans that include enforceable policies, such as mandatory paid leave, the establishment of water stations, and the creation of shaded areas.
- Additionally, innovative solutions like heat-reflective shaded canopies in densely populated regions and shelters adjacent to informal labor sites can mitigate heat-related risks while fostering sustainable urban growth.
Conclusion:
The severe impact of extreme heat on India’s informal labor sector endangers health, economic stability, and overall productivity. Urgent actions, including the legal acknowledgment of the ‘right to cool,’ provision of hydration resources, implementation of paid leave, and gender-responsive planning, are essential to mitigate these dangers. As summer temperatures rise, it is vital to establish fair and enforceable strategies grounded in climate justice to protect vulnerable populations, particularly women. Tackling the inequalities associated with heat exposure is not merely a developmental necessity but a moral obligation to preserve lives and livelihoods in the evolving climate context of India.
AIR POLLUTION – COMPREHENSIVE UPSC NOTES
Definition
Air Pollution refers to the presence of harmful or excessive quantities of substances in the Earth’s atmosphere. These substances can be solid particles, liquid droplets, or gases, and they pose risks to human health, the environment, and climate systems.
1.Types of Air Pollutants
A.Primary Pollutants: Emitted directly from identifiable sources.
- Examples: Carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
B.Secondary Pollutants: Formed through chemical reactions in the atmosphere.
- Examples: Ozone (O₃), peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN), smog.
2.Sources of Air Pollution
Anthropogenic (Human-induced)
- Energy production:Coal-fired power plants are major contributors to SO₂ and NOx emissions.
- Transport sector:Emissions from diesel and petrol vehicles include CO, NOx, and PM.
- Industrial activity:Releases a variety of pollutants including black carbon, VOCs, and SO₂.
- Agriculture:Methane from livestock and rice paddies; ammonia from fertilizers.
- Domestic activities:Burning wood or biomass for cooking and heating, especially in rural areas.
- Waste burning:Open burning of solid waste releases dioxins, furans, and particulate matter.
Natural Sources
- Volcanic eruptions
- Forest fires
- Sea salt
- Dust storms
3.MAJOR AIR POLLUTANTS AND THEIR IMPACTS
A.Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10)
Sources:
- Combustion of fossil fuels (coal, petrol, diesel)
- Road dust, construction activities
- Industrial emissions, burning of biomass
Health Impact:
- 5 (particles smaller than 2.5 microns) can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream.
- Causes respiratory diseases like asthma, bronchitis, and can aggravate existing heart conditions.
- Long-term exposure increases the risk of lung cancer and reduces life expectancy.
Environmental Impact:
- Reduces visibility (smog formation)
- Affects plant photosynthesis by depositing on leaves
- Contributes to climate change by altering radiative balance
B.Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂)
Sources:
- Burning of coal and oil in power plants and industries
- Petroleum refineries
- Volcanoes (natural source)
Health Impact:
- Irritates the respiratory system, especially in children and elderly
- Causes coughing, shortness of breath, and aggravates asthma
- Converts to sulphate aerosols, which are harmful when inhaled
Environmental Impact:
- Major cause of acid rain, which acidifies soils and water bodies
- Damages buildings, monuments (especially those made of limestone and marble)
- Reduces agricultural productivity
C.Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
Sources:
- Vehicle exhaust
- Thermal power plants
- Industrial combustion processes
Health Impact:
- Strong respiratory irritants, causing lung inflammation and reducing lung function
- Contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone and secondary particulate matter
- Especially harmful to individuals with asthma and other respiratory conditions
Environmental Impact:
- Reacts with water vapor to form nitric acid, contributing to acid rain
- Leads to eutrophication in water bodies, harming aquatic life
- Facilitates ground-level ozone formation, which damages crops and forests
D.Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Sources:
- Incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels (automobiles, biomass burning)
- Indoor use of kerosene stoves or charcoal
Health Impact:
- Reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood by binding with hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin
- Can cause headaches, dizziness, and at high levels, can be fatal
- Especially dangerous in enclosed spaces
Environmental Impact:
- Contributes indirectly to the formation of ground-level ozone
- Though not a direct greenhouse gas, it affects the concentration of methane and tropospheric ozone
E.Methane (CH₄)
Sources:
- Livestock digestion (enteric fermentation)
- Rice paddies
- Landfills and open dumping of organic waste
- Fossil fuel extraction and transport
Health Impact:
- Not directly toxic at environmental concentrations
- Contributes to ozone formation, which has respiratory impacts
Environmental Impact:
- Powerful greenhouse gas—approximately 25 times more potent than CO₂ over a 100-year period
- Accelerates global warming and climate change
F.Ammonia (NH₃)
Sources:
- Agriculture: use of nitrogen-based fertilizers, animal husbandry
- Industrial activities and sewage treatment
Health Impact:
- Can react with other air pollutants (SO₂ and NOx) to form secondary particulate matter
- Exposure can cause eye and skin irritation, and respiratory tract damage at high concentrations
Environmental Impact:
- Contributes to soil acidification and water eutrophication
- Affects biodiversity by altering soil chemistry and aquatic ecosystems
G.Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Sources:
- Solvents in paints, varnishes, and cleaning products
- Fuel combustion
- Industrial processes like petrochemical plants
Health Impact:
- Short-term effects include eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches
- Long-term exposure to certain VOCs (e.g., benzene, formaldehyde) is linked to cancer and liver/kidney damage
Environmental Impact:
- Combine with NOx in sunlight to form ground-level ozone (photochemical smog)
- Contribute to formation of secondary organic aerosols, impacting visibility and climate
H.Ozone (Ground-Level O₃)
Sources:
- Secondary pollutant formed by the reaction of NOx and VOCs in the presence of sunlight
Health Impact:
- Causes throat irritation, chest pain, and reduces lung function
- Aggravates asthma and other respiratory diseases
Environmental Impact:
- Damages vegetation, reducing agricultural productivity and forest health
- Affects material durability, fading dyes and degrading rubber and plastic products
4.Government Measures and Policies
A.National Programs
- National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Targets 20-30% reduction in PM levels by 2024-25 in over 120 cities.
- Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): Emergency measures during high pollution events in NCR.
- Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME): Encourages electric mobility.
- Bharat Stage (BS) Emission Norms: Transition to BS-VI in 2020 reduced permissible vehicle emissions.
- Ujjwala Yojana: Distribution of LPG connections to reduce indoor air pollution.
B.Regulatory and Institutional Measures
- Environment Protection Act (1986)
- Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
- Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
- State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)
5.International Conventions and Agreements
- Paris Climate Agreement (2015): India committed to reducing emissions intensity and increasing non-fossil energy capacity.
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): India is an active participant.
- Stockholm Convention: Controls persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
- Kyoto Protocol: Global effort to reduce greenhouse gases.
- WHO Air Quality Guidelines: Set standards for pollutants like PM2.5 and ozone.
6.Challenges in Mitigating Air Pollution
- Lack of public awareness and behavioral change
- Inadequate inter-agency coordination
- Insufficient infrastructure for air quality monitoring
- Weak enforcement of regulations in industrial zones
- Stubble burning due to lack of alternatives in agriculture
- Financial and technological constraints at local government levels
7.Technological and Innovative Solutions
- Installation of Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) units in power plants
- Use of Electrostatic Precipitators (ESP) for capturing particulate matter
- Deployment of Smog Towers and anti-smog guns
- Use of bio-decomposers to prevent stubble burning
- Real-time air quality monitoring networks
- AI-based models for air quality forecasting
8.Recent Developments and Current Affairs (2024–2025)
- IQAir 2024 Report: India ranked as the 5th most polluted country; Byrnihat reported as the most polluted city globally.
- Delhi remains the most polluted capital city.
- WHO report: Only 7 countries worldwide met PM2.5 safety limits; India far exceeds in most cities.
- Reuters (April 2025): Byrnihat residents suffer health issues due to toxic emissions from nearby factories and geographic entrapment of pollutants.
9.Conclusion and Way Forward
Addressing air pollution in India requires a multi-pronged strategy
- Strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks
- Promoting cleaner technologies and renewable energy
- Enhancing public transportation and urban planning
- Increasing awareness and involving local communities
- Investing in robust data and research systems for air quality
A shift toward a sustainable and inclusive development model is essential for long-term air quality improvement.
Judicial Review or Judicial Overreach: Evaluating the Role of Judiciary in India’s Democracy
The Indian judiciary serves as the custodian of the Constitution, tasked with upholding the principles of justice, equality, and democracy. However, recent interventions and judgments by the judiciary have raised questions about whether it is overstepping its constitutional mandate, sparking debates on judicial despotism.
The Foundation of Judicial Review
- Judicial review, established under Article 13 of the Indian Constitution, empowers courts to invalidate laws or actions that contravene constitutional principles. This essential function has evolved significantly, with landmark rulings such as Kesavananda Bharati (1973) affirming the “basic structure doctrine,” which ensures that no law can alter the core principles of the Constitution.
- Despite its critical role, there are increasing concerns that judicial review is being extended into domains traditionally reserved for the legislature and executive, raising alarms about judicial overreach.
Judicial Overreach: Crossing the Lakshman Rekha?
Encroachment on Legislative and Executive Functions
- Instances of judicial intervention in policy matters, including environmental regulations and infrastructure projects, have fueled accusations of overreach. Critics argue that such decisions undermine the democratic principle of separation of powers, where each branch of government must operate within its defined limits.
Opaque Accountability Mechanisms
- The judiciary’s independence, while vital, is perceived by some as a shield against scrutiny. The collegium system for judicial appointments, often criticized for its opacity, has faced allegations of favoritism and inefficiency.
Selective Judicial Activism
- The judiciary’s focus on high-profile cases, while neglecting issues affecting marginalized communities, has led to accusations of inconsistency. This selective approach raises concerns about fairness and inclusivity in dispensing justice.
Defending the Judiciary: A Guardian of Constitutional Morality
Upholding Fundamental Rights
- The judiciary’s role as the last bastion of justice is crucial, particularly when legislative or executive branches fail to act. Through Public Interest Litigations (PILs), the judiciary has addressed pressing social issues, including environmental conservation, custodial rights, and corruption.
Maintaining Checks and Balances
- Judicial interventions have historically served as a corrective mechanism against executive overreach. For instance, landmark judgments have struck down unconstitutional laws and ordinances, reinforcing the judiciary’s role as the guardian of constitutional values.
Judicial Activism vs. Judicial Despotism: Striking the Balance
- While judicial activism is often necessary to protect fundamental rights, it must not undermine democratic governance. Overreach not only disrupts the separation of powers but also risks eroding public trust in the judiciary. Legal experts advocate for a balanced approach, where the judiciary intervenes only when other branches fail to uphold constitutional principles.
Reforming the Judiciary for a Balanced Democracy
- Enhancing Transparency:Reforms in the collegium system and judicial appointments can address concerns about favoritism and accountability.
- Strengthening Institutional Roles:Clearer guidelines are needed to delineate the roles of the judiciary, legislature, and executive.
- Addressing Case Backlogs:Prioritizing significant constitutional cases can improve efficiency and public trust.
- Legal Literacy:Educating citizens about the judiciary’s role and limitations can foster informed debates on judicial activism.
Conclusion
The judiciary’s dual role as an interpreter of the Constitution and a protector of rights makes it an indispensable pillar of democracy. However, its actions must reflect a commitment to balance and restraint to avoid overstepping into the domain of other branches.
