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CHALLENGE TO WAQF ACT, 2025 – A CONSTITUTIONAL AND RELIGIOUS DEBATE

TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY: INDIAN EXPRESS

The Supreme Court of India is hearing a group of nearly 65 petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf Act, 2025.

  • The petitions are filed by Members of Parliament and religious leaders, raising concerns about the violation of religious rights under Article 26 of the Constitution.
  • The Court has postponed its interim decision and fixed the next hearing for May 5, 2025.

Key Legal and Religious Issues

Right to Manage Religious Affairs (Article 26)

  • Petitioners argue the law interferes with religious autonomy and the right to administer religious institutions.
  • Senior advocate Kapil Sibal claimed the Act disturbs essential religious practices.

WAQF (AMENDMENT) BIL, 2025

Abolition of ‘Waqf by Use’

  • The new law ends the practice of recognizing properties as Waqf based on long-term religious use unless previously registered.
  • Critics say this ignores historical realities, as many Waqf lands were never formally recorded.
  • The Chief Justice of India (CJI) pointed out the difficulty of registering ancient properties and the confusion caused by the new provision.

Powers Given to District Collectors

  • The law allows a district collector to suspend the Waqf status of a property if it is identified as government land, pending a court verdict.
  • Petitioners say this gives executive overreach, bypassing judicial authority.
  • The Court took note and the Centre assured that property status won’t be altered before court review.

Inclusion of Non-Muslims in Waqf Boards

  • The Act permits non-Muslims to be members of Waqf boards.
  • Petitioners say this violates Articles 26(b), (c), and (d) related to religious group rights.
  • The Court questioned if this would be acceptable in Hindu religious boards, implying it breaches religious boundaries.
  • The government stated such appointments could be declared invalid.

Applicability of the Limitation Act

  • The 2025 Act applies the Limitation Act to Waqf property disputes, fixing a timeframe for reclaiming encroached land.
  • The 1995 Act had no such limit, allowing perpetual recovery.
  • The Court observed that while time limits help legal clarity, they may weaken Waqf rights.

Conclusion

The petitions raise serious questions about religious freedom, judicial independence, and minority rights. The Supreme Court’s future verdict may become a landmark ruling in deciding the balance between state power and religious autonomy in India.

RESTORING CONSTITUTIONAL BALANCE: SUPREME COURT ON GOVERNOR'S INACTION

TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY: THE HINDU

The Supreme Court of India, in a significant ruling, invoked Article 142 to address the Tamil Nadu Governor’s delay in acting on several state bills.

  • This case highlights how executive inaction can disrupt democratic processes and raises concerns about federalism, constitutional duty, and judicial intervention.
  • The Court’s ruling aims to safeguard the rule of law and restore institutional balance.

Judiciary as Guardian of the Constitution

  • Over time, the judiciary has played a crucial role in checking executive power and ensuring that constitutional duties are respected.
  • The swift challenge to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 shows judicial alertness, while the five-year delay in dealing with the Governor’s inaction reveals an inconsistency in addressing serious constitutional issues.
  • This uneven approach sometimes weakens the democratic urgency of lawmaking during limited five-year government terms.

Governor’s Delay and Its Threat to Federalism

  • The Governor’s prolonged silence on state bills—without approval or rejection—creates a constitutional deadlock.
  • In a federal setup, such delays can obstruct governance, especially when the Governor and state government belong to different political parties.
  • If a government’s term ends before bills are cleared, they lapse, making inaction a hidden method to block legislation.
  • Governors enjoy immunity for official acts and are not required to provide written reasons, making such inaction hard to challenge legally.

Article 142: Ensuring Complete Justice

  • The Supreme Court used Article 142 to declare that the delayed state bills be treated as “deemed assented”.
  • Articles 200 and 201 of the Constitution do not permit a “pocket veto”, where a Governor avoids decision-making altogether.
  • The Court’s action allowed the Tamil Nadu government to immediately notify the laws.
  • Although some critics called this judicial overreach, the Court stayed within constitutional boundaries, using Article 142 where the law is silent or unclear.

Holding the Governor Accountable

  • The Court found that the Governor acted in bad faith, showing disregard for the judiciary and failing in his constitutional duty.
  • This raised an important question: Can someone who acts maliciously remain in a top constitutional post?
  • While there have been political demands for his resignation, no action has been taken, exposing the gap between moral and legal accountability.

Legal Option: Quo Warranto Writ

  • In the absence of voluntary resignation, the public or court can seek a writ of quo warranto, questioning the Governor’s legal authority to hold office.
  • If the Court finds misconduct, it can order removal from the post, ensuring accountability.
  • This aligns with the idea of “complete justice,” ensuring even high offices are not above scrutiny.

Inaction as a New Method of Subversion

  • A rising concern is the use of delays and silence to bypass the Constitution, rather than formally changing the law.
  • Since amendments can be struck down if they violate the Basic Structure Doctrine, some political actors use non-action as a safer strategy.
  • This form of subversion is harder to fight in court due to the lack of visible evidence.

Conclusion:

The Supreme Court rightly reminded that the Constitution is a “labyrinth, not a maze”—complex, yet designed to guide, not confuse. The judgment reinforces that democracy depends on institutions fulfilling their roles, not avoiding them. It also reaffirms that the Constitution must be read as a whole, upholding justice and preventing misuse of power.

UPSC Mains Question:

  1. Discuss the constitutional implications of the Supreme Court’s use of Article 142 in addressing the Tamil Nadu Governor’s inaction on state bills. How does this reflect on the balance of power between the executive and judiciary? (150 WORDS)

INDIA ASSISTS STUDENTS FACING VISA ISSUES IN THE U.S.

TOPIC: (GS2) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: THE HINDU

Recently, several Indian students in the U.S. have received notices regarding visa revocations and SEVIS terminations.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has now taken a proactive approach by offering support and suggesting legal remedies.

Background of the Issue

  • Many Indian students on F-1 (student) visas have been informed of the cancellation of their visa status by U.S. authorities.
  • These actions are reportedly linked to minor infractions, including traffic violations, and participation in campus protests, especially those supporting Palestine.
  • Affected students include those who have not been charged or convicted of any criminal offence.

India’s Response

  • The MEA confirmed that its embassies and consulates are in direct contact with impacted students.
  • Indian officials are guiding them to seek legal injunctions to halt deportation proceedings.
  • The MEA emphasized that the Indian government is “looking into the matter seriously” and not just leaving students to navigate the issue alone.

Decline in U.S. Student Visas

  • The number of F-1 visas issued to Indian students dropped by nearly 30% in February 2025, compared to the same month in 2024.
  • This is likely influenced by longer visa processing times and stricter scrutiny under the current U.S. administration.

SULPHUR-BASED GASES FOUND ON EXOPLANET K2-18B

TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: INDIAN EXPRESS

Astronomers from the University of Cambridge detected sulphur-based gases — dimethyl sulphide (DMS) and dimethyl disulphide (DMDS) — on the exoplanet K2-18b.

These gases are mainly produced by marine microbes on Earth, raising curiosity about the potential for life beyond Earth.

Key Highlights

  • K2-18b is located 120 light years away and lies in the habitable zone of its star, where temperatures may allow liquid water.
  • The planet is nine times heavier than Earth and earlier studies also found water vapour, methane, and carbon dioxide in its atmosphere — all possible signs of life-supporting conditions.

Scientific Caution

  • Scientists warn that the presence of DMS does not confirm life.

These gases could also come from non-living (abiotic) sources, and assuming otherwise could mislead research.

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Broader Astrobiological View

  • Similar gas detections on Mars and Venus have not proven life exists there.
  • Researchers stress the need for more evidence and careful interpretation.
  • With billions of planets in the universe, statistical models like the Drake Equation suggest that alien life is possible, but still unconfirmed.

V2G TECHNOLOGY IN INDIA: AN EMERGING SOLUTION FOR POWER GRID MANAGEMENT

TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: INDIAN EXPRESS

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), in collaboration with IIT Bombay, has initiated a pilot project to explore the potential of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology.

The project aims to assess how Electric Vehicles (EVs) can contribute to grid stability, particularly during peak demand periods when renewable energy sources, such as solar, are unavailable.

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Technology

What is Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Technology?

  • V2G enables Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries to feed power back into the electricity grid.
  • Bi-directional charging allows EVs to serve as distributed energy storage systems, providing support to the grid when needed.

Working Mechanism of V2G

  • Grid-to-Vehicle (G2V): Power is drawn from the grid to charge the EV.
  • Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G): Stored energy in the EV is returned to the grid during high-demand periods.

Applications of V2G Technology

  • Vehicle-to-Home (V2H): EVs can power household devices in emergencies.
  • Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V): EVs can share energy with each other.

Role of V2G in India’s Power Sector

Demand-Side Management

  • Peak Load Reduction: EVs can discharge stored energy during peak demand, helping reduce pressure on power plants.
  • Load Balancing: Charging EVs during off-peak hours helps balance the electricity load throughout the day.

Renewable Energy Integration

  • Storage for Renewables: V2G can store surplus solar and wind energy, releasing it when needed, improving the reliability of renewable power.
  • Grid Support: EVs can provide ancillary services like frequency regulation and voltage stabilization, enhancing grid reliability.

Grid Flexibility and Resilience

  • Backup Power: V2G-enabled EVs can serve as emergency power sources during outages.
  • Decentralized Storage: EVs provide local energy storage, reducing the dependency on large centralized power plants.

Economic Benefits of V2G

  • Cost Savings for EV Owners: EV owners can earn money by selling excess energy back to the grid.
  • Improved Grid Efficiency: V2G enhances grid reliability, reducing operational costs for utilities.

Additional Advantages of V2G

  • Smart Charging Systems: V2G incorporates intelligent charging systems for more efficient energy management.
  • Environmental Impact: V2G supports clean energy initiatives, reducing carbon emissions and fostering sustainability.

Global Adoption of V2G Technology

  • Mature EV Markets: Countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and the Netherlands have implemented V2G technologies to improve grid efficiency and renewable energy integration.
  • Incentives for Participation: In places like California (USA) and the UK, EV owners are financially incentivized for supplying power to the grid during peak demand.

Current Status of V2G in India

  • Early Stages: V2G technology is still in the early stages of development in India. Most efforts focus on expanding EV charging infrastructure rather than integrating bi-directional charging.
  • Pilot Projects: Several DISCOMs are running pilot projects on smart charging and V2G integration.
  • Central Electricity Authority (CEA) Guidelines: A committee by CEA is working on developing guidelines for integrating V2G technology with the grid.

Challenges for V2G Adoption in India

Market and Structural Challenges

  • Grid Infrastructure: India’s current grid is not designed for decentralized systems like V2G, creating challenges in integration.
  • Renewable Energy Variability: The unpredictable nature of renewable energy generation can complicate the V2G integration process.

Regulatory Support Needed

  • Regulatory Reforms: India needs to introduce policy changes and regulatory support to enable large-scale V2G adoption.
  • Incentives for EV Owners: Financial incentives are necessary to encourage EV owners to participate in V2G schemes and contribute to grid stability.

UPSC Prelims Question:

  1. Which of the following statements about Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology is/are correct?
  1. V2G technology allows Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries to send power back to the electricity grid, providing support during peak demand periods.
  2. V2G technology can be used for energy transfer between Electric Vehicles (EVs), known as Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V).
  3. V2G technology enables the direct supply of power from the grid to home appliances without involving EV batteries.

Select the correct answer using the code below:

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 1 and 3 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2, and 3

Answer: A

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is correct: Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology enables Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries to send power back to the grid, which can help support the grid during peak demand periods. This bi-directional flow of energy allows EVs to act as decentralized energy storage systems.
  • Statement 2 is correct: V2G technology also facilitates energy transfer between Electric Vehicles, known as Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V), where EVs can share energy with each other, though this application is less common.
  • Statement 3 is incorrect: V2G does not directly supply power from the grid to home appliances. Instead, it involves energy flow between the grid and EVs, where EVs can return stored energy to the grid, and in some cases, supply power to homes (through Vehicle-to-Home or V2H), but this is not a direct grid-to-appliance connection.

INDIA TO HOST HEADQUARTERS OF INTERNATIONAL BIG CAT ALLIANCE (IBCA)

TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: INDIAN EXPRESS

India has signed an agreement to host the headquarters and secretariat of the IBCA, confirming its leadership in global big cat conservation.

This move comes two months after IBCA became a treaty-based international organisation.

Objective and Scope of IBCA

  • The IBCA was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2023 during the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger.
  • It aims to protect seven big cat species across the world — tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah.
  • The alliance focuses on international cooperation, knowledge-sharing, and joint efforts to conserve these endangered animals.

Funding and Support

  • India will provide ₹150 crore over five years (2023–2028) for running the IBCA.
  • This fund will help in building infrastructure, running the secretariat, and supporting daily operations.
  • The agreement also includes rules for visas, privileges, and immunities for IBCA staff.

Legal Status and Membership

  • IBCA gained legal status after five countries — India, Liberia, Eswatini, Somalia, and Nicaragua — ratified the framework.
  • India became an official member in September 2023.
  • The Union Cabinet approved the hosting plan in February 2024, followed by funding approval in March 2024.

Significance

  • Hosting IBCA boosts India’s international role in wildlife conservation.
  • It strengthens India’s image as a key diplomatic hub for environmental cooperation and protects global biodiversity.

UPSC Prelims Question:

  1. Which of the following statements about the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is/are correct?
  1. The IBCA is an international initiative aimed at conserving big cats, such as tigers, lions, and leopards.
  2. India is the only country to be a part of the IBCA.
  3. The main objective of the IBCA is to create a network of protected areas to enhance the population of big cats globally.
  4. The IBCA works on strengthening transboundary conservation efforts for big cats in the member countries.

Select the correct answer using the code below:

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 4 only
  4. 1, 3, and 4 only

Answer: C

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is correct: The IBCA is an international initiative aimed at conserving big cats such as tigers, lions, and leopards. It focuses on the conservation of these species and their habitats.
  • Statement 2 is incorrect: India is not the only country involved. The IBCA is a global initiative with multiple countries involved, including those in Africa and Asia, where big cats are found.
  • Statement 3 is incorrect: While creating a network of protected areas is part of the larger conservation strategy, the primary goal of the IBCA is to address the protection and conservation of big cats through transboundary cooperation and strengthening the capacity of countries to protect these species.
  • Statement 4 is correct: The IBCA focuses on strengthening transboundary conservation efforts, ensuring that countries share responsibility for conserving big cat populations that traverse national borders.

DAL LAKE: THE JEWEL OF KASHMIR

TOPIC: (GS1) GEOGRAPHY: INDIAN EXPRESS

Dal Lake is one of India’s most famous urban lakes, located in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

Recently, a tourist shikara capsized due to strong winds, highlighting safety concerns amid changing weather patterns.

Key Facts

  • Surrounded by the Pir Panjal mountains, Dal Lake is called the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” and the “Lake of Flowers”.
  • The lake spans about 18 sq. km, with a total wetland area of 21.1 sq. km, including floating gardens called Raad.
  • These gardens bloom with lotus flowers in July and August.
  • The lake is divided into four parts: Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal, and Nagin.
  • Notable islands: Rup Lank (Char Chinari) and Sona Lank.
  • Dal Lake is famous for houseboats, Mughal gardens, and a floating market with vendors on wooden boats called shikaras.

INDIA–UZBEKISTAN JOINT EXERCISE DUSTLIK VI

TOPIC: (GS2) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: INDIAN EXPRESS

The 6th edition of Exercise DUSTLIK began at Aundh, Pune, under the joint training programme of India and Uzbekistan.

This annual drill alternates between the two countries and strengthens their defence partnership.

About DUSTLIK‑VI

  • Location & History: Hosted in Pune (Foreign Training Node, Aundh) in April 2025; the last edition was in Termez, Uzbekistan, in April 2024.
  • Inception: First held in November 2019 in Uzbekistan.

EXERCISE DUSTLIK VI

Participants

  • India: 60 personnel from a JAT Regiment battalion and elements of the Indian Air Force.
  • Uzbekistan: Troops from the Uzbek Army, reflecting shared security goals.

Theme & Focus

  • Central Theme: “Joint Multi‑Domain Sub‑Conventional Operations in a Semi‑Urban Scenario.”
  • Scenario: Response to terrorist takeover of territory, requiring coordinated battalion‑level action.

Key Activities

  • Joint Operations Centre: Command and control coordination.
  • Counterterrorism Drills: Area control, raids, and search‑and‑destroy missions.
  • Air‑Land Integration: Use of helicopters, drones, air firepower, and counter‑UAS measures.
  • Special Ops: Helipad seizure, reconnaissance, special heliborne insertions, and small‑team extractions.