Current Affairs – April 12, 2025

{GS2 – Polity – IC – Governor} SC Limits Governor’s Discretion on Bills

• Context (IE | TH): SC ruled Tamil Nadu Governor’s referral of 10 re-enacted Bills to the President unconstitutional and invoked Article 142 to declare them assented.

Judicial Stand

• Shamsher Singh vs. State of Punjab (1974): The Governor must act on ministerial advice; discretionary powers are the exception, not the rule.
• Rameshwar Prasad vs. Union of India (2006): The Governor’s personal opinion cannot justify imposing President’s Rule.
• Nabam Rebia vs. Deputy Speaker (2016): Power to summon the House is not solely the Governor’s; reinforced limits on discretionary use.
• State of Tamil Nadu vs. Governor of Tamil Nadu & Anr: SC invoking Article 142, deemed 10 re-passed Bills pending with Tamil Nadu Governor as assented due to inordinate and unjustified delay.

State of Tamil Nadu vs. Governor of Tamil Nadu & Anr Case

• Role of Governor as a Constitutional Head: The Governor must function as a neutral constitutional authority, not as a political agent, and must facilitate governance in line with democratic principles.
• Adherence to Council of Ministers’ (CoM) Advice: Governor must act on the aid & advice of the elected govt (Article 163), except in specific constitutional exceptions, e.g., under proviso 2 of Art 200.
• Governor Cannot Use Absolute or Pocket Veto: Constitution does not permit Governor to indefinitely withhold assent (absolute veto) or take no action at all (pocket veto) on a Bill passed by State Legislature.
• Governor Must Act “As Soon As Possible”: The phrase “as soon as possible” in Article 200 mandates urgency in the Governor’s decision-making & cannot be used to justify prolonged delays.
• Strict Timeframe for Governor’s Action on Bills:
  • 1 month: To grant assent or reserve the Bill for the President, based on the advice of the CoM.
  • 3 months: To withhold assent when acting against the Cabinet’s advice.
  • 1 month: To grant assent after a Bill is re-passed by the State Legislature.
  • 3 months (maximum): To reserve a Bill for the President, only if constitutionally justified.
• No Re-Referral of Re-enacted Bills to President: Once the State Legislature has re-enacted a Bill without changes, the Governor cannot refer it again to the President.
• Grounds for Reserving Bills for the President: Governor can reserve a Bill only under exceptional circumstances, such as when it affects the powers of the High Court or involves constitutional issues.
• Judicial Review of Governor’s Inaction: If the Governor delays or refuses to act within the prescribed timeframe, their inaction is subject to judicial scrutiny for being arbitrary or unconstitutional.

{GS2 – Polity – IC – PRI} Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) *

• Context (PIB): The 1^st ever Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) Baseline Report for FY 2022-23 was released by the Ministry of Panchayat Raj.

What is the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI)?

• Aim: To assess and measure the progress made by grassroots-level institutions in achieving localised SDGs, thereby contributing to the attainment of SDG 2030.
• Indicators: It is a compilation based on 435 unique local Indicators (331 mandatory and 104 optional) across nine themes of LSDGs aligned with the National Indicator Framework (NIF) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• Themes (9): Poverty-Free & Enhanced Livelihoods, Healthy Panchayat, Child-Friendly Panchayat, Water-Sufficient Panchayat, Clean & Green Panchayat, Panchayat with Self-Sufficient Infrastructure, Socially Just &Socially Secured Panchayat, Panchayat with Good Governance, Women-Friendly Panchayat.
• Rankings: The panchayats were then scored on a scale of 0-100 based on the above indicators and ranked in one of 5 categories: Achiever (90-100), Front Runner (75-90), Performer (60-75), Aspirant (40-60) and Beginner (below 40).

Key Findings

• Of the 2.16 lakh panchayats, 699 (0.3%) Panchayats emerged as Front Runners, 77,298 (35.8%) were Performers, 1,32,392 (61.2%) were Aspirants, while 5,896 (2.7%) were at the Beginner Level.
• Among Front Runners, 346 are from Gujarat, followed by Telangana (270) and Tripura (42).
• None of the panchayats has been ranked in the Achievers (90-100) category.

Significance

• It will be vital in setting local targets, identifying actionable points, and preparing evidence-based Panchayat Development Plans to achieve the desired goals.
• The data collected through PAI will enable Panchayats to identify development gaps, set clear targets, and allocate resources more effectively.

{GS3 – IE – RBI} RBI Cuts Repo Rate *

• Context (TH | BS | IE): RBI reduced the repo rate & revised India’s GDP growth forecast for FY26 to 6.5%.

Key Monetary Policy Announcements

• Repo Rate Cut: RBI cut repo rate by 25 basis points to 6%, marking second consecutive cut this year.
• Policy Stance Shift: Monetary Policy Committee changed its stance from ‘neutral’ to ‘accommodative’ to stimulate economic growth.
• Rate Adjustments: SDF reduced to 5.75%; MSF & Bank Rate reduced to 6.25%.

Domestic Policy Coordination

• Growth Support Mechanism: RBI’s easing complements fiscal initiatives to revive domestic demand.
• Digital Transactions Boost: RBI allowed NPCI to increase UPI transaction limits for P2M (Person-to-M erchant) payments.

Reasons Behind the Move

• Trade War Impact: US tariffs, including a 26% levy on Indian imports, have hurt export prospects and created global uncertainties.
• Dented Business Sentiment: Global friction and uncertainty weakened investment and spending decisions by businesses and households.
• Growth Over Inflation: The RBI prioritized growth revival over inflation control, as retail inflation stood at 3.61%, well within the RBI’s 4% target.

Economic Implications of Rate Cut

• Cheaper Loans: Loans to become more affordable, supporting consumer demand and investments.
• Boost to Infra. & Industry: Lower borrowing costs could spur industrial activity & infrastructure devpt.
• Lower Deposit Returns: Depositors may see reduced interest income on savings and fixed deposits.

External Uncertainties & Policy Challenges

• Global Headwinds: Escalating trade disputes and tariff hikes; Declining global growth projections.
• Forecasting Difficulty: Unusual volatility and unpredictability in global economic signals complicate monetary policy-making.

{GS3 – Infra – Transportation} Active Mobility **

• Context (TH): Sporadic reports of accidental deaths and injuries of pedestrians, cyclists, street hawkers, and others once again brought active mobility into the news.

What is Active Mobility?

• Active mobility refers to modes of transportation that use human power instead of a motorised form.
• Active modes of transport include walking, cycling, skateboarding, and other non-motorised modes used for travel and not recreational activities.

Need for Active Mobility in India

• Traffic Decongestion: Public transport handles 63% of travel in metros, easing road congestion.
• Public Health Boost: Daily walking (30 mins) or cycling (20 mins) reduces mortality by 10%, cardiovascular risks by 10%, and type 2 diabetes by 30%.
• Cleaner Air: Shifting to walking and cycling can curb vehicular emissions; road transport contributes 12% of India’s energy-related CO₂ emissions.
• Economic Gains: Cuts healthcare costs linked to sedentary lifestyles and pollution-induced illnesses.
• Road Safety: Cities investing in pedestrian and cycling infrastructure report fewer traffic-related fatalities.
• High Vulnerability: Pedestrians made up 43% of road crash deaths in Delhi; over 37,000 pedestrian and cyclist deaths reflect the urgency for safer NMT infrastructure.

Multidimensional Benefits of Active Mobility

• Economic Savings for Households: Walking and cycling cut daily expenses on fuel, parking, and vehicle maintenance, easing household budgets.
• Healthier Population, Lower Healthcare Burden: Active mobility helps prevent chronic diseases like obesity, cardiovascular disorders, and Type 2 diabetes, significantly impacting Healthcare costs.
• Climate Action & Emissions Reduction: Promoting walking and cycling can slash CO₂ emissions from road transport, contributing nearly 12% to India’s energy-related emissions. (IEA)
• Cleaner Urban Air: Reduced reliance on motorised vehicles leads to fewer emissions, improving air quality in cities with robust active mobility infrastructure.
• Reduced Risk of Premature Death: Regular walking or cycling reduces overall mortality risk by 10–11%, promoting longer and healthier lives.
• Equitable and Inclusive Mobility: Ensures affordable and accessible transportation for all, especially low-income and marginalised communities—fostering mobility justice.

Barriers to Active Mobility in India: A Multidimensional Challenge

Inadequate Infrastructure and Safety Gaps

• Over 85% of Indian roads lack minimum safety standards for walking and cycling.
• Footpaths and cycle lanes are often encroached, poorly maintained, or non-existent, deterring non-motorised travel.

Competing Low-Cost Motorised Alternatives

• The availability of cheap two-wheelers & informal para-transit options make active modes less attractive.
• Long commuting distances & extreme weather conditions discourage walking/cycling as daily transport.

Societal Perception and Status Symbol Bias

• In urban India, cars and bikes are widely seen as symbols of economic status and social prestige, especially among the aspirational middle class.
• Walking or cycling is often perceived as a sign of poverty, reducing social motivation to adopt them.

Rapid Motorisation and Rising Private Ownership

• According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, over 12,000 cars are sold daily in India.
• This rapid increase in private vehicles overwhelms roads and sidelines active mobility users.

Poor Enforcement and Traffic Hazards

• Weak traffic rule enforcement and lack of speed calming measures make streets unsafe for pedestrians.
• Rapid urban congestion & chaotic traffic flow significantly raise the risk of accidents for active commuters.

Way Forward

• Sustainable Financing: Allocate fixed transport budgets for encouraging public-private partnerships for cycling and walking infrastructure.
• Integrated Urban Planning: Implement Complete Streets and Transit-Oriented Development with climate-resilient designs to support active mobility.

{Prelims – In News} Thucydides Trap *

• Context (IE): Trump’s imposition of a 104% tariff on Chinese imports under Section 301 of the US Trade Act reignites fears of a US-China spiral into the Thucydides Trap.

• Section 301 of the Trade Act: The US must impose tariffs on countries engaging in unfair trade practices or violating trade agreements.

Thucydides Trap

• Origin of the Term: Coined from Thucydides’s account of the Peloponnesian War where Sparta feared the rise of Athens, leading to inevitable war.
• Core Idea: When a rising power threatens to displace an established hegemon, war becomes likely due to strategic anxiety and mutual distrust.

US-China Dynamics: Rising Power vs Status Quo

• China as Rising Power: Rapid economic growth, military modernisation, and global infrastructure projects like BRI signal China’s ascent.
• US as Status Quo Power: Longstanding military dominance, economic influence, and strategic alliances reflect US primacy in global affairs.
• Clashing Visions: Trump’s “America First” policy over Xi’s “national rejuvenation” goal intensifies zero-sum perceptions.

Also refer to Reciprocal Tariffs by USA and its effects.

{Species – Plants – LC} Desert Rose (Adenium obesum)

• Context (DTE): The Desert Rose plant was recently in the news.

Credit: Wikipedia and IUCN

• Desert rose is a succulent evergreen or drought-deciduous perennial shrub in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae) native to desert regions of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
• Also known as Sabi star, kudu, mock azalea & impala lily. It is a poisonous species of flowering plant.
• Conservation Status: IUCN: Least Concern.