Daily Current Affairs for UPSC & UPPCS — Agra

Context

India’s Index of Nine Core Industries grew by 7.9% year-on-year in September 2026, reaching its highest growth rate since the new data series began in April 2024.

What are core industries?

• Core industries are the basic industries that provide essential inputs to many other sectors of the economy.
• For example, steel is required for buildings, cement for construction, electricity for factories, and coal for power generation.
• Published by: Office of Economic Adviser, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Base Year: 2022–23 (replacing the previous base year of 2011–12).

The nine core industries

1. Coal
2. Crude oil
3. Natural gas
4. Refinery products
5. Fertilisers
6. Steel
7. Cement
8. Electricity
9. Iron ore

The nine core industries account for 40.27% of the weight of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). Their relative weights in the core-sector index are also important for understanding the headline growth figure.

The Index of Industrial Production (IIP)

It is a key macroeconomic indicator in India that measures short-term changes in the volume of industrial output. It covers mining, manufacturing and electricity, with broader industrial coverage.

• Publishing Body: Compiled and released monthly by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• Base Year: The official base year is 2022–23.

Key Factors

• Iron ore grew by 18.4%: Stronger mining output can support steel production and infrastructure-related activity.
• Electricity grew by 11.4%: Indicates higher electricity generation, which may reflect greater demand from industry, households or other users.
• Coal grew by 10.7%: Higher output can support thermal power generation and industrial energy requirements.
• Cement grew by 9.8%: Consistent with stronger construction activity, although cement output alone cannot establish the overall state of construction.
• Steel grew by 4.9%: Steel production continued to expand, but at a slower rate than the other rapidly growing sectors listed above.
• Three sectors contracted: Fertilisers, natural gas and crude oil recorded negative growth — growth was not uniform across all industries.

The controversy centres on the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.

Background: Anoop Baranwal Judgment, 2023

In Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India (2023), the Supreme Court directed that, until Parliament made a law, appointments should be recommended by a committee comprising:

• Prime Minister
• Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha
• Chief Justice of India (CJI)

This was an interim arrangement to safeguard the independence of the Election Commission.

Key provisions of the 2023 Act

• Section 7: Selection Committee comprises the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.
• Section 6: Search Committee, headed by the Union Law Minister, prepares a panel of five candidates.
• Section 5: Candidates must have held a post equivalent to Secretary to the Government of India and possess integrity and relevant election-management experience.
• Section 9: Provides for a term of six years or until age 65, whichever is earlier, subject to the Act.

Why is the Act controversial?

• Executive dominance: The government has two representatives on the three-member selection committee.
• Exclusion of the CJI: The judiciary no longer has a place on the committee prescribed by the 2023 interim judgment.
• Institutional independence: Critics argue that the process may weaken public confidence in the neutrality of the ECI.
• Transparency: Concerns have been raised about the selection process and timely sharing of candidate information.

Latest legal development

In September 2026, the Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on whether challenges to the Act should be referred to a Constitution Bench. The matter was referred to the Chief Justice of India for consideration of a larger bench. This is a procedural development, not a final ruling that the Act is unconstitutional.

Way forward

• Ensure a more balanced and transparent selection process.
• Strengthen institutional independence and accountability.
• Publish clear eligibility criteria and follow transparent procedures.
• Resolve constitutional challenges through timely judicial review.

Form 6 is the application form used to register a person as a new voter in India and include their name in the electoral roll.

Purpose

• For first-time voter registration.
• For eligible Indian citizens whose names are not already included in an electoral roll.
• For eligible persons applying for inclusion in the electoral roll after shifting to a new constituency, subject to the applicable procedure.

Eligibility

• Indian citizen.
• Aged 18 or above on a qualifying date: 1 January, 1 April, 1 July or 1 October.
• Ordinarily resident in the constituency.
• Not otherwise disqualified from voter registration.

Documents required

• Age proof, such as a birth certificate, Aadhaar card, PAN card or eligible educational certificate.
• Proof of ordinary residence.
• Recent passport-size photograph.

Background

Dr. Jaya Thakur challenged the constitutional validity of Section 7(1) of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, which changed the composition of the selection committee for appointing Election Commissioners.

Key issue

In Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India (2023), the Supreme Court had prescribed an interim selection committee comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition and Chief Justice of India until Parliament enacted a law.

The 2023 Act replaced the CJI with a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.

Petitioners’ concerns

• Executive dominance: Two of the three committee members are from the government.
• Institutional independence: Concerns about the ECI’s autonomy and impartiality.
• Transparency: Concerns about the selection process and sharing candidates’ details.

Supreme Court order — 22 March 2024

The Supreme Court refused to stay the appointments of the two Election Commissioners made under the new Act before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, it expressed concern about the selection procedure, particularly the late circulation of candidates’ details. This was an interim order, not a final ruling on the Act’s constitutionality.

Constitutional provisions

• Article 324: Superintendence, direction and control of elections vested in the ECI.
• Article 14: Equality before law; protection against arbitrary state action.
• Article 32: Right to approach the Supreme Court for enforcement of fundamental rights.

• Meaning: Simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
• Committee: High-Level Committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind; constituted in September 2023.
• Report: Submitted on 14 March 2024.
• Recommendations: Synchronise Lok Sabha and Assembly elections first, followed by local-body elections within 100 days.
• Benefits claimed: Reduced election expenditure, fewer Model Code of Conduct disruptions and improved administrative efficiency.
• Concerns: Federalism, premature dissolution of legislatures, accountability and logistical challenges.
• Current status: The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and related legislation were referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for examination.

• Article 326: Elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies are based on adult suffrage, subject to constitutional and legal qualifications.
• Voting age: Reduced from 21 to 18 years by the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988.
• Section 62, Representation of the People Act, 1951: Governs the right to vote, subject to statutory conditions.
• Nature: The right to vote is generally recognised as a statutory right/ constitutional right, exercised within the constitutional framework of adult suffrage.
• Important case: People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) v. Union of India (2003) — recognised the voter’s right to know candidates’ relevant background as part of freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a).

• Part XV of the Constitution: Elections
• Articles 324–329: Constitutional provisions relating to elections.

Important Articles for Prelims

Article 324: ECI is a constitutional body, established on 25 January 1950.

• The President appoints the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners, subject to parliamentary law.
• The CEC can be removed in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Supreme Court judge.
• Other Election Commissioners cannot be removed except on the recommendation of the CEC.