EU’s Return Regulation: Secure Borders vs. Human Dignity — GS 2 (International Relations, Human Rights)
Topic 1: Footpath Walking as a Fundamental Right GS Paper 2 │ Article 21 │ Right to Life with Dignity │ Judicial Activism │ Urban Governance
Why in the News? The Supreme Court recently delivered a landmark judgment observing that while roads have been widened across Indian cities, no space has been left for citizens who cannot afford vehicles. The Court held that walking is not merely a physical activity but an integral part of the Right to Life with Dignity, and that public spaces cannot remain the exclusive domain of motor vehicles.
Legal and Constitutional Basis
Article 21 (Right to Life): Since the 1970s, the Supreme Court has progressively expanded the scope of the Right to Life. Walking safely on footpaths, free from fear or threat to life, is now read as part of this right.
Article 19(1)(d) (Freedom of Movement): The right to move freely throughout Indian territory carries real meaning only when citizens can actually walk safely in public spaces.
A Democratic Right: According to Justice P. S. Narasimha, walking also reinforces the rights to free expression (Article 19(1)(a)), peaceful assembly (19(1)(b)), and forming associations (19(1)(c)). Historically, several major movements of India’s freedom struggle — such as the Dandi March — began with the simple act of walking.
Background: The Karnataka Tragedy
This judgment stems from a deeply tragic incident in Karnataka, where a 5-year-old child was walking to school with his father when a tanker lorry struck and killed him.
The Court’s Immediate Move: The Court directed compensation of over ₹11 lakh to be paid to the parents.
The Larger Question: But is compensation alone the solution? The Court emphasised that it is the State’s basic duty to provide safe footpaths to citizens in the first place, so that such tragedies do not occur at all.
Key Challenges in Implementation
1. Lack of Institutional and Infrastructure Framework
In most Indian cities, continuous, unbroken footpaths either do not exist, or where they do, they are encroached upon by vehicle parking, street vendors, garbage, or construction material.
Pedestrian safety is currently not governed by any single, unified law — it remains fragmented across municipalities, urban planning bodies, and road design guidelines.
2. The Influence of ‘Elitism’ in Urban Planning
Roads and expressways have largely been constructed as though they exist exclusively for cars and other wheeled vehicles. Pedestrians have effectively been sidelined as ‘obstacles’, even though a massive share of the country’s population — particularly the economically weaker sections — still depends on walking as its primary mode of transport.
3. Conflict with Other Legal Frameworks
Street Vendors Act, 2014: This law grants street vendors a legal right to livelihood. If footpaths are completely ‘cleared’ to enforce pedestrian rights, the livelihoods of the urban poor could be jeopardised — creating a direct tension between two rights-based frameworks.
The Limits of Rights-Based Laws: Merely passing a law in India does not automatically change behaviour or culture — much as anti-littering laws exist, yet littering persists as a widespread habit.
The Way Forward
The Supreme Court did not stop at criticism — it laid out a concrete roadmap for governments to follow:
Establishment of a dedicated, full-time regulatory body for pedestrian infrastructure
Making ‘well-organised footpaths’ a mandatory component alongside all road construction
Amending the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 to create a clear legal framework for pedestrian safety
Directives to Ministries: The Court forwarded a copy of the judgment to the Ministries of Housing and Urban Affairs, Rural Development, and Road Transport, so that a statutory framework can be prepared.
Institutional Expertise: A dedicated regulator is needed that can offer swift resolution in cases of violations and plan pedestrian infrastructure effectively at scale.
UPSC Note UPSC Mains linkage: This judgment connects GS 2 (Fundamental Rights under Article 21 and 19, judicial expansion of rights, urban governance) with GS 3 (urban infrastructure planning) and touches GS 1 (urbanisation challenges). The tension between pedestrian rights and the Street Vendors Act, 2014 is a sophisticated angle for any answer on rights conflicts or urban governance reform.
Practice Question (Mains)“The judiciary’s recent recognition of the ‘right to walk safely on footpaths’ highlights the limitations of ‘rights-based policy making’ in India. Do you think that without adequate budgetary allocation and structural reforms, such judicial directives remain merely a ‘compensation mechanism’? Critically evaluate this statement in the context of the urban poor’s right to livelihood.” (250 Words, 15 Marks)
Practice Question (Prelims – MCQ)With reference to the Supreme Court’s recent judgment on the right to walk on footpaths, consider the following statements: 1. The Court held that the right to walk safely on footpaths is part of the Right to Life with Dignity under Article 21. 2. The judgment directed the amendment of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 to create a statutory framework for pedestrian safety. 3. The Street Vendors Act, 2014 has no bearing on the implementation of pedestrian rights on footpaths. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 2 and 3 only (C) 1 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3 Answer: (A) 1 and 2 only — Statement 3 is incorrect: the Street Vendors Act, 2014 directly conflicts with footpath-clearing measures, since it grants street vendors a legal right to livelihood, creating a genuine tension with pedestrian rights enforcement.
Topic 2: Glacial Lakes and the GLOF Threat in the Himalayas GS Paper 1/3 │ Glacial Lake Outburst Floods │ Disaster Management │ Himalayan Geography
Why in the News? According to satellite data (from ICEYE, PlanetScope, and LISS-IV) analysed by geospatial intelligence firm Suhora Technologies, 4 out of 5 lakes in the Mago Chu basin of Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh, have expanded in area. Sanhapo Lake recorded the maximum growth — expanding from 78.07 hectares in 2019 to 88.81 hectares by June 2026, an increase of roughly 10 hectares. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has placed it under the ‘high risk’ category.
What Is a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)?
A GLOF occurs through a sequential process:
Step 1 — Glacial Melt: Rising global temperatures cause high-altitude glaciers to melt rapidly.
Step 2 — Natural Accumulation: Meltwater accumulates behind rocks, soil, and debris (moraine) left behind by the retreating glacier.
Step 3 — Lake Formation: As accumulation increases, a temporary glacial lake forms and continues to grow in size.
Step 4 — Pressure Build-Up: As the lake’s water volume peaks, pressure on the weak, debris-formed natural dam rises sharply.
Step 5 — Trigger Event: A sudden landslide or avalanche sends large amounts of ice or rock crashing into the lake.
Step 6 — Outburst: This sudden shock breaches the natural dam, and the accumulated water surges out at extreme speed.
Step 7 — Consequence: Catastrophic, fast-moving floods (GLOFs) devastate downstream areas and infrastructure.
In short: when a lake’s water volume becomes too great, or an avalanche/landslide strikes it from above, the weak natural dam suddenly fails — triggering severe, sudden flooding downstream.
Major Global Examples of GLOF Events
Region / Country
Event (Year)
Affected Area
Cause and Impact
Sikkim, India
South Lhonak Lake (October 2023)
Teesta River
Natural moraine dam burst due to a cloudburst/avalanche. The Chungthang hydroelectric dam was completely destroyed, with heavy loss of life and property.
Uttarakhand, India
Chorabari Tal / Kedarnath (June 2013)
Mandakini River
Dam of the Chorabari glacial lake burst due to excessive rainfall and glacier melting, causing unprecedented devastation in the Kedarnath valley and thousands of deaths.
Uttarakhand, India
Chamoli Disaster (February 2021)
Rishiganga and Dhauliganga
Flash floods triggered by a large portion of the Nanda Devi glacier breaking off, destroying major hydropower projects including Tapovan.
Nepal
Dig Tsho (August 1985)
Langmoche Glacier Region
Moraine dam burst due to a massive avalanche — now a global ‘classic case study’ for understanding GLOF hazards in the Himalayan region.
Peru, South America
Palcacocha Lake (December 1941)
Huaraz City
The deadliest GLOF event in recorded history; a huge ice block fell into the lake, bursting the dam. Huaraz city was buried under debris, with approximately 5,000 deaths.
France, Europe
Lake Tête Rousse (1892)
Tête Rousse Glacier
A hidden ‘sub-glacial’ water pocket inside the glacier suddenly burst, devastating the Saint-Gervais resort town and causing 175+ deaths.
Risk vs. Imminent Disaster: Reading Expansion Correctly
Expansion Alone Is Not the Only Threat: A growing lake does not automatically mean it will burst imminently.
Other Critical Factors: The actual threat level also depends on the strength of the surrounding moraine, the probability of earthquakes in the region, and the risk of surrounding landslides.
Significance of Instability: That said, an expanding lake is genuinely considered ‘unstable’ and warrants close, continuous monitoring.
Key Challenges
Lack of Ground-Level Access: These lakes sit in extremely remote, inaccessible Himalayan terrain, making physical access for scientists highly difficult — monitoring relies almost entirely on satellite data.
Translating Science into Policy: India has strong satellite-based capabilities to identify and map dangerous lakes, but the real challenge lies in converting this scientific data into practical disaster management and early-warning systems on the ground.
Lack of an Integrated Statutory Framework: Rules governing the safety of mountain populations and infrastructure remain fragmented across ministries — Urban Planning, National Highways, and the NDMA — which hampers swift, coordinated decision-making.
UPSC Note UPSC Mains linkage: This topic bridges GS 1 (Himalayan geography, geomorphological processes) with GS 3 (disaster management, climate change impacts, infrastructure planning). The Sikkim (2023) and Chamoli (2021) case studies are valuable, exam-ready examples for any disaster management or climate change answer.
Practice Question (Mains)Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) represent one of the most under-prepared-for disaster risks in the Himalayan region. Discuss the scientific process behind GLOFs and evaluate India’s institutional preparedness to translate satellite-based monitoring into effective early-warning systems. (250 Words, 15 Marks)
Practice Question (Prelims – MCQ)With reference to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), consider the following statements: 1. A GLOF occurs when a natural dam formed by glacial moraine suddenly breaches, releasing accumulated lake water downstream. 2. The expansion of a glacial lake’s surface area is, by itself, sufficient to confirm that a GLOF event is imminent. 3. The 2021 Chamoli disaster in Uttarakhand was triggered by a portion of the Nanda Devi glacier breaking off. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 1 and 3 only (C) 2 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3 Answer: (B) 1 and 3 only — Statement 2 is incorrect: lake expansion alone indicates instability and the need for monitoring, but does not by itself confirm that a GLOF is imminent; this also depends on moraine strength, seismic risk, and landslide probability.
Why in the News? At a recent programme held in Khandwa district (Omkareshwar), Madhya Pradesh, President Droupadi Murmu appreciated the progress of the National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission. She stated that through the collective efforts and active participation of all states, India will completely eradicate this genetic disease well before its target year of 2047.
What Is Sickle Cell Anemia?
Genetic Disorder: A congenital and hereditary blood disorder transmitted from parents to children.
Abnormal Hemoglobin: The disorder causes the body to produce defective hemoglobin, making red blood cells (RBCs) stiff and sickle-shaped instead of round and flexible.
Health Impact: These deformed cells die prematurely, causing severe anemia, and get lodged in blood vessels, blocking oxygen flow — leading to organ damage and intense pain.
Impact on Tribal Communities and Government Response
1. Disproportionate Impact on Tribal Populations
Scientific studies show that sickle cell anemia is several times more prevalent among tribal communities compared to the general population. The primary contributing factors have been geographical isolation and endogamous marriage practices.
2. Progress of the National Mission
The National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission was launched in 2023.
Screening Target: The mission aims to screen 7 crore people in the 0–40 age group.
Early Success: According to the President, several major mission targets have already been achieved well ahead of schedule, reflecting strong administrative execution.
Key Challenges
Awareness and Social Acceptance: Awareness about the disease remains low in tribal and rural areas. It is critical to frame it as a crisis that progresses ‘generation after generation’ and to actively promote pre-marital genetic counselling.
Early Detection and Health Infrastructure: While screening has accelerated, rapid testing and treatment — including the availability of Hydroxyurea medication — must be strengthened at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) level.
Collective and Inter-Ministerial Action: As the President highlighted, eradicating this disease is not the Health Ministry’s task alone — the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, state governments, and local bodies must work together to turn it into a genuine ‘collective mass movement’.
UPSC Note UPSC Mains linkage: This topic connects GS 2 (health policy, tribal welfare schemes, social justice) with GS 3 (genetic disorders, public health systems) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being). The ‘disproportionate tribal impact + endogamy’ angle is a strong, specific data point for any health-equity or tribal welfare answer.
Practice Question (Mains)“The time-bound elimination of sickle cell anemia is as much a challenge of social awareness and inter-ministerial coordination as it is of medical infrastructure.” Discuss this statement in light of India’s National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission. (250 Words, 15 Marks)
Practice Question (Prelims – MCQ)With reference to Sickle Cell Anemia, consider the following statements: 1. It is an infectious disease that spreads primarily through contaminated water and air. 2. In this disorder, red blood cells (RBCs) lose their normal shape and become sickle-shaped, obstructing the flow of oxygen. 3. The Government of India, under the National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission, has set a target to eliminate the disease by the year 2047. How many of the above statements are correct? (A) Only one (B) Only two (C) All three (D) None of the above Answer: (B) Only two — Statement 1 is incorrect: Sickle Cell Anemia is not an infectious disease; it is a genetic and hereditary disorder transmitted from parents to children. Statements 2 and 3 are correct.
Topic 4: India’s Power Grid Bottleneck — Producing vs. Delivering Green Energy GS Paper 3 │ Renewable Energy │ Power Infrastructure │ Energy Security
Why in the News? India’s central energy challenge is no longer about producing cheap green power, but about delivering it to the right place at the right time. India is positioned to harness among the world’s cheapest solar and wind energy, but the biggest constraint is not a ‘lack of projects’ — it is an outdated and inadequate transmission grid. Technologies now exist that could cut grid connection timelines from three-to-five years down to mere months.
The Current Scenario and the Core Paradox
Unprecedented Progress: India currently has about 250 GW of renewable energy capacity, with another 100 GW under construction. Falling battery prices now allow India to deliver round-the-clock (24×7) stable clean energy at roughly ₹3.5 per kilowatt-hour.
The Time Lag Problem: While a solar or wind project becomes operational in 12 to 18 months, building its transmission network can take 3 to 5 years due to land acquisition and regulatory approvals. As a result, more than 50 GW of clean energy capacity currently sits stranded.
Future Demand: By 2050, India will require around 2,000 GW of capacity to electrify industry and transport — necessitating the construction of what would be the world’s largest transmission network.
Four Pillars to Unlock 1,000 GW from the Existing Grid
1. Integration of Battery Storage
Solar energy currently uses transmission lines only during the day — roughly 25% of the time — leaving them idle through the evening and night. Installing large batteries at these connection points can store excess daytime electricity and release it during peak evening/night demand, potentially increasing grid capacity by up to 400 GW without acquiring any new land.
2. Smart Use of Coal Corridors
Many of India’s older or costlier coal-fired plants run at low capacity but still hold valuable transmission line access. Setting up new solar and wind parks near these plants would let renewable energy use this vacant transmission capacity whenever coal units are underutilised — unlocking an additional 100 GW.
3. Upgrading Existing Substations
Directly connecting new renewable projects to existing transmission substation nodes across the country, and equipping them with batteries, could handle an additional 100 GW of clean energy at the national level without building entirely new infrastructure corridors.
4. Use of Modern High-Capacity Wires
Most of India’s grid still relies on traditional legacy wires that sag under heat and cannot carry higher electrical loads. Replacing them with domestically manufactured High-Temperature Low-Sag (HTLS) conductors — comparable to upgrading a train’s engine without changing the railway tracks — can double power-carrying capacity along the same routes, adding roughly 400 GW.
The Way Forward: Required Policy Shifts
India needs to plan over $100 billion in grid expansion spending over the next decade. Three policy shifts are essential to making this investment effective:
State-Level Implementation of Storage Norms: National power regulator rules mandating storage be paired with solar plants must be strictly enforced at the state level as well.
Shift in Procurement Norms: Priority should go to transmission technologies like HTLS conductors, which may carry a slightly higher upfront cost but deliver far greater lifetime returns without requiring new land acquisition.
Coordinated Corridor Development: Renewable energy zone development and transmission line planning must happen simultaneously, rather than sequentially, to prevent the time lag currently stranding capacity.
UPSC Note UPSC Mains linkage: This topic fits squarely into GS 3 (infrastructure, energy security, renewable energy policy) and connects to the Atmanirbhar Bharat and industrial growth narrative. The four-pillar framework (battery storage, coal corridors, substation upgrades, HTLS conductors) offers a ready-made structure for any grid-modernisation or energy-transition Mains answer.
Practice Question (Mains)“India’s renewable energy transition is now constrained less by generation capacity and more by transmission infrastructure.” Examine this statement and discuss the policy measures needed to bridge India’s clean energy grid integration gap. (250 Words, 15 Marks)
Practice Question (Prelims – MCQ)With reference to India’s renewable energy grid integration challenges, consider the following statements: 1. Solar transmission lines in India are currently utilised for nearly the entire day, leaving little room for additional capacity through storage integration. 2. High-Temperature Low-Sag (HTLS) conductors can increase power-carrying capacity on existing transmission routes without requiring new land acquisition. 3. The transmission network for a renewable energy project typically takes longer to build than the generation project itself. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 2 and 3 only (C) 1 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3 Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only — Statement 1 is incorrect: solar transmission lines are currently used only about 25% of the time (daytime), which is precisely why battery storage integration can unlock significant additional capacity during idle evening/night hours.
Topic 5: EU’s Return Regulation — Secure Borders vs. Human Dignity GS Paper 2 │ International Relations │ Migration Policy │ Human Rights
Why in the News? On 17 June 2026, the European Parliament passed a stringent new law — referred to as the ‘Return Regulation’ — under which EU countries can now send illegal migrants to ‘deportation hubs’ established in non-EU (third) countries. The law forms part of the 2024 EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, which came into effect on 12 June 2026.
Main Provisions of the Law
Deportation to Third Countries: Migrants without a legal right to remain in Europe can now be held in ‘return centres’ built in non-EU countries.
Longer Detention Periods: The waiting period for sending back illegal migrants has been extended from 6 months to a maximum of 2 years — and can be indefinite in cases involving security risks.
Strict Legal Powers: Authorities are now permitted to search migrants’ homes; non-cooperation can lead to fines and criminal sanctions.
Exceptions: Only unaccompanied minors are exempted from this law. Notably, families with children can still be sent to these centres.
Why This Law Was Introduced
Low Actual Return Rates: According to available data, only about 28% of migrants ordered to leave Europe actually return to their home countries — the rest become difficult to track.
Political Pressure: Over the past decade, far-right political parties have gained significant influence across Europe, reflecting growing public resentment over illegal migration.
Precedent — A Global Model: This is not the first such attempt: the UK’s ‘Rwanda Model’ and Italy’s ‘Albania Model’ previously tried offshoring migrants. The EU is now giving this approach complete legal shape at a bloc-wide level.
Human Rights vs. Sovereignty: The Core Debate
Human Rights Concerns: Organisations such as Human Rights Watch and left-leaning political parties argue the law undermines human dignity — paying developing countries to build ‘jail-like centres’ for migrants, they contend, reflects a moral decline and raises the risk of migrant exploitation.
Sovereignty and Security Arguments: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has described it as a ‘fair and firm’ policy, with EU states arguing that securing borders and preventing illegal migration is a fundamental right of any sovereign nation.
UPSC Note UPSC Mains linkage: This topic fits GS 2 (international relations, global migration governance, human rights vs. state sovereignty debates). It offers a strong comparative case study for India’s own approach to refugee and migration management, given India is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention.
Practice Question (Mains)The European Union’s ‘Return Regulation’ reflects the broader global tension between state sovereignty and human rights in migration governance. Critically examine this statement and draw relevant lessons for India’s approach to refugee and migration management. (250 Words, 15 Marks)
Practice Question (Prelims – MCQ)With reference to the European Union’s ‘Return Regulation’, consider the following statements: 1. It permits EU member states to send illegal migrants to deportation centres established in non-EU countries. 2. Unaccompanied minors as well as all families with children are fully exempted from being sent to these centres. 3. The regulation forms part of the 2024 EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 1 and 3 only (C) 2 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3 Answer: (B) 1 and 3 only — Statement 2 is incorrect: only unaccompanied minors are exempted under the law; families with children can still be sent to these return centres.
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