Title: Single digits: On India at the Olympics

India’s return of six medals from the just-concluded Paris Olympics can be termed underwhelming at best. The nation secured one silver and five bronze medals, down from seven at Tokyo 2020 that included a gold and two silvers. At a time when the country is looking to diversify its sporting excellence, has found exuberant support from the government and big corporates, and was aiming for a double-digit medal yield, the Olympic fortnight belied expectations. There were indeed new heroes — shooters Manu Bhaker, Sarabjot Singh and Swapnil Kusale, and wrestler Aman Sehrawat are now household names. The men’s hockey team finishing on the podium for a second straight time and Neeraj Chopra adding a silver to his historic javelin gold from Tokyo are top-notch efforts. But the dependence on a select few to repeatedly deliver, the near-zero presence in disciplines such as swimming and gymnastics, and wrestler Vinesh Phogat being disqualified for being above the weight threshold cast a dark shadow. The need of the hour is thus to broaden the base, increase participation and distribute funding more equitably to usher in a grass-roots revolution. The onus is also on the Union Sports Ministry to bring errant federations — often dens of nepotism and corruption — in line with the National Sports Code, fix accountability and decentralise governance.

As much as the Olympics is about winning and the shaping of national identities, it is also the greatest stage on earth to showcase the triumph of human will. This was best exemplified by the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan, the first since Emil Zatopek in 1952 to collect medals in 5,000m, 10,000m and marathon, Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, the first woman to win three consecutive 1,500m titles, Cuba’s Mijain Lopez, who won a fifth individual gold on the trot in 130kg Greco-Roman wrestling, Novak Djokovic, who at 37 and with a surgically repaired knee, won the elusive singles gold in tennis, and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who braved incendiary attacks on her gender to rise to the top. Sweden’s Armand Duplantis broke the men’s pole vault record for an astonishing ninth time (6.25m) while swimmer Katie Ledecky, gymnast Simone Biles and hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone achieved transcendence by stretching their numbers to nine, seven and four Olympic golds, respectively. France did well as a host, winning 16 golds, its best figures in a century. The star was 22-year-old swimmer Leon Marchand, who bagged four golds to position himself as the best of this generation. Athletics, in the post-Usain Bolt era, was on the lookout for one such champion, but as Paris proved, that is a tough act to follow.

Word	Meaning	Symons	Antonym
Disciplines	“Disciplines” refers to distinct branches of knowledge, fields of study, or areas of expertise.	Fields Areas of study Branches	Indiscipline (lack of discipline) Disorder (lack of order or structure) Chaos (complete disarray)
Exemplified	“Exemplified” means to show or illustrate something by providing a clear example.	Demonstrated Illustrated Showcased Represented	Obscured Concealed Hid Confused
Incendiary	Something that is designed to start fires. For example, an “incendiary device” or “incendiary bomb” is a tool or weapon specifically created to cause a fir	Inflammatory Provocative Combustible Agitating	Calming Peaceful Soothing Incendiary

Scientists need greater funding for research, not national awards 

Later this month, 33 scientists will be awarded the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP), the current government’s revamped approach to independent India’s long tradition of annually awarding scientists with promise. The rejig is in doing away with the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) awards, once awarded to scientists under 45 by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). It comprised a certificate, a cash prize and some additional monetary benefits. The RVP replaces it with a medal and a certificate and, renaming it the Vigyan Yuva-SSB. There are also other RVP awards — the Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Ratna and Vigyan Team awards. The latter will be for scientists over 45 who have made distinguished contributions in science and technology over their entire career as well, as for teams of scientists and technologists with exceptional contributions.

In theory the total number of awards, under all categories, is capped at 56, though those selected for this year are fewer than the ceiling. The team award has been conferred on the Indian Space Research Organisation’s ‘Chandrayaan-3 team’, which certainly has over three members. These may well be technicalities and, being the first edition of the prizes, could be transitional. The list of awardees spans a wide range of fields from astrophysics to agriculture, and this is not unique to the RVP, the awardees are overwhelmingly from centrally funded and the most elite of India’s scientific and research institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology, Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, CSIR and atomic energy institutions. The RVP awards were instituted after the Ministry of Home Affairs and heads of science departments concluded in 2022 that there were too many awards being given out by individual scientific departments and that it was necessary to trim them and raise their ‘stature’ to national awards. While distinguished scientists have always received the Padma awards, just as those in other fields, the original schema for scientist-specific awards was to encourage them to stick to research, whose outcomes are not always immediately tangible and whose impact is not immediately assessed. Much like Olympic medals, Nobel Prizes continue to elude Indian scientists and this has been a touchy topic for many governments. The national awards are not a substitute or catalyst for the Nobels. The government should not assume that scientists only crave honour and recognition. Too many scientists in India labour with minimal funds, substandard equipment and a discouraging milieu, forcing them to compete at the cutting edge of research with their hands tied. Raising the budgetary allocation and making scientific research more rewarding in India will do greater service to science than tokenism.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Revamped	It implies that something has been changed or modified to be better, more modern, or more effective than it was before.	Revised Updated Renewed Upgraded	Worsened Degraded Neglected Outdated
Conferred	“Conferred” generally means to have given, granted, or bestowed something, typically an honor, title, degree, or privilege. It can also refer to holding a discussion or consultation with others.	Granted Awarded Presented Entrusted	Withheld Refused  Deprived Revoked
Overwhelmingly	“Overwhelmingly” is an adverb used to describe something that is done or felt to a very great extent, typically in a way that is powerful, dominant, or difficult to resist.	Extremely Vastly Greatly Completely	Slightly Minimally Partially Weakly
Crave	“Crave” is a verb that means to have a strong desire for something, often an intense longing or yearning for something specific, like food, attention, or an experience.	Desire Thirst for Need Want	Dislike Reject Despise Avoid

Title: ​ Reassuring resolve: On the RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee’s move

The RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has for a ninth straight meeting chosen to keep benchmark interest rates unchanged as it continues to battle retail inflation that has stubbornly stayed above its medium-term target of 4% for 57 months and is beginning to undermine consumer confidence. Laying out the rationale, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das was emphatic that there was no room for complacency given the risks that persistently elevated food price pressures posed to households’ inflation expectations and broader monetary policy credibility. Elevated food prices, he stressed, had not only slowed disinflation in the April-June quarter but had also extended their momentum into July with high frequency food price data pointing to sizeable month-on-month increases in key vegetable prices. Citing Department of Consumer Affairs data, he said tomato prices had surged 62% sequentially, while onion had become almost 23% costlier than in June and potato prices had increased 18%. Food prices, with a weight of about 46% in the overall Consumer Price Index, could not afford to be overlooked, not just for their impact on headline inflation but far more significantly because consumers related the most to the impact food prices had on monthly household budgets. He indicated, without explicitly referencing it, that a suggestion in the Economic Survey urging policymakers to consider delinking food prices from the inflation targeting framework made little sense in the circumstances.

The MPC, which voted by a 4-2 majority to hold interest rates and keep the policy stance focused on the withdrawal of accommodation to ensure that inflation aligns to the target, also raised its projection for headline retail inflation in the July-September quarter to 4.4%, 60 basis points higher than the 3.8% pace projected in June. The rate panel also posited slightly faster inflation in the third fiscal quarter than it had forecast previously, lifting the projection by 10 basis points to 4.7%, in a clear sign that the near-term inflation outlook appears less reassuring than it did just two months ago. And while Mr. Das noted that, in June, vegetable prices had contributed about 35% to headline inflation, the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, in an analysis, forecast price pressures in vegetables to ‘sustain well into the festive season through till early November’, adding pressure on retail headline inflation. Core inflation may also have bottomed out according to the MPC, which flagged the risks of spillover from food prices, as well as the impact mobile tariff revisions may have on broader non-food inflation. Policymakers hearteningly reiterated the truism that without ensuring enduring price stability, growth may at best be tenuous.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Complacency	Complacency refers to a sense of self-satisfaction or contentment with the current state of affairs, often coupled with a lack of awareness or concern about potential dangers or problems.	Self satisfaction Smugness Contentment Apathy	Vigilance Concern Awareness Alertness
Stance	“Stance” refers to a person’s attitude or position on a particular issue or topic. It can also refer to the way someone physically positions their body, especially in sports or physical activities.	Position Attitude Viewpoint Posture	Indifference Neutrality Uncertainty Disinterest

Title: ​ ​ ​ Up but out: On Vinesh Phogat’s Olympic campaign 

It proved to be a tale of so near and yet so far for Vinesh Phogat on a sombre Wednesday in Paris. The 29-year-old wrestler with roots in Haryana was in red-hot form and seemingly the force was with her in the women’s 50kg segment. However, hours before the summit clash against Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the United States, Vinesh’s Olympic dreams of winning a gold fizzled out. In the acutely razor-sharp lines that distinguish weight categories especially in combat sport, India’s ace wrestler was found to be 100 grams above the stipulated 50kg at the 7.15 a.m. mandatory weigh-in before the final bout. This was heartbreak of the extreme kind for the athlete and the funereal effect rippled through an expectant nation hoping for a gold or at least a silver. Having weighed 49.90kg on Tuesday morning, Vinesh acquired a massive halo through the day, toppling defending champion Yui Susaki of Japan and eventually getting past Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the semifinal. At the mixed media zone, Vinesh waved to the scribes but refrained from having a chat. The alarm bells, though, were ringing loud and clear within the Indian contingent as Vinesh and her support staff were conscious about her latest weight being 52.7kg.

The ensuing night was all about pursuing a crash course in losing extra kilos. Extreme measures such as starvation, water being ignored, frenetic exercises and induced nausea were all attempted. Even insomnia occurred and still the weighing machine did not budge on Wednesday morning. With an original body weight of around 55kg, it was extraordinary that Vinesh even attempted to compete in the 50kg bout after finding her regular 53kg category spot resting with the emerging Antim Panghal. The United World Wrestling, the sport’s governing body, is clear about the rules pertaining to body weight: if an athlete fails the weigh-in, he or she will be eliminated from the competition and ranked last. In the larger scheme, Vinesh’s charge towards the victor’s podium, even if it culminated in despair, was seen as a metaphor for a larger battle that she and other wrestlers waged against the former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The allegations of sexual harassment centred around Brij Bhushan cleaved India’s sporting heart; but an administrative system leaning on patriarchy, rebuffed the wrestlers before attempting a belated clean-up. Seen through that prism, the overwhelming angst over Vinesh’s exit is understandable. Rules are sacrosanct, and Vinesh found herself at the wrong end and her retirement announcement has left Indian sport poorer, while she still awaits the verdict of the authorities over her appeal for a joint silver medal consideration.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Distinguish	“Distinguish” is a verb that means to recognize or point out the differences between two or more things.	Differentiate Discern Identify Recognize	Confuse Mix up Overlook Misidentify
Stipulated	“Stipulated” is a verb that means to specify a condition or requirement as part of an agreement or contract.	Specified Stated Set Prescribed	Vague Unspecified Implicit Unstated
Funereal	“Funereal” is an adjective that describes something that is related to or characteristic of a funeral.	Somber Gloomy Mournful Solemn	Cheerful Joyful Lively Festive
Refrained	“Refrained” is a verb that means to hold back or stop oneself from doing something, especially an action that might be impulsive or inappropriate.	Abstained Withheld Desisted Avoided	Indulged Engaged Acted Proceeded
Frenetic	“Frenetic” is an adjective that describes something that is fast-paced, frantic, or wildly energetic, often to the point of being chaotic or out of control.	Frantic Frenzied Hectic Chaotic	Calm Relaxed Tranquil Peaceful

Title: ​ ​ ​​Under overlords: On Centre-Delhi government relations

The Supreme Court of India’s verdict holding that the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) of Delhi exercises independent authority while appointing aldermen to the Delhi Municipal Corporation, underscores the utter vulnerability of the elected Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi to central overlordship. The judgment by a three-judge Bench rightly relies on the letter of the law governing Centre-Delhi government relations, as well as earlier judgments that sought to strike a balance between the elected regime and the appointed administrator. The final outcome of the latest round of litigation is not surprising, given that Delhi is a Union Territory, but it raises questions about the relevance of having an elected Assembly for Delhi. The Court held that the Lt. Governor’s power to appoint persons with special knowledge in municipal administration is his statutory duty, and is not one that he should exercise on the basis of advice from Delhi’s Council of Ministers. The power is an exception to the constitutional provision that says the L-G is bound by the aid and advice of Delhi’s Council of Ministers on all matters in the State and Concurrent Lists, except for the subjects of public order, police and land. The Court has rejected the Delhi government’s argument that municipal administration, being a State subject, the L-G could not have acted on his own.

Tracing the nature of the appointing power to the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, as amended in 1993, a law enacted by Parliament, the Court noted that the Act identifies different authorities, each with distinct roles. While the Administrator was empowered to nominate 10 persons with special knowledge, the Speaker could nominate some legislators to serve on the Corporation by rotation. And that this showed that it was an independent statutory power. A Constitution Bench had sought in 2018 to lay down a framework to avoid escalation of issues arising from differences of opinion between the L-G and the Chief Minister. Such differences, as well as political acrimony between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre and the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi, have been the principal driving force behind multiple conflicts and legal tussles over governing Delhi. However, in the ultimate analysis, it is the Centre that enjoys the final say. As the latest verdict on aldermen shows, the Constitution allows Parliament power to enact laws in respect of any matter on which the Delhi Assembly has jurisdiction, unlike other States which have an exclusive legislative domain. Parliament can also amend or supersede any law made by the Delhi Assembly. As legislative and executive powers are coextensive, this effectively means that the Delhi government can be undermined in any way the Centre wants.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Vulnerability	Economic/Social: In this context, vulnerability refers to the susceptibility of individuals or groups to economic or social challenges, such as poverty, unemployment, or social exclusion, which can affect their ability to cope with and recover from adverse situations.	Weakness Susceptibility Exposure Fragility	Strength Security Resilience Immunity
Litigation	Litigation refers to the process of taking legal action or resolving disputes through the court system. It involves the filing of a lawsuit or legal claim by one party (the plaintiff) against another party (the defendant), where the matter is brought before a judge or a jury for a legal resolution.	Lawsuit Legal action Court case Legal proceedings	Settlement Agreement Arbitration Mediation
Tussles	Tussles refer to struggles, disputes, or conflicts, often involving a physical or verbal confrontation.	Struggles Scuffles Fights Conflicts	Peace Harmony Agreement Truce
Supersede	Supersede means to replace or take the place of something or someone, often because the new version is considered superior, more modern, or more effective.	Replace Override Displace Succeed	Retain Uphold Support Maintain

Title: ​ ​ ​Healing a nation: On Kamala Harris and the U.S. Presidential race

With arguably the most unexpected plot twist in the recent history of U.S. politics playing out in the form of incumbent President Joe Biden stepping back from the race for the November election, the hope for building a less toxic and more compassionate paradigm of politics for the next four years has fallen to his nominee, Vice-President Kamala Harris. Ms. Harris, of mixed Indian and Jamaican heritage, has been formally recognised as the Democratic Party’s candidate to take on Republican challenger and former President, Donald Trump, after she secured more than a majority of votes from party delegates just before the Democratic National Convention later this month. Now, Ms. Harris is in the throes of a high-speed dash to the finish line, including a flurry of campaign activity relating to her vice-presidential pick, the optics of the Convention, the presidential debates to follow, and the ceaseless generation of media and online advertising material aimed at swaying voters’ minds in her favour. Her strategy appears to be working — in picking Minnesota’s progressive Governor, Tim Walz, as her running mate, she has partnered with a leader with a reputation for turning Republican districts Democratic. Although Mr. Biden had trailed Mr. Trump by a few points in approval surveys across the critical swing States, Ms. Harris has not only tipped the scale back towards Democrats by a margin of 1.9% based on an updating adjusted average of major national polls, but she has also proven her credentials in pecuniary terms by raising a whopping $310 million in July, including $200 million in the first week after entering the race.

Her late entry comes with both advantages and risks. On the one hand the Trump campaign has had to scramble and re-focus its critique on her after spending months and even more dollars targeting Mr. Biden, especially highlighting his age, and blaming his administration for alleged failures regarding the economy and job creation, and immigration. Now, Mr. Trump appears to be pivoting to a baser tenor of name-calling and race-baiting, disputing Ms. Harris’s racial identity in uncharitable terms. This, ironically, cedes the high ground to Ms. Harris, potentially giving her the space to cast a broader political net and forge a more inclusive policy agenda that could rise above race politics, reinvigorate the liberal base and values of her party, and allow her to be seen as more than just the alternative candidate to Mr. Trump. The reality is that it is not only the U.S. but also the world that would stand to gain from Washington under the next President holding firm to core democratic values and genuinely working towards peace across the many troubled regions of the world, most immediately in the context of the conflict in Gaza spiralling across West Asia, and Russia’s belligerence in Ukraine.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Compassionate	Compassionate” means showing a deep sense of sympathy, understanding, and concern for the suffering or misfortune of others, often accompanied by a desire to help	Caring Sympathetic Empathetic Kind-hearted	Uncaring Indifferent Callous Cruel
Paradigm	Paradigm” refers to a typical example, model, or pattern of something. In a broader sense, it often describes a framework of beliefs, concepts, or practices that shape how we perceive and understand the world, particularly in a specific field or discipline.	Model Example Pattern Archetype	Anomaly Exception Aberration Deviation
Throes	“Throes” refers to intense or violent struggles, pain, or emotions, often associated with the process of undergoing significant change, suffering, or difficulty.	Agony Struggles Turmoil Suffering	Peace Comfort Ease Calm
Ceaseless	“Ceaseless” means continuous and unending; something that does not stop or come to an end. It is often used to describe actions, processes, or phenomena that persist without interruption.	Unending Continuous Incessant Unrelenting	Intermittent Occasional Sporadic Temporary
Reinvigorate	“Reinvigorate” means to give new energy, strength, or enthusiasm to something or someone. It involves revitalizing or renewing something that has become weak, tired, or less effective.	Revitalize Renew Refresh Restore	Weaken Exhaust Deplete Dull

Title: ​ ​ On target: On the Olympics and Indian shooters

Ever since Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore won the silver medal in the men’s double trap shooting at the Athens Olympics in 2004, Indian shooters have always dealt with the pressure of expectations. The stress quadrupled when Abhinav Bindra won the gold in the 10m air rifle category in the 2008 Beijing Games. This success was replicated in the 2012 London Games with Gagan Narang winning the bronze in the 10m air rifle shooting while Vijay Kumar did one better, seizing the silver in the 25m rapid fire pistol competition. And then followed the inexplicable drought in shooting during the subsequent editions at Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo. Cut to the latest Paris Games, where all doubts pertaining to whether the shooters would hit bullseye were emphatically laid to rest as 22-year-old Manu Bhaker became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting. It was also Manu’s turn to exorcise the ghosts of the past as in the previous Tokyo Games she faltered as an equipment malfunction affected her performance. First up, Manu claimed the bronze in the 10m air pistol. Later she combined with Sarabjot Singh to win another bronze in the mixed 10m air pistol segment. A hat-trick though proved elusive as she finished fourth in the 25m pistol final.

Manu’s success is a testimony to the rapid strides that Indian shooting has made besides being a tribute to an efficient system that the sporting fraternity has established. Manu is following the path that predecessors Anjali Bhagwat and Suma Shirur, presently a head coach too, had carved. Those were days when funds were meagre and, at times, awkward questions were asked about carrying firearms at airports as the knowledge of shooting as a sport was low. Anjali and Suma did not win an Olympics medal but they inspired their juniors to follow the sport with passion. Manu linking up with her former coach Jaspal Rana, an ace shooter himself, helped add a new dimension. Shooting demands still hands, a sharp eye and a zen mind, and finally Manu revealed that she was in the zone while aiming at the target. Her traits were evident in Swapnil Kusale too as he won bronze in the men’s 50m rifle three positions event. Equally, Arjun Babuta’s fourth-place finish in the men’s 10m air rifle final was a pointer to shooting’s razor thin margins that split ecstasy and agony. There was more grief too in archery, as India continued to fail at the Olympics with Deepika Kumari and company often stumbling at the business end.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Inexplicable	“Inexplicable” means something that cannot be explained or understood. It refers to events, actions, or phenomena that are difficult or impossible to account for or rationalize.	Unexplainable Mysterious Incomprehensible Puzzling	Explainable Understandable Comprehensible Clear
Emphatically	“Emphatically” means expressing something in a forceful, clear, and decisive way. When someone speaks or acts emphatically, they do so with strong emphasis, often to convey certainty, importance, or strong feelings	Firmly Forcefully Decisively Clearly	Tentatively Indecisively Hesitantly Ambiguously
Strides	It refers to long, decisive steps in walking or running. For example, “She made great strides across the field.”	Steps Advances Progress Leaps	Stagnation Retreat Decline Backsteps

Title: ​ ​Medieval-minded: On anti-conversion law in Uttar Pradesh, its amendments

The amendments adopted by the Uttar Pradesh Assembly to make its regressive anti-conversion law more stringent seems to have ease of its misuse as its principal aim. The original law, enacted in 2021, led to the registration of over 400 cases by 2023. The amendments seek to increase the jail terms prescribed under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. If minors, women or “certain communities” were the target of conversion through use of force, threat or coercion, it could entail imprisonment up to 20 years and even for life. It also prescribes a stiff sentence and fine for receiving funds from foreign organisations for the purpose of unlawful conversion. A concerning feature is the introduction of stringent requirements for grant of bail that enhance the purported gravity of the offence. The amended law states that a person accused under the Act cannot be granted bail, unless the public prosecutor has been given an opportunity to oppose it, and that there should be reason to believe that the accused is not guilty of the offence, and is unlikely to repeat it while out on bail. The section is similar to the bail-denying provisions in the NDPS Act and the PMLA.

Another new feature, by which anyone can file a complaint against supposedly forcible or fraudulent conversions, is reprehensible, as it gives communal organisations and sundry busybodies to get those opting for or supporting an inter-faith marriage arrested. Earlier, only an aggrieved person, that is, the victim or a close family member, could file a complaint against unlawful conversion. The move to amend the provision is likely motivated by the fact that bail has been granted to many arrested under this Act because the complainants were not aggrieved parties in those cases. The idea of giving more teeth to the law is rooted in the claim that the cases of “forced conversions” are on the rise in the State, but whether such a spike is a fact or a result of the widespread misuse of the Act against those opting for inter-faith marriages is something to be studied. The validity of the law has always been in doubt, inasmuch as it tries to criminalise inter-faith marriages by treating “conversion by marriage” as one of the means of ‘unlawful conversion’, by declaring marriages for the purpose of conversion as null and void, and mandating prior intimation to the authorities for those intending to change their religion. The amendments worsen the multiple violation of fundamental rights and betray a medieval-mindedness unbecoming of a democratic government functioning under a forward-looking Constitution.

Meaning of the word:

Supreme Court’s Ruling on Sub-Quotas for Marginalized SCs

The evolution of affirmative action has shifted from a focus on formal equality to a commitment to substantive equality. This change reflects a deeper understanding of equality that includes embracing diversity and addressing historical and social disabilities. The latest Supreme Court judgment aligns with this shift by allowing States to classify Scheduled Castes (SCs) into groups and prioritize the least advanced among them. This ruling dislodges the 2005 E.V. Chinnaiah vs. A.P. decision, which had previously struck down an Andhra Pradesh law for classifying SCs into sub-groups and restricted States from “tinkering” with the SC list under Article 341.

Recognition of Diversity Within SCs

The Supreme Court’s recent verdict, delivered by a majority of 6:1, acknowledges that SCs are not a homogeneous group. Although they share a common constitutional status under the Presidential List, their levels of advancement vary. Historical and empirical evidence shows differences in backwardness among SCs. States now have the authority to identify and support the most marginalized sections within SCs. This decision overturns the previous view that States were restricted from making adjustments to the SC list, emphasizing that a nuanced approach is necessary to address the varying needs within the SC community.

The ‘Creamy Layer’ Concept and Its Implications

The Court’s majority opinion supports the exclusion of the “creamy layer” among SCs from reservation benefits, a concept previously applied only to Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Justice B.R. Gavai, while endorsing this approach, highlights that the criteria for identifying the creamy layer among SCs should differ from those used for OBCs. The challenge of applying this concept to SCs indicates that while the principle of prioritizing the most disadvantaged is crucial, its implementation may vary. The exclusion of more advanced Dalits from reservation benefits was not directly addressed, but future considerations should focus on ensuring adequate representation for the most marginalized within the Dalit community.

Conclusion: Advancing Social Justice Through Sub-Classification

This landmark judgment reinforces the principle that affirmative action should be tailored to the needs of the most disadvantaged. By allowing sub-classification within SCs, the Supreme Court’s decision aims to ensure that the benefits of affirmative action reach those who need them most. This approach highlights the ongoing commitment to achieving substantive equality and addressing the unique challenges faced by marginalized groups.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Dislodges	“Dislodges” means to remove something or someone, especially by force, from a fixed position	Removes Displaces Ejects Shifts	Establishes Grounds Settles  Implants
Tinkering	“Tinkering” means try to repair or improve something without having the proper skill or knowledge	Fixing Adjusting Modifying Messing	Finalizing Completing Stabilizing Settling
Empirical	“Empirical” refers to knowledge, information, or data that is based on observation, experience, or experimentation rather than on theory or logic alone.	Observational Experimental Practical Actual	Theoretical Hypothetical Conceptual Philosophical
Marginalized	“Marginalized” refers to individuals or groups that are pushed to the edges or margins of society, often excluded from mainstream social, economic, cultural, or political life.	Disadvantaged  Excluded Neglected Outcast	Included Privileged Empowered Respected

Contested Harvest: The Debate on Genetically Modified Food Crops in India

Genetically modified (GM) crops may not be flawless, but their utility is undeniable. Last week, India’s complex journey with GM food crops reached another crucial point. A two-judge Bench of the Supreme Court of India, consisting of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Sanjay Karol, delivered a split verdict on whether GM mustard should be allowed in the country’s agricultural fields. Currently, the only GM seed permitted in India is cotton, which has experienced a yield boost.

The Case of GM Mustard: DMH-11

The debate centers around Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11 (DMH-11), a GM crop developed at Delhi University’s biotechnology department under a publicly funded project. The genetic modifications in DMH-11 make it an attractive option for private seed companies to create new hybrid varieties. To gain approval in India’s agricultural framework, a crop must demonstrate superior performance over three seasons across different agro-climatic zones. After conducting trials, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research concluded that DMH-11 met these criteria. Consequently, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) granted conditional approval in October 2022.

Environmental Concerns and Legal Challenges

However, environmental groups argue that DMH-11 is a “herbicide-tolerant” crop, which could compel farmers to use specific pesticides, potentially causing environmental damage. They claim that the developers did not fully disclose this information. Aruna Rodrigues and the organization Gene Campaign have legally challenged the GEAC’s approval of DMH-11.

Divergent Judicial Opinions and Future Directions

The judges offered differing opinions on the matter. Justice Nagarathna argued that the GEAC violated the ‘precautionary principle,’ which requires caution with new organisms or technologies unless thoroughly considered. On the other hand, Justice Karol found the approval process satisfactory. Therefore, the case will now move to a larger Bench led by the Chief Justice of India.

The Broader Implications

The controversy over GM crops in India extends beyond agricultural efficiency and touches on deep ideological divides. India’s past experiences with hybrid seeds and synthetic fertilizers, while beneficial in terms of yield, have had environmental downsides. As the Court and the government navigate this issue, they must weigh the benefits against potential risks. Ultimately, they should ensure that the pursuit of perfection does not hinder viable solutions.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Undeniable	“Undeniable” means something that is unquestionably true or certain and cannot be disputed or rejected. It refers to a fact or truth that is clear and obvious to everyone.	Clear True Certain Obvious	Doubtful Controversial Debatable Disputable
Consequently	“Consequently” is an adverb used to indicate that something happens as a result of a previously mentioned action or situation. It connects a cause with its effect or outcome.	Therefore As a result Accordingly Hence	Nonetheless However Regardless But
Synthetic	“Synthetic” means something that is artificially made, rather than occurring naturally. It often refers to products, materials, or substances that have been created by combining different elements or compounds through a human-made process.	Artificial Man-made Manufactured Processed	Natural Organic Genuine Original
Hinder	“Hinder” is a verb that means to make it difficult for someone to do something or for something to happen. It involves creating obstacles or delays that prevent progress or achievement.	Obstruct Block Prevent Delay	Assist Help Support Enable