02 July 2025: The Hindu Editorial
1. Repeal the Delhi Ordinance, Respect Federalism
Source – Page 8, The Hindu Editorial, July 2, 2025
| Topic: GS Paper 2 – Polity and Governance |
| Context |
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Background:
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The Supreme Court recently ruled that the Delhi government has legislative and executive powers over services (excluding police, land, and public order).
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Following this, the Union Government introduced an ordinance circumventing the ruling and established the National Capital Civil Services Authority, shifting power back to the Centre.
Key Issues:
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Violation of Judicial Pronouncement: The ordinance goes against the spirit of the Supreme Court’s judgment, raising issues of constitutional morality and the separation of powers.
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Federal Structure Undermined: It centralizes power, marginalizing the elected government of Delhi, which goes against cooperative federalism.
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Democratic Deficit: Reduces accountability of the executive to the legislature, weakening the democratic ethos.
Analysis:
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The use of ordinances for regular governance is antithetical to democratic norms.
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The move can set a precedent for overriding judicial decisions via executive action, threatening the rule of law.
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The constitutional position of Delhi as a Union Territory with an elected assembly requires a nuanced balance, which the ordinance disrupts.
Conclusion / Way Forward:
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The ordinance must be repealed to restore the balance of power and uphold federalism.
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A constitutional amendment or a detailed parliamentary debate could be a better route for resolving issues of governance in Delhi.
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Strengthening institutional respect among organs of the state is crucial for a robust democracy.
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Practice Question: Discuss the implications of the recent ordinance on services in Delhi in light of the Supreme Court judgment. How does this reflect on the state of federalism in India?” (250 words) |
2. Expand Education Access with a Focus on Quality
Source – Page 8, The Hindu Editorial, July 2, 2025
| Topic: GS Paper 2 – Social Justice (Education) |
| Context |
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Key Points:
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Access vs. Learning Crisis: While Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in schools has improved, multiple surveys (like ASER) highlight that students in primary grades lack basic literacy and numeracy skills.
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NEP 2020 Goals: The policy focuses on foundational literacy and numeracy, curriculum flexibility, and teacher training but requires effective implementation.
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Government Initiatives: Programs like PM SHRI schools and NIPUN Bharat are steps in the right direction but need scaling up and better monitoring.
Challenges:
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Teacher Shortage & Training Gaps: Many schools lack qualified teachers; training programs are often inadequate or outdated.
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Infrastructure Deficiencies: In rural areas, schools still lack basic facilities like toilets, libraries, and digital tools.
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Equity Issues: Children from marginalized communities often face multiple disadvantages that impact their education outcomes.
Way Forward:
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Focus on outcomes-based education rather than inputs alone.
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Invest in regular teacher training and recruit competent educators.
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Ensure targeted interventions for weaker sections and better resource allocation to underperforming districts.
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Enhance digital infrastructure and integrate local language tools to improve engagement.
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Practice Question: Despite increased school enrollment, learning outcomes in India remain poor. Examine the challenges in achieving quality education and suggest policy measures to address them.” (250 words) |
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