What to Read in Indian Express Editorial ( Topic and Syllabus wise)

 

Article 1: Railways Modernisation & Safety

Why in News: Indian Railways’ large-scale track modernisation and safety upgrades (2014–2026) have significantly improved speed, safety, and efficiency.

Key Details

Indian Railways operates 25,000+ trains daily, carrying 20 million passengers and major freight.

Around 55,000 km of tracks renewed since 2014, improving safety and ride quality.

Rail and weld failures reduced by ~90%, reflecting preventive maintenance.

Speed capacity enhanced with 80% network supporting 110 kmph+.

Indian Railways: Backbone of Indian Economy

Largest Rail Network in India: Indian Railways manages over 1,37,000 km track network, making it one of the largest globally and a lifeline for mobility and logistics.

Freight & Economic Growth: Railways transport bulk commodities like coal, steel, and food grains, contributing significantly to GDP growth and industrial supply chains.

Affordable Mass Transport: With 20 million daily passengers, it ensures inclusive growth and regional connectivity, especially for rural and lower-income populations.

Strategic Importance: Railways support national integration, defence logistics, and disaster response, making it a critical infrastructure sector.

Track Modernisation: Core of Railway Transformation

Track Renewal Programme: Around 55,000 km of track renewed since 2014, ensuring better safety, reduced derailments, and improved operational efficiency.

Long Rail Panels (260m): About 44,000 track km upgraded to long rails, reducing joints and enabling smooth, high-speed movement.

Stronger Rails (60 kg): Over 80,000 km upgraded with stronger rails, allowing heavier loads and higher speeds, critical for freight corridors.

Improved Infrastructure Quality: Modern sleepers, welded rails, and better ballast systems enhance track durability and climate resilience.

Technology-Driven Safety Systems

Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (USFD): Over 36 lakh track km tested, detecting internal cracks invisible externally, reducing failures significantly.

Advanced Inspection Techniques: Use of phased-array testing and magnetic particle inspection ensures high-quality weld monitoring.

Oscillation Monitoring System (OMS): GPS-enabled systems measure ride quality and identify track defects, enabling data-driven maintenance.

Track Management System (TMS): A digital platform integrates inspection data, improving predictive maintenance and decision-making.

Mechanisation and Efficiency

Track Machine Expansion: Machines increased from 748 (2014) to 1,785 (2026), improving maintenance speed and quality.

Ballast Cleaning & Deep Screening: Over 1 lakh km of ballast cleaned, restoring drainage and stability, essential for track longevity.

Rail Grinding: Conducted across 1 lakh km, removing surface defects and improving safety and ride comfort.

Reduced Maintenance Time: Mechanisation allows faster work in limited time windows, ensuring minimal disruption to train operations.

Speed Enhancement & Passenger Experience

Increased Speed Capacity: Tracks supporting 130 kmph+ increased from ~6% to ~23%, enabling faster travel.

110 kmph+ Network Expansion: Nearly 80% of the network now supports higher speeds, reducing travel time and delays.

Introduction of Semi-High-Speed Trains: Services like the Vande Bharat Express demonstrate modern rail capabilities.

Improved Ride Quality: Better tracks and monitoring systems enhance passenger comfort and reliability.

Safety Improvements: Data-Based Analysis

Reduction in Accidents: Consequential train accidents declined from 135 (2014-15) to 16 (2025-26) (~89% reduction).

Accident Rate Improvement: Reduced from 0.11 to 0.01 per million train km, indicating major safety gains.

Preventive Maintenance Shift: Focus moved from reactive repairs to predictive and preventive systems, improving reliability.

Supporting Measures: Installation of 17,500 km safety fencing reduces trespassing and cattle-related accidents.

Supporting Infrastructure Reforms

Modern Points & Crossings: Installation of 36,000 thick-web switches and 7,500 CMS crossings ensures smoother train transitions.

Advanced Sleepers: Wider and heavier sleepers improve stability, especially during extreme weather conditions.

Bridge & Yard Strengthening: Use of H-beam sleepers and welded rails enhances structural integrity and operational safety.

Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC): Initiatives like Dedicated Freight Corridor improve freight efficiency and reduce congestion.

Challenges in Railway Modernisation

High Capital Requirement: Infrastructure upgrades require massive investment, posing fiscal challenges.

Land Acquisition Issues: Expansion projects often face delays due to land-related disputes.

Balancing Speed and Safety: Increasing speeds must be complemented with robust safety systems.

Climate Vulnerability: Tracks face risks from floods, heatwaves, and extreme weather events.

Conclusion

Indian Railways’ transformation reflects the role of infrastructure modernisation in economic growth and safety enhancement. Continued investment in technology, sustainable practices, and institutional reforms will ensure that railways remain a reliable, efficient, and future-ready backbone of India’s development. The progress achieved highlights the importance of long-term planning and data-driven governance.

EXPECTED QUESTION FOR UPSC CSE

Prelims MCQ

1. Which of the following technologies is used for detecting internal rail cracks?

(a) GPS Mapping
(b) Ultrasonic Flaw Detection
(c) Blockchain
(d) LiDAR

Answer: (b)

 

Article 2: Delimitation in India

Why in News: Debate over delimitation post-2026 census has intensified due to concerns about value of vote, regional imbalance, and fiscal federalism in India.

Key Details

Delimitation refers to fixing Lok Sabha seats, state-wise allocation, and constituency boundaries based on census data.

India has frozen seat allocation since 1971 Census through constitutional amendments.

Uneven population growth may lead to north gaining seats and south losing representation.

Raises issues of “one person, one vote” vs fiscal and federal imbalance.

Delimitation: Concept & Constitutional Basis

Meaning and Scope: Delimitation involves allocation of seats and redrawing of constituency boundaries to ensure equal representation. It is conducted by a Delimitation Commission, independent of executive interference.

Constitutional Provisions: Article 81 ensures proportional representation of states in Lok Sabha, while Article 82 mandates delimitation after every census to maintain equality of representation.

Principle of Equal Representation: The core idea is “one person, one vote, one value”, ensuring that each MP represents roughly equal population to maintain democratic fairness.

Independent Mechanism: Delimitation Commission’s decisions are final and cannot be challenged in courts, ensuring neutrality and preventing political manipulation.

Historical Evolution of Delimitation in India

Early Delimitation Exercises: Conducted after 1951, 1961, and 1971 censuses, ensuring periodic adjustment of representation in line with population changes.

42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976): During the Emergency, the government froze Lok Sabha seat allocation based on 1971 Census until 2001 to promote population control policies.

84th & 87th Amendments: The freeze was extended till 2026, though boundary readjustments were allowed (based on 2001 Census) without changing seat numbers.

Current Situation: India still uses 1971-based seat allocation, despite population rising from ~55 crore to over 1.4 billion, leading to representational distortions.

Malapportionment & Value of Vote

Unequal Representation: Due to freeze, states with higher population growth (e.g., Bihar, UP) are under-represented, while southern states are relatively over-represented.

Example of Vote Inequality: An MP in Kerala represents ~17.5 lakh people, while in Bihar it exceeds ~30 lakh, meaning votes carry unequal weight.

Concept of Malapportionment: It refers to mismatch between population share and seat share, violating the democratic principle of equal vote value.

Democratic Implications: This weakens representative democracy, as citizens in populous states have less political voice per vote.

Regional Imbalance & Political Tensions

North-South Divide: Northern states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar may gain seats, while southern states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala may lose seats post-delimitation.

Population vs Development Debate: Southern states argue they should not be penalised for successful population control policies and better governance outcomes.

Federal Tensions: Delimitation could shift political power towards populous states, affecting coalition politics and policy priorities.

Ethnic & Linguistic Concerns: Since states are reorganised on linguistic lines, seat redistribution impacts regional identity and political bargaining power.

Fiscal Federalism & Economic Dimension

Revenue vs Representation Paradox: Richer states generate higher tax revenues but may lose political representation, creating a fiscal imbalance.

Centralised Fiscal Structure: The Union controls a significant share of revenues, with only about 40–41% devolved to states (Finance Commission).

Horizontal Distribution Issues: Allocation formulas consider population and income distance, often benefiting poorer states more.

Political Economy Concern: Reduced representation may weaken richer states’ ability to influence fiscal decisions in Parliament.

Under-representation & Governance Challenges

Large Constituency Size: Indian MPs represent 1.5–3 million people, far exceeding global standards, reducing effectiveness of representation.

Accountability Issues: Larger constituencies make it difficult for MPs to engage with voters and address local issues effectively.

Comparative Perspective: Many democracies have smaller constituencies, enabling better citizen-representative interaction.

Administrative Burden: Overburdened MPs may struggle with legislative, executive oversight, and constituency responsibilities.

Delimitation vs Federal Models

Indian Model: Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are influenced by population, unlike classical federal systems.

US Model Example: The House is population-based, while the Senate gives equal representation to states, ensuring federal balance.

Indian Challenge: Lack of equal representation in the Upper House may lead to dominance of populous states.

Need for Balance: A stronger federal design is needed to reconcile population-based democracy with state equality.

Way Forward

Revisit Fiscal Federalism: Greater financial autonomy to states is essential to balance representation and revenue generation.

Expand Lok Sabha Seats: Increasing seats (e.g., proposals up to ~850) can reduce constituency size and improve representation.

Reform Rajya Sabha: Strengthening its federal role can ensure state interests are protected irrespective of population.

Balanced Delimitation Approach: A calibrated method combining population, development indicators, and federal equity is needed.

EXPECTED QUESTIONS FOR UPSC CSE

Prelims MCQ

1. Which Constitutional Amendment froze Lok Sabha seat allocation based on 1971 Census?

(a) 44th
(b) 42nd
(c) 86th
(d) 73rd
Answer: (b)

Descriptive Question

1. “Delimitation raises a conflict between equality of votes and equity among states.” Examine. (150 Words, 10 Marks)

 

Article 3: Religious Freedom vs Reform

Why in News: The Supreme Court of India observed during the Sabarimala review hearing (April 2026) that it is difficult for courts to determine what constitutes an “essential religious practice” (ERP).

Key Details

A nine-judge Constitution Bench is examining the interplay between Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution.

The Court highlighted that state intervention for social reform must be judged on a case-by-case basis.

The issue arises from the 2018 Sabarimala judgment, which allowed entry of women of all ages.

The Court acknowledged the complexity in defining “essential religious practices” judicially.

Essential Religious Practices (ERP) Doctrine

Origin of ERP Doctrine: The ERP doctrine evolved from the Shirur Mutt Case, where the Court held that only essential practices of a religion are protected under Article 25.

Judicial Determination of Religion: Courts began deciding what constitutes “essential,” placing the judiciary in a theological role, which is often criticised as beyond its institutional competence.

Challenges in Application: Different benches have interpreted ERP inconsistently, creating legal uncertainty and subjectivity in religious freedom cases.

Current Concern (2026 Hearing): The Supreme Court acknowledged that identifying essential practices is “difficult if not impossible”, indicating a possible doctrinal shift.

Constitutional Framework: Articles 25 & 26

Article 25 – Freedom of Religion: Guarantees individuals the right to profess, practice, and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality, and health.

Article 26 – Rights of Religious Denominations: Provides autonomy to religious groups to manage their own affairs, including religious practices and institutions.

Article 25(2)(b) – Social Reform Clause: Empowers the state to enact laws for social welfare and reform, even if they interfere with religious practices.

Core Constitutional Tension: Balancing individual rights (Article 25) with group rights (Article 26) lies at the heart of the Sabarimala issue.

Sabarimala Case: Gender Equality vs Religious Freedom

2018 Judgment: In Indian Young Lawyers Association v. State of Kerala, the Court allowed entry of women of all ages into the temple.

Equality Principle: The judgment relied on Articles 14, 15, and 21, emphasizing gender justice and non-discrimination.

Religious Denomination Argument: Opponents argued that Sabarimala is a distinct religious denomination with its own practices protected under Article 26.

Ongoing Review: The issue has been referred to a larger bench to settle broader questions on religion vs constitutional morality.

Judicial vs Legislative Role in Religious Reforms

State as Representative of People: The Court noted that the state reflects the “will of the people”, and thus can intervene to eliminate social evils.

Examples of Reform Laws: Practices like Sati abolition (1829) and Temple Entry laws show that social reform can override religious customs.

Limits of Intervention: Courts caution that reform laws should not “hollow out religion” or destroy core religious identity.

Case-by-Case Approach: The Supreme Court emphasized that no universal guideline is possible; each case depends on facts and context.

Related Issues: Dawoodi Bohra Excommunication Case

Background Issue: The Court is also examining the validity of excommunication practices in the Dawoodi Bohra community.

Earlier Judgment: The Sardar Syedna Taher Saifuddin Case upheld community rights over state reform laws.

Contemporary Challenge: The case raises questions about individual rights vs community authority, similar to Sabarimala.

Doctrine of Finality: The Court stressed that judgments cannot be endlessly challenged, ensuring judicial stability.

Key Constitutional Concepts

Constitutional Morality: Promoted by B.R. Ambedkar, it ensures that rights and values override social prejudices.

Secularism in India: Indian secularism is principled equidistance, allowing state intervention for reform while respecting religion.

Fundamental Rights vs Practices: Courts must balance individual dignity (Article 21) with religious autonomy.

Judicial Restraint: Increasing emphasis on limiting judicial overreach in religious and cultural matters.

Conclusion

The Sabarimala case highlights the need to strike a delicate balance between religious freedom and social reform. Moving forward, courts may adopt a more restrained approach, focusing on constitutional values rather than theological determinations. Strengthening constitutional morality, ensuring gender justice, and respecting diversity will be key to sustaining India’s plural democracy.

EXPECTED QUESTIONS FOR UPSC CSE

Prelims MCQ

1. The Essential Religious Practices doctrine was evolved in:

(a) Kesavananda Bharati Case

(b) Shirur Mutt Case

(c) Sabarimala Case

(d) Minerva Mills Case

Answer: (b)

Descriptive Question

1. “The Essential Religious Practices doctrine places courts in a theological role.” Critically examine in the context of the Sabarimala case. (250 Words, 15 Marks)