Introduction
The Padma Awards and air quality management represent two distinct dimensions of Indian governance. The former pertains to the constitutional limitations on state-conferred titles, while the latter involves statutory mechanisms designed to address the environmental crisis in urban India.
Why in News?
- The ongoing discourse surrounding the democratization of the Padma Awards and the seasonal spike in air pollution in the Indo-Gangetic Plain have necessitated a look at the governing frameworks for both.
- The application of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) by environmental authorities remains a critical seasonal event.
Static Link
- Padma Awards: These are related to Article 18 of the Indian Constitution, which prohibits the state from conferring titles but distinguishes these from civilian awards.
- Air Pollution: Linked to the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the constitutional mandate of Article 21 (Right to a healthy environment). UPSC often tests the distinction between constitutional provisions and statutory bodies.
Institutional Link
- Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA): The nodal ministry for the Padma Awards.
- Padma Awards Committee: Recommends candidates to the government.
- Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): A statutory body for the National Capital Region and adjoining areas, replacing earlier ad-hoc committees.
- Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): A statutory organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
Core Prelims Facts
- Article 18 prohibits titles like 'Rai Bahadur' or 'Knight'; however, the Supreme Court in the Balaji Raghavan case (1996) upheld that Padma Awards are not titles within the meaning of Article 18.
- Padma Awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day annually.
- The GRAP is a set of emergency measures that kick in only when air quality in Delhi-NCR deteriorates to a certain threshold.
Important Terms and Concepts
- Titles: Hereditary or honorific designations abolished under Article 18.
- Airshed Management: A concept where air quality is managed based on a geographical basin rather than administrative boundaries.
- Temperature Inversion: A meteorological phenomenon where a layer of warm air traps cooler air near the ground, worsening air pollution during winters.
Bodies / Organisations / Institutions
- CAQM: Statutory body established through the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.
- CPCB: Statutory body constituted under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
Schemes / Laws / Reports / Conventions
- National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): A national-level strategy to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 20-30% by 2024 (base year 2017).
- Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): An incremental plan to combat air pollution based on air quality index (AQI) stages.
Possible UPSC Prelims Traps
- Trap: Assuming Padma Awards violate Article 18. Fact: The Supreme Court has clarified they are distinct from 'titles'.
- Trap: Believing CAQM is a constitutional body. Fact: It is a statutory body created by an Act of Parliament in 2021.
- Trap: Confusing CPCB jurisdiction. Fact: It has nationwide powers, while CAQM's primary mandate is the NCR and adjoining areas.
One-Minute Revision Notes
- Article 18: Abolition of titles, exception for military/academic distinctions and civilian awards (Padma/Bharat Ratna).
- CAQM: Statutory body, primary authority for air quality in NCR.
- NCAP: National strategy with time-bound reduction targets for particulate matter.
- GRAP: Emergency, responsive, and stage-based action plan for Delhi-NCR air pollution.
Practice MCQ for Prelims
1. With reference to the Padma Awards in India, consider the following statements:
1. They are constitutional titles conferred under Article 18 of the Constitution.
2. The number of annual awards, excluding posthumous and NRI awards, is limited to 120.
3. They are administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
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
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because the Supreme Court has ruled that Padma Awards are not titles under Article 18; they are national honours. Statements 2 and 3 are correct.
Original Article: https://indianexpress.com/article/upsc-current-affairs/upsc-essentials/upsc-gs-1-week-156-padma-awards-and-air-pollution-10713839/
Full Current Affairs Analysis: https://iasment.com/decoding-the-padma-awards-and-india-air-quality-crisis-for-upsc-mains-mains-specific/