USTR REPORT ON ONLINE PHARMACIES - POLITY

NEWS: Nearly all of the 35,000 online pharmacies worldwide are operating illegally,
according to the US Trade Representative’s annual report’s annual report on “notorious
markets.”
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
1. Risks to Consumers:
 These illegal pharmacies pose significant health risks by selling ineffective,
substandard, or dangerous drugs.
 Many operate without valid licenses and offer medicines without requiring
prescriptions or including proper safety warnings.
 Their websites are designed to mimic legitimate e-commerce platforms, often
with false claims of approval by the US Food and Drug Administration
(FDA).
2. Survey Findings:
 A survey conducted by the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies’ Global
Foundation found that nearly 25% of Americans who used online pharmacies
encountered substandard, counterfeit, or harmful medicines.
3. Federal Cases of Concern:
 A network involving individuals from the US, the Dominican Republic, and
India was found selling counterfeit prescription pills containing deadly
synthetic opioids.
 The pills, disguised as legitimate prescription drugs, led to at least nine deaths
from narcotics poisoning between August 2023 and June 2024, as per federal
prosecutors.
4. Manufacturing Concerns:
 Many of these counterfeit medicines are produced in unsanitary conditions and
may contain harmful ingredients, adding further risks to consumers.
Global Concerns About Counterfeit and Pirated Products
1. Countries Highlighted:
 The report flagged 19 countries for issues related to counterfeit or pirated
products.
 It specifically called out online retailers, many of which are based in China
and other parts of Asia, for engaging in the sale of counterfeit products or
illegal activities.
2. Counterfeit Medicines and Imported Ingredients:
  The report highlighted the dangers of counterfeit medicines, which could
include inert ingredients, allergens, or dangerous chemicals.
 Imported ingredients, such as fentanyl from China, were flagged as
contributing to the issue.
Progress in Combating Counterfeits and Piracy in USA
1. Major Enforcement Successes:
 A coordinated effort among US authorities, industry groups, and local police
resulted in the shutdown of Fmovies, a Vietnam-based piracy ring, and other
related piracy sites in mid-2024.
 Fmovies, once the world’s largest pirated movies site, had recorded over 6.7
billion visits between January 2023 and June 2024.
 In another Vietnam-linked case, operators of the pirate TV platform
BestBuyIPTV were convicted, ordered to pay fines, and had their property
confiscated.
 Additional crackdowns were reported in Brazil, the UK, and Kuwait, targeting
sellers of counterfeit goods such as designer purses, clothing, and footwear.
2. Challenges Persist:
 Despite enforcement, cyberlockers, which store and share pirated movies and
other content, continue to thwart efforts to curb piracy.
 Some internet service providers (ISPs), referred to as “bulletproof” ISPs, offer
platforms that provide users with leeway to host or access piracy-related sites.
One such ISP, Avito, a Russian-based advertising platform, was flagged for
allowing counterfeit product advertisements.
Regulation of E-Pharmacies in India:
 No Statutory Backing:
1. The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 regulates the import,
manufacturing and distribution of drugs in India.
1. However, there is no statutory definition of “e-
pharmacy” either under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act,
1940 or the Pharmacy Act, 1948.
2. However, the electronic sale of physician-prescribed drugs from
online drug store sites is expressed under the IT Act, 2000.
 The Draft e-pharmacy rules were floated by the Ministry of Health in
2018.
1. Multiple court orders, including those from Bombay, Madras,
Delhi, and Patna High Court, have called for regulating e-
pharmacies.
  The 172nd Parliamentary Standing Committee report released in June
2022, deemed it "appalling" that e-pharmacy rules had not been notified.
Laws that apply to online pharmacies in India:
 Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940: This act applies to the online sale of drugs.
 Drugs and Cosmetic Rules, 1945: These rules apply to the online sale of drugs.
 Pharmacy Act, 1948: This act applies to the distribution of drugs.
 Information Technology Act, 2000: This act governs some legal issues related to
online dealings.
Other regulations
 The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) can ban the online sale of medicines.
 Pharmacies must be registered with the CDSCO, the central drugs regulator.
 Pharmacies must have permits from state regulators for sales and distribution.
 A prescription from a registered medical practitioner is required for the sale of drugs
online.
 Only a registered pharmacist can distribute drugs

The growth of e-pharmacy in India:

 The growth of e-pharmacy in India has been significant in recent years

and is expected to grow at a robust growth rate of 21.28% compound
annual growth rate during 2021-2027.
 The main factors driving this growth include increasing internet and
smartphone penetration, rising healthcare costs, and a growing demand
for convenience and accessibility.
 The acute need for doorstep delivery of drugs was felt during Covid-
19. Nearly 8.8 million households used home delivery services during the
lockdown.
1. E-pharmacies call themselves facilitators of doorstep
delivery and claim tie-ups with retail chemists for vending
medicines.
Conclusion
The USTR’s report highlights the widespread global challenges associated with counterfeit
goods, piracy, and illegal online pharmacies. It acknowledges progress in enforcement efforts
through collaborations between authorities and industries but emphasizes that significant
challenges remain, particularly with the proliferation of counterfeit products, unsanitary drug
production, and the persistence of piracy-enabling technologies and platforms.
Source: https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/us-notorious-markets-report-warns-
of-risks-from-online-pharmacies-125010900734_1.html
VISHWA HINDI DIWAS – EVENT
NEWS: World Hindi Day is celebrated every year on Jnauary 10
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
1. Celebration Date:
 Dedicated to promoting the Hindi language across the globe and fostering
awareness about its cultural and linguistic significance.
 The theme for 2025 is “Hindi: A Global Voice of Unity and Cultural
Pride.” This theme emphasizes the role of Hindi as a unifying force and a
representation of India’s cultural heritage on international platforms.
2. Purpose:
 The celebration of World Hindi Day aims to increase awareness about the
Hindi language, encourage its usage in international forums, and strengthen
connections among Hindi-speaking communities worldwide.
 It also seeks to address challenges associated with the usage and promotion of
the Hindi language and to establish Hindi as a global language.
Key Takeaways
1. Historical Significance:
 World Hindi Day commemorates the first time Hindi was spoken at the
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1949, marking its initial step
toward global recognition.
 The first World Hindi Conference was inaugurated by then Prime Minister
Indira Gandhi in 1975, setting a tradition of hosting conferences to promote
Hindi worldwide. Since then, these conferences have been held in various
countries, reflecting the international interest in the language.
 The decision to celebrate World Hindi Day annually was made in 2006, and
the first official celebration was held on January 10, 2006, under the
leadership of then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
2. Purpose of World Hindi Day:
 The main objective of this day is to promote Hindi as a global language, raise
awareness about its significance, and address the challenges hindering its
worldwide adoption.
 The day also serves as an opportunity to recognize Hindi’s growing
importance in fostering global cultural exchange and communication.
3. Hindi’s Role at the United Nations:
  On June 10, 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on
‘Multilingualism’, which was co-sponsored by India. For the first time, this
resolution included a mention of the Hindi language.
 The resolution encouraged the UN Department of Global Communications to
disseminate its communications in multiple languages, including Hindi,
highlighting Hindi’s growing relevance on international platforms.
 A Voluntary Financial Contribution Agreement was signed between the
Government of India and the UN in 2018 to promote the use of Hindi in the
UN system. Initially valid for two years, this agreement has been extended and
will remain in force until March 2025.
Hindi Language
 Hindi got its name from the Persian word Hind, meaning 'land of the Indus
River'. Turk invaders in the early 11th century named the language of the region
Hindi, 'language of the land of the Indus River'.
 It is the official language of India, English being the other official language.
 Hindi is also spoken in some countries outside India, such as in Mauritius, Fiji,
Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago and Nepal.
 Hindi in its present form emerged through different stages, during which it was
known by other names. The earliest form of old Hindi was Apabhramsa. In 400 AD
Kalidas wrote a romantic play in Apabhramsa called Vikramorvashiyam.
 The modern Devanagari script came into existence in the 11th century.
Is Hindi India’s National Language?
1. No National Language in India:
 India does not have a national language. The Constitution recognizes 22
languages under the Eighth Schedule, but none is designated as the “national
language.”
 Article 351 of the Constitution directs the Union to promote Hindi as a
medium of expression for India’s composite culture. However, this promotion
must respect the diversity of India’s linguistic landscape and not interfere with
the forms, styles, and expressions used in other languages, such as Hindustani.
How Widely is Hindi Spoken in India?
1. Linguistic Census 2011:
 According to the 2011 linguistic census, 52.8 crore people (43.6% of the
population) identify Hindi as their mother tongue, making it the most widely
spoken language in India.
  Bengali is the second-most widely spoken language, with 9.7 crore speakers
(8%), which is less than one-fifth of Hindi’s count.
2. Hindi as a Second Language:
 An additional 13.9 crore people (11%) reported Hindi as their second
language, meaning over 55% of India’s population can speak Hindi either as
their first or second language.
Use of Hindi in Indian Courts
1. Primary Language of Proceedings:
 According to Article 348 of the Constitution, all proceedings in the Supreme
Court and High Courts, as well as official documents such as Acts, Bills,
ordinances, and rules, must be conducted in English, unless Parliament
decides otherwise.
2. Permitted Use of Hindi in High Courts:
 Under Article 348(2), Hindi or any other state’s official language can be used
in High Court proceedings if authorized by the Governor and approved by the
President of India.
 However, any judgment, decree, or order issued in such languages must also
include an English translation.
3. Official Languages Act:
 Section 7 of the Official Languages Act allows the Governor, with the
President’s consent, to authorize the use of Hindi or the state’s official
language for High Court judgments, provided an English translation
accompanies them.
Difference in between World Hindi Day and National Hindi Day
World Hindi Day is observed on 10 January every year while National Hindi Day is
celebrated on 14 September as a day that marked the adoption of Hindi as the official
language of India in 1949.
Here are major differences in between World Hindi Day and National Hindi Day:
Aspect World Hindi Day National Hindi Day
Date January 10 September 14
Celebrates Hindi as India’s official
Focus Promotes Hindi globally
language
First Observed 2006 1953
Highlights international
Significance Recognizes its role in Indian governance
importance

Conclusion
World Hindi Day celebrates the richness and global relevance of the Hindi language,
emphasizing its importance as a tool for cultural unity and international communication.
While Hindi has achieved significant milestones, including recognition at the UN, its
promotion faces challenges in India’s diverse linguistic landscape and in sectors like the
judiciary. The day serves as a platform to address these challenges and work toward the
greater recognition of Hindi as a global language.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/upsc-current-affairs/upsc-essentials/knowledge-
nugget-of-the-day-vishwa-hindi-diwas-2025-9768967/

SECTION 152 OF BHARATIYA NYAYA SANHITA (BNS) – POLITY

NEWS: In Tejender Pal Singh v. State of Rajasthan (2024), the Rajasthan High Court
cautioned against using Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) as a tool to stifle
legitimate dissent.
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
1. Rajasthan High Court Judgment (2024):
 The judgment highlights concerns that the provision could be misused to
suppress free speech, similar to how Section 124A (sedition) of the Indian
Penal Code (IPC) was historically misused.
2. Suspension of Section 124A (Sedition) in 2022:
 In 2022, the Supreme Court suspended all pending trials and proceedings
under Section 124A (sedition) of the IPC, pending the government’s
reconsideration of the law.
 The Union Home Minister verbally announced that sedition would be repealed
as an offense, but Section 152 of the BNS has retained many elements of the
sedition law under a different name.
3. Provisions Under Section 152 BNS:
 Section 152 criminalizes acts that excite secession, armed rebellion, and
subversive activities.
 It also penalizes acts encouraging feelings of separatism or endangering the
sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.
 Though the term ‘sedition’ is absent, concerns have been raised that the
section could function as a sedition-like provision.
Problems with Section 152
1. Vagueness and Ambiguity:
 The term ‘endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India’ is not
explicitly defined in the statute, leaving room for broad and subjective
interpretations.
  In the current sociopolitical climate, even legitimate criticism of political
figures or historical personalities could be construed as threatening the unity
or integrity of India.
 The lack of clear boundaries increases the potential for abuse and misuse,
especially to suppress dissenting voices.
2. Lower Threshold of Criminal Liability:
 The inclusion of the term ‘knowingly’ significantly lowers the bar for
establishing criminal intent.
 A person can be held liable for sharing content on social media, even if they
lack malicious intent, as long as they are aware that the content could provoke
activities prohibited under Section 152.
 This provision is cognizable and non-bailable, meaning accused individuals
can be arrested and prosecuted even without strong evidence of a causal link
between their actions and any harm caused.
3. Chilling Effect on Free Speech:
 The absence of safeguards to prima facie establish the impact of speech before
prosecution could instill fear among individuals, deterring them from
expressing their opinions freely.
 Past data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) shows that
Section 124A IPC (sedition) was often misused. Between 2015 and 2020, out
of 548 arrests for sedition, only 12 resulted in convictions.
 Section 152 is broader and more ambiguous than Section 124A IPC,
increasing the likelihood of misuse.
Judiciary’s Interpretation of Free Speech and National Interest
1. Balancing Free Speech with National Security:
 Courts have consistently emphasized the need for a consequentialist
interpretation, focusing on the actual impact of speech rather than its content.
2. Key Judicial Precedents:
 Balwant Singh and Anr v. State of Punjab (1995): The Supreme Court
differentiated between casual sloganeering and its consequences, requiring a
direct causal nexus between speech and its impact to establish sedition.
 Javed Ahmad Hazam v. State of Maharashtra and Ors (2024): The Court
stated that the effect of speech must be judged by the standards of strong-
minded individuals, not by those of weak or easily swayed individuals.
  Kedar Nath Singh v. State of Bihar (1962): The Court distinguished
between disloyalty toward the government and strong criticism of government
policies, holding the latter as legitimate free speech.
What is the Difference Between Section 124A of IPC and Section 152 of BNS?

Section 124A Of IPC Section 152 of BNS

Sedition- —Whoever by words, either Act endangering sovereignty, unity and
spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible integrity of India -
representation, or otherwise, brings or Whoever, purposely or knowingly, by
attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or words, either spoken or written, or by signs,
excites or attempts to excite disaffection or by visible representation, or
towards, the Government established by law by electronic communication or by use of
in [India], shall be punished with financial mean, or otherwise, excites or
[imprisonment for life], to which fine may attempts to excite, secession or armed
be added, or with imprisonment which may rebellion or subversive activities, or
extend to three years, to which fine may be encourages feelings of separatist activities
added, or with fine. or endangers sovereignty or unity and
integrity of India; or indulges in or commits
Explanation 1.—The expression any such act shall be punished
“disaffection” includes disloyalty and all with imprisonment for life or with
feelings of enmity. imprisonment which may extend to seven
years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Explanation 2.—Comments expressing
disapprobation of the measures of the Explanation.–Comments expressing
Government with a view to obtain their disapprobation of the measures, or
alteration by lawful means, without exciting administrative or other action of the
or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or Government with a view to obtain their
disaffection, do not constitute an offence alteration by lawful means without exciting
under this section. or attempting to excite the activities referred
to in this section do not constitute an
Explanation 3.—Comments expressing offence under this section.
disapprobation of the administrative or other
action of the Government without exciting
or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or
disaffection, do not constitute an offence
under this section.

What is Section 197 of BNS ?

 This section criminalizes the act of issuing or signing any certificate that is either:
 Required by law to be given/signed, OR
 Related to facts that are legally admissible as evidence when the person knows or
believes the certificate contains materially false information.
  The punishment for this offense is the same as giving false evidence (perjury), as it's
considered equally serious to falsify official documentation that the law relies upon
for evidence.
 The key elements required to establish this offense are:
 The certificate must be one required by law or legally admissible as evidence
 The person must have knowledge or belief that the certificate contains false
information
 The false information must be "material" (significant/important) to the
certificate's purpose
 This section aims to maintain the integrity of official documentation and
prevent the creation of false evidence that could mislead legal proceedings or
official matters.
The Way Forward
1. Judicial Safeguards and Guidelines:
 The judiciary should provide clear guidelines for the enforcement
authorities to interpret and apply Section 152 of the BNS.
 This can be modeled on the Supreme Court’s guidelines in D.K. Basu v. State
of West Bengal, which laid down specific procedures for arrests to prevent
abuse.
2. Requirement for Causal Nexus:
 Courts should ensure that enforcement of Section 152 requires a direct and
demonstrable causal link between the speech and its alleged consequences.
3. Marketplace of Ideas:
 The concept of the ‘marketplace of ideas’, as envisioned by Justice Holmes
in Abrams v. United States, should guide the approach to free speech.
 Freedom of expression should be protected, allowing competing ideas to
thrive and find acceptance in a democratic society.
4. Need for Legislative Clarity:
 The government should revisit Section 152 to provide precise definitions of
key terms such as ‘endangering sovereignty’ and ‘unity and integrity,’ and
incorporate safeguards to prevent misuse.
Conclusion
Section 152 of the BNS, though not formally labeled as sedition, retains many elements of its
predecessor, Section 124A IPC. Without adequate safeguards, the provision risks being
misused to suppress legitimate dissent, free speech, and criticism. Judicial intervention,
legislative clarity, and adherence to the principles of democracy and free expression are
essential to ensure that Section 152 does not undermine the fundamental rights guaranteed by
the Constitution.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/section-152-of-bns-should-not-become-a-
proxy-for-sedition/article69081250.ece

GREEN ENERGY OPEN ACCESS RULES, 2022 – POLITY

NEWS: The Karnataka High Court struck down the Green Energy Open Access Rules,
2022 introduced by the Union Government, citing legislative overreach.
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
The court ruled that the central government overstepped its authority in framing the rules, as
they should have been enacted through parliamentary legislation or by state regulatory
bodies under the Electricity Act, 2003.
Key Points of the Judgment:
 Violation of Federal Structure: The court found that the rules infringed on the
powers of state regulatory bodies, particularly the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory
Commission (KERC), and contradicted the federal structure of governance
mandated by the Constitution.
 Legislative Overreach: The central government could not bypass parliamentary law-
making and directly frame such rules. The Electricity Act requires the framing of
regulations by state regulators, and it was inconceivable that the government could
sidestep this requirement.
 Delegation of Legislative Power: The court highlighted the principle of legislative
delegation and pointed out that the Electricity Act assigns specific roles to various
authorities. The central rules, by instructing state commissions to amend their own
regulations, encroached upon the independent regulatory functions of the state.
Green Energy Open Access Rules, 2022
 The Green Energy Open Access Rules, 2022 were introduced by the Government of
India on June 6, 2022, to accelerate the country's renewable energy agenda and
provide access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and green energy for all.
 These rules are a key component of India's strategy to achieve its Nationally
Determined Contribution (NDC) target of reducing emissions by 45% by 2030.
 Key Objectives and Benefits:
 Promotion of Green Energy: The rules aim to promote the generation,
purchase, and consumption of green energy, including energy from Waste-to-
Energy plants.
 Inclusive Access: The rules allow any consumer (including smaller ones) to
purchase renewable energy via open access. The threshold for open access
 transactions has been lowered from 1 MW to 100 kW, enabling small
consumers (e.g., small businesses or residential areas) to access green power.
 Mandatory Green Energy Supply: Consumers have the right to
demand green power from DISCOMs (Distribution Companies), which are
obligated to procure and supply this power to eligible consumers.
 Streamlined Approval Process: A simplified, time-bound approval
process has been introduced. The approval process for green energy open
access applications is streamlined through a national portal, and approvals
must be granted within 15 days or they will be deemed approved.
 Voluntary Adoption for Industries: Commercial and industrial consumers
have the option to voluntarily purchase green power at favorable rates.
 Features of the Rules:
 Open Access for Small Consumers: The rules lower the open access
transaction limit from 1 MW to 100 kW, enabling smaller consumers to
access renewable energy.
 Mandatory Green Power Supply: Consumers are entitled to demand green
power from their DISCOMs, who are obligated to procure and supply it.
 Transparency and Efficiency: The approval process for open access is
streamlined with uniformity and transparency. This includes national-level
processing through the Green Energy Open Access Registry (GOAR)
portal. All stakeholders can track approvals, rejections, revisions, and
curtailments.
 Cost Certainty for Consumers: The rules provide clarity on the charges to
be levied on green energy consumers, which include transmission, wheeling,
cross-subsidy surcharges, standby charges, and others as applicable.
 Cross-subsidy and Incentives: A cap is placed on increasing cross-subsidy
surcharges and additional surcharges are removed to incentivize green
energy adoption.
 Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO): A uniform RPO applies to all
obligated entities, including the inclusion of green hydrogen/green
ammonia for fulfilling RPOs.
 Green Certificates: Consumers who purchase green energy are entitled
to Green Certificates, helping to verify their renewable energy consumption.
 Tariff Determination: The tariff for green energy will be determined by
the Appropriate Commission based on the average pooled power purchase cost of
renewable energy. This will also account for cross-subsidy charges, if applicable, and
the distribution licensee’s costs for delivering green power.
Green Energy Open Access Registry (GOAR): To streamline the process, the Ministry of
Power has notified the Grid Controller of India Limited as the Central Nodal Agency to
manage the GOAR portal. This portal acts as a single window for all green energy open
access applications.

What are the Other Initiatives Related to Green Energy Transition?

 Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGYA)
 Green Energy Corridor (GEC)
 National Smart Grid Mission (NSGM) and Smart Meter National Programme
 Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME)
 International Solar Alliance (ISA)
 PM- KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri-Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan)

India’s Status
 India is contributing only 3.5 percent to the global emission despite having
about 17 percent of the world population.
 India is leading the clean energy transition globally and has the fastest growth
of RE capacity addition.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/karnataka-high-court-green-energy-
open-access-rules-9768477/

TITBITS:
1. The Supreme Court, in Rajive Raturi v. Union of India (2024), held Rule 15 of the Rights
of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Rules, 2017, violative of the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities Act, 2016.
2. The Supreme Court held that unauthorised business of procuring and supplying railway e-
tickets is a "social crime" which must be stopped in its tracks and criminal action should be
prompt as the national economy is affected.

MCQs
1.How many of the following statements about Vishwa Hindi Diwas are correct?
1. Vishwa Hindi Diwas is celebrated on January 10 every year to commemorate the first
time Hindi was spoken at the United Nations General Assembly in 1949.
2. The first World Hindi Conference was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh in 2006.
3. The aim of Vishwa Hindi Diwas is to promote Hindi as a global language and create
awareness about its cultural significance worldwide.
4. On June 10, 2022, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on
Multilingualism, mentioning Hindi for the first time.

a) Only 1
b) Only 2
c) 2 and 4
d) 3 and 4
Correct Answer: d) 3 and 4
Explanation:
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Vishwa Hindi Diwas is celebrated on January 10 to mark
the anniversary of the first World Hindi Conference in 1975, not the first time Hindi
was spoken at the UNGA.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: The first World Hindi Conference was inaugurated by Prime
Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975, not Manmohan Singh in 2006.
 Statement 3 is correct: The day is indeed focused on promoting Hindi as a global
language and its cultural significance.
 Statement 4 is correct: The UN resolution on Multilingualism in 2022 mentioned
Hindi for the first time.

2. Which of the following statements about Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
(BNS) are correct?

1. Section 152 criminalizes acts that excite secession, armed rebellion, and subversive
activities.
2. The provision explicitly defines what constitutes "endangering the sovereignty, unity,
and integrity of India."
3. The term "knowingly" in Section 152 lowers the threshold for establishing criminal
liability.
4. Section 152 is a cognizable and non-bailable offense.

Options:
A. Only 1 and 3
B. Only 1, 3, and 4
C. Only 2 and 4
D. All of the above

Correct Answer: B. Only 1, 3, and 4

Explanation:

 Statement 1: Correct. Section 152 criminalizes acts such as secession, armed

rebellion, and subversive activities.
 Statement 2: Incorrect. Section 152 does not define what constitutes "endangering
the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India," leaving it open to interpretation.
 Statement 3: Correct. The inclusion of "knowingly" lowers the bar for criminal
liability, particularly in the context of social media.
 Statement 4: Correct. Section 152 is classified as a cognizable and non-bailable
offense.
Which of the following statements about the Karnataka High Court judgment and the
Green Energy Open Access Rules, 2022, are correct?
1. The Green Energy Open Access Rules, 2022, lower the open access transaction limit
from 1 MW to 500 kW to enable small consumers to access renewable energy.
2. The rules allow consumers to demand green power from DISCOMs, who are
obligated to procure and supply it.
3. The Green Energy Open Access Registry (GOAR) portal was introduced to
streamline the approval process for green energy applications and ensure
transparency.
4. The court found the rules violated the federal structure by encroaching on the powers
of state electricity regulatory commissions.

A. Only 1, 3, and 4
B. Only 2, 3, and 4
C. Only 1 and 4
D. All of the above

Correct Answer: B. Only 2, 3 4

Explanation:
 Statement 1: Incorrect. The rules lower the open access transaction limit from 1 MW
to 100 kW, not 500 kW.
 Statement 2: Correct. Consumers have the right to demand green power from
DISCOMs, who are obligated to supply it.
 Statement 3: Correct. The Green Energy Open Access Registry (GOAR) portal
ensures transparency and streamlines the approval process.
 Statement 4: Correct. The court found that the rules violated the federal structure by
infringing on the powers of state regulatory commissions.