1. Judicial delays are often seen as a major impediment to governance and growth. Examine the structural and administrative factors responsible for such delays and suggest reforms to strengthen judicial efficiency without undermining judicial independence.
| Syllabus: General Studies – II: Separation of Powers between various organs Dispute Redressal Mechanisms and Institutions |
IN NEWS: Calling out the criticism of the Indian judiciary
Judicial efficiency is a cornerstone of democracy and the rule of law. However, India’s justice delivery system is plagued by delays — over 5 crore pending cases. These delays not only affect citizens’ faith in justice but also hinder business confidence, contract enforcement, and governance outcomes.
Structural and Administrative Factors Responsible
- Vacancies and Case Burden: Over 30% of posts remain vacant in the lower judiciary and High Courts, leading to massive pendency.
- Inadequate Infrastructure: Poor courtroom facilities, lack of digital tools, and weak support staff hinder efficient functioning.
- Government as the Biggest Litigant: The Union and State governments account for nearly 50% of cases, often appealing even routine matters.
- Complex and Poorly Drafted Laws: Vague legislative drafting and frequent amendments create interpretative confusion, generating fresh litigation.
- Procedural Inefficiencies: Frequent adjournments, lengthy oral arguments, and manual filing slow down adjudication.
- Weak Case Management Systems: Absence of scientific data-based case scheduling and prioritization worsens delays.
- Limited Use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Mechanisms like mediation and arbitration remain underutilized or poorly implemented.
Reforms to Strengthen Judicial Efficiency
Filling Vacancies Timely:
Streamlined judicial appointments through coordination between Collegium and executive.
Modernization & Digitization:
Expansion of e-Courts, virtual hearings, and AI-based case tracking.
Government Litigation Policy:
Curb frivolous appeals and promote accountability in state litigation.
Legislative Reforms:
Simplify and clarify laws; pre-legislative scrutiny to avoid ambiguity.
ADR Strengthening:
Institutionalize mediation centres and enforce Section 89 CPC effectively.
Judicial Infrastructure Authority:
Implement the proposal for a National Judicial Infrastructure Authority of India (NJIAI).
Capacity Building:
Continuous training and performance monitoring of judges and staff.
Judicial delay is a symptom of systemic neglect, not judicial apathy. Sustainable reform requires investment, coordination, and restraint from the executive and legislature. Enhancing efficiency while preserving independence is vital for justice delivery, economic confidence, and democratic legitimacy.
| PYQ REFERENCE (UPSC 2014) Q. Starting from inventing the ‘basic structure’ doctrine, the judiciary has played a highly proactive role in ensuring that India develops into a thriving democracy. In light of the statement, evaluate the role played by judicial activism in achieving the ideals of democracy. |
2. The discovery of regulatory T cells has transformed our understanding of immune tolerance and opened new frontiers in medical science.” Discuss the significance of this year’s Nobel Prize in Medicine in advancing treatments for cancer, autoimmune diseases, and organ transplantation.
| Syllabus: General Studies – III: Science and Technology- Developments and their Applications and Effects in Everyday Life |
IN NEWS: Medicine Nobel for scientists who demystified the immune system
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded to Shimon Sakaguchi, Mary Brunkow, and Fred Ramsdell, recognized their discovery of regulatory T cells and the Foxp3 gene, which govern peripheral immune tolerance. This breakthrough has reshaped immunology by explaining how the immune system prevents self-destruction while combating external threats — a balance vital to human survival.
Understanding Immune Tolerance
The immune system distinguishes self from non-self through multiple checkpoints. Tregs act as “immune sentinels,” suppressing overactive immune responses and preventing autoimmune damage. Their malfunction leads to autoimmune disorders, while their overactivity may enable tumor growth — showing their dual importance in disease and therapy.
Significance in Medical Science
1. Autoimmune Diseases: Treg-based immunotherapies offer hope for diseases such as Type-1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis by restoring immune balance.In India, research institutions like ICMR, AIIMS, and NCCS Pune are studying immune tolerance mechanisms for early detection of such disorders.
2. Cancer Treatment: Manipulating Tregs enhances immuno-oncology — boosting the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T cell therapies. India’s DBT and CSIR have supported indigenous immunotherapy platforms, reducing reliance on imported biologics.
3. Organ Transplantation: Treg modulation can induce immune tolerance, lowering the need for lifelong immunosuppressants. With rising organ transplants in India, this could reduce complications and costs, aligning with the goals of the National Organ Transplant Programme.
4. Precision and Regenerative Medicine: The Foxp3–Treg pathway has enabled precision medicine — tailoring immune therapies based on genetic and cellular profiles. India’s Genome India Project can leverage such insights for targeted immune modulation.
The discovery of regulatory T cells represents a paradigm shift from suppression to intelligent immune regulation. Its applications in cancer, autoimmune therapy, and transplantation hold transformative potential for India’s healthcare. Integrating such frontier science with India’s biomedical innovation ecosystem, robust research funding, and translational medicine initiatives can make the country a global leader in next-generation immunotherapies — where science serves both healing and human dignity.
| PYQ REFERENCE (UPSC 2021) Q. The Nobel Prize in Physics of 2014 was jointly awarded to Akasaki, Amano and Nakamura for the invention of Blue LEDs in the 1990s. How has this invention impacted the everyday life of human beings? (250 words) |