21 May 2023

• Polity: The Central government issued the Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance 2023, reasserting the LG's authority over services.
• Defence: The sixth Scorpene submarine Vaghsheer commenced sea trials on 18 May.
• G20: The third meeting of the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group was held with a mega beach clean-up event.
• International: India's Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals are projected to grow 58.4 per cent to 19,119 by 2027.
• Environment: The Indian Navy–Saudi Arabia training exercise underscored maritime cooperation.

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GS area: Polity (Federalism, Centre-state relations)

Within days of the Supreme Court Constitution Bench ruling on Delhi services, the Central government promulgated the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance 2023.

• What the ordinance does: Establishes a National Capital Civil Service Authority (NCCSA) comprising the Chief Minister of Delhi and two senior IAS officers (the Chief Secretary and the Home Secretary).
• Decision-making: Decisions by majority vote. This allows the two IAS officers (who report to the Centre) to outvote the elected Chief Minister.
• Effect on the SC ruling: The ordinance effectively overrides the 11 May Constitution Bench ruling that had given the elected Delhi government control over services.
• Constitutional route: An ordinance under Article 123 can only be promulgated when Parliament is not in session. It must be approved by Parliament within six weeks of reassembly.
• Political controversy: The ruling was seen as reversing a judicial verdict through executive action within days of its delivery.

Static linkage: Article 123, ordinance power, Article 239AA, Delhi's constitutional status (Polity).

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GS area: Defence (Science and Technology)

The sixth Project-75 Scorpene-class submarine, INS Vaghsheer (Yard 11880), commenced sea trials on 18 May 2023.

• Project 75: A programme under which six Scorpene-class submarines were built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai under technology transfer from Naval Group, France.
• Five submarines already delivered: INS Kalvari (2017), INS Khanderi (2019), INS Karanj (2021), INS Vela (2021), INS Vagir (2023).
• Vaghsheer's schedule: Planned for delivery in 2024.
• Significance: Diesel-electric attack submarines. Equipped for anti-surface, anti-submarine and intelligence gathering missions. They can launch torpedoes and Exocet missiles.
• Navy's broader modernisation: Project 75-I is planned as the next tranche for six advanced submarines with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP).

Static linkage: Defence indigenisation, Project 75, Navy modernisation (Science and Technology/Defence).

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GS area: International Relations, Environment

The third meeting of the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) was held from 21 to 23 May 2023, during India's G20 presidency.

• India's G20 theme: "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (One Earth, One Family, One Future).
• LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment): India is promoting this as a G20 agenda item. It asks for individual behaviour change to reduce consumption.
• Mega Beach Clean-Up: Launched at the ECSWG meeting as a symbolic action showing G20 countries' commitment to ocean health.
• ECSWG focus areas: Land degradation, ocean conservation, biodiversity loss and climate finance.

Static linkage: G20, LiFE Mission, India's climate diplomacy (International Relations/Environment).

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GS area: Economy (Social indicators)

Knight Frank's 2023 Wealth Report projected India's Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals (with assets of 30 million US dollars or more) would increase by 58.4 per cent to 19,119 by 2027.

• Billionaires: Expected to rise from 161 to 195 by 2027.
• High-Net-Worth Individuals (1 million US dollars or more): Expected to reach 1.65 million.
• Significance for prelims: India's wealth growth sits alongside extreme poverty. The coexistence of growing ultra-wealth and persistent deprivation is a recurring mains topic.

Static linkage: Economic inequality, India's development (Economy/Society).

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GS area: International Relations (Defence cooperation)

Fifty-five cadets from Saudi Arabia's King Fahd Naval Academy arrived in Kochi on 16 May for 24 days of maritime training with the Indian Navy.

• Training ships: INS Tir and INS Sujata.
• India-Saudi relations: Bilateral trade has grown substantially. Saudi Arabia is a key source of crude oil for India. Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia is among the largest bilateral communities.
• Strategic context: India's defence diplomacy in the Gulf has expanded as part of its Act West policy and SAGAR vision.

Static linkage: India-Saudi bilateral relations, maritime security, SAGAR (International Relations).

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• USAID-IACC partnership: The United States Agency for International Development and the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce renewed their MoU for five years, covering health, climate change, education and women's empowerment.
• NIA Operation Dhvast: A nationwide counter-terror operation targeted at terror funding, targeted killings, extortion and drug and weapons smuggling. 129 locations raided; 3 arrests.
• Global Road Safety Week (15-21 May): Seventh biennial UN campaign. Theme: "StreetsforLife: Rethink Mobility." Road accidents kill approximately 1.3 million people annually globally.

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