Introduction

Multilateralism is the approach through which countries deal with global issues through institutions like the UN, WHO, and IMF. However, the institutions that were constructed post-World War II are no longer reflective of contemporary realities in the geopolitical order. India’s “New Orientation for a Reformed Multilateral System” or NORMS seeks to transform multilateralism by making it more inclusive, representative, and effective.

Background

Traditionally, the multilateral institutions have represented peace, health, and economic stability. But they are dominated by a few powerful nations. For instance, the UN Security Council does not have any representation of emerging powers such as India. Their five permanent members still enjoy the right of veto over decision-making that results in many deadlocks.

Argument of NORMS

India argues that the UNSC and other such institutions represent nothing more than the earlier bipolar world in which the Global South played little to no role in world affairs. In the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries in the Global South received vaccines from non-traditional sources. Influence must be diversified, and institutions like the IMF must not favor developed economies more than the rest of the world. The influence of developed economies is very high in such institutions. Furthermore, issues like transparency and geopolitics make institutions like the WTO less effective.

Reformed Multilateralism

The multilateral system would definitely have to be reformed to face issues like climate changes, economic disparity, or health crises with fair cooperation. NORMS call for transparency, equality before decision-making, and effective participation of developing nations

Conclusion

India’s New Orientation for Reform of the Multilateral System-NORMS proposal has to introduce a new, comprehensive inclusive modern multilateral system better than what exists today capable to respond to global challenges to today’s world more interlinked than ever before.

INTRODUCTION:
Separation of powers is an organizational system where responsibilities, authorities, and powers are divided between the groups rather than being stored centrally.

The principle of separation of powers includes some ideas:
No one can hold more than one office in the government
No function of another branch should be exercised by any one.
No branch should encroach on the functions of two other branches.

The Indian Constitution has several provisions that can be said to embody various principles such as equality, separation of powers, and fundamental rights:

Fundamental rights
The promise of equality, liberty, and justice for all the citizens is promised in the Preamble of the Constitution, and fundamental rights enact this promise.

Separation of powers
This separation of powers between the legislature, executive, and judiciary prevents any one of these authorities from becoming too strong.

Equality of opportunity
The Preamble grants equality of opportunity to citizens, and Article 14 makes this happen by holding the state liable for their actions in distributing equal things to all.

Directive Principles of State Policy
They are guidelines under which laws and policies have to be made by the government

Civilian control of the military
Both military and police powers are similarly controlled by constitutional and statutory restrictions as other branches of the executive government. Rights of individuals Constitutional courts are High Courts and Supreme Courts which uphold rights of individual persons.

INTODUCTION:

This represented a formation in 1961 to promote the cause of the developing world with a backdrop of confrontation presented during the Cold War period. Within its first thirty years, the Movement has represented and acted in a highly prominent way in decolonization and the formation of the new, independent states besides the democratization of the relations between states at large.

It has 120 members as of April 2018 composed of 53 countries from Africa, 39 from Asia, 26 from Latin America and the Caribbean and 2 from Europe (Belarus, Azerbaijan). NAM has 17 countries and 10 international organizations that are Observers.

Docking: Global Challenges and a Changing World
Complex International Problems: Since such problems are by nature transnational in nature, which comprises problems of climate change, terrorism, or interconnections between economies, decision-makers must transcend national interests.

Diverse Membership: One of the biggest challenges of IEA is to achieve unity with over 120 member countries from different levels of economic and political development.
Emergence of Regional Organizations: Organizations like African Union, BRICS, and ASEAN may have more interest in regional matters than NAM.
Globalization Forces: Economic interdependence has created growth and unevenness in distribution, thus creating obstacles for NAM in terms of fair development.

Recent Examples of NAM’s Impact
Climate Change Advocacy: NAM countries saw to it that the Paris Agreement is sealed, and one of its principles reads “common but differentiated responsibilities.”

COVID-19 Solidarity: NAM countries shared their medical resources and advocated for vaccine equity for developing nations.

Support for Palestine: NAM continues to stand by the Palestinian rights and calls for a peaceful solution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict.

India-Africa Forum: NAM establishes economic cooperation by forming a platform like this, so it enhances the trade and investment opportunities of India with African nations.

Future Ahead: How NAM Can Develop
For dealing with current issues, NAM’s inner coordination and unity have to be enhanced:

Objectives and Unity: Periodic meetings and working groups would make the priority of the members of NAM streamlined.

Flexibility in Policy Agenda: Policies can be formulated keeping the demand of diverse member nations, so NAM will become more effective.
It would be its efficiency in dealing with externalities if there were some improved communications and stronger structures.

Introduction:

The Constitution of India is considered the supreme law in the Republic of India. It identifies the political system of the country, grants powers to governmental departments, protects basic rights, and provides principles of governance in the country. It could be defined as a corpus of rules that guide a country’s administration.
Form of the Indian Constitution:
The Indian Constitution is one of the longest and most detailed written constitutions in the world. Different parts of the structure of the Indian Constitution can be seen as follows:

Parts
A “Part” of the Constitution refers to a division within the Constitution that groups together Articles on similar subjects or themes.
The Indian Constitution is divided into various parts. Each part deals with a specific feature of the country’s legal, administrative, or governmental framework.
Originally, there were 22 parts in the Constitution of India. Currently, there are 25 parts of the Indian Constitution.

Salient Features of the Indian Constitution The Indian Constitution is very elaborate and comprehensive. Some of its significant features are:

It is the world’s longest written constitution of any sovereign nation, comprising 448 articles, 25 parts, 12 schedules, and 105 amendments up to this day.

It is a unique combination of rigidity and flexibility. Some parts of the Constitution can be amended by a simple majority while other sections require a two-thirds majority in Parliament and ratification by at least half of the state legislatures.

Federal System with Unitary Bias: It enunciates a federal system with more central control. It is a confederation with provisions for powers being divided and distributed between the central authority and state authorities, leaving room for the central body to hold more power in a situation requiring that.

Parliamentary Form of Government: It establishes a parliamentary form of government. Here, the executive branch of the administration is responsible to the elected legislature.
Secular State: It makes India a secular state and grants a right of religious freedom to everybody.

Independent Judiciary: It lays down provisions for an independent judiciary, acting as a guardian of the Constitution. The Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial authority in the country.

Single Citizenship: While some countries following the federal system have different types of citizenship, the Indian Constitution confers single citizenship throughout the country.

Universal Adult Franchise: Every citizen above 18 years, without any discrimination, has been provided with the right to vote under this.

Important Articles of the Indian Constitution Several articles of the Indian Constitution are of vital importance. Some of these are:

Article 12-35 (Fundamental Rights): These articles confer rights and liberties of the individual such as equality, liberty, and protection against exploitation, which can be enforced through courts.

Article 36-51 (Directive Principles of State Policy): These principles establish social and economic conditions where citizens can lead a good life. Though not judicially enforceable, they are very important in the administration of the country.

Article 52-151 (Union Executive): These articles explain the powers and functions of the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers, and the Attorney General of India.

Article 152-237 (State Executive): These articles define and describe the structure and functions of state governments, which involves the Governor, Chief Minister, and Council of Ministers.

Article 245-263: These articles deal with the issue of the division of power between the Union and the State Governments in legislative and administrative matters.
Article 280: Finance Commission In this article, the existence of a Finance Commission which is supposed to suggest recommendations for the distribution of the revenues between the Union and States.

Article 324-329 (Elections): These articles form the Election Commission of India and detail the process for elections to the Parliament and State Legislatures.

Introduction
Public Distribution System in India
Public Distribution System is one of the initiatives of the government towards food security and it delivers staple commodities below the market price to the eligible household. Modern governance and digital transformation play a prominent role in increasing transparency, efficiency, and service delivery for the public sector while overcoming fraud, leakages, and exclusion errors associated with PDS.

Present Problems of PDS
There are the following factors, one of which has been discussed above: Bogus Cards and Ghost Beneficiaries Bogus ration cards can open the possibility for unauthorized diversion of food grains to the free market. In Chhattisgarh for example, 22% were bogus by the year 2020, out of 72 lakh ration cards issued 16 lakhs were reported bogus
Identification Failures Failures like biometric authentication error or Aadhaar access blockage can curtail entitlement supply and bar some recipients from getting their rations.
– Leaks: The biggest leak during the distribution of grains is the leakage; as mentioned by the NSSO report of 2011-2012, leakage takes place in 46.7% of cases, and that is the weakness of the system.
– Married Women: Married women find a lot of hassle to update their entitlement status if there is a change in the house.
Aadhaar Linkage: Through linking of ration cards with Aadhaar, the system was able to eliminate bogus cards and ghost beneficiaries and ensured easier accessibility of genuine ones.
– ePoS Devices: The installation of Electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) systems in FPSs has greatly enhanced the identification of the beneficiaries. Today, 95 percent of FPSs, approximately 5.07 lakh, are ePoS-enabled for authentication of transaction.
End-to-End Computerization: Full digitization has also increased transparency and efficiency in tracking and allocation. Both the states, Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh, have said that efficiency improves after full digitization.
Data Collection and Portability: The web portals like IM-PDS and Annavitran also enable effective data management along with the transfer of beneficiary from one state to the other which results in easy accessibility to food entitlements.
Extra Benefits of Digital Transformation
– Minimum Food Grain Losses: It ensures that food grains reach the destination with fewer losses during transportation through efficient logistics.
– Technical Support Center: FPS helps set up technical support centers for the operators and the beneficiaries to provide better operation.

Conclusion
Several initiatives have been undertaken to tackle the issues with PDS using digital transformation. Fraud and lack of transparency have been increased, and many operations in terms of delivery and transactions were streamlined. With more investment in technology and infrastructure, the PDS can be further evolved to ensure service delivery and food security to millions across India.