Ladakh Seeks Greater Representation and Constitutional Safeguards Hindi as Supreme Court Language Under Consideration FAO Agricola Medal Conferred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi Arunachal Kiwi Mission and Kiwi Fruit Dark Patterns and Consumer Protection in E-Commerce

1.Ladakh Seeks Greater Representation and Constitutional Safeguards

Source: The HinduSubject: Polity & Governance

Why in News?

The issue of constitutional safeguards and political representation for Ladakh has resurfaced after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs suggested administrative decentralisation through creation of additional districts instead of granting a legislature or Sixth Schedule protections to the Union Territory.

The discussion comes amid continued demands by Ladakhi groups for legislative powers, constitutional safeguards, protection of land and jobs, and greater political autonomy following the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu & Kashmir in 2019.

Demand for Legislature and Political Representation

The Union government recently announced five new districts in Ladakh — Nubra, Changthang, Sham, Zanskar and Drass — as part of governance reforms aimed at improving administration in remote regions.

However, several organisations and civil society groups in Ladakh have argued that administrative decentralisation cannot substitute democratic representation through an elected legislature.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has maintained that Ladakh’s:

• Sparse population
• Strategic location along the China border
• Financial dependence on the Centre

make a legislature unnecessary.

Local groups argue that unlike districts, a legislature possesses law-making powers over critical issues such as:

• Land ownership and protection
• Employment safeguards for locals
• Ecological conservation
• Grazing rights and traditional livelihoods
• Cultural and demographic protection
• Regulation of infrastructure and renewable energy projects

The issue has gained importance because Ladakh is emerging as a major centre for solar energy and green hydrogen projects, particularly in Changthang. Many residents believe local communities need institutional power to negotiate terms of development and environmental protection.

Demand for Sixth Schedule Status

• A major demand of Ladakhi groups is the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which provides constitutional protection and autonomous governance mechanisms through Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) for tribal-majority areas.
• The demand is rooted in the fact that more than 90% of Ladakh’s population belongs to Scheduled Tribes, including the Bhot, Balti, Brokpa, Changpa, Mon, and Purigpa communities.
• Supporters argue that Sixth Schedule safeguards are necessary to prevent land alienation to outsiders, demographic changes, ecological degradation, marginalisation in development projects, and erosion of tribal identity and culture.
• The issue has also gained political sensitivity because leaders of the Union government had earlier assured constitutional safeguards after Ladakh was made a Union Territory in 2019.

Sixth Schedule: Key Features

The Sixth Schedule is contained under Article 244(2) and Article 275(1) of the Constitution and applies to tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.

1. Constitutional Basis and Purpose

The Sixth Schedule is a special constitutional arrangement aimed at protecting tribal communities and providing them with a framework of self-governance.

• It is incorporated under Article 244(2) and Article 275(1) of the Constitution.
• Its primary objective is to safeguard tribal customs, culture, land rights, and traditional identity.
• It provides for the establishment of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and Autonomous Regional Councils (ARCs).
• The provisions apply to notified tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.

2. Historical Background and Evolution

The Sixth Schedule emerged from the distinctive socio-cultural conditions of tribal societies in Northeast India and the administrative experiences during colonial rule.

• Before colonial intervention, tribal communities largely functioned independently under customary systems and traditional institutions.
• British administrative and forest policies disrupted tribal lifestyles and curtailed their customary access to forests and land.
• The Government of India Act, 1935 categorised several tribal regions as “Excluded Areas” and “Partially Excluded Areas,” placing them under the direct authority of the Governor.
• In 1947, the Bardoloi Committee chaired by Gopinath Bardoloi recommended a model of autonomous administration for tribal regions of Assam.
• These recommendations later formed the foundation of the Sixth Schedule after Independence.

3. Major Features of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs)

ADCs serve as the principal institutions of self-administration under the Sixth Schedule and exercise legislative, executive, judicial, and financial powers.

Formation and Composition

• Every autonomous district has an Autonomous District Council.
• Autonomous Regional Councils may also be constituted for specific communities within a district.
• An ADC generally consists of not more than 30 members.
• Four members are nominated by the Governor, while the remaining are elected through adult suffrage.
• The tenure of the Council is five years.

Legislative Powers

ADCs can make laws on subjects such as:

• Land allotment, occupation, and land use excluding reserved forests.
• Regulation and management of unreserved forests.
• Marriage, divorce, inheritance, and social customs.
• Village administration, sanitation, public health, and primary education.
• Regulation of shifting or Jhum cultivation.

Judicial Powers

• ADCs can establish village courts or councils for cases involving tribal communities.
• These courts mainly deal with matters related to customary practices and local disputes.
• Appeals from such courts lie with the High Court.

Financial Powers

• ADCs can impose taxes on land, buildings, trades, professions, vehicles, animals, and tolls.
• They are entitled to royalties from mining activities within their jurisdiction.
• They also receive grants under Article 275(1) from the Consolidated Fund of India and support from state governments.

Role of the Governor

The Governor exercises supervisory authority over ADCs and ARCs.

• The Governor may dissolve an ADC or ARC in certain situations.
• The Governor can suspend or annul laws and resolutions passed by the Councils.
• The Governor also acts as the authority for resolving disputes between ADCs and ARCs.

Significance

The issue is important from the perspective of:

• Asymmetric federalism
• Tribal rights and autonomy
• Border area governance
• Environmental governance in fragile Himalayan ecosystems
• Democratic decentralisation
• Constitutional safeguards for indigenous communities

The debate highlights the challenge of balancing national security concerns, ecological sustainability, and democratic aspirations in strategically sensitive frontier regions of India.

2.Hindi as Supreme Court Language Under Consideration

Source: The HinduSubject: Polity & Governance

Why in News?

A Parliamentary Committee is examining the possibility of introducing Hindi in the Supreme Court. The discussion emerged after a private member’s Bill proposed amendment of Article 348 of the Constitution to allow use of Hindi along with English in the Supreme Court and High Courts for delivering judgments.

The Bill was later withdrawn following the Union government’s assurance that regional languages and Hindi would continue to be promoted without imposing any single language.

Debate Over Language in Higher Judiciary

The discussion centres around Article 348 of the Constitution, which currently mandates the use of English in the Supreme Court and High Courts unless Parliament provides otherwise.

The proposal sought to permit:

• Use of Hindi in Supreme Court proceedings and judgments
• Greater use of regional languages in High Courts
• Wider accessibility of judicial processes for citizens unfamiliar with English

Supporters argue that use of Indian languages would make the justice delivery system more accessible and inclusive, particularly for litigants from rural and non-English-speaking backgrounds.

Opponents, however, caution that replacing English in higher judiciary may create challenges related to:

• Uniformity in judicial interpretation
• Inter-state legal communication
• Availability of legal terminology in Indian languages
• Transfer of judges between High Courts
• Consistency of precedents across the country

The government clarified that its objective is development of all regional languages along with Hindi and not compulsory imposition of Hindi.

Article 348 and Language of Judiciary

Article 348 forms part of Part XVII of the Constitution dealing with official language.

It establishes English as the default language for:

Area	Constitutional Provision
Supreme Court Proceedings	English language mandatory
High Court Proceedings	English language mandatory
Judgments, Decrees and Orders	To be in English
Authoritative Texts of Laws	Bills, Acts, Ordinances, Rules and Regulations to be in English

However, Article 348(2) allows the Governor, with prior consent of the President, to authorize use of Hindi or another official State language in High Court proceedings.

Despite this relaxation:

• Judgments and orders of High Courts must still be in English
• Supreme Court proceedings continue entirely in English

Currently, some High Courts such as those in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar permit limited use of Hindi in proceedings

Constitutional Provisions Related to Official Language

Article	Provision
Article 343	Hindi in Devanagari script as official language of Union
Article 344	Official Language Commission and Parliamentary Committee
Article 345	State Legislature may adopt official State language
Article 346	Language for communication between States and Union
Article 347	Special provision for language spoken by a section of population
Article 348	Language of Supreme Court, High Courts and legislation

Significance of the Issue

The debate highlights larger constitutional and governance questions concerning:

• Accessibility of justice
• Linguistic diversity in India
• Role of English in administration and judiciary
• Balance between national integration and regional identity
• Judicial efficiency and uniformity of legal interpretation

The issue is important because language in judiciary directly affects access to justice, citizen participation, and functioning of India’s constitutional system.

3.FAO Agricola Medal Conferred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Source: PM IndiaSubject: International Organisation

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the prestigious Agricola Medal by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

The award recognises India’s large-scale achievements in food security, farmer welfare, climate-resilient agriculture, and technology-driven agrarian reforms.

FAO Agricola Medal

The Agricola Medal is the highest institutional honour conferred by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

The term Agricola is derived from the Latin word meaning “farmer”.

The medal was instituted by the FAO in 1977 under its international numismatic award programme to honour global leaders for exceptional contributions towards transformation of agriculture and food systems.

The award is conferred directly by the FAO Director-General on leaders who demonstrate:

• Visionary agricultural leadership
• Strengthening of food security systems
• Improvement in farmer livelihoods
• Promotion of sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture
• Advancement towards Sustainable Development Goal-2 (Zero Hunger)

Indian Recipients of Agricola Medal

Leader	Year	Recognition
Dr. Manmohan Singh	2008	Agricultural reforms and rural modernization
Narendra Modi	2026	Food security, farmer welfare and climate-resilient agriculture

Reasons for Conferment on India

The FAO recognised India’s structural transformation in agriculture and food security over the past decade.

Food Security and Welfare Measures

India’s Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) was highlighted as the world’s largest food security programme, providing free foodgrains to nearly 800 million people.

The initiative was recognised as a major global model for crisis-time food protection and social safety nets.

Climate-Resilient Agriculture

India’s agricultural research system developed nearly:

• 3,000 climate-resilient crop varieties
• Bio-fortified seed varieties
• Drought-resistant and flood-tolerant crops

These initiatives aim to reduce vulnerability of agriculture to climate change and extreme weather events.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Feature	Details
Established	1945
Headquarters	Rome, Italy
Parent Organisation	United Nations
Objective	Eliminate hunger and improve nutrition and food security
Member Countries	More than 190 countries
Major Goal	SDG-2: Zero Hunger

The FAO works on:

• Global food security
• Sustainable agriculture
• Fisheries and forestry management
• Rural development
• Nutrition and hunger eradication

Significance

The conferment of the Agricola Medal reflects international recognition of India’s:

• Food security architecture
• Farmer welfare programmes
• Digital governance in agriculture
• Climate-resilient farming initiatives
• Sustainable agricultural development model

The award also highlights India’s growing role in global discussions on food security, agricultural sustainability, and South-South cooperation in agrarian development.

4.Arunachal Kiwi Mission and Kiwi Fruit

Source: News on AirSubject: Miscellaneous

Why in News?

The Union Minister launched the “Arunachal Kiwi: The USP of Arunachal Pradesh” mission, a ₹167-crore cluster-based initiative aimed at transforming Arunachal Pradesh into a premium organic kiwi-producing hub with global competitiveness.

The project focuses on improving kiwi cultivation, post-harvest management, branding, value addition, and export promotion.

Kiwi Fruit

Kiwi, also known as the Chinese Gooseberry, is a nutrient-rich fruit belonging to the species Actinidia deliciosa.

It is a woody deciduous vine native to eastern Asia and is known for its:

• Brown fuzzy outer skin
• Bright green or golden flesh
• Small edible black seeds
• High vitamin and mineral content

The fruit is particularly rich in:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin B complex
• Potassium
• Calcium
• Phosphorus

Climatic and Agro-Climatic Requirements

Kiwi cultivation requires specific temperate climatic conditions.

Requirement	Details
Chilling Requirement	700–800 chilling hours below 7°C
Suitable Altitude	800–1500 metres above mean sea level
Rainfall	Around 150 cm annually
Soil Type	Deep, rich, well-drained sandy loam soil
Soil pH	Slightly acidic, ideally below 6.9
Temperature Sensitivity	Sensitive to frost, strong winds and temperatures above 35°C

The crop thrives mainly in mid-hill temperate regions.

Important Characteristics of Kiwi Cultivation

Feature	Details
Scientific Name	Actinidia deliciosa
Nature of Plant	Woody deciduous vine
Major Cultivars in India	Hayward, Allison, Abbott, Bruno, Monty, Tomuri
Fruiting Begins	After 4–5 years
Full Commercial Production	After 7–8 years
Average Yield	50–100 kg per vine
Storage Capacity	4–6 months under cold storage

Because of its climbing vine nature, kiwi plants require support systems such as:

• T-bar trellis system
• Pergola or bower system

The fruit has excellent post-harvest storage quality and can be transported over long distances.

Arunachal Pradesh and Kiwi Cultivation

Arunachal Pradesh has emerged as India’s leading kiwi-producing state due to its favourable agro-climatic conditions.

Importance of Arunachal Pradesh in Kiwi Production

Aspect	Details
Share in India’s Kiwi Production	More than 50%
Annual Production	Over 7,000 metric tonnes
Major Cultivars	Hayward and Allison
Certification	First Indian state with certified organic kiwi production

The State secured organic certification under the:

Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER).

Significance of Kiwi Cultivation in Arunachal Pradesh

Kiwi cultivation has become an important alternative to traditional jhum cultivation (slash-and-burn agriculture), which often leads to:

• Soil degradation
• Forest loss
• Ecological stress

The crop provides:

• Sustainable livelihood opportunities
• High-value horticultural income
• Export potential
• Employment generation in hill regions

The State’s high-altitude climate produces premium-quality kiwi fruits known for:

• Better flavour
• Larger size
• Superior nutritional quality

Significance

The Arunachal Kiwi Mission highlights:

• Expansion of high-value horticulture in Northeast India
• Promotion of organic farming
• Sustainable alternatives to jhum cultivation
• Climate-suitable mountain agriculture
• Export-oriented agri-economy development

The initiative also reflects India’s growing emphasis on:

• Nutritional security
• Organic agriculture
• Value-chain development
• Farmer income diversification in Himalayan and tribal regions.

5.Dark Patterns and Consumer Protection in E-Commerce

Source: The HinduSubject: Economy

Why in News?

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has intensified action against deceptive “dark patterns” used by e-commerce platforms and digital service providers. The regulatory push follows implementation of the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023, framed under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

The issue recently gained attention after platforms such as BookMyShow and Zepto faced allegations of manipulative interface designs involving hidden charges, misleading prompts, and deceptive transaction practices.

What are Dark Patterns?

Dark patterns are deceptive user-interface designs intentionally created to manipulate consumers into making choices they may not have voluntarily made under transparent conditions.

These practices exploit behavioural psychology and digital design techniques to influence consumer decisions in favour of the platform or seller.

Dark patterns are commonly used to:

• Push users into unintended purchases
• Obtain consent for data sharing
• Make cancellation of subscriptions difficult
• Add hidden charges during payment
• Create artificial urgency to accelerate transactions
• Influence users through confusing or misleading interface layouts

The growing use of algorithm-driven interfaces and targeted digital advertising has significantly increased concerns regarding consumer autonomy and informed consent in the digital economy.

Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023

The Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023 were issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

The objective of the guidelines is to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability in online commercial transactions and to prevent manipulation of consumer behaviour through deceptive digital designs.

The guidelines apply to:

• E-commerce platforms
• Online marketplaces
• Advertisers
• Digital intermediaries
• Service providers
• Sellers operating through digital platforms

The guidelines specifically prohibit thirteen identified dark patterns.

Dark Pattern	Description
False Urgency	Creating artificial scarcity or fake deadlines to pressure consumers into immediate purchases
Basket Sneaking	Adding products, services, insurance, or charges to the cart without explicit consumer consent
Drip Pricing	Revealing additional mandatory charges only at the final payment stage
Confirm Shaming	Using guilt-inducing language to discourage consumers from refusing an offer
Subscription Trap	Making cancellation of subscriptions intentionally complicated
Interface Interference	Designing interfaces that mislead users or obscure important information
Bait and Switch	Advertising one product or offer but directing users toward another
Forced Action	Compelling users to sign up, share data, or subscribe before accessing services
Trick Questions	Framing questions in confusing language to manipulate responses
Nagging	Repeated intrusive prompts and notifications intended to pressure consumers

Legal Framework Governing Consumer Protection

India’s legal framework for protection against deceptive online practices is based on multiple legislations and regulations.

Law / Regulation	Purpose
Consumer Protection Act, 2019	Protection against unfair trade practices and consumer exploitation
Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020	Regulation of e-commerce entities and online marketplaces
Dark Pattern Guidelines, 2023	Prevention of manipulative digital interface practices
Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)	Investigation and enforcement against unfair trade practices

The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 empowers the CCPA to:

• Investigate unfair trade practices
• Issue notices and directions
• Impose penalties on companies
• Order discontinuation of misleading practices
• Protect consumer rights in digital transactions

The law treats deceptive digital interfaces as a form of unfair trade practice affecting informed consumer choice.

Recent Regulatory Developments

In June 2025, the CCPA directed all major e-commerce platforms to conduct mandatory self-audits within three months to identify and eliminate dark patterns from their digital interfaces.

By November 2025, more than twenty-six companies submitted compliance declarations. However, several platforms were still found allegedly continuing manipulative interface practices.

Important Cases

Platform	Allegation
BookMyShow	Basket sneaking and hidden convenience charges
Zepto	Misleading prompts and manipulative interface design

The CCPA subsequently issued notices and directed corrective modifications to user interfaces and payment systems.

The regulatory action reflects increasing governmental concern regarding the influence of algorithmic design on consumer behaviour in digital markets.

Challenges in Regulation and Enforcement

• Regulating dark patterns remains a major challenge because digital technologies evolve rapidly and online platforms continuously redesign interfaces to influence user behaviour in subtle ways.
• One major difficulty is that manipulative practices are often embedded within complex algorithms and user-interface structures, making detection and legal classification difficult for regulators.
• Another challenge arises from limited consumer awareness. A large number of users fail to recognize deceptive digital practices and unknowingly consent to unwanted purchases, subscriptions, or data sharing.
• The cross-border nature of digital platforms further complicates enforcement because many e-commerce and technology companies operate across multiple jurisdictions with varying legal standards.
• Regulatory agencies also face technological and institutional limitations in continuously monitoring evolving digital practices, especially with growing use of artificial intelligence, personalized advertising, and behavioural targeting.

Experts have therefore emphasized the need for:

• Stronger digital consumer literacy
• Regular updating of legal frameworks
• Greater academic involvement in cyber law and digital ethics
• Technological monitoring systems for algorithmic accountability
• Increased transparency obligations for online platforms

Significance

• The issue is significant because dark patterns directly affect consumer autonomy and informed consent, digital privacy and data protection, transparency in online transactions, fair competition in digital markets, and public trust in the digital economy.
• The crackdown reflects India’s broader effort to strengthen consumer rights and promote ethical digital governance in the rapidly expanding e-commerce ecosystem.