Content
- A crisis of trust
- The missing link in India’s battery waste management
A crisis of trust
Context and Relevance
- The legitimacy of any democratic system depends not only on conducting free and fair elections, but also on the perception of fairness, especially among all stakeholders, including those who lose.
- Recent concerns raised by political leaders and civil society in the aftermath of the 2024 General Elections have renewed public debates on the transparency, neutrality, and accountability of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
- These discussions gain further significance in the light of global indices, such as the V-Dem 2024 report, which has highlighted challenges in democratic functioning and electoral perceptions.
Relevance : GS 2(Elections- Reforms)
Practice Question : “The legitimacy of democratic elections lies not only in procedural fairness but also in the perception of neutrality by electoral institutions.” Critically examine the role of the Election Commission of India in this context. Suggest institutional and technological reforms to strengthen electoral credibility.(250 Words)
Constitutional and Legal Framework
- Article 324 of the Constitution of India vests in the ECI the authority to superintend, direct, and control elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of the President and Vice-President.
- Landmark Supreme Court judgments, such as:
- Mohinder Singh Gill vs. Chief Election Commissioner (1978), and
- People’s Union for Civil Liberties vs. Union of India (2003)
have reinforced the constitutional vision of the ECI as an independent and transparent institution.
Institutional Concerns and Key Areas of Review
a) Electoral Rolls and Voter Disenfranchisement
- Instances of discrepancies in voter lists have highlighted the need for more robust data management and verification systems.
- Data Point: According to ADR (2024), 5.7 crore voter records were found with errors in age, gender, or duplication.
b) Transparency in EVM–VVPAT Operations
- The Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) comprises a Ballot Unit, Control Unit, and a VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail).
- Concerns raised include:
- Centralised software installation in VVPAT units without third-party audit.
- Limited VVPAT verification (5 units per constituency), covering ~1% of total votes.
- Data Point: In 2019, a VVPAT–EVM mismatch was observed in 17 out of 20,600 samples, a statistically low number, but enough to warrant public discussion.
c) Enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC)
- The perception of asymmetry in MCC enforcement has been a recurring critique, especially in high-stakes elections.
- Data Point: ADR (2019) reported that over 90% of MCC violation notices were issued to opposition parties, raising concerns over enforcement neutrality.
d) Public Communication and Transparency
- The ECI has faced feedback regarding limited public outreach and lack of real-time communication, especially during allegations of procedural lapses.
- Absence of post-election white papers or public audit reports has impacted public confidence in the electoral process.
International Best Practices in Electoral Oversight
| Country | Best Practice |
| Brazil | Uses open-source voting code, allows independent third-party audits |
| Germany | Disallowed EVMs in 2009 due to lack of voter-verifiability |
| South Korea | Maintains high voter trust through transparent post-election audits and recounts |
Judiciary’s Role in Strengthening the ECI
- In Anoop Baranwal vs. Union of India (2023), the Supreme Court directed that appointments to the ECI be made by a committee comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition, and Chief Justice of India — to ensure institutional independence.
- Subsequently, the Chief Election Commissioner and Other ECs (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Act, 2023 was enacted, changing the composition of the selection panel — a move that has generated debate on whether it upholds the judgment’s spirit.
Suggested Reforms for Electoral Integrity
a) Strengthening Institutional Independence
- Establish a bipartisan and judicially anchored selection committee for appointments.
- Grant the ECI financial autonomy, currently routed through the Ministry of Law and Justice.
b) Enhancing Technological Transparency
- Implement open-source software standards for EVMs and VVPATs.
- Explore blockchain-based public verification systems for end-to-end election data traceability.
c) Legal Codification of the Model Code of Conduct
- Convert the MCC into a statutory code with graded penalties and uniform enforcement mechanisms.
d) Grievance Redressal and Citizen Trust
- Establish a dedicated public portal for voter registration errors, complaint tracking, and VVPAT mismatches.
e) Post-Election Audit Mechanisms
- Constitute independent, non-partisan audit panels to publish post-election evaluation reports for greater transparency.
Conclusion
The Election Commission of India remains central to the credibility of India’s democratic architecture. While its past contributions to free and peaceful elections are noteworthy, the evolving scale and complexity of Indian elections demand higher levels of transparency, accountability, and public engagement.
Rebuilding and sustaining public trust in electoral institutions is not just a legal or administrative necessity but a democratic imperative. Institutional reforms, technological upgrades, and a commitment to impartial enforcement will ensure that India’s elections remain globally respected and domestically trusted.
The missing link in India’s battery waste management
Context and Significance
- India’s electrification drive—driven by goals of Net Zero emissions by 2070—has led to exponential growth in electric vehicles (EVs) and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
- However, this transition brings a new environmental challenge: battery waste, particularly from lithium-ion batteries.
- India generated 1.6 million metric tonnes of e-waste in 2022, of which lithium batteries alone contributed 700,000 metric tonnes — highlighting the need for robust waste management.
Relevance : GS 3(Science and Technology , Environment and Ecology)
Practice Question : “The success of India’s green energy transition hinges as much on battery waste management as on EV adoption.” Discuss the role of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in battery recycling. What are the key policy and structural reforms needed to ensure a sustainable battery waste ecosystem?(250 Words)
Projected Battery Demand and Waste Burden
- EV battery demand is expected to grow from 4 GWh (2023) to 139 GWh by 2035 (35x growth).
- This rapid expansion will significantly increase:
- Hazardous waste (including heavy metals like cobalt, lithium, nickel)
- Import dependency for strategic minerals
- Pressure on domestic recycling infrastructure
Government Intervention: Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022
Key Feature: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
- EPR makes producers legally responsible for:
- Collection of used batteries
- Funding the recycling process
- Ensures a circular value chain by requiring producers to buy EPR certificates from certified recyclers.
Core Challenge: Inadequate EPR Floor Price
What is the EPR Floor Price?
- It is the minimum price at which recyclers sell EPR certificates to producers.
- Intended to compensate recyclers for:
- Advanced technology investments
- Skilled labour
- Safe transport
- Regulatory compliance
Problem: Current EPR floor prices under consideration are too low to:
- Sustain legitimate recyclers’ operations
- Ensure environmental safety
- Compete with informal or fraudulent recyclers
Consequences of Underpricing EPR
| Issue | Implications |
| Rise of informal recyclers | Poor safety, dumping, fake certificates |
| Environmental degradation | Leaching of toxic materials into water, soil |
| Loss of strategic materials | Inefficient recovery of lithium, cobalt, nickel |
| Foreign exchange loss | ~$1 billion projected loss by 2030 if recycling remains inadequate |
| Market distortions | Recyclers undercut by non-compliant players |
International Benchmarks
- UK: EV battery producers pay ~₹600/kg for recycling (India’s draft rates < ₹150/kg).
- Even adjusted for Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), India’s proposed rates fall significantly short.
Need for Recalibrating the EPR Framework
a) Fair EPR Floor Price
- Must reflect:
- Cost of safe collection and transport
- Capital investment in recycling technology
- Skilled workforce and R&D
- Can be market-determined in the future, but must start high to develop a sustainable ecosystem.
b) Industry Can Absorb Costs
- OEMs have not reduced consumer prices despite falling global metal costs.
- Suggests that fair EPR pricing will not raise consumer prices in the short term.
Strengthening Compliance and Enforcement
| Measure | Description |
| Robust audits | Regular checks on certificate authenticity and actual recycling volume |
| Digital tracking | End-to-end digital EPR certificate issuance and verification |
| Strict penalties | For false certifications, illegal dumping |
Integration of Informal Sector
- India has a large informal e-waste sector that:
- Lacks safety
- Offers low-cost but hazardous processing
- Solution:
- Train and upskill informal recyclers
- Offer regulatory and financial support to transition into formal systems
- Leverage their existing networks for collection efficiency
Strategic and Economic Imperative
a) Resource Security
- India imports 70–90% of its lithium and cobalt needs.
- Efficient recycling can reduce dependency and increase resilience.
b) Green Growth
- Clean battery waste management supports India’s Net Zero 2070 goal.
- A sustainable battery ecosystem could generate green jobs, tech innovation, and investor confidence.
Way Forward
| Action Area | Steps Needed |
| Reform Pricing Structure | Fair EPR floor pricing; benchmarked to global practices |
| Audit and Traceability | Digital platform for real-time tracking of battery waste and certificates |
| Incentivise R&D | Promote investment in advanced battery recycling technologies |
| Formalise Informal Sector | Financial and training incentives; compliance linkages |
| Public-Private Collaboration | Regular dialogue among policymakers, recyclers, OEMs |
Conclusion
India’s green transition must not create new environmental problems. While EV adoption and energy storage solutions are commendable, sustainability must extend beyond use to end-of-life management. Without a fair and functional EPR floor price, the battery recycling ecosystem will remain broken, posing risks to both environment and economy.
Recalibrating the EPR regime, enforcing compliance, and integrating informal actors are not just policy imperatives — they are critical to India’s circular economy, energy security, and ecological future.
