Why in the News?

• Public sector bank employees across India went on strike on September 11, despite the government agreeing to put the proposed Performance-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme on hold.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About PLI Scheme (Background, Features, etc.)
• Strike by Employees (Reasons, Demands, Govt Response, Impact, etc.)

Background: The PLI Scheme for Bank Employees

• The Department of Financial Services introduced a revised Performance-Linked Incentive scheme in November 2024, applicable to public sector bank employees for 2025-26.
• A major feature of the revised system was that it applied only to Scale IV officers and above.
• Eligible senior officers could receive PLI of up to 365 days of basic pay, depending on individual performance.
• Bank employee unions opposed this structure on the grounds that it created a significant disparity within the workforce.
• Under the existing formula applicable to the wider workforce, PLI was linked to 15 days of basic pay plus dearness allowance. The unions therefore considered the new arrangement discriminatory because of its substantially different treatment of senior officers.

Why Did Bank Employees Oppose the New PLI Scheme?

• The unions argued that the revised PLI scheme departed from the 2020 agreement between bank unions and the Indian Banks' Association (IBA).
• Under that arrangement, PLI was to be linked to the overall performance of individual banks and applied uniformly to employees and officers.
• The revised scheme, by contrast, placed greater emphasis on the individual performance of Scale IV officers and above. This difference became one of the principal reasons behind the strike call.

Other Major Demands

• Five-Day Work Week
  • The most prominent unresolved demand, apart from the PLI issue, is implementation of a five-day work week for bank employees.
  • Bank employees had proposed in 2024 that daily working hours be increased by 40 minutes so that the total number of working hours per week would not decline.
  • The proposal has remained pending with the government. The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) stated that the meeting did not produce positive movement on this issue, leading it to continue with the strike.
• Pension-Related Demands
  • Employees have also sought a uniform dearness allowance formula for all pensioners.
  • Another demand is that employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS) should be given an option to shift to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
  • These demands remained unresolved at the time of the strike.
• Other Employee Welfare Issues
  • The unions have also raised issues concerning revision of ex-gratia payments and medical facilities for retired employees, among other employee-related concerns.

Government's Response

• A delegation of bank employees met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and officials of the Department of Financial Services.
• Following the meeting, the Ministry of Finance announced that the PLI scheme would be put on hold pending further discussions.
• However, the UFBU acknowledged the decision while maintaining that no progress had been made on the five-day work week. Consequently, the strike remained in place.

Immediate Impact of the Strike

• The strike significantly disrupted physical banking services, particularly at public sector bank branches. Services affected included:
  • Cash deposits and withdrawals
  • Cheque clearance
  • Administrative and branch-level work
  • Other physical banking services
• The timing of the strike amplified its impact. September 11 was a Friday, followed by the second Saturday, Sunday and a public holiday in several States on September 14 for Ganesh Chaturthi. Thus, branch-based banking services were disrupted across several consecutive days.
• Although digital and Internet banking have reduced dependence on physical branches, branches remain important for senior citizens and customers in rural and semi-rural areas. Certain services, including some cash and cheque-related transactions, continue to require physical access.

Future Course of the Protest

• The bank unions have warned of further industrial action if their demands remain unresolved.
• They have threatened a three-day nationwide strike from September 28 to 30, coinciding with the half-yearly closing period. They have also warned of a continuous indefinite strike from October 26.

Conclusion

• The bank employees' strike demonstrates that the dispute extends beyond the revised PLI scheme.
• While the government's decision to pause the PLI addresses one major grievance, demands relating to the five-day work week, pension benefits and employee welfare remain unresolved.
• This highlights the challenge of balancing banking-sector productivity, employee compensation and institutional reforms with the need to ensure uninterrupted access to essential financial services.

Why in News?

• BRICS members adopted the New Delhi Declaration at the 18th BRICS Summit after marathon negotiations, particularly over the language concerning the West Asia conflict.
• Consensus was significant as BRICS foreign ministers had failed to issue a joint statement in May amid differences between Iran and the UAE.
• India, as the host and chair, played a crucial diplomatic role in reconciling divergent positions and ensuring that geopolitical disagreements did not derail the summit outcome.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• West Asia
• Terrorism - Significant Indian Diplomatic Gain
• Trade - Opposition to Unilateral Protectionism
• De-dollarisation - Practical Steps, No Common Currency
• AI and Global South
• Indian Imprint on the Declaration
• Conclusion

West Asia:

• Consensus without attribution: Rather than assigning responsibility for the conflict, BRICS adopted broader language acceptable to competing positions within the grouping. The declaration calls for -
  • Maximum restraint and avoidance of actions that aggravate the conflict.
  • Dialogue and diplomacy for a durable peace.
  • Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.
  • Protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
  • Continuity of trade, supply chains and energy flows.
• Nuclear security and safeguards: BRICS also expressed serious concern over attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards, and stressed the need for nuclear safety even during armed conflicts.
• Gaza and Palestine: BRICS called for -
  • Maintenance of the ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access.
  • Opposition to forced displacement of Palestinians.
  • Protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
  • Opposition to starvation as a method of warfare.
  • Support for UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East).
  • A two-state solution, with a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital.
  • Palestinian self-determination, right of return and full UN membership.
• Lebanon: The declaration also called for adherence to the Lebanon ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from remaining Lebanese territory and an inclusive political transition in Syria.

Terrorism - Significant Indian Diplomatic Gain:

• BRICS strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and specifically condemned the April 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack, in which 26 people were killed.
• It highlighted terror financing, safe havens, extremism and radicalisation among youth, international counter-terrorism cooperation, zero tolerance for terrorism, and rejection of double standards in countering terrorism.
• Terrorism should not be associated with any particular religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group. It also recognised the role of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group (CTWG).
• For India, explicit reference to cross-border terrorism is particularly important given the divergent positions among BRICS members on terrorism-related issues.

Trade - Opposition to Unilateral Protectionism:

• Against the backdrop of rising tariffs and trade tensions, BRICS opposed unilateral coercive measures inconsistent with international law, the UN Charter and WTO principles.
• It called for a fair, stable and predictable trading environment conducive to sustainable development.
• The declaration also opposed unilateral carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAMs) where they are punitive, discriminatory or protectionist.
• This reflects a broader BRICS objective of reducing vulnerability to unilateral economic and financial measures and strengthening the voice of developing economies in global economic governance.

De-dollarisation - Practical Steps, No Common Currency:

• BRICS did not announce a common BRICS currency. Instead, it adopted a gradual approach towards greater use of local currencies.
• Key priorities include:
  • Interoperability of national payment systems.
  • Faster, cheaper and safer cross-border payments.
  • Greater use of local currencies for trade and investment.
  • Technical work by the BRICS Payment Task Force.
  • Expansion of local-currency financing by the New Development Bank (NDB).
  • Continued work on a proposed New Investment Platform.
  • Exploration of India's proposed BRICS Risk Lab at GIFT City.
• Thus, the focus is on payment-system interoperability and financial diversification rather than an immediate common currency.

AI and Global South:

• BRICS identified Artificial Intelligence (AI) as both an economic opportunity and a governance challenge for the Global South.
• It emphasised inclusive access to AI resources, safety and security, reliability and energy efficiency, trustworthy and inclusive AI, and greater participation of developing countries in global AI governance.
• The grouping also welcomed India's hosting of the AI Impact Summit in February 2026.

Indian Imprint on the Declaration:

• Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): A proposed BRICS repository for DPI and pilot projects could facilitate sharing of India's DPI experience with partner countries.
• Health: The declaration supports a BRICS Training Hub Network and Centres of Excellence on mental well-being, with NIMHANS, Bengaluru, serving as the coordinating centre.
• Industry 4.0: An India Centre for BRICS Industrial Competencies will support manufacturing firms and small businesses in adopting Industry 4.0 and advanced digital technologies.
• Development cooperation: Other initiatives include -
  • BRICS Task Force on Growth and Development.
  • BRICS–New Development Bank Knowledge Portal.
  • Cooperation on infrastructure and public-private partnerships.
  • Strengthening the BRICS insurance ecosystem.

Conclusion:

• The New Delhi Declaration demonstrates BRICS' attempt to function as a platform for Global South cooperation amid geopolitical fragmentation.
• For India, the summit strengthened its image as a bridge-builder among competing geopolitical interests, while advancing priorities such as counter-terrorism, DPI, local-currency payments, and development cooperation.
• The summit highlights BRICS' aspiration to reshape a more representative, multipolar global order. Its effectiveness will depend on converting broad political declarations into interoperable institutions, financial mechanisms and sustained cooperation.

Why in news?

On Day 1 of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping shook hands at Bharat Mandapam in front of a high-quality projection of the 1,212-pillar corridor of the Ramanathaswamy temple in Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram district.

Tamil Nadu is also where the two leaders last met in India, in October 2019. While the reason for choosing this backdrop is unclear, the temple and its corridor carry deep historical, religious and architectural significance.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Location and Religious Importance
• Historical Evolution
• Key Architectural Features
• The Corridor at Scale
• Structure and Ornamentation
• The Visual Effect

Location and Religious Importance

• The Ramanathaswamy temple stands in the town of Rameswaram on Pamban Island.
• It is one of India's most important religious sites and is counted among the 12 Jyotirlingas, the shrines across the country dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• According to tradition, Lord Ram worshipped Lord Shiva at this site on his return from Lanka. This dual association with Rama and Shiva gives the temple its sacred importance.

Historical Evolution

• The temple began as a simple brick and thatch structure and evolved over centuries into its present grandeur. Key stages:
  • 12th century: The Chola kings built the first stone temple.
  • Later additions: Kings of the Pandya dynasty and rulers of Vijayanagar expanded it.
  • 1513: Krishna Deva Raya of Vijayanagar visited after conquering Lanka and made magnificent gifts to the temple.
  • Nayaka period: The Sethupati kings of Ramnad became guardians of the temple and finally completed it.
    • The Sethupathi rulers of Ramanathapuram played a key role in shaping its present form.
  • Henry Hardy Cole (1843–1916), a superintendent of the Archaeological Survey of India, noted in an 1885 report that the temple in its current form was rebuilt in the 17th century after repeated sackings in earlier centuries.
  • The temple's third and outermost corridor, the one with over a thousand pillars, was added much later to the original structure.

Key Architectural Features

• The Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, is a masterwork of Dravidian architecture. It is celebrated globally for having the longest pillared corridor in the world.
• The Grand Corridors - The outer corridor stretches over 1,200 metres. It contains 1,212 massive, intricately carved sandstone pillars.
• Lofty Gopurams - Massive gateway towers (gopurams) stand on the eastern and western sides of the temple. The eastern Rajagopuram is the tallest, rising 126 feet across nine levels.
• High Compound Walls - Massive stone walls, known as madil, enclose the complex. The complex spans about 15 acres, measuring roughly 865 feet by 657 feet.
• Sacred Water Tanks - The complex reflects sophisticated ancient hydraulic planning. It has 36 distinct water bodies in total. Of these, 22 are sacred wells (theerthams) located inside the temple.

The Corridor at Scale

• The famous outer corridor is largely credited to the 18th-century ruler Muthuramalinga Sethupathi, the zamindar of the Ramnad estate.
• Its key features:
  • 1,212 pillars, each rising to approximately 6.9 metres.
  • The combined length of the temple's corridors is commonly cited as about 3,850 feet, or roughly 1.17 km.
  • It is regarded as the longest temple corridor in the world.
  • Why exactly 1,212 pillars were chosen remains unknown?

Structure and Ornamentation

• The corridor is built as a sequence of stone columns standing on raised platforms. These platforms support the beams and the continuous roof.
• But the pillars are more than functional supports:
  • Each pillar is individually carved and ornamented.
  • Sculptural detailing includes floral motifs and figures of mythical creatures.
  • The columns, capitals, brackets and beams fit into a carefully organised grid, working together structurally while maintaining the temple's visual language.
  • The intricate carvings are a fine example of Dravidian architecture.

The Visual Effect

• The rows of pillars create a striking visual as they appear to recede towards a single point in the distance.
• The parallel lines converge, and each successive pillar seems progressively smaller. Though the individual units are repetitive, together they produce a constantly changing spatial view.
• The corridor was designed to be walked through rather than admired from afar.
• This is why the image works so well as a backdrop: the repeated columns create immediate depth on a screen, while the enormous scale and distinctive Dravidian style make it instantly recognisable.

Conclusion

The choice of the Ramanathaswamy corridor as the summit backdrop projects India's civilisational heritage onto the global diplomatic stage.

Beyond its symbolism, the temple is a valuable study in Dravidian architecture, regional patronage under the Sethupathis and the evolution of sacred space into monumental design.

Why in news?

Saudi Arabia temporarily shut its East-West oil pipeline, also called Petroline, after multiple attacks on the network. The attacks hit the Riyadh and Madinah regions and caused an unspecified number of injuries.

Both Saudi Arabia and Iraq say the attacks originated in Iraq, where Iranian-backed militias operate. Saudi authorities described the shutdown as precautionary while technical teams assess safety. The extent of damage and the duration of the shutdown remain unclear.

This comes at a time when global oil supplies are already strained by disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• A Dangerous New Front
• What the East-West Pipeline Is
• The Pipeline's Role During the Hormuz Crisis
• Other Hormuz-Bypass Pipelines in West Asia
• Likely Impact on Oil Markets
• The Worry for India

A Dangerous New Front

• The pipeline attack coincided with Yemen's Houthi rebels seizing the strategically vital Mayun Island at the entrance to the Red Sea.
• Iran-backed Houthi forces have tightened their grip around the Bab el-Mandeb and Red Sea shipping route.
• Together, these developments mark a dangerous expansion of the wider war with Iran and threaten the very route Saudi Arabia has relied on since Persian Gulf shipping effectively halted.

What the East-West Pipeline Is?

• Runs roughly 1,200 km across Saudi Arabia, from the Abqaiq oil processing centre in the oil-rich east to the Red Sea port of Yanbu in the west.
• Operated by Saudi Aramco.
• Allows crude to move overland to the Red Sea, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
• Built partly as a hedge against disruption of oil flows through Hormuz.
• From Yanbu, tankers bound for Asia sail through the Bab el-Mandeb, while those headed west use the Suez Canal.

Why Hormuz Matters?

• The Strait of Hormuz is the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman. Before the West Asia war began over six months ago (late February), it carried a fifth of global oil flows.
• It is the main outlet from the Persian Gulf, on which Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE have depended to reach global markets, especially China and India.

The Pipeline's Role During the Hormuz Crisis

• Petroline can carry around 7 million barrels per day (bpd), of which about 5 million bpd is available for export and the rest feeds domestic refineries.
• Before the war, the pipeline ran at a fraction of capacity as exports through Hormuz were normal. Once maritime traffic through the chokepoint ground to a halt, Aramco began pumping far more oil through Petroline.
• Actual flows in recent months are estimated at 4–5 million bpd, which represents 4–5 per cent of global oil supplies. The pipeline has thus served as a vital safety valve.
• Its targeting shows that alternative routes themselves can become targets in a regional conflict.

Other Hormuz-Bypass Pipelines in West Asia

• 
• Operational: Saudi East-West Pipeline; Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline (ADCOP) in the UAE; Iraq-Turkey (Kirkuk-Ceyhan) pipeline, operating at marginal capacity.
• Closed or defunct: Iraq-Syria (Kirkuk-Baniyas) pipeline; Iraq Strategic Pipeline; Trans-Arabian Pipeline; Iraqi Pipeline through Saudi Arabia (IPSA).
• Proposed: Iraq-Jordan (Basra-Aqaba) pipeline.

Likely Impact on Oil Markets

• Brent crude crossed $100 a barrel recently after attacks on tankers and petroleum infrastructure in the region. The Petroline shutdown arrives when traders are already nervous.
• Analysts consider three scenarios:
  • Quick repair within days, no further attacks: Prices could retreat from current levels. Tankers can be redirected, inventories drawn down and other Saudi export infrastructure used.
  • Shutdown lasting weeks, with continuing threats around Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb: Prices could move higher.
  • Wider conflict: Attacks spreading to more Saudi facilities, Yanbu, tankers or other Gulf export infrastructure could trigger a broad supply shock and sharply higher prices.

The Worry for India

• Saudi Arabia has traditionally been among India's top crude suppliers.
• Despite falling supplies during the Hormuz crisis, Saudi oil still accounted for 7–8 per cent of India's total oil imports in recent months, most of it shipped from Yanbu.
• The first impact will be on supplies, forcing Indian refiners to find replacement volumes.
• This is manageable given India's diversified import slate. The bigger headache is higher prices for alternative barrels.
• India's Rising Oil Import Bill
  • India's crude import bill surged over 56 per cent year-on-year in April–July to $63.4 billion, even though volumes rose only slightly to 81.9 million tonnes from 81.5 million tonnes.
  • India is the world's third-largest crude consumer and imports over 88 per cent of its requirement.
  • India imports 1.8–2 billion barrels a year. Every $1-per-barrel rise adds up to $2 billion to the annual import bill.
  • Every 10 per cent rise in oil prices widens the current account deficit by about 0.4 per cent of GDP.
  • Higher energy imports affect the trade balance, current account, inflation and the rupee. An oil shock acts as an external tax on the Indian economy.

Conclusion

The Petroline attack exposes the fragility of even the alternative routes that have kept global oil flowing during the Hormuz crisis. For India, the immediate risk is price rather than supply, but a prolonged shutdown or wider conflict could severely strain its import bill, current account and inflation. Energy diversification and strategic reserves remain critical.