Why in News? Sierra Madre, an old Philippine ship is fueling China-Philippine tensions.

What is Sierra Madre? It's a 100ft-long landing ship commissioned by the US in 1944 during World War II. US used it in Vietnam War (1954-75) and then transferred it to Philippines in 1976. Philippines left the ship on Second Thomas Shoal (part of Spratly islands) to halt further Chinese assertions in the area as China laid claims on nearby Mischief reefs. China is continuously demanding the removal of this largely dilapidated and rusting ship. But, for Philippines, ship’s removal would weaken its claims over the islands and strengthen Chinese presence.

What is the battle over Spratly islands? For decades, regional countries have extended overlapping claims over the South China Sea, its islands like Spratly and Paracel, its rich oil and gas reserves and fishing waters. Disputes over Spratly islands gradually escalated under former Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and culminated in 2012 when China took effective control of disputed Scarborough Shoal after a tense standoff. In this case, an international tribunal in The Hague ruled in favour of Philippines and ruled that “areas not overlapped by any possible entitlement of China, are within Exclusive Economic Zone of Philippines”. China rejected this ruling.

Response of US- The US, which regards Philippines as an important strategic ally, has supported Philippines. In May 2023, the two countries agreed on new guidelines to a 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty which reaffirm that “an armed attack in the Pacific, including anywhere in the South China Sea, on either of their public vessels, aircraft, or armed forces (including Coast Guards) would invoke mutual defense commitments”. US also supported Manila when it summoned China’s Deputy Chief of Mission for Chinese navy’s “aggressive actions” against a resupply mission.

Why in News? Pakistan recently launched the Hangor class submarine (built by China) at a Wuhan shipyard. This was the first of eight submarines that the Pakistan Navy is set to induct into its fleet by 2028.

Basic Characteristics- The Hangor-class, an export variant of the Chinese Type 039A Yuan class, is a diesel-electric attack submarine named after PNS Hangor (now decommissioned), which famously sank Indian frigate INS Khukri during 1971 war. It boasts four diesel engines, is equipped with an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system to increase its endurance underwater, has six 21-inch torpedo tubes, and is capable to launch anti-ship missiles, as well as the Babur-3 subsonic cruise missile (with 450km range).

Comparison with India’s Kalavari Class-

1. Hangor class is significantly bigger in size than the Kalavari class which is based on French Scorpene-class, but small size makes Kalavari class much more maneuverable.
2. Both the submarines have same top speed of 20 knots (37 kmph).
3. Kalavari class doesn't come with built-in AIP as the Hangor. This matters because submarines’ USP is their ability to be stealthy, which comes from their capability of remaining underwater for extended time period. An AIP system can increase submarines’ underwater endurance manifold (upwards of 15-20 days).
4. In terms of armament, Kalavari class carries six 21 inch, German-made torpedoes, and missile systems like French Exocet anti-ship missiles, and MICA anti-air missiles. This is likely superior, and more battle tested than Hangor’s armament.
5. Both submarines don’t have vertical launch systems (like the ones in India’s nuclear Arihant class), which would allow it to carry bigger cruise missiles.
6. Both submarine classes carry state of art sensor suites, although details of Hangor’s capabilities are not known yet.

Why in News? Keynesian economists argue that a rise in individuals’ savings, by reducing the amount of money that is spent on final goods and services, can in effect cause a significant fall in overall savings and investment.

What is the Paradox of Thrift? The paradox of thrift/ paradox of savings is an economic theory popularised by British economist John Maynard Keynes in his 1936 book The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money. It depicts that a rise in the savings rate of individuals can surprisingly cause a fall rather than a rise in the overall savings in an economy.

How is this Explained? Savings are invested by capitalists with the ultimate aim of selling their output in the form of final goods and services to consumers. Therefore, it might result in losses for capitalists and deter future investment if consumers do not spend enough money on the goods that capitalists bring to the market to sell.

What is the Significance of this Theory? It helped revive the circular flow model of the economy. It demonstrates how money flows from producers to workers as wages and flows back to producers as payment for products. In short, an economy is an endless circular flow of money.

What are the Limitations of the Theory?

The circular flow model ignores the lesson of Say’s law of classical economics. Also, the theory ignores the potential for inflation or deflation. The paradox of thrift ignores the potential for saved income to be lent out by banks. When some individuals increase their savings, interest rates tend to fall, and banks make additional loans.

Why in News? In order to control overtourism, Venice, a city in Italy, introduced (on a trial basis) an entry fee for visitors who are coming in to visit the city.

What is the Access Fee? Day-trippers coming to the city are now required to pay €5.Overnight visitors are not charged, nor are residents, commuters, students or children under 14. The entrance fee is only necessary to enter Venice’s historic centre and transgressors risk fines ranging from €50 to €300.

Why has it been Introduced? It’s a first-of-its-kind experiment to lessen overcrowding, promote longer stays and enhance the quality of life for locals. It’s an effort to find a new equilibrium between residents and visitors. It would also aid in gathering basic data and controlling visitor flows.

What has been the Response? A number of residents’ associations have protested, claiming that it is a political ploy and have also brought up privacy-related issues. On its first day, 5,500 individuals purchased tickets, bringing in €27,500, which may just be enough to cover operating costs.

What are the Issues Faced by Venice due to Overcrowding? The city experiences congestion. Venice just managed to avoid being included on UNESCO’s danger list last year due to the harm that overtourism was causing to its fragile ecosystem. Due to mass tourism, the population of Venice’s main island shrank to fifty thousand.

What can be the Potential Impacts of Tourist Tax? It may re-establish a more sustainable relationship with tourists. People operating illegal rentals will need to register legitimately (and pay tax) since anyone staying overnight will have to disclose where they are staying.

Can India Follow Suit? Since tourist taxes can generate good revenue which can be utilised for better infrastructure, it would be a good idea to levy it on India’s cultural and heritage structures that have always attracted lots of foreign and domestic tourists.

Context

• The Model Code of Conduct (MCC), a cornerstone of India's electoral process, has undergone a significant evolution since its inception.
• Initially designed to ensure fair conduct during elections, it has encountered challenges in recent years due to the changing political landscape.
• Therefore, it is important to analyse the historical development of the MCC, assess its current shortcomings, and propose measures to strengthen its enforcement.

Evolution of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC)

• The MCC originated in the 1960s as a modest set of guidelines for election conduct, primarily focused on Kerala's Assembly elections.
• Over the years, under different Chief Election Commissioners (CECs), it expanded in scope and applicability.
• Notably, in 1979, under S L Shakhdar's tenure, the MCC was circulated before every General Election, reflecting its growing importance.
• Subsequent revisions, particularly under T N Seshan, instilled the MCC with greater potency, making it a vital tool for ensuring electoral integrity.

MCC Challenges and Need for Strengthening the Enforcement

• Escalating Violations
  • Political parties and candidates frequently flout the MCC's provisions with impunity, engaging in activities such as hate speech, vote-buying, and misinformation campaigns.
  • The prevalence of such violations erodes public trust in the electoral process and undermines the principles of fairness and transparency.
• Exploitation of Loopholes
  • In the contemporary political landscape, there is a visible trend of political actors exploiting loopholes in the MCC to circumvent its regulations.
  • With the advent of technology and social media, parties have found new avenues to disseminate propaganda and target voters, often skirting the MCC's traditional constraints.
  • This exploitation of loopholes diminishes the MCC's effectiveness and necessitates revisions to address emerging challenges.
• Inadequate Deterrents
  • While the MCC outlines ethical guidelines and principles, it often fails to prescribe meaningful consequences for violations.
  • As a result, politicians perceive little risk in flouting the MCC, emboldening them to prioritise electoral gains over ethical conduct.
  • Strengthening the MCC requires the imposition of clear and proportional penalties for infringements, thereby instilling a culture of accountability.
• Complexity of Enforcement
  • The vast and diverse nature of India's electoral landscape, coupled with the sheer volume of violations reported, strains the EC's enforcement capabilities.
  • Moreover, the process of adjudicating MCC violations can be protracted and resource-intensive, leading to delays in accountability.
  • Streamlining enforcement procedures and enhancing the EC's capacity are essential for ensuring the timely and effective implementation of the MCC.
• Erosion of Public Trust
  • When citizens witness widespread disregard for ethical norms and regulations, they may become disillusioned with the democratic system, leading to voter apathy and disenchantment.
  • Restoring public trust in elections requires robust measures to strengthen the MCC and demonstrate the EC's commitment to upholding electoral integrity.

Proposed Reforms to Strengthen the Enforcement of MCC

• Clear and Comprehensive Guidelines
  • The first step in reforming the MCC involves establishing clear and comprehensive guidelines outlining permissible and impermissible conduct during electoral campaigns.
  • These guidelines should be updated regularly to adapt to evolving challenges and technological advancements.
  • By providing clarity on expected behaviour, political parties and candidates will be better equipped to adhere to ethical standards and avoid inadvertent violations.
• Strict Enforcement Mechanisms
  • This includes the imposition of proportional penalties for infringements, such as fines, bans on campaigning, and withdrawal of electoral symbols.
  • Additionally, the Election Commission (EC) should streamline enforcement procedures to ensure swift adjudication of cases, thereby enhancing the MCC's credibility and deterrent effect.
• Indirect Liability for Political Parties
  • By imposing penalties on parties found guilty of MCC violations, regardless of individual culpability, the reform aims to incentivise parties to exercise greater oversight over their members' conduct.
  • This measure not only enhances accountability but also nurtures a culture of collective responsibility within political organisations.
• Transparency and Public Accountability
  • The EC should maintain a publicly accessible database documenting all reported MCC violations, along with their respective dispositions.
  • This transparency enables citizens to monitor compliance with electoral regulations and hold political actors accountable for their actions, thereby bolstering public trust in the electoral process.
• Timely and Credible Adjudication
  • Delays in addressing violations undermine the MCC's deterrent effect and erode public confidence in the EC's ability to enforce electoral regulations.
  • By prioritising timely resolution of cases and ensuring impartiality in decision-making, the EC can demonstrate its commitment to upholding electoral integrity and fairness.
• Continuous Evaluation and Revision
  • As new challenges emerge and electoral dynamics evolve, policymakers must remain vigilant in identifying areas for improvement and updating the MCC accordingly.
  • This iterative approach ensures that the MCC remains relevant and effective in safeguarding the integrity of India's electoral process. 

The Role of Political Parties and Election Commission in Upholding the Integrity of Electoral Process

• The Role of Political Leadership
  • Political leaders play a pivotal role in upholding the integrity of elections by adhering to ethical standards and promoting responsible conduct within their parties.
  • By setting an example of ethical leadership, politicians can cultivate a culture of integrity and accountability among their supporters and party members.
  • Effective self-regulation within political parties is essential for minimising MCC violations and maintaining the integrity of electoral campaigns.
  • And by demonstrating a commitment to fairness, transparency, and respect for democratic principles, leaders can inspire confidence in the integrity of elections and foster civic engagement among voters.
• The Role of Election Commission
  • As the custodian of electoral integrity, the Election Commission plays a crucial role in impartially adjudicating MCC violations and enforcing electoral regulations.
  • Prompt and decisive enforcement of the MCC is essential for deterring violations and maintaining the integrity of electoral campaigns.
  • The EC must uphold public accountability by maintaining transparency in its actions and decisions related to MCC enforcement.
  • By providing regular updates on reported violations, adjudication outcomes, and enforcement measures, the EC creates public trust in its ability to safeguard the integrity of elections.
  • Enhancing the EC's capacity for MCC enforcement is crucial for effectively addressing emerging challenges and ensuring the integrity of electoral processes. This includes
    • Investing in training programs,
    • Technological infrastructure, and
    • Human resources to enable the EC to adapt to evolving electoral dynamics and enforce regulations effectively.

Conclusion

• The MCC represents a vital safeguard against electoral malpractice, but its efficacy is contingent on robust enforcement and continuous adaptation to changing circumstances.
• By implementing the proposed reforms and fostering a culture of ethical leadership, India can reinforce the integrity of its democratic processes, ensuring free and fair elections for all citizens.

Why in News?

In compliance with a Supreme Court order, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) uploaded the various State Expert Committee (SEC) reports on its website.

This interim order was in response to a PIL challenging the constitutionality of the Forest (Conservation) Act Amendment (FCAA) 2023.

A key concern in the petition was the status of unclassed forests (either not known or not identified at all), which were to be identified by the state SEC reports.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• What are Unclassed Forests?
• What does the FCAA Stipulate wrt Unclassed Forests?
• Why are ‘Unclassed’ Forests Missing?
• Consequences of Missing Forests and Way Ahead

What are Unclassed Forests?

• Unclassed or deemed forests may belong to forests, revenue, railways and other government entities, community forests or those under private ownership, but are not notified.
• The unclassed forests had legal protection under the landmark case - N. GodavarmanThirumalpad (1996).
  • It specified that ‘forests’ as per their dictionary meaning and all categories of forests irrespective of ownership and notification status would be included under the ambit of the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980.
• The SEC reports were to be prepared in pursuance of the order. SECs were to identify all such forests across the country through
  • Available records i.e. Forest Working Plans, Revenue land records, etc., and
  • By physical identification of any land patch having the nature of forests as per dictionary meaning regardless of its ownership.
• As a result, unclassed forests would also require the Central government approval in case a project proponent sought to divert that land for non-forest use, after multiple other layers scrutiny.

What does the FCAA Stipulate wrt Unclassed Forests?

• The FCAA amends the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 (FCA), which provides that
  • The dereservation of reserved forests,
  • Use of forest land for non-forest purpose,
  • Assigning forest land by way of lease or otherwise to private entity and
  • Clearing of naturally grown trees for the purpose of reafforestation requires prior permission of the Central Government.
• The FCAA amends the FCA to make it applicable to certain types of land. These include land notified as a forest under the Indian Forest Act, 1927 or in government records after the 1980 Act came into effect.
• However, the FCAA excludes two categories of land from its purview:
  • Land recorded as forest before October 25, 1980 but not notified as a forest, and
  • Land which changed from forest-use to non-forest-use before December 12, 1996.
• This provision may go against the 1996 SC judgement on preventing deforestation.
• Hence, with the enactment of FCAA, the unclassed forest would lose protection provided after the SC’s 1996 verdict, leading to their inevitable diversion.

Why are ‘Unclassed’ Forests Missing?

• According to the SEC reports uploaded on the website of MoEFCC, no state has provided verifiable data on the identification, status, and location of unclassed Forests.
• In fact, 7 states and UTs - Goa, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal - appear not to have constituted the SEC at all.
• Most states have either used existing forest and revenue department data, some (like Manipur and Sikkim) have merely quoted figures from the Forest Survey of India (FSI).
  • The SEC reports also question the veracity of the reports of the FSI, the only government agency to survey and assess forests.
  • A striking example comes from Gujarat, whose SEC report says its unclassed forests cover 192.24 sq. km while the Survey has reported the significantly higher 4,577 sq. km (1995-1999).
• Also, almost no state or UT specified the geographic locations of forests.

Consequences of Missing Forests and Way Ahead:

• The treatment of SECs without on-ground verification is likely to have resulted in the large-scale destruction of forests, which ought to have been identified, demarcated and protected 27 years ago (after 1996 verdict).
• Promulgating the FCAA without examining the SEC reports displays a lack of diligence on the MoEFCC’s part and will have terrible consequences for India’s ecosystems and ecological security.
• Those responsible need to be held to account and the national government needs to take ameliorative action to re-identify, retrieve and protect forest areas as per the 1996 judgement.
• The failure to do this is a lost opportunity to achieve the requirements of the Indian Forest Policy, which envisages 33.3% forest cover in plains and 66.6% in the hills.

Why in the News?

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will likely conduct the crucial integrated air-drop test for the Gaganyaan mission's crew module next week.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About Gaganyaan Mission (Objective, Timeline, Components, Launch Vehicle, etc.)
• News Summary

Gaganyaan Mission:

• The Gaganyaan mission is India's ambitious project undertaken by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to send astronauts into space.
• Objective:
  • To demonstrate India's capability to send humans into space, making it the fourth nation after the United States, Russia, and China to achieve this feat independently.
• Timeline:
  • The Gaganyaan mission was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2018, with a target to launch the first crewed mission by 2022 to coincide with the 75th anniversary of India's independence.
  • However, due to various factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the timeline has been pushed to a later date.
• Components of the Mission:
  • Crew Module: The crew module is the spacecraft that will carry Indian astronauts into space and return them safely to Earth.
    • It is being developed to accommodate a crew of two to three astronauts.
• Launch Vehicle:
• ISRO plans to use the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV Mk III) to launch the crew module into space.
• Training Facilities:
  • ISRO has been working on setting up astronaut training facilities, including the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) in Bengaluru, where astronauts will undergo rigorous training in areas such as microgravity, emergency procedures, and spacecraft operations.
• Life Support Systems:
  • The crew module will be equipped with life support systems to ensure the safety and well-being of the astronauts during their space journey.
• Mission Control Centre:
  • ISRO will establish a dedicated Mission Control Centre to monitor and control the Gaganyaan mission from the ground.

Selection & Training of Astronauts:

• ISRO has selected four astronauts for the Gaganyaan mission.
  • The selection criteria included physical fitness, psychological resilience, and expertise in relevant fields such as engineering and medicine.
• Selected astronauts are currently undergoing extensive training both in India and abroad to prepare for the challenges of space travel.
• Out of the four astronaut designates, or “vyomnauts”, being trained, three will be selected for the final mission. 

Air-Drop Test of Gaganyaan Crew Module:

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is likely to undertake an important test under the Gaganyaan mission to check the parachute system of the crew module in the next few days.
• The Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT) will see a Chinook helicopter dropping the crew module from a height of around 4-5 km.
• The crew module, designed to ensure the safe return of astronauts from space, will be dropped from an altitude of approximately 3.5 to 4 kilometers using an Indian Air Force helicopter.
• This procedure aims to assess the parachute system's functionality and the capsule's overall stability and safety during descent.
• This pivotal test forms part of the preparatory steps leading up to India's ambitious manned spaceflight which is likely to take place in 2025.

Why in news?

Recently, G7 energy ministers discussed a possible time frame for phasing out coal-fired power plants.

The G7 meeting in Turin (Italy) is the first big political session since the world pledged at the UN’s COP28 climate summit in December 2023 to transition away from coal, oil and gas.

What’s in today’s article?

• G7
• Coal-fired power plants
• Why is the world turning against coal-fired power plants?

G7

• Origin
  • The origin of G7 lies in the oil shocks of 1973 and the corresponding financial crisis.
  • In order to address the situation after oil shock, the heads of the world's six leading industrial nations decided to hold a meeting in 1975.
  • These six nations were - the US, UK, France, Germany (West), Japan and Italy.
  • These countries were joined by Canada in 1976 and G7 came into existence.
• Current Members
  • US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan are the current members of this group.
  • It can be said that the members of this group are the most developed and the advanced economies of the world.
  • The European Union is also represented within the G7.
• Purpose of G7
  • To determine the course of multilateral discourse
  • To shape political responses to global challenges.
  • Basically, G7 provides a platform to discuss and coordinate solutions to major global issues, especially in the areas of trade, security, economics, and climate change.

Coal-fired power plants

• About
  • Coal-fired power plants, also known as coal-fired power stations, generate electricity by burning coal to produce steam.
  • The steam is then piped into a turbine, which spins a generator to create electricity.
  • The steam is then cooled, condensed back into water, and returned to the boiler to start the process over.
• Emissions from coal-fired power plan
  • Several principal emissions result from coal combustion. These include:
    • Sulphur dioxide (SO2), which contributes to acid rain and respiratory illnesses
    • Nitrogen oxides (NOx), which contribute to smog and respiratory illnesses
    • Particulates, which contribute to smog, haze, and respiratory illnesses and lung disease
    • Carbon dioxide (CO2), which is the primary greenhouse gas produced from burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas)
    • Mercury and other heavy metals, which have been linked to both neurological and developmental damage in humans and other animals
    • Fly ash and bottom ash, which are residues created when power plants burn coal
• Coal fired plants in India
• At present, thermal power accounts for almost 60 per cent of India’s total installed power generation capacity.
• It is produced by burning fossil fuels like coal, gas, etc.
• Currently, coal-fired power generation provides over 75% of the electricity supplied to the grid.
• It has been the centre-piece of India’s energy ecosystem for several decades largely because it is the cheapest natural resource and is abundant in India.
• Potential
  • India’s coal reserves are expected to last 100 years, compared to around 50 years for gas and about 16 years for oil.
  • An expert group formed by NITI Aayog expects India’s coal-based power generation capacity to touch 250 gigawatts by 2030 from around 202 gigawatts currently.
  • According to the Draft National Electricity Plan 2022, coal’s share in the electricity generation mix will decrease to 50% by 2030,compared to the current contribution of 70%.

Why is the world turning against coal-fired power plants?

• The 2018 report by the IPCC warned against climate changes in the coming decades.
  • It stressed on severely limiting the operation of coal-fired power plants by 2050 to limit global warming.
• Coal-based power plants are also a significant contributor to pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulphur dioxide (SO2).

Phasing out coal-fired power plants and G7

• Recently, energy and ecological transition ministers from the G7 met in Turin (Italy). They are close to committing to a common target of shutting down coal-fired power plants.
  • Italy holds the G7 rotating presidency this year.
• The talks come as a new report by a global climate institute shows the G7 is falling far short of its targets.
• This is significant as together the G7 makes up around 38 percent of the global economy and was responsible for 21 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions in 2021.

Why in news?

A new study of lightning-related deaths in Bihar has revealed that various districts of Bihar were vulnerable to this natural hazard, recording the highest casualty rate per million population.

The study examined data from the 2017-2022 period and found that 1,624 people died and 286 were injured due to lightning.

What’s in today’s article?

• Lightning
• Areas which are lightning-prone
• Mitigating the effects of lightning strikes
• Reports on deaths caused by lightning in Bihar

What is lightning?

• About
  • Scientifically, lightning is a rapid and massive discharge of electricity in the atmosphere some of which is directed towards earth.
  • The discharges are generated in giant moisture-bearing clouds that are 10-12 km tall.
  • The base of these clouds typically lie within 1-2 km of the Earth’s surface, while the top is 12-13 km away. Temperatures in the top of these clouds are in the range of –35° to –45°C.
• Mechanism
  • Smaller ice crystals are moving up while bigger crystals are coming down
    • As water vapour moves upward in the cloud, the falling temperature causes it to condense.
    • As they move to temperatures below 0°C, the water droplets change into small ice crystals.
    • They continue to move up, gathering mass until they are so heavy that they start to fall to Earth.
    • This leads to a system in which, simultaneously, smaller ice crystals are moving up and bigger crystals are coming down.
  • Collision between these crystals and release of electrons
    • Collisions follow and trigger the release of electrons, a process that is very similar to the generation of sparks of electricity.
    • As the moving free electrons cause more collisions and more electrons, a chain reaction ensues.
  • Potential difference between top layer and middle layer of the cloud
    • This collision results in a situation in which the top layer of the cloud gets positively charged, while the middle layer is negatively charged.
    • The electrical potential difference between the two layers is huge, of the order of a billion to 10 billion volts.
    • In very little time, a massive current, of the order of 100,000 to a million amperes, starts to flow between the layers.
  • Earth - a good conductor of electricity
    • While the Earth is a good conductor of electricity, it is electrically neutral.
    • However, in comparison to the middle layer of the cloud, it becomes positively charged.
    • As a result, about 15%-20% of the current gets directed towards the Earth as well.
    • It is this flow of current that results in damage to life and property on Earth.

Areas which are lightning-prone

• As per the report released by the Climate Resilient Observing Systems Promotion Council (CROPC) in 2022, following states are more vulnerable to lightning strikes:
  • Madhya Pradesh followed by Chhatisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha and West Bengal.
  • Other states with high strike rate include Bihar, UP, Karnataka, Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu.
• Lightning is fairly common, though it is not often realised in the urban centres.
• In India, well over one crore lightning strikes have been recorded in recent years.
• It is only over the last few years that lightning records have begun to be maintained, due to the efforts of CROPC and India Meteorological Department.

Mitigating the effects of lightning strikes

• Lightning – not classified as a natural disaster in India
  • As of now, lightning is not classified as a natural disaster in India.
  • As per the Centre, deaths caused by it can be avoided through education and awareness.
• Setting up of an early warning system
  • India has set up of an early warning system, that is already saving many lives.
  • India is among the only five countries in the world with an early warning system for lightning and the forecast is available from five days to up to 3 hours.
• Most deaths happening in rural areas
  • More than 96% of lightning deaths happen in rural areas. As such, most of the mitigation and public awareness programmes need to focus on these communities.
  • Lightning protection devices are fairly unsophisticated and low-cost. Yet, their deployment in the rural areas, as of now, is extremely low.
• States are encouraged to prepare and implement lightning action plans
  • States are being encouraged to prepare and implement lightning action plans, on the lines of heat action plans.
  • An international centre for excellence on lightning research to boost detection and early warning systems is also in the process of being set up.

Reports on deaths caused by lightning in Bihar

• Annual casualty rate per million is highest in Bihar
  • Bihar’s annual casualty rate per million of 2.65 was higher than the national average of 2.55.
• Period between May to September was the peak for lightning strikes
  • The period between May to September was the peak for lightning strikes with June and July accounting for 58.8 per cent of lightning-linked deaths.
  • Researchers explained that lightning strikes reach a record high in June and July with the monsoonal current setting in, mainly due to the interplay of easterly and westerly winds.
• The plains area is prone to thunderstorms and lightning activity
  • The plains area is prone to thunderstorms and lightning activity as warm, dry air from north-west India converges with moist air emanating from the Bay of Bengal.
  • This creates conditions that are favourable for the formation of deep convective clouds.
• Higher population density and socio-economic factors also play a role
  • In North West Bihar, the lightning strikes are lower but casualties are higher.
  • These parts of Bihar are not urbanised and may be having poor shelter density around farm areas.
  • Socio-economic factors play an important role in mitigating the impact of such natural hazards.
• Threat potential of lightning strikes is not uniform
  • Topography, elevation, and local meteorological factors determine the spatial distribution of lightning strikes.
  • A higher lightning frequency is seen in the eastern region owing to higher moisture incursion.

Why in News? Former world number one archer Deepika Kumari has been re-inducted into the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) core group ahead of the Paris Games.

What is TOPS? The TOPS was launched by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in 2014 (and revamped in 2018). It aims to improve India’s performance at the Olympics and Paralympics and it receives funding from the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) and the Khelo India scheme. A committee called the TOPS Elite Athletes’ Identification Committee was constituted to shortlist worthy candidates and provide targeted training. This Committee formed the first Mission Olympic Cell (MOC). The MOC, which meets on a weekly basis, has a selection and review committee to shortlist TOPS athletes based on their performance.

How Target Olympic Podium Scheme Benefits Indian Athletes?  Under this scheme, athletes and sportspersons will get customised training from top coaches at modern and well-equipped sports facilities and institutions. They are also given assistance for buying sport-specific equipment and are provided with support staff such as physiotherapists, sports psychologists, physical trainers, etc. Additionally, the selected athletes and sportspersons are also given an out-of-pocket allowance of a certain sum as an incentive.

What is the Progress under TOPS? Recording its best-ever performance at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, India won seven medals. Neeraj Chopra bagged India’s first Olympic gold in athletics at the men’s javelin throw event, while ace shuttler P.V. Sindhu created history by winning the bronze (first Indian woman to win 2 individual Olympic medals). The Indian men’s hockey team won the bronze medal, ending the nation’s 41-year Olympic medal drought in hockey. The Paralympics team bagged 19 medals at the Tokyo Paralympic Games - India’s highest tally in a single edition and higher than the cumulative total of all medals won till then.

Why in News? Anticyclonic circulations over the North Indian Ocean and the Indian subcontinent exist even now.

What are Anticyclones?

An anticyclone is a weather phenomenon defined as a large-scale circulation of winds around a central region of high atmospheric pressure. It is clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere as viewed from above (opposite to a cyclone).

What Generates Anticyclones over the Indian Ocean and the Indian Subcontinent? The persistence of the anticyclones over the Indian ocean and the Indian subcontinent is not an unusual phenomenon. During the pre-monsoon season, the upper-level Indian Easterly Jet (IEJ) at around the 10 degrees N latitude and a strong westerly jet at around 30 degrees N can together generate an anticyclonic pattern.

How Anticyclones Impacts the Weather Conditions of the Indian Subcontinent? During the pre-monsoon season, a strong anticyclone can bring dry and hot weather over many parts of India. The heat wave season this year is the combination of three factors - persistence of anticyclones, the waning phase of El Niño and global warming.

 How India Deals with these Heat Wave Situations? India is part of the so-called ‘Subseasonal-to-Seasonal Predictions’ project of the World Climate Research Program under the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). It takes a three-step approach called the ‘ready-set-go’ system. The ‘ready’ step provides a seasonal outlook and allows the NDMA to ready their disaster response systems. The ‘set’ step includes resource allocations by identifying potential hotspots. The ‘go’ step means managing a disaster, including rescue efforts, hydration centres, heat shelters, etc.

Why in News? Google’s DeepMind has introduced TacticAI that can provide experts with tactical insights, particularly on corner kicks.

What is TacticAI? It is a predictive and generative AI tool that uses a geometric deep learning approach to help create more generalizable models, allow coaches to effectively sample and explore alternative player setups for each corner kick and to select those with highest predicted likelihood of success.

Working- It represents corner kick situations as graphs, with players depicted as nodes and their relationships as edges. A neural network then operates over this graph, updating each node’s representation. This enables modelling the interactions between players, which may be more important than the absolute distances between them.

Why Specifically Corners- An average Champions League game sees about 10 corner kicks, and predicting their outcomes is complex, given the randomness in gameplay from individual players, and dynamics among them. Corner kicks are apt for strategizing using AI tools as the game is effectively frozen at that moment and always starts from the same corner position, giving the players an immediate opportunity to score. For every corner kick, AI can help- 1) understand what will happen and what happened; and 2) how to adjust tactics to make a particular outcome happen.

Benefits of AI in Sports- Sports such as football are a dynamic domain for developing AI, as they feature real-world, multi-agent interactions, with multimodal data. While TacticAI essentially demonstrates the potential of assistive AI techniques to revolutionize sports for players, coaches, and fans, advancing AI for sports could potentially translate into actionable models in many areas off the field as well from computer games and robotics to traffic coordination.

Why in News? Indian Air Force’s MI 17 V5 helicopter, deployed to extinguish Uttarakhand’s raging forest fires is using a “Bambi Bucket”, also known as a helicopter bucket (Helibucket), to collect water from Bhimtal lake (near Nainital) and pour it over the burning forests.

What is a Bambi Bucket? It is a specialized aerial firefighting tool being used since the 1980s. It is essentially a lightweight collapsible container that releases water from underneath a helicopter to targeted areas using a pilot-controlled valve. It can be quickly and easily filled from various sources, including lakes and swimming pools, allowing firefighters to swiftly refill it and return to the target area. It is available in a variety of sizes and models, with capacities ranging from 270 to 9,840 litres.

How was the Bambi Bucket Invented? It was invented by Don Arney in 1982 because the aerial firefighting water buckets in use at the time were inefficient and had a high failure rateas-1) they were made-up of solid fiberglass, plastic, or canvas with metal frames, 2)were too rigid to fit inside the aircraft” and 3) had to be trucked to fire sites or flown in on the hook of a helicopter thereby slowing the aircraft down. Also, the water dropped from these containers had less impact as it used to get dispersed into a spray. But Bambi Bucket can be stored within the helicopter, and it discharges a solid column of water resulting in a more accurate and effective water dump, less evaporation on the descent, and greater impact force. Today, Bambi Bucket is used in more than 115 countries around the world by more than 1,000 helicopter operators.

Context

• India's demographic landscape is undergoing a significant shift, with the elderly population quietly rising amidst the debate around its demographic dividend.
• Therefore, it is important to delve into the intricacies of this demographic transition to understand the challenges and opportunities associated with the growing elderly population, particularly in the domain of home-based care.

Demographic Trends and Drivers

• The exponential growth of India's elderly population is projected to more than double from 100 million in 2011 to 230 million in 2036.
• It will further grow to 319 million by 2050, constituting nearly one-fifth of the total population.
• This demographic shift is propelled by declining fertility rates and increasing life expectancy, culminating in smaller household sizes and a higher prevalence of chronic illnesses among the elderly.

Challenges in Home-Based Care

• Lack of Standardisation and Defined Practices
  • Home-based care practices in India lack standardisation and well-defined protocols.
  • Unlike institutional settings such as hospitals or nursing homes, where care standards are more structured, home-based care often operates in a less regulated environment.
  • This variability in practices can lead to inconsistencies in the quality of care provided to elderly individuals at home.
• Shortage of Trained Caregivers
  • A significant challenge in home-based care is the shortage of adequately trained caregivers.
  • Providing care for elderly individuals, especially those with chronic illnesses or disabilities, requires specialised skills and knowledge.
  • However, there is a scarcity of caregivers who possess the necessary training and expertise to address the diverse needs of elderly clients.
  • This shortage exacerbates the quality of care provided and may contribute to caregiver burnout.
• Mistreatment of Caregivers
  • Caregivers in home-based settings often report instances of mistreatment or abuse by the families they serve.
  • This mistreatment can take various forms, including verbal abuse, exploitation, or inadequate compensation for their services.
  • The lack of legal protections and support mechanisms for caregivers leaves them vulnerable to exploitation and diminishes the quality of care they can provide.
• Financial Barrier
  • The cost of hiring a caregiver for home-based care can be prohibitively high for many families, particularly those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
  • The fees charged by private home care agencies may be unaffordable, leading some families to forego professional care altogether or rely on informal caregiving arrangements within the family.
  • This financial barrier limits access to quality home-based care services for elderly individuals who need them the most.
• Dominance of Private Sector
  • The provision of home-based care services in India is largely dominated by the private, for-profit sector.
  • While private agencies may offer a range of services, including medical and non-medical care, their services often come at a premium cost.
  • The dominance of the private sector in home-based care exacerbates inequalities in access to care, as those who can afford it may receive better quality services compared to those who cannot.
• Fragmented Regulatory Framework
  • The regulatory framework governing home-based care in India is fragmented and lacks comprehensive oversight.
  • There are no standardised regulations or licensing requirements for home care agencies or individual caregivers, leading to inconsistencies in the quality and safety of care provided.
  • This fragmented regulatory landscape hampers efforts to ensure accountability and quality improvement in home-based care services.

Opportunities and Policy Interventions to Address the Challenges

• Recognising Home as a Viable Care Setting
  • One of the primary opportunities in home-based care lies in recognising the home environment as a viable setting for providing care to elderly individuals.
  • By acknowledging the significance of home as a place for both care provision and employment for caregivers.
  • Policymakers can lay the groundwork for developing policies and regulations tailored to the unique needs of home-based care.
• Tailoring Treatment Protocols to Home Environment
  • Unlike institutional settings such as hospitals or nursing homes, home-based care presents distinct challenges and opportunities.
  • Policy interventions should focus on tailoring treatment protocols and care plans to the home environment, considering factors such as limited space, lack of medical equipment, and the presence of family members.
  • This customisation can optimise the delivery of care and enhance the overall experience for both caregivers and care recipients.
• Strengthening Caregiver Training and Support
  • Enhancing the training and support available to caregivers is essential to meet the growing demand for home-based care services.
  • Policy interventions should prioritise streamlining vocational training programs for caregivers, standardizing their roles and responsibilities, and facilitating career progression opportunities.
  • By investing in caregiver education and professional development, policymakers can improve the quality of care provided and mitigate caregiver shortages.
• Gender Considerations
  • The gender dimension of aging in India, with women typically outliving men, necessitates special attention to vulnerable elderly women, particularly widows.
  • Policies should strive to empower them to lead dignified and independent lives in their later years.

Role of Government and Legislative Efforts to Enhance Home-Based Care

• Policy Formulation and Implementation
  • The government plays a crucial role in formulating and implementing policies related to home-based care for the elderly population.
  • Government ministries, including the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, are responsible for developing and implementing initiatives to address the challenges and opportunities in home-based care.
• Coordination and Collaboration
  • Effective coordination and collaboration between government ministries are essential for driving policy reforms in home-based care.
  • Inter-ministerial collaboration facilitates the pooling of resources, expertise, and stakeholders' perspectives to develop holistic solutions that address the diverse needs of the elderly population and their caregivers.
• Legislative Framework
  • Legislative efforts are instrumental in formalising and regulating home-based care services.
  • The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2019, is an example of legislative efforts aimed at regulating home care services and establishing minimum standards for providers.
  • Legislative frameworks provide a legal basis for ensuring the rights, safety, and well-being of elderly individuals receiving home-based care.
• Regulatory Oversight
  • Government agencies, such as the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI),play a role in providing regulatory oversight for home-based care services.
  • Regulatory bodies can establish guidelines, standards, and licensing requirements for home care agencies and individual caregivers to ensure compliance with quality and safety standards.

Conclusion

• While India's focus on preparing its youth for the future is commendable, it is imperative not to overlook the needs of its growing elderly population.
• A robust system of home-based care not only facilitates economic participation but also fulfils society's moral obligation to care for its aging citizens.
• By addressing the challenges and seizing the opportunities in home-based care, India can ensure the well-being and dignity of its elderly population, creating an inclusive and compassionate society for generations to come.

 Why in the News?

India’s imports from China crossed $101 billion in 2023-24 from about $70 billion in 2018-19.Also, China’s share of India’s industrial goods imports has risen from 21% to 30% over 15 years.

 According to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), which released the above-mentioned data, Chinese imports to India will rise sharply in coming years.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About India – China Trade Relationship (Statistics, Reasons for Deficit, Bilateral Investments, etc.)
• News Summary (GTRI’s Report’s Highlights)

India – China Trade Relationship:

• Since beginning of the last decade, bilateral trade between the two countries recorded exponential growth.
• From 2015 to 2022, India-China bilateral trade grew by 90.14%, an average yearly growth of 12.87%.
• In 2022, the overall trade with China increased by 8.47% year on year to reach $ 136.26 billion, crossing the $ 100 billion mark for a second time in a row.
• Trade Deficit:
  • The trade deficit came at $101.28 billion, in China’s favour, as India’s imports from China witnessed an increase by 118.77% to reach $118.77 billion.
  • Meanwhile, India’s exports to China decreased by 37.59% year on year to reach $17.49 billion.
• Reasons for India’s Trade Deficit w.r.t. China:
  • The growth of trade deficit with China could be attributed to two factors:
    • Narrow basket of commodities, mostly primary, that we export to China and
    • Market access impediments for most of our agricultural products and the sectors where we are competitive in, such as pharmaceuticals, IT, etc.
  • Our predominant exports have consisted of iron ore, cotton, copper, aluminium and diamonds/ natural gems.
  • Over time, these raw material-based commodities have been over-shadowed by Chinese exports of machinery, power-related equipment, telecom equipment, organic chemicals, and fertilizers.
• Bilateral Investments:
  • According to the Ministry of Commerce of China, Chinese investments to India in the year of 2021 was $63.18 million.
  • On the other hand, Indian investment into China for the year 2021 was $6.32 million.

Other Economic & Commercial Issues Between India and China:

• Cooperation in the Petroleum Sector:
  • India and China are working on the areas of cooperation in the petroleum sector to leverage upon the sheer size of the market of two countries.
  • The Petroleum Secretary visited Beijing in October 2018 followed by visit of Vice Minister of NEA to New Delhi in February 2019 and September 2019.
  • Constitution of a JWG and draft MOU on cooperation is under consideration.
  • However, there has been no progress on this since onset of COVID-19.
• Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA):
  • India and China signed the DTAA on 18 July 1994 and the Agreement came into force on 21 November 1994.
  • Both the countries agreed to revise the DTAA in its entirety and the revised DTAA was signed in May 2018.
• Social Security Agreement:
  • With the steady increase in number of personnel/professionals that are being employed both in India and China.
  • The Social Security Agreement assumes important role.
  • India shared a draft SSA to Chinese side in October 2016.
  • However, there is a divergence as far as ‘Totalisation’ clause is concerned.
• Bilateral Investment Treaty:
  • India has sent notice to China to terminate the Bilateral Investment Promotion Agreement and proposed initiation of negotiations on Bilateral Investment Treaty.
  • Subsequently, India has taken a position that instead of signing a separate BIT with China, we may cover this under the chapter on Investment in RCEP.
  • However, following India’s decision to not join the RCEP, the issue has not been taken up with the Chinese side.

India’s imports from China crossed $101 billion:

• The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), a think-tank, has recently published a report discussing India’s Trade Relationship with China.
• As per the report. India’s imports from China crossed $101 billion in 2023-24 from about $70 billion in 2018-19.
• China is the top supplier in eight major industrial sectors, including machinery, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and textiles.
• India’s total merchandise imports stood at $677.2 billion in 2023-24, of which 15% or $101.8 billion worth goods were sourced from China.
  • Of these, $100 billions of imports were in major industrial product categories, amounting to 30% of such imports, and that share stood over 70% for some products.
  • Fifteen years ago, China’s share of the same goods’ imports was 21%, the study said.
• China also accounted for 29.2% of chemicals and pharmaceuticals imports into India, 25.8% of plastic product imports and 23.3% of automobile sector inbound shipments.
• A lower dependence on China was seen in the case of iron, steel and base metal imports, with just 17.6% share of inflows coming from the neighboring nation.
• The report suggests that Chinese imports will continue to rise sharply in the coming years.

Strategic Implications of This Dependency:

• The strategic implications of this dependency are ‘profound’ and affects not only economic but national security dimensions.
• This is imperative not only to mitigate economic risks but also to bolster domestic industries and reduce dependency on single-country imports, especially from a geopolitical competitor like China.
• As per the study, India had exported $10 billion worth of goods to China in 2005, and enjoyed a trade surplus with its neighbor between 2003 and 2005.
• After 2005, Chinese goods dominated trade flows, steadily magnifying the trade deficit for India.

Why in News?

Between April-end 2014 and now the rupee has depreciated by 27.6% against the US dollar, from Rs 60.34 to Rs 83.38.

This is marginally higher than the 26.5% from April-end 2004 to April-end 2014, when the rupee fell from 44.37 to 60.34 to the dollar.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• How is the Strength or Weakness of the Rupee Decided?
• What is the EER?
• What are the Two Measures of EER?
• What the NEER and REER Data Shows?

How is the Strength or Weakness of the Rupee Decided?

• India trades not only with the US. It exports goods and services to other countries as well, while also importing from them.
• Hence, the strength or weakness of the rupee is a function of its exchange rate with not just the US dollar, but also with other global currencies.
• It is calculated by what is called the rupee’s effective exchange rate (EER).

What is the EER?

• The EER is measured by an index similar to the consumer price index (CPI).
  • The CPI is the weighted average retail price of a representative consumer basket of goods and services for a given month or year, relative to a fixed base period.
• The EER is an index of the weighted average of the rupee’s exchange rates vis-à-vis the currencies of India’s major trading partners.
• The currency weights are derived from the share of the individual countries to India’s total foreign trade, just as the weights for each commodity in the CPI are based on their relative importance in the overall consumption basket.

What are the Two Measures of EER?

• Nominal EER (NEER):
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has constructed NEER indices of the rupee against a basket of six and also of 40 currencies.
  • The former is a trade-weighted average rate at which the rupee is exchangeable with a basic currency basket, comprising the US dollar, the euro, the Chinese yuan, the British pound, the Japanese yen and the Hong Kong dollar.
  • The latter index covers a bigger basket of 40 currencies of countries that account for about 88% of India’s annual trade flows.
  • The NEER indices are with reference to a base year value of 100 for 2015-16: Increases indicate the rupee’s effective appreciation against these currencies and decreases point to overall exchange rate depreciation.
  • While the NEER is a summary index that captures movements in the external value of the Rs (against a basket of global currencies), the NEER does not factor in inflation (reflects changes in the internal value of the Rs).
• Real EER (REER):
  • The REER is basically the NEER that is adjusted for the inflation differentials between the home country and its trading partners.
  • If a country’s nominal exchange rate falls less than its domestic inflation rate - as with India - the currency has actually appreciated in “real” terms.

What the NEER and REER Data Shows?

• NEER:
  • 
  • The rupee’s 40-currency basket NEER has fallen by around 32.2% (from 133.8 to 90.8) between 2004-05 and 2023-24.
  • The decline is even more - 40.2%, from 139.8 to 83.7 - for the narrower 6-currency basket NEER.
  • During the same period, the rupee’s average exchange rate against the US dollar dropped by 45.7%, from Rs 44.9 to Rs 82.8.
  • Simply put, the rupee’s “effective” depreciation of 32.2-40.2% against the 40-currencies has been lower than its corresponding depreciation of 45.7% against the US dollar.
  • The reason for that is its weakening less relative to other currencies than vis-à-vis the dollar.
• REER:
  • 
  • The rupee has strengthened in real terms over time, while ruling at 100 or above in 9 out of the last 10 years.
  • This is opposite to the trend of weakening if one takes only the rupee’s NEER or its exchange rate with the US dollar.
  • Any increase in REER means that the costs of products being exported from India are rising more than the prices of imports into the country.
  • That translates into a loss of trade competitiveness - which may not be quite a good thing in the long run.

Why in news?

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) seized 86 kg of suspected heroin worth Rs 602 crore from a Pakistani boat, which was on its way to Sri Lanka via Tamil Nadu.

The drugs were seized off the Porbandar coast in Gujarat during a joint ICG operation with the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).

The action was undertaken as part of Operation Sagarmanthan series that aims to make India drug-free.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• India’s Maritime security – Importance, mechanism, issues
• Indian Coast Guard (ICG)

Importance of maritime security

• Maritime security of vast coastlines
  • India has along 7,516-km coastline, including island territories, and a 2 million sq km Exclusive Economic Zone.
  • The importance of maritime security was evident following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
• Economic and energy security
  • 95% of India’s trade by volume and 70% by value transit through the seas.
  • Strengthening the country’s maritime security is also necessary as India is focusing on becoming a blue economy.
  • The Indian government is set to clear the Deep Ocean Mission for the blue water economy.
• Geostrategic Need
  • China is penetrating into the Indian Ocean through Pakistan and Myanmar.
  • Enhanced maritime security will give a boost to India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth of All in the Region) doctrine.
    • Under this doctrine, India has envisioned a role of net security provider for itself in the IOR.

Mechanisms to ensure maritime security

• Coastal border management was institutionalised in 2004 with the establishment of the Department of Border Management in the MHA.
• However, after the ‘26/11’ attacks, coastal and maritime security underwent a paradigm shift. These included:
  • A three-tier security grid the Indian Navy, the coast guard, and the marine police;
  • Increased electronic surveillance using Coastal radar chain, Automatic identification system (AIS), Vessel traffic management and information system
  • Establishment the National Command Control Communication and Intelligence (NC3I) Network;
  • Sagar Prahari Bal for protecting of naval bases has been raised by Navy;
  • Establishment of Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR).
• 

Associated Issues in maintaining maritime security

• There are no formal or commonly accepted definitions of concepts like ‘maritime security’, ‘coastal security’ and ‘coastal defence’. Sometimes, it leads to vagueness.
• Multiple institutions are involved and there is lack of coordination.
• Turf war between MHA and Ministry of Defence (MoD). Demands are being made to bring Coast Guard under the control of
• Fishermen are considered as the eyes and ears for coastal security. However, discontent among fishermen community, involvement of politics in fishermen issues etc. are further complicating the security architecture.
• Inadequate infrastructure, acute shortage of manpower is posing challenges in providing maritime security in India.

Indian Coast Guard (ICG)

• About
  • The ICG is a maritime armed force and search and rescue agency that protects India's maritime and national interests.
  • It was established in February 1977 by the Coast Guard Act of the Parliament of India and operates under the Ministry of Defence.
• ICG's missions include
  • Protecting artificial islands, offshore terminals, and other installations
  • Protecting and assisting fishermen and mariners at sea
  • Marine Pollution control

Why in news?

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is preparing to defend its human rights processes at a meeting to be held in Geneva. In this meeting a decision on whether India’s human rights body will retain its “A status” is expected to be made.

The meeting of the Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) of the UN-recognised Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) worldwide will be held on May 1.

What’s in today’s article?

• National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
• Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI)

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC):

• About
• It is a statutory body established under Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
• The Commission is the watchdog of human rights in India.
• Composition of NHRC

• The Commission is a multi-member body consisting of a chairperson and five members.
• The chairperson should be a retired chief justice of India or a judge of the Supreme Court.
• Members should be a serving or retired judge of the Supreme Court, a serving or retired chief justice of a high court and three persons (out of which at least one should be a woman) having knowledge or practical experience with respect to human rights.
• Appointment & Tenure
• The chairperson and members are appointed by the President on the recommendations of a six-member committee consisting of:
• Prime Minister as its head; Speaker of the Lok Sabha; Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha; Leaders of the Opposition in both the Houses of Parliament; Central Home Minister
• The chairperson and members are appointed for the term of 3 years or till the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
• The chairperson and members are eligible for reappointment.

Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI)

• About
  • It is an organisation affiliated to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
  • It is a global network of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) that works to promote and protect human rights.
    • GANHRI represents 120 NHRIs from around the world.
  • GANHRI's mission is to unite, promote, and strengthen NHRIs to operate in line with the UN Paris Principles.
• Accreditation by the GANHRI
  • Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) reviews NHRIs every five years, and there is an appeal process for NHRIs to ensure greater transparency and due process.
  • In a unique peer-review-based accreditation process. GANHRI ensures individual NHRIs’ compliance with the Paris Principles – to ensure their independence, pluralism and accountability.
    • The Paris Principles set out internationally agreed minimum standards that NHRIs must meet to be considered credible.
    • The six principles require a country‘s human rights agency to be independent from the government in its structure, composition, decision-making and method of operation.
  • An NHRI is reviewed by the SCA when –
    • It applies for initial accreditation
    • It applies for re-accreditation every five years
    • The circumstances of the NHRI change in any way that may affect its compliance with the Paris Principles.
  • NHRIs that are assessed as complying with the Paris Principles are accredited with ‘A status’, while those that partially comply are accredited with ‘B status’.
    • This accreditation status affects a country’s ability to vote at the UN Human Rights Council and some UNGA bodies.
• India’s accreditation
  • India’s NHRC got ‘A’ status of accreditation for the first time in 1999, which it retained in 2006, 2011, and in 2017 after it was deferred for a year.

India’s accreditation status under review

• Background
  • The NHRC’s ratings were put on hold in 2023 over concerns on:
    • composition procedure,
    • presence of police personnel in human rights investigations, and
    • lack of gender and minority representation.
  • Now, on May 1, 2024, NHRC’s performance will again be reviewed in order to decide on the accreditation status.
• Observations made by the review committee in 2023
  • According to a six-point submission by the SCA in March 2023, the NHRC has failed to create conditions required to be able to operate independent of government interference.
  • In the submission, the committee had slammed India for the involvement of police officers in its investigative process, calling it a conflict of interest.
  • It also cited the lack of pluralism and gender representation, given the NHRC had only one woman in its top body, an institutional ex-officio representative of the National Commission for Women.
  • The SCA had also pointed out that the composition of the committee should reflect the diversity of the society it operated in.
    • It indicated the lack of any member representing India’s largest minority religions.

Why in News? The widespread protests against the war in Gaza across dozens of US university campuses, and the unprecedented crackdowns are a sign of a triple crisis: Of liberal democracy, of the university, and (paradoxically) of anti-war protests as well.

What is the Crisis of Liberal Democracy? The world community and America, which has the most influence over Israel, have both shown moral negligence towards the horrors in Gaza. It has also revealed that free speech may be suppressed or influenced by political ends, even in a nation with robust first amendment safeguards.

What is the Crisis of the University? Over the last few years, higher education has increasingly become a political target. The political attention to universities is not about restoring pedagogical excellence or depoliticising the university. In fact, it is an attempt to hyper politicise the university by attacking its legitimacy from the outside.

What is the Crisis of Anti-War Protests? The larger discourse on the war has divided students into Anti-Semitism versus Islamophobia debate. Students are perceived as threats to other students. Politicians and administrations have a stake in this division. A protest that gets construed not as a protest on principle, but a potential conflict between two groups risks losing its moral lustre.

What are the Consequences of this Triple Crisis? The object of discussion has become the university, not the war in Gaza. The discussion that is now dominating the world is the discussion about alleged limits to freedom in American universities, regardless of the fact that all of Gaza's universities have been destroyed.

Why in News? Canada remains the preferred destination for Indians - particularly those in Punjab - wishing to study abroad, despite alternatives like the US, Australia, UK and New Zealand offering quality education.

What Restrictions Recently Canada Imposed? Canada capped the number of international students it will admit, made attestation letters compulsory to obtain study permits and closed the spousal Open Work Permit. This means that students cannot be accompanied by their spouses for a majority of undergraduate courses. Yet, Canada remains the preferred destination for Indians

Why Canada Still Remains the Preferred Destination for Indians?

1. Opportunity to settle down post-studies: Despite Canada’s policy changes, Canada continues to offer better chances of settling down post-studies, compared to other countries. Students are eligible to obtain a work permit after completing their education, and can subsequently also apply for a Permanent Residency (PR).
2. High visa success rate: If students meet all requirements, Canada’s visa success rate remains very high (sometimes even 100%).
3. An existing Indian presence: Over 3.8 lakh Indians (37% of all international students) are already in Canada. The presence of Indian students and close relatives fosters students’ confidence, providing them comfort and reducing homesickness.

Why are Other Countries Less Attractive?

1. Australia’s visa refusal rate is quite high (up to 70%) and Australian colleges are especially reluctant to accept students from state boards, especially in North Indian states such as Punjab and Haryana. Also, Australia’s visa process lacks transparency.
2. The UK has significantly stricter rules for students. For instance, students are not allowed to bring dependents (like parents, partners, or children).
3. Despite courses available for international students in European countries such as Germany and France, many students are not familiar with these options.
4. With regards to the US, the visa process is not nearly as transparent as in Canada. Currently, there are 2.68 lakh Indian students in the US, but most are from the Southern states.

Why in News?

The Election Commission of India (ECI), under Sections 58(2) and 58A (2) of the Representation of People Act 1951 (RPA), declared void the poll on April 19 in 19 polling stations of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

Elections were also adjourned in Madhya Pradesh’s Betul Lok Sabha constituency due to the death of a candidate on April 9.

In the first case, repolls were conducted on April 22 and April 24 respectively, and the polling in MP will now be held on May 7 (originally scheduled on April 26).

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Framework for Handling Situations where the Normal Polling Process is Disrupted
• Some Circumstances when the Normal Polling Process is Disrupted

Framework for Handling Situations where the Normal Polling Process is Disrupted:

• India’s election laws provide a framework for handling situations where the normal polling process is disrupted for any reason, including -
  • Damage to EVMs,
  • Booth-capturing,
  • Natural disasters, or
  • A candidate’s death.
• The provisions for repolls, adjournments and the voiding of polls ensure that the democratic process remains fair, transparent and uninterrupted.

Some Circumstances when the Normal Polling Process is Disrupted:

• Intentional destruction, taking away of EVMs:
  • Under Section 58 of the RPA (‘Fresh poll in the case of destruction, etc., of ballot boxes’), the EC can declare the poll at a polling station to be void if:
    • An unauthorised person has unlawfully taken away any EVM;
    • Any EVM has been accidentally or intentionally destroyed, or lost, or damaged, or tampered with; or
    • A mechanical failure develops in any EVM during the recording of votes.
  • In such cases, the Returning Officer (RO) immediately informs the ECI and the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the state about the relevant facts and material circumstances.
  • After considering this, the ECI can declare the poll void and formally fix the date and time for a new poll.
  • During the repoll, the voters’ left middle fingers are inked to distinguish between the mark made during the original poll (on their left forefinger).
• Booth capturing:
  • Booth-capturing, defined in Section 135A of the RPA, includes all or any of the following activities by any person or persons:
    • Seizure of a polling station, affecting the conduct of elections;
    • Taking possession of a polling station, allowing only his or their supporters to vote;
    • Intimidating or threatening any elector and preventing him from going to the polling station;
    • Seizure of a counting place affecting the counting of votes;
    • Involvement of any person in government service in any of the above activities.
  • Booth capturing is punishable for a term of not less than one year, which may extend to three years for lay people, and not less than three years, extending to five years for government servants.
  • In such case, the ECI, based on the material facts (from Presiding Officer and RO), may -
    • Declare the poll at that polling station to be void and direct a fresh poll on a new date; or
    • Countermand the election in the constituency in case booth capturing has taken place in a large number of polling stations, or if it has affected the counting of votes.
• Natural disasters, other disruptions to polling:
• The Presiding Officer of a polling station can adjourn the poll at a polling station under section 57(1) of the Representation of the People Act 1951, in case of:
  • A natural calamity like a flood, a severe storm;
  • Non-receipt or loss or damage to essential polling materials like EVM, electoral roll etc;
  • Interruption or obstruction due to any riot or, open violence;
  • Non-arrival of the polling party due to obstruction or any other serious difficulty; or
  • Non-commencement of the poll within two hours from the scheduled time due to malfunctioning of EVM, or any other reason.
• After seeking the ECI’s approval on the date and hours, the adjourned poll will recommence from the stage at which it was left immediately before the adjournment.
• Only electors who have not already voted before the poll was adjourned are permitted to vote.
• Death of a candidate:
  • As per Section 52 of RPA (amended in 1996), the poll shall be adjourned only in case of the death of a recognised political party’s candidate.
  • The above provision applies if the candidate with a valid nomination dies at any time after 11.00 a.m. on the last date for making nominations, until the commencement of the poll.
  • The RO reports the fact to the EC and orders the adjournment of the poll to a date to be notified later by the Commission.
  • The EC then calls upon the concerned political party to nominate another candidate for the said election in place of the deceased candidate.
  • The political party must make the nomination within seven days.

Why in the News?

India and Oman will sign a trade deal in the coming months as New Delhi seeks to expand its ties in the Middle East.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• India-Oman Bilateral Relationship (History, Political, Economic, Indian Community, etc.)
• News Summary

India-Oman Bilateral Relationship:

• The Sultanate of Oman is a strategic partner of India and an important interlocutor at Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Arab League and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) fora.
• India and Oman are linked by geography, history and culture and enjoy warm and cordial relations.
• Diplomatic relations were established in 1955 and the relationship was upgraded to Strategic partnership in 2008.
• Visits at the highest level have been exchanged frequently between India and Oman.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Oman in February 2018.

Economic & Commercial Relations:

• Both India and Oman accord high priority to strengthening economic and commercial relations between the two countries.
• Economic cooperation between India and Oman is reviewed thorough the institutional mechanism of Indo-Oman Joint Commission Meeting (JCM).
• Bilateral trade for the year 2021-2022 reached US$ 9.9 billion.
• Major Exports:
  • mineral fuels and products of their distillation, textiles, machinery, electrical items, chemicals, iron and steel, tea, coffee, spices, rice and meat products and seafood.
• Major Imports:
  • urea, LNG, polypropylene, lubricating oil, dates and chromite ore.
• Oman-India Joint Investment Fund (OIJIF) is a 50-50 Joint Venture between State Bank of India and erstwhile State General Reserve Fund (SGRF) of Oman.
• Indian firms have invested heavily Oman in various sectors like iron and steel, cement, fertilizers, textile, cables, chemicals, automotive, etc.

Indian Community in Oman:

• There are about 9 lakh Indians in Oman as of 2023.
• The Basic Law of Oman recognizes the right to different forms of worship.
• The Hindu merchant community has two temples, including one over a century old, and their own cremation grounds.

India-Oman Trade Deal:

• India and Oman will sign a trade deal in the coming months as New Delhi seeks to expand its ties in the Middle East.
• Commitment shown by both the countries
  • Oman has agreed to eliminate duties on Indian exports worth an annual $3 billion including agricultural products, gems and jewellery, leather, automobiles, medical devices, engineering products and textiles, the officials said
  • India has agreed to reduce duties on some petrochemicals, aluminum and copper from Oman, while capping imports of such goods, the officials said.
• Significance
  • After making little progress on an agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), India has shifted its focus to bilateral accords with GCC member states such as Oman and the UAE.
  • Relationship with Oman is important for India as the Gulf nation is a gateway to the narrow Strait of Hormuz between Oman and Iran, a major transit point for global oil shipments.

Why in news?

A massive fire is spreading through the forests near Nainital in Uttarakhand. It has been burning for 60 hours, leading to the deployment of Indian Air Force personnel and Mi-17 choppers in an effort to quell the raging fire. According to the officials, these forest fires have gutted over 142 hectares of forest land in the State.

What’s in today’s article?

• Forest Fires/Wildfires
• Why is Uttarakhand an easy target for forest fire?
• How can forest fires be tackled?

What are Forest Fires/Wildfires?

• It is an unplanned, uncontrolled & unpredictable fire in an area of combustible vegetation.
• Causes:
  • These include natural (lightning, high atmospheric temperatures and low humidity (dryness) and man-made (agricultural practices like Jhum, a source of fire (cigarette, bidi, etc)].
  • Three conditions must be present in order for any fire to exist: fuel, oxygen and a heat source. This is often referred to as the fire triangle.
  • In the case of a forest, oxygen is in ample supply, and fuel is supplied in the form of dry trees, shrubs, grasses and litter - particularly in the dry, hot summer months.
  • Dry weather, drought and dry vegetation can offer easy kindling for a fire. Strong winds further help the spread of a forest fire.
  • As per a 2019 report from the Forest Research Institute, 95% of forest fires are caused by humans.
    • Often, grazers set fire to dry grass in the hopes of encouraging the cultivation of new grass.
    • Slash and burn and shifting cultivation also use fire. Unattended campfires, burning of waste, lit cigarette stubs as well as intentional lighting of fires with criminal intent are some other man-made causes.
  • Natural causes included the rubbing of dry trees or bamboo, sparks set off by stones, or lightning.
• Types of forest fire:
• 

Why is Uttarakhand an easy target for forest fire?

• Vulnerability of Indian forests
  • According to the report of the Forest Survey of India, over 54% of the forest cover in India is exposed to occasional fire.
  • There are four forest-fire clusters in India- the North-Western Himalayas, North-East India, Central Ghats, and Western and Eastern Ghats.
• Situation in North-Western Himalayas
  • Fires in the North-Western Himalayas are attributed to the preponderance of pine trees and the accumulation of thick flammable litter.
  • In the summer, there is a large quantity of pine needles that gathers on the forest floor, which is highly susceptible to fire.
  • The occurrence of high fire intensity at the low altitude Himalayan hilly regions may also be due to the proximity to villages.
    • Villages make forests susceptible to anthropogenic activities like forest cover clearance, grazing and so on.
  • Sharp increase in average and maximum air temperature, decline in precipitation, and change in land-use patterns have also caused increasing episodes of forest fires in this region.
  • Local community patterns are also responsible for instances of forest fire.

How can forest fires be tackled?

• Awareness and controlled burning
  • Besides spreading awareness, there are certain measures that can be undertaken to reduce the incidence of forest fire.
  • This includes the removal of biomass through controlled or prescribed burning.
    • Limited and controlled forest burns have been shown to be useful in promoting healthy forest growth, getting rid of undergrowth, dead trees and litter. Fresh healthy plants replace such areas.
  • Once a patch of land is burned or cleared of dried biomass by a ground-fire, it is difficult for another fire to occur there.
  • This process is usually done by taking 5.2-metre-wide fire-lines or fire-belts in forested areas to which people have access.
• Other preventive steps
  • Engaging temporary fire watchers, desilting of water sources within the forest, and having fire safety equipment at hand.
  • Increase surveillance of forests using drones
• Steps taken by the govt
  • A satellite-based fire alert system introduced by the Forest Survey of India. This makes it easy for staff to find out whether there are fires inside the forest.
  • Forest staff use methods like beating the fire with green, leafy boughs, and counter-fires. They also carry fire beaters and blowers.

Why in news?

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Insurance Products) Regulations, 2024, came into force on April 1.

The new norms covering general and health insurance have generated considerable interest, particularly around a presumed change in the upper age limit to avail a new health cover.

What’s in today’s article?

• What do the new regulations address?
• What changes are relevant to senior citizens?
• How significant are the changes?

What do the new regulations address?

• Expanding Insurance Coverage
  • The April 1 notification aims to broaden insurance coverage, aligning with the IRDAI's goal of 'Insurance for All by 2047'.
  • This indicates a push towards ensuring that a wider demographic can access insurance products.
• Aimed at Improving Insurance
  • The recent regulations introduced by the IRDAI are also designed to help insurance companies better meet the changing needs of the market, simplify business operations & protecting the interests of policyholders.
• Emphasis on Good Governance
  • To ensure policyholders are treated fairly, insurance companies are encouraged to follow good governance practices when creating and pricing their products.
  • This helps maintain transparency and fairness in insurance transactions.
• Reduction of the waiting period for specific diseases and treatments
  • Previously, policyholders had to wait for four years, but now they only need to wait three years to get coverage for specific diseases and treatments, except in cases of accidents.
  • Pre-Existing Conditions are health conditions, injuries, or diseases diagnosed by a physician within three years before the policy's start date.
  • As long as the policy is renewed without interruption, these pre-existing conditions will be covered after the waiting period of three years
• Focus on AYUSH Treatment Coverage
  • The new regulations highlight the importance of covering AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) treatments in health insurance policies.
  • Insurers are now required to offer policies approved by the Board that treat AYUSH methods equally with other medical treatments.
  • Previously (until March 31, 2024), insurers were encouraged to provide coverage for one or more AYUSH systems, as long as the treatments were administered in authorized hospitals or healthcare facilities, following specified guidelines from the Authority.
• Renewal Assurance
  • The regulator has advised insurance companies against refusing to renew health insurance policies solely because the insured made claims in previous policy years.
  • This guidance applies unless the policy is of a benefit-based nature where termination occurs after the covered benefit is paid out, such as in critical illness policies.

What changes are relevant to senior citizens?

• Previous Regulations on Entry and Exit Age
  • Under the Health Insurance Regulations of 2016, it was stipulated that health insurance policies must allow entry up to the age of 65 years.
  • Despite the regulatory minimum, insurers were not universally hesitant to provide health cover to those above 65 years.
  • Several policies offered by different insurers had maximum entry ages of up to 99 years, demonstrating flexibility in coverage options.
• New regulation skipped mentioning the 65-year age
  • IRDAI has skipped mentioning the 65-year age of entry provision in its latest announcement of rules.
    • This has been interpreted as the IRDAI actually allowing insurers to sell medical policies to those above this age level.
  • This in effect does not mean that IRDAI has expressly ordered that covers be made available to senior citizens.
    • Insurers even now have control over the issuing of policies.
    • So, if an insurer deems someone is too big a risk to issue a policy, they may well refuse to do so.
• Special Focus on Senior Citizens
  • The new regulations also mandate insurers to establish a separate channel dedicated to addressing health insurance claims and grievances specifically for senior citizens.

How significant are the changes?

• This decision to eliminate age restrictions on health insurance policies marks a shift in the nation's insurance landscape.
• This move promises increased accessibility to comprehensive healthcare coverage for individuals of all ages.
• However, concerns arise regarding waiting periods. IRDAI has mandated to cap waiting periods at a maximum of three years from the current four years.
  • This adjustment is expected to prompt most insurers to increase the cost of insurance by 10-15% across the board.

Why in News? Waste management in Kerala is a model for other States and the functioning of Haritha Karma Sena is exceptional.

What is Haritha Karma Sena (HKS)? HKS is a professional team consisting of Green Technicians and Green Supervisors, mainly Kudumbashree Women. They are assigned with the responsibility of collection, transportation, processing, recycling/disposal and management of waste materials in association with respective Local Self-Governments. It was launched in 2013 by the Government of Kerala as a part of the Haritha Keralam Mission.

What is the Haritha Keralam Mission? It is a comprehensive program to make Kerala a clean and green state. It aims to make Kerala a garbage-free state, promote sustainable waste management practices, create employment opportunities in the waste management sector and raise awareness.

What is the Success Story of the HKS? The 35,500 members of the HKS have been involved in a tireless effort to change people’s approach to handling household waste. Waste collection and segregation have now emerged as a respectable paying job. The shift from centralised waste treatment to decentralised management underscores a community-driven approach to sustainability. Kudumbashree's role in empowering women and the government's focus on awareness and training are key to sustaining these efforts.

What More Needs to be Done? Future plans aim to enhance segregation methods, encourage diversification, and expand infrastructure for waste storage, reflecting a holistic approach to waste management and economic development.

Why in News? Meta-owned WhatsApp told the Delhi High Court that it will have to exit India if forced to comply with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 (IT Rules).

What is the Bone of Contention? Rule 4(2) of the IT rules stipulates that any significant social media service (with over 50 lakh registered users) must enable a way to identify the first sender of the message when an order to that effect is issued by a court/ a competent authority. This means that this IT rule mandates significant digital platforms to identify the originator of the information. Several petitions have been moved against the IT Rules and are pending before different HCs.

What are the Concerns Raised by WhatsApp? WhatsApp can’t comply with the rules unless it changes the very way it transmits and stores information. The instant messaging platform encrypts messages (with a cryptographic lock that keeps changing every time a new message is sent) sent between users. Encryption and decryption of messages happen entirely on users’ devices and WhatsApp has no way to see the content or listen to calls that are end-to-end encrypted.

What is WhatsApp’s Data Retention Policy? WhatsApp does not store messages or transaction logs of delivered messages. Messages undelivered are deleted from its servers after 30 days. If any law enforcement agency wants information about user accounts on its platform, they must make a request to obtain records of specific accounts.

Why is ‘Traceability’ a Double-Edged Sword? According to WhatsApp, any government that decides to impose traceability requirements is effectively mandating a new form of mass surveillance. However, law enforcement agencies say that end-to-end encryption must not be a blanket option and it must be broken in cases involving fake news, deepfakes, or child abuse content as they cause social harm.

Context

• The Supreme Court of India is a multifaceted institution, serving as the highest court of appeal, a federal court, and an advisory body.
• One of its notable powers is the Curative Jurisdiction, introduced in 2002, which allows the Court to correct its judgments even after they have become final.
• However, the exercise of this jurisdiction has sparked debates regarding its impact on judicial stability and the role of the Supreme Court in shaping legal precedents.

The DMRC vs DAMEPL Case

• The case of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. vs Delhi Airport Metro Express Pvt Ltd (DMRC vs DAMEPL) serves as a focal point for examining the implications of the SC's Curative Jurisdiction.
• In this case, the Court, for the first time, set aside an arbitral award, citing reasons such as a perceived misinterpretation of the termination clause and the alleged disregard for vital evidence by the Arbitral Tribunal.

Curative Jurisdiction: Analysis, Implication, Scope, and Public Perception

• Impact On the Sanctity of Arbitral Awards
  • One of the primary concerns surrounding the exercise of curative jurisdiction is its potential impact on the sanctity of arbitral awards.
  • Arbitration, as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism, relies on finality and enforceability of awards to maintain its effectiveness.
  • By intervening in arbitral decisions, especially in cases where there is a perception of judicial overreach, the Court risks undermining the fundamental principles of arbitration, including party autonomy and expeditious resolution of disputes.
• Judicial Consistency vs. Flexibility
  • The tension between judicial consistency and flexibility becomes apparent when considering the implications of curative jurisdiction.
  • While consistency in legal interpretation fosters predictability and stability in the law, it may also stifle innovation and progress.
  • On the other hand, excessive flexibility could lead to uncertainty and unpredictability, eroding public trust in the judicial system.
• Scope of Judicial Review
  • The exercise of curative jurisdiction raises questions about the scope of judicial review and the boundaries of judicial authority.
  • While the Court's role as the final interpreter of the law is undisputed, the extent to which it can intervene in its own judgments without encroaching upon the domain of legislative or executive branches warrants careful consideration.
• Implications for Legal Precedent
  • The precedential value of Supreme Court judgments is crucial for maintaining consistency and coherence in the legal system.
  • However, the exercise of curative jurisdiction may disrupt established precedents and create uncertainty regarding the binding nature of judicial decisions.
  • While the Court's willingness to correct past errors is commendable, it must ensure that such corrections are made judiciously and do not undermine the integrity of the legal framework.
• Public Perception and Trust in the Judiciary
  • The Court's credibility hinges on its ability to administer justice impartially and with integrity.
  • Excessive or arbitrary exercise of curative powers may erode public confidence in the judiciary and diminish its authority as an arbiter of legal disputes.

Critique of Judicial Instability

• Undermining Legal Certainty
  • One of the fundamental principles of the rule of law islegal certainty, which entails predictability and consistency in legal outcomes.
  • The exercise of curative jurisdiction, especially when it involves reversing final judgments, undermines this principle by creating uncertainty about the finality and enforceability of judicial decisions.
  • Parties involved in legal disputes may find it difficult to rely on the stability of the law when the Supreme Court can reverse its own rulings, leading to confusion and distrust in the judicial process.
• Erosion of Judicial Authority
  • Judicial stability is closely linked to the authority and legitimacy of the judiciary.
  • When the Supreme Court reverses its own judgments through curative measures, it may appear indecisive or inconsistent in its decision-making, thereby weakening its authority as the final interpreter of the law.
  • This erosion of judicial authority can have far-reaching consequences, including diminished public confidence in the judiciary and increased scepticism about the fairness and impartiality of judicial proceedings.
• Disruption of Legal Precedent
  • The stability of legal precedent is essential for maintaining coherence and continuity in the legal system.
  • However, the exercise of curative jurisdiction introduces the risk of disrupting established precedents and creating inconsistency in judicial rulings.
  • This can undermine the reliability of legal principles and lead to confusion among legal practitioners, litigants, and lower courts.
  • Moreover, frequent reversals of judgments may hinder the development of clear and consistent legal doctrines, hindering the evolution of the law.
• Potential for Judicial Overreach
  • Judicial stability serves as a check against judicial overreach, ensuring that the judiciary remains within its constitutional bounds and respects the separation of powers.
  • However, the exercise of curative jurisdiction raises concerns about the Court's potential to exceed its authority and interfere with the legislative or executive branches of government.
  • By revisiting and reversing its own judgments, the Court may be perceived as overstepping its role and encroaching upon the domains of other branches of government, thereby undermining the principles of checks and balances.

Ways Ahead to Balancing Judicial Oversight Stability

• Ensuring Judicial Accountability
  • Judicial oversight, including the exercise of curative jurisdiction, is essential for holding judges accountable for their decisions and ensuring adherence to legal standards.
  • It provides a mechanism for correcting errors and addressing instances of judicial misconduct or arbitrariness.
  • However, excessive oversight may impede judicial independence and autonomy, undermining the judiciary's ability to impartially adjudicate disputes and interpret the law.
• Promoting Legal Stability
  • Legal stability is a cornerstone of the rule of law, fostering predictability, consistency, and confidence in the legal system.
  • By upholding established precedents and minimising disruptions to settled legal principles, the judiciary contributes to the maintenance of legal stability.
  • However, the exercise of curative jurisdiction introduces a degree of uncertainty by allowing the Court to revisit and potentially reverse its own judgments, challenging the stability of legal doctrine and the reliability of judicial decisions.
• Respecting Separation of Powers
  • Balancing judicial oversight with stability necessitates a recognition of the separation of powers and the respective roles of the judiciary, legislature, and executive.
  • While the judiciary has a vital role in interpreting and applying the law, it must exercise restraint to avoid encroaching upon the domains of other branches of government.
  • The exercise of curative jurisdiction should be guided by principles of judicial deference and respect for legislative intent, particularly in matters where judicial intervention may undermine democratic processes or policy decisions.

Conclusion

• The SC's Curative Jurisdiction represents a powerful tool for correcting judicial errors but also poses challenges to judicial stability and consistency.
• The case of DMRC vs DAMEPL underscores the need for a nuanced approach to balancing judicial oversight with legal certainty.
• Ultimately, the Court's role as the final interpreter of the law demands a judicious exercise of its curative powers to maintain public confidence in the integrity of the legal system.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Background (Supreme Court’s Observation)
• About SLU (Meaning, Working, Benefits, etc.)

Background:

• The Supreme Court has rejected the plea for 100% verification of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips against the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) count.
• The Court has directed the Election Commission to seal and secure the Symbol Loading Unit (SLU) for 45 days after the declaration of election results.
• Currently, only the three components of the EVM – the ballot unit, control unit and VVPAT – are stored for 45 days after the results.

What is a Symbol Loading Unit (SLU) and How Does it Work?

• Symbol Loading Units (SLUs) were introduced around the same time as VVPATs — a little over a decade ago.
• VVPATs help voters verify their votes — they see a slip with a printed image of the party symbol they voted for.
• But for the VVPAT to print a symbol correctly, information pertaining to the list of candidates and their symbols must be loaded on to the VVPAT machine in the correct order.
• This is where the Symbol Loading Unit, or SLU, comes in. In fact, the introduction of VVPATs necessitated the use of SLUs.
• The SLU is used to load the symbols of the candidates onto the VVPAT.
• It is a matchbox-sized device that is first connected to a laptop or personal computer, from where a symbol loading application is used to load a bitmap file containing the candidates’ names, serial numbers, and symbols.
• The SLU is then connected to the VVPAT to transfer that file on to the paper audit machine.
• This is done under the supervision of a district election officer.

At Which Point in the Election Process are SLUs Used?

• The SLUs come into the picture only a few days before polling in a particular seat, when the EVMs are being commissioned and the list/ order of contesting candidates is decided.
• Candidate-setting can happen at any time from five to two days before voting at a seat.
• Once the SLU is used to load symbols onto the VVPAT, the EVM is ready for use.
• After this, the SLU is of no relevance to the actual voting process.

What Happens to an SLU After Symbols are Loaded?

• Typically, a small number of SLUs are enough to load symbols onto all VVPATs for a seat.
• According to EC officials, it takes an SLU two to three minutes to load each VVPAT.
• Once the symbol-loading is complete, the SLUs are handed over to the concerned district election officer for safekeeping.
• They remain in the officer’s custody until the day after voting.
• Afterward, the SLUs are released to the engineers of the two EVM manufacturers, Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) or Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL), so they can be used to load symbols onto VVPATs for other seats in subsequent phases.
• Thus, in a multi-phase election like the ongoing one for the 18th Lok Sabha, an SLU is typically reused after one phase of polling to load symbols onto VVPATs meant for other seats in subsequent phases.

Why in News?

• The Supreme Court rejected the demand for 100% verification of Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) in Indian elections.
• The SC also rejected a return to the earlier ballot paper system for elections - something which opposition parties demanded in recent years. 

What’s in Today's Article?

• A Timeline of Introduction of VVPATs in India
• What Have Been the Legal Cases Surrounding the VVPAT?
• What was the Recent VVPAT-EVM Tally Case?
• What has SC Ruled in the VVPAT-EVM Tally Case?

A Timeline of Introduction of VVPATs in India:

• Introduction and field trials
  • The idea of the VVPAT machine first emerged in 2010, when the Election Commission of India (ECI), held a meeting with political parties to discuss how to make the EVM-based polling process more transparent.
  • After a prototype was prepared, field trials were held in Ladakh, Thiruvananthapuram, Cherrapunjee, East Delhi, and Jaisalmer in 2011.
• Approval of design
  • After fine-tuning the design, holding more trials, and taking feedback from political parties, an ECI expert committee approved the design in 2013.
  • In 2013, the Conduct of Elections Rules 1961 were amended to allow for a printer with a drop box to be attached to the EVM.
• Introduction of VVPAT
  • The VVPAT was used for the first time in all 21 polling stations of the Noksen Assembly constituency of Nagaland in 2013.
  • After this, the ECI decided to introduce VVPATs in a phased manner and by (June) 2017, there was 100% adoption of VVPATs.
• Internal audit of VVPAT Slips
  • In 2018, the ECI asked the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) to come up with a mathematically sound and practically cogent sample size for the internal audit of the VVPAT slips with electronic result of EVMs.
  • On the basis of which, the ECI mandated the counting of VVPAT slips of one randomly selected polling station per Assembly constituency.
  • This was increased to five polling stations per Assembly seat, following a SC judgement in 2019.
  • The five polling stations are selected by a draw of lots by the Returning Officer concerned, in the presence of candidates/ their agents.

What Have Been the Legal Cases Surrounding the VVPAT?

• Subramanian Swamy vs ECI (2013): The SC ruled that a paper trail was indispensable for free and fair elections, and ordered the government to provide funding for the roll-out of VVPATs.
• Chandrababu Naidu Case (2019):
  • He moved the SC asking for a minimum 50% randomised VVPAT slips to be counted.
  • However, the ECI argued that this would delay the election results by five to six days, as it takes about an hour for election officers to match VVPAT slips with the EVM count in one polling station.
  • The EC has also highlighted infrastructure challenges, including the availability of manpower, as obstacles to increasing the number of polling booths where VVPAT slips are counted.
  • Opposition parties argue that the sanctity of a fair election outweighs the concern of delay in the declaration of results.
  • The court ordered the EC to count VVPATS in five polling stations instead.

What was the Recent VVPAT-EVM Tally Case?

• In 2023, the ADR had filed a petition before the apex court saying that to ensure free and fair elections, the tally from Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)/ data on votes cast, should be cross-verified with the VVPATs.
  • The petition (along with other petitions) seeks 100% verification of votes cast on EVMs using the VVPAT.
• To make sure that this process is carried out as fast as possible, ADR suggested the use of barcodes on VVPAT slips. 

What has SC Ruled in the VVPAT-EVM Tally Case?

• The SC rejected the demand for 100% verification of VVPATs in Indian elections and also rejected a return to the earlier ballot paper system for elections, thus reposing faith in the electoral process.
• However, the court issued two directions and some suggestions to the ECI in this regard, attempting to ensure that India’s electoral process remains full proof.
• First direction:
  • In a first, the court gave directions to the ECI to seal and store the symbol loading units (SLUs) for 45 days after declaration of results.
  • SLUs are memory units that are first connected to a computer to load election symbols onto it, and then used to enter symbols of the candidates on the VVPAT machines.
• Second direction:
  • The SC has enabled candidates to seek verification of the EVMs - again a first.
  • The burnt memory in the EVM microcontroller must be checked by a team of engineers - after results are declared - if candidates (placed 2nd and 3rd in the election) make such a request within 7 days of declaration of results.
  • The expenses for this verification will have to be borne by the candidate and which would be refunded in case the EVM is found to be tampered with.
• Suggestion on VVPAT:
  • The ECI may examine the suggestion that VVPAT slips can be counted using a counting machine, rather than by humans.
  • VVPAT slips could have a barcode printed on them, making it easier for machine counting.

Why in news?

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has proposed to price Bima Vistaar at Rs 1,500 per policy. Bima Vistaar is an ambitious all-in-one affordable mass product aimed at the rural areas of the country.

What’s in today’s article?

• Insurance penetration in India
• Bima Vistaar

Insurance penetration in India - Statistics

• In the financial year 2022-23 (FY23), India’s overall insurance penetration was down at 4 per cent from the level of 4.2 per cent in FY22.
  • This is much below the global insurance penetration of 6.8 per cent.
• As per IRDAI, the insurance density increased from $78 in 2020-21 to $91 in 2021-22.In FY23, it increased to $92.
  • Insurance density is a key measure of a country's insurance sector development.
  • It is calculated by dividing the total insurance premium by the total population of a country.

Bima Vistaar

• Background
  • To further boost the growth towards achieving the objective of insurance for all, IRDAI has been working on the concept of Bima Trinity.
    • Bima Trinity is the result of the initiative by IRDAI in late 2022 in setting up a committee to explore and recommend on how to bring about synergies in the working and operations of insurance companies.
  • Bima Trinity initiative consists of 3 programs: Bima Sugam, Bima Vistaar, and Bima Vahak.
    • Bima Sugam -An online marketplace that allows customers to compare and purchase policies, settle claims, and renew policies.
    • Bima Vahak -A women-centric workforce operating at the Gram Sabha level to educate and convince women about the benefits of comprehensive insurance, particularly Bima Vistaar.
• About Bima Vistaar
• It is a bundled policy that covers life, health, property, and accidents.
• It provides defined benefits for each risk category, ensuring quick claim payouts without surveyors.
• As a social safety net product, Bima Vistaar targets the untapped geographies.
• Features of Bima Vistaar
  • The product Bima Vistaar includes:
    • life cover with a premium of Rs 820,
    • health cover at Rs 500,
    • personal accident cover at Rs 100 and
    • property cover at Rs 80.
  • If taken for the entire family on a floater basis, the policy will cost Rs 2,420, with an additional Rs 900 charged for the rest of the family members.
  • The sum assured for life, personal accident and property covers is Rs 2 lakh each.
  • The health cover, known as hospi cash, offers a sum assured of Rs 500 for 10 days, with a maximum amount of Rs 5,000 available without producing bills or documents.
• Significance
  • Bima Vistaar policy underscores its importance in safeguarding individuals and families against various risks and uncertainties.
  • This initiative not only encourages more people to invest in insurance for their protection but also promotes financial inclusion.
  • The competitive & reasonable pricing of Bima Vistaar is expected to benefit many individuals and families.

Conclusion

By leveraging the expertise and reach of intermediaries, such as brokers, agents, and insurance advisors, Bima Vistaar has potential to reach and serve the diverse needs of Indian population. It is expected that unlike micro insurance products, it will generate a large sales volume.  Now that the premium has been decided, it will be possible to do a cost benefit analysis of the product for its long-term sustainability.

Why in news?

Recently, ISRO released satellite-data-based analysis on expansion of glacial lakes in the catchments of Indian Himalayan River basins.

This is the latest among a series of studies on glacial lakes that have highlighted the risks of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and their impact on infrastructure and settlements downstream of such lakes.

What’s in today’s article?

• Key highlights of the study by ISRO
• Glacial lakes
• Use of remote-sensing technology to monitor glacial lakes
• Mitigation of risks posed by glacial lakes

Key highlights of the study by ISRO

• The study
  • ISRO’s analysis looked at satellite data archives spanning the past four decades to assess changes in the glaciated environment.
  • Long-term satellite imagery covering the catchments of Indian Himalayan River basins — spread over India, Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan — is available from 1984 onwards, till 2023.
• Findings
  • ISRO’s data has indicated significant expansion in the size of glacial lakes.
  • Of the 2,431 lakes larger than 10 hectares (identified during 2016-17), 676 glacial lakes had expanded significantly since 1984.
  • ISRO said that 130 of the 676 lakes are situated in India, in the Indus (65), Ganga (7), and Brahmaputra (58) river basins.
  • These lakes have expanded as glaciers are retreating at an ever-faster rate due to global warming.

Glacial lakes

• About
  • Glacial lakes are bodies of water that form in depressions or basins created by the erosive action of glaciers.
  • These lakes are typically found in regions where glaciers have previously existed or are currently present.
  • Glacial lakes vary in size and shape, ranging from small ponds to large, deep bodies of water.
  • ISRO categorised glacial lakes into four broad categories based on how they were formed — moraine-dammed, ice-dammed, erosion-based, and ‘others’.
  • Glacial lakes are crucial sources of freshwater for rivers.
  • However, they also pose significant risks, specifically of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
    • GLOFs occur when glacial lakes release large volumes of meltwater due to the failure of natural dams, resulting in sudden and severe flooding downstream.
• Formation
  • Glacial Erosion:
    • Glaciers are massive bodies of ice that move slowly over the landscape, eroding and shaping the underlying bedrock through processes such as abrasion and plucking.
    • As glaciers advance, they carve out deep valleys and basins in the landscape.
  • Deposition of Glacial Moraines
    • As glaciers move, they carry vast amounts of sediment and debris, including rocks, gravel, and sand.
    • When glaciers retreat or melt, they deposit this material at their edges, forming features called moraines.
    • Moraines can act as natural dams, blocking the flow of water and creating depressions where glacial lakes can form.
  • Melting Ice
    • As temperatures rise or glaciers retreat, the ice within the glacier melts, filling the depressions created by glacial erosion with water.
    • This water collects in the basins, forming glacial lakes.
  • Terminal Moraine Formation
    • In some cases, glaciers deposit large ridges of sediment and debris at their terminus, creating natural dams that impound water and form glacial lakes behind them. These lakes are called terminal moraine lakes.

Use of remote-sensing technology to monitor glacial lakes

• The monitoring of glacial lakes and their expansion in the Himalayan region is challenging due to the rugged terrain.
• This is where satellite remote-sensing technology proves to be an excellent tool.
• Analyzing changes in glacial lakes using satellite data helps us understand how these lakes are changing over time.
• This information is crucial for figuring out how they affect the environment and for creating plans to manage the risks of glacial lake outburst floods and adapt to climate change in areas with glaciers.

Mitigation of risks posed by glacial lakes

• As per one study, lowering of the lake levels by 10 to 30 m significantly reduces the impacts on downward towns.
  • Although it does not completely eliminate the risks posed by a GLOM event.
• One way to syphon off lake water is by using long High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipes.
• In 2016, members of the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority used this method to reduce water levels in Sikkim’s South Lhonak Lake.

Why in News? As the country votes for 2024 Lok Sabha election, the SC has given Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), a big vote of confidence.

What has SC Ruled? Presently, the Election Commission of India (ECI) conducts random matching of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips with EVMs at five polling booths per assembly constituency. A two-judge bench rejected petitions seeking 100% verification of votes cast on EVMs using the VVPAT. However, the court issued two directions to the ECI in this regard.

What is the SC's First Direction? The court gave directions to the ECI to seal and store the symbol loading units (SLUs) for 45 days after declaration of results. SLUs are memory units that are first connected to a computer to load election symbols onto it, and then used to enter symbols of the candidates on the VVPAT machines.

What is the SC's Second Direction? The SC has enabled candidates to seek verification of the EVMs - again a first. The burnt memory in the EVM microcontroller must be checked by a team of engineers - after results are declared - if candidates (placed 2nd and 3rd in the election) make such a request (within 7 days of declaration of results). The expenses for this verification will have to be borne by the candidate (which would be refunded in case the EVM is found to be tampered with).

SC's Suggestion on VVPAT: The ECI may examine the suggestion that VVPAT slips can be counted using a counting machine, rather than by humans. VVPAT slips could have a barcode printed on them, making it easier for machine counting.

Key Takeaways from the SC’s Verdict: The apex court reposed faith in the electoral process, saying ‘blindly doubting a system can breed skepticism’. However, its directives and suggestions attempt to ensure that India’s electoral process remains full proof.

Why in News? Japan’s PM’s (Fumio Kishida) address to the US Congress and the developments from his summit meeting with President Joe Biden, announced the arrival of a new, assertive Japan to the world.

What is the Change that Japan is Undergoing? After World War II, a defeated Japan adopted a policy of pacifism. Today, Japan is set to become a major military power, transforming its civilian industrial capability into a military industrial complex. From being a US protectorate, it now becomes an American partner and a significant contributor to Asian and Indo-Pacific security.

What is the Reason for this Radical Change? A mix of external and internal factors has contributed to its reorientation in the 21st century. On the external front, the rise of China and North Korea; the deepening military bonds between Beijing and Moscow; and the fears that the US could withdraw its security protection to Japan. Internally, this situation strengthened conservatives in Tokyo, who wanted to see Japan becoming a ‘normal power’.

What Exactly is Japan Doing to Become a Geopolitical Power? First, Japan has done away with the historical cap (~1% of its GDP) on defence expenditure. Second, Japan is in the process of further strengthening its counter-strike capability in the form of cruise missiles. Third, Japan has eased its self-imposed ban on exports of lethal weapons to friendly countries. Fourth, Japan-US are in the process of revising the command-and-control framework governing their defence forces.

What are the Changes in Japan’s Diplomatic Posture? Japan has made attempts to end disputes with South Korea and Japan has been one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters in the war with Russia.

What are the Implications of this ‘New’ Japan?

1. For the region: A politically active and militarily more capable Japan will inevitably rearrange the regional security calculus.
2. For India: A politically resolute and militarily strong Japan that can build a stable Asian equilibrium is a positive development.  It contributes to India’s objective of building a multipolar Asia in a multipolar world.

Context

• In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India, led by Chief Justice, affirmed the constitutional entitlement of women to participate in the workforce.
• The judgement emphasised the significance of Article 15's protection against discrimination based on gender.
• This ruling emerged from a case where a government employee was denied childcare leave, shedding light on broader issues of gender equality and workforce participation in India.

Constitutional Protection and Employer Responsibility Regarding Women's Workforce Participation

• Constitutional Protection
  • Article 15 of the Indian Constitution serves as a cornerstone for ensuring gender equality and non-discrimination.
  • It not only prohibits discrimination based on sex but also empowers the state to make special provisions for women to address historical injustices and systemic inequalities.
  • The Supreme Court's acknowledgment of Article 15 in the context of women's workforce participation reaffirms the constitutional mandate to create an inclusive and equitable society.
  • By recognising participation in the workforce as a constitutional entitlement, the court emphasises the fundamental rights of women to pursue employment free from discrimination and barriers.
• Employer Responsibility
  • Employers, particularly the state as a model employer, bear a significant responsibility in fostering an enabling environment for women employees.
  • This responsibility extends beyond mere compliance with labour laws to actively accommodating the unique needs and challenges faced by women in balancing work and caregiving responsibilities.
  • Denying childcare leave to a female employee, as seen in the case before the Supreme Court, reflects a failure on the part of the employer to recognise and respect women's rights in the workplace.
  • The court's assertion that employers cannot be oblivious to the special concerns of women in the workforce underscores the need for employers to adopt proactive measures such as providing childcare support, flexible work arrangements, and gender-sensitive policies.
  • By fulfilling their responsibility, employers not only promote gender equality but also enhance productivity, retention, and overall well-being of their workforce.

Challenges to Women's Workforce Participation

• Unpaid Domestic and Care Work Burden
  • Women in India bear a disproportionate burden of unpaid domestic and care work, including household chores and caregiving responsibilities for children, elderly family members, and other dependents.
  • The unequal distribution of these responsibilities places significant time and energy demands on women, often limiting their ability to participate in paid employment outside the home.
• "Marriage Penalties" and "Motherhood Penalties"
  • Women frequently face penalties in their careers due to societal expectations surrounding marriage and motherhood.
  • Marriage may result in relocation, career interruptions, or increased household responsibilities, impacting women's career progression and earning potential.
  • Similarly, motherhood often leads to temporary withdrawals from the workforce or reduced working hours to accommodate childcare responsibilities, resulting in diminished opportunities for career advancement and economic independence.
• Low Availability of Supportive Infrastructure
  • The lack of affordable and accessible childcare facilities, as well as other support services such as paid parental leave and flexible work arrangements, further impedes women's ability to balance work and family responsibilities.
  • Without adequate support infrastructure, women may be compelled to prioritise caregiving over paid employment, particularly in the absence of alternative care options.

Legal Framework Surrounding Women’s Workforce Participation

• Legislative Reforms
  • India has made significant strides in enacting laws aimed at promoting women's rights and gender equality in the workplace.
  • These include provisions for maternity benefits, childcare services, and protections against gender discrimination in employment.
  • Recent legislative reforms have expanded maternity leave entitlements and mandated childcare facilities at worksites, reflecting a commitment to supporting women's workforce participation.
• Gender-Neutral Provisions
  • Efforts to make legal provisions gender-neutral represent a positive step towards recognising caregiving responsibilities as a shared responsibility between parents.
  • By extending childcare benefits to all employees, regardless of gender, these reforms seek to challenge traditional gender roles and promote greater equality in caregiving responsibilities within households.

Implementation Challenges of Legal Frameworks Surrounding Women’s Workforce Participation

• Coverage Limitations
  • The scope of existing laws may be limited in terms of coverage, with certain provisions applying only to formal sector establishments or workplaces with a minimum number of employees.
  • This exclusionary approach leaves out a significant portion of women working in the informal sector or in smaller enterprises, where access to maternity benefits and childcare support may be limited or non-existent.
• Underfunded Welfare Schemes
  • Government-led welfare schemes aimed at providing childcare services, such as the National Crèches Scheme, often suffer from underfunding and inadequate infrastructure, limiting their effectiveness in reaching marginalised communities and addressing the childcare needs of working women.
  • Without sufficient financial resources and institutional support, these schemes may fail to meet the demand for affordable and quality childcare services, particularly in underserved regions.
• Lack of Enforcement and Monitoring
  • Effective enforcement mechanisms and regular monitoring of compliance are essential for ensuring that employers adhere to legal requirements related to women's workforce participation.
  • However, enforcement agencies may face challenges such as limited resources, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and lack of coordination between government departments, hindering their ability to effectively enforce labour laws and address violations in a timely manner.

Way Forward to Enable Women’s Full Participation in Workforce

• A Collective Responsibility of State, Employer and Communities
  • The state plays a crucial role in setting the legal and policy frameworks that govern women's workforce participation.
    • This includes enacting laws that promote gender equality, providing incentives for employers to adopt family-friendly policies, and investing in social infrastructure such as childcare facilities and education programs.
  • Employers have a direct impact on women's workforce participation through their employment practices and policies.
    • They can contribute to gender equality by adopting inclusive hiring practices, providing equal opportunities for career advancement, offering flexible work arrangements, and implementing family-friendly policies such as paid parental leave and on-site childcare facilities.
  • Communities play a critical role in challenging traditional gender norms and stereotypes that perpetuate inequalities in the workforce.
    • Community-based organisations, educational institutions, and grassroots initiatives can raise awareness about women's rights, provide support services for working mothers, and advocate for policy changes that promote gender equality.
• Policy Integration
  • Integrating gender considerations into broader policy frameworks is essential for mainstreaming gender equality across all sectors of society.
  • This includes incorporating gender-responsive budgeting, conducting gender impact assessments of policies and programs, and ensuring women's voices are heard in decision-making processes.

Conclusion

• To realise the full potential of women's participation, concerted efforts are needed to bridge implementation gaps, reform legal frameworks, and promote societal change towards equitable distribution of caregiving responsibilities.
• By embracing these measures, India can pave the way for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Background (Context, About Payment Aggregators, etc.)
• Draft Rules (Major Provisions w.r.t. Data Privacy, KYC, etc.)

Background:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had floated two consultation papers earlier this month to seek better regulation of offline Payment Aggregators (PAs).
• The first deals with activities of offline PAs, while the second proposes to strengthen the ecosystem’s safety by expanding instructions for Know Your Customer (KYC), due diligence of onboarded merchants and operations in Escrow accounts.
• The RBI had invited comments/feedback by May 31.

Who are Payment Aggregators?

• Payment aggregators (Pas) are entities that facilitate online transactions by collecting payments from customers on behalf of merchants.
• They act as intermediaries between the buyer, the seller, and the payment gateway.
• Working of PAs:
  • Collect Payments: Payment aggregators collect payments from customers using various payment methods like credit/debit cards, net banking, digital wallets, etc.
  • Transfer Funds: Once the payment is collected, the aggregator transfers the funds to the merchant after deducting their service fees or commission.
  • Settlement: The aggregator ensures that the funds are settled in the merchant's bank account within a specified time frame, which is usually a few days.
  • Security: Payment aggregators ensure the security of transactions by using encryption and other security measures to protect sensitive customer information.
  • Integration: They offer APIs and plugins that merchants can integrate into their websites or mobile apps to easily accept payments.
• Popular payment aggregators include companies like Razorpay, Paytm and PayPal in India.
• They play a crucial role in enabling businesses to accept payments online, thereby facilitating e-commerce and online transactions.

What Exactly are the RBI’s Draft Rules About?

• The existing guidelines cover their activities in e-commerce sites and other online avenues.
• The latest draft guidelines propose to extend these regulations to offline spaces, entailing proximity or face-to-face transactions.
• RBI observed back in June 2022 that the nature of activities carried out by the PAs, both online and offline, is similar.
• It aspires to bring in “synergy in regulation covering activities and operations of PAs apart from convergence on standards of data collection and storage.”
• The proposed norms are elaborate and incorporate lessons from what happened this year with Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL).
  • The PPBL crisis was triggered by, among other things, major irregularities in the bank’s KYC adherence.
  • In fact, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND) had imposed a penalty of ₹5.49 crore having found that PPBL “engaged in a number of illegal acts, including organising and facilitating online gambling.”
• With expansion of the utility and scope of operations of PAs, RBI appears to be strengthening the ecosystem against any such opacity.

Is Registration with RBI Being Made Mandatory?

• The primary focus here is on non-bank PAs and within them, the offline extensions.
• Banks providing physical PA services as part of their normal banking relationship would not require any separate authorisation from the RBI.
• They are only expected to comply with the revised instructions within three months after they are issued.
• PAs, providing online / offline services, would have to inform RBI within 60 days (after the circular is issued), about their intent to seek authorisation.

Does the Draft Rules talk about Provisions for Sustainability? 

• RBI proposes that non-banking entities currently providing proximity/face to face transaction services have a minimum net worth of ₹15 crore when they apply.
• This would be extended to ₹25 crore by March 31, 2028.
• The requirements are the same for new applicants, the difference being that a ₹25 crore net worth requirement would apply at the end of three financial years when the authorisation is granted.
• RBI has proposed that existing offline operators unable to comply with the approval-seeking timeframe wind-up their operations by July 31, 2025.
• Banks will also be directed to close all accounts by the end of October next year should they fail to produce evidence of their application seeking authorisation.

Provisions for KYC Requirements:

• The purpose of the proposed regulations is to ensure that onboarded merchants do not collect and settle funds for services not offered on their platforms.
• While KYC is already mandatory, the regulations seek to extend the scope and make the provisions more nuanced.
• RBI’s proposed instructions categorise merchants into small and medium merchants.
• Small merchants would constitute physical merchants with an annual business turnover of less than ₹5 lakh who are not registered under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime.
• The regulator proposes that the PAs undertake ‘contact point verification’, that is, collect information physically to establish the existence of the firm.
• They must also verify the bank accounts in which their funds are settled.
• Medium merchants, defined as physical or online merchants with annual business turnover of less than ₹40 lakhs who are not registered under GST, would also have to undergo contact point verification.
• The PA would be expected to establish their existence by verifying one official document each of the proprietor, beneficial owner or attorney holder, and of the stated business.

Provisions for Data Privacy:

• The draft regulations instruct that no entity, other than the card issuer and/or card network, can store data for proximity/face to face payments from August 1, 2025, and direct them to purge data stored previously.
• To track transactions and to reconcile them, entities would be allowed to store limited data, that is, the last four digits of the card number and the issuer’s name.
• The onus for compliance in this domain would also be on card networks.

Why in news?

The Union government has moved an application for a certain class of spectrum to be allocated through administrative processes instead of competitive auctions. This development comes after the Supreme Court in 2012 had canceled 122 telecom licenses due to the 2G spectrum scam. Spectrum considered to be a scarce natural resource was ordered by the top Court to be allocated through the fair and impartial process of auction.

An administrative allocation would mean that the government will have the final say in deciding the procedure for selecting operators.

What’s in today’s article?

• Airwaves/Spectrum
• 2G spectrum scam verdict
• Centre’s plea
• 2012 Presidential reference
• The Telecommunications Act, 2023

Airwaves/Spectrum

• Airwaves are radio frequencies within the electromagnetic spectrum that can carry information wirelessly for a range of services including telecommunications.
• The government manages and allocates airwaves to companies or sectors for their use.
• The government auctions a fixed amount of spectrum within specified band/s to be utilised by operators for providing communication services to consumers.

2G spectrum scam verdict

• Case originated in 2008
  • The alleged 2G spectrum allocation scam is said to have originated in 2008 when the then government sold 122 2G licences on a first-come-first-serve (FCFS) basis to specific telecom operators.
  • In its charge sheet filed in April 2011, the CBI alleged that there was a loss of ₹ 30,984 crore to the exchequer as a result of discrepancies in the allocation process.
• Matter reaches SC
  • Petitions were filed in the top Court alleging a ₹70,000 crore scam in the grant of telecom licenses in 2008.
  • In February 2012, a division Bench of the SC cancelled the licenses while cautioning that an FCFS basis for the allocation of scarce natural resources can be prone to misuse.
• Competitive auctions for allocating natural resources
  • In its judgement, the apex court advocated for competitive auctions as the only route to allocate spectrum.
  • It further emphasised that the burden lies on the state to ensure that the non-discriminatory method of auction is adopted by giving wide publicity so that all eligible persons can participate in the process.

Centre’s plea: arguments in favour of allocating spectrum through administrative processes

• Assignment of spectrum is required for various purposes
  • The Centre has pointed out that the assignment of spectrum is required not only for commercial telecom services but also to discharge sovereign and public interest functions such as security, safety, and disaster preparedness.
  • Some spectrum categories have unique uses due to their characteristics or international norms. In these cases, auctions may not be the best choice.
    • E.g., for captive, backhaul, or sporadic use.
• Situation where demand is lower than supply
• The Centre further elaborated that administrative allocation is required when demand is lower than supply or for space communication.
• In such cases, it would be more optimal and efficient for spectrum to be shared by multiple players, rather than being broken up into smaller blocks for the sole purpose of exclusive assignment.
• The court was told that since its 2012 decision, non-commercial spectrum allocation has been temporary.
• The government now wants to establish a solid framework for assigning spectrum, including methods other than auctions, for the greater good.
• 2012 Presidential reference
  • The government refers to a previous Constitution Bench's remarks on a Presidential reference about the 2012 verdict.
  • The Bench pointed out that the auction method prescribed in the verdict was not to be considered a constitutional mandate for the alienation of natural resources excluding spectrum.
  • However, spectrum, which according to the law declared in the 2G case, is to be alienated only by auction and no other method.

The Telecommunications Act, 2023

• Empowers govt to use administrative route
  • The law passed by the Parliament empowers the government to assign spectrum for telecommunication through administrative processes other than auction for entities listed in the First Schedule.
  • These include entities engaged in national security, defence, and law enforcement as well as Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellites such as Space X, and Bharti Airtel-backed OneWeb.
• Government can also assign part of a spectrum that has already been assigned
  • The government can also assign part of a spectrum that has already been assigned to one or more additional entities, known as secondary assignees.
  • It can even terminate assignments where a spectrum or a part of it has remained underutilised for insufficient reasons.

Why in News?

In a first, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a notice for violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) on the basis of complaints against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

However, taking a circuitous route, the notice was sent to BJP President, and not to PM Modi.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• What is the Model Code of Conduct (MCC)?
• What Activities Are Prohibited After Implementation of MCC?
• News Summary Regarding the Recent Unprecedented Move of the ECI

What is the Model Code of Conduct (MCC)?

• The MCC for the guidance of political parties and candidates is a set of norms which has evolved with the consensus of political parties.
• Once the ECI announces the poll schedule, the MCC immediately comes into effect and remains operational until the conclusion of the electoral process.
• Its primary objective is to ensure that campaigns, polling, and counting proceed in an orderly, transparent, and peaceful manner.
• Additionally, it serves as a mechanism to curb any misuse of state machinery and financial resources by the ruling party.
• It was initially introduced by the ECI under the title of 'Minimum Code of Conduct' during the Mid-Term Elections in 1968-69.
• Subsequent revisions were made in 1979, 1982, 1991, and 2013, reflecting the changing dynamics of electoral politics in the country.
• Though the MCC has no statutory backing (only a moral obligation), it has grown in strength as a result of the ECI's strict enforcement since its implementation in the 1990s.

What Activities Are Prohibited After Implementation of MCC?

• The MCC imposes several restrictions, including prohibiting the ruling party from using its official position for campaigning purposes.
• Ministers and government authorities are barred from announcing financial grants or launching projects that may influence voters in favour of the ruling party.
  • Additionally, the utilisation of official machinery for campaign purposes is strictly prohibited.
• This code provides that no party or candidate shall indulge in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes, religious or linguistic communities.
• It also provides that there shall be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes. Mosques, churches, temples or other places of worship shall not be used as a forum for election propaganda. 

The Unprecedented Move of the ECI:

• The notice served to the BJP President was regarding PM Modi’s malicious election speech delivered at Banswara (Rajasthan).
• A similar notice was served to Congress president, concerning complaints related both to him and party leader Rahul Gandhi.
• ECI officials said this is the first time in recent history that the panel has taken cognisance of a complaint against a Prime Minister.
• In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the ECI had given a clean chit to Mr. Modi on complaints lodged by the Opposition parties.
  • Then-Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa had submitted a dissent note on some of the decisions taken by the ECI regarding complaints against the Prime Minister.
• What is also unprecedented is the ECI issuing notices to the respective party presidents instead of directly to the concerned individuals.
• In its notice to the BJP president, the ECI asked him to bring to the notice of all-star campaigners of the party to set high standards of political discourse and observe provisions of MCC in letter and spirit.

Why in news?

Recently, a study of the Indian Ocean floor or the bathymetry was undertaken by scientists of the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS).

The study – ‘Impact of bathymetry on Indian Ocean circulation in a nested regional ocean model’ highlights the importance of bathymetry in ocean models to understand ocean movements better. This understanding is crucial for improving forecasts related to ocean conditions, weather, and climate, especially for Indian ocean rim countries and subcontinent.

What’s in today’s article?

• Bathymetry
• Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS)
• Key highlights of the study

Bathymetry

• It is the study and mapping of the depth of water in oceans, rivers, lakes, and streams.
• Bathymetric maps are similar to topographic maps, which use lines to show the shape and elevation of land features. On bathymetric maps, the lines connect points of equal depth.
• Bathymetry is the foundation of the science of hydrography, which measures the physical features of a water body.
  • Hydrography includes not only bathymetry, but also the shape and features of the shoreline; the characteristics of tides, currents, and waves; and the physical and chemical properties of the water itself.

Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS)

• INCOIS is an autonomous organization of the Government of India.
• It provides ocean information and advisory services to the scientific community, industry, government agencies, and society.
• INCOIS is a unit of the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO) and was established in 1999 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
• It is located in Hyderabad.

Key highlights of the study

• The Contrasting Currents of the Indian Ocean
  • The Indian Ocean's currents are not solely governed by surface influences.
  • The study suggests that both the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Maldives islands play pivotal roles in altering the direction and speed of these currents, particularly in the deep ocean.
  • Interestingly, these submerged dynamics often contradict the movements observed at the ocean's surface, revealing a complex interplay between various oceanic forces.
• Revolutionizing Ocean Modeling: Correcting Coastal Currents Around India
  • The study revealed significant discrepancies in previously employed ocean modeling systems, particularly in their representation of coastal currents around India.
  • Through comprehensive bathymetry studies, notable enhancements have been achieved in accurately depicting upper ocean characteristics including salinity, temperature, and currents, particularly in coastal regions.
  • A more realistic East India Coastal Current (EICC) flow was estimated at 1,000 metres and 2,000 metres depth, which is opposite to that of the surface.
• Insights from Andaman, Nicobar, and Maldives
  • The study uncovered a significant boundary current tracing the coast of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands at a depth of 2,000 meters, shedding light on previously unrecognized deep-sea dynamics.
  • Moreover, the presence of the Maldives Islands emerges as a key factor in extending the Equatorial Under Current (EUC)
    • EUC is a strong, narrow, eastward-flowing current that's located in the upper thermocline, centered on the equator.
    • It's a permanent feature of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and is also present in the Indian Ocean during the northeast monsoon in the spring and winter.
  • Notably, seasonal variations in the EUC's characteristics have been identified, with a more defined structure observed during the fall months in the eastern Equatorial Indian Ocean, at depths ranging from 50 to 100 meters.
  • However, in spring, it's a bit deeper, around 100 to 150 meters.
• The Crucial Role of Ocean Forecasting in Weather, Climate, and Industry
  • Oceans significantly influence weather, climate, and the maritime sector.
  • This highlights the need for precise forecasts of oceanographic parameters like currents, temperature, and salinity across various time frames.
  • Achieving accurate predictions relies on bolstered observations and refined modeling techniques, essential for supporting both economic activities and scientific understanding.

Why in News? RBI recently barred Kotak Mahindra Bank from onboarding new customers through online and mobile banking channels, and from issuing fresh credit cards, with immediate effect. 

What Powers did RBI use? Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 empowers the RBI “to prevent the affairs of any banking company being conducted in a manner detrimental to depositors interests or prejudicial to banks interests”.

Reasons for the Ban-As per RBI’s Information Technology (IT) examination of the bank for the years 2022 and 2023-

1. Serious deficiencies and non-compliances were observed in the areas of IT inventory management, patch and change management, user access management, vendor risk management, data security and data leak prevention strategy, business continuity, disaster recovery rigour and drill.
2. Frequent and subsequent outages in banks core Banking System (CBS) and online and digital banking were observed due to absence of a robust IT infrastructure and risk management framework.
3. There was increasing load on Bank’s IT systems due to rapid growth in the volume of bank’s digital transactions, including credit card transactions.
4. The bank failed to comply with Corrective Action Plans issued by RBI.

What next for Existing Customers? The RBI clarified that the bank will continue to provide services to its existing customers, including its credit card customers.

Bank’s Response- The Bank said that it has taken measures for adoption of new technologies to strengthen its IT systems and will continue to work with RBI to swiftly resolve balance issues at the earliest. It assured of providing the existing customers uninterrupted services, including credit card, mobile and net banking and of providing all services except credit card to new customers.