Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Population Trends; NFHS Report (2019-21);
Mains level: Religion and Demographics in India;
Why in the News?
Once again, the Muslim population has become a point of discussion. Last month, PM Narendra Modi referred Muslims in India, suggesting they have a higher birth rate.
Trends of Muslim Population as per Data Point (NFHS-5 2019-21) published on April 23:
- Population Trends: The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister noted a Muslims in the total population increased by 43.15% between 1950 and 2015, the share of Hindus decreased by 7.82% between 1950 and 2015.
- The fertility rate of Muslims was 2.36 in 2019-21, much closer to the replacement level. The fertility rate is the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime. A rate of 2.1 (the ‘replacement level’) means that the population is stable.
Factors behind the High Population Growth of Muslims:
- Socio-economic Factors: Socio-economic factors, rather than religion, significantly influence fertility rates. Educating girls, delaying marriage, promoting family planning awareness, and ensuring access to family planning measures are crucial in reducing fertility levels.
- Regional Variations: Fertility rates among Muslim women vary regionally, influenced by the social and economic development of states.
- Early Marriage and Literacy: There’s a positive correlation between higher fertility rates and early marriage among women aged 20-24. Conversely, a negative correlation exists between literacy rates among women and fertility rates.
- Lack of Awareness: Lack of awareness about family planning remains a concern, with a significant portion of women reporting never hearing or seeing family planning messages.
- Unmet Demand for Family Planning: Many women, particularly Muslims in certain states, have an unmet demand for family planning due to various factors, including lack of access to contraceptive measures.
- Government Intervention: Increasing awareness about contraceptives, improving access to family planning measures, educating girls, and preventing child marriages are essential government functions to reduce fertility rates across religious groups.
Need for Coercive Measures:
- Comprehensive Education and Awareness Programs: Implement educational campaigns that promote family planning, gender equality, and reproductive health awareness, targeting both men and women in communities across the country.
- Access to Family Planning Services: Ensure easy access to a wide range of family planning methods and contraceptives, including in remote and underserved areas, through government health facilities and community outreach programs.
Mains PYQ:
Q Critically examine whether growing population is the cause of poverty OR poverty is the mains cause of population increase in India. (UPSC IAS/2015)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Judiciary;
Mains level: Judicial interventions;
Why in the News?
On May 7, a Bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan warned against the presence of “unfair, prejudicial, and atrocious mindsets” that perpetuate and validate caste prejudices.
- It also directed all states and union territories to ensure that the ‘history sheets‘ maintained by their police forces are free from ‘caste biases’.
- The Bench was adjudicating a petition filed by AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, contesting a history sheet initiated against him and a proposal to designate him as a ‘bad character’ by registering his name in the surveillance register at Delhi’s Jamia Nagar police station.
Did you know about the ‘History sheets’?
- The term “history sheet” first appeared in the Punjab Police Rules of 1934.
- These rules authorized the opening of a history sheet against individuals reasonably believed to be habitually addicted to crime or aiding and abetting criminal activities, regardless of whether they have been convicted.
How was the process of ‘history sheeting’ initiated?
- The process of opening a history sheet is governed by police rules specific to each state, such as it is applicable in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, and Chandigarh.
- The initiation typically begins when the Station House Officer (SHO), who is the head of the police station, takes notice of an individual proven guilty in multiple cases or found to be consistently engaged in criminal activities.
- Details included in the history sheet (Acc. Punjab Police Rules, 1934):
- A history sheet must contain a detailed description of the individual, paying special attention to any peculiarities of appearance that can aid in identification.
- It mentions the relations and connections of the individual. This provides clues regarding persons with whom the criminal is likely to associate.
- It holds the details about any property owned by the criminal, as well as their mode of earning a livelihood, should be included.
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About Amanatullah Khan’s plea in the Supreme Court:
- On May 13, 2022, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Jamia Nagar had submitted a dossier to the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) proposing to open a history sheet and label him as a “Bad Character” in police records.
- The proposal was accompanied by a list of 18 pending cases against Khan, including offenses such as intimidation, threatening, and riots. Khan claimed that he had been discharged, acquitted, or had the FIRs quashed in 14 of these cases.
- Legal Battles:
- In January 2023, the Delhi HC dismissed Khan’s plea against the opening of the history sheet and the “Bad Character” tag, stating that the Delhi Police had followed due procedure and complied with the Punjab Police Rules, 1934.
- Khan’s appeal to the SC was rejected, but the SC directed the police to ensure that details of his minor children and wife were not reflected in the history sheet.
- Khan’s plea focused on protecting the dignity, self-respect, and privacy of his innocent family members, including minor relatives, from being compromised by inclusion in the history sheet.
- Revisiting Police Procedures: The Delhi Police submitted that they would revisit the format for history sheets to ensure that the details of innocent family members are not compromised.
- A Standing Order issued by the Delhi Police Commissioner on March 21, 2024, stated that details of minor relatives should not be included in the history sheet.
BACK2BASICS
Constitutional and Legal Provisions for accused person in India:
- Article 20: This right protects against arbitrary and excessive punishment of an accused person, whether a citizen, a foreigner, or a legal person like a company or a corporation, etc.
- Article 21: This right declares that no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to the procedure established by law. This right is available to both citizens and non-citizens.
- Section 50(1) of the CrPC: As per this section, every arrested person has the right to be treated with dignity and respect during detention.
- This section ensures that individuals, including the accused, are not subjected to any form of physical or mental abuse while in custody, upholding the basic human rights of the accused.
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Way Forward:
- Review and Revise Police Procedures: States and Union Territories should conduct a comprehensive review of their police procedures related to maintaining history sheets to ensure they are free from caste biases.
- Training and Sensitization: Police personnel should undergo regular training and sensitization programs to raise awareness about caste biases and the importance of impartiality in law enforcement.
Mains PYQ:
Q The jurisdiction of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding lodging an FIR and conducting probe within a particular State is being questioned by various States. However, the power of the States to withhold consent to the CBI is not absolute. Explain with special reference to the federal character of India.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Article 371A; Nagaland;
Mains level: State Elections; Nagaland; Urban Local Bodies;
Why in the News?
For the first time (since 2004), Nagaland is scheduled to conduct Urban Local Body elections.
Context:
- The state cabinet approved on April 26 for conducting Urban Local Body polls for Nagaland’s 3 Municipal Councils and 36 Town Councils.
- Further, the State Election Commission (SEC) released the election schedule, with voting slated for June 26.
BACK2BASICS: Constitutional Provisions for Urban Local Body Elections:
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- The 74th Constitutional Amendment bars the interference by courts in the electoral matters of municipalities.
- Article 243U mandates a five-year tenure for urban local governments.
- The superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of the electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to the panchayats and municipalities shall be vested in the State Election Commission (SEC).
- Article 371 (A)- It makes the special provisions for Nagaland in such a way that the Acts of Parliament would not apply to Nagaland unless the State Legislature Assembly so decides especially in terms of the Religious or social practices of the Naga.
What does the Janaagraha Survey say about the status of Municipal Elections in India?
- According to the annual survey made by Janaagraha (a non-profit institution), over 1,400 municipalities in India did not have elected councils in place as of September 2021.
- According to the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India (CAG), between 2015 and 2021, over 1,500 municipalities didn’t have elected councils. Major cities like Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru faced delays ranging from months to years in holding elections.
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The story behind the contention surrounding the Urban Local Body polls in Nagaland:
- The Nagaland Municipal Act of 2001 was amended in 2006 to introduce a 33% reservation for women in local bodies, by constitutional amendments.
- However, this amendment became a subject of controversy due to opposition from tribal bodies, citing conflicts with Naga customary laws.
- These laws under Article 371(A) of the Constitution violated Naga customary practices where women have traditionally not been part of decision-making bodies.
- In 2009, the state government deferred municipal elections scheduled for the following year due to the controversy surrounding the Act.
- Despite opposition, advocacy groups such as the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) fought for the implementation of women’s reservations.
- In 2011, the NMA petitioned the Gauhati High Court, which directed the Nagaland government to hold local body elections.
- In 2012, the state assembly passed a resolution rejecting women’s reservations in the polls, leading to further legal battles. The NMA filed a special leave petition in the SC, which in 2017 directed the government to hold the polls.
- When the government moved to conduct the elections as per the Supreme Court directive, violent protests erupted, resulting in casualties. Under mounting pressure, then Chief Minister T R Zeliang resigned from his position.
- In November, during a special emergency session, the assembly passed the Nagaland Municipal Bill, 2023.
- This new legislation retains the 33% reservation for women in urban local bodies, aligning with constitutional amendments, but removes provisions such as reservation for the post of chairperson and taxes on immovable property.
Conclusion: Nagaland needs to foster community engagement and participation in the electoral process by promoting inclusive governance structures that involve diverse community members, including women, youth, and marginalized groups.
Mains PYQ:
Q Recent directives from Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas are perceived by the ‘Nagas’ as a threat to override the exceptional status enjoyed by the State. Discuss in light of Article 371A of the Indian Constitution.(UPSC IAS/2013)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Trends in Indian Foreign Trades; Free Trade Agreement Policy;
Mains level: Trends in Indian Foreign Trades; Free Trade Agreement Policy;
Why in the News?
India needs a clear Free Trade Agreement policy, especially in dealing with International Trade and Foreign Investment Laws.
About Free Trade Agreement:
-
- A Free Trade Agreement between two or more countries aims to reduce or eliminate barriers to trade, such as tariffs, quotas, and other restrictions, to facilitate the flow of goods and services across borders.
- Its significance for India: It can increase market access for Indian goods and services, boost exports, attract foreign investment, stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities, and enhance competitiveness through exposure to international markets and technologies.
- Present status of India’s Involvement in FTA:
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- India is involved in various free trade arrangements, including the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Free Trade Area, the India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), and negotiations with the European Union for a free trade agreement, among others.
- Negotiations for India’s FTAs with countries like the United Kingdom and the European Union (EU) appear to have stalled amidst the current parliamentary elections in India.
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Why does India need to rebuild its Free Trade Agreement policy?
- For Comprehensive Economic Treaties: Combining trade and investment negotiations provides India with clear negotiating leverage to strike beneficial deals.
- It allows India to leverage concessions in trade for advancements in investment, and vice versa. This approach enhances India’s bargaining power in FTA negotiations.
- For Scope Expansion: India should expand the scope of investment issues by incorporating provisions for protecting foreign investors under international law, ensuring their confidence in investing in India.
- It will help India to establish an efficacious dispute settlement mechanism under international law to resolve investment disputes effectively.
- Providing enforceable legal protection to foreign investors is crucial for boosting their confidence, especially amidst declining foreign direct investment levels in India.
- For addressing the drop in FDI Levels: The policy should address the decline in foreign direct investment levels in India by instilling confidence among foreign investors through robust legal protection and dispute resolution mechanisms.
Investment lessons from the India-EFTA Trade deal:
- The India-EFTA FTA includes a comprehensive investment chapter, which is missing in recent Indian FTAs with countries like Australia, UAE, and Mauritius.
- The agreement includes provisions wherein EFTA countries commit to making honest endeavors to increase FDI to India and facilitate job generation, codifying an obligation of conduct rather than an obligation of result.
- Economic theory highlights the close linkage between trade and investment. While earlier Indian FTAs included both binding trade rules and investment protection, recent ones decoupled international trade law from international investment law.
- The India-EFTA FTA, emphasizes combining trade and investment negotiations in one comprehensive economic treaty, that is ‘FTA 3.0 Approach’, which represents a departure from the decoupling approach seen in recent FTAs.
Way Forward:
- Capacity Building: Enhance the capacity of Indian negotiators and policymakers to understand complex trade and investment issues, including legal frameworks, dispute resolution mechanisms, and international best practices.
- Integrated Negotiation Approach: Adopt an integrated approach to FTA negotiations, wherein trade and investment aspects are negotiated together within a single agreement, ensuring coherence and synergy between the two.
Mains PYQ:
Q Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is transforming itself into a trade bloc from a military alliance, in present times Discuss.
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/investment-lessons-from-the-india-efta-trade-deal/article68168582.ece#:~:text=Providing%20enforceable%20legal%20protection%20to,a%20higher%20economic%20growth%20trajectory.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Himalayan Magpies
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
Blue magpie species are frequently observed from Kashmir to Myanmar.
About Himalayan Magpies
- Magpies belong to the Corvidae family, which also includes crows, jays, and ravens.
- These birds are typically noisy and inquisitive, often featured as omens in folklore around the world.
- Species Distribution and Habitat:
- Gold-billed Magpie (Urocissa flavirostris): Also known as the yellow-billed blue magpie, this species inhabits high altitudes between 2,000 and 3,000 meters above sea level, thriving in the high-altitude zones of the Himalayas from Kashmir to Myanmar.
- Red-billed Magpie: Found at slightly lower altitudes than the gold-billed magpie.
- Blue Magpie: Occupies lower altitudes and is more likely to be found near human settlements. It builds nests in rhododendron trees.
- IUCN Status: ‘Least Concerned’
Observations:
- The best sightings of yellow and red-billed magpies are along a trekking corridor in Western Sikkim, which spans from tropical forests at lower altitudes to Alpine landscapes.
- Over 250 species of birds have been documented in this region, with significant bird activity around 2,500 meters.
PYQ:
[2014] If you walk through countryside, you are likely to see some birds stalking alongside the cattle to seize the insects, disturbed by their movement through grasses.
Which of the following is/are such bird/birds?
- Painted Stork
- Common Myna
- Black-necked Crane
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 3 only |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: 3D Printing; PS4 Engine
Why in the news?
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully tested a liquid rocket engine made with the help of additive manufacturing technology — commonly known as 3D printing.
3D Printed PS4 Engine
- The technology helped ISRO bring down the number of parts in the engine from 14 to a single piece.
- ISRO was able to eliminate 19 weld joints and saved 97% of raw material.
- It also reduced the overall production time by 60%.
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What is 3D printing?
- 3D printing is a process that uses computer-created design to make three-dimensional objects layer by layer.
- It is an additive process, in which layers of a material like plastic, composites or bio-materials are built up to construct objects that range in shape, size, rigidity, and colour.
- Common 3D Printing materials include Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Carbon Fiber Filaments, Conductive Filaments, Metal Filaments etc.
How is 3D printing done?
- To carry out 3D printing, one needs a personal computer connected to a 3D printer.
- All they need to do is design a 3D model of the required object on computer-aid design (CAD) software and press ‘print’.
- The 3D printer does the rest of the job.
- 3D printers construct the desired object by using a layering method, which is the complete opposite of the subtractive manufacturing processes.
Benefits offered:
3D printing offers several key advantages over traditional manufacturing, including:
- Complexity without Extra Cost: Allows for intricate designs without increasing production costs.
- Rapid Prototyping: Speeds up the development process by quickly producing prototypes from digital designs.
- Customization: Ideal for producing customized or bespoke items in small quantities.
- Reduced Waste: Generates minimal waste compared to traditional subtractive methods, making it more sustainable.
- Cost-Effective for Low Volumes: Avoids the need for expensive tooling and molds, beneficial for small production runs.
PYQ:
[2018] “3D printing” has applications in which of the following?
- Preparation of confectionery items
- Manufacture of bionic ears
- Automotive industry
- Reconstructive surgeries
- Data processing technologies
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 3 and 4 only
(b) 2, 3 and 5 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: C. Elegans Worm
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
Researchers at Princeton University found that Caenorhabditis elegans can inherit the ‘knowledge’ to avoid a disease-causing bacterium, Pseudomonas vranovensis, across several generations after initially consuming it.
C. Elegans: Breakthrough made in Scientific Research
- C. elegans can inherit the ‘knowledge’ to avoid a disease-causing bacterium, Pseudomonas vranovensis, across several generations after by consuming it.
- The study revealed that the worms ingested small RNA (sRNA) molecules from P. vranovensis, which then altered their feeding behaviour to avoid the bacteria.
- This sRNA interacts with the worm’s gene maco-1, affecting its neurological functions.
- These sRNAs are passed down to at least four subsequent generations, demonstrating a form of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.
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About C. Elegans Worm
- C. elegans, or Caenorhabditis elegans, is a small, transparent nematode (roundworm) widely used in scientific research.
- It is about 1 mm in length, making it easy to study under a microscope.
- It has a simple body plan, which simplifies many types of biological research.
- C. elegans was the first multicellular organism to have its entire genome sequenced in 1998.
Key Features of C. Elegans Worm
- Short lifespan and quick regeneration: It has a short lifespan of about 2-3 weeks and develops from an egg to an adult in just 3-5 days. This allows for quick generation turnover and facilitates studies on genetics and developmental biology.
- Transparency: It allows researchers to easily observe its internal structures and developmental processes in real time.
- Genetic information: This has provided a wealth of genetic information and made it a powerful tool for genetic studies.
- Consistent Somatic Cell Count: Adult C. elegans have exactly 959 somatic cells, and their lineage has been fully mapped, providing a consistent model for studying cell development and death.
PYQ:
[2021] Consider the following:
1. Bacteria
2. Fungi
3. Virus
Which of the above can be cultured in artificial/synthetic medium?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Auroras and its types, Coronal Mass Ejections/ Solar Storm
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
- In a rare event, the night sky over Hanle village in Ladakh was illuminated by the northern lights or aurora borealis.
- Concurrently, the southern lights, or aurora australis, were observed in New Zealand and Australia.
What are Auroras?
- Auroras are natural light displays that appear as bright, swirling curtains in the night sky.
- They are typically seen near the Poles but can occasionally be observed at lower latitudes.
- These lights can display a range of colors, including blue, red, yellow, green, and orange, due to the interaction of solar particles with different gases in the Earth’s atmosphere.
- The phenomenon is known as:
- Aurora borealis in Northern Hemisphere and
- Aurora australis in Southern Hemisphere
What causes Auroras?
- Interaction with Earth’s Magnetic Field: As the solar wind approaches Earth, it interacts with the planet’s magnetic field, causing some charged particles to enter the atmosphere near the poles.
- Interaction with Gases: These particles interact with gases in the upper atmosphere, producing colourful flashes of light. Collision with oxygen produces green light, while interaction with nitrogen results in shades of blue and purple.
Reasons for Aurora in Ladakh:
- Intense Solar Activity: Auroras can extend to lower latitudes during periods of intense solar activity, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
- The CMEs are from the AR13664 region of the sun that has produced several high-energy solar flares
- Localized magnetic anomalies: Variations in Earth’s magnetic field could potentially influence the occurrence of auroras in specific areas, including regions at lower latitudes.
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Impact on Tech Infrastructure
- Auroras can pose challenges to space-dependent technologies and operations.
- Disruptions in Global Positioning Systems (GPS), radio communications, flight operations, power grids, and space exploration endeavors may occur during such events.
PYQ:
[2022] If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth?
- GPS and navigation systems could fail.
- Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions.
- Power grids could be damaged.
- Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth.
- Forest fires could take place over much of the planet.
- Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed.
- Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over Polar Regions could be interrupted.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
(b) 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 only
(c) 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 |
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