From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: U-WIN
Why in the News?
The government plans to roll out U-WIN, an online vaccine management portal for childhood vaccination, across the country.
Similar to CoWIN used during the Covid-19 pandemic, U-WIN aims to digitize and individualize immunization records from birth.
What is U-WIN?
Children up to 6 yearsold and pregnant mothers are registered on U-WIN using government IDs like Aadhaar and their mobile phone numbers.
Records of all 25 shotsgiven to a child and the two given to pregnant mothers are added to the platform.
It’s Working:
The platform generates a color-coded vaccination certificate.
The digital vaccine certificate can be downloaded by parents using their registered mobile numbers, eliminating the need for a physical vaccination booklet.
After each shot is administered and recorded, the date is added to the card, which also shows the due date for the next set of vaccines.
U-WIN sends SMS reminders to parents before their children are due for the next dose.
U-WIN helps locate thenearest vaccination center and book available slots.
Significance:
1) For providing Immunization:
U-WIN’s reminders to parents are likely to improve compliance with vaccination schedules.
The platform ensures portability, allowing children to receive their doses anywhere in the country, particularly benefiting children of migrant workers.
Registration at birth may help reduce the number of “zero dose” children, those who have not received any vaccinations.
2) For Health Workers:
The platform can automatically generate a due list of children in specific areas for health workers.
These data points can be utilized by other government programs and eventually connected through the ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) ID.
Integration with Existing Systems
U-WIN will link to the government’s existing eVIN platform for inventory management.
eVIN tracks all vaccine vials, from central stores to each vaccination site, monitoring doses used, wasted, and returned, and tracks real-time temperature and humidity using sensors.
U-WIN runs on the same principles and digital infrastructure as CoWIN, making adoption straightforward.
Most vaccinators are familiar with similar platforms, ensuring a smooth transition.
Zero Dose Children
In India, the coverage of the first dose of diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus (DPT)-containing vaccine is taken as the proxy for zero dose children.
Data from WHO and UNICEF showed that while 93% of children received their first vaccine dose, there were still 1.6 million zero dose children in India in 2023.
The data also showed that 1.6 million children missed their first measles-containing vaccine in 2023, up from 1.1 million the previous year.
This is concerning as in 2022, five states — Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra — reported a rise in the incidence of measles.
PYQ:
[2016] ‘Mission Indradhanush’ launched by the Government of India pertains to:
(a) Immunization of children and pregnant women
(b) Construction of smart cities across the country
(c) India’s own search for the Earth-like planets in outer space
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Rogue Waves
Why in the News?
Rogue waves, unusually large waves compared to those before and after them, pose significant threats to ships, coastal and offshore infrastructure, and human lives.
Until now, there has been no method to forecast rogue waves.
What Are Rogue Waves?
Rogue waves are unusually large and unpredictable waves that are much larger than the surrounding waves.
They are often defined as waves that are at least twice the height of the surrounding waves.
Formation:
Rogue waves can form when swells from distant weather systems converge to create a single, amplified wave.
They may also form when ocean currents compress swells, creating strong, high waves.
Features:
Traditionally, rogue waves have been difficult to predict due to their sudden appearance and rare occurrence.
The lack of real-time forecasting methods has made it challenging to mitigate their impact effectively.
What is Sea State?
In oceanography, sea state refers to the condition of the surface of a large body of water at a specific location and time.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) sea state code characterizes sea state based on wave height on a scale of 0 (no waves) to 9 (waves over 14 meters).
Characteristics:
Unlike typical waves, rogue waves can appear suddenly and without warning.
They defy the average sea state, making them exceptionally dangerous.
Threats Posed by Rogue Waves:
(1) Shipping
For Ships and Vessels: Rogue waves pose a significant threat to ships and other vessels at sea. Their unexpected and massive size can lead to capsizing or severe damage.
For Offshore Infrastructure: Oil rigs, wind turbines, and other offshore structures can be heavily damaged or destroyed by rogue waves.
(2) Coastal Threats
Coastal Erosion: The sheer force of rogue waves can lead to accelerated coastal erosion, affecting beaches and shorelines.
Flooding: Rogue waves can cause sudden and severe coastal flooding, posing risks to coastal communities and ecosystems.
(3) Human Safety
Loss of Life: Rogue waves have been responsible for numerous fatalities. Between 2011 and 2018, rogue waves killed at least 386 people.
Property Damage: The impact of rogue waves on ships, coastal areas, and offshore structures can result in significant financial losses.
Advancements in Forecasting
University of Maryland mathematicians Thomas Breunung and Balakumar Balachandran have developed an artificial intelligence program capable of forecasting rogue waves.
The AI program was trained using billions of data points collected by a network of 172 ocean buoys.
The researchers analyzed 20-minute long samples recorded by ocean buoys.
PYQ:
[2017] At one of the places in India, if you stand on the seashore and watch the sea, you will find that the sea water recedes from the shore line a few kilometres and comes back to the shore, twice a day, and you can actually walk on the sea floor when the water recedes. This unique phenomenon is seen at:
Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Indian Constitution - historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Article 361 and its various sub-sections
Why in the News?
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea seeking to redefine the constitutional immunity of state Governors.
Article 361 of the Constitution shields the President and Governors from criminal prosecution and judicial scrutiny.
The Supreme Court will interpret whether the immunity includes the registration of an FIR, initiation of a preliminary inquiry, or a magistrate taking cognisance of an offence.
Origins of Governor’s Immunity
The concept of immunity is based on the Latin maxim “rex non potest peccare” (the king can do no wrong), rooted in English legal traditions.
During the Constituent Assembly debates in 1949, member H. V. Kamath questioned whether immunity meant no proceedings could be instituted against the President or Governor during their term or only while they were in office.
The article was adopted without further debate on criminal immunity.
What are immunities under Article 361?
According to Article 361(1), the President or a Governor is not answerable to any court for the exercise of their powers and duties.
Article 361(2) ensures that NO criminal proceedings can be initiated or continued against the President or Governor during their term.
Article 361(3)prohibits the arrest or imprisonment of the President or Governor while they are in office.
Article 361(4) states that civil lawsuits for personal acts against the President or Governor cannot be initiated during their term and can only proceed two months after a written notice is given post-term.
Judicial Interpretations of Article 361:
Dr SC Barat and Anr vs. Hari Vinayak Pataskar Case (1961): Distinguished between the Governor’s official and personal actions. While official actions have complete immunity, civil proceedings for personal acts can proceed with prior notice.
Rameshwar Prasad vs. Union of India Case (2006): The Supreme Court recognized “complete immunity” for constitutional actions under Article 361(1), but allowed judicial review for actions taken with malicious intent.
Vyapam Scam Case (2015): The Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that Governor Ram Naresh Yadav had absolute protection under Article 361(2), preventing his name from being included in the investigation to avoid undue legal harassment.
State of UP vs. Kalyan Singh Case (2017): The Supreme Court upheld that Kalyan Singh, while serving as Governor of Rajasthan, was immune under Article 361. Legal proceedings related to the Babri Masjid demolition were to resume after his term.
Telangana High Court Judgment (2024): Observed that the Constitution does not explicitly or implicitly bar judicial review of actions taken by a Governor, and stated that Article 361 immunity is personal and does not exclude judicial review.
Case for Revisiting Immunity
The debate on executive immunity is ongoing in other countries as well.
The US Supreme Court recently decided that former President Donald Trump is entitled to “absolute immunity” from criminal prosecution for official acts but not for unofficial or personal acts.
In India, the discussion is viewed within the larger context of the tension between Governors and opposition-ruled state governments.
The Supreme Court has noted instances where Governors acted with political motives.
PYQ:
[2018] Consider the following statements:
No criminal proceedings shall be instituted against the Governor of a State in any court during his term of office.
The emoluments and allowances of the Governor of a State shall not be diminished during his term of office.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
[2019] Which one of the following suggested that the Governor should be an eminent person from outside the State and should be a detached figure without intense political links or should not have taken part in politics in the recent past?
(a) First Administrative Reforms Commission (1966)
(b) Rajamannar Committee (1969)
(c) Sarkaria Commission (1983)
(d) National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (2000)
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Trends in India's GDP growth rate
Why in the News?
India’s economy is projected to grow at 6.5% to 7% in the fiscal year ending March 2025.
The Economic Survey for 2023-24 highlights the need to address inequality and unemployment as policy priorities.
Policy Recommendations by Chief Economic Adviser (CEA)
Regulatory Burdens: CEA V. Anantha Nageswaran advocates for Central and State governments to reduce regulatory burdens on businesses.
Corporate Responsibility: He urges the corporate sector to create productive jobs, emphasizing their responsibility in generating employment.
Various Challenges discussed
(1) Challenges in the IT Sector:
Slowdown in Hiring: The CEA notes a significant slowdown in IT sector hiring over the last two years.
AI and Labor: He encourages the industry to use AI to augment labor rather than replace workers.
(2) Skilling Initiatives
Addressing Inequality: The Economic Survey suggests steps to tackle inequality, improve health, and bridge the education-employment gap.
Skilling Reboot: A reboot of India’s skilling initiatives is proposed to provide the industry with people having the right attitude and skills.
(3) Corporate Sector and Economic Growth
Demand and Employment: The Survey emphasizes the benefits for corporates from higher demand generated by employment and income growth.
Warning against Short-Termism: It warns against “short-termism” which can weaken economic linkages.
(4) State Capacity and Consensus Building:
Enhancing State Capacity: Enhancing state capacity is critical for the strategy to work.
Need for Consensus: The CEA stresses the need for consensus between governments, businesses, and the social sectors for effective transformation.
(5) Land Acquisition and Investment Concerns:
Land Use Norms: While the Survey does not mention land acquisition reform, it highlights the need to deregulate land use norms and consolidate farmland holdings.
Investment Cautions: The Survey cautions about private capital formation being cautious due to fears of cheaper imports, indirectly referencing China.
(6) Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Challenges:
Attracting FDI: Attracting FDI will be challenging due to higher interest rates and developed countries encouraging domestic investments through subsidies.
Addressing Uncertainties: Despite progress, uncertainties related to transfer pricing, taxes, and import duties need to be addressed.
Structural Reforms
Existing Reforms: Structural reforms such as GST and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code are delivering expected results.
Next-Gen Reforms: The Survey calls for “next-gen reforms” that are bottom-up in nature to achieve sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth.
Strategic Directions for Growth
Six-Pronged Strategy: The Survey outlines a six-pronged strategy for growth, emphasizing private sector investments and a fair share of income for workers.
Focus Areas: Other focus areas include financing the green transition, removing barriers for MSMEs, and implementing intelligent farmer-friendly policies.
Conclusion
Sustained Growth Potential: The economy can grow at over 7% on a sustained basis in the medium term by building on past reforms.
Tripartite Compact: Achieving this growth requires a tripartite compact between the Centre, States, and the private sector.
PYQ:
[2013] Economic growth in country X will necessarily have to occur if:
(a) There is technical progress in the world economy.
(b) There is population growth in X.
(c) There is capital formation in X.
(d) The volume of trade grows in the world economy.
