Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Importance of Secularism in India; Education; Judiciary;
Why in the News?
The Supreme Court reserved its decision on appeals challenging the Allahabad HC’s verdict, which declared the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004 as ‘Unconstitutional’.
What is the UP Madarsa Education Act of 2004?
- The UP Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004, was enacted to establish a regulatory framework for madrasas in the state.
- Aim: To ensure the delivery of quality education in these institutions while aligning them with constitutional principles.
- Key Provisions: The Act set up the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education, responsible for prescribing curricula, conducting examinations, and certifying students in registered madrasas.
- State Involvement: It allowed the government to provide grants, regulate the functioning of madrasas, and inspect their adherence to standards, ensuring uniformity and compliance with educational norms.
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On what grounds did the Allahabad HC declare the Madarsa Act as ‘Unconstitutional’?
- Violation of Secularism: The Allahabad High Court ruled that the Act violated the principle of secularism, which is a fundamental aspect of the Indian Constitution.
- The court held that the state’s direct involvement in the administration and funding of religious institutions like madrasas contradicted the secular character enshrined in the Constitution.
- Equality Before Law: The Act was also found to contravene Article 14, which ensures equality before the law.
- The court noted that providing special educational arrangements for madrasas amounted to favoring a particular religious community, which was deemed discriminatory against others.
What are the key arguments on the Constitutionality of the Madarsa Education Act before the SC?
- For the Act’s Constitutionality:
- Promoting Educational Rights: Petitioners argued that the Act was intended to improve the quality of education in madrasas by incorporating modern subjects, thereby fulfilling the state’s obligation under Article 21A (Right to Education).
- Minority Rights Protection: They contended that the Act safeguarded the rights of religious and linguistic minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice under Article 30.
- Against the Act’s Constitutionality:
- State Involvement in Religious Education: Critics argued that the state’s involvement in regulating and funding madrasas blurred the line between state and religion, thus it leads to violating the secular framework.
- Discriminatory Approach: It was contended that the Act granted privileges to one community’s educational institutions, potentially discriminating against others.
- Alternative Educational Models: The state’s direct regulation of madrasas was seen as unnecessary when secular education could be provided through other existing educational frameworks.
What are the wider Implications of the SC’s decision on the Madarsa Education Act?
- Impact on Minority Educational Rights: If the Supreme Court upholds the Act, it may strengthen the right of minorities to receive state support for their educational institutions.
- Conversely, striking down the Act could set a precedent for limiting state involvement in religious institutions.
- Revisiting the Secularism Principle: The ruling could lead to a reassessment of how secularism is interpreted, particularly concerning state interactions with minority educational institutions.
- Implications for Other Religious Schools: The judgment could have broader ramifications for other religious institutions that receive government aid or regulation, potentially prompting similar legal challenges.
- Integration of Madrasas into Mainstream Education: If the Act is declared unconstitutional, the state may need to find alternative ways to integrate madrasa students into the formal educational system without compromising on their cultural and religious needs.
Way forward:
- Reform the Act to Align with Secular Principles: Amend the Act to focus on educational standards without direct state involvement in religious affairs, ensuring compliance with constitutional values of secularism and equality.
- Promote Inclusive Educational Models: Integrate madrasa education into the mainstream system by introducing modern subjects while respecting cultural and religious contexts, allowing students to benefit from both secular and religious education.
Mains PYQ:
Q National Education Policy 2020 conforms with the Sustainable Development Goal-4 (2030). It intends to restructure and reorient the education system in India. Critically examine the statement. (UPSC IAS/2020)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Climate change; COP 16;
Why in the News?
For the upcoming Annual Climate Change meeting set to take place in Baku (Azerbaijan), on November 11, countries are currently gathered in Cali, Colombia, for the biennial UN Biodiversity Conference.
What is the significance of COP16 in the context of Global biodiversity?
- Post-Kunming-Montreal Framework Implementation: COP16 is the first meeting after the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in 2022, which set ambitious targets for biodiversity conservation, including the 30 x 30 initiative (conserving 30% of lands and oceans by 2030).
- Elevated Focus on Biodiversity: The conference seeks to bring biodiversity discussions to the forefront, similar to climate change negotiations, acknowledging the interconnectedness of biodiversity and climate crises.
- Strengthening Global Commitments: COP16 aims to accelerate actions to halt biodiversity loss and set the stage for tracking the implementation of the GBF’s goals and targets, emphasizing the urgency of reversing ecosystem degradation.
Key Agendas for COP16:
- 30 x 30 Targets: A key focus will be expediting progress on the 30 x 30 goals, ensuring protected areas cover at least 30% of lands and oceans, and initiating restoration in at least 30% of degraded ecosystems.
- National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs): Countries will discuss and submit their NBSAPs, outlining time-bound actions to achieve GBF targets. Only 32 out of 196 countries have submitted NBSAPs so far.
- Access and Benefit Sharing (Nagoya Protocol): Negotiations will continue on sharing the benefits from genetic resources, particularly the use of digital genetic information, ensuring fair distribution of profits, especially to indigenous communities.
- High Seas Treaty Alignment: Discussions will focus on the agreement for the conservation of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions, including establishing protected marine areas and equitable sharing of resources.
- Financing Biodiversity Conservation: Mobilizing $200 billion per year by 2030, including $20-30 billion annually from developed to developing countries, will be a key topic.
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How will countries align their NBSAPs with the Global Biodiversity Framework?
- Time-Bound Action Plans: NBSAPs will mirror the approach of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, setting national goals aligned with the GBF’s targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.
- Monitoring and Reporting: Countries will have to ensure that their NBSAPs reflect the GBF’s goals and include mechanisms for tracking progress, adapting strategies, and reporting regularly to the CBD Secretariat.
- Integrating Regional Priorities: The NBSAPs will need to account for country-specific biodiversity challenges and regional ecological characteristics while aligning with the global targets set under the Kunming-Montreal Framework.
What role do various stakeholders play in achieving the objectives set out at COP16?
- National Governments: Responsible for formulating and implementing NBSAPs, mobilizing financial resources, and creating policies that align with the GBF’s goals.
- Indigenous and Local Communities: Vital for implementing conservation initiatives, especially in biodiversity-rich areas, and ensuring the fair sharing of benefits derived from traditional knowledge and resources.
- Private Sector and Corporations: Expected to contribute to financing biodiversity conservation, adopt sustainable practices, and support the development of biodiversity credits and conservation-related projects.
- International Organizations and NGOs: Will play a role in monitoring progress, providing technical assistance, advocating for biodiversity-friendly policies, and raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity conservation.
- Scientific and Academic Institutions: Crucial for research, data collection, and providing evidence-based recommendations to guide biodiversity conservation strategies and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Way forward: India needs to enhance it’s regulatory frameworks and establish robust monitoring mechanisms to ensure the effective implementation of biodiversity conservation goals, including the 30 x 30 targets, and prevent the exploitation of ecosystems.
Previous Years Question:
Q). Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (UPSC CSE 2021)
Q). Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November, 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)? (UPSC CSE 2021)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Federal Issues; Center vs state; Internal Security;
Why in the News?
A nine-judge Constitution Bench, with an 8:1 majority, affirmed the authority of State legislatures to regulate industrial alcohol.
What is the definition of “intoxicating liquor” with industrial alcohol?
- The SC’s ruling established that the term “intoxicating liquor” in Entry 8 of the State List should be interpreted broadly to include not only potable alcohol but also industrial alcohol, such as rectified spirit, extra neutral alcohol (ENA), and denatured spirit.
- This definition extends beyond the popular meaning of “intoxicating liquor” as alcoholic beverages meant for consumption.
- Public Health Consideration: The ruling emphasized that alcohol, in any form, is a noxious substance prone to misuse. Hence, industrial alcohol, which can potentially be diverted for the production of illicit or harmful alcoholic beverages, falls under the regulatory domain of the States to protect public health and safety.
- Legal Precedent: The Court cited previous decisions where the interpretation of “intoxicating liquor” was not confined to just alcoholic beverages but also included forms of alcohol that could be detrimental to health if used improperly.
How does this ruling impact the balance of power between state and central governments?
- Strengthening State Autonomy: The ruling affirms that States have the legislative competence to regulate industrial alcohol according to Entry 8 of the State List.
- By upholding the States’ right to regulate industrial alcohol, the judgment reinforces federalism and the autonomy of State legislatures in matters that fall within the ambit of their constitutional authority.
- This challenges the Centre’s claim to exclusive control over industrial alcohol under Entry 52 of the Union List, which pertains to industries regulated by the Union for public interest.
- Restriction on Centre’s Authority: The judgment limits the Union government’s power and clarifies that Parliament’s control over industries under Entry 52 is limited and does not extend to regulating industrial alcohol in its entirety.
How does it impact the state revenues and public health?
- State Revenues: The ruling potentially enhances States’ power to levy taxes and fees related to the production, manufacture, and sale of industrial alcohol. This could result in increased revenue generation from excise duties on alcohol-based products and licensing fees.
- Public Health Regulation: Having greater regulatory control over the production and distribution of industrial alcohol will help the states curb the misuse of substances like rectified spirit and ENA in the production of illicit liquor. This can improve public health outcomes by reducing instances of alcohol poisoning and illicit liquor-related deaths.
- Policy Formulation: The judgment may prompt States to strengthen policies and enforcement mechanisms regarding alcohol regulation, ensuring that industrial alcohol is not diverted for unauthorized uses.
Way forward:
- Strengthen Regulatory Framework: States should enhance monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to prevent the diversion of industrial alcohol for illicit uses, ensuring strict compliance with safety standards and public health protections.
- Collaborative Policy Development: The Centre and States should work together to harmonize regulations, balancing State autonomy with national interests, while focusing on safeguarding public health and optimizing revenue generation from alcohol-related activities.
Previous Year Question:
Q) It is a State where prohibition is in force. You are recently appointed as the Superintendent of Police of a district notorious for illicit distillation of liquor. The illicit liquor leads to many deaths, reported and unreported, and causes a major problem for the district authorities. The approach till now had been to view it as a law and order problem and tackle it accordingly. Raids, arrests, police cases, and criminal trials – all these had only limited impact. The problem remains as serious as ever. Your inspections show that the parts of the district where the distillation flourishes are economically, industrially, and educationally backward. Agriculture is badly affected by poor irrigation facilities. Frequent clashes among communities gave a boost to illicit distillation. No major initiatives had taken place in the past either from the government’s side or from social organizations to improve the lot of the people. Which new approach will you adopt to bring the problem under control? (UPSC CSE 2018)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NCLAT, NCLT
Why in the News?
The Supreme Court has overturned the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal’s (NCLAT) order that approved a deal between an edtech firm and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to settle an overdue payment.
Three-Judge Bench Observations in Byju’s Case
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- The Supreme Court’s bench, led by CJI, noted that there were procedural lapses in the settlement process between Byju’s and the BCCI.
- The settlement occurred without the approval of the Insolvency Resolution Professional (IRP), who was responsible for overseeing Byju’s affairs following his appointment by the NCLT.
- The bench ruled that the NCLAT’s approval of the settlement, issued in August 2024, was invalid due to the lack of necessary approvals from the IRP.
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About National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT):
|
Details |
| Establishment |
Established on 1 June 2016 under the Companies Act, 2013. |
| Purpose |
Serves as an appellate authority to hear appeals against orders of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). |
| Jurisdiction |
Hears appeals related to:
– Decisions made by NCLT
– Orders of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI)
– Orders from the Competition Commission of India (CCI). |
| Appeals to Supreme Court |
Decisions of NCLAT can be appealed to the Supreme Court of India. |
| Composition |
Comprises a Chairperson and other members appointed by the central government, with the Chairperson typically being a retired judge of the Supreme Court or High Court. |
| Functions |
Reviews and adjudicates matters related to company law and insolvency, ensuring justice against NCLT orders. |
| Location |
Headquartered in New Delhi. |
| Significance |
Plays a critical role in corporate governance, maintaining transparency and accountability in the corporate sector. |
| Relationship with NCLT |
NCLT acts as the adjudicating authority, while NCLAT provides a platform for appeals, ensuring a checks-and-balances system. |
| Integration with IBC |
Supports the objectives of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, streamlining insolvency resolution processes. |
PYQ:
[2018] How far do you agree with the view that tribunals curtail the jurisdiction of ordinary courts? In view of the above, discuss the constitutional validity and competency of the tribunals in India. |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: PM2.5, IQAir Report
Why in the News?
- Lahore was declared the world’s most polluted city by air quality monitor IQAir, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 394, considered hazardous by global standards.
- Delhi ranks 2nd, recording an AQI of 204, also classified as “very unhealthy.”
- Lahore’s AQI value exceeds the World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline by over 55.6 times.
Primary Causes of Lahore’s Severe Air Pollution:
- Stubble Burning: Farmers in Punjab (India and Pakistan) burn crop residue, especially after rice harvesting, during winter to prepare fields for wheat cultivation.
- Vehicular Emissions: The rise in the number of vehicles in Lahore, along with the use of low-quality fuel, results in high levels of PM2.5 emissions, a major contributor to air pollution.
- Industrial Pollution: Factories and brick kilns in and around Lahore emit harmful pollutants, including particulate matter, adding to the city’s poor air quality.
- Geography and Weather Conditions: Lahore’s location in a low-lying region and its geography, surrounded by hills, leads to temperature inversion during the winter, trapping pollutants near the surface and preventing their natural dispersal.
- Coal-Fired Power Plants: Large power plants, such as the 1320MW Sahiwal coal-fired power plant in Punjab, part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), emit sulphur and other pollutants, significantly contributing to smog and air pollution.
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Who Ranks the Most Polluted Cities of the World and How?
- IQAir, a Swiss air quality monitoring company, ranks the most polluted cities based on real-time air quality data.
- The rankings focus on the concentration of PM2.5 particles, which are small enough to penetrate the lungs and pose serious health risks.
- Cities are ranked using the AQI scale (0-500), with AQI above 300 indicating hazardous pollution levels.
- IQAir uses data from government agencies, monitoring stations, and low-cost sensors across various regions.
- Real-time monitoring allows IQAir to provide up-to-date information about air pollution levels in cities around the world.
- The data is compared with WHO standards, which recommend PM2.5 levels below 5 micrograms per cubic meter for healthy air quality.
PYQ:
[2021] Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve revised standards? |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Rudder Rollout Guidance Actuator
Why in the News?
- Certain variants of the Boeing 737, equipped with a rollout guidance actuator, are being investigated due to concerns about a potential jammed or restricted rudder control system.
What is a Rudder?
- The rudder is like the steering tool for an airplane.
- It’s part of the tail and helps the plane move left or right, similar to how a boat’s rudder steers on water.
- It’s important for making turns, landing in windy conditions, and keeping the plane going straight, especially if one of the engines fails.
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What does a Rudder Rollout Guidance Actuator do?
- It is a special device that helps the plane control its direction during landings when the plane is flying automatically with the autopilot.
- It’s especially useful during landings in bad weather with poor visibility, making sure the plane stays on the correct path on its own.
Why are certain Boeing 737 Planes being checked?
- Some Boeing 737 planes are being inspected because of a possible problem with their rudder system, which helps steer the plane during landing.
- An issue came up after a United Airlines flight in February 2024 had a situation where the rudder got stuck during landing, and the pilots had to work harder to control the plane.
- Investigators found that a part called the rudder rollout guidance actuator might have moisture and corrosion problems, which can cause the rudder to jam.
- This problem might affect a small number of Boeing 737 planes that use this system for automatic landings in bad weather.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Bihta Inland Container Depot (ICD)
Why in the News?
- Bihar has inaugurated the state’s first dry port in Bihta, a town near Patna to boost the export of goods produced in Bihar.
- The first export consignment from the Bihta ICD was leather shoes sent to Russia.
What is it?
- A dry port, also known as an inland container depot (ICD), is a logistics facility located away from a seaport or airport.
- It provides facilities for cargo handling, storage, and transportation of goods, making it easier to manage exports and imports.
- The first dry port in India was opened in Varanasi in 2018.
- The dry port also acts as a bridge between the inland regions and international shipping routes through major gateway ports.
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About Bihta ICD
- The Bihta Inland Container Depot (ICD), also known as Bihta dry port, is located in Bihta, a town near Patna, the capital of Bihar.
- It operates under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
- It is fully commissioned and approved by the Department of Revenue, under the Union Ministry of Finance.
- It is managed by Pristine Magadh Infrastructure Private Limited in collaboration with the Bihar state industry department.
- The Bihta ICD is well connected by railways to gateway ports across India, including:
- Kolkata and Haldia in West Bengal.
- Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
- Nhava Sheva in Maharashtra.
- Mundra in Gujarat.
- It supports transportation of goods to and from eastern India, benefitting not just Bihar but also neighboring states like Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha.
How it can help the state?
- Boosts Exports: Bihar’s major export products, including fruits, vegetables, garments, leather goods, and maize, will benefit from the efficient cargo handling and transportation offered by the dry port.
- Reduces Costs: By managing customs procedures locally and consolidating shipments, the dry port can lower transportation costs for businesses in Bihar.
- Encourages Investment: The new infrastructure, along with the state’s expanding leather and garment industries, will attract more investors and promote economic growth.
- Improves Connectivity: The dry port connects to major railway networks that link Bihar to important seaports in Kolkata, Haldia, and Visakhapatnam, improving logistics efficiency for exports.
- Supports Neighboring States: The dry port will also benefit neighboring states like Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha, enhancing regional trade in eastern India.
PYQ:
[2023] Consider the following pairs:
| Port |
Well known as |
| 1. Kamarajar Port: |
First major port in India registered as a company |
| 2. Mundra Port: |
Largest privately owned port in India |
| 3. Visakhapatnam Port: |
Largest container port in India |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) All three pairs
(d) None of the pairs |
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