. No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains About the Monkeypox Prelims & Mains Details of the Build Operate Transfer Model Prelims & Mains About the DTP Vaccine Prelims & Mains Details of the Rafale Jets Prelims Specific Topic 1 – About the Monkeypox: GS II Topic Health related issues About: The phrase “monkeypox” refers to a viral zoonotic sickness that affects monkeys and is known to be similar to the pox in humans. In Nigeria, it is pervasive. It is caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the family of orthopoxviruses. The original host of the virus is still a mystery. There are, however, numerous reports of the disease in animals. The monkeypox virus is known to be carried by monkeys, apes, a wide range of rodents (including rats, mice, squirrels, and prairie dogs), and rabbits. Outbreaks: In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), it was first detected in 1958 in monkeys and then in humans there in 1970. Nigeria saw its worst outbreak ever in 2017—40 years after the final reported case. Since then, the disease has been reported in several West and Central African countries. Symptoms: Infected people get a rash that looks like chicken pox. Monkeypox, however, frequently results in more severe fever, malaise, and headache symptoms when compared to chicken pox. Monkeypox can be distinguished from smallpox because of the enlargement of the lymph gland in the early stages of the disease. Transmission: Primary infection is brought on by direct contact with an infected animal’s blood, bodily fluids, or cutaneous or mucosal lesions. Eating improperly prepared, infected animal meat puts you at risk as well. Human-to-human transmission may occur as a result of close contact with infectious respiratory tract secretions, skin lesions on an infected individual, or recently contaminated objects with patient fluids or lesion materials. Placental transfer and immunisation are among additional modes of transmission (congenital monkeypox). Vulnerability: If infected, it spreads rapidly and can be fatal to one out of every 10 individuals. Treatment and immunisation: There is no particular drug or vaccine to stop monkeypox. It has been established in the past that the anti-smallpox vaccine has an 85% success rate in preventing monkeypox. However, the vaccine is no longer widely accessible because smallpox was declared extinct on Earth in 1980. Every country struggles to contain any outbreaks when they happen since there is currently no global framework in place to stop the spread of monkeypox. Way Forward: improved surveillance and response, increased disease knowledge, and avoiding contact with wild animals, especially monkeys. Animals that may have come into contact with an infected animal must be confined, handled with standard safety precautions, and kept under observation for 30 days for indications of monkeypox. It is crucial to turn attention to other diseases. Due to Covid-19, fewer incidences of endemic diseases are being reported since fewer people are visiting hospitals for treatment. Source The Indian Express 2 – Details of the Build Operate Transfer Model: GS III Topic Investment related issues What is Build Operate Transfer (BOT)? A build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract is a form of funding for big infrastructure projects developed through public-private partnerships. A BOT is a public organisation, such as a local government, that first grants permission to a private corporation to develop and manage a project. Control of the project is returned to the government agency after a set amount of time, usually two or three decades. What Is the PPP Model, Exactly? Public-private partnerships are one of three investment forms where a government agency and a private firm cooperate to achieve a social or infrastructural growth goal. According to the World Bank, India is one of the countries that is most accepting of PPPs. What Steps Comprise a BOT Model’s Process? A public organisation (typically the government) grants a private firm the right to fund, develop, and manage a project via a build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract. The corporation oversees the project for a certain period of time (perhaps 20 or 30 years) in order to recoup its investment before handing management of the project over to the government. BOT projects generally involve huge greenfield infrastructure projects that would typically be entirely funded, built, and administered by the government. The Philippines’ power plant, China’s wastewater treatment plant, and India’s six-lane national highway are just a few examples. BOT contractors are frequently special-purpose companies founded only for a project. Revenues from the project that the contractor has established are frequently generated from a single source and over the course of the project. It’s possible that the federal or state governments own this company. Proof of this arrangement is provided by power purchase agreements, in which a public utility acts as an off-taker and purchases electricity from a privately owned plant. In a typical concession, the company would sell directly to customers rather than the government. Under BOT contracts, the off-taker is typically obligated to pay the minimum price. Benefits of Build Operate Transfer (BOT) include: BOT benefits governments since it reduces spending on infrastructure and development while also transferring risk to the concessionaire. The concession company benefits from better control over a number of construction risks as well as the possibility to mitigate any unfavourable outcomes through operational advantages. BOT provides organisations with a framework and incentives to boost productivity through performance-based agreements and output-oriented goals. The projects are completed for the least amount of money possible thanks to a completely competitive bidding process. The private sector is responsible for some of the project’s risks. There are certain limitations to Build Operate Transfer (BOT): Since many organisations are involved and a thorough institutional and legal structure is required, a BOT financial arrangement may take a long time to prepare for and close. There, small projects might not be appropriate for the BOT. It may take some time to develop the institutional capacity required for realising the full benefits
08 Sept 2022 Daily Current Affairs
. No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1 About the Retail Inflation Prelims & Mains 2 Details of the FCRA Prelims & Mains 3 About the Judicial Custody Prelims & Mains 4 Details of the Digilocker Prelims Specific Topic 1 – About the Retail Inflation: GS II Topic Indian Economy Regarding the CPI: Retail prices of goods and services: When we speak of inflation, we frequently refer to the CPI-based inflation rate (CPI). The retail prices of the goods and services that families purchase for their everyday needs are monitored by the CPI. We determine the CPI’s percentage change from the same point a year earlier in order to measure inflation. Deflation is the condition of falling prices (negative inflation). This figure is particularly important to the Central Bank (RBI), which is in charge of keeping price stability in the economy. Other ideas that the CPI also helps with understanding are the real worth of salaries, wages, and pensions, the purchasing power of the currency, and rate control. What distinguishes the WPI from the CPI? WPI assesses the average change in prices of goods at the wholesale level, whereas CPI calculates the average change in prices of goods and services at the retail level. While the Office of Economic Adviser, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, releases WPI data, the National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, publishes CPI data (MoSPI). The basis year for WPI is 2011–12, while the base year for CPI is 2012. WPI just takes into account changes in product prices, whereas CPI also takes production changes into account. Source The Indian Express 2 – Details of the FCRA: GS II Topic Indian Economy The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) of 2010: The FCRA legislation, which is implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs, regulates foreign funding of individuals in India. People are free to solicit contributions from abroad without the MHA’s consent. However, these international contributions can only be made in amounts that are less than Rs. 25,000. The Act ensures that recipients of foreign donations carry out the specified purposes for which they were raised. According to the Act, organisations are required to register themselves every five years. The five categories of social, educational, religious, economic, and cultural goals for which foreign donations are permitted to registered NGOs are as follows: FCRA Amendment Act 2020: The Act prohibits public employees from accepting foreign contributions. A public servant is somebody who works for, is paid by, or receives compensation from the government in exchange for performing any civic duty. A foreign contribution may not be transferred to a third party who is not authorised to accept a foreign contribution, per the Act. The Act mandates that all officers, directors, and key staff of a person accepting foreign contributions must possess an Aadhaar number as identification. The Act states that State Bank of India branches in New Delhi may only accept foreign donations in accounts the bank has designated as FCRA accounts. Reduced use of foreign contributions for administrative costs: According to the Act, only 20% of all foreign donations received may be used to pay for administrative expenses. The FCRA of 2010 set a 50% cap. Revocation of registration certificate: In accordance with the Act, the central government may permit a person to revoke their registration certificate. FCRA-Related Problems: The FCRA regulates the transfer of funds to Indian NGOs coming from abroad. It prohibits accepting donations “for any acts harmful to the national interest” from outside the country. The Act states that if the government believes that the gift to the NGO will adversely affect “public interest” or “economic interest of the state,” it may refuse to give its assent. On the other hand, “public interest” is not specifically defined. Both the freedom of speech and the freedom of association that are protected by Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(c) of the Constitution are significantly impacted by the limits imposed by the FCRA. The impact on the right to free expression comes in two forms: By allowing some political organisations to receive foreign funding while forbidding others, it is feasible to produce biases in favour of the government. NGOs must exercise caution while criticising the regime since too much criticism may endanger their ability to continue operating. FCRA regulations can stifle dissenting opinions by characterising them as being against the public interest. This kind of repression of free expression may lead to self-censorship. In Shreya Singhal v. Union of India, the Supreme Court (SC) struck down Section 66A of the Information Technology Act in a case concerning confusing requirements for the public interest (2015). The SC decided that the Act might be used to suppress free expression. Since the right to freedom of association is mentioned in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a violation of this right also amounts to a violation of human rights (Article 20). The UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association examined the FCRA, 2010, from a legal standpoint in April 2016. It stated that restrictions supported by “public interest” and “economic interest” had violated the FCRA’s “legitimate limits” requirements. The clause’s terms were excessively unclear and gave the state wide leeway in how to implement them. Even though controlling corrupt NGOs is crucial in this environment, there needs to be clarity around ideas like the public interest. Way Forward: Regulations on foreign contributions that are excessively stringent may make it difficult for NGOs to operate, which are crucial to carrying out government programmes locally. They fill in the gaps left by the government when it falls short. The restriction shouldn’t preclude the global community from sharing resources, and it shouldn’t be discouraged until there is reason to believe the funds are being used to fund illegal activities. Source The Indian Express
7th September 2022 Daily Current Affairs
. No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains About Deputy Speaker Powers Prelims & Mains Details of POCSO Act Prelims & Mains About National Emergency Prelims & Mains About Abortion Rights for Women in India Prelims & Mains 1 – About Deputy Speaker Powers: GS II Topic Parliament related issues Constitutional provisions: Article 93 of the Indian Constitution specifies how the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are chosen. Under Article 94, there are provisions for vacation, resignation, and removal from the seats of Speaker and Deputy Speaker. The power to carry out the duties of the Speaker’s office or to act in the Speaker’s place is granted by Article 95 to the Deputy Speaker or another individual. The Speaker or Deputy Speaker is prohibited from presiding while a resolution to remove him from office is under consideration, as stated in Article 96. The provisions of Article 97 apply to the compensation and perks of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Chairman, and Deputy Chairman. How the Deputy Speaker is appointed: The Deputy Speaker is chosen by the Lok Sabha itself from among its members. Concurrent with the speaker’s election is the deputy speaker. According to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha, the Deputy Speaker election will take place on the day that the Speaker designates. In India, the deputy speakership is customarily given to the opposition party. Term and Removal from Office: The Deputy Speaker serves for the entirety of the Lok Sabha’s five-year mandate. The subsequent three circumstances The Deputy Speaker may adjourn sooner if they choose: Following his departure from the Lok Sabha If he submits a written resignation to the Speaker, if the Lok Sabha’s members at the time decided in favour of a resolution to remove him from office. Any such resolution should be introduced with 14 days’ notice to the deputy speaker. Power & Objective: Powers and responsibilities of the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha The Deputy Speaker assumes control when the Speaker’s post is vacant. The Deputy Speaker now holds all of the Speaker’s power. The speaker also serves as the speaker of a combined session of both chambers of parliament when the speaker is absent. The Deputy Speaker, like the Speaker, may vote in a tie-breaking situation. The deputy speaker has a special privilege in that he always takes the helm of whatever parliamentary committee he is appointed to. Source The Indian Express 2 – Details of POCSO Act: GS II Topic Government Policies and Interventions POSCO Act specifics: The POCSO legislation was created in 2012 in order to particularly protect adolescents under the age of 18 from sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and pornography. The act mandates that each case’s investigation be completed in two months (counting from the date the FIR was filed) and that the trial be convened in six. A youngster is defined by the Act as a person who is under the age of eighteen. A sexual assault is considered more serious, according to POCSO, if the victim is a child, the perpetrator is a member of the security forces, or the victim is a minor who is mentally ill. A public or private hospital employee, a member of the child’s family, a police officer, a teacher, a doctor, or a manager or staff member in a position of trust or authority. A fine and harsh imprisonment for a period of time that must not be less than 10 years or as long as life is required as a punishment for aggravated penetrative sexual assault. It also outlines steps to stop the child from becoming prey to the legal system again. The Act further stipulates that such cases must be reported. Legally, everyone who knows about the offence must report the sexual abuse. If he doesn’t, he could receive a fine or a jail sentence of six months. It also has consequences for those who trade children for sex. The Act also specifies sanctions for filing fictitious complaints or disseminating inaccurate information. The law was changed in 2019: The concept of aggravated penetrative sexual assault under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, is equivalent to that of aggravated rape. A person may be charged with this offence in specific aggravating situations, such as when the rape occurs in a relationship of trust or authority or when it results in pregnancy. POCSO does not believe a minor’s permission is required, regardless of the nature and circumstances of the sexual interaction or the characteristics of the person with whom it takes place. Therefore, having intercourse with a minor in any way is rape. Aspects of the Act and the amendment that are important: The Act is gender neutral and gives top priority to the best interests and welfare of the child at every stage in order to foster the child’s healthy physical, emotional, intellectual, and social development. A kid is defined by the Act as a person who is under the age of eighteen. In order to ensure the kid’s healthy physical, emotional, intellectual, and social development, the best interests and welfare of the child are seen as being of the utmost importance at every stage. It describes different sexual abuse practises, including penetrative and non-penetrative assault, sexual harassment, and pornography. It also specifies what constitutes a “aggravated” sexual assault, such as when the victim is a kid and suffers from a mental illness or when the abuse is committed by a person who has authority over the child, such as a parent, police officer, teacher, or doctor. The provisions of the Act for abetment apply to people who traffic youngsters for sex as well. With a maximum sentence of harsh life imprisonment and a fine, the Act imposes severe punishments that are graded according to the nature of the offence. Any visual depiction of child sexual activity that
6th September 2022-Daily Current Affairs
. No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1 About the Artemis Mission Prelims & Mains 2 Details of the Nano Urea Prelims & Mains 3 About the NALSA Prelims & Mains 4 Details of the Vostok 22 Prelims Specific Topic 1 – About the Artemis Mission: GS III Topic Science and Technology How does the Artemis Mission work? The NASA Artemis mission, which bears the name of Apollo’s legendary twin sister, is regarded as the next development in lunar exploration. Artemis is also the name of the goddess of the moon. It is the first of a series of missions that will eventually enable people to go to Mars and the Moon. By 2024, NASA plans to send astronauts to the moon as part of the Artemis programme, including the first woman and person of colour. NASA will construct an Artemis Base Camp on the Moon’s surface and a gateway (the lunar outpost circling the Moon) in lunar orbit to aid human and robotic exploration. The gateway is an essential component of NASA’s sustaining lunar operations and will serve as a multipurpose station circling the moon. Other space agencies take part in the Artemis programme as well. The International Habitat and the ESPRIT module, which will among other things provide improved communications capabilities, will be provided by the European Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency has committed to providing cutting-edge robotics for the gateway. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency plans to offer accommodation and logistics resupply supplies. What are the main focuses of the mission? The Artemis I mission, formerly known as Exploration Mission-1: Spacecraft, will be the first integrated flight test of NASA’s Deep Space Exploration Systems. Orion: The Orion astronaut ship will orbit Earth for a lengthier period of time than any other spacecraft has ever managed without docking to a space station. The most powerful rocket in the world, the Space Launch System (SLS), travels 2,80,000 miles beyond Earth and remains there for four to six weeks. Recent improvements have been made to the Kennedy Space Center’s exploration ground systems in Cape Canaveral, Florida. It is an unmanned space mission, and the spacecraft will enter orbit using an SLS rocket. The primary operating objective of the mission is to ensure the safe entry, descent, splashdown, and recovery of the crew module. As part of the Artemis I mission, SLS and Orion will be launched from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center in the summer of 2022. The mission will be declared a success when the Orion spacecraft successfully lands on Earth without incident. What will the upcoming missions of the Artemis programme be? During the second flight of the programme, Orion’s critical systems will be tested with people aboard. The first astronauts’ launch to Mars will eventually include the lessons learned from the Artemis programme. In order to further human space flight deeper into the solar system, NASA plans to use the lunar orbit to get the expertise needed. What is the history of moon exploration? The Soviet Union’s Luna 1 and 2 unmanned rovers were the first to reach the Moon in 1959. The US began its attempts to send people into space in 1961. Eight years later, on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin made history by being the first people to step foot on the Moon as part of the Apollo 11 mission. Before launching the Apollo 11 trip to the Moon, the USA flew three different classes of robotic missions between 1961 and 1968. After July 1969, 12 American astronauts made lunar landings every year until 1972. In the 1990s, the United States resumed lunar exploration with the robotic missions Clementine and Lunar Prospector. It began a new series of robotic lunar missions in 2009 with the launch of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS). In 2011, NASA launched the ARTEMIS. The Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) satellite investigated the gravity of the Moon in 2012. In addition to the United States, the European Space Agency, Japan, China, and India have all launched lunar exploration missions. China successfully deployed two rovers onto the moon’s surface in 2019, making history by being the first to touch down on the far side. What is ISRO doing to investigate the moon? Chandrayaan 1 Mission: The Chandrayaan project began in 2007 when the Russian space agency ROSCOSMOS and the Indian space agency ISRO signed a collaboration agreement. The lander, however, could not be finished in time by Russia, so the mission was postponed in January 2013 and rescheduled for 2016. Findings: It has been established that moon water exists. evidence of lunar caves formed by an ancient lava flow. Evidence of previous tectonic activity was found on the lunar surface. The observed cracks and fractures could have resulted from internal tectonic activity and meteorite strikes. Chandrayaan 2 Mission: Chandrayaan-2, India’s second moon mission, features an entirely domestic orbiter, lander (Vikram), and rover (Pragyan). The Pragyan Rover is housed aboard the Vikram Lander. According to the Indian Space Research Organization, Chandrayaan-3 is India’s third lunar mission and will feature a lander and a rover (ISRO). Source The Hindu 2 – Details of the Nano Urea: GS III Topic Indian Agriculture What is liquid nano urea? Urea is a white chemical nitrogen fertiliser that serves as an artificial source of nitrogen, a vital nutrient required by plants. Liquid nano urea is essentially urea in a nanoparticle form. Which is better, liquid nano urea or imported urea? The price of liquid nano urea is lower ($240 for a half-liter without a subsidy; on the foreign market, a bag of urea costs between $3,500 and $4,00). It is possible to successfully substitute a bottle of the nano urea for at least one bag of urea. Government benefits: lowers the cost of fertiliser subsidies for the government. India is a nation
5th Sept 2022 Daily Current Affairs
. No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1. About the Artemis Mission Prelims & Mains 2. Details of the Nano Urea Prelims & Mains 3. About the NALSA Prelims & Mains 4. Details of the Vostok 22 Prelims Specific Topic 1 – About the Artemis Mission: GS III Topic Science and Technology · How does the Artemis Mission work? · The NASA Artemis mission, which bears the name of Apollo’s legendary twin sister, is regarded as the next development in lunar exploration. · Artemis is also the name of the goddess of the moon. · It is the first of a series of missions that will eventually enable people to go to Mars and the Moon. · By 2024, NASA plans to send astronauts to the moon as part of the Artemis programme, including the first woman and person of colour. · NASA will construct an Artemis Base Camp on the Moon’s surface and a gateway (the lunar outpost circling the Moon) in lunar orbit to aid human and robotic exploration. · The gateway is an essential component of NASA’s sustaining lunar operations and will serve as a multipurpose station circling the moon. · Other space agencies take part in the Artemis programme as well. · The International Habitat and the ESPRIT module, which will among other things provide improved communications capabilities, will be provided by the European Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency has committed to providing cutting-edge robotics for the gateway. · The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency plans to offer accommodation and logistics resupply supplies. · What are the main focuses of the mission? · The Artemis I mission, formerly known as Exploration Mission-1: Spacecraft, will be the first integrated flight test of NASA’s Deep Space Exploration Systems. Orion: The Orion astronaut ship will orbit Earth for a lengthier period of time than any other spacecraft has ever managed without docking to a space station. · The most powerful rocket in the world, the Space Launch System (SLS), travels 2,80,000 miles beyond Earth and remains there for four to six weeks. · Recent improvements have been made to the Kennedy Space Center’s exploration ground systems in Cape Canaveral, Florida. · It is an unmanned space mission, and the spacecraft will enter orbit using an SLS rocket. · The primary operating objective of the mission is to ensure the safe entry, descent, splashdown, and recovery of the crew module. · As part of the Artemis I mission, SLS and Orion will be launched from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center in the summer of 2022. · The mission will be declared a success when the Orion spacecraft successfully lands on Earth without incident. · What will the upcoming missions of the Artemis programme be? · During the second flight of the programme, Orion’s critical systems will be tested with people aboard. · The first astronauts’ launch to Mars will eventually include the lessons learned from the Artemis programme. · In order to further human space flight deeper into the solar system, NASA plans to use the lunar orbit to get the expertise needed. · What is the history of moon exploration? · The Soviet Union’s Luna 1 and 2 unmanned rovers were the first to reach the Moon in 1959. · The US began its attempts to send people into space in 1961. · Eight years later, on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin made history by being the first people to step foot on the Moon as part of the Apollo 11 mission. · Before launching the Apollo 11 trip to the Moon, the USA flew three different classes of robotic missions between 1961 and 1968. · After July 1969, 12 American astronauts made lunar landings every year until 1972. · In the 1990s, the United States resumed lunar exploration with the robotic missions Clementine and Lunar Prospector. · It began a new series of robotic lunar missions in 2009 with the launch of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS). · In 2011, NASA launched the ARTEMIS. · The Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) satellite investigated the gravity of the Moon in 2012. · In addition to the United States, the European Space Agency, Japan, China, and India have all launched lunar exploration missions. · China successfully deployed two rovers onto the moon’s surface in 2019, making history by being the first to touch down on the far side. · What is ISRO doing to investigate the moon? · Chandrayaan 1 Mission: · The Chandrayaan project began in 2007 when the Russian space agency ROSCOSMOS and the Indian space agency ISRO signed a collaboration agreement. · The lander, however, could not be finished in time by Russia, so the mission was postponed in January 2013 and rescheduled for 2016. · Findings: It has been established that moon water exists. · evidence of lunar caves formed by an ancient lava flow. · Evidence of previous tectonic activity was found on the lunar surface. · The observed cracks and fractures could have resulted from internal tectonic activity and meteorite strikes. · Chandrayaan 2 Mission: · Chandrayaan-2, India’s second moon mission, features an entirely domestic orbiter, lander (Vikram), and rover (Pragyan). · The Pragyan Rover is housed aboard the Vikram Lander. · According to the Indian Space Research Organization, Chandrayaan-3 is India’s third lunar mission and will feature a lander and a rover (ISRO). Source The Hindu 2 – Details of the Nano Urea: GS III Topic Indian Agriculture · What is liquid nano urea? · Urea is a white chemical nitrogen fertiliser that serves as an artificial source of nitrogen, a vital nutrient required by plants. · Liquid nano urea is essentially urea in a nanoparticle form. · Which is better, liquid nano urea or imported urea? · The price of liquid nano urea is lower ($240 for a half-liter without a subsidy; on the foreign market, a bag of urea costs between $3,500 and $4,00). It is possible to successfully substitute a bottle of the nano urea for at least one bag of urea. · Government benefits: lowers the cost of fertiliser subsidies for the government. India is a nation
03 sep 2022 Daily Current Affairs
. No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1. About the Money Laundering Prelims & Mains 2. Details of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India Prelims & Mains 3. About the Militancy in the Kashmir Region Prelims & Mains 4. Details of Cell Therapy to treat Cancer Prelims Specific Topic 1 – About the Money Laundering:GS III Topic à Internal Security of India and Money Laundering related issues · How it operates: · Giving the impression that huge sums of money earned through illegal activities, including drug trafficking or terrorist action, come from a legitimate source is known as money laundering. · The process “launders” the money to make it appear clean because “dirty money” carries a stigma. · Simply described, it is the process of making money that originates from one source appear to originate from another. · The American Mafia organisation is where the phrase “money laundering” first appeared. Massive sums of money have been accumulated by mafia organisations through extortion, gambling, etc., and this money is then presented as legal tender. In India, the phrase “hawala transactions” is most usually used to refer to money laundering. · Issues relating to money laundering: · Global issues like money laundering and terrorism financing not only jeopardise security but also the efficiency, openness, and stability of financial systems, posing a threat to the health of the economy as a whole. · According to the International Monetary Fund, money laundering generates $590 billion to $1.5 trillion annually, or around two to five percent of global GDP. · Money laundering can have a disastrous effect on a nation’s economy and social structure, particularly in developing or unstable countries. · What Takes Place When Money Is Laundered: · Money laundering is a three-step procedure that conceals unlawful activity under what seems to be a normal financial transaction. · The first stage of the process begins with the entry of the proceeds of crime into the established financial system. We refer to this as placement; in the second stage, injected funds are stacked and dispersed across a number of transactions to conceal their dubious source. The third and final stage entails the introduction of monies into the financial system with the intention of erasing their initial ties to illicit activity so that the offender or beneficiary can use them as clean funds. This process is known as “layering.” This is an allusion to integration. · Money laundering threats are changing: · Money launderers now have more access points as a result of the rise in popularity of non-cash payment methods like prepaid cards, online transactions, and mobile payments. · These new payment methods are susceptible to money laundering activities because of the quick transaction speed and the infrequent face-to-face interactions between the person initiating the transaction and the service provider. · The increased demand for financial institutions to identify and enrol their customers online is being abused by money launderers. · The intricacy of trade networks is exploited by trade-based money laundering, which typically occurs in international settings where the interaction of several parties and governments makes CDD procedures and AML checks more difficult. · Globalization’s impact on money laundering: · The quick growth of financial information, technology, and communication has made it possible for money to flow quickly and easily around the world. This makes fighting money laundering more important than ever. · It becomes more challenging to pinpoint the source of “dirty money” the farther it penetrates the world banking system. · It is challenging to make an accurate estimation of the entire amount of money that passes through the laundry cycle due to the covert nature of money-laundering. · The three Fs—finding, freezing, and forfeiting—of illicitly obtained income and assets—have become more challenging as a result of recent changes to the global banking system. · The practise of conducting financial transactions in dollars, also known as the “dollarization” of illicit markets, the broader push for financial deregulation, the expansion of the Euromarket, and the establishment of financial secrecy havens are a few examples. · The financial infrastructure has evolved into a continuously operating worldwide system that allows “megabyte money” (i.e., money in the form of symbols on computer screens) to go anywhere in the world swiftly and easily thanks to advancements in technology and communications. · Indian measures to combat money laundering: · Before the Prevention of Money Laundering Act of 2002 (PMLA) was passed in India, the main statutes that included steps to address the issue of money laundering were: · The 1961 Income Tax Act · The 1974 Act to Conserve Foreign Exchange and Prevent Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) · Act of 1976 against Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (SAFEMA) · Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPSA) Act 1985 · Prohibiting Benami transactions Act 1988 · Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) · PMLA: Prevention of Money Laundering Act of 2002: · The Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 was passed to outlaw the practise and make provisions for the forfeiture of assets obtained through money laundering. · The Financial Intelligence Unit-India is required to receive information on such transactions in the prescribed format from banking firms, financial institutions, and intermediaries, as well as to verify and maintain records of all client identities (FIU-IND). · If a banking business, financial institution, or intermediary—or one of its officers—fails to comply with the Act’s requirements, it gives the Director of FIU-IND the authority to sanction those parties. · 2015’s Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act: · by outlining the process for dealing with such income and assets, to address the threat of the black money that exists in the form of undeclared overseas income and assets. · Amendment to the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act of 2015: · It intends to broaden the definition of “Benami Transactions” and details the punishment that will be meted out to anyone who engages in one. · The Prevention of Money Laundering Act gives specific officers of the Directorate
02 sept 2022
. No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1. About the National Register of Citizens (NRC) Prelims & Mains 2. Details of the Space Debris Prelims & Mains 3. About the National Company Law Tribunal Prelims & Mains 4. Details of the Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Prelims Specific Topic 5. About the Food Inflation Prelims Specific Topic 1 – About the National Register of Citizens (NRC):GS I Indian Polity · Details: · NRC stands for National Register of Citizens. · Following the completion of the Census of 1951 in each village, a register known as the National Register of Citizens, 1951, was compiled. Each residence or piece of property’s population is listed, along with their names, and is shown in serial order. · 1951 marked the only publication of the NRC. · The NRC of Assam: · The large illegal influx to Assam from what was previously East Pakistan and, after 1971, from what is now Bangladesh called for an update. · From 1979 to 1985, a six-year deportation of illegal immigrants agitation took place in Assam. · The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) led the movement calling for the NRC to be updated and all unlawful migrants who entered Assam after 1951 to be deported. · The Assam Accord was signed in 1985, which marked the culmination of the struggle. · The cutoff date for deporting unauthorised immigrants was established on March 25, 1971. · The cutoff date for Articles 5 and 6 of the Constitution was July 19, 1949; as a result, the Citizenship Act of 1955 was modified and a new clause was added to reflect the updated date. · The only place it applied was Assam. · In response to AASU and other Assam organisations’ persistent requests for the NRC to be updated, an Assam-based NGO filed a suit with the Supreme Court. · A divided Supreme Court bench mandated that the NRC be updated as quickly as practicable in December 2014. · Electoral Rolls from 1971 and the NRC from 1951 are two examples of legacy data (up to midnight on March 24, 1971). Indian citizenship is available to anybody whose name is on these documents and to their offspring. · Impact: · After the NRC is changed, rumours regarding the true number of illegal immigrants in Assam and the rest of the country are expected to stop. · A validated dataset will be made available to facilitate meaningful discussions and the implementation of policies. · The release of an updated NRC is intended to discourage future Bangladeshi immigrants from entering Assam illegally. · The new NRC has already created the perception that anyone entering Assam illegally runs the possibility of being detained, jailed, and deported. · More importantly, it may be much more difficult for illegal immigrants to get Indian identity cards and to enjoy all the rights and privileges to which all Indian citizens are entitled. · Everyone who speaks Bengali in Assam and once thought they were Bangladeshis will be relieved to see their names on the NRC. · Challenges: · Process mistakes: People who appeared on the first list, which was published on January 1, 2018, did not appear on the second list. The list did not include the family of a past Indian president. · The simultaneous operations of the NRC, the voter list kept by the Election Commission, and the Foreigners’ Tribunals, which are assisted by the Assam Border Police, have resulted in complete confusion. · The programme has a deadline for re-verification, but it will be exceedingly challenging to manually check everyone on the list. · The courts, which are now handling a huge number of open cases, may become overloaded as a result of such “non citizens” being able to use the legal system to bolster their citizenship claim. · What will happen to those who weren’t on the list is unknown. · Expulsion to Bangladesh is not a possibility because Dhaka has never acknowledged that they are its people or that illegal immigration is a problem. India is not allowed to forcibly return illegal immigrants to Bangladesh without a signed agreement. · Bringing up this problem will also damage relations with Dhaka. Such an endeavour would be harmful to the nation’s international position and bilateral relations. · Large-scale prison facilities are an option to deportation, albeit it’s unlikely that this would happen in a mature democracy like India. · Another choice would be to implement work licences, which would remove people’s political voice while giving them limited legal rights to work. What will happen to these people’s progeny, though, is unclear. · NRC seems to be an endless process because uncertainty has no beginning or end. · Source à The Hindu 2 – Details of the Space Debris:GS II Space and Technology · What Is Space Debris, Exactly? · The continuous use of space-based technology that supports crucial operations including communication, transportation, weather and climate monitoring, and remote sensing is threatened by space debris. · Predicting the likelihood of collision with these space objects is crucial for both national security and the maintenance of Indian public and commercial space assets. · Total amount of orbiting debris: · The true amount of space debris is estimated to be between 500,000 and one million pieces, although this figure is simply an estimate because smaller objects cannot yet be detected by present sensor equipment. They all travel at up to 28,162 kph (17,500 mph), a fast enough speed for a little piece of orbital trash to destroy a satellite or spacecraft. · The project’s relevance: · The programme will produce a collision probability solution that is transparent, scalable, operationally adaptable, and built in India, thereby assisting the country’s $7 billion (Rs 51,334 crore) space industry. · Future developments that could help with the problem’s resolution include: · One technique to avoid a potential collision is to alter an object’s orbit, but the sheer amount of debris necessitates constant
01 September 2022
. No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1. About the Anti Defection Law Prelims & Mains 2. Details of the MGNREGA Prelims & Mains 3. About the PMLA Act Prelims Specific Topic 4. Details of the Enforcement Directorate Prelims Specific Topic 1 – About the Anti Defection Law:GS II Topic à Parliament related issues · What is the anti-defection law? · Specific MPs and MLAs who switch parties are subject to penalties under the anti-defection act. · It was added by Parliament to the Constitution’s Tenth Schedule in 1985. Its objective was to maintain political stability by discouraging MPs from switching parties. · The Tenth Schedule, also known as the Anti-Defection Act, was incorporated into the Constitution through the 52nd Amendment Act of 1985. · It spells out the conditions under which elected officials are ineligible to serve if they switch political parties. · This response was brought on by the state administrations being overthrown by party-hopping MLAs following the 1967 general elections. · However, it does allow a group of MPs or MLAs to join (or join forces with) a different political party without running the risk of paying a defection penalty. Political parties are also not penalised if they support or oppose rebellious lawmakers. · The 1985 Act defined a “merger” as the “defection” of one-third of an elected political party’s members: · The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003 changed this, and today, at least two-thirds of the members of a party must support a “merger” in order for it to be regarded as lawful. · The members of Congress who are ineligible to serve in the House may compete for office in elections under any political banner. · Decisions regarding defection-related disqualification are requested from the Chairman or Speaker of that House, and those requests are then subject to “Judicial review. · However, the law does not specify a timeframe by which the presiding officer must decide whether to take action in a defection case. · The following are the grounds for disqualification: · If an elected MP or MLA willingly renounces their political party membership. · If he votes or abstains from voting in that House against the wishes of his political party or another person in a position of authority without first obtaining permission, · In order for him to be disqualified, his failure to cast a ballot must not have been allowed by his party or the designated person within 15 days of the incident. · If a person who was elected without the aid of a party chooses to do so. · If any nominee changes their party affiliation after the first six months have ended. · What issues does the law against defection cause? · Undermining Representative and Parliamentary Democracy: · The MP or MLA is obligated to vote in accordance with the party platform and is not permitted to do otherwise following the passage of the Anti-defection statute. · Due to the Anti-Defection statute, which only holds MPs accountable to their political party, the chain of accountability has been broken. · Role of the Speaker in Controversy: · The statute does not specifically stipulate when the House Chairperson or Speaker must make a decision in anti-defection cases. · Legal cases might last anywhere from three to six months. Some matters are settled after the time has passed. · There is no mention of the split: · The anti-defection statute now has an exception for anti-defection judgments thanks to the 91st amendment. · The amendment, however, recognises a “merger” inside a legislature party as opposed to a “split.” · Voting mandates being broken: · Legislators are said to be disregarding their people’ wishes by defecting when they are elected on the platform of one party but then decide it would be more convenient to transfer to another party due to the temptation of cabinet positions or financial benefits. · Effects on Regular Government Operations: · In the 1960s, the infamous “Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram” slogan was developed in reaction to the ongoing defections of lawmakers. · The defection disrupts the political system and has an effect on the executive branch. · Defection promotes legislator horse trading, which is manifestly contrary to the democratic system’s ideals. · While wholesale desertion is allowed, retail defection is not. The gaps must be filled, thus modifications are required. · He voiced concern that even though a politician might switch parties, they shouldn’t be given a job in the new one. · What different recommendations exist in regards to the Anti-defection Law? · It has been suggested by the Election Commission that it be the body that decides whether to allow defections. · Some have argued that the President and the Governors should hear applications for defection. · The Supreme Court has advised Parliament to create an impartial panel headed by a retired judge from the higher judiciary in order to swiftly and fairly decide defection cases. · The law has been deemed unsuccessful by some commentators, who have called for its repeal. Hamid Ansari, a former vice president, claims that it only pertains to preserving governments during motions of no-confidence. · Way Forward: · The issue is brought about by the attempt to use the legal system to handle what is really a political matter. · If party defections threaten the stability of the administration, parties should strengthen their internal processes. · In India, political party regulatory legislation is desperately needed. Such a measure should encourage party democracy within parties, bring political parties under RTI, etc. · To preserve representative democracy from the negative impacts of the law, the application of the anti-defection law can be restricted to only those laws where a loss of trust in the government may ensue. Source à The Indian Express 2 – Details of the MGNREGA:GS II Topic à Government Policies and Interventions · About: · The programme was created as a type of social intervention
31 Aug 2022
. No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1. Details of the Abortion Laws Prelims & Mains 2. Details of Naxalism Prelims & Mains 3. About the India’s First Space Mission Prelims & Mains 4. Details of the the LoC Prelims Specific Topic 1 – Details of the Abortion Laws:GS II Topic à Government Policies and Interventions · India has had abortion restrictions since: · As the frequency of induced abortions rose in the 1960s, the Union government established the Shantilal Shah Committee to investigate the viability of making abortion legal in the country. · The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act was enacted in 1971 to decrease maternal mortality brought on by unsafe abortions. · The circumstances under which a medical abortion may be performed are laid out in this law. Sections 312 and 313 of the Indian Penal Code do not apply to it (IPC). · Unless they behaved in good faith in an effort to preserve the pregnant woman’s life, anybody who “voluntarily induces a woman with child to miscarry” faces a maximum three-year prison sentence, a fine, or both. · This clause essentially outlaws all abortion in India. · Regardless of how far along in her pregnancy the woman is, anyone who induces a miscarriage without the pregnant woman’s agreement is subject to punishment under Section 313 of the IPC, which carries fines, life in prison, or a maximum 10-year sentence. · Evolution of MTP from 1971 to 2021: · The MTP Act underwent its most recent amendment in 2021. · In the years before that, new regulations were implemented in 2003 to permit the use of misoprostol, a freshly discovered abortion drug, to end a pregnancy up to seven weeks into it. · The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act of 2021 lays forth the conditions in which an abortion on a physician’s advice is legal. · By virtue of the 2021 Act, the maximum gestational period at which a woman may undergo a medical abortion was raised from 20 weeks to 24 weeks. · This updated upper limit is only applicable in certain circumstances. · Up to 20 weeks of gestation, MTP may now be prescribed based on the recommendation of a single licenced medical provider. · Two licenced medical specialists’ opinions are needed between 20 and 24 weeks. · A medical abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy required the approval of one registered doctor under the previous version of the Act, while abortions up to 20 weeks required the consent of two doctors. · Furthermore, a pregnancy may only be terminated after 24 weeks of gestation on the grounds of foetal abnormalities by a four-member Medical Board established in each State in line with the Act. · Despite any of the aforementioned restrictions, the legislation also provides that an abortion may be performed whenever necessary by a single licenced medical professional in order to preserve the pregnant woman’s life. · Due to the 2021 Act’s lack of a spousal consent requirement, unmarried women may also have an abortion given the aforementioned conditions. If the lady is a minor, parental permission is necessary. · Court interventions in abortion-related cases: · The decision to continue or end a pregnancy is a part of a pregnant person’s right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution, as well as their right to life and personal liberty, the Supreme Court ruled in the landmark Right to Privacy decision in the 2017 case Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India and others. A 37-year-old woman’s request for a medical abortion at 34 weeks of pregnancy was granted by the Calcutta High Court despite the fact that the country’s current laws do not permit unconditional abortions. Given that the fetus’s spine deformity was confirmed to be incurable, this was done. · After the State Medical Board denied the woman’s application for MTP, the Court granted this. · Due to this decision, abortions were permitted in the nation up to the point of delivery. · The anti-abortion statute has the following justifications: · According to a 2018 study published in the Lancet, as of 2015, India had 15.6 million abortions annually. · The mother performed 27% of abortions, per the most recent National Family Health Survey 2019–2021, at home. · According to the State of the World Population Report 2022 by the United Nations Population Fund, unsafe abortions cause over 8 women to perish every day in India (UNFPA). · According to the MTP Act, only gynaecologists or obstetricians are permitted to perform abortions. · However, the 2019–20 Rural Health Statistics report from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare shows that there is a 70% lack of obstetrician–gynecologists in rural India. · Critics claim that because the law outlaws abortions at any time, it forces women to have dangerous, unauthorised abortions. · According to statistics, India performs 80,000 unsafe and illegal abortions per year, many of which result in maternal death. · Because the term “woman” is employed in the law, pregnant transgender and non-binary people who are medically capable of having children are excluded. · They are pressured to embrace a gender-binary identity in place of their original gender identification. · Affordability and societal stigma that encourage unsafe abortions are other important factors. · Only those with sufficient financial means have access to the pricy private medical facilities that perform abortions. · Conclusion: · India’s scenario is far from ideal, thus it’s critical to consider and implement cutting-edge global practises. · Diversity, complete bodily autonomy, and reproductive fairness should be our goals. · We shouldn’t start managing the nation by gauging our progress against the rate of retreat. · Legal, medical, and social considerations must be made while evaluating bodily autonomy and reproductive rights. · It is impossible to say that India is paving the way for the West until women and non-binary pregnant people have full control over their own bodies in accordance with these values. Source à The Indian Express 2
30 Aug 2022
. No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1. About the Forest Fires Prelims & Mains 2. Details of the Eco Sensitive Zones Prelims & Mains 3. About the Non Performing Assets Prelims & Mains 4. Details of the Defence Exports in India Prelims Specific Topic 1 – About the Forest Fires:GS III Topic à Environment Conservation · About: · Any unregulated and uncontrolled combustion or burning of plants that consumes the available fuels and spreads based on environmental factors is known as a wildfire in a natural context, such as a forest, grassland, brush land, or tundra. Other names for it include blazing, wildfire, and grass fire (e.g., wind, topography). · Forest fires can be started by human activity like clearing land for development, protracted droughts, or, in rare cases, lightning. · A wildfire needs three things to start burning: fuel, oxygen, and heat. · India’s Potential for Forest Fires: · According to the Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun’s India State of Forest Report 2019 (ISFR), as of 2019, more than 21.67 percent (7,12,249 sq km) of the nation’s geographic area is categorised as forest. · Trees cover 2.89 percent more land now (95, 027 sq km). · According to historical fire incidents and data, the forests in the Northeast and central India regions are the most vulnerable to forest fires. · Forested areas in Assam, Mizoram, and Tripura have been noted as being “especially prone.” · The states deemed to be “very highly prone” are Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. Significant wooded areas can be found in several states. · According to the MoEFCC’s 2020–2021 annual report, Western Maharashtra, Southern Chhattisgarh, parts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, along with central Odisha, are all developing into “extremely prone” forest fire hotspots. · As “very prone” or “moderately prone” areas, 1,72,374 square kilometres, or roughly 26.2 percent of the whole forest cover, fall into these categories. · Reasons of forest fires: · The bulk of big fires in India are mostly the result of human activity, despite the fact that there are numerous diverse natural causes of forest fires. · Recent studies have connected climate change to an increase in fires, especially the destructive Amazon forest fires that have ravaged large sections of Brazil and Australia during the past two years. · There is a correlation between climate change and the intensity, length, frequency, and highly flammable character of fires. · In India, forest fires are most frequently reported in the months of March and April because there is an abundance of dried wood, logs, dead leaves, stumps, dry grass, and weeds that are easily lit by a spark. · Another major issue in Uttarakhand is the arid soil. The monsoon seasons of 2019 and 2020 saw rainfall that was 18 and 20% below seasonal average, respectively. · Most fires are started by individuals, sometimes even on purpose. It is common knowledge that peasants in Odisha, which last month suffered a large fire in the Simlipal forest, set dry leaves on fire in order to gather mahua flowers, which are used to make a local beverage. · Results of forest fires: · Forest fires have a negative effect on the soil, tree growth, vegetation, and overall flora and fauna. · A fire can burn over multiple hectares of forest, and the ash it leaves behind prevents any vegetation from regrowing. · The heat of a fire destroys animal habitats. · The quality of the soil decreases when soil components are different. · Additionally affected are soil moisture and fertility. · The size of forests may decrease. · Trees that survive a fire typically have drastically reduced growth. · Why forests are crucial: · Forests are essential for both slowing down and adapting to climate change. · They act as a reservoir, sink, and supplier of carbon. · A healthy forest has the potential to store and sequester more carbon than any other terrestrial ecosystem. · In India, where 1.70 lakh villages are located near woods, many people rely on fuelwood, bamboo, fodder, and small amounts of lumber for their survival (Census 2011). · Efforts to avoid forest fires: · In order to track forest fires in real-time, the FSI (Forest Survey of India) developed the Forest Fire Alert System in 2004. · The system’s updated version, which became accessible in January 2019, now makes use of satellite data obtained from NASA and ISRO. · The 2018 National Action Plan on Forest Fires and the Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme (NAPFF). Source à The Down To Earth Magazine 2 – Details of the Eco Sensitive Zones:GS III Topic à Environment Conservation · What are eco-sensitive zones? · The National Animal Action Plan (2002-2016) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change required state governments to designate land as eco-fragile zones or eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) within 10 kilometres of the borders of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. This was needed by the Environmental (Protection) Act of 1986. (MoEFCC). · Purpose: · To serve as a kind of “shock absorber” for the natural landscape, ESZs are built around protected areas such as national parks, forests, and wildlife sanctuaries. · Between regions with high security and those with less protection, these areas would act as a transition. · Commercial wood use, industrial mining, sawmills, businesses that produce substantial amounts of HEPs, and businesses that create pollutants are all prohibited. · Hot air ballooning in a national park, discharging effluents or other solid waste, or producing hazardous materials are a few examples of tourism-related activities. · Cutting down trees, constructing hotels and resorts, exploiting natural water for commercial purposes, putting up electricity lines, substantially altering agriculture through the use of heavy gear, insecticides, etc., and constructing new roads are all activities that are subject to regulation. · Activities like regular horticultural or agricultural practises, the use of green technology, the exploitation of renewable energy