Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

GS Paper 3

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

Ukraine crisis highlights India’s need to reduce dependence on military imports

News– The article explains the dilemma posed by Ukraine war for India foreign policy makers.

What is the Russian stand regarding the Ukraine war?

As per Putin, the Ukrainian nation does not exist, and it is an inalienable part of Russia’s history, culture and spiritual space.” Such claims are made by hegemonic states to hide their intentions for dominance.

Putin has accused the US and Europe of bad faith. Gorbachev was given assurance that NATO would advance “not an inch eastward”. This undertaking was allegedly violated when NATO included 10 former Warsaw Pact members.

How has conflict posed a dilemma for New Delhi?

It remains engaged with Russia and China in the BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), while also partnering with the US in the Quad and Malabar groupings. India simultaneously holds presidencies of the G20 and SCO. India will need a “tightrope walk” while maintaining “strategic autonomy”.

The increasing closeness of Moscow with Beijing gives Beijing great leverage. It impacts Russia’s capacity to pursue independent relations with other states, especially India.

There is a rapid decline in Russia’s capability as a defence supplier. It should be a cause of worry for India.

The Quad and Malabar groupings show the convergence of US and Indian strategic interests. But their overall impact has been underwhelming. China sees this grouping as a potential impediment to its hegemonic grand plan. The Quad members except the US have also shown nervousness in their responses to China. Quad meetings have empahasised that the grouping has no security implications and is not an “Asian NATO”.

What are prospects of Indo-US cooperation in assisting India in improving the security scenario of India?

In September 2021, Australia, the UK and US announced the formation of a trilateral security pact, AUKUS. Under it, the US and Britain will share many advanced technologies with Australia and would also assist it in acquiring a nuclear attack submarine force.

AUKUS shows that there is complete absence of any similar offer of training, military technology or hardware, by the US to India. This is despite the strategic partnership and  Indo-US civil nuclear deal and a host of defence-related agreements.

An Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) was announced in May 2022 by Joe Biden. It remains to be seen if iCET results in significant sales or transfer of technology to India or ends up like other Indo-US agreements.

What are the options for India to increase independence in defence supplies?

Weak performance of India’s military-industrial complex has made it import-dependent for weaponry.

While “atmanirbharta” is a good. But technology has long gestation periods. India should draw useful lessons from China.

China has employed reverse engineering, coercion, and even blatant theft to acquire military technology from the USSR and the West.

The importance of constitutional punctuality

News– Recently, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly passed a resolution seeking to provide for a time frame for Governors to act on Bills passed by the State Legislature.

Why does the governor withholding the bill passed by assembly is against the spirit of the constitution?

When the Constitution was adopted, some of the sovereign functions were retained for the sake of continuity in governance. There was no time limit fixed for various authorities to discharge duties.

Drafters of the Constitution assumed that nominated governors will discharge sovereign duties beyond the confines of political partisanship.

Article 200 of the Constitution limits the options before the Governor to give assent to the Bill sent by the legislature, or withhold assent, or reserve a Bill for the consideration of the President. Governors have wrongly understood this function as some discretionary responsibility.

However, a composite reading of the debates in the Constituent Assembly provides a different interpretation.

The original draft Article 175 moved for discussion provided discretion to the Governor to return the Bill.

While moving the amendment to this Article, B.R. Ambedkar said that there can be no room for a Governor acting on discretion” and recommended removing the discretion.

A simple reading of the Article is sufficient to show that the meaning of the phrase “withholds assent therefrom” has been misinterpreted to mean holding back the Bill.

What are practices followed in other countries regarding the veto of the bill?

In the United Kingdom, there has been no royal veto since 1708. In the United States, there is a time limit of 10 days for the President to give assent or veto a bill. If the President does not sign or vetoes the Bill within this time, it automatically becomes an Act.

What are the views of higher courts on authorities discharging their functions without any regard for a time limit?

The Supreme Court in Shamsher Singh & Anr vs State Of Punjab (1974), held that the discretion of the Governor is extremely limited. Even in rare cases, the governor shall act in a manner that is not detrimental to the interest of the state.

The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that the Governor shall only act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.

The Supreme Court, in Keisham Meghachandra Singh vs The Hon’ble Speaker Manipur (2020), asked the Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly to decide on the disqualification petitions under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution within a period of four weeks.

In the case filed by the State of Telangana against the Governor, the Supreme Court acknowledged that the words in Article 200, “as soon as possible after the presentation of the Bill”, are important. Governors should necessarily bear this in mind.

India’s hunger paradox: Self-sufficiency in production does not necessarily mean food security

News– As per fifth National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) data, 18% of children between ages 6-23 months, did not eat any food whatsoever in the 24 hours preceding the survey.

What are other statistics provided by NFHS5 related to food intake by children?

The zero-food prevalence was 30 % for infants aged 6-11 months, remains worryingly high at 13% among the 12-17 months old, and persists even among 18-23 months-old children at 8%.

More than 80% had not consumed any protein-rich foods for an entire day.

Close to 40% did not eat any grains for an entire day, and six out of 10 children do not consume milk or dairy of any form every day.

What are the dietary requirements of children?

According to the World Health Organisation, at six months of age, 33% of the daily calorie intake is expected to come from food. This proportion increases to 61% at 12 months of age.

The recommended calorie percentages mentioned here are the minimum amount that should come from food. It is presumed that the child obtains the remaining calories through breastfeeding.

Consequently, the percentage of food-sourced calories only increases further when a child cannot receive breast milk when needed.

What are issues with NFHS surveys to assess the nutritional deprivation among the Indian population?

The assessment of the extent of nutritional deprivation among young children in India has relied on measures such as stunting, wasting, compared to a reference population.

These measures suggest overall deficiencies in the child’s environment, without any guidance on the specific nature of the deficiencies.

Due to several factors that cause stunting or wasting among children, it is challenging for any single ministry, or department of the Government to take responsibility for designing, implementing and monitoring policies to reduce undernutrition among children.

The well-documented intergenerational linkages between child stunting and parental height, makes it a problematic policy metric for evaluating the effectiveness of current programmes and interventions.

How can NFHS survey be improved to assess nutrition related metrics?

There is a need to improve the NFHS surveys. The 24-hour recall questions on consumption of various food items are currently asked only of the most recently born children under the age of two. It should be systematically extended to children under five years.

Questions for adults should also be based on a 24-hour recall following similar food items as the children’s questions.

To better understand food security for all populations in India, assessments using household-level food insecurity modules developed by the Food and Agriculture Organisation can be adapted.

What is the way forward to tackle the issues of hunger and malnutrition in India?

The rising burden of cardiovascular and other non-communicable diseases in India is strongly linked to diet and nutrition. A national effort to establish routine dietary and nutritional assessments for the entire population is the need of the hour.

Measuring the availability, accessibility and affordability of nutritious food constitutes the foundation for any evidence-based policy to end hunger and improve nutritional security among Indians.

India must achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 of “zero hunger”, by 2030. The Mission Poshan 2.0  programme is dedicated to it. However, to effectively monitor and assess the performance of Poshan 2.0, there is an immediate need to develop appropriate food-based metrics.

India should consider a strategic initiative led by the Prime Minister’s Office aimed at eliminating food insecurity in India. It should  ensure affordable access to sufficient quantity and quality of nutritionally diverse food, with a special and immediate focus on India’s youngest children.

GS Paper 3

Roadmap to energy justice

News: India’s energy demand is growing. As per the BP energy outlook and IEA estimates, India will account for approximately 25 percent of global energy demand growth between 2020-2040.

The article discusses India’s position on various energy requirements and measures taken by India to check rising crude prices.

How has India been able to manage the rising prices of crude oil?

Prices of diesel in India have gone down in the last one year at a time when petrol and diesel prices went up by 35-40 per cent in the US, Canada, Spain and the UK.

India, despite being a major importer of crude oil and natural gas, has been able to control the prices of petrol and diesel.

This was made possible by – a) massive cuts in excise duty and VAT rates by several states, b) Oil PSUs absorbing huge losses to ensure that the rising prices of crude oil and natural gas in the international market were not passed on to Indian consumers, c) increasing subsidised APM gas for city gas distribution sector, d) imposing an export cess on petrol, diesel and ATF and windfall tax on domestically produced petroleum products, d) expanding its network of crude oil suppliers to Russia and the US to prevent supply disruptions, e) expanding refining capacity, f) purchasing petroleum products from certain nations has helped in keeping oil prices in check in the global value chain.

Note: India’s refining capacity is the fourth largest in the world after the US, China, and Russia.

What are other efforts being taken by India for its energy requirements?

Gas based economy: India is accelerating its efforts to move towards a gas-based economy by increasing the share of gas from the current 6.3 percent to 15 percent by 2030. The number of CNG stations in India has gone up from 938 in 2014 to 4,900 in 2023.

Since 2014, India has also increased the length of its gas pipeline network from 14,700 kms to 22,000 kms in 2023.

Biofuel: India has launched E20 (20 percent ethanol blended gasoline) which will be rolled out in 15 cities and expanded across the country in the next two years. India’s ethanol blending gasoline has grown from 1.53 percent in 2013-14 to 10.17 percent in 2023. 

India is also setting up five second generation ethanol plants, which can convert agricultural waste into biofuel.

Green Hydrogen: The National Green Hydrogen Mission has been launched to develop the entire green hydrogen ecosystem in the country and accelerate India’s efforts towards 4 MT of annual green hydrogen production. India is poised to realise its full potential to create a green hydrogen ecosystem by 2030.

Electric vehicles: India is supporting electric vehicles through a production linked incentive scheme to make advanced chemistry cells of 50 GW hours and has announced viability gap funding and customs duty exemptions for the sector.

Labour laws’ fairness challenge

News: Some states have amended their labour laws and have brought changes.

What are the changes brought by the states in their labour laws?

Karnataka has allowed 12-hour work shifts instead of eight or nine. It has increased overtime from 75 hours to 145 hours in three months, and allowed women to work in the night shift. 

These work hours are, however, capped at 48 hours per week or 4 days a week.

Similar changes in working hours have been brought by Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. 

These changes have been brought up on the request of several global contract manufacturing firms.

What are the concerns with these amendments?

The concerns with these amendments are whether these changes improve labour productivity and are efficient in creating new jobs or it leads to worse working conditions and labour exploitation.

It is argued that the flexibility to institute a 12-hour workday will improve productivity and will make India competitive with its counterparts in countries like China or Taiwan or Korea.

Some studies have also found that longer hours improve productivity because workers need to settle down in a shift before his/her productivity hits its peak.

However, a large number of studies have found that a longer number of working hours decreases productivity due to fatigue.

Newer studies have also suggested that rather than the number of working hours, other factors such as conditions at work, attribute of labour and work schedule play a much bigger role in increasing productivity.

Climate change and geographical locations may also affect the productivity of workers.

In terms of labour exploitation, it is hard to argue whether a 12-hour work shift coupled with four days will lead to labour exploitation. However, if the total number of hours per week changes, then it might lead to labour exploitation.

What can be the way ahead?

Factors such as protections for workers (wages, hiring and firing practices, insurance, etc.) and workplace conditions (safety norms, proper facilities and training etc.) are more important for workers rather than long working hours.

These factors should be taken into account because today factories tend to hire more contract workers, and often the terms and conditions for these workers are lower than those who are in the company’s roles.

Hence, these are the issues that the government should be most worried about, and they should be closely regulated and monitored.

The death of another Nehruvian idea – on closure of Vigyan Prasar

News- An official press release of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) cryptically announced discontinuance of Vigyan Prasar, an autonomous body under its purview.

What are some facts about Vigyan Prashar?

Vigyan Prasar started functioning in 1989. It was a Nehruvian idea of science communication and scientific awareness.

It has been a part of an unbroken chain of government institutions and policies for promoting scientific temper since 1947.

Vigyan Prasar prepared content on scientific temper and disseminated it widely via radio and TV in the 1990s.

It also commissioned filmmakers to produce documentaries about leading scientists, the history of science and similar subjects.

One notable outreach project was ECLIPSE-95. It was a year-long programme to generate awareness and create safe viewing opportunities of the total solar eclipse of 1995.

What were the steps taken by the government to improve science communication and scientific awareness?

For Jawaharlal Nehru, science and technology were essential for nation-building projects. This was reflected in the creation of national laboratories, higher education institutions, large dams, and so on.

To fight irrationality, Nehru supported a scheme to open ‘Vigyan Mandirs’. These science centres popularised scientific ideas in rural populations.

In the 1960s, science communication through All India Radio and ‘Krishi Vigyan Kendras’ played an important role in the adoption of new, high-yielding crop varieties. It powered the Green Revolution.

The DST formed an agency to promote public debate on science and technology to tackle superstitious beliefs. It was  the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) established in 1982.

It supported several voluntary groups and grassroots science movements. One of its major contributions was the ‘Bharat Jan Vigyan Jatha’ (BJVJ) movement. It gave birth to a network of voluntary organisations. This took the shape of the All India People’s Science Network.

All these events culminated in the idea of a national institute of science and technology communication. This was Vigyan Prasar.

What were the issues faced by Vigyan Prashar in recent times?

Vigyan Prasar deviated from its original mandate. New projects were launched without adequate preparation and coordination.

The agency started ‘DD Science’ in collaboration with Doordarshan as a one-hour daily programme for science, but it started rehashing documentaries telecast earlier.

This was followed by an OTT channel called ‘IndiaScience.in. But The OTT science channel converted into a political message platform. It covered routine events such as the Prime Minister’s Republic Day speech and ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’.

The de-dollarisation debate

News: There are evidences that countries are trying to break away from the USD through de-dollarisation.

How dominant is US Dollar in global trade?

While the US accounts for about 25% of the global gross domestic product (GDP), its true economic power is driven by global dependence on the USD. For example,

a) The USD accounts for approximately 90% of all Forex transactions. That means that the dollar was on one side or the other in nine out of 10 global foreign exchange transactions, b) The dollar also accounts for 85 per cent of all currency forward and swap markets, c) Almost half of all cross-border loans and international debt securities are also denominated in USD. This is despite the fact that non-US entities are the borrower/issuer in 88% of all international debt issuance, d) The dollar is also used for about 50% of all trade invoicing despite the US only accounting for about 12% of global trade and e) The USD comprise 60% of global Forex reserves.

Note: Most central banks do not have more than 10% of gold in their Forex mix (except Russia and Turkey). This is because it provides no yield, and if all major central banks tried to boost their gold holdings, it would have a serious price impact. 

What is de-dollarisation, what are the global efforts towards the De-dollarisation of trade, and How is India pursuing the de-dollarisation of trade?

What are the negative impacts of de-dollarisation?

Not easy to de-dollarise: The top 20 countries ranked by quantum of Forex reserves, except for China/Hong Kong, the rest are political allies of the US or have some form of cooperation. Hence, the only countries that may try to move away from the USD would be China, HK and Saudi Arabia. 

Of these, HK and Saudi Arabia run a USD peg of their own currencies, and thus cannot move away from dollar easily.

Hence, the USD is unlikely to lose the reserve currency status.

How should humans respond to advancing artificial intelligence?

News: Within months of ChatGPT‘s launch, besides its mass adoption, there are intense documentation of its superhuman uses.

What is Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI?

How ChatGPT has evolved so far?

–The AI has breached the ability of humans to skim through thousands of written words to produce an original formulation. Now it is performing market analysis, decryption of ‘Fedspeak’ and sentiment analysis to book summaries, financial planning, website building, economics research, etc.

–Words, music and art are all made by humans and learnt by AI. Now, the AI also have a winning entry in the Sony world photography contest.

Thereby promoting it as a quick-fix panacea to various problems. 

What will be the potential concerns of AI’s rapid development?

The use of machines freed humans to pursue more ‘thoughtful’ ideas. But that is associated with some potential consequences such as,

a) AI can decide for itself and self-propagate, which can lead to catastrophic consequences in the absence of judgment, b) Rapid development of AI might lead to the absence of a human creativity-facilitative ecosystem. Thereby, AI will be learning from AI to decide what is good for humans, c) Humans and accountability have an interesting relationship. But AI does not have such connection. For instance, to “improve firm profitability” instruction, the AI sub-tasks the termination of 50 employees, d) Apart from that, the AI is also opaque and data-corruptible, and e) The AI itself answered that “lack of creativity and intuition”, and “ethical concerns” are the key disadvantages of AI.

Overall, AI is a great tool so long as humans with a conscience are its master. Further, Universal basic income will have to become a reality as some jobs turn obsolete due to the intervention of AI.

Nuh Place, Old Tricks – A Haryana district is the latest cybercrime hotspot. This threat is set to grow as digital transition accelerates

News: Recently, over 5,000 policemen raided 300 locations in 14 villages in search of hackers in Nuh district, Haryana. Though the police made multiple arrests, many of them were school dropouts, they are still searching for the mastermind. 

Note: Nuh’s geographical location helped it to become a base of operations because “black spots” make it difficult to trace calls.

About cybercrime attacks in recent times

Cybercrime attacks in the world: In 2022, Interpol surveyed police forces among its member states to publish the first-ever global report on crime trends.

-Police forces across countries identified financial and cybercrime as among the world’s leading crime threats.

-In particular, phishing and online scams were rated as high or very high threats.

Cybercrime attacks in India: The government’s cybercrime portal receives over 3,500 complaints a day. This is a gross underestimate as not all victims know how to file a complaint or even want to file one.

In India, phishing and dubious online platforms offering financial products are the most potent threats.

What are the challenges in restricting Cybercrime attacks?

a) Digital business models offer convenience for cyber attacks, b) India’s huge mobile phone user base made it easier to perpetrate crimes on a large scale from geographically distant locations, c) Regulators are often playing catch-up. For instance, the centre and RBI have cracked down on dubious online loan apps only after they mushroomed, d) India’s chronic underemployment problem creates conditions for young people to try and make money by digital fraud.

What should be done?

Regulators and states need to invest far more in enhancing financial awareness to help people be vigilant. Jobs and smart policing are the answer.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Divorce can be granted on ‘grounds of irretrievable breakdown’: Supreme Court

Source: The post is based on the article “Divorce can be granted on ‘grounds of irretrievable breakdown’: Supreme Court” published in The Hindu on 2nd May 2023

What is the News?

The Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court held that a court can directly grant divorce under Article 142 of the Constitution in cases where the marriage has irretrievably broken down.

This can be done without referring the parties to a family court first, where they must wait for 6-18 months for a decree of divorce by mutual consent.

What is the current procedure for getting a divorce in India?

The Hindu Marriage Act 1955 (HMA) lays down the procedure to obtain a divorce by mutual consent.

First a couple seeking divorce by mutual consent had to file a joint petition in a local court. In it, they had to claim that they were living separately for a year or more and were unable to live together again. 

The duo had to then wait for six to 18 months before making a second motion before the same court. This time, they had to confirm their decision to divorce. 

Following which, the judge would make a formal inquiry before granting them a decree of divorce by mutual consent.

Issues with the current process is that it is time-consuming and lengthy, owing to a large number of cases pending before the courts.

What did the Supreme Court have ruled now on divorce?

The Supreme Court has said that it could also use powers under Article 142 of the constitution to grant divorce on the ground of “irretrievable breakdown of marriage” if the “separation is inevitable and the damage is irreparable”.

However, the court cautioned that grant of divorce by the Supreme Court on the ground of irretrievable breakdown of marriage was not a matter of right, but a discretion which is to be exercised with great care and caution. 

Several factors would be considered by the Supreme Court before invoking Article 142 in matrimonial cases.

These include the duration of the marriage, period of litigation, the time they have stayed apart, the nature of the pending cases between the couples, the number of attempts at reconciliation and the court’s satisfaction that the mutual agreement to divorce was not under coercion.

The ever expanding medicinal uses and properties of psychedelic substances

Source: The post is based on the article “The ever expanding medicinal uses and properties of psychedelic substances” published in The Hindu on 2nd May 2023

What is the News?

Psychedelic drugs banned in India under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act are emerging in research as promising ways to treat treatment-resistant depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

What are Psychedelic Drugs?

Psychedelics are a group of drugs that alter perception, mood and thought processing while a person is still clearly conscious. Usually, the person’s insight also remains unimpaired. 

Psychedelics are non-addictive, non-toxic and compared to illicit drugs, they are less harmful to the end user. 

In India, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 prohibits the use of psychedelic substances. 

Ketamine, a dissociative anaesthetic with psychedelic properties, is used under strict medical supervision, for anaesthesia and treatment-resistant depression.

Can Psychedelic substances cause harm?

Synthetic psychedelics have been associated with acute cardiac, central nervous system and limb ischaemia as well as serotonin syndrome. There have been reports of death attributed directly to synthetic psychedelic use.

The psychological effects of psychedelics depend on the interaction between the drug and the user’s mindset (together called a set), and the environmental setting. People with a personal or family history of psychosis are strongly discouraged from experimenting with psychedelics.

There is also no evidence that psychedelics cause physiological or psychological dependence — nor has any withdrawal syndrome been identified.

Can psychedelics be used to treat neuropsychiatric disorders?

Several studies and trials have shown that psychedelics can be the “breakthrough therapy” in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or in people with treatment-resistant depression.

Geomagnetic pearl oscillations increase in the recovery phase of geomagnetic storms

Source: The post is based on the article “Geomagnetic pearl oscillations increase in the recovery phase of geomagnetic storms” published in PIB on 2nd May 2023

What is the News?

Researchers have traced a very significant increase in special continuous oscillations with pearl-type structures called Geomagnetic Pc1 pearl oscillations on the surface of the Earth in the recovery phase of geomagnetic storms. 

What are Geomagnetic Storms?

A geomagnetic storm is a major disturbance of Earth’s magnetosphere that occurs when there is a very efficient exchange of energy from the solar wind into the space environment surrounding Earth. 

These storms result from variations in the solar wind that produce major changes in the currents, plasmas and fields in Earth’s magnetosphere.

How do Geomagnetic Storms impact Earth’s magnetic field?

Earth’s magnetic field forms a protective shield around us, and various plasma waves are generated in this magnetic field cavity. However, geomagnetic storms often cause a dent in this protection. 

Energetic particles are either accelerated or lost from the Earth’s radiation belts during these storms. 

This is responsible for changes in the plasma environment leading to the growth of low-frequency waves called Electromagnetic ion-cyclotron (EMIC) wave instability which is seen as the magnetic field oscillations (0.1-5 Hz) called as Pc1 pulsations.

What are Pc1 pearl oscillations?

The Geomagnetic Pc1 pearl oscillations are amplitude-modulated structured narrowband signals, which are signatures of low-frequency EMIC waves generated by resonant wave-particle interactions in the Earth’s magnetosphere. 

The observation of these oscillations is a proxy for the measurement of particle precipitation in the Earth’s magnetosphere.

Evidence of these pulsations are abundant in the mid and high-latitude regions. However, at very low latitude stations, it is not frequent. 

With Supreme Court’s ruling on divorce, a look at its powers under Article 142 – and their criticism

Source: The post is based on the article “With Supreme Court’s ruling on divorce, a look at its powers under Article 142 – and their criticism” published in Indian Express on 1st May 2023

What is the News?

The constitution bench of the Supreme Court held that a court can directly grant divorce under Article 142 of the Constitution, in cases where the marriage has irretrievably broken down.

This can be done without referring the parties to a family court first, where they must wait for 6-18 months for a decree of divorce by mutual consent.

What is Article 142 of the Indian Constitution?

Click Here to read

How have courts exercised power under Article 142?

The powers under Article 142 are sweeping in nature. But the SC has defined its scope and extent through its judgments over time.

In the Prem Chand Garg case, the Supreme Court demarcated the exercise of powers under Article 142(1) by saying that an order to do complete justice between the parties must not only be consistent with the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution, but it cannot even be inconsistent with the substantive provisions of the relevant statutory laws.

But in the Bhopal gas tragedy case, the SC in 1991 ordered UCC to pay $470 million in compensation for the victims of the tragedy. It exercised these powers under Article 142 of the Constitution.

– While exercising, the court clarified that prohibitions on limitations on provisions contained in ordinary laws cannot, ipso-facto act as prohibitions or limitations on the constitutional powers under Article 142.

In the 2006 ruling in ‘A. Jideranath vs Jubilee Hills Co-op House Building Society’, the Supreme Court discussed the scope of the power under Article 142. It held that in its exercise no injustice should be caused to a person not party to the case.

What is the criticism of Article 142 and how have courts countered it?

Firstly, the absence of a standard definition for the term “complete justice” under Article 142 allows the possibility of its arbitrary exercise or misuse.

Secondly, another criticism of the powers under Article 142 is that unlike the legislature and the executive, the judiciary cannot be held accountable for its actions. 

– The power has been criticized on grounds of the separation of powers doctrine, which says that the judiciary should not venture into areas of lawmaking and that it would invite the possibility of judicial overreach.

India leads in ‘laundering’ Russian oil and selling to Europe: report

Source: The post is based on the article “India leads in ‘laundering’ Russian oil and selling to Europe: report” published in The Hindu on 1st May 2023

What is the News?

A report by Finland-based Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) has found that European countries that banned Russian oil imports are instead importing huge amounts of oil commodities from India, China, United Arab Emirates, Singapore and Turkey, therefore, qualifying them as laundromats. 

What are Laundromat countries?

The report has categorized India, China, Turkey, the UAE, and Singapore as laundromat countries.

These countries are buying Russian oil and selling processed products to European countries, thus side-stepping European sanctions against Russia.

This means that European countries are simply substituting oil products they previously bought directly from Russia, with the same products now “whitewashed” in third countries and bought from them at a premium.

Among these so-called “laundromat” countries, India remained the highest global consumer of seaborne Russian crude and is ahead of all others in the export of crude products to these price cap coalition countries, which include the EU, G-7 countries, Australia and Japan.

For instance, India’s diesel exports tripled to ~1,600,000 barrels per day in March 2023 compared to a year ago, making diesel one of the largest components of India-EU trade.

Most oil products from India were being exported from two ports in Gujarat: 1) the Sikka port that services the Reliance-owned Jamnagar refinery and 2) the Vadinar port that ships oil products.

India’s 1st undersea tunnels to open in November

Source: The post is based on the article “India’s 1st undersea tunnels to open in November” published in Indian Express on 2nd May 2023

What is the News?

India’s first undersea twin tunnels in south Mumbai will soon be opened.

About India’s First Undersea Twin Tunnel

It is a 2.07-kilometer-long tunnel being built in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

The tunnels are part of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project (MCRP) being built by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation(BMC).

What is the Mumbai Coastal Road Project (MCRP)?

The 10.58-kilometre Mumbai Coastal Road Project (MCRP) connects Marine Drive to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and during peak hours.

The project is expected to reduce the 45-minute commute from Girgaon to Worli to just 10 minutes. 

The project also highlights the usage of India’s largest-ever tunnel boring machine (TBM) called Mavala. This machine weighs over 1,700 tonnes and stands about 12 meters tall.

Inaugural ASEAN-India maritime exercise in South China Sea

Source: The post is based on the article “Inaugural ASEAN-India maritime exercise in South China Sea” published in The Hindu on 2nd May 2023

What is the News?

Two Indian Naval Ships(INSs) Satpura and Delhi have reached Singapore to participate in the inaugural ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME).

Note: INS Delhi, India’s first indigenously-built guided missile destroyer and INS Satpura, an indigenously-built guided missile stealth frigate are a part of Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam.

What is ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME)?

AIME is a maritime exercise between India and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).

Aim: To provide an opportunity for Indian Navy and ASEAN navies to work closely and conduct seamless operations in the maritime domain.

Phases: The exercise will be held in two phases: ‘Harbour Phase’ of the exercise is scheduled to be held at Changi Naval Base and ‘Sea Phase’ in the South China Sea.

The ships during their port call at Singapore will also participate in the International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX-23) and International Maritime Security Conference being hosted by Singapore.

National Manufacturing Innovation Survey (NMIS) 2021-22 findings released, can help enhance competitiveness of Indian manufacturing

Source: The post is based on the article “National Manufacturing Innovation Survey (NMIS) 2021-22 findings released, can help enhance competitiveness of Indian manufacturing” published in PIB on 1st May 2023

What is the News?

The Department of Science and Technology has released the “National Manufacturing Innovation Survey (NMIS) 2021-22: Summary for Policymakers”.

What is the National Manufacturing Innovation Survey (NMIS) 2021-22?

Conducted by: It is a joint study conducted by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

Aim: To measure and map innovation activities, capabilities, linkages, outputs, outcomes, and barriers to assist DST in developing robust analytical frameworks for measuring firm-level innovations and the sectoral systems of innovation.

Components: NMIS had two specific components: the firm-level survey and the sectoral systems of innovation (SSI) survey.

What are the major findings of the NMIS survey?

25% of the 8,074 firms surveyed were considered innovative. Among them, only 15% of micro firms are innovative while it is 56% in large firms.

Most of the barriers reported by the firms were:  low demand for innovations in the market, lack of funds within the firm or group, high innovation costs and the lack of finance from external sources.

India Manufacturing Innovation Index(IMII) 2022: The responses obtained from the firm-level survey have been converted into an IMII index.

– The index provides a holistic score for the level of innovation across states, taking into consideration innovation output through performance, and innovation input through the presence of innovation enablers and the absence of innovation barriers.

– The state of Karnataka was ranked the highest on IMII 2022 followed by Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Telangana and Tamil Nadu.

– Low-scoring states are North-eastern states, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

What are the recommendations given by NMIS 2021-22?

– ‘Innovate to Make in India’ as a manufacturing innovation strategy: This should include broad-based awareness, promotional measures and investment incentives, along with sectorial sub-strategies with concrete innovation targets or roadmaps.

– Make sectoral systems of innovation (SSI) a policy objective for handholding and incentivising the system of innovation and collaborations to strengthen manufacturing innovation and ecosystem 

– Support pre-competitive, collaborative industry-focused research and innovation.

– Enhance state government participation for fostering innovation in MSMEs.

– Implement innovation-linked incentives to help firms, especially MSMEs, to address the financial risks linked to innovation uncertainty.

– Support firms to mitigate innovation-related risks.

– Increase private sector innovation investment through crowding-in.

Ludhiana gas leak leads to 11 deaths: What are neurotoxins and how do they affect humans?

Source: The post is based on the article “Ludhiana gas leak leads to 11 deaths: What are neurotoxins and how do they affect humans?” published in Indian Express on 2nd May 2023

What is the News?

Around 11 people have died due to a gas leak in Punjab.

According to the air quality sensors used by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team, high levels of Hydrogen Sulphide gas, a kind of neurotoxin, have been detected and it is being ascertained how this gas might have led to the incident. 

What are Neurotoxins?

Neurotoxins are poisonous substances which can directly affect the nervous system.

Neurotoxicity occurs when exposure to natural or man-made toxic substances alters the normal activity of the nervous system. 

These substances can eventually disrupt or even kill neurons or nerve cells, which are important for transmitting and processing signals in the brain and other parts of the nervous system.

What are neurotoxic gases?

Methane, hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are common neurotoxic gases.

While methane and carbon monoxide are odourless gases, hydrogen sulphide has a pungent odour and in higher concentration it can be fatal for humans.

To remove gases such as hydrogen sulphide from wastewater, chemical oxidation is done where oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide are added to the wastewater.