Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• Altering status quo- Restoring popular rule in J&K and its statehood ought to be a priority
• China’s economic slowdown, its ripple effect
• Centre’s criminal code bills: Weakening criminal law’s guardrails
• Ahead of G20, India’s road safety challenge
• Neta Ramaswamy – Diaspora is rocking it, from tech to politics

GS Paper 3

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

Altering status quo- Restoring popular rule in J&K and its statehood ought to be a priority

News: The article discusses the delay in restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir after its status was downgraded to a Union Territory, despite the government’s claim of improved conditions in the region.

What are the major issues with Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood?

State Downgrade: Jammu and Kashmir were downgraded from a state to a Union Territory 4 years ago.

No Restoration Timeline: The Centre has not provided a specific timeline for restoring J&K’s statehood.

Delay Questions: Past disturbances in J&K are being cited as reasons for the delay, raising concerns.

Constitutional Challenge: The manner of J&K’s status alteration is under scrutiny in the Supreme Court.

What does the centre say about Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood?

Temporary Status: The Centre states that the Union Territory status for J&K is temporary.

No Set Timeline: When questioned by the Supreme Court, the Centre, represented by the Solicitor-General, was unable to provide an exact timeline for the restoration of statehood.

Election Push: The Centre is in favor of holding panchayat, municipal elections, and Assembly polls in J&K.

What does the centre say about Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood?

Supreme Court Query: The Supreme Court Bench queried the Centre about a timeline for the return of Statehood.

Constitutional Challenge: J&K’s special status abrogation under Article 370 is under constitutional challenge in the Supreme Court.

Chief Justice’s Observation: Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud noted that post-2019 development work is not relevant to the constitutional challenge.

Focus of Hearing: The 14-day hearing by a Constitution Bench concentrated on the constitutional and historical issues tied to J&K’s status alteration.

China’s economic slowdown, its ripple effect

News: The article discusses China’s economic challenges, its shift from rapid growth to focusing on quality-of-life, political interventions in the economy, and the potential impacts on the global market, especially India.

What are the reasons for the economic slowdown in China?

Infrastructure Emphasis: China chose infrastructure projects over fixing core issues, neglecting consumption gaps and regional disparities.

Transition to ‘New Normal’: Growth from exports and major investments ended, shifting focus to quality-of-life, leading to lower growth rates.

Labor Cost Surge: Incidents like the Foxconn suicides resulted in wage hikes and more social security investments, raising production costs.

Sectoral Overproduction: Industries, especially housing, energy, and construction, produced beyond demand, amassing unsold inventory.

Political Economic Choices:

Capital Expansion Control: Xi Jinping’s mention of “Disorderly expansion of capital” after the Ant Group IPO issue signaled tighter control over capitalist activities.

Backtracking on Promises: Although the 18th Central Committee in 2013 suggested markets would play a greater role in resource allocation, many of these promises were later revoked. For instance, the government intervened when the stock markets tumbled in 2015 and tightened currency convertibility, locking savings longer due to speculations.

Ineffective Economic Strategies:

Saving Tendency: Chinese save over 50% of their income, impacting consumption.

Common Prosperity: Intended to distribute economic growth benefits more broadly but hasn’t reached leadership’s expected success levels.

Dual Circulation: Designed to boost domestic consumption and improve domestic market competitiveness while reducing bureaucratic red tape. Yet, the results haven’t been as effective as hoped.

Trade Wars & External Conflicts: The US-China trade tensions hampered trade dynamics.

Strict COVID Measures: The zero-COVID policy disrupted goods flow, causing economic disturbances and cash conservation.

What is the potential impact of China’s economic slowdown on India and the world?

Impact on India:

Reduced Commodity Prices: China’s slowdown could lead to decreased prices for commodities. For instance, China’s demand for crude oil, cement, and steel might drop.

Border Dynamics: Given the underlying economic tensions, China’s approach to its borders with India might shift. The exact nature of this shift remains an important issue to watch.

Impact on the World:

Trade Disruptions: China’s role as a major global trading partner means its slowdown can influence global trade dynamics. An example is the U.S.-China trade war that already strained economic relations.

Commodity Market Impact: A dip in China’s demand can affect global commodity prices. China’s previous role as a major market for commodities can lead to significant global price shifts.

Investment Cautiousness: The current atmosphere in China makes global investors wary. Recent data suggests companies are becoming more cash-conscious, potentially indicating a trend of increased saving over investing.

Economic Dependencies: Given China’s global economic influence, many countries might face challenges due to China’s slowdown.

Centre’s criminal code bills: Weakening criminal law’s guardrails

News: The author discusses changes in India’s criminal law with three new bills introduced by the government. These bills merge “special statutes” into general criminal law, potentially harming procedural safeguards for the accused. This could lead to innocent people suffering unfairly. The article emphasizes the need for checks and balances in criminal proceedings.

About India’s new criminal law

Introduction of Bills: On August 11, the government introduced three new bills to replace three longstanding laws, giving them new names.

Three bills are:

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (to replace the Indian Penal Code, 1860),

the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (to replace the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973) and

the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 (to replace the Indian Evidence Act, 1872)

Shift in Approach: Traditionally, India had special statutes for complex crimes. Now, these special laws are being incorporated into general criminal law.

Why are there chances of mixing special laws into general ones?

Change in Legislative Practice: Historically, India used special statutes for complex crimes, ensuring both stringent punishments and procedural safeguards. The new bills deviate from this approach.

Treatment of Organised Crime: In the past, organized crime was handled by special legislation like Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 (MCOCA). The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 now includes provisions for organized crime within general law, broadening its definition to include activities like fraud, money laundering, and more.

Absence of Procedural Safeguards: Previously, MCOCA required high-ranking police approvals and had specific safeguards. The new proposed laws lack such detailed procedural protections.

What are the other concerns?

Potential Harm to Innocents: Without the traditional checks and balances, there’s a risk that innocent individuals might be unfairly treated under the new legal framework.

Trust in the Legal System: The dilution of procedural protections and the absence of clear checks can erode public trust in the criminal justice system.

What should be done?

Maintain Distinction: The historical practice of having distinct special statutes for specific crimes should be maintained to ensure checks, balances, and targeted procedural safeguards.

Refine Definitions: The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 has broad definitions, especially concerning “organised crime”. This implies a need to make definitions more precise to avoid misinterpretation.

Prioritize Fair Trials: Emphasize and safeguard the principles of a fair trial and the rule of law in any legal reforms.

Ahead of G20, India’s road safety challenge

News: The article discusses the urgent need for better road safety worldwide, especially in developing countries like India. While awareness is increasing, many countries still face high road accident deaths. The G20, a group of major economies, hasn’t focused enough on this issue.

Why is road safety important?

High road accident deaths: Many countries, especially like India, face alarming numbers.

Economic impact: The World Bank highlights its effect on India’s health and growth.

Vulnerable sections at risk: In India, 70% of road deaths are from economically productive sections.

Impact on society: The majority affected include pedestrians, cyclists, two-wheelers, and children.

Direct link to prosperity: Road safety is essential for a country’s overall economic growth and well-being.

What actions have been taken by the G20 to address road safety?

Limited focus: So far, the G20 hasn’t given road safety a central spot on their agenda.

2016 initiative: They were approached with a proposal to cut road deaths by half by 2030, but it didn’t gain much traction.

What role can India play in addressing road safety?

G20’s Spotlight: With its G20 presidency, India can prioritize road safety on the global agenda.

Steering Resources: India can guide the G20’s resources towards evaluating and implementing road safety practices.

Inspiring Global Initiatives: India introduced the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019, showing its dedication to improving road safety. By sharing its road safety achievements and issues, India can inspire G20 countries to take action.

Track Record of Crisis Management: India’s effective response to the Covid-19 pandemic showcases its capability to tackle challenges.

What should be done?

G20 Special Meeting: Convene a specific G20 session to discuss and strategize on road safety challenges.

Collaborative Approach: Countries with strong road safety records in the G20 should assist nations struggling with high road accidents.

Establish G20 RSF: Create a Road Safety Fund (G20 RSF) to financially support nations in reducing road crashes.

Evaluation Mechanism: Monitor the effective use of the G20 RSF every six months. Future financial aid should be based on the success and utilization of previous funds.

Set Clear Targets: Every country should have a detailed plan with goals to cut down road accidents.

Zones of Excellence: Consider privatizing road safety in high-risk areas, creating Zones of Excellence in Road Safety (ZoEs). These zones should emphasize education, engineering, enforcement, and emergency care.

Neta Ramaswamy – Diaspora is rocking it, from tech to politics

News: Vivek Ramaswamy, a child of Indian immigrants, is being considered for vice president candidate by former President Donald Trump. About 10% of Republicans plan to vote for him as president, showing his increasing popularity.

What has been the achievements of the Indian diaspora in the United States?

Indian Americans have made significant contributions to the United States in a variety of fields, including business, technology, education, and healthcare.

They are increasingly visible in media and politics, and their representation in government is also growing.

Moreover, in the United States, Indian Americans aren’t mainly found in areas where there are lots of other Indian Americans, unlike Latinos and Black Americans.

This shows that the skills Indian Americans learn in their home country to work with diverse groups can help them make connections in other countries.

Must Read: Indian Diaspora in US and its Impacts on India- US Relations

What lies ahead?

The initial concern that talented Indians leaving the country for better opportunities abroad would be a “brain drain” has shifted to the understanding that their success aboard can benefit India in the long run.

The increasing diversity of those who leave India is a positive development. Therefore, even as India creates more job opportunities domestically, it should continue to embrace a global perspective for its talented individuals.

GS Paper 3

Seven years on, mission to clean the Ganga remains a work in progress

News: National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has been allotted ₹20,000-crore to conserve and rejuvenate the Ganga River. The article explains the achievements made by the Mission till now.

What have been the achievements of NMCG?

In seven years, NMCG has only managed to install sewage treatment plants (STPs) capable of treating 20% of sewage in five major Ganga states. This is projected to increase to 33% by 2024 and 60% by Dec 2026.

Based on an estimated 11,765 MLD sewage, NMCG aims to create sewage treatment plants with 7,000 MLD capacity by 2026 while states will contribute to the remaining capacity through their efforts and government initiatives.

As of July 2023, STPs capable of treating 2,665 million litres per day (MLD) have been commissioned and are now functional.

However, there have been delays in commissioning some of the plants due to problems with land acquisition and the need to revise the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).

At present, Uttarakhand (36) has the highest number of STPs, followed by Uttar Pradesh (35) and West Bengal (11).

The Namami Gange Mission, a flagship initiative under NMCG, constitute approximately 80% of the project’s total expenditure.

Must Read: Cleaning of River Ganga – Explained

What have been the consequences of these achievements?

The number of dolphins in the Ganga River has increased from 2,000 to about 4,000. Dolphins can now also be found in new areas of the river and its tributaries.

Fishermen are also noticing more Indian carp, a type of fish that can only live in clean water.  These all signs show that there has been improvement in the river water quality.

What is the way ahead?

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) uses a number of parameters to measure water quality, such as dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, and faecal coliform.

However, these parameters vary widely along different stretches of the river.

Therefore, the NMCG is in the process of creating a river-water quality index, similar to the air quality index, to communicate better regarding the quality of river water.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Govt panel to study simultaneous polls

Source: The post is based on the article “Govt panel to study simultaneous polls”  published in Livemint on 2nd September 2023

What is the News?

The Government of India has constituted a committee headed by former president of India Ram Nath Kovind to explore the possibility of “One nation, One election”.

What is ‘one nation, one election’?

Source: Hindustan Times

The concept of “one nation, one election” refers to holding simultaneous elections across the country. 

It implies that elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies across India will be held simultaneously — with voting presumably taking place around the same time.

What is the history of ‘one nation, one election’?

Simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies were a norm in India till 1967. The Lok Sabha and state legislatures went to elections together in 1952 and 1957.

In 1959, this cycle was first broken in Kerala when the government of Jawaharlal Nehru used Article 356 of the Constitution to dismiss the government of Chief Minister E M S Namboodiripad.

In the 1967 elections, the Congress party suffered defeat in many states. But the governments were unstable, and many of these Assemblies were dissolved before their terms were over, resulting in the separation of the election cycles of many states from that of the Lok Sabha.

How has matters moved on One Nation One Election since this government came in power?

Parliamentary Standing committee report: In 2015, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, headed by E M Sudarsana Natchiappan, compiled a report on ‘Feasibility of Holding Simultaneous Elections to House of People (Lok Sabha) and State Legislative Assemblies’.

– The committee said that holding simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and state assemblies would reduce: (i) the massive expenditure that is currently incurred for the conduct of separate

elections; (ii) the policy paralysis that results from the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct during election time; (iii) impact on delivery of essential services and (iv) burden on crucial manpower that is deployed during election time.

What are the arguments against One Nation One Election?

The arguments against One Nation One Election include: complexity of such an exercise, the widely held view that simultaneous polls would benefit the nationally dominant party at the cost of regional players and the complications that would arise if any of the governments were to collapse before completing its term.

What did the Law Commission say on the One Nation One Election?

In a draft report in 2018, the Law Commission headed by Justice B S Chauhan held that simultaneous elections could not be held within the existing framework of the Constitution.

These could be held together through appropriate amendments to the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act 1951, and the Rules of Procedure of Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.At least 50% of the states may ratify the constitutional amendments. 

The Commission recommended that all elections due in a calendar year be conducted together. 

Since a no-confidence motion, if passed, may curtail the term of Lok Sabha or an Assembly, the Law Commission recommended replacing the “no-confidence motion” with a “constructive vote of no-confidence” through appropriate amendments — a government may only be removed if there is confidence in an alternative government.

PM congratulates RBI Governor for being rated “A+” in the Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards 2023

Source: The post is based on the article “PM congratulates RBI Governor for being rated “A+” in the Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards 2023”  published in PIB on 2nd September 2023

What is the News?

The Prime Minister has congratulated RBI Governor Shri Shaktikanta Das for being  rated “A+” in the Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards 2023.

What is Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards 2023?

The Central Banker Report Cards has been published annually by Global Finance since 1994.

Purpose: It grades the central bank governors of 101 key countries, territories and districts, including the European Union, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, the Bank of Central African States and the Central Bank of West African States.

Parameters: The grades are based on a scale from A to F for success in inflation control, economic growth goals, currency stability, and interest rate management, according to a statement by Global Finance magazine. 

– An ‘A’ represents an excellent performance and an ‘F’ stands for an outright failure.

Note: Recently, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das was also awarded the “Governor of the Year” at the Central Banking Awards 2023 in London.

– Central Banking is a London-based international economic research journal. 

– Shaktikanta Das is the second RBI governor to receive this award after Raghuram Rajan, who was given the title in 2015.

From Magna Carta to Ashtadhyayi: artefacts to grace G-20 corridor

Source: The post is based on the article “From Magna Carta to Ashtadhyayi: artefacts to grace G-20 corridor ”  published in The Hindu on 2nd September 2023

What is the News?

Several objects of cultural significance will be displayed at the special Culture Corridor which will be set up at the venue of the G-20 summit in New Delhi.

What is a G20 Culture Corridor?

The Ministry of Culture has conceptualized the Culture Corridor – G20 Digital Museum to represent and celebrate the shared heritage of G20 members and invitee countries. 

This project is based on India’s G20 theme Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and the Culture Working Group’s (CWG) hallmark campaign ‘Culture Unites All”.

The Culture Corridor will incorporate iconic and notable cultural objects and heritage of the G20 members and 9 invitee countries.

For this, submissions were requested from G-20 countries and nine guest nations under five categories: 1) Object of Cultural Significance (as a physical display) 2) Iconic Cultural Masterpiece (as a digital display) 3) Intangible Cultural Heritage (digital display) 4) Natural Heritage (digital display) and 5) Artefact Related to Democratic Practices (physical or digital display)

What will be displayed at the Culture Corridor being set up at the venue of the G-20 summit in New Delhi?

India: The Rig Veda manuscript will be exhibited with a special emphasis on the shloka that encourages humanity to come together.

– Ancient text Ashtadhyayi authored by Sanskrit philologist and scholar Panini will also be displayed.

– In the intangible heritage category, India will be displaying yoga, the Kumbh Mela, Vedic chanting, the lost wax bronze casting method, and the double ikkat weaving Patan Patola of Gujarat.

– In the natural heritage category, India will display the Himalayas, the Ganges, the Indian Ocean, the Living Root Bridge of Meghalaya and the Royal Bengal Tiger.

Other Countries: 1) ‘Mrs Ples’– a 2.5-million-year-old fossil cranium from South Africa 2) 18th century Fahua lidded porcelain jay of China 3) copy of the Magna Carta issued by the King of England 

4) copy of the Charters of Freedom (Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights 1776-1791) of the US 5) copy of Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen National Assembly (France, 1789)  6) poster of the first democratic general election of Republic of Korea held in May 1948 among others.

Children from void marriages entitled to parents’ share in property, says SC

Source: The post is based on the article “Children from void marriages entitled to parents’ share in property, says SC”  published in The Hindu on 2nd September 2023

What is the News?

The Supreme Court held that a child born of a void or voidable marriage can inherit their parents’ share in a joint Hindu family property governed by the Mitakshara law.

However, the court clarified that such a child would not be entitled to rights in or to the property of any other person in the family.

What is a Voidable Marriage?

A voidable marriage is one that is made invalid by the husband or wife through a decree. A void marriage is invalid at its very inception.

What is Mitakshara law?

There are mainly two schools in Hindu law, the Mitakshara & the Dayabhaga which concern the law of inheritance.

Mitakshara school is practiced in all of India except in the state of West Bengal and Assam.In this school of inheritance, property is inherited by the successors (coparceners) only if they were born in the family of the property owners.

Dayabhaga is mainly practiced in Assam & West Bengal.In this school of inheritance, the property goes to the successors (coparceners) only when the property owner is dead.

Under the Dayabhaga, a partition of the coparcenary property can be imposed by any adult coparcener whether male or female.

But under the Mitakshara, as it existed before the 2005 amendment of the Hindu Succession Act, a female could not at all be a coparcener and was therefore not entitled to partition.But after the amendment, a woman may also be a coparcener today.

What did the Supreme Court say on inheritance for children born from void marriages?

Section 16 of the Hindu Marriage Act grants legitimacy to children born from void or voidable marriages.

The court said that the intent of granting legitimacy to such children in the Hindu Marriage Act should also be reflected in the Hindu Succession Act, which governs inheritance.

This is because children born from void or voidable marriages come within the ambit of “legitimate kinship” and cannot be regarded as illegitimate by the Hindu Succession Act when it comes to inheritance.

The court also noted that after the enactment of the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005, the share of a deceased person in a joint Hindu family governed by Mitakashara law can be devolved to his heirs by testamentary or intestate succession.

Prior to the amendment, the devolution was only through survivorship.Besides, the amendment gave equal rights of succession to women as well as men.

PM asks the citizens to participate in Meri Maati Mera Desh campaign

Source: The post is based on the article “PM asks the citizens to participate in Meri Maati Mera Desh campaign”  published in PIB on 2nd September 2023

What is the News?

The Prime Minister has asked the citizens to participate in the Meri Mati Mera Desh campaign.

What is the Meri Mati Mera Desh campaign?

The Meri Mati Mera Desh campaign is being organized nationwide as the closing program of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav festivities. 

The campaign is a tribute to the Veers and Veeranganas who have made the supreme sacrifice for the country.

The campaign comprises of many activities such as:

Dedication of Shilaphalakam (Memorial): A memorial will be built on which the names of the bravehearts shall be inscribed.

– These shall include freedom fighters, defense personnel, personnel of Central Armed Police Forces and State Police who laid down their lives in the line of duty.

– The memorial shall be erected locally within Panchayats/Villages as well as urban sites—likely near Amrit Sarovars or local schools or other prominent locations.

‘Panch Pran’ Pledge: At the memorial site, people will take a solemn pledge covering Panch Pran affirming their commitment to the country.

– The pledge is: 1) Make India developed and self-reliant by 2047 2) Remove any trace of colonial mindset 3) Celebrate our heritage 4) Strengthen unity and respect those who protect the country and 5) Perform the duties of a citizen.

Vasudha Vandhan: Panchayats/villages/urban local bodies will replenish Mother Earth by planting 75 saplings of indigenous species and develop the ‘Amrit Vatika’.

Veeron Ka Vandan: Felicitation ceremonies shall be held for honouring the freedom fighters and the families of deceased freedom fighters.

These ceremonies shall also honour retired personnel from Defence, CAPF and State Police and the families of the bravehearts of these forces who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

Rashtragaan: Hoisting of the National Flag and singing of Rashtragaan shall be undertaken at the sites.

NPS withdrawal options set to be eased, says PFRDA

Source: The post is based on the article “NPS withdrawal options set to be eased, says PFRDA”  published in The Hindu on 2nd September 2023

What is the News?

Several state governments have opted out of the National Pension System (NPS) and switched back to the Old Pension Scheme which guarantees a monthly pension of 50% of the final salary for their employees.However, still these states continue to contribute to the NPS corpus.

Currently, under NPS, State government employees account for the largest chunk of the savings pool.

What is the National Pension System(NPS)?

National Pension System (NPS) is being administered and regulated by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) set up under PFRDA Act, 2013.

NPS is a market linked, defined contribution product.Under NPS, a unique Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN) is generated and maintained by the Central Recordkeeping Agency (CRA) for individual subscribers.

NPS offers two types of accounts, namely Tier-I and Tier-II: Tier-I account is the pension account having restricted withdrawals. 

– Tier-II is a voluntary account which offers liquidity of investments and withdrawals.It is allowed only when there is an active Tier-I account in the name of the subscriber.The contributions accumulate over a period of time till retirement grows with market linked returns.

– On exit/retirement/superannuation, a minimum of 40% of the corpus is mandatorily utilized to procure a pension for life by purchasing an annuity from a life insurance company and the balance corpus is paid as lump sum.

NPS platform offers different models to suit the different segments of users. These include :

The Government model for the Central and State Government Employees: NPS is mandatorily applicable on Central Government employees (except Armed Forces) recruited on or after 01.01.2004. Subsequently, all State Governments except a few states have also adopted NPS for their employees. 

– Govt. employees make a monthly contribution at the rate of 10% of their salary and a matching contribution is paid by the Govt.For central Govt. employees, the employer’s contribution rate has been enhanced to 14% from 01.04.2019.

The Corporate Model: Companies can adopt NPS for their employees with contribution rates as per the employment conditions.

The All Citizens Model: The All Citizens Model of the NPS allows all citizens of India aged between 18 – 65 years to join NPS on a voluntary basis.

What are the changes PFRDA is planning to bring to NPS?

Presently, on superannuation, members have to purchase an annuity with 40% of their accumulated retirement savings and withdraw the balance.

Now, PFRDA is planning to allow members to opt for a systematic withdrawal plan for 60% of the corpus, by which they can choose to receive a fixed sum from their savings on a monthly, quarterly or half-yearly basis.

Moreover, for the mandatory annuity purchases, members would be able to opt for a mix of schemes rather than a single scheme.

Union Minister for Education announces NCERT as Deemed-to-be-University

Source: The post is based on the article “Union Minister for Education announces NCERT as Deemed-to-be-University”  published in PIB on 2nd September 2023

What is the News?

The Union Minister for Education has announced that the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has been given the status of a Deemed-to-be-University. 

What is ‘Deemed-to-be-university’ status?

The Central Government on the advice of the University Grants Commission (UGC) can declare an Institution of Higher Education other than universities working at a very high standard in a specific area of study as an Institution ‘Deemed-to-be-university’.

Institutions that are ‘deemed-to-be-university’ enjoy the academic status and privileges of a university.

Deemed to be universities like other universities have the autonomy of offering various courses and therefore, preparing students for various examinations and awards. 

These institutions can also design their own syllabus and courses to prepare the students to foray into diverse fields after the completion of their study.

What is NCERT?

NCERT is an autonomous organization set up in 1961 by the Government of India to assist and advise the Central and State Governments on policies and programmes for qualitative improvement in school education.

The Executive Committee (EC) is the highest decision-making body of NCERT and is chaired by the Education Minister.

Special session of Parliament: How it will work

Source: The post is based on the article “Special session of Parliament: How it will work”  published in Indian Express on 2nd September 2023

What is the News?

The Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs has announced that a “special session” of Parliament would be held from September 18 to 22,2023.

When does Parliament meet?

India’s Parliament has no fixed calendar of sittings.The Government determines the date and duration of parliamentary sessions.

The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs takes this decision. It currently has ten Ministers, including those for Defence, Home, Finance, Agriculture, Tribal Affairs, Parliamentary Affairs, and Information and Broadcasting.

The Law Minister and the Minister of State for External Affairs are special invitees to the Committee.

The President is informed about the Committee’s decision who then summons Members of Parliament to meet for the session.

What does the Constitution say on Parliamentary sessions?

The Constitution specifies that six months should not elapse between two parliamentary sessions.

This provision was borrowed from the Government of India Act of 1935.It allowed the British Governor General to call a session of the central legislature at his discretion, requiring that the gap between two sessions should not be more than 12 months.

The Constituent Assembly reduced the gap between sessions to six months.

What were Constituent Assembly views on Parliamentary sessions?

Some members of the Constituent Assembly wanted Parliament to meet throughout the year with breaks in between.Others wanted Parliament to sit for longer durations and cited the examples of the British and American legislatures meeting for more than 100 days a year.

However, Dr. Ambedkar disagreed with these suggestions.He expressed concerns that if the sessions are too frequent and lengthy, even the legislators themselves might become tired of them.So, he advocated holding regular parliamentary sessions. 

How often do Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha meet?

Before independence, the central assembly met for a little more than 60 days a year. This number increased to 120 days a year in the first 20 years after Independence.Since then, the sitting days of the national legislature have declined.

Between 2002 and 2021, Lok Sabha averaged 67 working days.The situation in state legislatures is much worse. In 2022, 28 state Assemblies met for 21 days on average.In 2023, Parliament has met for 42 days so far.

On multiple occasions, the Conference of presiding officers has recommended that Parliament should meet for more than 100 days.The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution set up in 2000 made a similar recommendation.

What is a special session of Parliament?

The Constitution does not use the term “special session”.The term sometimes refers to sessions the government has convened for specific occasions like commemorating parliamentary or national milestones.

However, Article 352 (Proclamation of Emergency) of the Constitution does refer to a “special sitting of the House”.

Parliament added the part relating to the special sitting through the Constitution (Forty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1978.Its purpose was to add safeguards to the power of proclaiming Emergency in the country.

It specifies that if a Proclamation of Emergency is issued and Parliament is not in session, then one-tenth of Lok Sabha MPs can ask the President to convene a special meeting to disapprove the Emergency.

Researchers finds seven new species of leaf insects

Source: The post is based on the article “Researchers finds seven new species of leaf insects?”  published in The Print on 1st September 2023

What is the News?

An international research team has identified seven previously unknown species of leaf insects, also known as walking leaves.

What are Walking Leaves?

Source: SciTechDaily

Walking leaves are part of the phasmatodea order.They are also referred to as “phasmids” or “stick and leaf insects.” 

They are known for their unusual appearance as they look confusingly similar to parts of plants such as twigs, bark or in the case of leaf insects as leaves.

They feed on plants and typically inhabit densely vegetated areas. 

Range: Their natural range extends from islands in the Indian Ocean, across parts of mainland South Asia and Southeast Asia, to Papua New Guinea and Australia in the western Pacific.

They are also largely nocturnal, resulting in a relative lack of movement during the day that makes locating them quite difficult in the wild.

Significance: There are around 3,500 known species of stick and leaf insects.But there are currently just over 100 described species of leaf insect.

– Hence, they only make up a small fraction of this diverse family of insects but their spectacular and unexpected appearance makes them unique.

Court allows stem cell therapy for two autistic kids: What is this treatment? Can it be used to treat autism?

Source: The post is based on the article “Court allows stem cell therapy for two autistic kids: What is this treatment? Can it be used to treat autism?”  published in Indian Express on 2nd September 2023

What is the News?

The Delhi High Court has permitted two children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to undergo stem cell therapy for treatment of their condition.

What are Stem Cells?

Stem cells are a unique type of cell in the human body that have the remarkable ability to develop into many different cell types with specific functions. 

They are characterized by two key properties:

Self-renewal: Stem cells can divide and make exact copies of themselves. This ability allows them to maintain a constant population of stem cells in the body.

Differentiation: Stem cells can also differentiate into specialized cell types with distinct functions. For example, they can become blood cells, nerve cells, muscle cells, or any other type of cell found in the body.

What are the different types of Stem Cells?

Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs): These stem cells are derived from embryos, typically at the blastocyst stage (a very early stage of embryonic development). Embryonic stem cells have the potential to become any type of cell in the body and are considered pluripotent.

Adult Stem Cells: These stem cells are found in various tissues and organs throughout the body. They play a role in tissue maintenance, repair, and regeneration.

– Adult stem cells are typically multipotent, meaning they can differentiate into a limited range of cell types specific to the tissue or organ where they are located.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs): iPSCs are adult cells that have been reprogrammed to return to a pluripotent state similar to embryonic stem cells.This reprogramming is usually achieved through genetic manipulation.

How are stem cells used in medicine?

For several years, stem cells that are used to treat disease are hematopoietic stem cells.These are the blood cell-forming adult stem cells found in bone marrow.

These cells help people with cancer make new blood cells after their own hematopoietic stem cells have been killed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy. 

What is autism spectrum disorder(ASD)?

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Can stem cell treatment be used for ASD?

Autism spectrum disorder(ASD) has potential to be a good candidate for stem cell therapy because evidence exists that some types of stem cells, given intravenously, can improve the overall regulation of the immune system and the neural connectivity in the brain.

However, stem cell therapy is not typically used for treating ASD yet as initial clinical trials have shown mixed results.

Currently, the treatment is very much in an experimental stage and there is simply not enough data to make definitive claims.

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