Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

• Our population question

GS Paper 2

GS Paper 3

• Monetary policy: Global and local
• Manipur, a rude reminder of northeast tensions
• Look Deeper Into The Balasore Tragedy
• Ex-ante regulations can hurt the growth of India’s digital markets

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

Our population question

Source: This post has been created based on the article “Our population question”, published in Business Standard on 12^th June 2023.

Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1 – Population and associated issues

Context: India is projected to surpass China and become the world’s most populous country around mid-2023, reaching a population of approximately 1.45 billion. The article discusses its environmental consequences for India.

While it’s undeniable that a larger population will require more resources, the relationship between population growth and environmental degradation isn’t straightforward. For instance, countries like the US and Australia, despite having smaller populations, have a larger environmental footprint than India.

Why environmental footprints are smaller in India?

India’s smaller environmental footprint is largely due to its poverty, which necessitates frugality. As India’s wealth increases, so too might its consumption and environmental impact. This is already evident in the increasing amounts of waste and air pollution as the country becomes wealthier.

What are challenges in front of India?

India is already seeing a decline in its total fertility rate, which has dropped below the replacement level. So, it won’t be a challenge in front of India.

The challenge lies in managing the population dividend and ensuring that as the population grows, the country does not follow the same environmentally destructive path as other wealthier nations.

GS Paper 2

Amplify the subject of adolescent girl nutrition

Source– The post is based on the article “Amplify the subject of adolescent girl nutrition” published in “The Hindu” on 12th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector

News- The article explains the Issues related to poor nutrition among adolescent girls

What is the importance of proper nutrition among adolescent girls?

Adolescence is a period of cognitive development. Improving access to nutrition during this period compensates the nutrient deficiencies acquired during childhood.

Adolescent health is a significant indicator of women’s labour force participation in India in the long term. Better nutrition improves every young girl’s prospect to participate in productive activities.

What are issues related to nutrition among adolescent girls?

Adolescent girls are vulnerable to undernutrition and anaemia. As per National Family Health Survey-5, 59.1% of adolescent girls were found to be anaemic. NFHS-4 numbers reported over 41.9% of school-going girls as underweight.

What are the impacts of poor nutrition among adolescent girls?

Poor nutrition can lead to cognitive impairments. This can result in lower educational attainment. It limits opportunities for employment and economic self-sufficiency later in life.

Undernourished adolescent girls are also at a higher risk of chronic diseases and pregnancy complications. It can lead to a higher health-care burden on both families and communities.

If our girls are less healthy and less educated, they are less likely to participate fully in society, politics, or community involvement.

What is the way forward to address the issue of poor nutrition among adolescent girls?

There is a need for interventions that not only focus on good nutrition but also adopt a life-cycle approach. This investment can also help break the intergenerational cycle of poverty.

Well-nourished girls will have healthy babies and provide better care for their families.

The convergence of various government initiatives such as the Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) within the umbrella of the Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition programme (POSHAN) 2.0 is a step in the right direction.

Targeted adolescent-oriented schemes such as the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram could include stronger awareness and nutrition education programmes.

Targeted and regionally contextualised Social and Behaviour Change Communication efforts around adolescent girls’ nutrition can lead to the adoption of good practices.

There is a need for effective convergence and collaborations among all the relevant departments. Routine training of health workers for effective implementation and monitoring of various schemes is also a crucial step in this process.

A holistic narrative on adolescent girls’ nutrition. It should explain its linkages with mental and physical well-being, individual productivity and overall economic growth of the country. This must be packed with evidence/data.

Governors cannot indefinitely hold back Bills

Source– The post is based on the article “Governors cannot indefinitely hold back Bills” published in “The Hindu” on 12th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Issues and Challenges Pertaining to the Federal Structure

Relevance- Issues related to Governor power

News- Recently issues have arisen in various States between Chief Ministers and Governors, with regard to the passing of Bills. Chief Ministers feel that Governors have not acted for long period of time on Bills presented for their assent.

What is the constitutional position of the Governor?

The Legislature of a State comprises the Governor and the Legislative Assembly and a Legislative Council. The Governor has little autonomy in his functioning.

He can act only on the “advice” of his Council of Ministers, with the Chief Minister as the head of the Council.

However, the Governor can exercise his discretion independent of the Council of Ministers in some cases. As per Article 163(2) of the Constitution, this decision of the Governor on discretion of his cannot be challenged.

In Shamsher Singh v State of Punjab (1974), the Supreme Court held that a President or a Governor can exercise their discretion independent of their Ministers only where the Constitution expressly permits them.

What is Governor power with respect to bills passed by the assembly?

Article 200 states that the Governor can either give his assent or withhold it or return the Bill with certain suggestions.

The Governor may return the Bill if it is not a Money Bill for reconsidering the Bill. The House has six months to decide whether or not to accept this request.

Once the House returns the Bill to the Governor, he must give his assent whether or not his recommendations have been accepted.

The Governor has discretion to refer a Bill to the President, if it takes away the powers of the High Court.

Does the Governor have discretion to indefinitely withhold assent to a Bill?

In Purushothaman Nambudiri v State of Kerala, SC held that a Bill pending the Governor’s assent would not lapse upon the dissolution of the House.

It held that since there is no time limit prescribed under Articles 200 and 201 for the Governor or the President to give their assent. Framers of the Constitution did not want a Bill pending assent from the Governor to lapse on dissolution of the House.

In Shamsher Singh case, the Court held that it is only with respect to the reserving the bill for Presidential assent that the Governor exercises discretion independent of the Council.

In the Nabam Rebia case, the Court also held that the Governor exercises discretion only with regard to reservation of the bill for consideration of the President.

The Governor has no discretion to indefinitely withhold assent to a Bill. Refusing to act on a Bill is in violation of the Constitution. Governor’s action or inaction in this regard is subjected to judicial review.

JNU VC on NCERT deletions: There is no conspiracy

Source– The post is based on the article “JNU VC on NCERT deletions: There is no conspiracy” published in “The Indian Express” on 12th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Issues related to development and management of education

Relevance- Issues related to curriculum

News– Recently, there was controversy over textbook revision by the National Council of Educational Research and Training.

What is the rationale for recent changes in NCERT textbooks?

Some changes were made to reflect the changing realities. These include the incorporation of content related to information technology and computers.

The textbooks are revised in accordance with the reforms in the country’s educational system. The National Education Policy 2020 emphasises on reducing the content load and providing opportunities for experiential learning with a creative mindset.

The current process of rationalisation is motivated by the effects of the pandemic on the educational system. There was loss of learning and increased load on the students. This was also a concern expressed by the Parliamentary Standing Committee On Education.

What are arguments against the criticism of recent NCERT textbook revision?

The periodic table has not been removed from the school education curriculum. It has been reassigned to Unit 3 in the Class 11 textbook. Darwin’s theory of evolution is covered in “great detail” in chapter six of the Class 12 textbook.

The missing reference to Maulana Azad from the Class 11 Political Science textbook is not a part of the current process of rationalisation. The reference was dropped from 2014-15 onwards.

The major chunk of confusion is caused by the deletion of some items. The critics argued they were not included in the notification of the rationalisation.

This is part of the regular process of reprinting where minor deletions are not notified to avoid unnecessary confusion.

These textbooks are for this year alone. The textbooks are supposed to be revised regularly by the Textbook Development Committee constituted in 2005.

This committee is mandated to develop the syllabus in line with the 2005 National Curriculum Framework. Each proposed change is first sent to the Textbook Committee, which is tasked to analyse and recommend them.

These decisions were taken by the expert panel. The NCERT arrived at these decisions after consultation with “in-house” domain experts, as well as 25 external specialists.

Changes and revisions in textbooks, and controversies are nothing new. In 2006, a chapter on Sikhism had to be changed because of enormous controversy.

Lessons from Kathal: Tracking India’s missing girls

Source: The post is based on the article “Lessons from Kathal: Tracking India’s missing girls” published in the Indian Express on 12th June 2023

Syllabus: GS 2 – Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of vulnerable sections.

Relevance: About India’s missing girls.

News: The recent movie Kathal has spurred the debate about India’s missing girls.

About data on India’s missing girls

In 2021, 69,014 cases were registered across the country, of which 55,120 pertained to girls aged 12-18. Marriage, sexual abuse, domestic servitude, and forced labour/slavery remain the main motives behind the kidnapping and abduction of children.

What are the reasons behind India’s missing girls?

Bride crisis: The abysmal sex ratio in several states of the Hindi heartland has resulted in a “bride crisis”, and the sale of girls, as young as 12 years old, for marriage to elderly men in their forties or fifties.

False promises: Seemingly trustworthy extended family members or neighbours might be the culprits who would lure a girl away with the promise of a city life, a plush job or a husband of choice.

The common initial assumption of the police: Police generally believe that an adolescent girl has voluntarily eloped with a boy. This presumption delays an immediate response by the police, leading to a critical loss of the “golden hours” to trace the victim.

What are the steps taken to identify India’s missing girls?

Prompt filing of FIR: The activism of the courts, women, child commissions and political leadership led to a trend of prompt registering FIRs at least in cases of missing minor children, both boys and girls.

The strict supervision of the courts and of senior police leadership has now made it difficult for the police force to “close” unsolved cases of missing children.

Section 366 of the IPC (kidnapping, abducting or inducing a woman to compel her marriage): In the case of an adolescent girl, where the parents admit to the girl having a possible romantic liaison with a boy, Section 366 is invoked.

Anti-human Trafficking Units (AHTU): These are established under the aegis of the Ministry of Home Affairs and are now functional in every district of the country. It plays a  remarkable role in helping trace missing children from faraway places. Their technique helped trace the families of over 200 missing children from all corners of the country within a short span of 12 months.

Promotion incentives: Providing promotion incentives for tracing missing children has yielded positive results. For example, in 2021, the Delhi police announced an out-of-turn promotion incentive for constables and head constables, who would trace more than 50 children below the age of 14 in a year. As a result, for the first time in decades, the number of children recovered by the Delhi police that year was more than the number reported missing in the year.

What more should be done?

Improve mobile surveillance: Mobile surveillance services are now amply used in every district for crime detection. This must repeatedly keep scanning the locations of relevant mobile numbers and social media accounts of the victim or her abductor for their possible location.

Focus on prevention of abduction: A gazetted police officer may be designated as a nodal supervisor to oversee and ensure that mobile surveillance exercise is carried out for all missing children not just after the commission of the crime.

Install CCTVs: All the important bus stations, railway stations, taxi stands, and toll booths should be equipped with high-resolution CCTV cameras providing exhaustive coverage for faster tracking and tracing the escape method of the accused.

Link child records: Children are too young to explain where their home is or who can be contacted. So, the government should link the records of all the orphanages, child shelter homes, and Nari Niketans in the country. The District Probation Officers or the District Social Welfare Officers should be made overall supervisors and custodians of such data centres.

How technology can help India’s urban centres become disabled friendly

Source: The post is based on the article “How technology can help India’s urban centres become disabled friendly” published in the Indian Express on 12th June 2023

Syllabus: GS 2 – Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of vulnerable sections.

Relevance: About making urban centres disable friendly.

News: Persons with disabilities face many challenges in participating fully in urban life.

Why does India need to make urban centres disable friendly?

Rapid urbanisation and the population of Divyang in urban areas: India is urbanising rapidly and is projected to add four new megacities by 2030. The country’s urban population is estimated to cross 675 million.

According to the 2011 Census, one in three persons with disabilities in India or roughly eight million people already live in cities.

Rise of Divyang’s share in population: The number of persons with recognised disabilities as a share of the population could rise due to disaster and climate risks, demographic changes and broader definitions of disability in line with global norms.

How India is leveraging technology to make urban centres disable friendly?

Innovative technologies and ICT are key to ensuring an inclusive urban transformation and essential for improving and increasing the quality of life of all citizens.

-The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) in partnership with the UN in India hosted the first edition of the Smart Solutions Challenge and Inclusive Cities Awards in 2022. It helped in crowd-sourcing tech-based solutions and innovations for addressing city-level accessibility and inclusion challenges.

-Smart cities like Bhubaneswar have deployed innovative transport and mobility solutions.

-Several solutions and assistive technologies such as Fifth Sense, IncluMaps, AxcessAble and myUDAAN are supporting independent living for persons with disabilities. Many of these solutions have utilised frontier technologies like AI and machine learning extensively to contextualise solutions.

-Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has also launched the G20 Digital Innovation Alliance’ (G20-DIA) to showcase innovative solutions and create an alliance of players in the innovation ecosystem.

What more should be done to make urban centres disable friendly?

The crucial role of the state: Innovations that promote inclusivity are considered unprofitable by investors. So, the role of the state becomes critical for promoting an ecosystem for transformative technologies.

Other demands: Creating an inclusive and accessible India will require behavioural changes, capacity building, investments in accessible infrastructure and inclusive and accessible innovations. This will help inform policies for the country’s progress towards an equitable urban future.

GS Paper 3

Monetary policy: Global and local

Source: This post has been created based on the article “Monetary policy: Global and local”, published in Business Standard on 12^th June 2023.

Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 – growth and development of Indian Economy

Context: The article discusses the recent developments in the monetary policies of the US Federal Reserve (the Fed) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in the context of global events.

US Fed’s tightening and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has a big impact on the world economy. In 2021, the Fed had to deal with a big inflation problem. It increased interest rates 10 times from March last year to between 5 and 5.25%. At the same time, Russia invaded Ukraine. These two events had a big impact on the world economy, affecting everything from start-ups and cryptocurrencies in India to the global energy market.

What are its impacts on India?

In India, actions by the Fed and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have slowed down the economic growth that followed Covid-19.

Inflation in India has dropped a lot over the year and is now close to the target of 4%.

What are the future projections for India’s growth?

The RBI has been successful in managing inflation by predicting future inflation and acting accordingly.

If global food prices don’t rise too much because of the problems with Ukrainian food exports, the RBI might be able to act quickly to keep inflation below 4%.

If the Fed increases interest rates and the RBI doesn’t, the Indian rupee might lose value. This could help the Indian economy by making imported goods more expensive and Indian exports cheaper.

Manipur, a rude reminder of northeast tensions

Source– The post is based on the article “Manipur, a rude reminder of northeast tensions” published in the “The Indian Express” on 12th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Security

Relevance- Issues related to security in northeast region

News– Violence in Manipur has been going on for over a month now. It has claimed well over 100 lives and displaced thousands more.

How is the northeast still a divided region?

There has been improved communications, better transit facilities, and support for the special needs of the region. But there does still exist a divide between the tribes and plains people within the region.

In the northeast, there is the presence of ethnic sub-nationalism and identity politics in an aggravated form. Ethnic allegiance had been in conflict with mainstream nationalism. Ethnic identities still overshadow all other considerations.

Consolidation efforts by different tribal entities were resulting in subterranean pressures. The result is that many settled issues seem to have been reopened. This applies especially to Manipur.

What are some facts about conflict in Manipur?

The confrontation between Meitei versus Kuki-Naga ultra-radicalism needs to be viewed in the larger context of the conflict between the plains Meiteis and the Kuki-Mizo-Chin-Zomi-Naga hill tribes.

Meitei are seeking to consolidate their position within Manipur and across the region, in opposition to the Kukis, Mizos and other tribes.

The Meiteis may lack a significant militaristic profile. But, the Meiteis has developed a strategy of networking with other northeastern resurgent outfits, and with Maoist groups.

The polarisation between the Meitei, and the other tribal communities, in Manipur appears irreconcilable. Relocation of the two communities is taking place vigorously.

The demand for a separate administration as a prelude to the division of the State is currently gaining momentum.

What are the steps taken by the central government in the context of Manipur?

The Home Minister has announced a judicial probe into the ethnic violence and a three-member committee headed by a judge. He has proposed the creation of a unified command to oversee security in the State.

The announcement of a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into specific incidents of violence is a welcome measure.

The changing of the Director General of Police on grounds of ineffectiveness may heighten the gap between the Meitei and Kuki communities. He belongs to Kuki community

What are the steps needed to be taken by the central government to resolve the conflict?

Northeast is still a volatile region. It is in the process of changing. The process of achieving a proper equilibrium requires both sensitivity and ‘out of the box’ thinking.

Centre needs an ‘optimal positioning’ even if it may seem like giving far too many concessions. This demands innovative thinking.

Understanding cultural factors is critical. The Meitei versus Tribal divide is both a cultural and sociological phenomenon.

A solution demands a combination of adjusting to realities. There is a need to understand the moral imperatives of the numerous tribal communities in the northeast.

The region is home to different cultures often confronting each other. Delhi has consistently avoided an adversarial policy. It has sought dialogue. This is still the best remedy.

All communities across the region crave ‘security’. The impression that Delhi is neutral in any conflict must be properly communicated. Delhi should be seen to act based on overreaching moral principles.

A solution to the Manipur conflict in quick time is important. Otherwise, it could aggravate centrifugal tendencies in the region.

Look Deeper Into The Balasore Tragedy

Source: The post is based on the article “Look Deeper Into The Balasore Tragedy” published in The Times of India on 12th June 2023

Syllabus: GS 3 – Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

Relevance: About making urban centres disable friendly.

News: Many of those who perished in the triple-train collision near Odisha’s Balasore, were migrant workers from West Bengal who were either heading to southern India to resume work or were travelling in search of jobs.

About the recent train accident and the issue of railway safety in India

About the Migrant workforce of India

Migrants were part of a 450-million workforce, contributing an estimated 10% to India’s GDP. According to the Census of India, 33 million people migrated for employment-related reasons in 2001, which further increased to 51 million in 2011.

A 2013 survey conducted by Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation shows 50.6% of Bengaluru’s population comprises migrants. Similarly, 62% of the entire 2. 5 million migrant population of Kerala is accounted for by just four states – Bengal, Bihar, Odisha and Assam, with Bengal alone accounting for 20%.

Why there is an increased migration to southern India?

According to the Census of India (2011), between 2001 and 2011, nearly 5.8 lakh people migrated from Bengal to other states in search of work, with a large number moving to various cities and towns in southern India in view of the higher daily wages. For example, a bricklayer earns ₹1,200 a day in Kerala, the same job would fetch around ₹450 in rural Bengal.

According to the 2017 Economic Survey, Delhi, Maharashtra and Gujarat attracted a large number of migrants, mostly from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. A large number of these workers are employed in unorganised sectors.

So, the state governments should increase their ability to provide enough job opportunities to their domiciled resident.

Ex-ante regulations can hurt the growth of India’s digital markets

Source: The post is based on the article “Ex-ante regulations can hurt the growth of India’s digital markets” published in the Livemint on 12th June 2023

Syllabus: GS 3 – Indian Economy.

Relevance: About ex-ante regulations for digital markets.

News: Last December, the Finance Committee Report on Digital Markets in India proposed ex-ante (before the event) regulations and a new digital competition law to curb anti-competitive practices in digital markets in India. Their purpose is to ensure fair competition and contestability. The report suggested ex-ante regulations as the competition policy alone is inadequate to address the challenges posed by digital markets.

What are the challenges posed by implementing ex-ante regulations for digital markets?

Impact of ex-ante provisions in developed countries: Ex-ante provisions in Europe’s Digital Services Act may result in sizable economic losses thereby offsetting gains from the free trade agreements.

Hinder innovation and growth: Regulators often lack business expertise and may disregard potential scenarios for the evolution of sectors and markets. This can stifle innovation and hinder the growth of the nascent digital ecosystem in India.

Issues with imposing fines based on the global revenues of companies: While large global corporations may have the resources to withstand such measures, smaller entities that are already financially strained may struggle to survive. Thereby, favours monopoly which is against the goal of the ex-ante regulations.

How India is ensuring consumer protection?

The government is leveraging the country’s strong culture of innovation to empower more individuals with technology through the development of unique digital infrastructure. Initiatives such as the Open Credit Enablement Network (OCEN), Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) follows an ex-post approach to regulate fintech companies. Recently, RBI introduced a regulatory sandbox. This approach facilitates innovation by tech firms while ensuring consumer protection.

A similar approach is being favoured by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).

What should be done?

a) It is crucial to position the country as an attractive investment destination, b) A case-to-case ex-post analysis of the impact of innovations on competition is required, c) India should tap India’s large startup ecosystem which presents vast potential, and d) The current culture of internet usage and technological advancements in the country is a result of collaborative efforts between the government and private players. This initiative needs to continue in the area of competition, which can be achieved through collaboration between the competition authorities, sectoral regulators and stakeholders.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Government of India constitutes Peace Committee in Manipur under the Chairpersonship of Governor, Manipur

Source: The post is based on the article “Government of India constitutes Peace Committee in Manipur under the Chairpersonship of Governor, Manipur”  published in PIB on 12th June 2023

What is the News?

The Government of India has set up a peace committee in Manipur to facilitate the peace-making process among various ethnic group in the state.

About the Peace Committee in Manipur

Chaired by: Governor, Manipur

Members: Chief Minister, a few Ministers in the State Government, MP, MLAs and leaders from different political parties. 

– The Committee also includes former civil servants, educationists, litterateurs, artists, social workers and representatives of different ethnic groups.

Mandate of the committee: To facilitate peacemaking process among various ethnic groups of the State, including peaceful dialogue and negotiations between conflicting parties/groups. 

– To strengthen social cohesiveness, mutual understanding and facilitate cordial communication between various ethnic groups.

Captagon pills crisis: What are amphetamine-based drugs and why have they been used by militaries around the world?

Source: The post is based on the article “Captagon pills crisis: What are amphetamine-based drugs and why have they been used by militaries around the world?”  published in Indian Express on 12th June 2023

What is the News?

As global isolation of Syria comes to an end with the Arab League reinstating Syria as its member, the discussions on the trade of Captagon pills have taken the centre-stage once again.

What are Captagon Pills?

Captagon is a highly addictive amphetamine-type drug, which is produced mainly in Syria.

It was commercially sold in several countries until the 1980s and was banned due to fears of its highly addictive nature.

What do amphetamine-based drugs do?

It stimulates the central nervous system, providing a boost of energy, enhancing someone’s focus, letting someone stay awake for longer periods of time, and producing a feeling of euphoria. These types of drugs usually stay in the blood for around 36 hours.

When taken orally, their peak effect occurs one to three hours after consumption, and effects last for as long as seven to 12 hours.

What are the side effects of amphetamine-based drugs?

They can cause loss of appetite and weight, heart problems such as fast heart rate, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and heart attack, which can lead to death.

They can also cause high body temperature, skin flushing, memory loss, problems thinking clearly, and stroke.

What is Cyclone Biparjoy and how was it named?

Source: The post is based on the article “What is Cyclone Biparjoy and how was it named?”  published in Indian Express on 12th June 2023

What is the News?

Cyclonic storm named Biparjoy has developed in the Arabian Sea.

The cyclone is predicted to gain in strength over the next three days and develop into a very severe cyclonic storm.

How did Cyclone Biparjoy get its name, and how are cyclones named?

‘Biparjoy’ was suggested by Bangladesh and the word means ‘disaster’ or ‘calamity’ in Bengali. 

How are Cyclones named?

Click Here to read

Is it not rare for cyclones to develop in the Arabian Sea?

There are fewer number of cyclones in the Arabian Sea than in the Bay of Bengal, but it is not uncommon. 

A cyclone is a low-pressure system that forms over warm waters. Usually, a high temperature anywhere means the existence of low-pressure air, and a low temperature means high-pressure wind. 

In fact, this is one of the main reasons why India sees a greater number of cyclones in the Bay of Bengal compared to the Arabian Sea.

The Bay of Bengal is slightly warmer. Because of climate change, the Arabian seaside is also getting warmer, and as a result, the number of cyclones in the Arabian Sea is showing an increasing trend in the recent trend.

Why the Gauhati HC quashed Nagaland govt’s notification banning dog meat’s sale and trade

Source: The post is based on the article “Why the Gauhati HC quashed Nagaland govt’s notification banning dog meat’s sale and trade”  published in Nature on 12th June 2023

What is the News?

The Gauhati High Court has quashed a 2020 order by the Nagaland government banning the trade and commercial sale of dog meat in markets and dine-in restaurants.

What was the issue?

In 2020, Nagaland Government issued an order banning dog markets, the commercial import and trading of dogs, as well as the commercial sale of dog meat in markets and in dine-in restaurants.

This had come after a 2014 circular by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) stating that the slaughter of any species other than the ones listed in the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011 is not permissible. 

However, a petition was filed against this order in the High Court stating that it is the “culture and custom of the Nagas” to eat dog meat and that they had been earning their livelihood for many years through the supply and sale of dog meat.

What were the court’s comments on this categorisation?

The High Court observed that the absence of dogs from the list issued by FSSAI was not surprising since the consumption of dog meat is limited to some parts of Northeastern states and is alien to other parts of the country. 

However, the court observed that dog meat appears to be an accepted norm and food amongst the Nagas even in modern times.

What were the court’s observations on the power of the FSSAI to issue prohibition orders on food items?

The court observed that the FSSAI has been delegated power to ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption by making regulations consistent with the FSS Act. 

It also observed that the Duties and Functions of the authority listed in the act do not mention the power to issue prohibition orders. It stated that the authority appeared to have acted beyond its duties.

Taurine supplement makes animals live longer — what it means for people is unclear

Source: The post is based on the article “Taurine supplement makes animals live longer — what it means for people is unclear” published in Nature on 12th June 2023

What is the News?

According to a study, ageing mice, worms and monkeys can live longer or healthier lives when fed large amounts of taurine, a common ingredient in health supplements and energy drinks.

What is Taurine?

Taurine is a type of chemical called an amino sulfonic acid. It occurs naturally in the body. The best food sources are meat, fish, and eggs.

Taurine has important functions in the heart and brain. It helps support nerve growth. 

It might also benefit people with heart failure by lowering blood pressure and calming the nervous system. This might help prevent heart failure from becoming worse.

It’s also sometimes sold as a supplement, which is popular with bodybuilders and athletes, who believe it may help them to control their body temperature and reduce muscular fatigue during exercise.

What did the researchers find about Taurine?

Researchers have found that Taurine supplements can slow down the ageing process in worms, mice, and monkeys. 

A large experiment with mice showed that taurine increased the average lifespan by 12% in female mice and 10% in males. For the mice, that meant three to four extra months, equivalent to about seven or eight human years

Scientists find crocodile ‘virgin birth’ at Costa Rica zoo

Source: The post is based on the article “Scientists find crocodile ‘virgin birth’ at Costa Rica zoo”  published in The Hindu on 12th June 2023

What is the News?

Scientists have documented the first-known instance of a “virgin birth” by a crocodile, which had been living in isolation for 16 years at Costa Rican zoo.

The DNA sequences have shown that this was a result of facultative parthenogenesis or reproduction without the genetic contribution of males.

What is facultative parthenogenesis?

Facultative parthenogenesis is the term for when a female can produce offspring either sexually or via asexual reproduction.

How does the virgin birth happen? 

As an egg cell matures in its mother’s body, it divides repeatedly to generate a final product with exactly half the genes needed for an individual. 

Three smaller cellular sacs containing chromosomes, known as polar bodies, are formed as by-products. Polar bodies usually wither away. 

But in vertebrates that can perform parthenogenesis, one polar body sometimes fuses with the egg, creating a cell with the necessary complement of chromosomes to form an individual.

What is the significance of facultative parthenogenesis in crocodiles?

Parthenogenesis has been identified in creatures as diverse as king cobras, sawfish and California condors. But this is the first time it has been found in crocodiles. 

Moreover, because of where crocodiles fall on the Tree of life, it implies that pterosaurs and dinosaurs might also have been capable of such reproductive feats.