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  • 60% of India’s voters linked Aadhaar to voter ID: RTI

    aadhaar

    Central idea: An RTI query has revealed that around 60% of Indian voters have linked their Aadhaar cards with their voter ID cards.

    Benefits of Aadhaar linking

    • Voter uniqueness: The move to link Aadhaar and voter ID cards was introduced to prevent electoral fraud and ensure unique identity of each voter.
    • Curb bogus votes: It is expected to help prevent multiple voting, impersonation, and bogus voting, which have been a concern in the past.
    • Facilitate migrant voting: There have been migrant workers who may have been registered more than once on the electoral rolls in different constituencies or for persons registered multiple times within the same constituency.

    Is the linking of Aadhaar with one’s Voter ID mandatory?

    • In December 2021, Parliament passed the Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021 .
    • It states that the electoral registration officer may require voters to furnish their Aadhaar numbers to verify Authencity of voters list.
    • This was to amend the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and Section 23(4) was inserted in the RP Act.

    Why was such linking proposed?

    The preference to use Aadhaar for verification and authentication, both by the state and private sector, stems from few reasons:

    • Increase in UID-holders: First, at the end of 2021, 99.7% of the adult Indian population had an Aadhaar card.
    • Most versatile document: This coverage exceeds that of any other officially valid document such as driver’s licence, ration cards, PAN cards etc. that are mostly applied for specific purposes.
    • Reliable source of authentication: Since Aadhaar allows for biometric authentication, Aadhaar based authentication and verification is considered more reliable, quicker and cost efficient when compared to other IDs.

    Issues with mandatory linking: Puttaswamy judgment highlights

    • Puttaswamy judgment: The above reasons do not suffice the mandating of Aadhaar except in limited circumstances as per the Puttaswamy judgment.
    • The indispensability of the purpose: It needs to be considered whether such mandatory linkage of Aadhaar with Voter ID would pass the test of being “necessary and proportionate” to the purpose of de-duplication which is sought to be achieved.
    • Constitutional ambiguity: In Puttaswamy, one of the questions that the Supreme Court explored was whether the mandatory linking of Aadhaar with bank accounts was constitutional or not.
    • Against informational autonomy: It is the right to privacy which would allow a person to decide which official document they want to use for verification and authentication.

    Other judicial observations: Lal Babu Hussein (1995) Case

    • The Supreme Court had held that the Right to vote cannot be disallowed by insisting only on four proofs of identity.
    • The voters are entitled to rely on any other proof of identity and obtain the right to vote.

    What are the operational difficulties?

    • Aadhaar is not a citizenship proof: The preference to Aadhaar for the purposes of determining voters is puzzling as Aadhaar is only a proof of residence and not a proof of citizenship.
    • Excluding non-citizens is not easy: Verifying voter identity against this will only help in tackling duplication but will not remove voters who are not citizens of India from the electoral rolls.
    • Estimate of error rates in biometric based authentication: This certainly differs. As per the UIDAI in 2018, Aadhaar based biometric authentication had a 12% error rate.
    • Disenfranchisement of existing voters: Errors have led to the disenfranchisement of around 30 lakh voters in AP and Telangana before the Supreme Court stalled the process of linkage.

    Key concern: Right to Privacy

    • Some civil societies has highlighted that linking of the two databases of electoral rolls and Aadhaar could lead to the linkage of Aadhaar’s “demographic” information with voter ID information.
    • This could lead to violation of the right to privacy and surveillance measures by the state.
    • This would leave the EC with the option of verifying its information only through door-to-door checks.
    • There is a lack of enforceable data protection principles that regulate how authentication data will be used.

    Way Forward

    • Address privacy and security concerns: There should be strict measures in place to ensure the safety of personal information and prevent data breaches.
    • Provide alternative authentication: The government should provide alternative methods of identity verification. This will help ensure that no citizen is disenfranchised due to the lack of an Aadhaar card.
    • Regular monitoring and evaluation: The government should regularly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the linking of Aadhaar and voter ID cards in preventing electoral fraud.

     

     

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  • CJI announces launch of ‘Neutral Citations’ for SC judgements

    The CJI expressed hope that High Courts too would follow neutral citation for their judgments. The Delhi, Kerala, and Madras HCs have already introduced neutral citation.

    What is a “Citation”?

    • A case citation is essentially an identification tag for a judgment.
    • Typically, it would contain a reference number, the year of the judgment, the name of the court that delivered that judgment, and a shorthand for the journal publishing the judgment.

    And what is a neutral citation?

    • A neutral citation would mean that the court would assign its own citation — distinct from those given by traditional Law Reporters.
    • Law Reporters are periodicals or annual digests that publish judgments, often with an editorial note to make it accessible for lawyers to refer to precedents.
    • For example, for the landmark Kesavananda Bharati case, the citation in ‘Supreme Court Cases’, a journal published by the Eastern Book Company, is (1973) 4 SCC 225.
    • In the All India Reporter (AIR), the citation is AIR 1973 SC 1461.

    Why is a neutral system good or necessary?

    • Judgments mention citations while referring to precedents and often use citations from different Law Reporters.
    • With artificial intelligence (AI) enabled translation of judgments and transcribing of court proceedings, a uniform citation is necessary.
    • Several High Courts including Delhi High Court have started a neutral citation format.
    • The Delhi HC neutral citation is, for example, in this format: No-YEAR/DHC/XXXXXX

    How will the SC implement the neutral citation system?

    • Our recent initiative is neutral citations for all judgments of the Supreme Court.
    • So all 30,000 judgments are going to have neutral citations.
    • First tranche will be till January 1, 2023, then the other tranche will be till judgments from 2014 and then finally we will go back to 1950.

     

     

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  • Russia officially ‘suspends’ New START Treaty

    Central idea: The article provides an overview of the New START treaty, which was signed by Russia and the United States in 2010. It highlights how the treaty limits the number of nuclear weapons that the two countries can possess and deploy.

    The New START, INF and the Open Skies …. Be clear about the differences of these treaties. For example- to check if their inception was during cold war era etc.

    New START Treaty

    • The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) pact limits the number of deployed nuclear warheads, missiles and bombers and is due to expire in 2021 unless renewed.
    • The treaty limits the US and Russia to a maximum of 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers, well below Cold War caps.
    • It was signed in 2010 by former US President Barack Obama and then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
    • It is one of the key controls on the superpower deployment of nuclear weapons.

    Background of US-Russia Nuclear Relations

    • The US formally QUIT the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF)
    • The agreement obliged the two countries to eliminate all ground-based missiles of ranges between 500 and 5,500 km.

    When did nuclear disarmament begin?

    • In 1985, the two countries entered into arms control negotiations on three tracks.
    • The first dealt with strategic weapons with ranges of over 5,500 km, leading to the START agreement in 1991.
    • It limited both sides to 1,600 strategic delivery vehicles and 6,000 warheads.
    • A second track dealt with intermediate-range missiles and this led to the INF Treaty in 1987.
    • A third track, Nuclear, and Space Talks was intended to address Soviet concerns regarding the U.S.’s Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI) but this did not yield any outcome.

    Success of INF

    • The INF Treaty was hailed as a great disarmament pact even though no nuclear warheads were dismantled.
    • As it is a bilateral agreement, it did not restrict other countries.
    • By 1991, the INF was implemented. USSR destroyed 1,846 and the US destroyed 846 Pershing and cruise missiles. 
    • Associated production facilities were also closed down.
    • INF Treaty was the first pact to include intensive verification measures, including on-site inspections.

    How has the nuclear behavior been?

    start

    • With the end of the Cold War and the break-up of the USSR in end-1991, former Soviet allies were joining NATO and becoming EU members.
    • The U.S. was investing in missile defense and conventional global precision strike capabilities to expand its technological lead.
    • In 2001, the U.S. announced its unilateral withdrawal from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM Treaty).
    • The US also blamed Russia for not complying with the ‘zero-yield’ standard imposed by the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). This may indicate the beginning of a new nuclear arms race.

    Implications of the New Start

    • The 2011 New START lapsed in 2021. It may meet the fate of the INF Treaty.
    • The 2018 NPR envisaged the development of new nuclear weapons, including low-yield weapons.
    • China is preparing to operate its test site year-round with its goals for its nuclear force.
    • CTBT requires ratification by U.S., China, and Iran, Israel and Egypt and adherence by India, Pakistan and North Korea. It is unlikely to ever enter into force.

    Conclusion

    • A new nuclear arms race could just be the beginning. It may be more complicated because of multiple countries being involved.
    • Technological changes are bringing cyber and space domains into contention. It raises the risks of escalation.

     

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  • Corrupt Practices according to Representation of People Act, 1951

    Central idea: The article provides an overview of Sections 123 (2) and Section 123 (4) of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951. It highlights how the section makes it illegal for candidates who have been convicted of certain offenses to contest elections to Parliament and state legislatures.

    Recent context: Promise of Freebies

    • Recently, the Supreme Court directed to look into prayers for reconsidering its 2013 judgment in ‘S. Subramaniam Balaji vs. State of Tamil Nadu’ Case.
    • The court held that promises of freebies cannot be termed a corrupt practice. However, the matter is still yet to be decided.

    Illicit Practices under the RPA, 1951

    corrupt

    • Under the provisions of the Act, an elected representative can be disqualified if convicted of certain offences on grounds of-
    1. Corrupt practices
    2. Failing to declare election expenses
    3. Interests in government contracts or works

    What amounts to Corrupt Practices?

    • Section 123 of the Act defines ‘corrupt practices’: It includes bribery, undue influence, false information, and promotion or attempted promotion of “feelings of enmity or hatred between different classes of the citizens of India on grounds of religion, race, caste, community, or language” by a candidate for the furtherance of his prospects in the election.
    • Section 123 (2) deals with ‘undue influence’: It defines as “any direct or indirect interference or attempt to interfere on the part of the candidate or his agent, or of any other person, with the consent of the candidate or his election agent, with the free exercise of any electoral right.” This could also include threats of injury, social ostracism and expulsion from any caste or community.
    • Section 123 (4) extends ambit of “corrupt practices”: It covers the intentional publication of false statements which can prejudice the outcome of the candidate’s election.

    What practices has the court held as corrupt practices in the past?

    • Jamuna Prasad Mukhariya v. Lacchi Ram, 1995: The encroachment of religion into secular activities is strictly prohibited, the court stated while adding that the same is clear from Section 123(3). However, even as far back as 1955, the Apex Court in Jamuna Prasad Mukhariya Case upheld the constitutional validity of Section 123 (3).
    • SR Bommai v. Union of India, 1994: In this case, otherwise held secularism to be a part of the ‘basic structure’, the court said, “whatever the attitude of the State towards the religions, religious sects, and denominations, religion cannot be mixed with any secular activity of the State.”
    • Abhiram Singh v C.D. Commachen, 2017: In 2017, a seven-judge constitution bench of the apex court held that an election will be annulled if votes are sought in the name of a candidate’s religion, race, caste, community, or language, as per Section 123 (3) which prohibits the same.

     

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  • Deputy Speaker Is An Officer of Parliament

    Officer

    Central Idea

    • The present Lok Sabha has not elected a Deputy Speaker even after three years and seven months of its term, and the non-election has reached the Supreme Court, which has reportedly sent notice to the Union government; historically, a Deputy Speaker is as important as the Speaker for the House.

    What is the practice?

    • Two presiding officers in Lok Sabha: There are two presiding officers for the Lok Sabha, namely the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, who are elected by the members of the House.
    • Article 93 of the constitution: Under Article 93 of the Constitution, as soon as the House meets after the election these two presiding officers are elected one after the other.
    • Practice of electing speaker and deputy speaker: The practice followed so far has been to elect the Speaker after the oath-taking. Thereafter, within a few days, the Deputy Speaker is also elected.

    Officer

    Office of Deputy Speake Speaker of the Lok Sabha

    • The Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha is not subordinate to the speaker of Lok Sabha; is responsible for the Lok Sabha. and
    • He/she is the second-highest-ranking legislative officer of the Lok Sabha.
    • He/ She acts as the presiding officer in case of leave of absence caused by death or illness of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

    Pin this Note

    • It is by convention that the position of Deputy Speaker is offered to the opposition party in India.
    • But if a government does not favour an Opposition member for political reasons, it is free to choose a member from its own party.

    The Historical Significance of the office

    • Government of India Act of 1919: The history of the office of Deputy Speaker goes back to the government of India Act of 1919 when he was called Deputy President as the Speaker was known as the president of the central legislative assembly.
    • Role is necessary to share the responsibility of running the House: Although the main functions of a Deputy Speaker were to preside over the sittings of the assembly in the absence of the Speaker and chair the select committees etc., the position was considered necessary to share the responsibility of running the House with the Speaker and guide the nascent committees.

    Did you know?

    • The first Speaker was G V Mavalankar and the first Deputy Speaker was M Ananthasayanam Ayyangar who was elected by the Constituent Assembly (Legislative) on September 3, 1948.
    • Later under the new Constitution, M Ananthasayanam Ayyangar was elected the first Deputy Speaker of the House of the people on May 28, 1952.

    Officer

    Importance of the Office

    • Powers Under Article 95(1) of the Constitution: The Deputy Speaker gets all the powers of the Speaker when the office of the Speaker is vacant, so the Deputy Speaker can also determine the petitions relating to disqualification under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution.
    • Speaker is powerless in matters of revising: The Speaker is powerless in the matter of revising or overruling a decision of the Deputy Speaker. No appeal lies to the Speaker against a ruling given by the Deputy Speaker.

    Conclusion

    • Although the Deputy Speaker gets to exercise these powers only in the absence of the Speaker his decisions are final and binding when he gives a ruling. In the eventuality of the Speaker remaining absent for a longer time due to illness or otherwise the government will have to grapple with the unpredictability of a ruling or an adverse decision by a Deputy Speaker who comes from the Opposition ranks. Article 93 contains a mandatory provision which needs to be carried out by the House.

    Officer

    Mains Question

    Q. Speaker and Deputy speaker of Lok Sabha are known as Officers of the parliament. In this context discuss the importance Deputy speaker.

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  • The India-US ICET: Transformative Impact On Bilateral Relations

    ICET

    Centra Idea

    • Earlier this month, the U.S. and India inaugurated their initiative on critical and emerging technologies (ICET). The promise of this initiative, if fulfilled, could have a transformative impact on India-U.S. relations. On the eve of the dialogue, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval said that the big need was to convert intentions and ideas into deliverables. This is where there has usually been a slip.

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    Background

    • India’s attempts towards US Technology Parallels: Since the 1960s, India has made many attempts to jump on the U.S. technology bandwagon.
    • Failed because of mismatch: But all of them have failed, primarily because of the mismatch between the two countries on the purposes for which they collaborated.
    • The ICET is perhaps better positioned: Unlike the earlier iterations, it comes at a time when India, too, has developed technological and managerial capacities and is emerging as a major economic power.

    ICET

    What is Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (ICET)?

    • Launched by PM Modi and President Joe Biden: The ICET initiative was launched by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden in May 2022.
    • Goal to elevate and expand Indo-US Partnership: strategic technology partnership and defense industrial cooperation between the governments, businesses, and academic institutions of the two countries.
    • Directly monitored by PMO and White house: The Prime Minister’s Office in Delhi and the White House in Washington will oversee and direct the ICET.
    • Six focus areas of co-development and co-production: Strengthening innovation ecosystems, defence innovation and technology cooperation, resilient semiconductor supply chains, space, STEM talent, and next generation telecom.

    American aid so far

    • Significant role in India’s development efforts and quest for technological capability: A major driver of the process was the Cold War which persuaded the U.S. to provide sweeping assistance in a range of areas to India. While the Soviet Union emerged as a major player in areas like steel, heavy electricals, petroleum and mining, the U.S. focused on modernising engineering and management education, science and technology (S&T), and agriculture.
    • Nuclear energy cooperation: US helped build India’s first reactors for research and power. An entire generation of Indian nuclear scientists were trained in the U.S., including some who subsequently helped in making nuclear weapons.
    • Aid in Education in initial phase and vice versa: The massive aid provided by the U.S. to modernise Indian education, especially engineering and management, should have led to a growing industrial sector, but the Indian economy stalled in the 1960s and India ended up with a system where IIT and IIM graduates ended up benefiting the U.S. economy.
    • Aid in agriculture: The one area in which India did get lasting and important benefits was agriculture where American S&T helped trigger the Green Revolution and end an era of food shortages.
    • Gandhi-Reagan Science and Technology Initiative: The Gandhi-Reagan Science and Technology Initiative led to the 1984 India-U.S. MoU on sensitive technologies, commodities and information.
    • New American willingness to promote Indian S&T and the arms industry: In 1987, the U.S. agreed to assist India’s Light Combat Aircraft (Tejas) programme and allowed the sale of front-line GE 404 engine to India.

    ICET

    Current Status

    • India has steadily advanced in status as a friend of the U.S. and has purchased U.S. weapons and systems worth billions of dollars.
    • It is now deemed to be a Major Defence Partner, though not a Major Non-Nato Ally, a much more useful designation that Pakistan still retains.
    • The course has not been problem-free witness the pressure India faced under CAATSA and on account of its oil trade with Russia.

    Ambitious goals

    • Great deal for India: The ICET has set up a range of ambitious goals which mean a great deal for India. Some of them are aspirational, others political. A few are over the top, such as the belief that the U.S. will help India to develop advanced jet engines.
    • Licence for jet engines: As of now, all that is on the table is the possible licence manufacture of GE-404/414 engines for the LCA. This is not new. But cutting-edge jet engines are the crown jewels of the U.S., which the country will not part with.

    ICET

    Conclusion

    • After presenting the Union Budget, the finance minister said in an interview, “This is a golden opportunity for India. We should really not miss the bus this time.” The remark is truer of the technology and industrialisation bus that the ICET could be.

    Mains question

    Q. What is Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (ICET)? Highlight the significance of ICET for India while noting down the American cooperation so far.

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  • Live transcription of Supreme Court proceedings introduced

    live

    Central idea: The Supreme Court introduced live transcription of court proceedings for the first time in the country, employing artificial intelligence (AI) and high-tech tools.

    Fun fact!

    The CJI announced that the live transcription will commence on an experimental basis with the constitution bench hearing on the vertical political split in a mainstream Maharashtrian political party.

     

    How does AI-based transcription work?

    • AI-based transcription works by using advanced machine learning algorithms to automatically transcribe audio or video content into written text.
    • The software uses natural language processing (NLP) and speech recognition technology to identify and transcribe spoken words, which are then formatted into a text document.

    What is Natural Language Processing (NLP)?

    • Natural Language Processing (NLP) is a subfield of computer science, artificial intelligence, and computational linguistics concerned with the interactions between computers and human (natural) languages.
    • It involves developing algorithms and computational models that can understand, interpret, and generate human language.
    • NLP is used in a variety of applications, including language translation, sentiment analysis, text summarization, speech recognition, and more.
    • It combines techniques from computer science, linguistics, and psychology to enable computers to process and understand natural language.

    Benefits of the move

    • Improved access to justice: For the hearing impaired and those with limited understanding of English.
    • Enhanced transparency and accountability: The transcripts can be reviewed and analyzed.
    • Reduced errors and inaccuracies: AI-based technology is more efficient and reliable than human transcriptionists.
    • Time-saving and cost-saving: For the court system and litigants, as live transcription eliminates the need for manual transcription and subsequent editing making justice dispensation faster than ever.
    • Legal awareness in public domain: Availability of real-time transcripts can help journalists and researchers report on court proceedings more accurately and quickly.

    Other AI solutions used in Indian Judiciary

    • E-SCR project: The electronic Supreme Court Reports (e-SCR) has more than 34,000 judgments available, accords free access to the official law reports of the Supreme Court’s reported Judgments to the law students, lawyers, and other legal professionals and to the public at large with special tools for the accessibility to those with visual disabilities as well.
    • SUPACE: Supreme Court Portal for Assistance in Courts Efficiency (SUPACE) is a tool that collects relevant facts and laws and makes them available to a judge.
    • SCI-Interact: In 2020, the Supreme Court developed a software called, SCI-Interact, to make all its 17 benches paperless. This software helps judges’ access files, annexures to petitions and make notes on computers.
    • LIMBS: Earlier, the Department of Legal Affairs has introduced a web-based application called LIMBS or Legal Information Management & Briefing System. The idea is to track the entire life cycle of a case efficiently.
    • SUVAAS: In November 2019, the Apex Court launched an indigenously engineered neural translation tool, SUVAAS, to translate judicial orders and rulings from English to vernacular languages faster and efficiently.

    Challenges for the AI breakthrough

    • Cost and Resources: The implementation of live transcription would require significant financial and technological resources.
    • Accuracy of Transcription: The accuracy of the live transcription is an important issue as any errors in the transcription could have significant implications, particularly in legal proceedings.
    • Privacy and Security: The live transcription of court proceedings could raise concerns about privacy and security as sensitive information could be disclosed or key judicial interpretations could be tampered.

    Way forward

    • The ethical and responsible use of AI and ML for the advancement of efficiency enhancing can be increasingly embedded in legal and judicial processes.
    • The Supreme Court has laid a strong foundation basis which efficiency enhancement can be accelerated across functional processes.
    • This is one of the key reasons why justice delivery in India is poised for transformative change.

     

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  • What is Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS)?

    market

    The government has announced its plan to sell 20 lakh tonnes of wheat from its buffer stock in the market under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS).

    Why such move?

    • The purpose of the move is to cool down the surge in wholesale prices of grain.
    • It will be sold in the open market to stabilize grain prices.

    Do you know?

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indian government increased the allocation of rice and wheat for the OMSS to ensure that the supply of food grains remained stable and that people had access to affordable food.

    Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS)

    • OMSS refers to the selling of food grains by the government/government agencies at predetermined prices in the open market from time to time.
    • This scheme aims to enhance the supply of grains, especially during the lean season and thereby to moderate the general open market prices, especially in the deficit regions.
    • The Food Corporation of India (FCI) on instructions from the Government, sells wheat and rice in the open market from time to time.
    • This enhances the supply of wheat and rice especially during the lean season and moderates the open market prices, especially in the deficit regions.

    Components of the scheme

    The present form of OMSS comprises 3 schemes as under:

    1. Sale of wheat to bulk consumers/private traders through e-auction.
    2. Sale of wheat to bulk consumers/private traders through e-auction by dedicated movement.
    3. Sale of Raw Rice Grade ‘A’ to bulk consumers/private traders through e-auction.

    Selling through a transparent process

    • For transparency in operations, the Corporation has switched over to e-auction for sale under Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic).
    • The FCI conducts a weekly auction to conduct this scheme in the open market using the platform of commodity exchange NCDEX (National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Limited).
    • The State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations are also allowed to participate in the e-auction if they require wheat and rice outside TPDS & OWS.

     

    Answer this PYQ in the comment box:

    Q.The economic cost of food grains to the Food Corporation of India is Minimum Support Price and bonus (if any) paid to the farmers plus:

    (a) Transportation cost only

    (b) Interest cost only

    (c) Procurement incidentals and distribution cost

    (d) Procurement incidentals and charges for godowns

     

    [wpdiscuz-feedback id=”fyx7kz9tvm” question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”1″]Post your answers here.[/wpdiscuz-feedback]

     

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  • Children have a Right to protect their Genetic Information from DNA tests: SC

    dna

    Central idea: The Supreme Court of India has ruled that children have the right to protect their genetic information from being revealed in DNA tests without their consent.

    Right to protect Genetic Information

    • The right to protect genetic information is a fundamental right that recognizes an individual’s autonomy and control over their own personal and intimate genetic data.
    • It allows individuals to make informed decisions about their health, privacy, and identity.
    • In India, the Supreme Court has also held that children have the right to protect their genetic information from DNA testing in divorce proceedings, as it is part of their fundamental right to privacy.
    • This is guaranteed under Article 21 of Indian Constitution.
    • This right is recognized under various international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

    Key takeaways from the Judgment

    • The court ruled that-
    1. Genetic information is personal and intimate
    2. Children have the right to privacy and bodily integrity
    3. Children are not to be regarded like material objects and should not become the focal point of the battle between spouses
    4. Allowing DNA tests would also harm the reputation and dignity of the mother

    Basis of this judgment

    • The court drew attention to the rights of privacy, autonomy and identity recognised under the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child.
    • It acknowledged the control that individuals, including children, have over their own personal boundaries and the means by which they define who they are in relation to other people.
    • Children are not to be deprived of this entitlement to influence and understand their sense of self simply by virtue of being children.

    How can one get the tests done?

    • Family courts should direct for a DNA test only in expedient situations and in the interest of justice, as a last resort, said the judgment.
    • This should be practised as the option of last resort.

     

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  • In news: Survey of India

    survey

    The Survey of India (SOI), India’s 250-year-old map maker, will no longer have a monopoly on making high-resolution maps. SOI will however remain the arbiter of maps that deal with State borders and national boundaries.

    Key announcements by SOI

    • Focus on map accuracy: The SoI will now take action against digital platforms that violate its guidelines and will develop a framework to ensure the accuracy of maps.
    • Regulating use by digital platforms: The SoI has also asked digital platforms to comply with its guidelines and to seek its permission before publishing maps of the country.
    • Ensure territorial integrity: The move is aimed at ensuring that the country’s borders and territorial integrity are accurately depicted in maps, and that sensitive locations are not compromised by the publication of maps that violate the country’s security interests.

    In a nutshell: The Survey of India (SOI) will now be more like a regulatory body.

    What is Survey of India?

    • The SOI is India’s central engineering agency in charge of mapping and surveying.
    • First modern scientific survey of India” was undertaken by W. Mather in 1793–96 on instructions of Superintendent of Salem and Baramahal (TN), Col. Alexander Read.
    • Set up in 1767 to help consolidate the territories of the British East India Company, it is one of the oldest Engineering Departments of the GoI.
    • Its members are from Survey of India Service cadre of Civil Services of India and Army Officers from the Indian Army Corps of Engineers.
    • It is headed by the Surveyor General of India.

    Responsibilities

    • Advisor to Govt: Survey of India acts as adviser to the Government of India on all cartography of India related matters, such as geodesy, mapping and map reproduction.
    • Geo names: It is responsible for the naming convention and spellings of names of geographical features of India.
    • Certification and publication: Scrutiny and certification of external boundaries of India and Coastline on maps published by other agencies including private publishers.
    • Surveys: geodetic datum, geodetic control network, topographical control, geophysical surveys, cadastral surveying, geologic maps, aeronautical charts within India, such as for forests, army cantonments, large scale cities, guide maps, developmental or conservation projects, etc.
    • National borders: Demarcation of the borders and external boundaries of India as well as advice on the demarcation of inter-state boundaries.

     

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