However, the seven-judge Bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud, emphasized that this must be grounded on “quantifiable and demonstrable data” rather than political motivations.
Why sub-classification is necessary?
Addressing Inequality Within SCs: The Supreme Court ruling emphasizes that SCs are not a homogeneous group. Instead, there are significant disparities in socio-economic and educational status among different castes within the SC category.
Sub-classification allows for the identification of those who are more disadvantaged and ensures that benefits are equitably distributed among them.
Equitable Distribution of Benefits: States have argued that despite existing reservations, certain castes remain grossly underrepresented compared to others.
Sub-classification aims to create separate quotas for these underrepresented groups within the SC quota, thereby promoting fairness and equity in the distribution of affirmative action benefits.
Legal Precedent and Historical Evidence: The majority opinion of the Supreme Court referenced historical and empirical evidence indicating that specific castes within the SCs face greater oppression and discrimination.
Judicial Oversight: The ruling stipulates that any sub-classification must be based on “quantifiable and demonstrable data” regarding levels of backwardness and representation, ensuring that the process is transparent and justifiable.
What does the creamy layer principle say?
Exclusion of the Creamy Layer: The creamy layer principle refers to the exclusion of the more affluent and advanced members within a backward class from receiving reservation benefits. This principle is currently applied to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) but has been suggested for implementation within SCs and STs as well.
Achieving True Equality: Justice B.R. Gavai, in his concurring opinion, emphasized the need for states to identify and exclude the creamy layer among SCs and STs to ensure that affirmative action benefits reach those who are genuinely disadvantaged.
Historical reason: The creamy layer principle has been upheld in various Supreme Court judgments (Indra Sawhney judgment in 1992), which have recognized that certain individuals within reserved categories may have advanced socio-economic status and should not benefit from reservations intended for the disadvantaged.
Way forward:
Data Collection and Analysis: States should prioritize the collection of comprehensive and quantifiable data on the socio-economic status of different castes within the SC and ST categories.
Policy Framework for Creamy Layer Exclusion: States should develop clear policies to identify and exclude the creamy layer within SCs and STs from reservation benefits.
Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai presented the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
Proposed Provisions in the Bill
Creation of a Disaster Database: The Bill mandates the establishment of a comprehensive disaster database at both national and state levels, which will include disaster assessments, fund allocation details, expenditures, preparedness and mitigation plans, and a risk register based on the type and severity of risks.
Urban Disaster Management Authority: It proposes the formation of an “Urban Disaster Management Authority” for state capitals and large cities with municipal corporations, aimed at enhancing local disaster management capabilities.
Empowerment of NDMA and SDMAs: The Bill empowers the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) to prepare disaster management plans, replacing the previous role of the National Executive Committee and State Executive Committees.
Periodic Risk Assessment: The NDMA is tasked with periodically assessing the entire range of disaster risks in the country, including emerging risks due to extreme climate events.
Statutory Status for Pre-Act Organizations: The Bill provides statutory recognition to certain pre-existing organizations, such as the National Crisis Management Committee and the High-Level Committee.
Penalties for Non-Compliance: It includes provisions allowing the Central and State governments to impose penalties for actions that hinder disaster management efforts, with fines not exceeding ₹10,000.
Substantial Questions on Excessive Powers
Concerns Over Central Authority: Opposition members, including Congress leader Manish Tewari, raised concerns that the Bill grants excessive rule-making powers to the Central government, potentially encroaching upon the legislative powers reserved for State governments.
Constitutional Validity: Questions were raised regarding the constitutional basis for the Bill, as disaster management is not explicitly mentioned in the subjects of the Concurrent List.
Multiplicity of Authorities: Critics, including Trinamool Congress member Sougata Roy, expressed concerns that the creation of multiple authorities could lead to confusion and bureaucratic inefficiencies, potentially hampering effective disaster response.
Need to aim for more clarity
Clarification of roles: The Bill aims to bring more clarity and convergence in the roles of various authorities and committees involved in disaster management, addressing the need for streamlined coordination among stakeholders.
Enhanced Local Management: By empowering local authorities through the establishment of Urban Disaster Management Authorities, the Bill seeks to ensure that disaster management plans are more relevant and tailored to specific regional challenges.
Alignment with Development Plans: The Bill emphasizes the need to mainstream disaster management into development plans, aligning with recommendations from the Fifteenth Finance Commission and ensuring that disaster risk reduction is integrated into broader governance frameworks.
Way forward:
Strengthening Collaboration with State Governments: To address concerns about excessive central authority and potential overlaps with state powers, it is crucial to establish a framework for ongoing collaboration between the Central and State Disaster Management Authorities.
Implementing a Comprehensive Training and Capacity-Building Program: The successful implementation of the proposed Urban Disaster Management Authorities and the broader disaster management framework will depend on the capacity of local officials and stakeholders.
Mains PYQ:
Q Discuss the recent measures initiated in disaster management by the Government of India departing from the earlier reactive approach. (2020)
The Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister announced that States can now directly purchase rice from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) under the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) without participating in e-auctions.
Key Announcements:
Direct Rice Purchase of Rice by the States:
States can procure rice directly from FCI at ₹2,800 per quintal (excluding transportation cost), down from the earlier rate of ₹2,900 per quintal.
Recent reports suggest that the government might reduce or discontinue the Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) scheme due to its high cost.
Decline in Popularity of SGB:
This speculation follows the Union budget’s decision to slash customs duties on gold and silver from 15% to 6%.
The reduction in customs duties is expected to decrease demand for SGBs, which has already led to a 2-5% drop in their prices on the National Stock Exchange (NSE).
About Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs)
Details
Launch
2015
Nature
Government securities denominated in grams of gold.
Issued by RBI.
Objective
Reduce dependence on gold imports and shift savings from physical gold to paper form.
Eligibility
Resident in India, including individuals, HUFs, trusts, universities, and charitable institutions.
Denomination and Tenor
Denominated in multiples of grams of gold, with a basic unit of 1 gram.
Tenor of 8 years with an exit option from the 5th year on interest payment dates.
Investment Limits
Minimum: 1 gram of gold.
Maximum: 4 kg for individuals and HUFs,
20 kg for trusts and similar entities per fiscal year.
Benefits
Quantity of gold protected, receiving market price at redemption.
Eliminates storage risks and costs.
Assured market value at maturity and periodic interest.
Free from making charges and purity issues.
Held in RBI books or demat form, eliminating scrip loss risk.
Add-ons
Can be used as collateral for loans.
Loan-to-value (LTV) ratio set equal to ordinary gold loans.
PYQ:
[2016] What is/are the purpose/purposes of Government’s ‘Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme’ and ‘Gold Monetization Scheme’?
To bring the idle gold lying with Indian households into the economy
To promote FDI in the gold and jewellery sector
To reduce India’s dependence on gold imports
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
The Health Ministry has requested the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to implement measures to prevent surrogate advertisements of tobacco and alcoholrelated products by sportspersons.
AboutSports Authority of India (SAI)
Details
Establishment
Founded in 1984 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India
Headquarters
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Complex, New Delhi, India
Objectives
Promote sports and physical education
Develop sports infrastructure
Identify and nurture sports talent
Conduct coaching and training programs
Key Programs
National Sports Talent Contest Scheme (NSTC)
Special Area Games (SAG)
SAI Training Centres (STC)
Centres of Excellence (COE)
National Sports Academies (NSA)
Major Facilities
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi
Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex, New Delhi
Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi
Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS), Patiala
Notable Initiatives
Khelo India Program
Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)
Mission Olympic Cell (MOC)
About Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)
Details
Establishment
Founded in December 1928
Headquarters
Cricket Centre, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India
Objectives
Promote and develop cricket in India
Organize domestic and international cricket matches
Identify and nurture cricket talent
Maintain cricket infrastructure and facilities
Key Responsibilities
Selection of national cricket teams (men’s, women’s, and junior)
Organization of domestic cricket tournaments
Administration of Indian Premier League (IPL)
Conducting training and coaching programs
Major Tournaments
Indian Premier League (IPL)
Ranji Trophy
Vijay Hazare Trophy
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
Duleep Trophy
Irani Cup
Funding and Support
Funded through sponsorships, broadcasting rights, and match revenues
Provides financial assistance and contracts to cricketers
Reforms
Justice Lodha Committee: Result of the report submitted by the Justice Mukul Mudgal Committee after an investigation into the 2013 IPL betting scandal.
PYQ:
[2021] Consider the following statements in respect of the ICC World Test Championship:
1. The finalists were decided by the number of matches they won.
2. New Zealand was ranked ahead of England because it won more matches than England.
Q1 COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented devastation worldwide. However, technological advancements are being availed readily to win over the crisis. Give an account of how technology was sought to aid the management of the pandemic. (UPSC IAS/2020)
Q2 Critically examine the role of WHO in providing global health security during the Covid-19 pandemic. (UPSC IAS/2020)
Note4Students:
Mains: Reasons behind the disagreement on the Pandemic Treaty;
Mentor comments: Despite extensive negotiations, 194 WHO member states failed to finalize a historic Pandemic Agreement to bolster global pandemic preparedness and reduce inequities highlighted by COVID-19. At the 77th World Health Assembly (May 27-June 1, 2024), two significant developments occurred. First, amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 were agreed upon, drawn from 300 global reform proposals. These amendments aim to improve response to Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC) and introduce a Pandemic Emergency (PE) category, ensuring equitable access to health products and financial support for developing countries, emphasizing solidarity and equity, and mandating a National IHR Authority.
Let’s learn!
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Why in the News?
The 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 failed to finalize the treaty due to disagreements on key articles, particularly PABS, technology transfer, and the One Health approach.
Background:
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed severe limitations in the International Health Regulations (IHR) and the WHO’s institutional capacities to effectively prevent, prepare for and respond to global health emergencies.
In light of the pandemic’s devastating global impact, many countries called for a stronger international framework to deal with future pandemics.
Responding to these calls, a special session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) in November 2021 agreed to establish an intergovernmental negotiating body (INB) to draft and negotiate a WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response
What is the Pandemic Treaty?
The Pandemic Treaty, also known as the International Treaty on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, is a proposed international agreement currently being negotiated by the 194 member states of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Key Provisions
Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS): The treaty aims to establish a PABS system to ensure that genetic resources and pathogen samples shared from developing countries are reciprocated with corresponding benefits, such as vaccines and diagnostics.
Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property: The treaty seeks to address issues related to technology transfer, local production, and intellectual property rights to enhance the manufacturing capacities of low- and middle-income countries.
One Health Approach: The treaty emphasizes a holistic approach that recognizes the interconnections between human, animal, and environmental health, promoting coordinated public health measures across these domains.
Reasons behind the disagreement
Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS): The PABS mechanism under Article 12 is a central point of contention, with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) advocating for guaranteed access to at least 20% of shared pandemic products.
In contrast, many high-income countries argue that this percentage should be the maximum limit, with some refusing to agree to any fixed percentage.
Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property: Disagreements over technology transfer provisions are significant, with LMICs pushing for mandatory technology transfer and intellectual property waivers to enable local production of vaccines and treatments.
High-income countries prefer voluntary agreements, fearing that mandatory requirements could undermine their intellectual property rights.
One Health Approach: The One Health approach, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, has faced resistance from LMICs. They view it as an additional burden without adequate funding, while high-income countries strongly support it.
Geopolitical Discord: Geopolitical tensions and competing interests between higher- and lower-income countries have hindered progress in negotiations.
Misinformation and Distrust: The negotiations have been affected by misinformation, skepticism, and distrust among member states. Some countries are concerned about the implications of the agreement on their national sovereignty and public health policies.
Urgency vs. Comprehensive Solutions: There is a tension between the urgency to finalize an agreement and the desire to address complex issues comprehensively. Some countries are pushing for quick resolutions, while others emphasize the need for thorough discussions to ensure long-term effectiveness.
Way forward:
Promote Inclusive Dialogue and Mutual Compromise: Need to facilitate continuous, transparent dialogue among all member states to address concerns and build trust. Encourage mutual compromise by balancing the interests of both high- and low-income countries, ensuring that all parties feel their needs and perspectives are being considered.
Strengthen Financial and Technical Support for LMICs: Need to enhance financial and technical assistance for low- and middle-income countries to implement the proposed treaty provisions effectively.
The swimming events in the ongoing Paris Olympics were postponeddue to concerns about the water quality of the River Seine.
Issues with River Seine’s Water Quality:
Old Sewage System: Paris’ aged sewage system combines rainwater and wastewater in the same pipes, leading to overflow during heavy rains.
Untreated Sewage Discharge: Overflowing pipes cause untreated sewage to be discharged directly into the Seine instead of being treated.
Wildlife Contamination: Heavy rains wash wildlife, such as rodents, into the river, adding to the contamination.
E. coli Threat: The River often has high levels of E. coli bacteria, which can cause severe gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections.
Exceeding Safe Levels: Following heavy rains, E. coli levels in the Seine frequently exceed the safe threshold of 900 colony-forming units (cfu) per 100 ml of water.
Long-term Pollution: The Seine has been historically polluted, with a swimming ban in place since 1923 due to health risks.
Health Risks: High contamination levels pose significant health risks to swimmers, including infections and illnesses.
About River Seine
Details
Country
France
Length
777 km
Major Cities Along Course
Paris, Troyes, Melun, Rouen, Le Havre
Major Tributaries
Aube, Marne, Yonne, Oise, Eure
Population in Basin
About 17 million people, including the Paris metropolitan area
Navigability
Navigable for about 560 kilometers from the estuary to Burgundy
Estuary Location
Empties into the English Channel at Le Havre and Honfleur
Estuary Type
Tidal estuary with significant tidal influence up to Rouen
Historical Significance
Central to Paris, with landmarks like Notre-Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre along its banks
UNESCO Status
Banks of the Seine in Paris are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Economic Importance
Major waterway for commercial shipping and tourism; key ports include Paris, Rouen, and Le Havre
Recreational Activities
Popular for river cruises, boating, fishing, and walking along its banks
PYQ:
[2020] Consider the following pairs?
River: Flows into
Mekong: Andaman sea
Thames: Irish Sea
Volga: Caspian Sea
Zambezi: Indian Ocean
Which of the pairs above is/are correctly matched?
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing the Rashtriya Gokul Mission.
The mission aims to develop and conserve indigenous bovine breeds, genetically upgrade the bovine population, and enhance milk production and productivity.
AboutRashtriya Gokul Mission:
Details
About
Initiated in December 2014.
Announced under the National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development during the 12th Five Year Plan.
Continued under Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Yojana (2021-2026) with a budget of Rs. 2400 crore.
Nodal Ministry
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying
Objectives
Enhance productivity of bovines and increase sustainable milk production using advanced technologies.
Propagate the use of high genetic merit bulls for breeding.
Expand artificial insemination coverage by strengthening the breeding network and delivering services at farmers’ doorsteps.
Promote scientific and holistic conservation of indigenous cattle and buffalo rearing.
Significance
Increased productivity, benefiting all cattle and buffaloes in India, with a focus on small and marginal farmers.
Empowers women, who perform over 70% of livestock farming tasks.
Components
Availability of High Genetic Merit Germplasm
Extension of Artificial Insemination Network
Development and Conservation of Indigenous Breeds
Skill Development
Farmers’ Awareness
Research, Development, and Innovation in Bovine Breeding
Implementing Agency
State Implementing Agency (SIA) viz. Livestock Development Boards
Significant Initiatives
Gopal Ratna Awards: For farmers maintaining the best herd of Indigenous Breed and practicing best management practices.
Kamdhenu Awards: For best-managed Indigenous herd by Institutions/Trusts/ NGOs/ Gaushalas or best-managed Breeders’ societies.
Gokul Grams: Integrated cattle development centers focusing on promoting indigenous cattle rearing and conservation in a scientific manner.
National Kamdhenu Breeding Centre (NKBC): Centre of Excellence for the holistic and scientific development and conservation of Indigenous Breeds.
E-Pashu Haat: Web portal providing information on pet cattle and facilitating trading of bovine animals.
Nakul Prajnan Bazaar: E-market portal connecting breeders and farmers for quality, disease-free bovine germplasm.
Pashu Sanjivni: Animal wellness program providing animal health cards and unique identification, uploading data on the National Database.
Advanced Reproductive Technology (ART): Includes Assisted Reproductive Technique- IVF/Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer (MOET) and sex-sorted semen technique.
National Bovine Genomic Center for Indigenous Breeds (NBGC-IB): To be established for selecting breeding bulls of high genetic merit at a young age using highly precise gene-based technology.
Key Initiatives for Artificial Insemination:
Multi-Purpose Artificial Insemination Technicians in Rural India (MAITRI): This initiative provides trained manpower for delivering quality artificial insemination services at farmers’ doorsteps.
Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme: This programme extends artificial insemination coverage among bovines using semen from high genetic merit bulls of indigenous breeds.
Induction of High Genetic Merit Bulls: This program produces bulls with known genetic potential through progeny testing and pedigree selection, supplying these bulls to semen stations for quality semen dose production.
Strengthening of Semen Stations: Efforts are made to improve the quality of semen production by formulating minimum standard protocols and establishing a Central Monitoring Unit for evaluation and grading of semen stations.
Breed Purity Tests: To protect indigenous breeds from indiscriminate breeding, breed purity tests are conducted for all imported germplasm.
Guidelines for Import and Export of Bovine Germplasm: The Department has formulated guidelines to regulate the import of germplasm and prevent the ingress of exotic diseases, ensuring the safety and purity of bovine genetics within the country.
PYQ:
[2012] Consider the following crops of India:
Cowpea
Green gram
Pigeon pea
Which of the above is/are used as pulse, fodder and green manure?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
[2015] Livestock rearing has a big potential for providing non-farm employment and income in rural areas. Discuss suggesting suitable measures to promote this sector in India.
On July 31, 1940, Indian revolutionary leader Udham Singh was executed at the Pentonville prison in London for killing Michael O’Dwyer, the former lieutenant governor of Punjab.
Singh was born in Sunam in Punjab’s Sangrur district in 1899.
Political Activism
Became associated with the Ghadar Party while in the US, which was founded by Sohan Singh Bhakna in 1913 and headquartered in California.
Purpose and Actions
In 1934, Singh travelled to London to assassinate Michael O’Dwyer, the former Lieutenant Governor of Punjab during the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Reason for Targeting O’Dwyer
O’Dwyer had ordered Brigadier Reginald Dyer to Amritsar before the massacre, fearing a second Indian mutiny due to Hindu-Muslim unity and demonstrations.
Assassination of O’Dwyer
On March 13, 1940, Singh shot O’Dwyer at a meeting in Caxton Hall, London.
Arrest and Execution
Arrested immediately, held in Brixton prison, sentenced to death, and hanged on July 31, 1940, at Pentonville Prison.
Legacy and Recognition
Regarded as a hero for avenging the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Gandhi termed it an “act of insanity”.
He symbolized Hindu-Sikh-Muslim unity by adopting the name ‘RamMohamed Singh Azad’ during his trial.
Posthumous Honors
His remains were returned to India in 1974 and cremated in his village in Sunam.
His statue was installed at Jallianwala Bagh in 2018;
Udham Singh Nagar district in Uttarakhand is named after him.
PYQ:
[2014] The Ghadr (Ghadar) was a:
(a) Revolutionary association of Indians with headquarters at San Francisco.
(b) Nationalist organization operating from Singapore
(c) Militant organization with headquarters at Berlin
(d) Communist movement for India’s freedom with head-quarters at Tashkent
Research suggests that around 8% of the human genome is composed of Endogenous Retroviruses (ERVs) often referred to as ‘zombie’ regions.
Retroviruses and Human Genome Integration
Most viruses can’t affect the human genome, but retroviruses are an exception.
Retroviruses can integrate and reshape the genomes of their hosts.
They have an RNA genome and can reverse-transcribe it to DNA, inserting it into the host’s genome.
This process is facilitated by the enzyme reverse transcriptase.
Discovered by Howard Temin and David Baltimore in 1971, this enzyme converts the virus’s RNA into a corresponding DNA sequence.
Historical Discoveries:
Viral causes of cancer were known even before the mechanism was understood.
In 1908, Oluf Bang and Vilhelm Ellermann discovered the viral cause of chicken leukosis.
In 1957, Ludwik Gross isolated a leukaemia-causing virus in mice.
What are Endogenous Retroviruses (ERVs)?
ERVs are remnants of ancient viral infections that have integrated into the genome of the host species.
When these retroviruses infect germ cells (sperm or egg cells), their genetic material can be passed down to the next generation, becoming a permanent part of the host’s DNA.
Zombie Regions:
They refer to inactive viral sequences within the genomethat no longer produce functional viruses but remain as embedded genetic fossils.
These regions are a result of retrovirus integration that has lost its ability to replicate and produce proteins, yet they persist in the host’s DNA.
Evolutionary Significance of ERVs:
In the life cycle of a retrovirus, reverse-transcribed DNA is integrated into the host’s DNA with the help of integrase.
The viral DNA, called a provirus, hijacks human cells, turning them into virus-making factories.
Over tens of thousands of years, many retroviruses have left genomic elementsin human genome, contributing to evolutionary processes.
Example:
Syncytins are genes thought to have descended from ERVs and are crucial for placental development. These genes originally came from viruses and were acquired during mammalian evolution.
Their Contribution to Human Biology
ERVs are highly expressed in the placenta and may influence conditions like preeclampsia.
Researchers found that a particular RNA derived from an ERV is dysregulated in early-onset preeclampsia, suggesting it could be used as a biomarker for the condition.
ERVs play a role in cell-type differentiationduringembryo development.
A protein called MERVL-gag is derived from an ERV. This transition is crucial for producing pluripotent stem cells capable of forming different cell types.
Researchers also found that a human ERV element LTR10affects tumour formation in colorectal cancer.
PYQ:
[2021] Consider the following statements :
1. Adenoviruses have single-stranded DNA genomes whereas retroviruses have double-stranded DNA genomes.
2. Common cold is sometime caused by an adenovirus whereas AIDS is caused by a retrovirus.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
