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  • President bats for All India Judicial Service (AIJS)  

    Central Idea

    • On Constitution Day, President emphasized the need for an All-India Judicial Service (AIJS) to reflect India’s diverse fabric in the judiciary.
    • Designed to streamline the recruitment process for judges, particularly at the levels of additional district judges and district judges across all states, the AIJS concept has been the subject of longstanding debate and contention within legal circles.

    All India Judicial Service (AIJS): Overview

    • Objective: To select and nurture talented individuals nationwide, ensuring representation from underrepresented social groups.
    • Current Recruitment: Under Articles 233 and 234 of the Constitution, states manage district judge appointments. State Public Service Commissions conduct recruitment, supervised by High Courts.
    • Rationale: AIJS aims to enhance judicial efficiency, standardize compensation, expedite recruitment, and ensure uniform training.

    Historical Context

    • 1958: The Law Commission first proposed a centralized judicial service.
    • 1978: The Law Commission revisited the idea amid concerns about delays and case backlogs.
    • 2006: A Parliamentary Committee supported a pan-Indian judicial service, drafting a bill.

    Judiciary’s Stance

    • 1992: The Supreme Court directed the Centre to establish AIJS (All India Judges’ Assam vs. Union of India case).
    • 1993: The Court permitted the Centre to initiate AIJS independently.
    • 2017: The Supreme Court suggested a “Central Selection Mechanism” for district judge appointments.

    Necessity of AIJS

    • Challenges: The lower judiciary faces about 5400 vacancies and a backlog of 2.78 crore cases.
    • Quality Concerns: The declining quality of judicial officers necessitates high-caliber recruitment.
    • Financial Incentives: State services often fail to attract top talent due to lower salaries.
    • Training and Subjectivity: State-run institutions lack adequate training resources; current appointments are marred by subjectivity and nepotism.

    Criticism and Concerns

    • Federalism: AIJS is seen as infringing on states’ powers.
    • Language and Representation: Centralized recruitment might impact the use of regional languages.
    • Equality and Education: A national exam could disadvantage less privileged candidates; law education standards are inconsistent.
    • Structural Issues: AIJS may not address systemic problems like low pay and inadequate infrastructure.
    • Bureaucratization: Centralizing recruitment doesn’t inherently guarantee efficiency.

    Government’s Motivation

    • Business Environment: Reforming the lower judiciary is aligned with improving India’s Ease of Doing Business ranking.
    • Dispute Resolution: Efficient dispute resolution is crucial for business rankings.
    • IAS Inspiration: The government views the IAS system as a model for enhancing judicial services.

    Way Forward

    Niti Aayog’s ‘Strategy for New India @75’ report recommends:

    • Examination: An all-India judicial services exam to maintain high standards.
    • Technology: Implementing video-conferencing to expedite justice and reduce logistical issues.
    • Independence: AIJS cadre should report to the Chief Justice in each High Court to preserve judicial independence.

  • VT Rajshekar: Journalist, anti-caste legend who spoke his mind

    V T Rajshekar - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia

    Central idea

    Vontibettu Thimmappa Rajshekar Shetty (VTR) authored 30 books centering on caste, nation and religion

    Key Highlights:

    • Vontibettu Thimmappa Rajshekar Shetty (VTR) is a renowned figure in the Ambedkarite, anti-caste movement, known for his fearless journalism.
    • Born in 1932, VTR played a significant role in shaping the intellectual discourse of the anti-caste sphere since the 1970s.
    • Founder of the world-famous periodical Dalit Voice in 1981, VTR advocated for Dalit rights and challenged the Brahminical state order.

    Challenges:

    • Faced opposition and legal challenges, including being booked under India’s Terrorism and Anti-Disruptive Activities Act.
    • Dalit Voice was forced to shut down due to assault by the BJP, rechristened as Brahmana Jaati Party.

    Key Phrases:

    • “Triumph of Ambedkarism”: VTR envisioned the 21st century as a period of triumph for Ambedkarism.
    • “Caste as a nation within the nation”: VTR viewed caste as a separate entity rather than a subsidiary of the nation-state.

    Critical Analysis:

    • VTR’s journalism focused on exposing Brahminical hypocrisies and advocating for the rights of the oppressed.
    • Fearless critiques of the caste system and Brahminical state order marked his intellectual contributions.
    • VTR’s alignment with international radical movements showcased a commitment to broader social justice issues.
    • Alliances with African-American movements and international solidarity reflected a global perspective on caste-based discrimination.
    • Booking under India’s Terrorism and Anti-Disruptive Activities Act highlighted the resistance faced by VTR for his outspoken journalism.
    • Dalit Voice’s closure due to opposition from the BJP underscores the challenges anti-caste voices encounter in political landscapes.
    • Despite significant contributions, VTR and many anti-caste legends are often inadequately honored and celebrated.
    • The proposed establishment of a national award for fearless journalists in V T Rajshekar’s name aims to recognize and honor his impactful work.

    Key Examples and References:

    • Founded Dalit Voice in 1981 and authored 30 books, including “Dalit: The Black Untouchables of India.”
    • Inspired solidarity between Dalits and contemporary African-American activists.

    Key Data:

    • Born on July 17, 1932.
    • Founded Dalit Voice in 1981.

    Key Facts:

    • VTR faced legal challenges, including being booked under India’s Terrorism and Anti-Disruptive Activities Act.
    • Dalit Voice shut down due to opposition from the BJP.

    Key Terms:

    • Ambedkarism,
    • Brahminical state order,
    • Dalit Voice,
    • Caste-based violence,
    • Internationalism,
    • Brahmana Jaati Party.

    Way Forward:

    • Recognition and celebration of VTR’s contributions to anti-caste journalism and social justice.
    • Proposed establishment of a national award for fearless journalists in the name of V T Rajshekar to honor his legacy.

  • Moulding the Himalayas needs caution

    Himalayan roads | The new danger zones - India Today

    Central idea

    The Uttarkashi tunnel collapse has thrown light on the major flaws in the infrastructure development in the Indian Himalayan Region

    Key Highlights:

    • The Char Dham Project in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) has raised concerns about the sustainability of the current development model.
    • The focus is on the carrying capacity of the IHR, questioning the extensive road widening, hydropower projects, and tourism promotion.
    • The geological sensitivity of the Himalayas, marked by earthquakes and frictional shear rocks, makes such infrastructure projects dangerous.

    Challenges:

    • Lack of adherence to mountain construction codes and basic safety protocols in the rush for construction projects.
    • The fragmentation of the Char Dham Project into smaller sections for Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) raises questions about its comprehensive evaluation.
    • The need to address the broader issue of carrying capacity in the IHR, encompassing hydropower projects, tourism, and road development.

    Key Phrases:

    • “Construction in this zone is dangerous” due to the sensitive geological nature of the Himalayas.
    • The Supreme Court should address the issue of carrying capacity in the Himalayas, considering the impact of infrastructure on the ecosystem.
    • The transformative phase in the IHR requires a reevaluation of the integration approach with new geographies.

    Critical Analysis:

    • The article criticizes the lack of seriousness in implementing safety measures, citing the Silkyara tunnel incident in Uttarakhand.
    • Emphasis on learning from failures, international protocols, and the inclusion of local communities in monitoring structures are suggested for safer infrastructure development.

    Key Examples and References:

    • The Atal tunnel in Himachal Pradesh is cited as an exception with a rigorous safety protocol, contrasting it with the safety lapses in the Char Dham Project.
    • The flash floods of 2013 in Uttarakhand are mentioned as the basis for initiating the Char Dham Yatra and subsequent infrastructure projects.

    Key Data:

    • The Char Dham Project is approximately 900 km long, broken into 53 sections for separate EIAs.
    • Geological and geotechnical studies highlight the dangerous nature of construction in the Himalayas.

    Key Facts:

    • The carrying capacity discussion extends beyond the number of people to include infrastructure aspects like hydropower projects and roads.
    • The importance of a legislative architecture that involves local communities and adheres to international protocols for safer infrastructure development.

    Key Terms for value addition in your answer:

    • Carrying capacity
    • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
    • Geological sensitivity
    • Transformative phase
    • Safety protocols

    Way Forward:

    • Urgent dialogue on carrying capacity in the Himalayas, considering the total impact of infrastructure development.
    • Adoption of international protocols and legislative architecture for safer construction, involving local communities and civil society.
    • Reevaluation of the integration approach in the transformative phase of the IHR, ensuring stability and safety standards in infrastructure projects.

  • Fleet electrification to tackle urban pollution

    Adani to deploy 400 BYD Electric Trucks at 4 Indian ports - India Shipping News

    Central idea

    The central idea revolves around the urgent need to address worsening air quality in Indian cities, focusing on the critical role of transitioning to electric trucks to mitigate PM2.5 pollution. Despite challenges like upfront costs, the article emphasizes the imperative of swift action, proposes green freight corridors as a demonstration, and calls for a concerted effort involving public and private sectors to accelerate the transition and ensure a healthier urban environment.

    Key Highlights:

    • Air Quality Crisis: Rising air pollution in Indian cities necessitates prioritizing mitigation strategies, focusing on PM2.5 and PM10 pollution from the transport and construction sector.
    • Truck Fleet Expansion: The significant increase in the truck fleet poses a threat to air quality, and the transition to electric trucks is crucial for sustainability and energy security.

    Challenges:

    • Air Pollution Impact: The annual addition of 9 lakh new trucks to Indian roads contributes to air pollution, consuming a substantial portion of oil imports and contributing to over 90% of road transport CO2 emissions.
    • Obstacles to Electric Adoption: Upfront costs and charging infrastructure constraints pose challenges to the adoption of electric trucks, despite the success in electrifying rail freight and buses.

    Key Phrases:

    • Urgent Deployment: Urgent deployment of solutions is paramount in addressing the air quality crisis.
    • Targeted Mitigation: Diesel trucks and dust mitigation are identified as significant PM sources requiring immediate attention.
    • Corridor Demonstration: Green freight corridors are proposed as a demonstration effect to accelerate the transition to electric trucks.

    Critical Analysis:

    • Swift Action Call: The need for swift action is emphasized, with a call to accelerate the pace of transition to electric trucks.
    • Financial Implications: Public funding alone is insufficient, and the importance of attracting private and institutional capital is highlighted.
    • Decarbonization Priority: Despite the success in electrifying three-wheelers, truck electrification is recognized as a pivotal step in transport sector decarbonization.

    Key Examples and References:

    • E-truck Demand: The demand for 7,750 e-trucks in India by 2030 is cited as a potential measure to save over 800 billion liters of diesel till 2050.
    • Cost Disparity: The upfront cost disparity between mid-range electric trucks and diesel trucks is identified as a major hurdle.

    Key Data:

    • Electric Penetration Rate: India’s electric vehicle penetration rate has crossed 6%, but electric trucks remain a challenge.
    • Fleet Projection: The Indian truck fleet is projected to reach 1.7 crore in 2050, emphasizing the urgency of transitioning to electric trucks.

    Key Facts:

    • Corridor Proposal: Electrifying expressways and national highways as green freight corridors is proposed for demonstration and impact.
    • Financial Innovation: Innovative financial instruments and a conducive regulatory environment are deemed essential for the breakthrough in truck electrification.

    Way Forward:

    • Concerted Efforts: Urges the need for concerted efforts, including feasibility studies, demand aggregation, and a conducive regulatory environment, to create green freight corridors.
    • Recognition of Urgency: Stresses the importance of recognizing the urgency in addressing air quality issues and transitioning to electric trucks for a healthier urban environment.

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  • 25th Nov 23 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

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  • [pib] Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative (AGNI)

    Central Idea

    • The Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences (CCRAS), under the Ministry of Ayush, has introduced the “Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative” (AGNI) to promote research and innovation among Ayurveda practitioners.

    Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative

    • AGNI aims to document and validate Ayurvedic medical practices, enhance evidence-based practice culture, and facilitate scientific research in the field.
    • It provides a platform for Ayurveda practitioners to share their innovative practices, fostering an evidence-based culture.
    • It also supports research to validate pragmatic Ayurvedic practices through scientific methods.

    Key functions

    • CCRAS will document and publish reported medical practices and therapeutic regimens for educational and academic purposes in consultation with the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM).
    • AGNI provides a platform for Ayurveda practitioners to report their innovative practices and experiences across various disease conditions.
    • The initiative encourages the culture of evidence-based practice among Ayurveda practitioners, ensuring that their methods are grounded in scientific research.
    • AGNI seeks to identify interested Ayurveda practitioners willing to collaborate in creating a comprehensive database through applications.
    • Capacity building through research methods and good clinical practice training will also be offered.
    • AGNI will undertake research to mainstream pragmatic Ayurvedic practices through scientific validation and evidence-based appraisal.

  • NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC)

    DSOC

    Central Idea

    • NASA’s DSOC experiment onboarded to Psyche spacecraft, recently demonstrated successful transmission of data over near-infrared laser signals to Earth.
    • This technology addresses the challenge of transmitting vast amounts of data over long distances from spacecraft, moving at high speeds in deep space.

    Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC)

    • NASA’s DSOC experiment introduces near-infrared laser signals for spacecraft communication.
    • DSOC promises data rates at least 10 times faster than conventional radio communication systems, leading to enhanced data transfer rates, higher-resolution images, increased scientific data volume, and even real-time video streaming.
    • DSOC’s laser communication technology is comparable to how fiber optics revolutionized Earth-based telecommunications.

    Psyche Spacecraft and DSOC

    • The Psyche spacecraft is the first to carry a DSOC transceiver, which will test high-bandwidth optical communication with Earth during its initial two years of travel to the asteroid belt.
    • DSOC’s successful “first light” milestone was reached when the transceiver locked onto a powerful laser beacon transmitted from NASA’s Table Mountain Facility in California.
    • Achieving high data rates relies on extremely precise pointing, which is akin to hitting a small target from a great distance while both are in motion.
    • This precision is necessary for the laser transceiver to track its target despite vibrations on the spacecraft.

    Key Components for Success

    • The spacecraft must isolate the transceiver from vibrations to maintain precision.
    • As Earth and the spacecraft change positions during data transmission, DSOC systems adjust to ensure accurate pointing.
    • New signal-processing techniques are essential to extract information from weak laser signals transmitted across vast distances in space.

  • How Satellite Data monitors Farm Fires in Northern India?

    Central Idea

    • Farm fires, particularly paddy crop residue fires, contribute to air pollution in northern India. To monitor and address this issue, satellite data is utilized.

    CREAMS Laboratory: Monitoring farm fires

    • Agency: The Indian Agricultural Research Institute’s (IARI) Consortium for Research on Agro-ecosystem Monitoring and Modeling from Space (CREAMS) Laboratory is responsible for collecting and disseminating daily bulletins on paddy residue fires.
    • Coverage: Data covers Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi.
    • Information Provided: The bulletin includes district-wise fire incident numbers, comparative data from previous years, location, satellite details, time, and fire intensity.

    Satellite Data Collection

    • Satellites: Three NASA satellites (VIIRS on Suomi NPP, MODIS on Terra and Aqua) capture data by recording land surface temperatures.
    • Coverage: These satellites pass over the Indian subcontinent twice daily, with varying times.
    • Resolution: VIIRS offers higher resolution, while MODIS has coarser resolution.
    • Data Use: Satellite data is used to differentiate farm fires from other types, such as forest fires or industrial fires.

    Monitoring Protocols

    • Standardization: In 2021, a standard protocol for monitoring farm fires using satellite data was established.
    • Data Comparison: Comparative data is available from 2020 onwards.
    • Punjab’s Data: The Punjab Remote Sensing Centre provides similar data specific to Punjab.

    Identifying Paddy Fires

    • Reflectance Signature: Paddy crop residue fires are distinguished based on the unique reflectance signature of paddy fields.
    • Land Surface Temperature: Active fires are identified based on land surface temperature deviations from surrounding areas.
    • Fire Intensity: Intensity, expressed as energy emitted per unit area per unit time, indicates the amount of residue burned.

    Bulletin Dissemination

    • Recipient Agencies: Bulletins are sent to central and state-level agencies, including the Commission for Air Quality Management, the Ministry of Agriculture, and state agriculture departments.
    • Action Measures: Authorities use the data to identify hotspots and plan measures, such as machinery availability, to address farm fires.
    • Targets: Some states, like Punjab and Haryana, set targets for reducing farm fire incidents based on satellite data.

  • CERT-In exempted from RTI Ambit

    Central Idea

    • The Centre has included the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) in the list of organizations exempted from the Right to Information Act (RTI), 2005.
    • There are 26 other intelligence and security organisations established by the Central government such as the Intelligence Bureau, Research and Analysis Wing, Directorate of Enforcement, and National Technical Research Organisation that are exempt under RTI.

    About Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In)

    Details
    Nodal Agency Part of India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
    Establishment Formed in 2004 under the Information Technology Act, 2000 Section (70B)
    Inter-agency Coordination Works with NCIIPC (under NTRO and PMO) and NDMA (under Ministry of Home Affairs)
    Functions Monitors cyber-attacks, issues security guidelines, liaises with national cybersecurity bodies
    Recent Activities Hosted ‘Synergy’ exercise in 2022 with international participation
    International Agreements MoUs with UK, Korea, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Uzbekistan; cooperation with Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
    Notable Incidents Reported Android Jelly Bean flaw (2014), Chrome vulnerabilities (2020), WhatsApp vulnerability (2021); investigated AIIMS cyber-attack (2022)
    Cyberattack Statistics (2021) Faced 11.5 million cyberattack incidents including attacks on infrastructure and government

     

    Back2Basics: Right to Information (RTI) Act

    Enactment June 15, 2005
    Objective Promote transparency and accountability
    Applicability All public authorities at central, state, local levels
    Scope Access to information on matters of public interest, government policies, budgets, etc.
    RTI Application Filed in writing with the concerned public authority
    Response Time Within 30 days (48 hours for life or liberty issues)
    Exemptions Some information exempted to protect national security, privacy, etc.

    Judiciary
    Fees Nominal fee varies based on state and information requested
    First Appellate Authority Filed if dissatisfied with the response
    Second Appeal Filed with the relevant Information Commission
    Whistleblower Protection Safeguards against victimization for exposing corruption
    Impact Promotes transparency, accountability, and good governance

     

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