The term of the 22nd Law Commission has ended, with its key report on the Uniform Civil Code still in progress.
About the Law Commission of India:
Details
Nature
Non-statutory body periodically constituted by the Government of India. It is an Executive Body.
Establishment
• First Commission During British India: Established in 1834 under the Charter Act of 1833, chaired by Lord Macaulay, Focused on the codification of laws like the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code.
• First Commission in Independent India: Established in 1955, chaired by M. C. Setalvad, then Attorney-General of India.
Primary Role
Advises the Ministry of Law and Justice on legal reform and reviews existing laws to suggest improvements and draft new legislation.
Recommendations are advisory and NOT binding on the government.
Composition
Headed by a Chairperson (usually a retired Supreme Court Judge or Chief Justice of a High Court),
4 full-time members (including a Member-Secretary), ex-officio members (Secretaries of the Departments of Legal Affairs and Legislative Department), and
Up to 5 part-time members.
Tenure
3 years, with provisions for reconstitution or extension as required by the government.
Key Functions
• Undertakes legal research.
• Review existing laws for reforms.
• Recommends repeal of obsolete laws.
• Suggest amendments and new legislations.
• Examines laws that affect the poor and marginalized.
Notable Recommendations by 22nd law Commission
• Uniform Civil Code.
• Amendments to the sedition law.
• Repeal of obsolete laws.
• Gender equality in personal laws.
• Improvements in judicial administration.
Reports Submitted
Over 277 reports on various legal issues including the implementation of international conventions, compulsory registration of marriages, etc.
Recent Activity
The 22nd Law Commission is focusing on issues like the Uniform Civil Code and amendments to the sedition law (Section 124A), among other legislative reforms.
PYQ:
[2014] The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in:
Q Russia and Ukraine war has been going on for the last seven months. Different countries have taken independent stands and actions keeping in view their own national interests. We are all aware that war has its own impact on the different aspects of society, including human tragedy. What are those ethical issues that are crucial to be considered while launching the war and its continuation so far? Illustrate with justification the ethical issues involved in the given state of affairs. (2022)
Q “What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still unable to find for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India’s National self-esteem. (2019)
Mentors’ Comment: PM Narendra Modi visited Kyiv (Ukraine) and met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on August 23, 2024. This was the first visit by an Indian PM to Ukraine since its independence in 1991. The visit garnered significant global attention, particularly regarding India’s potential role in mediating the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Despite India’s cautious stance, PM Modi emphasized India’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He advocated for a peaceful resolution through dialogue, stating “No problem can be resolved on a battlefield.” India has maintained a neutral stance, abstaining from UN resolutions critical of Russia while advocating for direct dialogue.
Let’s learn –
Why in the News?
There are strong reasons to believe that Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Ukraine may have included a peace initiative as part of its agenda.
India’s Consistent Foreign Policy Approach:
Non-Alignment and Strategic Autonomy: India’s foreign policy is historically rooted in non-alignment and strategic autonomy, focusing on balancing relationships with global powers and addressing territorial disputes peacefully.
Neutral Stance on Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Since the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022, India has maintained neutrality, avoiding condemnation of Russia, which has drawn criticism from Western nations.
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar has indicated that India might be interested in mediating the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, if approached but would not initiate the mediation on its own.
Commitment to UN Principles: India advocates for respect for the United Nations charter and peaceful resolution of disputes through international institutions like the UN.
A Possible Broader Strategy
Peace Initiative: The Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Ukraine involved a peace initiative, though enhancing bilateral relations with Ukraine appears unlikely due to India’s lack of dependency on Ukraine for trade, defence, or technology.
Balancing Act: The visit could be a balancing act following the PM’s visit to Russia, positioning India as a neutral party and reinforcing its role as a responsible global actor committed to peace.
Active Mediation Role: The visit may align with a broader strategy for India to take a more active role as a mediator or “communicator,” leveraging its ties with both Moscow and Washington.
Global South Involvement: India, as a prominent member of the Global South, aims to contribute to peace efforts, reflecting its role in international negotiations.
Interests of Key Stakeholders
United States: The U.S. prefers negotiations from a position of strength. A temporary ceasefire or limited peace agreement facilitated by a neutral party like India could relieve conflict pressures and allow President Biden to focus on other foreign policy issues.
European Countries: Europe seeks a resolution to the conflict to address economic hardships and energy security concerns exacerbated by the war. A temporary peace could ease these challenges and provide breathing room.
What should India do further?
Leverage Diplomatic Neutrality to Facilitate Dialogue: India should continue to maintain its neutral stance and offer to facilitate dialogue between Russia and Ukraine. By positioning itself as a neutral mediator, India can help create channels for communication, potentially leading to a ceasefire or limited peace agreement.
Engage with Global South and Key Stakeholders: India should actively engage with other Global South countries and key stakeholders, including the U.S. and European nations, to build consensus on a peaceful resolution.
Balance Relations with Global Powers: India should carefully balance its relationships with both Russia and the West. By maintaining strong ties with both sides, India can ensure its strategic autonomy while contributing to a peaceful resolution.
Conclusion: Successfully mediating the conflict could elevate India’s global stature and align with hisvision of India as a “Vishwamitra,” actively contributing to global peace and security. However, achieving even temporary peace is challenging due to deeply entrenched positions and the involvement of numerous international actors in the conflict.
The Union Cabinet has approved the ‘BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) Policy’ proposed by the Department of Biotechnology to promote advanced biomanufacturing.
What is the BioE3 Policy?
The BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy is a strategic initiative approved by the Indian Cabinet to foster high-performance biomanufacturing.
Aims and Objectives of the Policy:
Innovation Support: The policy promotes research and development (R&D) and entrepreneurship in various thematic sectors, facilitating technological advancement and commercialization.
Biomanufacturing Hubs: It proposes the establishment of Biomanufacturing & Bio-AI hubs and Biofoundries to enhance India’s bioeconomy.
Focus Areas: The policy targets several strategic sectors, including high-value bio-based chemicals, biopolymers, smart proteins, precision biotherapeutics, climate-resilient agriculture, carbon capture, and marine and space research.
Significance of the Policy
Economic Growth: It is expected to catalyze a “bio revolution” similar to the IT revolution, generating substantial job opportunities in biotechnology and biosciences.
Sustainability Goals: The policy aligns with government initiatives for achieving a ‘Net Zero’ carbon economy and promotes sustainable lifestyles, thereby steering India towards accelerated green growth and a circular bio-economy.
Job Creation: By expanding the skilled workforce in biotechnology, the policy aims to create various kinds of employment opportunities, addressing critical societal issues such as climate change, food security, and human health.
Present Status of Indian Bio-economy
Growing Potential: The biotechnology sector is seen as a key player in addressing challenges in health, agriculture, environment, and energy. India has a large pool of young, skilled workers, with 47% of its population under the age of 25.
Investment in R&D: Despite its potential, India spends less than 1% of its GDP on research, compared to countries like Israel and South Korea, which invest over 4%.
Existing Infrastructure: The government has established 9 biotech parks and 60 bio-incubators, which support the growth of the biotechnology sector.
Challenges Ahead
Educational Gaps: The current educational curriculum does not adequately prepare students for industry demands, creating a skills mismatch.
Funding Issues: There is a lack of venture capital funding due to information asymmetry regarding the biotech industry, which hampers innovation and growth.
Clinical Trials: India conducts a low percentage of clinical trials compared to global standards, which is a concern for the development of biopharmaceuticals.
Research Investment: The government currently covers over 60% of total R&D spending, which is very different from countries where the private sector contributes a large portion.
Way forward:
Enhance Industry-Academia Collaboration: Encourage partnerships between educational institutions and biotech companies to align curricula with industry needs, thereby reducing the skills mismatch and preparing students for emerging job markets.
Increase Private Sector Investment: Implement policies and incentives to attract more private sector investment in R&D, such as tax benefits, public-private partnerships, and improved access to venture capital, to stimulate innovation and reduce reliance on government funding.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has established itself as one of India’s most credible institutions, known for consistently conducting free, fair, and timely elections to Parliament and State legislatures. However, the 34 State Election Commissions (SECs) still require significant attention and strengthening.
Issue of Disempowerment of State Election Commissions (SECs)
The Constitution (73rd and 74th amendments) vested SECs with the responsibility of conducting elections to panchayats and urban local governments, but in reality, SECs are increasingly disempowered by state governments.
Legal and Administrative Challenges: SECs sometimes find themselves in litigation with state governments. For instance, the Karnataka SEC has had to file contempt petitions against the state government for failing to fulfill commitments related to the conduct of elections, highlighting a lack of cooperation from state authorities.
Inadequate Empowerment: Many SECs do not have the power to conduct delimitation of wards or manage the electoral rolls independently. This results in reliance on the Election Commission of India (ECI) and state governments, which can lead to arbitrary decisions that delay elections.
Only 11 out of 34 states and UTs have empowered SECs to conduct ward delimitation, accounting for just 35% of India’s population.
Lack of Resources: SECs are legally entitled to request funds and assistance from state governments, but they often do not receive adequate resources, which hampers their ability to conduct elections effectively.
Public Trust Erosion: The delays and challenges faced by SECs undermine public confidence in local governance and electoral processes, leading to a perception that local elections are not as credible as those conducted by the ECI for national and state elections
Election not on time: Performance audits by the CAG found that 70% of urban local governments in 18 states did not have elected councils at the time of the audit due to delays caused by disempowered SECs.
Electoral Reforms Needed to Strengthen the Third Tier
Parity with the Election Commission of India: SECs should be made as transparent and independent as the Election Commission of India.
This could be achieved by appointing a three-member SEC through a committee comprising the Chief Minister, Leader of Opposition, and Chief Justice of the High Court, rather than by the State government alone.
Fixed Intervals for Delimitation: The delimitation of ward boundaries and reservations should be conducted at fixed intervals, such as every 10 years, to prevent arbitrary actions by State governments that delay elections.
Transfer of Powers to SECs: The powers of delimitation and reservation of seats for local governments should be vested in the SECs. SECs should also handle reservations for positions like mayors and presidents to avoid delays caused by State governments.
Conclusion: Strengthening SECs through these reforms is essential to ensure timely, transparent, and credible local elections, thereby reinforcing grassroots democracy and public trust in local governance.
Australia’s Education Minister announced a plan to establish a National Planning Level (NPL) that will cap the number of new international students at 2.7 lakh for the 2025 calendar year, subject to parliamentary approval.
What does the 2025 Cap entail?
Australia plans to introduce a cap on new international students at 2.7 lakh for the calendar year 2025.
Distribution of Seats:
Publicly funded universities: 1.45 lakh students (maintaining 2023 levels).
Vocational education and training (VET) sector: 95,000 new students.
Other universities and non-university providers: 30,000 students.
Certain categories, such as school students, research degree pursuers, students in standalone English language courses, government-sponsored scholars, and students from specific regions (e.g., Asia Pacific), are exempt from the cap.
Trends in Indian Student Enrollment in Australia:
In 2023, Australia admitted 5.61 lakh international students, in 2022, it saw 3.88 lakhs, in 2021, it had 2.82 lakhs, in 2020, it had 3.96 lakhs, and in 2019, it saw 5.19 lakh students.
2024 Projections: Between January and May 2024, the total student commencements reached 2.89 lakh, with additional intakes expected later in the year, possibly surpassing 2023 levels.
Five-Year Trend: The 2025 cap will result in the lowest intake in the past five years, considering the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on previous years’ admissions.
Possible Impacts on Indians Since Last Year:
Enrollment Numbers: The number of Indian students in Australia saw a decline from 126,487 in 2023 to 118,109 in 2024.
This comes on the back of moves by the Australian government to curb migration over the past six months, including higher IELTS band score requirements and the Genuine Student Test for applicants.
Universities, especially the Group of Eight (Go8) research-intensive universities, have criticized the capping as a “bad policy” that will adversely impact them.
Rising Costs: The Australian government increased the visa processing fee from AUD 710 to AUD 1,600 (approximately Rs 40,524 to Rs 91,321) as of July 1, 2024. This could deter prospective applicants due to financial constraints.
Way Forward:
Increase Scholarships and Financial Aid: The Australian government and universities should offer more scholarships and financial aid packages to offset the higher costs and attract international students, particularly from India.
Strengthen Bilateral Education Ties: Enhance collaboration between Australian and Indian educational institutions to create joint programs and exchange opportunities, ensuring a steady flow of students despite the cap.
Women-led development is central in this year’s Budget, with Gender Budget allocations reaching 1% of GDP and over ₹3 lakh crore for pro-women programs.
About Gender Budgeting in India:
The Gender Budget Statement (GBS) was introduced in the 2005-06 budget.
GBS has consistently represented an average of 5% of total budgetary allocations since its introduction, with minor fluctuations.
In the 2024-25 budget, the share of allocations to pro-women schemes has increased to approximately 6.8% of the total budget expenditure.
Different Components of the Gender Budget Statement
The Gender Budget Statement (GBS) is structured into three main parts:
Part A: This section includes schemes and programs that have 100% allocation specifically for women.
Part B: This part covers schemes with more than 30% but less than 100% of their allocations directed towards women.
Part C: Introduced recently, this section reports pro-women schemes that have less than 30% provisioning for women.
Instances of Missing Allocations Reported by Experts:
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY): Initially, only a portion of PMAY’s budget was reported under Part B, which led to an underrepresentation of its impact on women. The entire allocation of ₹80,670 crore for 2024-25 was later moved to Part A, raising concerns about the accuracy of reporting since not all beneficiaries are women.
PM Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP): The GBS reported an allocation of ₹920 crore, which was claimed to be 40% of the total allocation to PMEGP, without a clear rationale for this percentage.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS): Although women constituted 59.3% of all person-days under MGNREGS, only 33.6% of its total outlay was reflected in the GBS, indicating a significant underreporting of women’s engagement and benefits from the scheme.
How should these anomalies be rectified by the Government (Way forward):
Incorporate Explanations: Providing clear explanations for the allocations reported in the GBS would enhance transparency and accountability.
Audit of Budgetary Allocation: The government should involve regular audits and assessments of how budgetary allocations impact gender equality.
Engage Stakeholders: Involving experts and stakeholders in the process of developing the GBS can provide insights into the specific needs of women and help ensure that the budget effectively addresses those needs.
Mains PYQ:
Q Women empowerment in India needs gender budgeting. What are requirements and status of gender budgeting in the Indian context? (2016)
A study conducted by the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) revealed significant variations in the strength of Mars’ crustal magnetic field between day and night.
Notable facts about Mars:
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the second-smallest in the Solar System, larger only than Mercury.
Named after the Roman god of war, Mars is often called the “Red Planet” due to its reddish appearance from iron oxide on its surface.
It is a terrestrial planet with a thin atmosphere, featuring surface characteristics like impact craters, valleys, deserts, and polar ice caps.
Mars shares similar days and seasons to Earth because of its comparable rotational period and axial tilt.
It hosts Olympus Mons, the largest volcano and highest mountain on any planet, and Valles Marineris, one of the largest canyons in the Solar System.
MAVEN’s data on electron density and magnetic field were critical in investigating how Mars’ crustal magnetic field affects its plasma environment and ionosphere.
Significance of the Study
Understanding Mars’ crustal magnetic field is essential for future robotic and manned missions, as it provides natural magnetic shielding against space radiation.
The insights from the study can help in developing strategies to mitigate the effects of space weather on spacecraft and astronauts.
PYQ:
[2016] The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO
is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission.
made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA
made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit Mars in its very first attempt.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports launched the “RESET Programme” to empower retired sportspersons with career skills on National Sports Day.
What is RESET Programme?
Details
Launch Date
August 29, 2024 (National Sports Day)
Nodal Ministry
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports
Objective
To empower retired sportspersons with skills and knowledge for career development and employability
Eligibility
– Retired athletes aged 20-50 years
– Winners/participants in international events, national/state medallists
– Recognized by National Sports Federations/IOA/Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Programme Levels
Two levels based on educational qualifications:
– Class 12th and above
– Class 11th and below
Implementation
Lead institute: Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE)
Learning Mode
Hybrid mode: Self-paced online learning and on-ground training
Additional Support
Placement assistance, guidance for entrepreneurial ventures
PYQ:
[2017] Consider the following in respect of ‘National Career Service’:
1. National Career Service is an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India.
2. National Career Service has been launched in a Mission Mode to improve the employment opportunities to uneducated youth of the country.
Gujarat and parts of Rajasthan are facing severe flooding caused by a land-based deep depression.
The unusual formation of this deep depression over land was intensified by moisture influx from soils or the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
What is Land-Based Deep Depression?
A land-based deep depression is a type of cyclonic system characterized by a significant drop in atmospheric pressure leading to sustained wind and significant weather impact.
They form and intensify over land, which is relatively rare due to the limited availability of moisture.
Characteristics:
It forms over land or water.
Wind Speed ranges from 51 to 62 km/h, just below the threshold for a tropical cyclone (62-88 km/h).
Relies on moisture from soilandsurrounding environments rather than oceanic sources.
It often has an unpredictable path and can cause significant rainfall and localized flooding.
Implications of Land-Based Deep Depressions
These systems can bring prolonged and intense rainfall, leading to widespread flooding, especially in regions unaccustomed to high levels of precipitation.
Heavy rainfall can lead to significant soil erosion, affecting agricultural productivity and altering landscapes.
Prolonged flooding can cause waterlogging in agricultural fields, leading to soil salinization and reduced fertility.
PYQ:
[2012] Consider the following statements:
1. The duration of the monsoon decreases from southern India to northern India.
2. The amount of annual rainfall in the northern plains of India decreases from east to west.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
The Atlantic bluefin tuna, already heavily overfished, now faces a new threat from warming seas, causing it to migrate further north.
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus)
Details
Scientific Classification
Family: Scombridae; Species: Thunnus thynnus.
Common Names
Northern bluefin tuna, Giant bluefin tuna (for individuals over 150 kg), formerly known as “tunny”.
Habitat and Range
Western and Eastern Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea; extinct in the Black Sea.
Size
Can weigh up to 680 kg; one of the largest Perciformes.
Commercial Importance
Highly valued in the Japanese market for sushi and sashimi; foundation of a major global fishery.
Conservation Status
Overfished; dramatic stock declines (72% in Eastern Atlantic, 82% in Western Atlantic);
Moved to “Least Concern” by IUCN in 2021 due to some population recovery;
Proposed for CITES Appendix I.
PYQ:
[2015] With reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. IUCN is an organ of the United Nations and CITES is an international agreement between governments
2. IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments.
3. CITES is legally binding on the States that have joined it, but this Convention does not take the place of national laws.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
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