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  • ICAR launches ‘One scientist, One product’ Scheme 

    Why in the News?

    • The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is set to launch its ‘One Scientist-One Product’ program. This initiative aims to enhance research in agriculture and animal husbandry.

    About the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

    • ICAR is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
    • It is headquartered in New Delhi.
    • ICAR was formerly known as the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research.
    • It was established in 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 on the basis of the report of the Royal Commission on Agriculture.

    Functions of ICAR:

    • Its primary mandate is to coordinate agricultural education and research in India and provide leadership in agriculture and allied sectors.
    • It is the apex body for coordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the entire country.

    Structure and Organization:

    • ICAR operates under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
    • It consists of a network of research institutes, national bureaus, project directorates, and agricultural universities across the country.
    • The council is governed by a Governing Body and an Executive Committee, which oversee its functioning and activities.
    • ICAR confers prestigious awards, such as: the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award, the Borlaug Award, and the Hari Om Ashram Trust Award, to recognize excellence in agricultural research and education.

    Significant feats achieved by ICAR:

    • Bio-fortified Coverage: In 2023-24, approximately 16 million hectares are cultivated with bio-fortified crop varieties.
    • Crops Mentioned: This includes wheat, rice, pearl millet, lentil, and mustard.
    • Climate Resilience: The deployment of climate-resilient technologies has boosted production, even in abnormal years.
    • Variety Release: From 2014-15 to 2023-24, ICAR has released 2,593 high-yielding varieties, including 2,177 climate-resilient and 150 bio-fortified varieties.

    What is the “One Scientist One Product” Scheme?

    • The “One Scientist One Product” initiative is a strategic research plan launched by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
    • It aims to enhance agricultural productivity by assigning specific research targets to individual scientists within the organization in the next 5 years.

    Key Objectives of the Scheme:

    • Target-Oriented Research: Each scientist is given a specific target to develop a product. For example- seed variety, technology, research paper, or a conceptual model.
    • Avoiding Duplication: The initiative ensures that efforts are not duplicated by carefully mapping and assigning unique research targets to each scientist.
    • Regular Monitoring: Progress will be monitored every three months at the official level and twice a year by the researchers themselves.

    Implementation Details:

    • All 5,521 scientists of ICAR have been registered under this scheme.
    • At the beginning of each year, scientists must identify and inform about the product they aim to develop.
    • While the focus is on individual contributions, there will be instances where a product will be developed by a group of scientists.

    Long-Term Goals:

    • Product Development: The initiative is part of a broader plan to release 100 new seed varieties across various crops within the government’s 100-day plan.
    • Climate-Resilient Crops: A significant target is to increase the area under climate-resilient paddy seeds to 25% of the total kharif acreage, up from the current 15%.

    Announcement of New Crop Varieties

    • Event Details: ICAR will announce the release of 323 new crop varieties during a function in Delhi. The new releases include cereals, oilseeds, forage crops, and sugarcane.
    • Variety Breakdown: Among these, there are 289 climate-resilient varieties and 27 bio-fortified varieties.
    • Upcoming Initiatives: ICAR aims to develop 100 new seed varieties and 100 farm technologies within 100 days as part of a national 100-day action plan.

    Progress in Bio-fortification and Climate Resilience

    • ICAR reports significant progress in the adoption of bio-fortified crop varieties, with a total area of 16 million hectares under these varieties.
    • The organization emphasizes the success of its climate-resilient technologies, noting enhanced production even during years with abnormal weather conditions.

    PYQ:

    [2018] With reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM mustard) developed in India, consider the following statements:

    1. GM mustard has the genes of a soil bacterium that give the plant the property of pest-resistance to a wide variety of pests.
    2. GM mustard has the genes that allow the plant cross-pollination and hybridization.
    3. GM mustard has been developed jointly by the IARI and Punjab Agricultural University.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 and 3 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) 2 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

  • Appointment of the new Additional National Security Advisor (ANSA)

    Why in the News?

    • A new Additional National Security Advisor (ANSA) was appointed on July 1, 2024, marking the first time this position has been filled. The ANSA will assist the National Security Advisor (NSA) in managing the country’s national security affairs.

    Recent Controversies about the NSA’s Role

    • Recent controversies involving R&AW and the Agniveer initiative have brought the NSA’s role back into focus.
    • Questions remain about the ideal background for the NSA and the prioritization of experience in internal versus external security.

    National Security Advisor (NSA):

    • The NSA is the senior official on the National Security Council of India.
    • The post was created on 19 November 1998 by the Government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
    • He/ She is also the chief adviser to the Prime Minister of India on national security policy and international affairs.
    • Ajit Doval is the current NSA, and has the same rank as a Union Cabinet Minister.
    • The NSA receives all intelligence (RAW, IB, NTRO, MI, DIA, NIA) reports and co-ordinates them to present before the Prime Minister.
    • The NSA serves at the discretion of the Prime Minister of India.

    About the National Security Council of India:

    • NSC is an executive government agency tasked with advising the Prime Minister’s Office on matters of national security and strategic interest.
    • The 3 tier structure of the NSC comprises:
    1. Strategic Policy Group (SPG),
    2. National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) and
    3. National Security Council Secretariat.
    • All aspects of national security are deliberated upon by the National Security Council (NSC), the apex body. 
    • Members: Ministers of Home Affairs, Defence, External Affairs, Finance and Deputy Chairman of the NITI Aayog.
    • The NSA is its Secretary.

    Changes in the National Security Architecture

    Previous Structure New Structure
    Additional National Security Advisor (ANSA) The position was consistently vacant New ANSA appointed for the first time
    NSA’s Role NSA had a more operational role NSA’s role is now more advisory, focusing on strategic policy and advisory outfits
    Reporting Structure CDS, service chiefs, and Union secretaries reported to NSA and their respective ministers CDS, service chiefs, and Union secretaries continue to report to NSA and their ministers; however, ANSA now acts as a gatekeeper
    Size of NSA’s Organization Smaller organization with no ANSA Larger organization with an ANSA and three deputy NSAs
    Daily Security Briefings Directly by NSA Unclear if briefings will be by NSA, ANSA, or both
    Communication Chain Direct communication between mid-level unit heads and NSA ANSA acts as an intermediary between mid-level unit heads and NSA, adding a bureaucratic layer
    Ministerial Reporting NSA interacted with Union ministers and Prime Minister Ministerial bosses also interact directly with respective secretaries, causing potential turf issues
    Speculations and Future Roles Speculations about the continuity and succession of the current NSA Ongoing speculations about the future role and potential succession by the newly appointed ANSA
    Internal Security Management NSA handled internal security along with other duties ANSA now specifically responsible for internal security management and threat analysis
    Overall Security Strategy NSA managed both strategic advisory and operational aspects Separation of strategic advisory role (NSA) and operational internal security role (ANSA)

    Issues with the re-structuring:

    • Bureaucratic Layering: The introduction of the ANSA adds an additional bureaucratic layer, potentially slowing down decision-making.
    • Turf Issues: Potential conflicts between the NSA and the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, especially regarding convening meetings.
    • Lack of clarity in Roles: Uncertainty about whether the NSA or ANSA will conduct daily security briefings, leading to possible communication confusion.
    • Ministerial Reporting Dynamics: Challenges for ministers in managing secretaries’ dual reporting lines to both the NSA and their respective ministers.
    • Operational Efficiency: The NSA’s shift to a more advisory role might affect the operational efficiency in handling immediate security threats.

    Future of the NSA

    • There is speculation about the future of the incumbent NSA, Ajit Doval, and whether his elevation is a precursor to retirement.
    • Questions arise about whether ANSA Rajinder Khanna will succeed Doval or if an outsider will be appointed.

    PYQ:

    [2021] Analyse the multidimensional challenges posed by external state and non-state actors, to the internal security of India. Also discuss measures required to be taken to combat these threats.

  • 100 years of Electroencephalography (EEG)

    Why in the News?

    This year marks the 100th anniversary of the first human electroencephalography (EEG) by German physiologist Hans Berger.

    Historical Development of EEG

    • The development of EEG started with Richard Caton in 1875, who first noticed electrical signals in the brains of animals.
    • His work was expanded by Adolf Beck and later by Vladimir Pravdich-Neminsky, who recorded the first EEG of a dog.
    • Hans Berger was the first to record these signals from a human brain in 1924.

    What is EEG?

    • EEG stands for electroencephalography. “Electro” means electricity, “encephalo” refers to the brain, and “graphy” means recording.
    • It tracks the electrical activity in the brain that happens when neurons, the brain’s cells, move tiny charged particles. 
    • This helps doctors tell if the brain is working normally or not.
    • Doctors use EEG to diagnose epilepsy, check how deep a person is under anesthesia, study sleep patterns, and even confirm if a person has passed away.

    Understanding Volume Conduction

    • Volume conduction explains how the brain’s electrical signals move through different layers like skin and bone to reach the electrodes on the scalp.
    • The signals that electrodes pick up need to be cleaned up from any distortions caused by these layers or other noises before doctors can read them accurately.

    How does an EEG Test Works?

    • Neurons interact with their surroundings and sometimes push ions around.
    • This movement creates waves of electrical activity.
    • Electrodes on the head detect these waves and measure how strong they are, which is then recorded as an EEG.
    • Setting up an EEG involves putting gel on the head and placing electrodes accurately, which can be affected by things like having thick hair.

    What EEG Can and Can’t Show?

    • Strengths: EEG is very good at catching fast changes in the brain’s electrical activity, which is helpful for immediate observations.
    • Limitations: It mainly detects signals from the surface of the brain and is better at picking up signals from certain types of cell parts than others.
      • Pinpointing exactly where the brain an activity started can be difficult.

    Cost and Accessibility

    • EEG is simple and affordable compared to other methods like MRI.
    • It’s portable, doesn’t use large equipment, and is safe.

    PYQ:

    [2015] With reference to ‘Near Field Communication (NFC) Technology’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

    1. It is a contactless communication technology that uses electromagnetic radio fields.

    2. NFC is designed for use by devices which can be at a distance of even a metre from each other.

    3. NFC can use encryption when sending sensitive information.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 3 only

    (c) 1 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

  • Ratna Bhandar of Puri Jagannath Temple, opened after 46 years

    Why in the News?

    After 46 years, the sacred treasury of Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri, known as Ratna Bhandar, was reopened amid years of legal battles, controversies, and debates.

    About the Ratna Bhandar

    • The Ratna Bhandar stores the gold and jewels offered by devotees to the deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra.
    • It is located adjacent to the prayer hall on the north side of the temple.
    • It consists of two sections: the ‘Bhitar Bhandar’ (Inner Treasury) and the ‘Bahar Bhandar’ (Outer Treasury), with the last inventory in 1978 noting significant amounts of gold and silver items in both chambers.
    • Legend says, Odisha’s King Anangabhima Dev (1211 to 1238) donated 2.5 lakh madhas of gold to prepare jewellery for the almighty.
    • The Odisha government passed the Jagannath Temple Act, 1952 to have a greater role in the temple’s management, which included maintaining an inventory of the offerings in the Puri collectorate’s Record Room.

    Recent Developments:

    • The safety of the Ratna Bhandar is managed by the Temple’s Committee, chaired by the titular ‘King of Puri’ and includes IAS officers and other state-appointed members.
    • Originally, keys to the Ratna Bhandar were held by the Puri royal family, temple committee, and collectorate, with significant changes in ownership and access protocols over the years due to legal rulings.
    • The recent reopening involved breaking the locks of the inner chamber as they could not be opened traditionally, following strict procedures.

    About Jagannath Puri Temple

    • The Jagannath Temple is an important Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Jagannath, a form of Sri Krishna in Puri in Odisha.
    • The present temple was rebuilt from the 10th century onwards, on the site of an earlier temple, and begun by Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, the first king of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
    • The Puri temple is famous for its annual Ratha Yatra, or chariot festival, in which the three principal deities are pulled on huge and elaborately decorated temple cars.

    Its Architecture:

    • With its sculptural richness and fluidity of the Oriya style of temple architecture, it is one of the most magnificent monuments of India.
    • The huge temple complex covers an area of over 400,000 square feet and is surrounded by a high fortified wall.
    • This 20 feet high wall is known as Meghanada Pacheri.
    • Another wall known as kurma bedha surrounds the main temple.

    The temple has four distinct sectional structures, namely:

    1. Deula, Vimana or Garba griha (Sanctum sanctorum) where the triad deities are lodged on the ratnavedi (Throne of Pearls). In Rekha Deula style;
    2. Mukhashala (Frontal porch);
    3. Nata mandir/Natamandapa, which is also known as the Jagamohan (Audience Hall/Dancing Hall), and
    4. Bhoga Mandapa (Offerings Hall)

     

    PYQ:

    [2012] The Nagara, the Dravida and the Vesara are the:

    (a) Three main racial groups of the Indian subcontinent

    (b) Three main linguistic divisions into which the languages of India can be classified

    (c) Three main styles of Indian temple architecture

    (d) Three main musical Gharanas prevalent in India

  • Temples in News: Mahabodhi Temple, Puri Jagannath Temple

    Description

    Mahabodhi Temple Complex

    Mahabodhi Temple Tourism (Bodh Gaya) (2024) - A Complete Travel Guide
    • Location: Bodh Gaya, Bihar
    • Significance: Marks the location where Buddha attained enlightenment.
    • UNESCO Status: World Heritage Site since 2002.
    • Historical Importance: One of the four holy sites related to Buddha’s life (Enlightenment).
    • Original Construction: Built by Mauryan Emperor Ashoka around 260 BCE.
    • Reconstruction: Reconstructed in brick during the late Gupta period (5th or 6th centuries).
    • Archaeological Finds: Indicates a site of veneration since the Mauryan period; Vajrasana (Diamond Throne) dated to the third century BCE.
    • Main Temple Structure: Dates from the 6th century CE, incorporates parts from 2nd or 3rd century CE.
    • Architectural Features: Two large shikhara towers, the largest over 55 meters high; influenced Jain, Hindu, and Buddhist architecture globally.
    • Materials: Made mostly of brick covered with stucco.
    • Bodhi Tree: A direct descendant of the original tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment.
    • Traditional Accounts: Describes 7 weeks Buddha spent meditating after enlightenment at various spots within the complex.
    • Decline and Revival: Declined after the Huna and early Islamic invasions; revived under the Pala Empire (8th-12th century); declined again after 12th century CE invasions by Turk armies.

    Ratna Bhandar of Jagannath Puri Temple

    • Location: Puri, Odisha
    • Significance: Important Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Jagannath, a form of Sri Krishna
    • History: Rebuilt from the 10th century onwards, begun by Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, first king of the Eastern Ganga dynasty
    • Annual Event: Famous for its annual Ratha Yatra (chariot festival) where three principal deities are pulled on huge, elaborately decorated temple cars
    • Architecture: Oriya style of temple architecture; complex covers over 400,000 square feet, surrounded by a high fortified wall (Meghanada Pacheri); main structures include Deula (Sanctum sanctorum), Mukhashala (Frontal porch), Nata mandir/Natamandapa (Audience Hall/Dancing Hall), Bhoga Mandapa (Offerings Hall)

    Ratna Bhandar:

    • Context: The sacred treasury of Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri, known as Ratna Bhandar, was reopened after 46 years amid legal battles and controversies
    • Contents: Stores gold and jewels offered by devotees to the deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra
    • Location: Adjacent to the prayer hall on the north side of the temple.
    • Sections: Consists of two sections: the ‘Bhitar Bhandar’ (Inner Treasury) and the ‘Bahar Bhandar’ (Outer Treasury)
    • Historical Significance: Legend says Odisha’s King Anangabhima Dev (1211 to 1238) donated 2.5 lakh madhas of gold to prepare jewelry for the deities
    • Management: Safety managed by the Temple’s Committee chaired by the titular ‘King of Puri’; keys held by the Puri royal family, temple committee, and collectorate with changes over the years
    • Recent Developments: Reopened by breaking the locks of the inner chamber due to inability to open traditionally, following strict procedures

     

     

    Also in news: World Heritage Young Professional Forum

    • India is hosting the UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee meeting for the first time in New Delhi.
      • Theme: “World Heritage in the 21st Century: Building Capacities and Exploring Opportunities for Youth.”
    • The World Heritage Young Professionals Forum is an initiative by UNESCO to engage young professionals in the field of heritage conservation.
    • The first World Heritage Young Professionals Forum was organized in 1995.
    • The primary aim is to engage young professionals in heritage conservation and management through capacity building, networking, and awareness-raising.

    PYQ:

    [2012] The Nagara, the Dravida and the Vesara are the:

    (a) Three main racial groups of the Indian subcontinent

    (b) Three main linguistic divisions into which the languages of India can be classified

    (c) Three main styles of Indian temple architecture

    (d) Three main musical Gharanas prevalent in India

  • India-based Neutrino Observatory

    Why in the News?

    • Takaaki Kajita, a Nobel laureate has supported India’s pursuit of a neutrino lab.
      • Despite numerous obstacles, Kajita believes that the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) project, which would rank as one of the largest basic science projects in the country, is still worth pursuing.

    Who is Takaaki Kajita?

    • Takaaki Kajita is a Japanese physicist who was awarded the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physics for discovering the oscillations of neutrinos from one flavour to another, which proved that those subatomic particles have mass.
    • He shared the prize with Canadian physicist Arthur B. McDonald.16 May 2024

    About India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO):

    Details
    Location INO Peak near Theni, Tamil Nadu, India
    Objective Study atmospheric neutrinos and provide precise measurements of neutrino mixing parameters
    Project Scope One of the largest experimental particle physics projects in India
    Initial Completion Date Originally planned for 2015
    Key Equipment
    • Iron Calorimeter (ICAL) Detector, designed to probe Earth matter effects on neutrino propagation and determine neutrino oscillation parameters.
    • 50,000 tonnes, the world’s largest magnet, four times larger than CERN’s CMS detector magnet
    Research Goals
    • Neutrino Oscillation Parameters: Unambiguous and precise determination using atmospheric neutrinos.
    • Matter Effects: Study through electric charge identification to determine the sign of mass differences.
    • CP Violation: Investigate charge-conjugation and parity violations in the leptonic sector.
    • CPT Violation: Possible studies of charge-conjugation, parity, and time-reversal violations.
    • Kolar Events: Study possible identification of very-high-energy neutrinos and multi-muon events in Kolar Gold Fields.
    Historical Discussions Initial discussions in 1989, formal collaboration in 2001, and MoU signed in 2002
    Current Status Construction stalled as of July 2021 due to local opposition and environmental concerns; ongoing legal and governmental deliberations

     

    What is Neutrinos?

    Neutrinos, often referred to as “ghost particles,” are subatomic particles with nearly zero mass and no electric charge.

    Other issues in space:

    Last week, ISRO Chairman S Somanath expressed the possibility of engaging with the asteroid Apophis during its close approach to Earth at a distance of 32,000 km in 2029.

    What is Apophis?

    • Apophis is classified as a near-Earth asteroid (NEA), specifically a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA) due to its size and proximity to Earth’s orbit.
    • Apophis is approximately 335 meters (1,100 feet) in diameter, making it one of the larger near-Earth asteroids.
    • Discovered in 2004, Apophis initially posed a 2.7% chance of colliding with Earth, raising alarms due to its size (about 450 m wide).
    • Subsequent observations ruled out immediate collision risks in 2029, 2036, and 2068, but it will pass close to Earth in 2029 at 32,000 km.

     

    PYQ:

    [2010] India-based Neutrino Observatory is included by the planning commission as a mega-science project under the 11th Five-year plan. In this context, consider the following statements:

    1. Neutrinos are chargeless elementary particles that travel close to the speed of light.
    2. Neutrinos are created in nuclear reactions of beta decay.
    3. Neutrinos have a negligible, but non-zero mass.
    4. Trillions of Neutrinos pass through the human body every second.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    (a) 1 and 3 only

    (b) 1, 2 and 3 only

    (c) 2, 3 and 4

    (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

  • Asur Tribes to get Forest Land Rights

    Why in the News?

    The Gumla district administration in Jharkhand has announced that the Asur community, a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) residing in the Netarhat plateau region of Gumla, will soon benefit from the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.

    About Asur Community

    • The Asur tribe primarily resides in the districts of Gumla, Lohardaga, Palamu, and Latehar in Jharkhand, India.
    • They speak Asuri, a Munda language belonging to the Austroasiatic language family.
    • Traditionally, the Asur were skilled iron-smelters, practicing metallurgy using indigenous techniques.
    • Over time, many have shifted to agriculture, although some are still involved in mining work.
    • The Asur community has a traditional council (jati panch) to settle disputes.
    • They maintain kinship ties with neighboring tribes like Kharwar and Munda.

    Social Structure of Asur Community:

    • They live in forest-surrounded clearings called pats, with houses made of mud walls, wooden poles, and roofs covered with paddy straw.
    • Asurs follow a religion that combines animism, animatism, naturalism, and ancestral worship.
    • Their chief deity is Singbonga, and they celebrate festivals like Sarhul and Karma.
    • Marriage is significant, following rules of monogamy with exceptions for barrenness or widowhood.
    • Widow remarriage is allowed, and marriages occur within the tribe (endogamy).

    Back2Basics: Forest Rights Act, 2006

    Details
    Purpose Recognizes and vests forest rights in Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDST) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFD).
    Eligibility Individuals or communities residing in forest land for at least 3 generations (75 years) prior to December 13, 2005.
    Rights Recognized
    • Title Rights: Ownership up to 4 hectares for cultivation.
    • Use Rights: Includes Minor Forest Produce and grazing areas.
    • Relief and Development Rights: Rehabilitation and basic amenities in case of eviction.
    • Forest Management Rights: Conservation and sustainable use of community forest resources.
    Authority Gram Sabha initiates the process of determining Individual Forest Rights (IFR) or Community Forest Rights (CFR).
    Conservation Balances forest conservation with livelihood and food security of FDST and OTFD.

     

    PYQ:

    [2021] At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006?

    (a) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

    (b) Ministry of Panchayati Raj

    (c) Ministry of Rural Development

    (d) Ministry of Tribal Affairs

  • [pib] Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’ on 25th June Every Year

    Why in the News?

    The Government of India has decided to observe 25th June every year as ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas.’ 

    National Emergency imposition in India

    • June 25, 2025, will mark fifty years since the imposition of the Emergency.
    • The Emergency lasted from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977.
    • It was characterized by the suspension of civil liberties, press freedom, mass arrests, the cancellation of elections, and rule by decree.

    What was the Emergency?

    • PM Indira Gandhi’s government used constitutional provisions to impose sweeping executive and legislative control.
    • Opposition leaders were jailed, and fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and expression, were curtailed, leading to press censorship.
    • The federal structure was effectively converted into a unitary one, with the Union controlling state governments.
    • Parliament extended its term, made laws on state subjects, and extended the Union’s executive powers to the states.

    Legal and Constitutional Sanction

    • Article 352 allowed the President to proclaim an emergency if India’s security was threatened by war, external aggression, or armed rebellion.
    • In 1975, “internal disturbance” was used as grounds for the Emergency, citing incitements against the police and armed forces.
    • This was the only instance of emergency due to “internal disturbance,” later removed by the 44th Amendment in 1978.
      • Article 358 suspended limitations on Article 19 (“Right to freedom”).
      • Article 359 allowed the President to suspend the right to court enforcement of rights during an emergency.

    Political and Social Circumstances: A Timeline 

    • In 1974, the Navnirman movement against corruption in Gujarat led to President’s Rule.
    • Inspired by Navnirman, a student movement in Bihar, led by Jayaprakash Narayan (JP), aimed to cleanse the country of corruption and misgovernance.
    • In May 1974, George Fernandes led a massive railway workers’ strike.
    • On June 5, 1974, JP called for “Sampoorna Kranti” (total revolution).
    • On June 12, 1975, Justice Jagmohanlal Sinha of the Allahabad High Court convicted Indira Gandhi of electoral malpractice.
    • On June 25, 1975, President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed signed the Proclamation of Emergency, cutting power to major newspapers and informing the Cabinet the next morning.

    Impact on Opposition Leaders, Media, and Political Dissenters

    • Almost all opposition leaders, including JP, were detained under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA).
    • Newspapers faced pre-censorship, with UNI and PTI merged into a state-controlled agency, Samachar.
    • More than 250 journalists were jailed, and The Indian Express resisted by printing blank spaces when stories were censored.
    • Sanjay Gandhi’s “five-point programme” included forced family planning and slum clearance, leading to forced sterilizations and violent clashes.

    Sanjay Gandhi’s “Five-Point Programme”

    Sanjay Gandhi, the younger son of then PM, Mrs. Indira Gandhi had come forward with a programme to ‘improve’ the condition of the poor people.

    His programme can be divided under five Headings, i.e.

    1. Adult Education.
    2. To abolish Dowry.
    3. To Grow more trees.
    4. Family planning – only two children.
    5. Eradication of caste system.

    Legal Changes during the Emergency

    • With opposition leaders in jail, Parliament passed amendments barring judicial review of the Emergency and securing the Prime Minister’s election.
    • The 42nd Amendment expanded Union authority over states and gave Parliament unbridled power to amend the Constitution.
    • In ADM Jabalpur vs. Shivkant Shukla (1976), the Supreme Court ruled that detention without trial was legal during an emergency, with Justice H.R. Khanna dissenting.

    Lifting the Emergency and Aftermath

    • Indira Gandhi lifted the Emergency in early 1977, leading to her defeat in the elections.
    • The Janata Party emerged victorious, with Morarji Desai becoming India’s first non-Congress Prime Minister.
    • The Janata government reversed many constitutional changes from the 42nd Amendment, made judicial review of emergency proclamations possible, and removed “internal disturbance” as grounds for emergency imposition.

    PYQ:

    [2022] Which of the following is/are the exclusive power(s) of Lok Sabha?

    1. To ratify the declaration of Emergency
    2. To pass a motion of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers
    3. To impeach the President of India

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1 and 2

    (b) 2 only

    (c) 1 and 3

    (d) 3 only

  • Species in News

    Description

    Cyrtobagus salvinia
    • Context: Used to eradicate the invasive weed Salvinia molesta from the Sarani reservoir in Betul district, Madhya Pradesh.
    • Biological Details: Exotic beetle from Brazil, targets and eradicates Salvinia molesta, dies naturally post-eradication.
    • Bioremediation: Implemented by ICAR-DWR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Directorate of Weed Research), started in April 2022, completed within 15 to 18 months.
    • Economic and Social Impact: Restored livelihoods for fishermen by reviving fish populations; initial challenges included high cost and impracticality of manual removal.
    • Conservation Status: No risk, as the beetle dies naturally after eradicating the weed.

    Squalus hima

     
    • Context: Newly discovered species of deep-water dogfish shark found in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Kerala.
    • Biological Details: Genus Squalus, family Squalidae, commonly known as spurdogs; differs in vertebrae count, teeth, and fin structure from other species.
    • Discovery: Discovered by Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) at Sakthikulangara fishing harbour, Kerala; significant for new species identification and conservation.
    • Economic and Social Impact: Important for commercial products like liver oil used in cosmetics and anti-cancer products; challenges include high exploitation for liver oil, fins, and meat.
    • Conservation Status: Critical due to high commercial exploitation for liver oil, fins, and meat; important for conservation efforts.

     

    PYQ:

    [2018] Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in the news?

    (a) Its extract is widely used in cosmetics.

    (b) It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows.

    (c) Its extract is used in the synthesis of pesticides.

    (d) None of the above.

     

    [2019] Consider the following pairs:

    Wildlife Naturally found in
    1. Blue-finned Mahseer Cauvery River
    2. Irrawaddy Dolphin Chambal River
    3. Rusty-spotted Cat Eastern Ghats

    Which of the pairs given correctly matched?

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 2 and 3 only

    (c) 1 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

  • Zoological Survey of India’s Report on Animal Discoveries 2023

    Why in the News?

    A report titled “Animal Discoveries 2023” by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) highlights significant new species findings in Maharashtra and across India.

    New Species in Maharashtra:

    • Maharashtra recorded 14 new animal species in 2023, with two species reported for the first time in India.
    • Notably, among the 25 Arachnid species reported for the first time in India, two belong to Maharashtra—Steatoda Erigoniformis and Myrmarachne Spissa.
    1. Steatoda Erigoniformis: It is a species of spider known for its resemblance to the more dangerous black widow spiders. They are commonly referred to as “false widow spiders.”
    2. Myrmarachne Spissa: It is part of a group of spiders that mimic ants in appearance and behaviour, a trait known as myrmecomorphy. Previously reported in Sri Lanka, Myrmarachne Spissa’s discovery in Pune marks its first report from India, highlighting the region’s biodiversity significance.

    Key Findings from the ZSI Report:

    • National Discoveries:
      • In 2023, Indian scientists reported a total of 641 new discoveries, including 442 new species and 199 new records for India.
      • This includes the discovery of 19 new genera. As of January 1, 2024, India’s faunal diversity stands at 104,561 species, with the additions in 2023 constituting 6.65% of the global faunal diversity.
    • Categories of Discoveries:
      • Invertebrates accounted for the majority of new discoveries with 564 species, while vertebrates contributed 77 species.
      • Among invertebrates, insects led with 369 new species, while vertebrates were dominated by fish with 47 species, followed by reptiles, amphibians, and mammals.
    • Regional Distribution:
      • Kerala reported the highest number of new discoveries (101), followed by West Bengal (72), Tamil Nadu (64), Arunachal Pradesh (45), Karnataka (45), and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (36).
      • Southern India consistently reports the highest number of species.

     

    Back2Basics: Zoological Survey of India

    • The ZSI was set up by British zoologist Thomas Nelson Annandale, in 1916.
    • It is the premier taxonomic research organisation in India based in Kolkata.
    • It was established to promote surveys, exploration and research leading to the advancement of our knowledge of various aspects of the exceptionally rich animal life of India.
    • The ZSI had its genesis as the Zoological Section of the Indian Museum at Calcutta in 1875.
    • Since its inception, the ZSI has been documenting the diversity and distribution of the fauna of India towards carrying out its mandate of conducting exploration-cum-taxonomic-research programmes.
    • The ZSI has published an extremely large amount of information on all animal taxa, from Protozoa to Mammalia.

     

    PYQ:

    [2020] With reference to India’s Biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned minivet and White-throated redstart are:

    (a) Birds

    (b) Primates

    (c) Reptiles

    (d) Amphibians