What do understand by the concept of “freedom of speech and expression”? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do films in India stand on a slightly different plane from other forms of expression? Discuss.
What is the Right to Free Speech?
Freedom: Article 19(1) (a) guarantees the freedom of speech and expression to all citizens. It is the first condition of liberty and plays an important role in forming public opinion.
Restrictions: As per Article 19(2), restrictions can be imposed upon the freedom of speech and expression in the interests of:
Sovereignty and integrity of India,
Security of the state,
Friendly relations with foreign states,
Public order, decency or morality, or
In relation to contempt of court,
Defamation, or
Incitement to an offense
Online Discourse: The proliferation of social media platforms necessitates a nuanced understanding of free speech rights in the digital realm, balancing individual liberties with societal interests.
Immunity for Politicians: For politicians, while they enjoy the right to free speech, they are also subject to certain limitations. Criticism of the government or its policies is generally allowed as long as it does not incite violence or hatred.
Legal Conundrum over Digital Defamation
Background: Kejriwal faced defamation charges for retweeting a video by a YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, alleging defamatory statements against the BJP’s IT cell.
Legal Proceedings: The Delhi High Court upheld the summons issued to Kejriwal, citing the widespread impact of retweets by public figures.
Constitutional Considerations: The right to free speech, protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution, is subject to reasonable restrictions, including defamation laws under Article 19(2).
Retweeting vs. Endorsement: The court’s intervention underscores the distinction between retweeting and endorsing content. While retweeting may not always signify endorsement, public figures are held to a higher standard of responsibility for their online actions.
Defamation Laws: Indian law, as delineated in Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code, criminalizes statements intended to harm an individual’s reputation. However, applying these laws to online communication poses unique challenges.
Legal Precedents and Interpretations
Shreya Singhal vs. Union of India (2015): Section 66A of The IT Act, 2000, had criminalised sending “offensive messages” utilizing “a computer resource or a communication device”. This provision was quashed by the SC given the ambiguity in the definition of the term “offensive”.
Subramanian Swamy vs. Union of India (2016): The Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of criminal defamation laws, balancing the right to reputation with freedom of expression.
Kaushal Kishore vs. Union of India (2017): The Court clarified that additional restrictions on free speech must align with Article 19(2) and cannot be arbitrarily imposed.
Implications for Online Discourse
Scope of Defamation: Online retweets amplify the dissemination of allegedly defamatory content, raising questions about liability and accountability.
Responsibility of Public Figures: Public figures like Kejriwal face heightened scrutiny for their online activities, given their influence and reach on social media platforms.
Conclusion
This defamation case underscores the evolving dynamics of communication in the digital age.
As online discourse continues to shape public opinion, striking a balance between freedom of expression and legal safeguards against defamation remains a pressing challenge.
The Supreme Court’s intervention provides an opportunity to reassess existing laws and norms governing online speech, ensuring that rights and responsibilities are harmonized in the digital realm.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Fiscal Deficit, Capital Expenditure
Mains level: NA
In the news
Capital Expenditure Decline: In January, the Centre’s capital expenditure saw a significant decline of 40.5%, totaling ₹47,600 crore compared to ₹80,000 crore in the previous year.
Fiscal Deficit Widening: By the end of January, the fiscal deficit reached 64% of the revised estimates for 2023-24. Despite challenges in expenditure, the government seems poised to meet the revised deficit target of 5.8% of GDP for the year.
What is Fiscal Deficit?
Definition: Fiscal deficit is the excess of total disbursements from the Consolidated Fund of India over total receipts, excluding debt repayment, within a financial year.
Formula: Fiscal Deficit = Total expenditure of the government (capital and revenue expenditure) – Total income of the government (Revenue receipts + recovery of loans + other receipts).
Government Income
Revenue receipts: This includes tax revenues collected by the government from various sources such as income tax, corporate tax, and indirect taxes like GST.
Capital receipts: This encompasses borrowings, disinvestments, and other sources of income.
Tax revenues: Income from GST and other taxes.
Non-tax revenues: Including interest receipts, dividends and profits, external grants, and receipts from union territories.
Other non-tax revenues: Revenue from fiscal, social, and economic services.
Government Expenditure
Revenue Expenditure: Spending on day-to-day operations including salaries, subsidies, and interest payments.
Capital Expenditure: Investment in infrastructure, acquisition of assets, and long-term projects.
Interest Payments: Amount paid by the government as interest on its borrowings.
Grants-in-aid for the creation of capital assets: Funds provided for the creation of capital assets such as roads, bridges, and public buildings.
Impact of economic sectors shut during the pandemic: Closure of economic activities leading to decreased tax revenues.
Government’s missed disinvestment targets: Failure to achieve disinvestment targets resulting in lower capital receipts.
[2] Rise in Expenditure
Factors contributing to high inflation: High inflation rates increasing import and borrowing costs.
Importance of social infrastructure investment: Emphasis on social infrastructure for inclusive growth and employment.
External market volatilities affecting Indian expenditure: Dependency on imports exposing India to external market fluctuations.
Unproductive expenditures like subsidies: Essential but unproductive expenditures adding to fiscal pressure.
[3] Rise in Borrowings
Need for market borrowing for policy implementations: Borrowing for policy measures such as bank recapitalization, farm loan waivers, and UDAY.
Implications of Fiscal Deficit
Vicious circle of borrowing and repayment: Continuous borrowing to repay loans leading to a debt trap.
Inflation: Increased borrowing leading to higher interest rates and inflation.
Reduced private sector borrowing: Government borrowing reducing borrowing opportunities for the private sector.
Discouragement of private investment: Inflation and limited financing discouraging private investment.
Risk of credit rating downgrade: High borrowing increasing the risk of credit rating downgrade.
Limits Revenue Spending: Rising fiscal deficit affecting government allowances like dearness allowance and dearness relief.
Foreign Dependence: Borrowing from foreign sources increasing dependence and exposure to external fiscal policies.
Measures for Control: FRBM Act, 2003
The FRBM Act aims to instil fiscal discipline and ensure inter-generational equity in fiscal management, promoting long-term macro-economic stability.
Targets:
Limit fiscal deficit to 3% of GDP by March 31, 2009.
Completely eliminate revenue deficit.
Reduce liabilities to 50% of estimated GDP by 2011.
Prohibit direct borrowing from RBI to monetize the deficit.
Escape Clause: Section 4(2) of the Act allows the Centre to exceed annual fiscal deficit targets under specific circumstances, such as national security, calamity, agricultural collapse, or structural reforms.
Review Committee: In May 2016, a committee under NK Singh was formed to review the FRBM Act. Recommendations included targeting a fiscal deficit of 3% of GDP until March 31, 2020, reducing it to 2.8% in 2020-21, and further to 2.5% by 2023.
Current Targets:
The latest provisions of the FRBM Act mandate limiting fiscal deficit to 3% of GDP by March 31, 2021.
Central government debt should not exceed 40% of GDP by 2024-25, among other stipulations.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Social behaviours of elephant, Project Elephant
Mains level: NA
In the news
A recent study aims to delve into the peri-mortem and post-mortem strategies of Asian elephants, offering insights into their behavior in shared human spaces amid environmental changes.
The study area covered fragmented forests, tea estates, agricultural lands, and military establishments in the vicinity of the Gorumara Wildlife Division and Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal.
Elephants in India
Details
Population Estimate
India hosts the largest population of wild Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus), with around 29,964 individuals,
Approximately 60% of the global population (2017 census).
Leading States
Karnataka holds the highest number of elephants, followed by Assam and Kerala.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Endangered.
CMS: Appendix I.
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Listed under Schedule I,
CITES: Appendix I.
Conservation Initiatives
Project Elephant launched in 1992, covering 23 states across India.
Contributed to the increase in wild elephant population from around 25,000 in 1992 to about 30,000 in 2021.
Establishment of Elephant Reserves. Total 33 in numbers covering approximately 80,777 Sq.km.
Recent findings
Peri-Mortem Strategies: Asian elephants were found to carry carcasses by trunks and legs before burying them in a ‘legs upright’ position.
Herding Behavior: Elephant herds exhibit avoidance behavior, choosing parallel routes to bypass paths where calf carcasses were buried.
Burial Locations: Calves were buried in irrigation drains of tea estates, indicating a preference for specific locations.
Herding Dynamics: The unique positioning of carcasses suggests careful handling by herd members, highlighting their care and affection toward deceased calves.
Space Constraints: Prioritizing the burial of the head before the feet indicates strategic decision-making in situations of spatial limitations.
Environmental Context and Elephant Behavior
Impact of Environmental Changes: Rapid environmental transformations and habitat destruction push elephants to explore human-dominated areas, resulting in the emergence of novel behaviors.
Limited Documentation: While similar behaviors are documented in African contexts, elephant calf burial in the Asian context remains largely undocumented.
General Social Behaviour of Elephants
Elephants exhibit a wide range of social behaviors that highlight their complex and intelligent nature.
Matrilineal Social Structure: Elephants live in multi-tiered societies, starting with family units consisting of related females and their calves. These family units form bonds with other families, creating clans and sub-populations. The herds are led by a senior matriarch who makes decisions on movement and resources.
Communication: Elephants communicate through various calls, gestures, and physical contact. They have a sophisticated communication system involving over sixty different calls, including trumpets and rumbles that convey information across long distances.
Empathy and Mourning: Elephants display empathy by comforting distressed companions through physical contact and vocal sounds. They have been observed mourning their dead, showing behaviors akin to mourning seen in humans.
Cooperative Behavior: Elephant herds cooperate in raising their young, with adolescent females assisting in caring for calves. They also engage in cooperative actions like adopting an infant tormented by predators or helping wounded elephants by stopping bleeding and providing support.
Individual Personalities: Elephants have distinct personalities that influence their interactions within the group. Some elephants show strong leadership qualities, while others are more introverted. These individual traits impact how they interact with other elephants.
Try this PYQ from CSP 2020:
Q. With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements:
The leader of an elephant group is a female.
The maximum gestation period can be 22 months.
An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only.
Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: UNEA-6, Membership of UNEA
Mains level: NA
In the news
The Sixth Assembly session of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEA-6) was convened at its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
It focussed on the pivotal role of multilateralism in addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Abut United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA)
Details
Purpose
Highest-level decision-making body on environmental matters within the United Nations system.
Establishment
Established in 2012 during the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20).
Frequency
Typically convenes every two years in Nairobi, Kenya.
Membership
Consists of all 193 UN Member States and representatives from observer countries and organizations.
Decision-Making
Adopts resolutions and decisions on global environmental issues.
UNEA-6: Theme and Focus
Theme: Effective, inclusive, and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Focus: Planning the role of multilateralism in shaping global environmental policy to combat the pressing challenges facing our planet.
Key Outcomes
[A] Environmental Multilateralism
High-Level Dialogues: UNEA-6 dedicated a day to discussing cooperation and convergence with multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), emphasizing effective implementation at both national and global levels.
Importance: MEAs play a critical role in addressing specific environmental issues at national, regional, and global levels, providing essential frameworks for international environmental governance.
[B] Energy Transition to Renewable Sources
Rapid Adoption of Renewable Energy: The session emphasized the need for three times the current renewable energy capacity by 2030 to foster a nature and people-positive planet.
Global Standards Development: Efforts are underway to establish globally acceptable standards for renewable energy, ensuring environmental sustainability and responsible sourcing of minerals.
[C] Plastic Pollution
Call for Action: Discussions centered on a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, aiming to introduce strong reuse provisions and harmonize definitions of reuse and circularity.
Current Scenario: More than half of global plastic production comprises single-use plastics, with significant leakage into the environment.
[D] Role of Nature-Based Solutions
Potential: Nature-based solutions, including reforestation and land restoration, offer promising avenues to combat the climate crisis and restore biodiversity.
Financial Constraints: Despite their potential, nature-based solutions receive only a fraction of the required funding, highlighting the need for increased investment and innovative financing mechanisms.
Conclusion
As UNEA-6 unfolds, stakeholders worldwide are poised to collaborate and drive actionable solutions to safeguard our planet for future generations.
Why in the News? Recently, the former SC judge A.M. Khanwilkar has been appointed as Lokpal chairperson.
More details on the news:
The Lokpal has been working without its regular Chief after Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose completed his term on May 27, 2022. Justice Pradip Kumar Mohanty, a judicial member of the Lokpal, is currently the acting chairperson.
Former High Court judges Lingappa Narayana Swamy, Sanjay Yadav and Ritu Raj Awasthi have been appointed as judicial members of the Lokpal.
About Lokpal:
The Lokpal is established up under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013 to investigate corruption allegations against public functionaries.
Former Supreme Court Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose assumed office as the first Lokpal chairperson in March 2019.
India is a signatory to the United Nations Convention against Corruption. The establishment of Lokpal reflects the government’s commitment to clean and responsive governance by combating corruption.
Composition of Lokpal:
The Lokpal consists of a chairperson and eight members – four judicial and four non-judicial.
Appointed by the President of India for a 5-year term or until they reach 70 years of age, whichever comes first.
Appointment Process: The President appoints the Chairperson and Members based on recommendations from a Selection Committee comprising the Prime Minister, Speaker of the House of the People, Leader of Opposition in the House of the People, Chief Justice of India or a nominated Supreme Court Judge, and an eminent jurist nominated by the President.
Lokpal’s Jurisdiction:
The Lokpal investigates corruption allegations against current or former Prime Ministers, Union Ministers, Members of Parliament, and officials in Groups A, B, C, and D of the Union Government.
It extends to chairpersons, members, officers, and directors of entities established by an Act of Parliament or funded by the Union or State government.
The jurisdiction includes societies, trusts, or bodies receiving foreign contributions exceeding ₹10 lakh (approximately US$14,300 as of 2019)
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Indian Leopard
Mains level: Read the attached story
In the news
The Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, released the report on the Status of Leopards in India at New Delhi.
About Indian Leopard
The Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) is a leopard subspecies widely distributed on the Indian subcontinent.
These are the smallest of the big cats.
They are known for their ability to adapt to a variety of habitats.
They are strong and agile predators that can climb trees and drag their prey up for safety.
Conservation Status:
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
CITES: Appendix I
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
About the Fifth Cycle of Leopards Estimation
The fifth cycle leopard population estimation was conducted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII), in collaboration with State Forest Departments.
It covered 18 States of India, and focused on about 70% of the animals’ expected habitat.
The estimation focused on forested habitats within 18 tiger states, covering major tiger conservation landscapes. Non-forested and high Himalayan regions were excluded.
A comprehensive foot survey spanning 6,41,449 km and camera traps at 32,803 locations resulted in 85,488 photo-captures of leopards, providing valuable insights into their distribution and abundance.
Key Findings
Population Estimate: India’s leopard population is estimated at 13,874 individuals, signifying stability compared to the 2018 estimate. Notably, this estimation covers 70% of leopard habitat, excluding areas like the Himalayas and semi-arid regions.
Regional Trends: While Central India witnesses a stable or slightly growing population, regions like the Shivalik hills and Gangetic plains experience a decline. Overall, there’s a 1.08% per annum growth in sampled areas.
State-wise Distribution: Madhya Pradesh houses the largest population of leopards in the country – 3907 (2018: 3421), followed by Maharashtra (2022: 1985; 2018: 1,690), Karnataka (2022: 1,879 ; 2018: 1,783) and Tamil Nadu (2022: 1,070; 2018: 868).
Habitats: Tiger Reserves or sites with highest leopard population are, Nagarajunasagar Srisailam (AP), followed by Panna (MP), and Satpura (AP).
Declining Trends: While Uttarakhand reported a 22% decline in the big cat numbers — reportedly due to poaching and man-animal conflict, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and West Bengal saw a collective 150% rise to 349 animals.
Try this PYQ from CSP 2012
Q. Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species?
(a) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass
(b) Kashmir Stag, Cheetal, Blue Bull and Great Indian Bustard
(c) Snow Leopard, Swamp Deer, Rhesus Monkey and Saras (Crane)
(d) Lion-tailed Macaque, Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur and Cheetal
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Mains level: Hydrogen as a clean fuel
In the news
Prime Minister has unveiled India’s maiden indigenous hydrogen fuel cell ferry, a groundbreaking achievement in the country’s maritime sector.
About Harit Nauka Initiative
In January 2024, the Shipping Ministry unveiled the guidelines for inland vessels.
As per the guidelines, all states have to make efforts to use green fuels for 50 per cent of inland waterways-based passenger fleets in the next one decade, and 100 per cent by 2045.
This is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as per the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Ferry: Key Features
Design: The 24-meter-long catamaran ferry accommodates up to 50 passengers in its air-conditioned area, constructed with high-quality fiberglass reinforced plastic.
Manufacture: Manufactured by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), the vessel will revolutionize water transportation and contribute to India’s green mobility initiatives.
Propulsion: Powered by a 50-kW Proton-Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell and Lithium-Ion Phosphate batteries, the vessel operates with zero emissions and minimal noise, offering enhanced energy efficiency.
Energy Source: Hydrogen fuel, stored in five cylinders onboard, fuels the vessel’s propulsion system, supplemented by a 3-kW solar panel for additional energy generation.
Operational Mechanism
Hydrogen Fuel Cells: The vessel utilizes hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity by harnessing the chemical energy of hydrogen, emitting only pure water as a byproduct.
Continuous Operation: Unlike conventional batteries, hydrogen fuel cells do not require recharging, ensuring continuous operation with uninterrupted fuel and oxygen supply.
Indigenous Development
Collaborative Effort: Cochin Shipyard Limited spearheaded the vessel’s construction, incorporating indigenous hydrogen fuel cell systems developed by KPIT Technologies and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Labs.
Early Mover Advantage: India’s pioneering hydrogen fuel cell ferry underscores the nation’s commitment to green technology and positions it as a frontrunner in maritime sustainability.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Roen Olmi Mushroom
Mains level: NA
In the news
Researchers in Goa have successfully synthesized gold nanoparticles from a wild mushroom species known as Roen Olmi, which is widely consumed as a delicacy in the coastal state.
About Roen Olmi Mushroom
Species: Roen Olmi belongs to the Termitomyces species and is found growing on termite hills.
Local Name: Locally known as “roen olmi” in Goa, it is a popular edible wild mushroom enjoyed by the locals, especially during the monsoon season.
Habitat: Endemic to the Western Ghats, Roen Olmi mushrooms thrive in the thick forest cover and high humidity prevalent in the region.
Ecological Significance: These mushrooms play a crucial role in forest and grassland ecosystems by converting 50% of dead plant material into nutrient-rich soil. They also possess antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
Cultural and Medicinal Value: Roen Olmi mushrooms are valued not only for their nutritional attributes but also for their ethno-medicinal significance in indigenous communities across Asia and Africa.
Implications and Future Directions
Economic Impact: The breakthrough has significant economic implications, especially in the biomedical and biotechnological sectors, where the demand for gold nanoparticles is expected to rise.
Environmental Sustainability: Unlike conventional methods that employ toxic chemical agents, the use of Roen Olmi mushrooms offers an eco-friendly approach to mass-producing gold nanoparticles.
Local Community Benefits: The researchers advocate for the conservation and sustainable use of this valuable resource, emphasizing the importance of sharing benefits with the local community in accordance with the Nagoya Protocol.
Try this PYQ from CSP 2021
In the nature, which of the following is/are most likely to be found surviving on a surface without soil?
Fern
Lichen
Moss
Mushroom
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Context Windows
Mains level: Recent breakthrough in AI
In the news
In conversations with AI chatbots like ChatGPT, the text the AI can “see” or “read” at any given moment is determined by its context window.
The context window, measured in tokens, defines the amount of conversation the AI can process and respond to during a chat session.
What are Context Windows?
Tokens: Basic units of data processed by AI models, tokens represent words, parts of words, or characters.
Tokenisation: The process of converting text into vectors (format suitable) for input into machine learning models.
Example: For English text, one token is roughly equivalent to four characters. Thus, a context window of 32,000 tokens translates to around 128,000 characters.
Importance of Context Windows
Recall and Understanding: Context windows enable AI models to recall information from earlier in the conversation and understand contextual nuances.
Generating Responses: They help AI models generate responses that are contextually relevant and human-like in nature.
Functioning of Context Windows
Sliding Window Approach: Context windows work by sliding a window over the input text, focusing on one word at a time.
Scope of Information: The size of the context window determines the scope of contextual information assimilated by the AI system.
Context Window Sizes
Advancements: Recent AI models like GPT-4 Turbo and Google’s Gemini 1.5 Pro boast context window sizes of up to 128K tokens and 1 million tokens, respectively.
Benefits: Larger context windows allow models to reference more information, maintain coherence in longer passages, and generate contextually rich responses.
Challenges and Considerations
Computational Power: Larger context windows require significant computational power during training and inference, leading to higher hardware costs and energy consumption.
Repetition and Contradiction: AI models with large context windows may encounter issues such as repeating or contradicting themselves.
Accessibility: The high resource requirements of large context windows may limit access to advanced AI capabilities to large corporations with substantial infrastructure investments.
Conclusion
Context windows play a vital role in enabling AI chatbots to engage in meaningful conversations by recalling context and generating relevant responses.
While larger context windows offer benefits in terms of performance and response quality, they also pose challenges related to computational resources and environmental sustainability.
Balancing these factors is essential for the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
Mains level: NA
In the news
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister, has approved the establishment of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) with headquarters in India.
About the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
Objective: The IBCA aims to spearhead efforts towards the protection and conservation of the 7 major big cats: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah.
Funding: The Government of India has pledged an initial support of Rs. 150 crore for the first five years. Additionally, the alliance will explore contributions from bilateral and multilateral agencies, financial institutions, and donor agencies to augment its corpus.
Membership: Membership to the alliance will be open to 96 “range” countries, which are nations containing the natural habitat of the seven big cats.
Activities: The alliance’s activities will include advocacy, partnership building, knowledge dissemination through an e-portal, capacity building, eco-tourism promotion, and financial resource mobilization.
Governance Structure
Composition: The governance structure of IBCA includes a General Assembly comprising all member countries, a Council of elected member countries, and a Secretariat.
Appointment: The General Assembly appoints the Secretary General of IBCA upon the recommendation of the Council.
Framework: The alliance’s governance framework, drafted on the lines of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), will be finalised by the International Steering Committee (ISC).
India’s Role in Big Cat Conservation
Big Cat Diversity: India is home to five of the seven major big cats: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, and cheetah.
Conservation Efforts: India has undertaken significant conservation efforts, as reflected in the increase in tiger and lion populations. For instance, India now hosts about 70% of the world’s tiger population, and the Asiatic lion population in Gir National Park has shown steady growth.
Cheetah Reintroduction: Cheetahs, once extinct in India since 1952, have been reintroduced into the wild. Eight cheetahs were imported from Namibia and released into the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh in November 2022.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Cannabis , THCBD, NDPS Act, Exception for 'Bhang'
Mains level: Therapeutic uses of narcotic substances
In the news
Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) has long intrigued psychiatrists due to its impact on mood and cognition, prompting research into its potential therapeutic applications for conditions like schizophrenia and mood disorders.
Do you know?
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 regulates cannabis by defining it under Section 2(iii) of the act.
Cannabis, also known as hemp, includes various forms such as charas (resin), ganja (flowering or fruiting tops), and any mixture or drink prepared from these forms.
However, interestingly, bhang, a preparation of cannabis, is NOT covered under this act and remains beyond its purview.
Bhang is permitted for production and sale by many States as it falls outside the definition of cannabis under the NDPS Act.
What is Cannabis?
Cannabis, also known as marijuana, weed, pot, or ganja, is a genus of flowering plants that belongs to the Cannabaceae family.
It is primarily known for its psychoactive properties due to the presence of compounds such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
This THC interacts with the brain’s cannabinoid receptors, resulting in various effects including relaxation, euphoria, altered perception of time, and increased appetite.
The plant contains over 100 different cannabinoids, with THC and cannabidiol (CBD) being the most well-known and studied.
Why discuss this?
Researchers at the University of British Columbia initiated a clinical trial to explore the efficacy of cannabidiol (CBD) in treating bipolar depression, offering promise for addressing depressive episodes in bipolar disorder.
While delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, CBD has garnered attention for its potential antipsychotic and neuroprotective effects.
Understanding the Cannabinoid System
Receptor Mechanisms: The human cannabinoid system, comprising CB1 and CB2 receptors, plays a crucial role in modulating various bodily functions, including pain, memory, and appetite, with THC exerting acute effects on motor control and memory.
Endo-cannabinoid System (ECS): The ECS, governed by endogenous molecules, regulates neurotransmitter activity, influencing mood and cognitive processes.
Therapeutic Applications
Medical Uses: THC and synthetic cannabinoids are utilized to stimulate appetite, alleviate nausea, and manage pain associated with conditions like HIV-AIDS and cancer.
Addiction and Withdrawal: Debate surrounds the addictive potential of THC, with animal studies suggesting addictive responses and withdrawal symptoms upon cessation of heavy use.
Psychiatric Implications
Mood Effects: Cannabis’ impact on mood is multifaceted, with reports suggesting associations with depression and bipolar disorder, although rigorous scientific scrutiny is lacking.
Psychotic Risks: Individuals with psychotic illnesses, including schizophrenia, exhibit heightened susceptibility to cannabis-induced psychotic symptoms, with youth cannabis use potentially advancing the onset of schizophrenia in genetically vulnerable individuals.
Policy Considerations
Global Trends: The global trend toward legalizing medical and recreational cannabis underscores the need for informed policymaking to mitigate risks, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children and individuals with mental illnesses.
Decriminalization Debate: Broader debates on decriminalization necessitate measures to prevent commercialization and ensure safeguards against misuse, emphasizing protection for vulnerable segments of society.
Conclusion
Navigating the complexities of cannabis necessitates a balanced approach, leveraging its therapeutic potential while addressing associated risks through evidence-based policymaking and clinical interventions.
Back2Basics: Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985
The NDPS Act is a comprehensive law that consolidates and amends the existing laws relating to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in India.
The Act prohibits the manufacture, cultivation, possession, sale, purchase, transport, storage, or consumption of drugs without permission from appropriate authorities.
Violations are punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a minimum of 10 years and a fine.
Lesser punishments are mandated for illegal possession in small quantities for personal consumption.
The Act also provides for the forfeiture of property derived from, or used in, illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Drugs covered include:
Narcotic Drugs: Coca leaf, cannabis (hemp), opium, poppy straw, and their manufactured goods.
Psychotropic Substances: Any substance that modifies the mind, including amphetamine, methaqualone, diazepam, alprazolam, ketamine, etc.
Other substances: Cocaine, morphine, diacetylmorphine, or any other narcotic drug or any psychotropic substance as may be specified on this behalf by the Central Government.
Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Indian Constitution - historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Article 371A, Rat Hole Mining
Mains level: Special Provisions for NE States
In the news
The Nagaland CM is facing pressure to regulate coal mining after a tragic incident where six miners died in an explosion.
The unique land rights granted under Article 371A of the Indian Constitution have complicated efforts to control illegal coal mining activities.
Article 371A: Special Provisions for Nagaland
Details
Historical Context
Established in 1963 for Nagaland, recognizing its autonomy after the Naga people’s struggle.
Religious & Social Practices
Protects Naga tribes’ customs, traditions, and religious practices from external interference.
Customary Laws
Allows continuation of indigenous legal systems and traditional methods of justice.
**Autonomy
Grants Nagaland autonomy in managing its land, forests, and natural resources.
Legislation
Reserves seats in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly for various tribes and communities.
Special Rights
Aims to protect Naga people’s rights and promote socio-cultural development within the state.
Why discuss this?
Rat-hole Mining: Nagaland’s coal mining policy, permitting rat-hole mining due to the scattered nature of coal deposits, presents challenges for effective regulation.
Licensing Restrictions: Small pocket deposit licenses, awarded to individual landowners, impose limitations on lease duration, mining area, and machinery usage, as outlined in the Nagaland Coal Policy (First Amendment) of 2014.
Conclusion
The intersection of constitutional provisions, traditional land rights, and regulatory frameworks poses complex challenges for the Nagaland government in its endeavour to address illegal coal mining activities.
As legislative deliberations continue, concerted efforts towards public awareness, regulatory reforms, and enforcement actions remain imperative for safeguarding both natural resources and community welfare in the state.
Despite the recent agreement between India and Nepal, discussions over the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project (PMP) remain deadlocked.
About Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project (PMP)
It is a bi-national project between India and Nepal, aimed primarily at energy production and enhancing irrigation in both countries.
It involves the construction of a 315-meter high dam across the River Mahakali (Sarada in India).
It forms an 80 km long reservoir with a surface area of 116 km square and a total gross storage volume of about 11.35 billion cubic meters.
Once completed, the PMP is expected to have a capacity of 5,040 megawatts (MW) and will be among the tallest dams globally, with an estimated cost ranging from Rs. 401.84 billion to Rs. 500 billion.
The project’s objectives include energy productionandirrigation enhancement, but environmentalists have raised concerns about its potential impact on the region’s ecology and local communities.
This project underscores the progress of the Mahakali Treaty signed in February 1996 between India and Nepal includes provisions for the integrated development of the Mahakali River basin.
Obstacles to Progress
Benefit Sharing: Disagreements arise over the distribution of benefits, with India receiving a larger share of irrigation benefits while Nepal emphasizes the value of water as a precious resource.
Political and Bureaucratic Challenges: Political considerations, including impending elections in India and domestic political fragility in Nepal, hinder progress. Bureaucratic concerns further impede consensus-building.
Back2Basics: Mahakali Treaty
Details
Mahakali River
Also known as Sharda River or Kali Ganga in Uttarakhand.
Joins Ghagra River in Uttar Pradesh, a tributary of the Ganga.
Signatories and Date
Signed between Nepal and India on February 12, 1996.
Objective
Aimed at the integrated development of the Mahakali River, including projects like the Sarada Barrage, Tanakpur Barrage, and Pancheshwar Project.
Ratification Process
Required a two-thirds majority in the combined session of both houses of the Nepalese parliament.
Faced opposition and scrutiny from parliamentarians during the process.
Establishment of Commission
Provision for the establishment of a Mahakali River Commission to oversee and regulate matters outlined in the treaty.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Jacaranda Trees
Mains level: Impact of climate change on plants blossoms
Introduction
Mexico City’s iconic jacaranda trees, known for their stunning purple blooms in spring, are experiencing an unusual phenomenon this year, with some trees blooming as early as January instead of their typical spring awakening.
AboutJacaranda Trees
Jacaranda is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Bignoniaceae.
Native to tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America, with some species found in the Caribbean and Africa.
Known for its stunning clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of purple, blue, or white, Jacaranda trees are prized as ornamental plants in parks, gardens, and urban landscapes worldwide.
Jacaranda trees hold cultural significance in various regions, such as Brazil, where their blooming heralds the arrival of spring, and South Africa, where they are commonly planted in urban areas.
Some species of Jacaranda produce valuable timber, prized for its lightweight nature, durability, and attractive grain pattern, suitable for furniture and decorative woodworking.
While generally not invasive, Jacaranda trees can become weedy in introduced regions, though their ornamental value often outweighs any negative impacts, making them well-tolerated in urban landscapes.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR), Melanism in Tigers
Mains level: NA
In the news
The Odisha government’s estimation of the tiger population in its forests has been reported to be 30 Royal Bengal Tigers, while the All India Tiger Estimation-2022 report has found only 20 tigers present.
About All Odisha Tiger Estimation:
The State tiger census was conducted by the State Forest Department.
According to the census, the State has 30 Tigers out of which Similipal Tiger Reserve recorded 27 tigers in the wild.
The remaining three belong to Hirakud wildlife division (Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary), Paralakhemundi territorial division and Keonjhar territorial and wildlife division.
Methodology: The census was conducted using camera-trapping exercises.
About Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR)
Concerned over the sizeable number of pseudo-melanistic tigers in its Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR), largely due to inbreeding, the Odisha government has written to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to consider introducing female tigers from other landscapes to the reserve.
Details
Location and Size
Located in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj District, spanning 2750 sq km.
Surrounded by high plateaus and hills;
Khairiburu and Meghashini peaks reach 1515 m.
History
Initially a hunting ground, designated as a tiger reserve under Project Tiger in 1973,
Later declared a wildlife sanctuary and biosphere reserve.
Flora and Fauna
Rich biodiversity includes tigers, leopards, elephants, gaur, diverse bird species, King cobras, orchids, and medicinal plants.
Tribes
Inhabited by tribes like Kolha, with traditional conservation practices.
UNESCO Recognition
UNESCO listed it as a Biosphere Reserve in May 2009 due to its ecological significance.
Recent Events
A significant fire in 2021 posed a threat to the reserve’s biodiversity, highlighting ongoing conservation challenges.
Global Recognition
Recognized as a Global Network of Biospheres site since 2009.
Melanism in Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR)
Genetic Anomaly: Melanism, a genetic condition, results in increased melanin production, leading to black or nearly black skin, feathers, or hair in animals.
Pseudo-Melanism: The royal Bengal tigers of Similipal boast a unique lineage with elevated melanin levels, resulting in black and yellow interspersed stripes on their coats, making them pseudo-melanistic rather than entirely black.
Genetic Mutation: Research indicates that a single mutation in the Transmembrane Aminopeptidase Q (Taqpep) gene causes Similipal’s black tigers to develop distinctive striped patterns.
Inbreeding and Isolation: Genetic analyses suggest that Similipal’s black tigers may have originated from a small founding population, leading to inbreeding due to isolation from other tiger populations.
What are the Population Dynamics and Conservation Efforts made by Odisha Govt?
High Frequency: Approximately 37% of tigers in Similipal Tiger Reserve exhibit pseudo-melanistic traits, highlighting the prevalence of this unique phenotype.
Conservation Measures: Odisha plans to establish a melanistic tiger safari near Similipal, aiming to raise awareness about tiger conservation and provide visitors with an opportunity to observe these rare big cats up close.
Try this PYQ from CSP 2020:
Q. Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”?
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Gaganyaan Mission
Mains level: Significance of manned space mission for India
In the news
Prime Minister announced the astronaut designates for India’s inaugural crewed spaceflight, Gaganyaan, slated for a 2025 launch.
About Gaganyaan Mission
The Gaganyaan Mission is India’s initiative to demonstrate human spaceflight capabilities by sending a crew of 4 members into a 400 km Low Earth Orbit.
It aims to demonstrate India’s indigenous capability in undertaking human space flights, with an immediate goal of executing a manned mission.
GSLV Mk III, also known as LVM-3, will be used as a launch vehicle in Gaganyaan mission.
Technological Requirements
Human-Rated LVM3: A modified version of ISRO’s LVM3 serves as the launch vehicle, equipped with Crew Escape System (CES) and an Orbital Module to ensure crew safety.
Orbital Module (OM):
Crew Module (CM): Provides a habitable space for crew members, featuring a double-walled rigid construction and essential life support systems.
Service Module (SM): Supports the Crew Module in orbit, housing propulsion, thermal, and power systems.
Crew Escape System (CES): Facilitates emergency escape mechanisms for astronauts during critical phases of the mission, ensuring their safety.
Life Support System: Ensures a conducive environment for crew members in space, addressing physiological needs and emergency provisions.
Phases of Gaganyaan Mission
Testing Phase: Included Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT) and Pad Abort Test (PAT), crucial for validating safety mechanisms and system performance.
Unmanned Missions: Technology demonstration and safety verification precede the manned mission, involving advanced tests and flight trials. Vyommitra AI humanoid underwent tests for this mission.
Manned Mission: Culminates in executing the human spaceflight module of Gaganyaan, following successful unmanned missions.
Significance of the Mission
Technological Advancement: Propels India towards future technological capabilities, fostering affordable space programs and scientific exploration.
Youth Inspiration: Inspires youth towards careers in science and technology, igniting innovation and creativity in space science.
Diplomatic Collaboration: Opens avenues for international cooperation in space exploration, enhancing diplomatic ties and knowledge exchange.
Scientific Breakthrough: Enables groundbreaking discoveries in medicine, material science, and biology through microgravity experiments.
Economic Growth: Stimulates economic development, technology spin-offs, and job creation, contributing to India’s overall progress.
Challenges Associated
Indigenous Technology: Reliance on indigenous technology necessitates complex research and development efforts, ensuring program safety.
Space Transportation Vehicle: Development of customized launch vehicles poses challenges due to payload constraints and weight limitations.
Training and Simulation: Lack of critical space training facilities necessitates dependence on other space agencies, augmenting challenges.
Regenerative Environment: Creation of self-sustaining life support systems in space remains a daunting task, requiring innovative solutions.
Crew Safety: Mitigating risks associated with crew safety, including psychological and physiological effects of space travel, is imperative.
Conclusion
The Gaganyaan Mission epitomizes India’s leap towards space exploration, encapsulating aspirations of scientific discovery, technological innovation, and international collaboration.
Amidst challenges and complexities, India stands poised to script a new chapter in its space odyssey, inspiring generations and propelling towards the frontiers of the cosmos.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Genome India Project
Mains level: NA
In the news
The completion of the ‘10,000 genome’ mapping under the Genome India Project marks a significant milestone in India’s quest to establish a comprehensive reference database of whole-genome sequences, representing the diverse genetic makeup of its population.
About the Genome India Project
Details
Initiative
Launched in 2020 by Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and ISRO
Aim
To sequence 10,000 Indian genomes for a reference genome.
Objective
Understand Indian genetic variations for predictive diagnostics.
Scope
Involves 20+ institutions to collect samples and create a reference grid.
Significance
Addresses India’s genetic diversity for personalized healthcare.
Applications
Advances biotech, agriculture, and healthcare for diseases like diabetes and cancer.
What is Genome Sequencing?
Genome sequencing involves deciphering the complete set of genetic instructions contained within an organism’s DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid).
It entails determining the sequence of the four nucleotide bases: adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T).
The human genome comprises over 3 billion of these genetic letters, but current DNA sequencing methods can only handle short stretches at a time.
While human genomes consist of DNA, viruses can have genomes composed of either DNA or RNA (Ribonucleic acid).
Notably, viruses like the coronavirus possess RNA genomes.
Each organism possesses a unique genome sequence, making genome sequencing a vital technique for understanding genetic information encoded in DNA or RNA.
Outcomes of the Genome India Project
Population Complexity: India’s vast population, comprising over 4,600 distinct groups, exhibits significant genetic diversity, owing to factors such as endogamy.
Unique Variations: Various disease-causing mutations are amplified within specific population groups, highlighting the importance of understanding India’s genetic landscape.
Future Implications
Insight into Population Diversity: The project aims to provide deeper insights into India’s genetic diversity, facilitating improved diagnostic methods and medical counselling.
Personalized Medicine: Identifying genetic predispositions to diseases and developing personalized drugs are envisioned outcomes, enhancing healthcare interventions.
Biobank Establishment: A biobank housing 20,000 blood samples, located at the Centre for Brain Research, IISc, supports genome sequencing efforts.
Data Archiving: Data archiving at the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC), set up by the DBT at the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad, underscores the project’s commitment to transparency and collaboration.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Obelisks, Viroids
Mains level: NA
In the news
Recently identified by scientists at Stanford University, obelisks represent a distinct class of virus-like entities residing within the human body.
What are Obelisks?
Novel Discoveries: Recently identified, obelisks represent a distinct class of virus-like entities residing within the human body.
Genetic Diversity: Comprising diverse RNA molecules, obelisks have pervaded both human and global microbiomes, yet remained unnoticed until now.
Distinctive Characteristics:
Structural Symmetry: Named after the rod-like, highly symmetrical structures formed by their twisted RNA strands.
Genetic Makeup: Obelisks boast compact genetic sequences of approximately 1,000 nucleotides, devoid of known similarities to other biological agents.
Size Disparity: Significantly larger than conventional genetic molecules like plasmids, which are primarily composed of DNA.
Taxonomic Position: Positioned between viruses and viroids, obelisks constitute a unique class of organisms with intriguing properties.
Host Interaction: While the hosts of certain obelisks remain unidentified, bacterial associations are speculated, hinting at a broader ecological significance.
Spatial Distribution: Various types of obelisks inhabit diverse regions within the human body, highlighting their pervasive presence and potential physiological roles.
Understanding Viroids: Nature’s Tiny RNA Loops
Genetic Cousins: Viroids are compact loops of RNA, closely related to DNA, primarily infecting plant organisms.
Discovery: In 1971, Theodor Diener identified viroids during research on potato spindle tuber disease, revealing naked RNA entities devoid of protein coats or lipid layers.
Unique Features:
Lack of Encapsulation: Unlike larger RNA viruses, viroids lack protective shells, relying solely on their RNA structure for stability.
Genetic Composition: Viroid RNA does not encode protein-building instructions, contrasting with viruses that carry genetic blueprints for their replication machinery.
Host Interactions: Viroids exploit host enzymes for replication, highlighting their parasitic nature within plant cells.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Enforcement Directorate (ED)
Mains level: Controversies associated with the Jurisdiction of CBI, ED
In the News:
The Supreme Court witnessed a clash between the Tamil Nadu government and the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) concerning the jurisdiction of the ED to probe “illegal” sand mining activities in the state.
TN contested the ED’s authority to investigate sand mining under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), asserting that sand mining offenses were not scheduled under the PMLA.
Why did the ED step in?
Whenever any offence is registered by a local police station, which has generated proceeds of crime over and above ₹1 crore, the investigating police officer forwards the details to the ED.
Alternately, if the offence comes under the knowledge of the Central agency, they can then call for the First Information Report (FIR) or the chargesheet if it has been filed directly by police officials.
This will be done to find out if any laundering has taken place.
About Enforcement Directorate (ED)
Details
Establishment
May 1, 1956
Initially set up as an ‘Enforcement Unit’
Nodal Agency
Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance
Jurisdiction
Nationwide
Functional Focus
Economic and financial offenses including money laundering, foreign exchange irregularities
Investigative Powers
Attachment, confiscation, and arrest
Conduct raids and searches
Summon and question individuals
Collaboration
Coordinates with various agencies (CBI, local police) and banks
Reporting Authority
Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance
Corruption Investigations
Has a separate Economic Offenses Division
Notable Cases
Vijay Mallya extradition
PNB fraud case
Augusta Westland VVIP chopper scam
International Cooperation
Works with international law enforcement for cross-border investigations (Interpol, FATF)
Public Interface
Accepts complaints and information regarding economic offenses
Transparency and Accountability
Regular reports to the Ministry of Finance; subject to oversight by judiciary and government bodies
Legal Authority of the ED
Description
Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA), 1974
To sponsor cases of preventive detention related to contraventions of FEMA.
Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999
ED to investigate suspected contraventions of foreign exchange laws and regulations, adjudicate and impose penalties, and
Trace assets derived from proceeds of crime.
Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002
ED to investigate, trace assets derived from proceeds of crime, provisionally attach property, and
Ensure prosecution and confiscation by Special Court (PMLA Court under Section 4 of PMLA).
Fugitive Economic Offenders Act (FEOA), 2018
ED to enforce provisions related to attachment and confiscation of properties belonging to FEOs who have fled India to evade the legal process.
This newscard is an excerpt from an original article published in the TIE.
What are Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs)?
The Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) were rolled out as part of the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) of the IPCCin 2014.
These are basically emission scenarios that depict pathways of greenhouse gas and aerosol emissions resulting from human activities over time, crucial for climate modelling and forecasting.
These pathways were introduced to provide a consistent set of GHGs concentration trajectories for climate modelling and research purposes.
The RCPs were officially selected and defined based on their total radiative forcing levels in the year2100.
These pathways describe various climate change scenarios based on the amount of greenhouse gases emitted.
RCP 2.6: Limits global warming to less than 2°C above pre-industrial levels while also attempting to keep ocean acidification under control. Greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced significantly compared to current levels.
RCP 4.5: Reflects an intermediate scenario where emissions peak around 2040 and then gradually decrease. Global mean temperature rise is projected to reach approximately 2°C above pre-industrial levels by 2100.
RCP 6: Stabilizes radiative forcing at 6 watts per square meter (W/m²) after 2100 following peaking around mid-century. It aims to achieve a lower level of global warming but does not exclude temporary overshoots beyond 2°C.
RCP 8.5: Presents a high-emission scenario characterized by increasing radiative forcing throughout the century. By 2100, it results in a global mean temperature increase of over 4°C above pre-industrial levels.
Back2Basics:Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Description
Establishment
Established in 1988 by WMO and UNEP
Membership
195 member countries.
Objective
Assess scientific info on human-induced climate change, impacts, and mitigation/adaptation options.
Main Activity
Prepares assessment, special, and methodology reports, crucial for international climate negotiations.
Scientific Research
Relies on global scientific community for literature review and conclusions.
Working Groups
Comprises three groups:
I (climate physics),
II (impacts/adaptation), and
III (mitigation)
Reports
Each group issues reports, compiled into a synthesis report.
Try this PYQ from CSP 2018:
“Momentum for Change: Climate Neutral Now” is an initiative launched by:
