GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the need for a 'Secular Civil Code' as opposed to the term 'Uniform Civil Code' (UCC). This shift in terminology underscores a nuanced approach to integrating diverse personal laws within a secular framework, aiming to unify legal standards while respecting religious diversity.

What is a Secular Civil Code?

• A Secular Civil Code refers to a set of laws that governs personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and maintenance uniformly for all citizens, irrespective of their religion, but is framed within a secular, non-religious context.
• It aims to create a common legal standard while maintaining respect for diverse religious practices and beliefs.

What is Uniform Civil Code?

• UCC proposes a common set of laws for all citizens, regardless of their religion, covering matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, succession, and adoption.
• The Uniform Civil Code is mentioned in Part IV of the Constitution, which states that the government "shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India." 
• UCC is part of the Directive Principles of State Policy, which are not enforceable by law but are fundamental to the country's governance.
• Supreme Court’s views: The Supreme Court has called for the implementation of the UCC in several judgments.
  • In 1985 Ahmed Khan vs Shah Bano Begum case, where a divorced Muslim woman sought maintenance from her ex-husband, the Court highlighted the need for a UCC while deciding whether the CrPC or Muslim personal law should prevail.
  • The Court also urged the government to implement the UCC in the 1995 Sarla Mudgal case and the 2019 Paulo Coutinho vs Maria Luiza Valentina Pereira case.
• Currently, the UCC is only implemented in Goa, while a bill is under consideration in Uttarakhand.

Comparison of Secular and Uniform Civil Laws

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced his resignation effective next month amid a series of scandals and a significant drop in public support. Kishida’s government has been marred by issues such as corruption allegations related to illegal slush funds, controversies involving the Unification Church, and ineffective economic policies amid rising living costs. His resignation is intended to address the erosion of public trust and to signal a potential shift within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Impact on Japan’s Domestic and Foreign Policy

• Political Reforms: Kishida’s departure may prompt the LDP to reassess and potentially reform its internal policies and leadership approaches to restore public confidence.
• Economic Strategies: The incoming leader may need to address ongoing economic issues such as the weak yen, inflation, and income inequality, and implement more effective policies to stimulate growth and address demographic challenges like the declining birth rate.
• Continuity vs. Change: While Japan’s foreign policy is likely to remain stable given the LDP’s long-standing dominance, a new leader may bring subtle shifts in Japan’s international stance or diplomatic priorities, particularly in dealing with major powers like the US and China.

Implications for Regional Stability in East Asia

• Regional Relations
  • China and North Korea: Japan’s strategic posture towards China and North Korea may be influenced by the new leadership. The incoming Prime Minister might adjust Japan's defense and diplomatic strategies in response to regional security dynamics.
  • US-Japan Alliance: The strong alliance with the US is expected to continue, but there may be adjustments in trade policies or defense cooperation based on the new leader’s approach.
• Regional Influence
  • Economic Integration: Japan’s role in regional economic partnerships, such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), may see a new emphasis or strategic direction under the new leadership.

In his 78th Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Modi outlined a series of futuristic goals aimed at shaping India's growth, driving innovation, and positioning the country as a global leader across various sectors.

Key points from the Prime Minister's address include:

• Viksit Bharat 2047: The ‘Viksit Bharat’ initiative aims to make India a developed nation by 2047, with public input playing a crucial role in shaping this vision, particularly in areas like manufacturing and traditional medicine.
• Ease of Living Mission: PM Modi outlined his vision to fulfil 'Ease of Living' on a mission mode. He spoke of enhancing the quality of life in urban areas through systematic assessments and improvements in infrastructure and services.
• Revival of Nalanda Spirit: The Prime Minister sought to revive the ancient Nalanda University spirit, positioning India as a global education hub by promoting higher learning and research. This builds on the inauguration of Nalanda University in 2024.
  • Nalanda University was established around 427 CE by Gupta Emperor Kumaragupta I. Later, it also received patronage from Harshavardhana and the Pala rulers. 
  • Founded 1600 years ago, Nalanda is recognized as the world's first residential university, pre-dating Oxford and Bologna by over 500 years.
  • Historical Travellers: Accounts from Chinese travelers like Hiuen-Tsang and I-Tsing provide detailed insights into the university's academic and cultural richness.
  • The ruins of Nalanda were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016, underscoring its global historical significance.
• Made in India Chip-Semiconductor Production: PM Modi outlined India's commitment to becoming a global leader in semiconductor production, aiming to reduce dependency on imports and enhance technological self-sufficiency.
• Skill India: Referring to the Budget 2024, the Prime Minister highlighted landmark initiatives announced by the government to train India's youth and become the skill capital of the world.
• Hub of Industrial Manufacturing: PM Modi envisioned transforming India into a global manufacturing hub, leveraging its vast resources and skilled workforce.
• Defence manufacturing hub: India is emerging as a global hub for defence manufacturing, with the Prime Minister proudly stating that the country now has its own identity in this crucial sector.
• "Design in India, Design for the World":The Prime Minister exalted indigenous design capabilities and urged to create products that cater to both domestic and international markets, coining this phrase.
• Leader in Global Gaming Market:PM Modi said that India must leverage its rich ancient legacy and literature to come up with Made in India gaming products.
  • India is the largest gaming market in the world, boasting a user base of 568 million gamers and over 9.5 billion gaming app downloads in 2023.
• Green Jobs and Green Hydrogen Mission: PM Modi emphasized the importance of green jobs in India's efforts to combat climate change.  He stated that the focus of the country is now on green growth and green jobs, which will generate employment opportunities while contributing to environmental protection.
  • India’s emissions stem from pivotal sectors, with energy being the largest, as the country is reliant on coal for generating power. In this regard, green hydrogen is believed to be the way forward.
  • Green hydrogen is the hydrogen produced by splitting water by electrolysis using renewable energy.
  • The carbon intensity ultimately depends on the carbon neutrality of the source of electricity (i.e., the more renewable energy there is in the electricity fuel mix, the “greener” the hydrogen produced).
  • National Green Hydrogen Mission was approved in 2023 to make India a global hub for the production, usage, and export of green hydrogen and to achieve its goal to become aatmanirbhar through clean energy.
• Swasth Bharat Mission: PM said that to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047, India must tread the path ‘Swasth Bharat’ which has begun with the launch of Rashtriya Poshan Abhiyan.
  • The Swachh Bharat Mission, launched on 2nd October 2014 aims at making urban India free from open defecation and achieving 100% scientific management of municipal solid waste in 4,041 statutory towns in the country.
  •  The second phase of SBM was launched in 2021, for a period of 5 years.
• Climate Change Targets: The Prime Minister reiterated the India’s ambitious goal. He also noted that India has been the only country among the G20 nations to meet its Paris Accord goals.
  • India aims to reach net zero by 2070 (Government of India, 2022a).
  • By 2030, India will meet 50 percent of its energy requirements from renewable sources.
  • India will decrease the total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030.
  • India will take its non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW by the end of 2030.
• Medical Education Expansion:  Plans has been announced to add 75,000 new medical seats in the next 5 years, aiming to enhance the country's medical education capacity and address the growing demand for healthcare professionals.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has recently reported an increase in the amount of dues deemed difficult to recover (DTR), highlighting ongoing challenges in enforcing financial penalties and recoveries. As of the end of the financial year 2023-24, the amount marked as DTR has risen to Rs 76,293 crore.

What is DTR?

• DTR stands for "Difficult to Recover" dues.
• These are amounts that SEBI has marked as challenging to collect even after all recovery mechanisms have been exhausted.
• DTR dues include penalties imposed by SEBI's adjudicating officers or non-compliance with directives for refund, disgorgement orders, or outstanding fees.
• Provisions

• SEBI Act, 1992: Section 28A of this Act empowers SEBI to recover dues from entities that fail to pay penalties or comply with orders for refunds or disgorgements.
• Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act (SCRA), 1956: Provides additional authority to SEBI for recovery of penalties and enforcement of compliance.
• Depositories Act, 1996: This Act also grants SEBI the power to enforce compliance and recover dues related to securities transactions.

The Government launched the AI-based National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) to integrate advanced technology into agriculture and to reduce farmers' reliance on pesticide retailers by promoting a more scientific approach to pest management.

What is NPSS?

• The National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) is an AI-based platform designed to assist farmers by connecting them with agricultural scientists and experts for pest control and management.
• It aims to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of pest management through technology.
• Functionality: Farmers can use the NPSS platform to take and upload photos of pest-infested crops or insects. These images are analyzed using artificial intelligence tools, which then provide insights and recommendations for pest control.
• Benefits:
  • Accurate Diagnosis: NPSS helps in the accurate identification of pests and diseases.
  • Efficient Pest Management: Provides data-driven recommendations for the appropriate use of pesticides.
  • Reduction in Pesticide Dependence: Encourages a scientific approach to pest management rather than reliance on pesticide retailers.
  • Improved Connectivity: Facilitates direct communication between farmers and agricultural experts.
• Impact: NPSS is intended to support approximately 14 crore farmers in India, improving pest management practices, increasing crop yields, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Dengue fever remains a significant public health challenge in India, imposing a substantial economic burden and causing a high number of premature deaths. Existing vector control measures have only achieved limited success, and there is a pressing need for innovative and effective solutions. Recent advancements in biological vector control, specifically the use of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, offer promising new strategies for managing dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.

What is Wolbachia?

• Wolbachia is a naturally occurring bacterium found in many insects but not in Aedes mosquitoes, which transmit dengue.
• Wolbachia can provide resistance to viral infections and can also impose costs on its host, such as shortened lifespan. This dual nature has led to its study as a potential tool for controlling mosquito-borne diseases.
• Wolbachia-Based Vector Control
  • Population Suppression: Singapore uses Wolbachia-infected male mosquitoes to reduce the Aedes population by 90% through producing non-viable eggs when mated with wild females.
  • Population Replacement: Australia has released Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes to replace wild populations, with successful outcomes in dengue control and nearly achieving dengue elimination.
  • Global Trials: In Indonesia, a randomized controlled trial showed that wMel mosquito releases resulted in a 77% reduction in dengue cases and an 86% reduction in hospitalizations.

Implications for India

• Potential Benefits: The wMel strategy could significantly reduce the burden of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases like Zika and chikungunya in India. It could also address issues related to insecticide resistance and limited effectiveness of current methods.
• Current Status in India: India does not yet have an active wMel release program, but research and development are underway. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has developed wMel strains in Puducherry and has conducted studies, though public updates have been sparse.

The recent Union Budget has been criticized for its inadequate allocation to key welfare schemes and social support programs. Despite high levels of poverty and malnutrition, budgetary provisions for welfare have been reduced, drawing sharp criticism from various quarters.

Budget Allocations and Welfare Schemes

• Underfunding of Major Schemes: The budget for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the National Food Security Act (NFSA) has decreased as a share of GDP since 2014-15. MGNREGA allocation is down to 0.26% of GDP, and NFSA expenditure has fallen to 0.63% of GDP.
• Ignoring Vulnerable Groups: Allocation for this program remains unchanged in nominal terms, while its share of GDP has halved since 2014-15. Support for widows, the elderly, and disabled individuals has stagnated despite increasing needs.
• Decline in Nutrition Schemes: Budget for Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 has dropped to 0.06% of GDP from 0.13% in 2014-15. Similarly, funding for the mid-day meal (MDM) program has halved, impacting the nutritional and educational outcomes for schoolchildren.

Fiscal Policies and Health

• Overall Welfare Expenditure Decline: Central expenditure on welfare schemes has decreased from 2.1% of GDP in 2014-15 to 1.53% this year. This reduction contrasts with the higher allocations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Corporate Tax Cuts vs. Welfare: The government’s decision to cut corporate tax rates has led to a loss of over ?8 lakh crore in tax revenue, affecting the fiscal space available for welfare programs.
• Health Budget Increase: The budget for health has seen a marginal increase, from 0.25% of GDP in 2014-15 to 0.28% this year. However, this increase is considered insufficient given the high out-of-pocket health expenses and related poverty issues.

Mains Question

Q. Critically evaluate the impact of recent Union Budget allocations on social welfare schemes in India, particularly focusing on MGNREGA, NFSA, and nutrition programs.

India’s Securities and Exchange Board (SEBI) is facing intense scrutiny due to allegations of conflict of interest involving its chairperson, Madhabi Puri Buch. These concerns are particularly significant given the ongoing investigation into the Adani Group for alleged market manipulation and corporate misconduct.

Conflict of Interest Claims

• Investments in Offshore Funds: Accusations have been made that Ms. Buch and her husband invested in offshore funds in Bermuda and Mauritius, where Adani Group’s Vinod Adani is also reportedly invested.
• Consultancy Firms: The Buchs’ consultancy firms, which were reportedly dormant after Ms. Buch joined SEBI, allegedly generated significant revenue during this period, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.
• Hindenburg Research’s Role: The short-seller Hindenburg Research has highlighted these conflicts, exacerbating concerns about the impartiality of SEBI’s investigations into the Adani Group.

Implications and SEBI’s Response

• SEBI’s Investigation Status: SEBI has been investigating the Adani Group for 18 months, with most of the charges under investigation reportedly completed.
• Call for Resignation: There are calls for Ms. Buch to resign to ensure an impartial investigation and to restore confidence in SEBI’s integrity.
• Regulatory Integrity: The situation underscores the critical need for transparency and credibility in regulatory bodies, as any doubts about their conduct can undermine the entire financial regulatory framework.

Mains Question

Q. How should regulatory bodies address conflicts of interest to maintain public trust and ensure fair market practices?

Recent debates in corporate governance have intensified as companies involved in advanced technologies, particularly Generative AI, struggle to balance profit motives with social responsibility. Alternative governance models, such as public benefit corporations, have emerged but face challenges in reconciling financial and societal objectives.

Data Privacy and Bias Issues

• Privacy Concerns: AI development raises significant privacy issues, exemplified by Meta’s delay in using public data due to regulatory concerns.
• Algorithmic Bias: AI systems, such as those used by Amazon and Princeton University’s research, have demonstrated how biases can be perpetuated, impacting fairness and equality.
• Responsibility for AI Creators: These issues underscore the need for responsible AI governance to mitigate risks related to privacy and bias.

 Governance Structures and Conflicts

• Public Benefit Corporations: Companies like OpenAI and Anthropic have adopted governance models focused on public good, such as the Long-Term Benefit Trust and hybrid non-profit structures.
• Profit vs. Purpose: Conflicts arise when financial interests overshadow social objectives, as seen in OpenAI’s recent governance crisis involving the firing and reinstatement of its CEO.
• Future Directions: There are indications that some companies may revert to for-profit structures, questioning the effectiveness of current public benefit models.

Strategic Considerations for AI Governance

• Incentivizing Social Purpose: Strategies need to be developed to ensure that pursuing social benefits also contributes to long-term financial gains for companies.
• Managerial Compliance: Incentives should be aligned to encourage managers to adhere to public benefit goals alongside profit objectives.
• Reducing Compliance Costs: Streamlining regulations and compliance costs can facilitate the adoption of social benefit objectives without compromising financial viability.

Mains Question

Q. Discuss the challenges and effectiveness of alternative corporate governance models in balancing profit motives with social responsibility, particularly in the context of AI technology development. How can policymakers and regulators ensure that these models achieve genuine public benefits without being overshadowed by financial interests?