GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

India's first indigenously developed coronavirus vaccine, Covaxin, was a joint collaboration between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL). However, recent patent filings by BBIL in India, the United States, and Europe credit only BBIL scientists as inventors, omitting any mention of ICMR scientists.

Key Highlights of the Issue

• ICMR and BBIL Collaboration: The official records state that Covaxin's intellectual property (IP) rights are jointly shared between ICMR and BBIL. ICMR provided the virus strain, while BBIL developed the final vaccine.
• Patent Filings: Documents show that BBIL personnel, such as Deepak Kumar and Krishna Murthy Ella, are credited as inventors. This contradicts statements by the Union Health Ministry that the IP rights are jointly owned.
• Government Response: In July 2021, the Health Ministry stated in the Rajya Sabha that the IP rights over Covaxin would be jointly owned by ICMR and BBIL, and ICMR would receive a 5% royalty from net sales.
• Financial Contributions: ICMR did not fund BBIL for Covaxin development but spent ?35 crore through its institute, ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, and on phase-3 clinical trials. As of January 2022, ICMR received ?171 crore in royalties.

1: Dimension - Discrepancies in Intellectual Property Credit

• Patent Credit Controversy: The omission of ICMR scientists in the patent filings contradicts the government’s statement about joint IP ownership, raising questions about transparency and recognition in public-private collaborations.
• Legal and Ethical Concerns: This discrepancy highlights potential legal and ethical issues in acknowledging contributions from all collaborators, which is crucial for fostering trust and fairness in joint ventures.

2: Dimension - Impact on Public Health and Governance

• Public Trust: Such discrepancies can undermine public trust in governmental institutions and their collaborations with private entities, affecting public health initiatives' credibility.
• Policy Implications: This situation calls for clearer policies and guidelines on IP rights and credit-sharing in government-funded research to prevent similar issues in future collaborations.

3: Dimension - Required Measures

• Clear Guidelines and Agreements: Establish comprehensive guidelines and transparent agreements on IP rights and credit-sharing at the start of collaborations to avoid disputes.
• Strengthening Oversight: Enhance oversight mechanisms to ensure all contributors are adequately credited and their contributions are recognized in patents and other formal documents.
• Promoting Fair Practices: Foster a culture of fairness and recognition in scientific collaborations to encourage future public-private partnerships and innovation in public health.

Mains Practice Question

Q: “Transparency in public-private partnerships is essential for fostering innovation and trust in public health initiatives.” Discuss in the context of the Covaxin patent controversy.

A trial court recently granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is facing charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). However, the Delhi High Court stayed this order, highlighting the legal complexities surrounding bail in money laundering cases and the 'twin test' mandated by the PMLA.

Key Highlights of the Issue

• Provision under PMLA: Section 45 of the PMLA makes bail an exception rather than the rule. It mandates hearing the public prosecutor in all bail applications and requires the court to apply the 'twin test' when the prosecutor opposes bail.
• The Twin Test: The two conditions under the 'twin test' are:
  • Reasonable grounds for believing that the accused is not guilty.
  • The accused is not likely to commit any offence while on bail.
• Legal Challenges: The 'twin test' has faced several legal challenges, including its constitutional validity and its stringent nature compared to other laws.

Reasons behind the Strict Bail Provisions

• Severity of the Offence: Money laundering is considered a severe offence, often involving influential, intelligent, and resourceful individuals who commit the crime with premeditation, making detection and evidence gathering challenging.
• Government's Argument: The government argues that the stringent bail conditions are necessary due to the sophisticated methods used in money laundering, which can pose a significant threat to national security and financial systems.
• Judicial Precedents: The Supreme Court has upheld the stringent bail conditions, emphasizing the need to apply the 'twin test' rigorously to prevent misuse of bail provisions in serious offences like money laundering.

Impact of the 'Twin Test' on Judicial Proceedings

• Prolonged Incarceration: The strict application of the 'twin test' often results in prolonged incarceration of the accused, as proving innocence before the trial is challenging.
• Judicial Discretion: The mandatory application of the 'twin test' limits judicial discretion in granting bail, leading to debates on the balance between individual rights and societal interests.
• Impact on Legal Strategy: Defense strategies in money laundering cases must account for the rigorous requirements of the 'twin test,' often focusing on disproving the allegations at the bail stage itself.

Required Measures for a Balanced Approach

• Legal Reforms: There is a need for legal reforms to ensure that the bail provisions under PMLA strike a balance between preventing misuse and protecting individual rights.
• Judicial Training: Judges need specialized training to handle the complexities of money laundering cases and apply the 'twin test' judiciously without compromising on fairness.
• Policy Review: Periodic review of the policy and its implementation can help identify areas of improvement and ensure that the stringent bail provisions serve their intended purpose without causing undue hardship to the accused.

Mains Practice Question

Q: "The stringent bail provisions under PMLA reflect the seriousness of money laundering as an offence. Discuss the impact of these provisions on the judicial process and suggest measures to ensure a balanced approach."

For the first time, 11 candidates from the 2024 Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections have requested verification of the burnt memory in the Ballot Units (BUs), Control Units (CUs), and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units of electronic voting machines (EVMs).

ECI’s role in safeguarding electoral credibility

• This request underscores a broader controversy surrounding EVMs and the Election Commission of India's (ECI) role in safeguarding electoral credibility.
• The primary challenge facing the Election Commission is ensuring the trustworthiness of the electoral process amid growing skepticism about EVMs.
• Critics argue that EVMs are vulnerable to tampering or malfunction, potentially compromising the fairness of elections. Such concerns have sparked debates and calls for stringent measures to enhance transparency and accountability in the voting mechanism.

What measures should be taken?

• To address these challenges, the Election Commission must prioritize several key aspects:
  • Transparency in Testing and Verification: There is a pressing need for rigorous testing and verification procedures for EVMs before and after elections. This includes comprehensive audits of hardware and software components to detect any irregularities or anomalies.
  • Technological Upgrades and Security Measures: Continuous improvement of EVM technology is essential. This involves adopting state-of-the-art encryption methods, robust physical security measures, and regular updates to counter emerging threats.
  • Training and Awareness: Ensuring that electoral officials, political stakeholders, and the public understand the functioning and security measures of EVMs is crucial. Transparent communication about the EVMs' reliability and safeguards can mitigate misconceptions and build confidence in the electoral process.
  • Legal Framework and Accountability: Strengthening the legal framework to address EVM-related disputes and ensuring accountability for any breaches or malfunctions is imperative. Clear guidelines for handling complaints and conducting investigations are essential to uphold electoral integrity.
  • Public Confidence Building: Lastly, fostering public trust in EVMs requires proactive engagement with civil society, media, and political parties. Open demonstrations of EVM functionality and adherence to electoral protocols can help dispel doubts and reinforce faith in the voting system.

Mains Practice Question

Q: "The verification of EVM burnt memory is a step towards enhancing electoral transparency but faces significant challenges." Discuss.

Uttar Pradesh holds a remarkable position in India's renewable energy landscape, with the potential to generate 24 percent of the nation’s compressed biogas (CBG), according to a report by the Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

Key-highlights of the Symposium

• CBG Potential: Uttar Pradesh could potentially install 1,000 CBG projects from the 5,000 plants envisioned nationwide under the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation scheme.
• Feedstock Availability: Western UP, particularly Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Saharanpur, Bijnor, Bulandshahar, and Aligarh, is rich in feedstock availability and houses the majority of the state’s functional and upcoming CBG plants.
• Supportive Policies: Uttar Pradesh has an ambitious bioenergy policy, allocating Rs 750 crore (2022-27) for CBG, while providing subsidies, land for lease, and other incentives.

Reason behind UP’s significant growth

• Potential and Policies: Uttar Pradesh's significant potential for CBG production is supported by its bioenergy policy, which includes financial incentives and infrastructural support.
• Feedstock Abundance: The state’s agricultural and industrial landscape offers abundant feedstock, essential for CBG production.
• Strategic Location: Proximity to feedstock sources and existing CBG plants facilitates the state’s leadership in this sector.

Challenges Faced

• Limited Offtake of Bioslurry: Bioslurry, a by-product of CBG production, is often viewed as a disposal problem rather than a revenue source.
• Partial Gas Offtake: Oil and gas marketing companies' inconsistent purchasing leaves many plants operating below capacity.
• Lack of Skilled Personnel: Operational inefficiencies stem from a shortage of trained technical personnel in biogas systems.
• Financing Difficulties: Banks are hesitant to finance CBG projects due to perceived risks and low margins, requiring high collateral and offering high interest rates.

Required Measures

• Enhanced Awareness and Utilization of Bioslurry: Educate farmers and other stakeholders about the benefits of bioslurry to transform it into a valuable resource.
• Consistent Gas Purchasing: Establish agreements with oil and gas companies to ensure consistent offtake of CBG, improving plant viability.
• Training Centres for CBG Operations: Establish dedicated training centres to develop skilled personnel for the biogas sector.
• Government-Backed Financing: Introduce a government-backed guarantee programme to ease financing hurdles and encourage investment in CBG projects.
• Diversification of Feedstock Sources: Encourage the use of varied feedstock sources, including liquid effluents like spent wash from distilleries, to enhance sustainability.

Mains Practice Question

Q: “Discuss the potential and challenges of compressed biogas (CBG) production in Uttar Pradesh, and suggest measures to overcome these challenges to maximize the state’s bioenergy capabilities.”

A 5-foot long mugger and a number of turtles, died after a fire engulfed vegetation along a reservoir in central Gujarat’s Kheda district earlier this week.

About

• It is a medium-sized broad-snouted crocodilenative to freshwater habitats.
• The species feeds on insects, fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals. 
• Mugger crocodiles are covered under Schedule Iof the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Since 1982, the species has been marked ‘vulnerable’in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. 

India is home to three primary species of crocodile:

• Mugger or Marsh Crocodile (Crocodyluspalustris)is found in lakes and rivers throughout the country.
• Saltwater crocodile (porosus)is found along the eastern coast of the country and the Nicobar and Andaman Islands.
• Gharial (Gavialisgangeticus)is found in river areas.

Recently, at least 49 people have died, and around 100 others have been hospitalised after consuming hooch, or spurious liquor, in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi.

About

• It is a commonly used term for poor quality alcohol, derived from Hoochinoo, a native Alaskan tribe that was known to produce very strong liquor.
• Unlike branded liquor which is produced in factories with sophisticated equipment and rigorous quality control, hooch is made in much more crude settings.
• The fermented mixture which is distilled contains more than just consumable alcohol (ethanol). It also contains methanol, an industrial alcohol which is highly toxic for human beings.

The ongoing military rule in Myanmar since February 2021 has resulted in severe human rights violations, including the deaths of over 5,000 people and the displacement of approximately 2.5 million. Despite this, India continues to maintain formal relations with the regime, prompting debates over its policy approach and the need for a more values-driven strategy.

Current Policy Stance and Criticism

• Introduction to the Issue: India's current policy of engaging with Myanmar's military regime is criticized for prioritizing strategic interests over democratic values, as the regime continues to commit widespread atrocities.
• Debate Over Values vs. Interests: Critics argue that India's narrow strategic focus undermines its broader national interests and fails to leverage its position as a major democracy in the region.
• Potential for a Values-Driven Policy: A progressive, values-driven policy that supports democracy and human security in Myanmar could better align with India's long-term interests and enhance its regional influence.

Strategic Recommendations for Policy Shift

• Leveraging Democratic Credentials: India should utilize its status as the largest federal democracy to support Myanmar's pro-democracy movement, offering capacity-building and knowledge exchange to aid the National Unity Government (NUG) and other resistance groups.
• Halting Military Support: Immediate cessation of all weapon sales and military aid to the Myanmar junta is crucial, as these resources are used to perpetuate violence against civilians.
• Establishing Humanitarian Corridors: India should open cross-border humanitarian corridors to provide relief to civilians affected by conflict in Myanmar's border regions, reinstating the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and collaborating with local and international NGOs for aid distribution.

Humanitarian and Ethical Considerations

• Stopping Deportation of Asylum Seekers: India must halt the detention and deportation of Myanmar asylum seekers, treating them as refugees in need of protection rather than illegal immigrants, in accordance with international legal principles and humanitarian considerations.
• Promoting Inclusive Refugee Policies: The government should ensure humane treatment and shelter for refugees, learning from best practices in other countries and adhering to international standards.

UPSC Mains Questions

Q. Critically analyze India's current policy towards Myanmar's military regime in light of the ongoing human rights violations. How can India balance its strategic interests with its democratic values in its foreign policy?

The recent security pact between Russia and North Korea signals a strategic shift reminiscent of Cold War alliances. Facing sanctions and opposition from the West, both nations aim to bolster their positions through mutual support, marking a significant geopolitical realignment.

Reviving Old Alliances in a New Context

• Introduction to the Issue: Russia and North Korea, historical allies, have renewed their partnership through a security pact, promising mutual assistance against aggression, indicating a strategic pivot amidst escalating tensions with the West.
• Changing Geopolitical Dynamics: The prolonged Ukraine war and subsequent Western sanctions have pushed Russia to seek allies, leading to increased cooperation with North Korea, including the reported supply of ammunition and ballistic missiles.
• Elevation to De Facto Alliance: The security pact between Russia and North Korea elevates their relationship to a de facto alliance, with implications for both countries’ defense sectors and broader geopolitical strategies.

Impact on Global and Regional Politics

• Strengthening the Axis Against the West: Russia’s engagement with countries like North Korea, Iran, and China highlights its strategy to form an axis of opposition to the Western-led global order, signaling a shift towards a multipolar world.
• Geopolitical Consequences in Northeast Asia: The pact potentially destabilizes Northeast Asia, reducing North Korea's incentive for denuclearization and straining Russia’s relations with South Korea and Japan.
• Strengthening Western Alliances: This development is likely to reinforce the emerging tripartite partnership among Japan, South Korea, and the U.S., further solidifying the new cold war dynamics between major powers.

Broader Implications and Strategic Considerations

• Impacts on Denuclearization Efforts: With the strengthened alliance, North Korea may become even less inclined to engage in denuclearization talks, complicating international diplomatic efforts.
• Regional Security Dynamics: The renewed alliance between Russia and North Korea could lead to increased military tensions and security dilemmas in the region, necessitating a reevaluation of defense and diplomatic strategies by neighboring countries.
• Global Order Realignments: This strategic partnership reflects a broader trend of realignments in global politics, with countries forming new alliances to counterbalance Western influence, indicating a shift towards a more fragmented and multipolar world order.

UPSC Mains Questions

Q. Evaluate the broader implications of Russia's strategy to form alliances with countries opposed to the Western-led global order. How does this reflect the changing nature of global politics and the emergence of a new multipolar world?

The cancellation of the UGC-NET examination by the National Testing Agency (NTA) highlights systemic issues within the examination body, raising concerns about its credibility and the broader implications for India’s examination system.

Challenges in Examination Conduct and Management

• Recurring Irregularities: The cancellation follows issues in other major exams like NEET-UG and JEE, indicating recurring irregularities and technical glitches, which have placed the NTA under intense scrutiny.
• Government Response: The Education Ministry’s proactive cancellation of UGC-NET contrasts with its slower response to NEET issues, reflecting a learning curve but also exposing inconsistencies in handling examination fraud.
• Impact on Candidates: Over nine lakh UGC-NET candidates, who invested time and resources, face significant disruption and uncertainty, highlighting the profound personal and financial impacts of examination mismanagement.

Systemic Issues and the Need for Reform

• Switch to Offline Exams: The UGC-NET was previously an online exam under NTA but reverted to offline this year, which is more vulnerable to paper leaks, raising questions about the rationale behind this decision.
• Transparency and Accountability: To regain trust, the NTA needs to ensure full transparency in the investigation and accountability for those responsible for irregularities, alongside a thorough overhaul of its systems and personnel.
• Calls for Decentralization: The testing agency’s failures have led some Opposition leaders to suggest dismantling the NTA and decentralizing exam responsibilities to the states, arguing that smaller, state-level exams are easier to manage and less prone to large-scale issues.

Political and Social Implications

• Political Repercussions: The NTA’s problems have become a politically charged issue, with significant stakes for the government given the impact on India’s educated youth and youngest voters.
• Restoring Integrity: Both the Union and state governments need to collaborate on restoring the integrity of examination systems to ensure fair and reliable assessments, crucial for the future of India’s education system.
• Future of National Exams: Despite calls for decentralization, some national-level exams will remain essential, necessitating robust systems and safeguards to prevent future scandals and maintain public trust.

UPSC Mains Questions

Q. Discuss the implications of frequent examination irregularities on candidates and the education system in India. How can the government ensure fair and reliable assessments for students?