GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

US President Joe Biden has announced a ceasefire deal to end 13 months of fighting between Israel and with Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia supported by Iran.

The Agreement

• The agreement was "designed to be a permanent ceasefire".
• Under the terms of the ceasefire, over 60 days Hezbollah will remove its fighters and weapons from the area between the Blue Line - the unofficial border between Lebanon and Israel - and the Litani river, about 30km (20 miles) to the north.
• Hezbollah fighters will be replaced by Lebanese army forces in that area, who will ensure that infrastructure or weaponry is removed and that it cannot be rebuilt.
• Over the same 60 days, Israel will gradually withdraw its remaining forces and civilians, it would enable civilians on both sides of the border to return to their homes.
• The agreement largely tracks UN Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.
• Under resolution 1701, areas south of the Litani should be free of any armed personnel or weapons other than those of the Lebanese state and the UN peacekeeping force (Unifil).
• But both sides claimed violations of the resolution.

The Supreme Court recently dismissed pleas challenging the inclusion of the words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ in the Preamble to the Indian Constitution. These words were added through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment in 1976, during the Emergency period. The petitioners argued that these words should not have been inserted, as the original Preamble, adopted in 1949, did not include them, and that such changes were undemocratic. However, the Supreme Court upheld their inclusion, declaring these terms to be part of the basic structure of the Constitution.

History of the Preamble and Key Changes:

• Original Preamble (1949): The original Preamble adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, declared India as a sovereign, democratic republic. It did not mention the words ‘socialist’ or ‘secular’. The Constituent Assembly did not include ‘socialist’, as it felt that economic ideals should evolve over time and should not be dictated in the Constitution.
• Secularism in India: The word secular was also absent in the original Preamble. The Indian form of secularism is different from Western secularism. In India, the state can regulate certain religious practices and intervene for social reform, unlike in Western countries, where there is a strict separation of religion and state.
• Supreme Court’s Rulings:
  • In Berubari Case (1960), the Supreme Court initially ruled that the Preamble was not part of the Constitution and did not have any legal powers.
  • However, in Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973), the Court reversed this opinion, stating that the Preamble is part of the Constitution and must be interpreted in line with the vision it outlines.
  • In 1976, through the 42nd Amendment, the words ‘socialist’, ‘secular’, and ‘integrity’ were added to the Preamble.

The Current Case:

• Petitioners’ Argument: Petitioner opposed the inclusion of ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ in the Preamble. Their argument was:
  • These words were added during the Emergency (1975-77) and were imposed on the people.
  • The original Preamble, adopted by the Constituent Assembly in 1949, did not include these terms, and therefore, no further words should be added later by Parliament.
  • The petition argued that while the amendments in 1976 inserted these words, they should appear in a separate paragraph, below the original Preamble.
• Supreme Court’s Ruling:
  • The Supreme Court dismissed the pleas and upheld the inclusion of ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ in the Preamble.
  • It ruled that ‘socialism’ and ‘secularism’ are integral to the basic structure of the Constitution, meaning they form a core part of India’s constitutional identity.
  • The Court stated that the Preamble is a ‘living document’ and is subject to changes through the amendment process as part of Parliament’s powers. The date mentioned in the original Preamble (1949) does not limit Parliament’s ability to amend it.
  • On ‘socialism’, the Court clarified that it primarily means a welfare state that aims for equality of opportunity, ensuring the state provides for the poor and marginalized, without necessarily eliminating private enterprise.
  • On ‘secularism’, the Court explained that India’s form of secularism involves the state neither favoring nor discriminating against any religion, and it ensures that all religions are treated equally, which is an essential aspect of the right to equality.

Why Is This Ruling Important?

• Socialism in India: After Independence, India adopted a model of democratic socialism, characterized by central planning and state control over major industries. In the 1960s and 70s, this led to nationalization of banks, increased taxes, and regulations, reflecting characteristics of a mixed economy.
  • From 1991, the economy began shifting towards a market-oriented model, leading to rapid growth. Despite this, socialist values continue to guide government programs aimed at reducing poverty and inequality, like MGNREGA, food subsidies, and direct benefit transfers.
  • The Court emphasized that socialism today involves using government resources to support the poor, while allowing private enterprise to flourish.
• Secularism in India: India’s secularism is rooted in the idea of unity in diversity. The state does not support any religion but ensures the freedom to practice any religion. The Court highlighted that the secular nature of the state guarantees equality for all religions, without any form of discrimination.
• Reflecting India’s Constitution: The ruling reinforces that the Constitution is not a static document. It adapts to changing societal needs while remaining true to the principles of justice, equality, and fraternity. The Court’s interpretation helps preserve the core values of the Constitution, ensuring that socialism and secularism continue to shape India’s future governance.

November 21 marked the 61st anniversary of India’s space programme, which began on this date in 1963 with the launch of the Nike-Apache sounding rocket from Thumba, Kerala. This event marked the start of India’s journey in space exploration. Over time, this has led to the establishment of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), now a global leader in space technology.

In recent developments, India launched its first satellite aboard a SpaceX rocket, marking a milestone as the private sector gets more involved in space missions.

Recent Developments and Launches:

• GSAT-N2 Satellite Launch:
  • NewSpace India Ltd., a government company, launched the GSAT-N2/GSAT-20 satellite from Florida, USA aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
  • The GSAT-N2 satellite weighs 4,700 kg and will improve broadband services in remote areas like the northeast, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep.
  • The satellite will also support services like in-flight internet and Smart Cities Mission.
  • GSAT-N2 was launched using a SpaceX rocket because it was too heavy for India's LVM-3 rocket (India’s most powerful, which can carry up to 4,000 kg).
• Upcoming Launches:
  • ISRO’s PSLV-C59 mission will launch Proba-3, a European mission to study the Sun, on December 4, 2024.
  • Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s astronaut-in-training, is preparing for a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2025.

Milestones in Indian Rocketry:

• Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-3) – 1980: India joined a select group of nations with the launch of its Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 (SLV-3). On July 18, 1980, it successfully placed the Rohini satellite into orbit, making India the 6th nation to have this capability (after the U.S., Soviet Union, U.K., France, and Japan).
• The Evolution of ISRO’s Rockets: After the SLV-3, India developed a series of other rockets:
  • ASLV (Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicles)
  • PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle), which became ISRO’s workhorse for most missions.
  • GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) for heavier payloads.

PSLV, in particular, became reliable and widely used for launching satellites into various orbits for communication, weather, and navigation purposes.

ISRO’s Current Role:

• Today, India is a global leader in space technology. ISRO has developed and launched a variety of satellites for remote sensing, weather forecasting, communication, navigation, surveillance, and deep-space exploration (studying the Moon, Mars, and the Sun).
• ISRO’s rockets are capable of launching satellites into different orbits, and India has ensured reliable access to space, a statement made by Ramakrishnan, a renowned rocket technologist.

Private Sector Involvement:

India’s private space sector is also growing rapidly with several companies preparing to launch their own missions:

• Pixxel: This Indian-American company is preparing to launch ‘Fireflies’, a constellation of 6 hyperspectral satellites in early 2024. These satellites will monitor things like crop diseases, water scarcity, deforestation, and ocean pollution.
• GalaxEye Space: This company will launch its Tech Demo satellite on a PSLV rocket’s Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) platform to test synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology for Earth observation.
• PierSight Space: ‘Varuna’, another private satellite, will demonstrate an antenna technology and test SAR and avionics on a PSLV POEM
• HEX20: This company will launch its ‘Nila’ satellite (5 kg) onboard SpaceX’s Transporter-13 mission in February 2025. The satellite will offer data processing services.

Other Developments in Space and Science:

• Catalyx Space: SR-0, a satellite launched by Catalyx Space, successfully completed its mission onboard India’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle. The satellite re-entered Earth’s atmosphere on November 3.
• AAKA Space Studio: India’s first Space Analog Mission was launched in Leh, Ladakh, with collaboration between ISRO, IIT-Bombay, and University of Ladakh. This mission will test habitat sustainability for future space missions, simulating conditions on Mars or the Moon.
• SatSure: This company is working with the Ministry of Electronics on a program called Svamvita to map rural properties using drones. This will help capture high-resolution images for better planning and development.

A depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression, bringing heavy rainfall to Chennai and several districts in Tamil Nadu. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the system will further intensify into a cyclone (Cyclone Fengal).

Cyclone:

• A cyclone is a mature, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms featuring a clearly defined circulation pattern.
• They are caused by atmospheric disturbances around a low-pressure area distinguished by swift and often destructive air circulation.
• They form over warm ocean waters and are characterized by low pressure at the center, called the "eye," surrounded by strong, rotating winds.
• Cyclones are classified as:
  • extra tropical cyclones (also called temperate cyclones)
  • tropical cyclones
• Worldwide terminology: Cyclones are given many names in different regions of the world. They are known as:
  • Typhoons in the China Sea and Pacific Ocean
  • Hurricanes in the West Indian islands in the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean
  • Tornados in the Guinea lands of West Africa and southern USA.
  • Willy-willies in north-western Australia
  • Tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean

The Supreme Court asked the Union government to file within two weeks a report on negotiation committee formed over a dispute related to distribution of Pennar river water.

About Pennaiyar Basin

• Pennaiyar Basin is the second largest interstate East flowing river basin among the 12 basins lying between Pennar and Cauvery basins.
• It covers a large area in the State of Tamil Nadu besides the areas covered in the states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
• The Pennaiyar river, once called Dakshina Pinaki river, is the only water source for Tamil Nadu's industry-heavy town of Krishnagiri.
• The river enters Tamil Nadu in Krishnagiri and flows through districts like Cuddalore, Villupuram, Dharmapuri, Tiruvannamalai and Kallakurichi, irrigating more than four lakh acres.
• Pennaiyar river basin lies within the tropical monsoon zone.
• The Pennaiyar river is having 14 tributaries, namely: Chinnar West, Chinnar East, Markandanadhi, Kambainallur, Pambar, Vaniyar, Kottaipatti, Kallar, Valayar Odai, Ramakkal, Pambanar, Aliyar, Musukundanadhi and Thurinjalar.
• The Basin is bounded on the North -West and South by various ranges of the Eastern Ghats like the Velikonda Range, the Nagari hills, the Javadu hills, the Shevaroy hills, the Chitteri hills and the Kalrayan hills and in the East by the Bay of Bengal.

The Union Cabinet approved the ‘One Nation One Subscription’ (ONOS) initiative for centralised access to research articles and journal publication for government higher education institutions and research and development (R&D) laboratories of the central government.

What is ONOS?

• ONOS is a plan to consolidate researchers’ subscriptions to prominent academic journals and other similar publications.
• Once in place, the ONOS initiative will provide access to journal articles to all individuals in India for one “centrally negotiated payment”. The ONOS will replace individual institutional journal subscriptions.
• Need of the initiative:
  • Subscriptions to scientific journals are a costly affair. According to a research, India spent around Rs 1,500 crore on subscription for electronic and print journals in 2018. Institutions also spent around Rs 30-50 crore on access to SCOPUS and Web of Science, which are popular citation databases.
  • The Indian government spent around Rs 995 crore on journal subscriptions in 2022.
• This included “the spending by the ten library consortia funded by different ministries/departments and self-subscriptions by individual government academic and R&D institutions”.
• Overall, the total expenditure for 2019-2022 was estimated to be around Rs 2,985 crore.
• The ONOS initiative is also expected to include concessions on fees that authors have to pay to have their work published in open access journals.
• The central government has allocated Rs 6,000 crore for ONOS until 2027.
• All higher education institutions under central or State governments and R&D institutions of central government can avail the benefits of the initiative through a national subscription.

Several officials from the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department in Tiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu, have been booked for fraud related to the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) (PMAY-G). These officials are accused of fraudulently disbursing funds to 43 ineligible individuals under the scheme, causing a financial misappropriation of approximately Rs 73 lakh.

About the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) (PMAY-G):

• The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin), launched in 2016, is a flagship scheme of the Government of India aimed at providing affordable housing to rural households.
• It is part of the ‘Housing for All’ mission and focuses on ensuring that every homeless or houseless family in rural areas gets a pucca house with basic amenities.
• Key Features of PMAY (G):
  • Objective: The main goal of PMAY-G is to provide adequate housing with safe living conditions to all eligible families in rural areas by 2022.
  • Financial Assistance:
    • Under the scheme, ?1.2 lakh is provided for the construction of a new house (in plain areas), and ?1.3 lakh is provided in hilly, difficult, and tribal areas.
    • The government also provides financial support for constructing toilets and basic amenities.
  • Funding Pattern: The scheme is funded on a 60:40 ratio between the Centre and the State for most states, while for special category states (like Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and others), it is on a 90:10
  • Eligibility Criteria:
    • Families without a permanent house (pucca house).
    • Families with inadequate housing (kutcha houses).
    • Beneficiaries must meet the socio-economic criteria defined by the government, such as income, land ownership, and other specific guidelines.
• Scheme Implementation: The implementation of PMAY-G is done by Panchayat Raj Institutions and District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) in coordination with the State Rural Development Departments. The Block Development Officers (BDOs) and Zonal Deputy BDOs play a key role in the identification and verification of beneficiaries.

India’s milk production has increased by 3.78% to reach 239.30 million tonnes in 2023-24, according to the latest Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2024 (BAHS), released on November 26 (National Milk Day). Alongside milk, there has been an increase in meat and egg production as well. While milk growth has slowed in recent years, India continues to be the world’s largest producer of milk.

Key Highlights:

• Milk Production:
  • Milk production in India grew by 78%, reaching 239.30 million tonnes in 2023-24.
  • Despite this increase, growth has slowed compared to previous years (5.77% in 2021-22 and 3.83% in 2022-23).
  • India remains the world’s largest producer of milk, but officials stress the need to boost dairy exports.
  • Milk production from exotic/crossbred cattle increased by 8%, while indigenous cattle saw a larger growth of 76%.
  • However, milk production from buffaloes dropped by 16% in the same period.
• Meat Production: Meat production grew by 95% and is estimated to reach 10.25 million tonnes in 2023-24. India has been experiencing growth in its meat production, contributing to its position as a significant player in global markets.
• Egg Production: Egg production increased by 17%, reaching 142.77 billion eggs in 2023-24. India remains the world’s second-largest producer of eggs, with an average of 103 eggs per person annually.
• Wool Production: India’s total wool production stands at 69 million kg.

The Union Cabinet has approved the Rs 1,435 crore PAN 2.0 Project aimed at modernizing the Permanent Account Number (PAN) system.

What is PAN 2.0 Project?

• This initiative will transform PAN into a "common business identifier" for government agencies, offering QR-enabled cards, enhanced cybersecurity, and a unified digital portal.
• The system will allow for paperless services, improved grievance redressal, and faster services for taxpayers.
• Existing PAN holders won't need to apply for a new card but can opt to upgrade to the new PAN 2.0 card free of charge.
• The upgrade will provide enhanced features like QR codes and mandatory PAN Data Vaults.
• The project ensures better data consistency, eco-friendly processes, and quicker services for users.
• All PAN cards issued to date remain valid even after the rollout of PAN 2.0.

A petition was filed in the district court of Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, claiming that the Jama Masjid in Sambhal was built on the site of an ancient Hari Har Mandir (temple). This is similar to the ongoing legal disputes regarding other places of worship, such as the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and the Eidgah Masjid in Mathura. The Jama Masjid in Sambhal is a protected national monument.

Historical Background of the Jama Masjid, Sambhal:

• The Jama Masjid in Sambhal was built during the Mughal period, around 1528, by Mir Hindu Beg, a general under Emperor Babur.
• The mosque is considered one of three mosques built by Babur’s empire, the other two being the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya and the mosque in Panipat.
• Some historians argue that the mosque was originally built during the Tughlaq era, and Babur added features to its structure.
• Hindu tradition claims the mosque incorporates parts of an ancient Vishnu temple, and some believe that the tenth avatar of Vishnu (Kalki) will appear at this site in the future.

The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991:

• The Places of Worship Act, 1991, was passed to maintain the religious status of all places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947. This Act prohibits the conversion of places of worship from one religion to another.
• The Act was created to prevent ongoing disputes over religious sites, with the only exception being the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute, which was specifically excluded.
• Section 3 of the Act clearly forbids the conversion of any place of worship into a place of worship of a different religion.
• Challenge to the Act:
  • The petitioners in the Sambhal case are asking the court to change the religious character of the mosque, which is in contravention of the Places of Worship Act.
  • They cite a statement made by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud in 2022, suggesting that the ascertainment of religious character of a place might not violate the Act’s provisions.
  • The Supreme Court is already hearing challenges to the Places of Worship Act in relation to the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, the Eidgah Masjid in Mathura, and the Kamal-Maula Masjid in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh.
  • The Supreme Court has not yet ruled on these challenges or on the constitutionality of the Places of Worship Act itself.

Russia has reportedly offered India the opportunity to procure the Tu-160M strategic bombers, known as the “White Swan,” which could substantially boost the IAF’s aerial capabilities.

About Tupolev Tu-160

• The Tu-160M, often called the 'White Swan', is a large strategic bomber with an impressive ability to fly up to 12,000 kilometers without needing to refuel. This makes it highly capable of covering long distances during missions.
• It was designed by the Tupolev Design Bureau in the 1970s during the Soviet era.
• It is still the largest and heaviest combat aircraft in the world.
• It can also fly at supersonic speeds, making it extremely powerful and fast.
• The modernized variant, the Tu-160M, incorporates significant upgrades over its predecessor.
• Equipped with advanced avionics, enhanced navigation systems, and state-of-the-art NK-32-02 engines, the Tu-160M is designed to improve operational efficiency and extend mission capabilities.
• Each aircraft can carry up to 12 long-range cruise or nuclear missiles, enabling precision strikes far from home bases.
• The model’s design allows for high-speed, low-altitude flight and quick acceleration, granting it a unique operational profile suitable for conventional and strategic missions.
• India’s present capabilities: Presently, India relies on fighters like the Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Dassault Rafale for long-range strikes. While versatile, these aircraft do not match the range and payload of the Tu-160M, which can carry nuclear-capable Kh-101 and Kh-102 cruise missiles.

ZF Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS) India has recently inaugurated an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) test track in Chennai, India. This facility enables ZF to test and refine advanced vehicle stability systems, with a focus on ensuring enhanced safety, agility, and handling of vehicles, which is critical for reducing accidents and improving performance.

About the ESC Test Track:

• The ESC test track provides a controlled environment where vehicles can be evaluated under various conditions that simulate real-world scenarios, including sharp turns, slippery surfaces, and emergency braking situations.
• The goal is to test the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system, a crucial safety feature that helps prevent skidding or loss of control in vehicles by automatically applying brakes to individual wheels when needed.
• Key Features:
  • 200-meter diameter dynamic pad: This area allows testing of vehicle stability under extreme stress and friction conditions (with a surface friction of 0.9 µ).
  • 600-meter approach roads: Simulate real-world driving conditions, providing a comprehensive test environment for testing vehicle handling and ESC systems.
  • Wide range of vehicles tested: The facility is versatile, supporting the testing of various vehicles, including two-wheelers, passenger cars, and heavy commercial vehicles.
• Significance of the Facility:
  • Safety Innovation: The test track plays a pivotal role in the development and testing of advanced safety systems, such as ESC, which is becoming increasingly important in modern vehicles to prevent accidents caused by loss of control.
  • Independent Testing: The track is certified by TÜV Rheinland and ARAI, which ensures that it meets high industry standards. It is also available for use by third-party customers, providing an independent platform for testing, which could help improve safety standards across the entire automotive industry.
  • Industry-wide Collaboration: The facility allows ZF to collaborate with industry experts and other organizations to drive innovations in automotive safety. This will also help in identifying further development opportunities for safety systems to enhance vehicle performance and potentially save lives on the road.

Sjögren’s disease has been gaining attention in India as an under-recognized autoimmune condition that remains largely undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, often for years.

About Sjögren’s disease

• Sjögren’s disease is a multisystem autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system attacks moisture-producing glands, leading to symptoms like dry eyes, dry mouth, joint pain, and fatigue.
• It can also affect other organs, including the lungs, kidneys, and nervous system, causing a range of health complications.
• Despite its prevalence, especially among women (it is about 10 times more common in women than men), there is a significant lack of awareness, resulting in frustration for patients who often visit multiple doctors before getting a proper diagnosis.
• The disease’s impact goes beyond the physical symptoms—it also takes an emotional and social toll, as patients often struggle with chronic fatigue and symptoms that may not be immediately visible to others, contributing to a sense of isolation.
• Thus, there is an ongoing push to address misconceptions and ensure that quality care is accessible to all those affected.
• This is why Sjögren’s disease is being discussed more frequently in the media, as it has become increasingly recognized as an important health issue that needs more focus in terms of both clinical attention and patient advocacy.

The National Green Tribunal has issued notice to the Centre and others in a matter regarding the rapid expansion of the Himalayan glacial lakes, raising concerns over the increasing risk of natural disasters.

What’s the issue?

• The main issue revolves around the rapid expansion of Himalayan glacial lakes caused by the melting of glaciers due to the rising global temperatures.
• The expansion of these glacial lakes poses a major environmental and disaster risk, particularly the potential for glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).
• These are floods that occur when a glacial lake dam (often made of ice or debris) suddenly fails, releasing massive amounts of water downstream and causing floods, landslides, and damage to infrastructure.

Key details about the issue:

• Increase in Glacial Lakes: A report shows that the surface area of glacial lakes in India has increased by 33.7% from 2011 to 2024, with 81% growth in the last 13 years alone. This growth is linked to the accelerated melting of glaciers due to climate change.
• High-Risk Lakes: The report identifies 67 glacial lakes in India that have expanded by over 40% in surface area, making them highly vulnerable to GLOFs. Regions like Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh are particularly affected.
• Potential Disasters: The expansion of these lakes significantly increases the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), which can be catastrophic for downstream communities, infrastructure, and biodiversity. These floods have the potential to destroy villages, disrupt transport networks, and cause severe environmental damage.
• Legal and Environmental Concerns: The NGT has raised concerns about potential violations of environmental laws, including the Biodiversity Act, Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, and the Environment Protection Act. The rapid growth of these lakes without adequate monitoring and management is seen as a violation of these laws.

India's recent signing of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty, is being hailed as a significant step in global ocean governance. The treaty aims to protect marine biodiversity and promote the sustainable use of high-seas resources. However, its structural complexities, geopolitical challenges, and weak enforcement mechanisms have raised concerns about its long-term effectiveness.

Key Objectives and Goals of the Treaty

• Marine Biodiversity Conservation: The BBNJ Treaty focuses on conserving marine biodiversity, ensuring the sustainable use of resources, and promoting environmental impact assessments for harmful activities.
• Equitable Sharing of Benefits: A central aspect of the treaty is ensuring that profits derived from marine genetic resources are shared equitably, with a global fund intended for this purpose.
• Environmental Impact Assessments: The treaty mandates the conduct of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for planned activities in the high seas, aiming to minimize harmful effects on marine ecosystems.

Challenges and Structural Weaknesses

• Geopolitical Disputes and Territorial Claims: Disputes over maritime territories, especially in areas like the South China Sea, complicate the consensus on establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and hinder the treaty’s implementation.
• Enforcement and Accountability Issues: The treaty lacks robust enforcement mechanisms, especially concerning the reporting and sharing of profits from marine genetic resources, risking exploitation by wealthier nations.
• Capacity and Technology Gaps: Low and middle-income countries may face challenges in benefiting from the treaty, as it lacks enforceable mechanisms for capacity-building and technology transfer, creating inequalities in ocean governance.

Limitations and Potential for Reform

• Limited Scope and Overlooking EEZs: The treaty’s narrow focus on high seas governance neglects the interconnectedness of marine ecosystems and the impact of activities in Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), which often spill into international waters.
• Gaps in Oil and Gas Exploration Regulation: The treaty fails to address harmful activities, such as oil and gas exploration, which remain outside its scope, leaving significant gaps in its environmental protection framework.
• Need for a Cohesive Framework: For the treaty to succeed, there needs to be a unified approach that integrates high-seas and coastal regulations, with greater involvement of coastal states and international collaboration to bridge gaps in governance.

Practice Question:

Q. Critically analyze the challenges and opportunities presented by the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement in addressing marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource use. How can the treaty's framework be strengthened for effective implementation?

Constitution Day on November 26, 2024, marked 75 years since the adoption of the Indian Constitution, focusing on the country’s commitment to constitutional governance. The event highlighted the intellectual debates that led to the creation of a political identity that accommodates multiple cultural groups and addresses inequalities. The discussion also shed light on the evolving role of the state in creating an egalitarian society, a vision shaped by liberalism with a focus on reducing social and economic inequalities.

Vision of an Egalitarian Society

• Constitutional Ideology on Equality: The Indian Constitution was crafted to create an egalitarian society, focusing on reducing inequalities, both social and economic, by incorporating principles from egalitarian liberalism, including equal liberties, opportunities, and difference.
• State Intervention for Equality: The Constitution adopted liberal values but emphasized the state's role in addressing historical inequalities through affirmative action and reservations. This was crucial for providing equal opportunities and reducing social disparities.
• Judicial Interpretations: The Supreme Court of India has reinforced this vision, with judgments like S. Nakara (1982) and Air India Statutory Corporation (1996), highlighting the importance of a welfare state that aims to achieve economic and social justice by reducing inequalities.

Neoliberal Reforms and Impact on Inequality

• Shift Post-Economic Reforms: After the adoption of neoliberal economic reforms in the 1990s, the state’s role in reducing inequality diminished as market-driven policies prioritized private capital over welfare, resulting in growing economic disparities.
• Rising Inequality: Research by Lucas Chancel and Thomas Piketty revealed that after liberalization, the share of income held by the top 1% increased sharply, with the top 1% now holding 22.6% of the wealth by 2022-23, highlighting a regression to pre-Independence inequality levels.
• Current Inequality Status: The "State of Inequality in India Report" (2022) showed a stark contrast in wages, with the top 10% earning disproportionately high wages compared to the bottom 90%, leading to a widening gap and undermining the constitutional vision of economic equality.

Social Inequality and Wealth Concentration

• Overlap of Economic and Social Inequality: Economic inequality in India is strongly correlated with social inequality, as upper castes dominate wealth accumulation, with scheduled castes and tribes largely excluded from billionaire wealth.
• Wealth Distribution Among Castes: The report highlighted that by 2022-23, upper castes held 90% of the wealth, while OBCs and Scheduled Castes had significantly less representation, reinforcing social hierarchies in wealth ownership.
• Impact of Rising Billionaire Wealth: Oxfam’s report pointed out that the rise in billionaire wealth is exacerbating social and economic inequalities, as it now takes 941 years for a minimum wage earner to earn the same as a top corporate executive, undermining the egalitarian goals envisioned in the Constitution.

Practice Question:

Q. Discuss the constitutional vision of an egalitarian society in India and analyze how recent economic reforms have influenced the levels of social and economic inequality, particularly in the context of the rise in wealth concentration among the upper castes.

India faces a critical shortage of corneas for transplants, despite widespread support for eye donation and public pledges. The government is considering an amendment to the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994, to introduce a "presumed consent" model for corneal donation from deceased individuals in hospitals, aiming to meet the demand of 1,00,000 corneal transplants annually.

Magnitude of the Problem

• Prevalence of Corneal Blindness: Corneal opacities are the second leading cause of blindness in India, with approximately 1.2 million people suffering from it. A third of these cases could be treated with a corneal transplant.
• Shortage of Eye Banks and Surgeons: India lacks sufficient high-quality eye banks (only 12-14 exist, whereas 50 are needed) and corneal surgeons (only 500 active surgeons, instead of 500 needed).
• Potential for Treatment: Corneal transplants are a highly effective and common procedure globally, making the supply of corneas critical for addressing preventable blindness.

Presumed Consent vs Required Request

• Presumed Consent Approach: Under the proposed 'presumed consent' model, all hospital deaths would automatically be considered for corneal donation unless the deceased had explicitly opted out, speeding up the retrieval process.
• Risks of Presumed Consent: Critics argue that 'presumed consent' undermines the principle of obtaining explicit consent from the next of kin, which could negatively impact the voluntary nature of donations.
• Global Alternatives: Countries with high organ donation rates, such as Spain and the United States, do not operate a presumed consent system but rather employ a 'Required Request' policy, requesting consent from families even when citizens are presumed donors.

Successful Models and Solutions

• Hospital Cornea Retrieval Programme (HCRP): The 'Required Request' model, in which grief counselors approach families for consent, has been successful in increasing cornea donations.
• Success in India: The L.V. Prasad Eye Institute’s HCRP model has yielded over 70% of the corneas harvested and eliminated waiting lists for transplants in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha.
• Investment in Eye Banks and Surgeons: A focus on consent-driven donation, with the creation of more eye banks and trained surgeons, can address the corneal transplant shortage and eliminate avoidable blindness.

Practice Question:

Q. Evaluate the 'presumed consent' model for corneal donation in India and compare it with the 'required request' approach. Which model is more suited for India’s context, and why?