GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

The Supreme Court's recent ruling on Aadhaar cards not being valid proof of age has garnered significant attention, particularly in relation to compensation claims for motor vehicle accidents. The case involved the family of a man who died in an accident, with the compensation amount hinging on his age as listed on various documents, including his Aadhaar card and School Leaving Certificate.

Why Did the Court Issue This Ruling? (Background)

• The ruling was prompted by a compensation dispute involving the deceased’s age.
• Initially, the Punjab & Haryana High Court used the age listed on the Aadhaar card to calculate compensation, applying a specific multiplier based on that age.
• However, the family contended that the School Leaving Certificate indicated a different age, warranting a higher compensation amount.
• The Supreme Court criticized the lower court's reliance on the Aadhaar card, referencing established legal precedents and provisions that designate specific documents (like the School Leaving Certificate) as valid proof of age.
• The court emphasized the importance of using verified educational documents rather than Aadhaar, which was primarily intended as proof of identity.

What Did the SC Say Now?

The Supreme Court, in its judgement, reiterated that Aadhaar should not be considered proof of age. It cited:

• Section 94 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015: This section specifies that matriculation or equivalent certificates are acceptable for determining age.
• Previous Supreme Court Rulings: The court referred to a 2018 ruling that characterized Aadhaar as proof of identity, explicitly stating it does not serve as proof of date of birth.
• The court overturned the Punjab & Haryana High Court’s decision, establishing that the School Leaving Certificate should be used to determine the age for calculating compensation, ultimately awarding the family Rs 15 lakh based on the correct multiplier.

Impact

• The ruling has significant implications for how Aadhaar is utilized in legal and administrative contexts.
  • Aadhaar was mooted first as a “unique ID (UID) for below-poverty-line families” to access government schemes, and then as a national exercise to register and issue unique IDs to every resident in India.
• It reinforces the notion that while Aadhaar serves as a crucial tool for identity verification, it is not a comprehensive solution for all identification needs, particularly those requiring age verification.
• This decision may lead to a reevaluation of Aadhaar's role in various administrative processes and bolster the reliance on more traditional forms of documentation for specific legal purposes.
• Additionally, it underscores the ongoing dialogue regarding privacy and the appropriate use of personal data in India’s legal framework.

The Union Government launched the 21st Livestock Census in New Delhi. 

What is the Livestock Census?

• Conducted every five years, the Livestock Census is a nationwide headcount of domesticated animals, poultry, and stray animals.
• It aims to gather detailed information about the species, breed, age, sex, and ownership status of these animals.
• Since its inception in 1919, a total of 20 censuses have been carried out, with the most recent one conducted in 2019.
• The enumeration for the 21st census is scheduled to take place from October 2024 to February 2025.
• Which Animals Will Be Counted? The census will encompass a diverse range of animals, with data collected on 16 species, including: Cattle, Buffalo, Mithun, Yak, Sheep, Goat, Pig, Camel, Horse, Ponies, Mule, Donkey, Dog, Rabbit, Elephant
  • In total, the census will account for 219 indigenous breeds recognized by the ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR). Additionally, it will also include a headcount of various poultry birds such as chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, quails, ostriches, and emus.
• Objectives of the Livestock Census: The livestock sector plays a pivotal role in the Indian economy, providing employment opportunities in rural areas and contributing significantly to the Gross Value Added (GVA) of the agricultural sector. It accounts for about 30% of the GVA in agriculture and around 4.7% of the overall economy.
• Findings from the 2019 Livestock Census: The last census revealed a total livestock population of approximately 535.78 million in India, broken down as follows:
  • Cattle: 192.9 million
  • Goats: 148.88 million
  • Buffaloes: 109.85 million
  • Sheep: 74.26 million
  • Pigs: 9.06 million
• Together, other animals constituted just 0.23% of the total livestock population.

The Indian government has recently taken significant strides in advancing its space program, approving a series of ambitious projects that signal a new era of exploration. With plans for new missions to the Moon and Venus, along with a strong emphasis on collaboration with the private sector, India is poised to enhance its position in the global space arena.

Key Approvals and Missions

• The Union Cabinet approved several critical missions under the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, including four missions aimed at testing technologies for India's first space station, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station 1, expected to be operational by 2028. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will conduct one uncrewed Gaganyaan flight in addition to two planned missions. This initiative is supported by an additional funding of ?11,170 crore.
• Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV): The Cabinet also greenlit the development of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), with an allocation of ?8,240 crore. This vehicle will be developed in collaboration with private industry to ensure a smooth transition to operational flights once testing is complete. The NGLV is expected to support a variety of future missions, including launching satellites into orbit.
• Upcoming Space Missions
  • Venus Orbiter Mission: Scheduled for launch in March 2028, this mission will cost Rs 1,236 crore and aims to study the planet’s harsh atmosphere and surface conditions.
  • Chandrayaan-4: Planned as a sample-return mission, this project will involve launching components using two LVM-3 rockets. It is designed to gather lunar soil and rock samples and return them to Earth by 2027 at a cost of ?2,104 crore.
  • Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX): A joint effort with Japan, this mission will utilize a new lander distinct from those used in previous Chandrayaan missions, facilitating future crewed lunar explorations.
• Infrastructure Expansion
  • The Space Commission has also approved the development of a third launch pad at Sriharikota, essential for testing and launching the NGLV, reflecting ISRO's commitment to expanding its infrastructure to meet growing demands.
• Enhanced Surveillance and Training
  • The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the Space Based Surveillance (SBS) project, which involves constructing 21 satellites by ISRO and 31 by private companies, totaling ?26,968 crore. This marks a substantial increase from earlier phases of the project.
  • In preparation for international missions, Indian astronaut Sudhanshu Shukla has begun training at SpaceX's headquarters, getting ready for the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station.
• Satellite Collaborations (NISAR and Proba-3): India is gearing up for the launch of two important satellites:
  • NISAR: A collaboration with NASA, this Earth-observation satellite recently received its radar antenna in India and is set to launch in early 2025 using a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle.
  • Proba-3: From the European Space Agency, this mission will study the Sun's corona and is scheduled for a launch aboard a PSLV-XL vehicle.

In a significant move towards enhancing public health preparedness, the Indian government has announced the implementation of a USD 25 million G20 Pandemic Fund.

About G20 Pandemic Fund

• The G20 Pandemic Fund focuses on developing comprehensive health coverage for livestock, particularly in the context of zoonotic diseases—those that can be transmitted from animals to humans, such as COVID-19.
• The Fund aims to bolster India’s animal health security through a multifaceted approach:
  • Enhancing Disease Surveillance: The fund will support the enhancement of disease surveillance systems, including genomic and environmental monitoring, which are crucial for early detection and response to potential outbreaks.
  • Upgrading Laboratory Infrastructure: Significant investments will be directed towards upgrading and expanding animal health laboratories, thereby improving the country’s capacity to diagnose and manage animal diseases effectively.
  • Facilitating Cross-Border Collaboration: By promoting international cooperation, the initiative seeks to establish an integrated system for monitoring and managing zoonotic diseases, which often cross borders.
  • Building Institutional Capacity: The project aims to strengthen institutional frameworks at national and regional levels, including the development of disaster management strategies specifically for the livestock sector.
  • Developing Human Capacity: Training programs will be established to enhance the skills and capabilities of professionals in the animal health field, fostering a more robust response to health crises.
• The fund will be implemented in partnership with esteemed organizations, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Zoonotic Disease

• Zoonotic disease is a disease that has passed into the human population from an animal source directly or through an intermediary species.
• Zoonotic infections can be bacterial, viral, or parasitic in nature, with animals playing a vital role in maintaining such infections.
• Examples of zoonoses include HIV-AIDS, Ebola, Lyme disease, malaria, rabies, West Nile fever, and the current novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) disease.

A recent study has provided crucial insights into the behavior of transplanted hematopoietic stem cells over extended periods. This research focuses on some of the longest-living survivors of hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT), which are life-saving procedures primarily used for patients with blood cancers.

Key Findings

• Mutation Rates: The study found that the rate of mutations and clonal expansion remained low and consistent, with mutation rates averaging 2% per year in donors and 2.6% in recipients. This suggests minimal widespread clonal expansion of stem cells even decades after transplantation.
• Clonal Hematopoiesis (CH): All donors exhibited some degree of clonal hematopoiesis variants, present even in early blood samples. However, the overall mutation rates did not indicate significant adverse effects on the transplanted cells.
• Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplants: These procedures are critical for treating various blood cancers and involve replacing a patient's damaged or dysfunctional blood-forming cells with healthy stem cells from a donor.

What is HSCT?

• Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a critical medical procedure used to restore blood cell production in patients with damaged or defective bone marrow or immune systems. This technique has seen significant growth over the past 50 years, becoming a standard treatment for various malignant and nonmalignant diseases.
• Types of HSCT

• Autologous Transplant: Cells are sourced from the patient’s own body. It is commonly used for conditions such as multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Allogeneic Transplant: Cells are sourced from a donor.
• Syngeneic Transplant: Stem cells are obtained from an identical twin.

• Cell Sources: The primary sources of stem cells for HSCT include:

• Bone Marrow: Traditionally the most common source.
• Peripheral Blood: Stem cells are collected from circulating blood after stimulation.
• Umbilical Cord Blood: Collected at birth; has unique advantages, particularly in matching.
• Fetal Liver: Rarely used due to ethical and practical concerns.

• Each source has its advantages and disadvantages, impacting the clinical applications and outcomes of the transplant.

During an episode of his radio programme Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew attention to “digital arrests”, warning people against the scam.

What are Digital Arrest Scams?

• Digital arrest scams involve fraudulent individuals posing as government officials who contact victims via phone or video calls through platforms like WhatsApp and Skype.
• The scammers typically accuse the victims of involvement in illegal activities, such as drug trafficking or handling suspicious packages.
• To make their deception convincing, these scammers often use elaborate setups that mimic police stations and wear costumes that include official badges.
• They employ intimidation tactics, making victims believe they are under "digital arrest."
• The pressure builds during lengthy calls where the scammers outline dire consequences for non-compliance, culminating in demands for money as a means to secure the victim’s release or to stop the supposed legal proceedings.
• Government Response to Counter Digital Arrest Scams
  • Establishment of I4C: The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre was created under the Ministry of Home Affairs to address the growing menace of cybercrime, including digital arrest scams.
  • Blocking of Scammer IDs: In collaboration with tech companies like Microsoft, I4C has successfully blocked over 1,000 Skype IDs associated with these fraudulent activities.
  • Awareness Campaigns: The government has launched initiatives to educate the public about the risks of such scams. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the role of educational institutions in spreading awareness.
  • Inter-Ministerial Committee: In response to a spike in transnational organized cybercrime, particularly from Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, the government has formed a committee comprising various law enforcement and intelligence agencies to tackle these threats.
  • Reporting Mechanisms: Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious calls immediately by using the cybercrime helpline (1930) or by filing complaints on the official cybercrime website (http://www.cybercrime.gov.in). Local police should also be informed to aid in investigations.

India's environmental performance has come under scrutiny following the release of the Nature Conservation Index, which ranked the country 176 out of 180 countries in terms of natural environment protection. With a score of 45.5 out of 100, this ranking reflects significant challenges in managing biodiversity and conservation efforts.

Key Highlights of the Index

• Overall Ranking: India ranked 176th out of 180 countries.
• Score: India received a score of 45.5 out of 100.
• Top Performers: Luxembourg, Estonia, and Denmark topped the list, while Kiribati was the lowest-ranked.
• Marine Conservation: India scored 0 out of 100 in managing marine protected areas and species protection within marine ecosystems.
• Terrestrial Protection: India scored 73 out of 100 for terrestrial species protection but faces challenges with illegal wildlife trade, ranking fourth globally in this area.
• Protected Areas: While 7.5% of India’s terrestrial area is protected, only 0.2% of marine waters are under protection.
• Regional Comparison: Other South Asian nations such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Myanmar ranked above India, with Bhutan being the highest in the region at a commendable position.

About the Index

• The Nature Conservation Index is a new assessment tool that ranks countries based on their efforts in natural environment protection across four key pillars:
  • Managing Protected Areas: Evaluating the extent and effectiveness of designated conservation zones.
  • Addressing Threats Against Biodiversity: Assessing actions taken to mitigate risks posed to various species and ecosystems.
  • Nature and Conservation Governance: Analyzing policies, regulations, and institutional frameworks supporting conservation efforts.
  • Future Trends in Natural Resource Management: Looking at the sustainability and long-term strategies for managing natural resources.
• The index uses 25 parameters within these pillars to gauge each country’s performance.
• It draws upon publicly available data from reputable sources such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), World Bank, and Yale's Environmental Performance Index (EPI).

The Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) came into effect on August 31, 2024, replacing the earlier Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA). This treaty aims to enhance economic cooperation with the UAE, a significant source of foreign direct investment (FDI) for India. The BIT is particularly notable in the context of India’s recent struggles with bilateral treaties and declining FDI inflows.

Key Provisions of the India-UAE BIT

• Eased Local Remedy Requirement: The new BIT has reduced the period for investors to exhaust local remedies before seeking international arbitration from five years to three years, reflecting a more flexible approach to dispute resolution.
• Negative Covenant on Third-Party Funding: The treaty includes a clause prohibiting investors from utilizing third-party funding for disputes, which contrasts with a growing acceptance of such funding in India’s legal landscape.
• Inclusion of Portfolio Investments: By broadening the scope to include portfolio investments, the BIT allows financial investors to seek recourse under its dispute settlement mechanisms, potentially increasing India’s exposure to investment disputes.

Implications for India’s Investment Climate

• Balancing Investment and Regulation: The BIT aims to find a balance between attracting foreign investment and maintaining the state’s regulatory rights, essential for India’s economic aspirations.
• Impact on Ongoing Trade Negotiations: The treaty may influence India’s ongoing negotiations for free trade agreements (FTAs) with the UK, EU, and other countries, as it sets a precedent for flexible investment terms.
• Long-Term Economic Goals: Despite challenges in contract enforcement and geopolitical factors, the BIT is a step toward fostering a robust cross-border economic ecosystem, aligning with India’s vision of becoming a $5 trillion economy.

Practice Question

Q. Evaluate the significance of the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between India and the UAE in the context of India’s foreign investment landscape. What challenges and opportunities does this treaty present for India’s economic goals?

The 16th BRICS Summit, hosted by Russia in Kazan, marked a significant international gathering amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions following the Ukraine war. The summit emphasized strengthening economic ties among member countries, countering narratives of Russia's isolation, and showcased the growing influence of emerging economies. It also highlighted the group's unified stance against unilateral sanctions imposed by Western nations on its members.

Strengthening Economic Bonds

• New Initiatives and Agreements: The summit resulted in several key agreements, including a push for interbank cooperation, a grain exchange, and a cross-border payment system, signaling a collective effort to develop alternatives to existing global financial structures.
• Expansion of BRICS Membership: The induction of new members like Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia underscores BRICS's role as a counterbalance to Western-dominated international institutions, reinforcing its significance in global governance.
• Message of Inclusivity: The Kazan Declaration emphasized that BRICS is an inclusive organization focused on global cooperation, with Prime Minister Modi advocating for dialogue and diplomacy, underscoring differing geopolitical alignments among member states.

Addressing Geopolitical Challenges

• India's Unique Position: As the only BRICS member aligned with U.S.-led groups like the Quad, India's participation aims to maintain a balance between global partnerships while promoting BRICS’s agenda of unity and cooperation.
• Support for Global Issues: The summit's strong endorsement of Palestinian statehood and concerns over the situation in Gaza reflect BRICS's commitment to addressing pressing global issues, even amidst diverse political views among its members.
• Platform for Bilateral Discussions: BRICS provides a valuable platform for member countries to address bilateral tensions, as demonstrated by the constructive engagements between India and China during the summit, facilitating dialogue on critical issues like territorial disputes.

Practice Question

Q. Analyze the implications of the 16th BRICS Summit for global governance and the dynamics of international relations, particularly in the context of Russia's geopolitical positioning and India's diplomatic balancing act.

The upcoming 29th edition of the Conference of Parties (COP) in Baku, Azerbaijan, is generating renewed interest in accelerating India’s transition to carbon markets. With a focus on increasing climate finance ambition, clarity on carbon markets is a key agenda item, particularly concerning Article 6 of the Paris Climate Agreement. This section outlines the framework for enabling trading of carbon credits among countries to incentivize climate action.

Carbon Market Potential

• Carbon Credit Mechanism: Carbon markets allow countries to trade carbon credits derived from greenhouse gas reductions, incentivizing actions like transitioning to renewable energy and conserving forests.
• India's Strategic Advantage: India's commitment to sourcing 50% of its electricity from non-fossil sources by 2030 positions it favorably to host numerous carbon-reduction projects, enhancing its role in global carbon markets.
• Emerging Private Sector Initiatives: A rise in private sector initiatives focused on innovative forestry projects in India is creating opportunities for carbon credits, which can be traded through voluntary carbon markets by multinational companies.

Regulatory Challenges Ahead

• Emission Intensity Standards: India's iron and steel sectors are expected to adhere to emission intensity standards by 2025, marking a significant step toward formalizing the carbon market in the country.
• Complex Compliance Calculations: The implementation of emission standards will involve intricate calculations regarding carbon savings, potentially hindering effective compliance and pressure on companies to meet their targets.
• Need for Transparent Policies: To ensure successful integration into global carbon markets, India must develop transparent and equitable policies that align with international best practices, leveraging its research institutions for effective guidance.

Practice Question

Q. Discuss the significance of Article 6 of the Paris Climate Agreement in the context of India’s transition to carbon markets. What challenges does India face in implementing effective carbon credit mechanisms?