2023 07 22

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 1:

Use of women as weapons of assault in a conflict

GS Paper 2:

ED’s powers to arrest and seek custody
Why is the oral polio vaccine still crucial to eradicate polio?

GS Paper 3:

The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill 2023

Content for Mains Enrichment

Novak Djokovic

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Heat Index
Auroras in Mercury
Solar STAR-C initiative
Mutual Funds to introduce five new categories under the ESG Scheme
Wheat Board of India
India Climate Energy Dashboard (ICED)

Use of women as weapons of assault in a conflict

GS Paper 1

Syllabus: Women-related issues

Source: IE

Context: A video of two Kuki women being paraded naked by a mob during the ongoing clashes in Manipur is circulating on social media.

The larger question: Women’s bodies have become sites of male violence, especially during communally charged conflicts.

Reasons behind this grim reality: India’s social contract [an implicit agreement among the members of a society to cooperate for social benefits, by sacrificing some individual freedom for state protection] seems to be melting.

Two aspects of this meltdown:

The systems of violence in and around Manipur.
The structures of silence around it.

The systems of violence in and around Manipur:

The state is witnessing civil strife.
Social cleavages between Meitei and Zo-Kuki communities have turned into a partition with well over a hundred dead, and thousands displaced.
Even the state administration stands partitioned. Meitei police officers don’t operate in the hills, and Kuki-Zo officers don’t operate in the Valley.
Essentially, India is witnessing fresh partitions and associated armed ethnic mobilisation in Northeast India.

Such systems of violence are a by-product of Competing desires for regional hegemony – demands for access to resources and power within the Union and vote-bank politics.

The structures of silence:

It relates to what feminist scholars called systemic violence against women in Manipur.
It took a leaked video and associated public shock for Manipur police to order an investigation.

The issue of gender-based violence in conflicts:

Unfortunately, the issue has not received adequate attention in the discourse on gender equality and sustainable development.
Sexual violence in conflict zones has often been regarded as an inevitable by-product of civil strife/ war and the perpetrators of violence have seldom been punished.

What needs to be done?

Addressing the deeply entrenched patriarchal attitudes of the administration (say, police) to improve reporting and conviction rates.
Bridging the gap between gender-based violence laws.
SDG 5 calls for ending violence against women and girls in public and private spheres. As India is committed to the achievement of SDGs, the governments need to take a tough stance against the perpetrators of violence (in scenarios like Manipur).

Conclusion:

India’s social contract seems to be weakening because wrongdoers in power aren’t being held accountable.
Whether it is Manipur or Delhi, where India’s wrestling champions have been fighting for justice against sexual harassment by those in power, the only way to deliver justice is to ensure accountability.

Insta Links:

Violence/crime against Women

Mains Links:

What are the continued challenges for women in India against time and space? (UPSC 2019)

July 22, 2023 /22 July 2023, 22 July CA, GS 1, Today's Article, Today’s article, Use of women as weapons of assault in a conflict

ED’s powers to arrest and seek custody

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Statutory bodies

Source: TH

Context: The Madras High Court upheld the legality of Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthilbalaji’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money-laundering case linked to a cash-for-jobs scam.

HC observations in the case:

ED can subject any person accused in a case booked under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to custodial interrogation
ED officials are not police officers as per the law laid down by the Supreme Court in Vijay Madanlal Choudhary v. Union of India (2022)

Previously,

In Central Bureau of Investigation v. Anupam J. Kulkarni (1992), the Supreme Court laid down the law that no police custody can be allowed beyond the first 15 days from the date of arrest; any further remand during an investigation can only be in judicial custody.

However, SC (in April this year) said that money laundering is an independent offence; if an arrest is possible then seeking custody for further investigation is permissible. Also, SC has said previously that interim protection granted against CBI action cannot operate against the ED even if the underlying allegations are similar.

What is Custodial interrogation?

It refers to the questioning of a suspect or accused by law enforcement authorities while they are in their custody or under arrest. Under the Indian Constitution and the Indian Penal Code (IPC), custodial interrogation is permissible, but it must be carried out in accordance with the rights and protections granted to individuals under Article 20(3) of the Constitution and Section 161(2) of the IPC, which safeguard against self-incrimination during questioning.

Difference between Police and Judicial Custody:


Aspect	Police Custody	Judicial Custody
Definition	The accused is held in custody under the police’s authority and supervision.	The accused is held in custody under the order of a judicial authority (court).
Purpose	Police custody is primarily for investigation and interrogation purposes.	Judicial custody is for the period between trial hearings or during the trial.
Duration	In India, police custody generally lasts for a maximum of 15 days, as per the Supreme Court’s ruling.	Judicial custody can last until the conclusion of the trial, depending on the case’s complexity and duration.
Role of Magistrate	A magistrate’s approval is not required for police custody.	A magistrate’s approval is necessary to extend judicial custody beyond a certain period.
Example	In a murder case, the accused is arrested by the police and taken into police custody for interrogation.	After the police complete their initial investigation, the accused is presented before a magistrate, who remands them to judicial custody until the trial begins.

Way forward:

While the ED has been given expansive powers under PMLA, there must be a balance between these powers and adherence to constitutional provisions to prevent political misuse.

Insta Links:

ED

Mains Links:

The erosion of institutional autonomy and freedom in the decision-making of organisations like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has weakened Indian polity and democracy. Critically analyse. (250 Words)

Discuss how emerging technologies and globalisation contribute to money laundering. Elaborate measures to tackle the problem of money laundering both at national and international levels. ( UPSC 2021)

July 22, 2023 /22 July 2023, Enforcement Directorate, PMLA, Today's Article

Why is the oral polio vaccine still crucial to eradicate polio?

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Issues related to health

Source: TH.)

Context: It seems that the last mile to realising the dream of a polio-free world is going to be challenging.

Why?

The US, UK and Israel recently reported polio cases in unvaccinated people after having been polio-free for more than a decade.
Their silent outbreaks in countries with excellent sanitation and hygiene infrastructure have raised eyebrows, adding a new dimension to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).

Polioviruses: These are enteroviruses that are transmitted primarily by the faecal-oral route. There are different types of polio vaccines available.

The oral polio vaccine (OPV): It is a live attenuated vaccine, that contains weakened polioviruses (all three types – 1, 2, and 3) to induce an immune response in the human body without causing disease.

The advantages of the OPV:

Inexpensive and easy to administer to a large population and can help prevent transmission.
It triggers a robust immune response in the gut lining (called the mucosal immune response) in addition to the significant immune response in the blood (the systemic immune response).
It is excellent at preventing disease as well as person-to-person transmission of the virus.
It is also easier to manufacture as the “seed virus” required for the vaccine is an attenuated (weakened form) virus.

Drawbacks of the OPV:

Its ‘uptake’ by the immune system after being administered is not as good as is desirable, especially in developing countries like India.
The OPV can reverse the virus’s neurovirulence in rare cases, leading to vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP).
When the virus’s ability to jump from one person to another is restored, the result can be vaccine-derived paralytic poliomyelitis (VDPVs).

The inactivated polio vaccine (IPV):

It contains inactivated polioviruses (all three types) and is administered by injection.
It induces a strong systemic immune response, thus protecting against paralytic poliomyelitis, without any risk of causing VAPP or VDPV.
Its downside is that it hardly elicits mucosal immunity and is thus unable to prevent silent infections and transmission. So, in the event of an outbreak, only the OPV is used.
Also, manufacturing the IPV requires a high level of biosafety measures, because wild viruses are chemically inactivated.
As a result, most economically developing countries are unable to produce it locally and are forced to import it from richer countries.

A global switch to tackle the disadvantages of both vaccines:

90% of VAPP and VDPV cases have been due to poliovirus type 2 and this virus was eradicated worldwide in 1999.
As a result, the OPV has attenuated versions of types 1 and 3 of the viruses (since April 2016).
This was accompanied by the introduction of IPV in countries that still depended on OPV in their national immunisation programmes.

Risks associated with this global switch: The number of VDPV cases increased after April 2016 – the cases in the US, UK and Israel were all VDPVs

Why did the global switch fail?

Limited supply/ availability of the IPV due to a sudden increase in the demand for IPV after the switch
Cost/ logistics
As the new OPV lacked the type-2 poliovirus, the population immunity against the type-2 virus dropped, giving the virus a new lease of life.
The interruption in routine immunisation during COVID-19 also played a part in increasing the fraction of unvaccinated and/or under-vaccinated individuals.

How can OPV help?

A child vaccinated with only the IPV will resist the virus’s ability to cause a paralytic disease, but will still be at risk of being infected, contributing to silent transmission of both vaccine-derived and wild polioviruses.
Hence, it would be dangerous and unethical to discontinue OPV in a hasty manner.

The success story of India:

The polio vaccination programme has successfully reduced the prevalence of polio cases by 99.9% worldwide since it was launched in 1988.
On 13 January 2023, India completed 12 polio-free years – a remarkable achievement that was made as a result of consistent, determined efforts and genuine commitment at all levels.
Since the transmission of wild poliovirus is rampant in India’s neighbouring countries (mainly Pakistan), it has persisted with pulse polio rounds that administer OPV.

Way ahead:

New alternatives: Efforts are on to develop better polio vaccines to tackle the disadvantages of both the OPV and the IPV. For example, a novel OPV (nOPV) has recently been used in African countries.
nOPV: It is manufactured using attenuated polioviruses in which certain mutations have been introduced using genetic engineering, making it five times harder for the virus to regain its neurovirulence.
Make IPV manufacturing safer: Researchers are trying to use attenuated viruses instead of wild viruses.
Testing specific adjuvants: That can be added to the IPV to induce a mucosal immune response.

Conclusion: The OPV is a champion that has succeeded in bringing the world to the brink of eradication of a dreaded disease. Until a better effective solution is available, it would be inadvisable to skip the OPV.

Insta Links:

Is Polio Making a Comeback?

July 22, 2023 /22 July 2023, 22 July CA, Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), GS 2, nOPV, OPV and its importance, OPV vs IPV, Poliovirus, Pulse polio rounds, The polio vaccination programme in India, Today's Article, Today’s article

The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill 2023

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Environment, Conservation

Source: DTE

Context: The Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill 2023 is expected to be tabled for clearance during the monsoon parliament session that began on July 20, 2023.

The Forest (Conservation) Act 1980:

It was enacted to ensure that India’s forest land is not willingly usurped for non-forestry purposes.
The Act empowers the Centre to require that any forest land diverted for non-forestry purposes be duly compensated.
it broadens its purview to include territory that is not formally designated as “forest” in State or Central government records.

Need for the latest amendments:

This forest-clearance approval is one of the most difficult permits to obtain in India, requiring a wait of as long as 365 days and lakhs of rupees in bribes.
India’s land records are in terrible shape, parcels marked as forests in one official record can be given a different classification in another.
To make matters worse, the court order was worded such that it led states to avoid reclassifying forests.
According to the Centre, these amendments are necessary to remove ambiguities and bring clarity about the applicability of the Act on various lands.

Some of the proposed amendments:

Cultivating plantations on non-forest land that could (over time) increase tree cover.
Removing the (1980 Act’s) restrictions on creating infrastructure that would aid national security and create livelihood opportunities for those living on the periphery of forests. For example,
- In geographically sensitive areas within 100 km of the International Borders or the Line of Control, no forest clearance is required to construct highways, hydel power projects, etc.
- No forest clearance is required to establish zoos, safari parks and ecotourism activities.
- No central protection for vast tracts of so-called ‘deemed forests’ (forests not officially recorded as forests) and permitting activities such as tourism.

For more features click here: Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill 2023

Concerns raised by the environmentalists:

Amending the name of the Act: To Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam (translated as Forest Conservation and Augmentation) from the existing Forest (Conservation) Act.
The reclassification of forest areas adds confusion:
- The Bill states that the FCA will only apply to areas recorded as forests in government records, as on or after 25 October 1980.
- This has raised fears that the amendment will invalidate the SC’s 1996 judgment in T.N. Godavarman vs Union of India, which expanded the purview of the FCA by interpreting the meaning of forest as its dictionary definition.
- If these areas are declassified, 1,97,159 sq km of forests (27.62% of total 7,13,789 sq km) that lie outside Recorded Forest Areas will lose all protection.
Framed without taking real scenario into consideration:
- Only 21% of India’s land area has forests and only 12.37% of this is intact natural forest.
- While the India State of Forest Report 2021 has shown a marginal increase (2261 sq. km) in forest cover, it hides a pattern of deforestation in some parts of the country.
- For instance, the most biodiversity-rich north-eastern hill States show a net decline of 3199 sq. km of forest cover from 2009-2019.
- Also, this marginal increase in forest cover can be ascribed to commercial plantations, which can’t replace the ecological functions performed by intact natural forests.
Exemptions will remove the necessity of forest clearances:
- In border areas, which are home to the most ecologically important ecosystems in the country.
- This will be in conflict with the rights of forest-dwelling tribes, as they will no longer be consulted before seeking forest clearances.
The Bill was referred to a joint committee (JPC) instead of the standing committee: The 31-member joint committee (18 are from the ruling party) has 21 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha.
- The JPC has not suggested any changes in the original version of the Bill.

Government’s intention:

This is a rare opportunity for India to correct a 27-year-old policy logjam that is holding up growth and employment opportunities, without helping the country substantially conserve its forests.
The changes are necessary considering the dynamic changes in the ecological, strategic and economic aspirations of the country.
The amendments will –
- Support the country’s objective to increase forest and tree cover up to a third of its land area.
- Help the country achieve Net Zero emissions by 2070 and maintain or enhance forest carbon stocks through ecologically balanced sustainable development.
- Help create a carbon sink amounting to 2.5-3 billion tonnes of CO2-equivalent by 2030 under the Nationally Determined Contribution targets.
The scope of this act can be further expanded with emerging ecological challenges of forest conservation, restoration, compensatory mechanism, mitigation measures, etc.

Way ahead:

The Bill should not be tabled in Parliament without additional consultations with domain experts.
As the devastating impacts of climate change and environmental degradation become clearer (recent floods across north India), this is the time for the government to reaffirm its commitment to protecting the country’s immense biodiversity.

Conclusion:

While ensuring the military security of the country is a priority, the Bill should not come at the cost of losing ecological security.
These natural ecosystems play a crucial role in buffering against increasingly unpredictable weather patterns caused by climate change.

Insta Links:

The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill 2023

July 22, 2023 /22 July 2023, 22 July CA, GS 3, The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill 2023, The Forest Conservation Act 1980, Today's Article, Today’s article

Novak Djokovic

Content for Mains Enrichment

Following a challenging defeat in the 2010 French Open, Novak Djokovic, a renowned tennis grand slam winner ranked No. 3 globally, contemplated quitting tennis. Overwhelmed by the pressures of rankings and external expectations, he confided in his coach, Marián Vajda.

In response, Vajda posed a crucial question to Djokovic: Why did he start playing tennis in the first place?

Reflecting on his early memories, Djokovic realized his love for a mini tennis racket and soft foam ball, which ignited his passion for the sport.

Encouraged by Vajda, Djokovic chose to prioritize the joy of playing over external demands.

From that moment on, he embraced the sheer pleasure of playing for its own sake. The subsequent season witnessed Djokovic’s remarkable transformation. He achieved one of the greatest seasons in sports history, securing 43 consecutive victories, claiming three Grand Slam titles, including his first Wimbledon win, and culminating as the world’s top-ranked player.

By reconnecting with his genuine passion for tennis, Djokovic played with newfound freedom, rediscovering the pure joy of being a carefree kid on the court. This inner connection paved the way for his phenomenal success.

Learnings from his life: Balancing Ambition with Enjoyment, Embracing a Playful Mindset, Being True to Yourself, Focusing on Intrinsic Rewards, Authenticity and Self-Awareness and Passion and Love for the thing you are doing.

Usage: You can use the story for the essay as well as in the examples of ethics.

July 22, 2023 /22 July 2023, Novak Djokovic, Today's Article

Heat Index

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

Context: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has recently introduced the Heat Index on an experimental basis.

The Heat Index is designed to offer general guidance for regions in India where the apparent temperature, also known as the “feel-like” temperature, is higher due to a combination of heat and humidity, causing discomfort for people.

The Heat Index is calculated using an equation similar to the one used by the National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the USA. It takes into account the impact of humidity on high temperatures to provide a more accurate representation of how the weather feels to humans, indicating the level of discomfort.

The Heat Index is categorized into colour codes for easy interpretation:

Green: Experimental Heat Index below 35°C
Yellow: Experimental Heat Index in the range of 36-45°C
Orange: Experimental Heat Index in the range of 46-55°C
Red: Experimental Heat Index above 55°C

July 22, 2023 /22 July 2023, Disaster Management, geography, GS1, Heat Index, Today's Article

Auroras in Mercury

Source: IE

Context: Recent observations by the BepiColombo mission by ESA and JAXA provided valuable insights into auroras on Mercury.

On Mercury, auroras are caused by electrons from solar wind directly interacting with its surface.
During the mission’s close Mercury flyby, the spacecraft observed the planet’s magnetosphere, the region influenced by its magnetic field. The magnetosphere was found to be unusually compressed, likely due to the high pressure from the solar wind.
The “dawn side” of Mercury’s magnetosphere appeared to accelerate high-energy electrons that eventually fell onto the planet’s surface. Since Mercury lacks a substantial atmosphere to hinder their progress, these electrons interact with the surface material, emitting X-ray auroras.

It confirms that the mechanism generating auroras on Mercury is similar to that found throughout the Solar System. It sheds light on the process of X-ray auroras on the planet, a significant step in understanding the interactions between the solar wind and planetary surfaces.

What are Auroras?

Auroras are natural light displays that occur in the Earth’s polar regions, mainly near the Arctic and Antarctic circles. They are caused by charged particles from the sun colliding with the Earth’s atmosphere. The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) occur near the North Pole, while the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis) occur near the South Pole.

July 22, 2023 /22 July 2023, Auroras in Mercury, GS3, SCIENCE, space, Today's Article

Solar STAR-C initiative

Source: LM

Context: India is considering expanding its solar STAR-C initiative, operated by the International Solar Alliance, to several Pacific Island nations as part of its diplomatic outreach in the region.

The move comes amid increased outreach by China in the region, prompting traditional heavyweights like Australia and the Quad nations (US, Japan, Australia, and India) to place greater emphasis on engaging with Pacific Island countries to address shared challenges.

July 22, 2023 /22 July 2023, Solar STAR-C initiative, Today's Article

Mutual Funds to introduce five new categories under the ESG Scheme

Source: LM

Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has permitted mutual funds to introduce five new categories under the ESG (environmental, social, and governance) scheme.

Currently, mutual funds can launch only one ESG scheme under the thematic category of equity schemes.

What is ESG Scheme?

ESG aims to encourage sustainable and ethical business practices, including climate change, pollution, human rights, corporate governance, and more. SEBI issued a guidance note in 2012, urging companies listed on Indian Stock Exchanges to disclose their ESG performance in annual reports.

With effect from the financial year 2022-2023, filing of Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) has been made mandatory for the top 1000 listed companies by SEBI.
ESG schemes are mandated to invest at least 65% of assets in listed entities with BRSR Core assurance, while the balance can be invested in companies with BRSR disclosures, starting from October 1, 2024.

How ESG differs from corporate social responsibility (CSR)?

India has a robust CSR policy codified in the Companies Act 2013, mandating that corporations engage in initiatives that contribute to the welfare of society by spending at least 2% of their net profit over the preceding 3 years on CSR activities.
ESG regulations differ in process and impact. For example, The U.K. Modern Slavery Act requires companies to publish the efforts they have taken to identify the risks of child labour in their supply chain, etc.

Five New Categories of Mutual Funds:


Categories	Description
Exclusions	Exclude certain industries or companies based on ESG criteria.	Avoiding investments in fossil fuel companies.
Integration	Integrating ESG factors into investment decision-making.	Assessing companies’ environmental practices before investing.
Best-in-Class and Positive Screening	Selecting companies with leading ESG performance in their industry.	Investing in companies with top-notch labour practices.
Impact Investing	Investing in businesses or projects with positive social and environmental impact.	Funding renewable energy projects.
Sustainable Objectives	Investing in alignment with specific sustainability goals.	Supporting companies committed to reducing waste.

Aim of the New measures: It aims to facilitate green financing and requires enhanced disclosures to mitigate greenwashing.

July 22, 2023 /22 July 2023, and governance) scheme., ESG (environmental, social, Today's Article

Wheat Board of India

Source: TH

Context: Cereal Experts from India, Australia, and Canada have proposed the establishment of the Wheat Board of India, a comprehensive organization to ensure food and nutrition security through wheat for the growing population.

The experts were attending two-day international milling and baking technical conference that concluded in Guwahati. The event was organised by the Wheat Products Promotion Society (WPPS), a 33-year-old non-profit organisation.

Need:

To simplify regulatory compliance: The board would address end-to-end compliance at both the Central and State government levels, covering production, storage, processing, and utilization of wh
To modernize wheat production and processing: The experts emphasized the importance of biofortified wheat varieties to meet nutritional needs, modernizing wheat storage and handling to reduce post-harvest losses, and promoting sustainable processing technologies.
For the development of climate-resilient wheat varieties and improved milling technologies for higher recovery of milling streams.

July 22, 2023 /22 July 2023, Today's Article, Wheat, Wheat Board of India

India Climate Energy Dashboard (ICED)

Source: PIB

Context: NITI Aayog has launched the India Climate Energy Dashboard (ICED) 3.0, a comprehensive platform providing near real-time data on the energy sector, climate, and related economic datasets sourced from government publications.

This user-friendly platform allows free access and analysis of datasets using an analytical engine, enabling users to gain insights and better understand the energy and climate sectors.

With over 500 parameters, 2000 infographics, and interactive visualizations, ICED 3.0 aids in monitoring India’s clean energy transition progress, identifying key challenges, and offering a holistic view of the country’s energy sector.

July 22, 2023 /22 July 2023, climate, energy, ENVIRONMENT, GS3, India Climate Energy Dashboard, Today's Article