Why in News?

• The Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA is set to form the government at the Centre for the third consecutive term.
• But what would usually be termed a clear victory, feels like a defeat for the BJP after the opposition INDIA bloc’s impressive performance in the elections for the 18th Lok Sabha.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Which Party Won How Many Seats
• Analysing the Lok Sabha Election Results 2024
• What will be the Changes on the Nature and Working of 18th Lok Sabha/ Other Institutions?
• Impact of Coalition Politics at the Centre

Which Party Won How Many Seats:

• The BJP won in 240 seats (with a vote share of 36.56%), falling short of the 272-majority mark and less than the 303 and 282 seats it had won in 2019 and 2014, respectively.
• With support from key allies N Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), which won 16 and 12 seats in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, respectively, the NDA crossed the halfway mark.
• The Congress, which is part of the opposition INDIA bloc, won 99 seats (with a vote share of 21.19%) compared to 52 it won in 2019.
• The Samajwadi Party kept the INDIA bloc’s morale high in UP with 37 seats and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) won 29 seats in West Bengal, higher than its 2019 tally of 22.
• The BJP-led NDA had anticipated and the exit polls had predicted a landslide victory, but that was not what happened.

Analysing the Lok Sabha Election Results 2024:

• Return of Coalition politics at the Centre:
  • In the last 10 years, a single political party (BJP) led a majority government at the Centre, crossing the halfway mark in the Lok Sabha elections of 2014 and 2019.
  • Now, it will have to depend on its pre-poll allies, the top four being the TDP, JD(U), Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, and LJP (Ram Vilas) led by Chirag Paswan.
• Rise of regional leaders and impact on regional politics:
  • From the North to the South, East to West, regional leaders have re-emerged to exert influence in the national polity.
  • The verdict in Maharashtra suggests that the people have stood by Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray, who suffered BJP-supported splits in their parties. The state goes to Assembly polls later this year in October.
• Recalibration of power balance, among BJP-RSS and within BJP:
  • Given that the Lok Sabha elections in 2024 were centred around PM Narendra Modi, with a high-decibel ‘Modi ki guarantee’ campaign, the burden of a lower tally will inevitably fall on him.
  • BJP-RSS relations during the NDA government under Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi had been starkly different.
  • RSS, the ideological parent of the BJP, which works quietly on the ground for the party, may start participating in government affairs along with setting political agenda for BJP.

What will be the Changes on the Nature and Working of 18th Lok Sabha/ Other Institutions?

• The opposition benches will have a much larger voice:
  • The lower numbers of the BJP will mean greater representation for Lok Sabha members from the opposition in various Parliamentary panels such as the Standing Committees and Select Committees.
  • As speaking time on an issue is divided in proportion to the strength of parties in Lok Sabha, the INDIA bloc will be allotted almost 26 minutes for an hour for discussion on a particular issue.
  • It will promote adequate debate and discussion on an issue in Lok Sabha and prevent routing of legislation as a Money Bill.
• Federalism will matter more: The opposition views the frequently used slogan “double-engine sarkar” to win support in state Assembly elections as an attack on federalism – a fundamental principle of the Constitution.
• Greater accountability:
  • A coalition provides more room for institutions to innovate and resist the political executive’s top-down policies, improves checks and balances, and oxygenates the ecosystem.
  • Hence, accountability is likely to increase in all institutions from the judiciary to the auditor, from financial regulators to the election watchdog, and even the investigative agencies.

Impact of Coalition Politics at the Centre:

• Dealing with partners:
  • Now, BJP will have to listen to its allies, because they will be key to the stability of the government at the Centre.
  • The new and old allies will seek Cabinet berths, which could impinge on the BJP-led government’s flexibility in policy-making especially on the issues such as
    • Uniform Civil Code,
    • Delimitation of constituencies,
    • Judicial reforms, and
    • One-Nation, One-Election
  • In short, the party will have to devise mechanisms to accommodate the sensitivities of other parties with their own ethos and ideologies.
• Structural reforms:
  • Coalitions have performed better when it comes to structural reforms, which have always required time for all parties involved to be convinced.
  • For example, the BJP (over the last 10 years), despite enjoying an absolute majority in Lok Sabha,
    • Failed to push through legislation on land and farms.
    • The four labour codes passed by Parliament in 2019 and 2020 have remained on the back burner.

Why in news?

• According to a study by Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment, India’s megacities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Hyderabad are experiencing worsening heat stress. This is due to a trend of rising relative humidity over the past two decades. The study also pointed out that these cities are also experiencing warmer nights due to urban heat island effect.

What’s in today’s article?

• Heat Stress
• Urban heat island effect
• Key highlights of the study

Heat Stress

• About
  • Heat stress occurs when the body cannot get rid of excess heat. When this happens, the body’s core temperature rises and the heart rate increases.
  • Basically, it refers to the physiological stress experienced by the body when exposed to excessive heat, particularly in high-temperature environments.
• Causes
  • High ambient temperatures
  • High humidity levels, which reduce the body’s ability to cool through sweating
  • Physical exertion, especially in hot conditions
  • Inadequate hydration
  • Poor ventilation in workspaces or living environments
• Symptoms
  • As the body continues to store heat, the person begins to lose concentration and has difficulty focusing on a task, may become irritable or sick, and often loses the desire to drink.
  • The next stage is most often fainting and even death if the person is not cooled down.

Urban heat island (UHI) effect

• About
  • UHI effect refers to the phenomenon where urban areas experience significantly higher temperatures than their rural surroundings.
  • This temperature difference is primarily due to human activities and the specific characteristics of urban environments.
• Causes
  • Surface Characteristics: Urban areas have more asphalt, concrete, and buildings that absorb and retain heat, unlike rural areas with vegetation that provide cooling through
  • Heat Generated by Human Activities: Industrial processes, vehicles, air conditioning units, and other machinery generate heat.
  • Reduced Vegetation: Less green space and fewer trees mean less shading and cooling from plants.
  • Building Density: Tall buildings and narrow streets can trap heat and reduce airflow, limiting cooling.
  • Waste Heat: Energy consumption for lighting, heating, and cooling buildings releases additional heat.
• Mitigation Strategies
  • Increased Vegetation: Planting trees and creating green spaces
  • Cool Roofs and Pavements: Using materials that reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat.
  • Green Roofs: Installing vegetation on rooftops can provide insulation and reduce heat absorption.
  • Urban Planning: Designing cities to include more parks, green belts, and open spaces can improve airflow and reduce temperatures.
  • Improving Energy Efficiency of buildings.

Key highlights of the study

• Megacities are experiencing worsening heat stress
  • This is due to a trend of rising relative humidity over the past two decades.
    • With the exception of Bengaluru, all the other metros have seen a 5-10 per cent rise in average relative humidity during summer.
• Impact of high heat and humidity on human body
  • The combination of high heat and humidity can compromise the human body’s main cooling mechanism: sweating.
  • The evaporation of sweat from skin cools our bodies, but higher humidity levels limit this natural cooling.
• Urban heat island effect impacting the night temperature
  • These cities are also experiencing warmer nights as land surface temperatures are not falling at the same rate as a decade ago.
  • Hot nights are as dangerous as mid-day peak temperatures. People get little chance to recover from day-time heat if temperatures remain high overnight.
• Factors leading to increase in the heat index and heat stress
  • The combination of rising air and land surface temperatures and high relative humidity is increasing the heat index and heat stress in these cities.
    • Heat index is a measure of discomfort felt due to high heat and humidity.
• Monsoon period has become hotter
  • The monsoon period has become hotter in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, while in Chennai, the marginal cooling during monsoon has disappeared.
  • In Bengaluru and Hyderabad, the monsoon was still a bit cooler than pre-monsoon.

Importance of this study

• To develop a comprehensive heat management plan for urban centres, an assessment of heat trends is necessary.
• To protect public health: This will help in implementing emergency measures during heatwaves.
• To develop longer term strategies to mitigate heat by increasing green areas and waterbodies, improving thermal comfort in buildings, and reducing waste heat from vehicles, air conditioners and industries.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Background
• About Patent (Meaning, Indian Patent Act, Key Features of Draft Patent Rules, 2023)
• India’s Patent Delays & Withdrawals (Numbers, Causes, etc.)
• Recent Rise in Patent Filing

Background:

• In 2018, the Indian Patent Office had rejected the request of the Proctor and Gamble (P&G) for its patent application.
  • The Indian Patent Office is an agency under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade which administers the Indian law of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks.
• The P&G challenged the Patent Office’s ruling in the Delhi High Court. The High Court reprimanded the Patent Office saying that the manner of dealing with the application filed by the American multinational company was “extremely arbitrary and whimsical”.

What is a Patent?

• A patent is the granting of a property right by a sovereign authority to an inventor.
• This grant provides the inventor exclusive rights to the patented process, design, or invention for a designated period in exchange for a comprehensive disclosure of the invention.
• Government agencies typically handle and approve applications for patents.
• The Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM), also known as India Patent Office, grants patent so that any invention can be freely commercialised or utilised without any fear of infringement.
  • The head patent office is located in Kolkata, West Bengal.
• The Indian Patent Office grants patents which are governed by the Indian Patents Act, 1970.

Indian Patents Act, 1970:

• The Patents Act 1970, along with the Patents Rules, 1972, came into force in April 1972, replacing the Indian Patents and Designs Act, 1911.
• The Patents Act was largely based on the recommendations of the Ayyangar Committee Report headed by Justice N. Rajagopala Ayyangar.
• Later, India became signatory to many international arrangements with an objective of strengthening its patent law and coming in league with the modern world.
• One of the significant steps towards achieving this objective was becoming the member of the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) system.
• Significantly, India also became signatory of the Paris Convention and the Patent Cooperation Treaty in 1998 and thereafter signed the Budapest Treaty in 2001.
  • Being a signatory to TRIPS, India was under a contractual obligation to amend its Patents Act to comply with its provisions.
• Subsequent amendments were made to the Indian Patents Act, 1970 by the introduction of the Patents (Amendment) Act, 1999, the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2002, the Patent (Amendment) Act, 2005, and Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2006 and the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2021.

Draft Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2023:

• In August 2023, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry proposed and published Draft Patent (Amendment) Rules, 2023 (the “draft rules”) invited objections and suggestions from all stakeholders within a timeline of 30 days from the date of the publication of the draft Rules.
• Key Highlights of the Draft Rules:
  • Pre-Grant Opposition
    • Controller can decide a maintainability of the representation and dismiss a pre-grant opposition if found to be frivolous.
    • At present, Controller cannot dismiss the representation without offering a chance of hearing to Opponent.
    • Time period for applicant to reply to notice has been reduced from 3 months to 2 months.
    • Also, Controller has to issue a decision ordinarily within 3 months from the completion of the proceedings.
    • Currently, there is no such in which the Controller has to issue a decision.
  • Reduced timeline for filing Request for Examination
    • As per the draft Rules, the timeline for filing the RFE is now proposed to be reduced to 31 months, which currently is 48 months from the priority date or filing date, whichever is earlier.
  • Statement and undertaking regarding foreign applications
    • Applicant shall keep the Controller informed of the details in respect of applications filed in any country within two months from the date of issuance of first statement of objections.
    • Earlier the duration was six months.
  • Annual Working Report
    • The draft Rules propose that the Annual Working Report is to be filed in respect of every period of three financial years (currently this is to be filed for every financial year).

India’s Patent Delays & Withdrawals:

• In 2018, the anti-corruption branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) booked SP Subramaniyan, Deputy Controller and branch head in the office of Controller-General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks for demanding a bribe of Rs 10 lakh for releasing a patent.
  • The patent applicant in this case had first applied for the patent in 2010 and was allegedly made to wait for five years to get a patent.
• In March 2023, the Delhi High Court pulled up the patent office for passing “mechanical, cut-paste order” while rejecting Blackberry Ltd.’s invention application.
  • The Court said that the patent office “must bear in mind that the question of grant and rejection of a patent is a serious matter”.

Impact of Delays & Withdrawals:

• Arbitrary refusals and procedural inconsistencies have marred the track record of India’s patent office.
• It has pushed the share of patent applications withdrawn in India to one of the highest in the world.
• This is at a time when countries such as the US, Japan, South Korea and China are using their patent processing systems to foster scientific research and technological innovation.
• Government officials contend that they have begun addressing these issues and started conducting open house sessions to address grievances, which have improved the process of granting patents over the last 12 months.

Rise in Patent Filing in Recent Times:

• India reported a sharp 44.6% growth in international patent filing in 2023 compared to 2022, as per the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
• WIPO ranked India third in terms of trademark registrations in force in 2022 at nearly 2.9 million, after China (42.7 million) and the US (3.1 million).
• The Patent Office has granted about 1 lakh patents for the year 2023-24. Everyday about 250 patents are issued and the patent office receives patent applications every six minutes online.

Why in news? 

• Cyclonic storm “Remal”, originating in the central Bay of Bengal, is expected to escalate into a severe cyclonic storm by May 25. As per the IMD, the cyclone is expected to make landfall between Sagar Island in West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh around the midnight of May 26.

What’s in today’s article?

• Cyclone
• Landfall of a cyclone
• Bay of Bengal: a cyclone hotspot
• Cyclone management – Steps taken by India
• Cyclone Remal

Cyclone

• About
  • A cyclone is a large-scale system of air that rotates around the centre of a low-pressure area. It is usually accompanied by violent storms and bad weather.
  • It is characterised by inward spiralling winds that rotate anticlockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Characteristics of a Tropical Cyclone:
  • The centre of a cyclone is very calm and clear with very low air pressure. The average speed is 120 kmph.
  • They have closed isobars which leads to greater velocity.

• • • Isobars are imaginary lines on a weather map that connect locations with equal atmospheric pressure.
  • They develop over oceans and sea only. They are seasonal in nature.
  • They move from east to west under the influence of trade winds.

• Classification of cyclones
  • Cyclones are classified on the basis of wind speed by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD):

• • • Depression: Wind speeds of between 31–49 km/h
    • Deep Depression: Between 50-61 km/h
    • Cyclonic Storm: Between 62–88 km/h
    • Severe Cyclonic Storm: Between 89-117 Km/h
    • Very Severe Cyclonic Storm: Between 118-166 Km/h
    • Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm: Between 167-221 Km/h
    • Super Cyclonic Storm: Above 222 Km/h

Landfall of a cyclone

• Landfall is the event of a tropical cyclone coming onto land after being over water.
• As per the IMD, a tropical cyclone is said to have made a landfall when the center of the storm – or its eye – moves over the coast.
  • The “eye” of a cyclone is a region of relatively calm weather found at the center of the storm.
  • It is a circular or oval-shaped area characterized by light winds, clear or partly cloudy skies, and decreased precipitation.
  • Within the eye, winds are light and variable, often with clear or only partially cloudy skies.
  • The size of the eye can vary significantly, ranging from a few kilometers to over 50 kilometers (30 miles) in diameter in larger cyclones.
• During landfall, the outer bands of the storm may have already reached the coast, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and storm surge.
  • A landfall should not be confused with a ‘direct hit’, which refers to a situation where the core of high winds (or eyewall) comes onshore but the centre of the storm may stay remain offshore.

Bay of Bengal: a cyclone hotspot

• Historical data underscore Bay of Bengal’s predisposition to cyclones, with approximately 58% of them making landfall on India’s eastern coast, compared to just 25% in the Arabian Sea.
• The Arabian Sea gets fewer cyclones due to its narrower and deeper nature, cooler water and higher salinity. Its partially landlocked geography also contributes to reduced cyclonic activity.

Cyclone management – Steps taken by India

• National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP):
  • Launched by the MHA, this project aims to reduce the vulnerability of coastal communities and infrastructure to cyclones and storm surges.
  • It focuses on capacity building, early warning systems, cyclone shelters, evacuation planning, and community awareness.
• IMD’s Colour Coding of Cyclones: Four colours – Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red – are used by IMD to make people aware about the severity of cyclones.
• Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project
• Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ)
• Other general steps taken:
  • National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
  • National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP)
  • National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)
  • State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs)

Cyclone Remal

• Coordination efforts are underway
  • To ensure the safety of maritime traffic, the Coast Guard’s remote operating stations at Haldia and Paradip are broadcasting regular and multilingual VHF (very high frequency) alerts.
  • Merchant vessels at anchorages have been alerted, and port authorities have been advised to take appropriate actions.
  • Nine disaster relief teams have been positioned at strategic locations, including Haldia, Paradip, Gopalpur, and Frazerganj.
  • Fishing activities have been banned.
  • West Bengal has a high adaptive capacity against cyclones because of cyclone multi-hazard Early Warning Systems (EWS).
    • EWS is made available under the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) Phase II.
  • The state’s high tele-density ratio allows people to access early warnings via telephone or mobile.

Why in news?

• Recently, Hollywood Actress Scarlett Johansson claimed that the GPT-4o’s voice, sounds very similar to her own. She has accused OpenAI of using her voice without permission despite previously declining licensing requests from CEO Sam Altman.

What’s in today’s article?

• Background
• Personality Rights
• Personality rights in India

Background:

• GPT-4o
  • Recently, OpenAI unveiled its latest AI model called GPT-4o, saying it would improve on the existing features of ChatGPT.
  • One such feature, named Voice Mode, lets users have voice conversations with the AI chatbot, and lets them choose from five kinds of voices.
• Johansson and Sky
  • Johansson said one of these voices, named ‘Sky’, was allegedly copying her voice.
• Response of OpenAI
  • OpenAI later said it was pausing the availability of Sky.
  • It added in a statement that Sky was not Johansson’s voice but another voice actor’s, and was never intended to resemble hers.

The personality rights:

• About
  • The name, voice, signature, images or any other feature easily identified by the public are markers of a celebrity’s personality and are referred loosely as personality rights.
  • These could include a pose, a mannerism or any aspect of their personality.
  • Many celebrities even register some aspects as a trademark to use them commercially.
    • For example, Usain Bolt’s “bolting” or lightning pose is a registered trademark.
  • The idea is that only the owner or creator of these distinct features has the right to derive any commercial benefit from it.
• Types of personality rights
  • Personality rights are divided into two categories:
    • The right of publicity, or the right to keep one’s image and likeness from being commercially exploited without permission. It is similar (but not identical) to the use of a trademark.
    • The right to privacy or the right to not have one’s personality represented publicly without permission.

Personality rights in India

• Legal/Constitutional basis
  • Personality rights or their protection are not expressly mentioned in a statute in India.
  • However, these rights are traced to fall under the right to privacy and the right to property.
    • Even as the Delhi High Court and the Madras High Court have passed interim orders, the law is at a nascent stage in India.

• Existing provisions
  • In India, the publicity rights are governed by statutes like the Trademarks Act 1999 and the Copyright Act 1957.
  • With the 2017 judgment (Justice K. S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) v. Union of India), the personality rights were elevated to the position of constitutional rights.
    • The ruling recognised the right to privacy as a fundamental right derived from the right to life & personal liberty (Article 21 of Indian Constitution).
    • The court ruled that an individual may be permitted to prevent others from using his/her image, name and other aspects of his/her personal life and identity for commercial purposes without his/her consent.
• Other SC judgements
  • Shivaji Rao Gaikwad (aka Rajinikanth) v. Varsha Production: Though there is no definition for the personality right under any statute in India, the Courts in India have recognized the personality right in various judgments.
  • ICC Development (International) Ltd., Vs. Arvee Enterprises: The right of publicity has evolved from the right of privacy and any effort to take away this right from the individuals would be violative of Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India.
• Personality rights on internet
  • In 2011, the Delhi HC (in Arun Jaitley vs Network Solutions Pvt Ltd) stated that the popularity or fame of individuals will be no different on the internet than in reality.
  • Name, due to its peculiar nature/distinctive character, coupled with the gained popularity has become a well-known personal mark under the trademark law.
• Personal rights vs consumer rights
  • Celebrities are protected from commercial misuse of their name and personality.
  • However, there have also been instances where the consumers are misled owing to false advertisements or endorsements by such personalities.
  • Due to such cases, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has made a notification – Guidelines on Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022
    • It aims to keep a check on misleading adverts of consumer products by imposing a penalty on the endorser.
• Recent examples from India
  • In September 2023, the Delhi High Court had passed an interim order protecting the personality rights of Anil Kapoor.
    • Anil Kapoor had sought to restrain the use of his name, the acronym AK, his voice, image, as well as his characters like Lakhan, Mr. India, Majnu Bhai, Nayak and the phrase jhakaas with his photo without his consent.
  • In May 2024, the Delhi High Court protected the personality and publicity rights of Jackie Shroff.
    • It restrained various e-commerce stores, AI chatbots, etc. from misusing the actor’s name, image, voice, and likeness without his consent.

Why in news? 

• Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi, along with country’s foreign minister and several other officials were found dead hours after their helicopter crashed in the country’s northwest.
• Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber would take over as interim president.

What’s in today’s article?

• Authority of the President in Iran
• Ramifications of Raisi’s death in Iran
• India’s concern
• India’s response after President’s death

Authority of the President in Iran

• Role of President
  • Iran’s President works under the authority of the Supreme Leader but is still a powerful figure in Iran’s political system.
  • The President mediates between the legislature and the executive, and appoints ministers and vice presidents.
  • The President also makes key foreign policy decisions. Then President Hassan Rouhani acted with significant authority during the JCPOA negotiations.
    • The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, is an agreement signed in July 2015 between Iran and the P5+1.
    • The agreement limits Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
  • The Iranian President’s authority is superseded only in the event of a clash between him and the Supreme Leader.
• Major achievements of Ibrahim Raisi as a President
  • Iran-Saudi deal, brokered by China.
  • Raised the pitch for an ‘Axis of Resistance’,
    • It is an informal, Iran-led political-military coalition comprising the Islamic resistance in Iraq, the Syrian government, the Lebanese Hezbollah, Yemeni Houthis, and Palestinian groups including Hamas.

Ramifications of Raisi’s death in Iran

• Conservatives Vs. reformists
  • Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Iran’s politics has developed between two poles.
  • On the one side are the conservatives who want to strictly follow the principles of Twelver Shi’ism, the state religion.
    • They aim to enforce its religious codes throughout society. They view the Revolution as a strong stance against Western imperialism.
    • They have significant support, especially from the poorer sections of the population.
  • On the other side are the so-called ‘reformists’ who, while remaining loyal to the Revolution, want more flexibility both in domestic and international matters.
    • For instance, they support greater rights for women, strengthening civil society and human rights.
    • They also want free elections and more conciliatory relations with the West.
  • The untimely death of Raisi will result in increased tussle between conservatives and reformists.
    • President Raisi was considered to be a hardline cleric, had been seen as the likely successor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
• On succession
  • According to Iran’s Constitution, the First Vice President takes over in case the President dies or is incapacitated.
    • There are several appointed Vice Presidents in Iran, who serve in the Iranian Cabinet.
    • The office of the First Vice President is considered to be the first among equals.
  • This is Mohammad Mokhber, who was appointed by President Raisi to the post in August 2021.
    • He will serve as President until an election to the post of President can be held, which must happen within the next 50 days.

India’s concern

• Iran as part of its extended neighbourhood
  • India, which considers Iran to be part of its extended neighbourhood, has been watching Iran’s dynamics in the region quite closely and cautiously.
  • The assessment in Delhi is that the supreme leader Ali Khamenei being the most powerful player in the Iranian establishment is around.
  • Hence, the death of President Raisi will not create a political vacuum.
• Iran’s response after the war in Gaza
  • Iran’s response after the war in Gaza was a direct attack on Israel in April 2024,
    • Israeli attack on Iran’s consulate in Syria which killed a top Iranian military officer
    • Israel being a close friend of India, India will be keenly watching the political development in Iran after Rais’s death.
• Iran’s active support to some of the regional groups during Raisi’s regime
  • Iran’s active support to some of the regional groups, often referred to as the 3Hs — Hezbollah, Houthis and the Hamas — is seen to have impacted the peace and stability in the region.
  • While Hezbollah has kept Israel busy on the northern border, the Houthis attacks on the ships passing through the Red Sea had disrupted the shipping sea routes for maritime trade.
• India was actively engaging with Raisi’s regime
  • In August 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with President Raisi in Johannesburg on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.
    • As a result, both the countries signed a long-term contract on Chabahar Port in May 2024.
  • External Affairs minister S Jaishankar had also engaged with Iranian Foreign Amir, that had been key to securing Indian interests.
    • The latest one being the release of Indian sailors who were on board a ship that was seized by the Iranian navy.
• Various agreements between both the countries
  • The two countries had signed a friendship treaty on March 15, 1950, and the visit of PM Vajpayee to Iran and the signing of the Tehran Declaration in April 2001.
  • However, the relationship was hampered by Delhi’s proximity to the US, signing of the Indo-US nuclear deal, and Iran’s nuclear programme faced sanctions.
    • India has not been able to buy oil since 2018, and managed to get a waiver on the Chabahar port citing access to Afghanistan as the key reason.

India’s response after President’s death

• PM Modi expressed grief over the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.
• A one-day state mourning will be observed across India on May 21 as a mark of respect for the Iranian President.

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Serum Institute ships first set of its malaria vaccine to Africa

Why in news?

• Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII), announced that it has shipped its first batch of malaria vaccines— R21/Matrix-M— to Africa.
• Close to half-a-million children die of malaria each year in the African region, according to the WHO. In 2022, the WHO Africa region was home to 94% of malaria cases (233 million) and 95% (580,000) of malaria deaths. India had an estimated 3.38 million cases and 5,511 deaths.

What’s in today’s article?

• Malaria
• R21/Matrix-M
• First set of its malaria vaccine to Africa

Malaria

• About
  • Malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
  • It is a life-threatening disease primarily found in tropical countries.
  • It is preventable and curable.
• Transmission of Malaria
  • Malaria is not contagious and cannot spread from one person to another; the disease is transmitted through the bites of female Anopheles mosquitoes.
  • Five species of parasites can cause malaria in humans and 2 of these species – Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax – pose the greatest threat.
• Symptoms
  • The first symptoms of malaria usually begin within 10–15 days after the bite from an infected mosquito.
  • Fever, headache and chills are typically experienced, though these symptoms may be mild and difficult to recognize as malaria.
  • In malaria endemic areas, people who have developed partial immunity may become infected but experience no symptoms.
• Prevention
  • Vector control interventions
    • Vector control is the main approach to prevent malaria and reduce transmission.
    • Two forms of vector control are effective for people living in malaria-endemic countries:
      • insecticide-treated nets, and
      • indoor residual spraying, which is the application of an insecticide to surfaces where mosquitoes tend to rest.
  • Chemo preventive therapies and chemoprophylaxis
    • Although designed to treat patients already infected with malaria, some antimalarial medicines can also be used to prevent the disease.

R21/Matrix-M

• About
  • The R21 vaccine is the second malaria vaccine recommended by WHO, following the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine, which received a WHO recommendation in 2021.
  • This vaccine has been developed by the University of Oxford and manufactured and scaled up by the Serum Institute of India (SII).
  • The vaccine leverages Novavax’s adjuvant technology and has met the required safety, quality and effectiveness standards.
    • Adjuvants are substances that enhance the immune system’s response to a vaccine.
    • They are commonly used to improve the effectiveness of a vaccine.
    • In the vaccine, Matrix-M component is a proprietary saponin-based adjuvant developed by Novavax.
• Key features
  • High efficacy when given just before the high transmission season
  • Good efficacy when given in an age-based schedule
  • High impact
    • Mathematical modelling estimates indicate the public health impact of the R21 vaccine is expected to be high in a wide range of malaria transmission settings, including low transmission settings.
  • Cost effectiveness
    • At prices of US$ 2 – US$ 4 per dose, the cost-effectiveness of the R21 vaccine would be comparable with other recommended malaria interventions and other childhood vaccines.

First set of its malaria vaccine to Africa

• Initial shipment to the Central African Republic (CAR) region
  • The initial shipment will be sent to CAR, followed by other African countries such as South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the coming days.
• Malaria vaccine is for the African continent
  • As per the SII, this is a malaria vaccine for the African continent and not for India as the parasite is found in Africa.
    • SII pointed out that the particular parasite (found in Africa) was not in India. Hence for India, it will take another five years for a malaria vaccine.
  • It should be noted that, no Malaria vaccine is currently being used in India under the national programme.

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SC to Reconsider its Judgement in Indian Medical Association vs V P Shantha

Why in News?

• The SC held that lawyers (as ‘professionals’) could not be subjected to legal proceedings for providing faulty ‘service’ under the Consumer Protection Act 2019 (CPA).
• However, the apex court rejected similar arguments for those in the medical profession and ruled that its judgement in Indian Medical Association vs V P Shantha (1995) to be referred to a larger bench for reconsideration.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• What is the Consumer Protection Act (CPA)?
• What the Apex Court Ruled in Indian Medical Association vs V P Shantha (1995)?
• What was the Recent Case Before the SC?
• Arguments for Exempting Medical Profession from the Purview of CPA
• Why does the Apex Court not Exempt Medical Profession from the Purview of CPA?

What is the Consumer Protection Act (CPA)?

• The CPA is aimed at protecting the interests of consumers with respect to products or services they avail.
• The first version of the act was enacted in 1986 and it was subsequently repealed, and a new act was brought in its place in 2019 to keep up with the changing times.
• A consumer who is unhappy with a product or service can file a complaint of deficiency in the consumer commission.
• The act defines deficiency in service as any fault, imperfection, shortcoming or inadequacy in the quality, nature and manner of performance which is required to be maintained under law.
• The 2019 act defines service as something that is made available to potential users and includes the provision of facilities in connection with banking, insurance, transport, housing construction, entertainment, amusement, etc.
• However, it does not include the rendering of any service free of charge or under a contract of personal service.

What the Apex Court Ruled in Indian Medical Association vs V P Shantha (1995)?

• In 1995, a three-judge bench of the SC ruled that doctors would be covered under the consumer protection law, allowing the filing of several medical negligence lawsuits filed against doctors for deficiency in service.
• The court also acknowledged that professional occupations are often “skilled” work that require “mental rather than manual” effort.
• This differs from other occupations as success often depends on factors “beyond the professional man’s control”.

What was the Recent Case Before the SC?

• In 2007, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission held that lawyers provide a service to their clients and hence they can be sued for deficiency of service.
  • This case ultimately reached the apex court where the judgement was passed recently.
• The court concluded that the object of the CPA 2019 was to provide protection to consumers from unfair trade practices and unethical business practices.
• The law was not intended to include professions or services rendered by professionals within its purview.
• The court noted that the legal profession is unique in nature and cannot be compared with any other profession.
• The court said that hiring or availing of an advocate is “a contract of personal service” and is therefore exempted from the scope of the consumer protection law.

Arguments for Exempting Medical Profession from the Purview of CPA:

• Representing the Indian Medical Association, a senior advocate argued that a medical practitioner cannot be judged based on fixed norms or standards, and thus cannot be covered under the CPA.
• Legal proceedings under the CPA are heard by Consumer Redressal Commissions which are constituted at the District, State, and National levels.
  • Under the 1986 version of the CPA (applicable in 1995), the President of each Commission would be a person who was/ is qualified to be a judge at the District, HC, and SC respectively.
  • The rest of the members would be individuals who have the knowledge, experience, or capacity to deal with problems relating to economics, law, commerce, accountancy, industry, public affairs or administration.
  • Since there is no requirement for commission members to have knowledge in medical matters, they are not suited to deal with complex medical issues.
• In 2024, another SC bench appeared to be more sympathetic to the medical practitioners, and held that these professionals should not be held to the same standard as other occupations.

Why does the Apex Court not Exempt Medical Profession from the Purview of CPA?

• The court held that a doctor owes certain duties to their patients – duties of care in deciding whether to treat the patient, what treatment to give, and how the treatment is administered.
• If the doctor does not exercise a “reasonable degree of care” and breaches one of these duties, they can be liable for deficiency in service under the CPA.
• Members to have knowledge and experience that is specifically relevant to each case would lead to impossible situations.
  • Such as District Commissions being able to deal with cases that the State Commission would be barred from purely.
  • The burden is instead on the parties to provide the necessary evidence and material to allow the members to make an informed decision.

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Why in news?

• British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is considering changes to the Graduate Route visa (GRV) scheme. He wants to limit visas to only the best and the brightest students. This change aims to reduce the number of international students coming to the UK. The proposal will particularly target education recruitment agents who provide misleading information to UK colleges and authorities.

What’s in today’s article?

• Popularity of the UK as a Study Destination Among Indians
• Graduate Route visa (GRV) scheme
• Impact of restricting the GRV scheme

Popularity of the UK as a Study Destination Among Indians

• Indians form the largest community of international students in the UK. Recently, there has been a significant increase in student visas granted to Indians.
• According to the UK Home Office, between June 2022 and June 2023, student visas issued to Indians increased by 54%.
• Since June 2019, the number of visas granted to Indian nationals has risen seven-fold.

Graduate Route visa (GRV) scheme

• About
  • Introduced by the UK government in July 2021, it is a visa scheme for international students.
  • It allows graduates who have completed a degree at a UK higher education provider to stay in the UK to work or look for work for up to two years after completing their studies.
    • For those who have completed a PhD, the stay can be up to three years.
  • This visa does not require a job offer and provides an opportunity for graduates to gain work experience in the UK.
• Eligibility: This visa is available to international students:
  • who have successfully completed a degree at undergraduate level or above at a Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance; and
  • who have a valid Tier 4 or Student visa at the time of application.
    • Tier 4 visa in UK is a type of student visa. It is designed for international students who wish to study in UK at a school, college, or university.
• Why do Indians seek GRVs?
  • GRV extends an individual’s stay in the UK after education. It allows them to seek employment opportunities and earn well.
  • While on a GRV, individuals can also try to get other visas, such as a work visa, by finding a good sponsor or employer.
  • Many students from India, especially from Punjab, want to settle in UK. A GRV gives them a gateway to do so.
  • It is popular because it allows families to accompany the GRV holder if certain criteria are met.

Impact of restricting the GRV scheme

• On number of international students seeking to study in the UK
  • Experts believe the proposal of restricting GRVs could significantly reduce the number of international students seeking to study in the UK.
  • It would do so by creating uncertainty regarding post-graduation prospects, and opportunity for a more long-term stay in the country.
• Prospects of average student seeking to study in UK will be hindered
• Financial losses to the universities of UK
  • Recently, an independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC),in its study, said that the GRV scheme should continue as it helps UK universities make up for financial losses on the domestic front.
• UK – a less attractive destination for overseas students
  • Experts believe any curtailment of the post-study offer would make the UK less attractive to overseas students, including Indians.
    • Rather than the UK, international students will simply prefer a destination which offers more stability post-education.
  • This proposal came at a time when other countries such as Canada and Australia have also introduced (or will soon introduce) caps on international students.
  • Due to this, the UK was emerging as a top alternative but Sunak’s move has brought in an air of uncertainty.
• Impact on Indian students
  • Currently, Indians constitute roughly 42% of GRV holders, again, the highest among all nationalities.
    • Indians accounted for 89,200 visas between 2021 and 2023 or 42 per cent of the overall grants,
  • Thus, whatever the specific changes may be in the UK’s GRV scheme, Indians will be significantly impacted.

Why in news?

• Recently, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that Indian manufacturing needs to develop greater sophistication in its products and the government will assess how to provide policy support in this endeavour. She made those remarks while addressing the annual business summit of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

What’s in today’s article?

• Manufacturing in India
• Key highlights of the speech

Manufacturing in India

• Intro
  • Due to performance of key sectors like automotive, engineering, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and consumer durables, manufacturing has emerged as an integral pillar in the country’s economic growth.
  • With 17% of the nation’s GDP and over 27.3 million workers, the manufacturing sector plays a significant role in the Indian economy.
  • India has the capacity to export goods worth US$ 1 trillion by 2030 and is on the road to becoming a major global manufacturing hub.
• Performance – Statistics
  • The Indian manufacturing sector has performed well in FY 2023-24, with a growth of 11.6%.
  • Manufacturing exports have registered highest ever annual exports of US$ 447.46 billion with 6.03% growth during FY23.
  • Value added in the Manufacturing market is projected to amount to US$231.5bn in 2024.
• Initiatives
  • The National Manufacturing Policy aims to increase the share of manufacturing in GDP to 25 percent by 2025.
  • The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for manufacturing was launched in 2022 to develop the core manufacturing sector at par with global manufacturing standards.
  • India is planning to offer incentives of up to Rs. 18,000 crore (US$ 2.2 billion) to spur local manufacturing in six new sectors including chemicals, shipping containers, and inputs for vaccines.
  • Slew of measures were announced in the Union Budget 2023-24:
    • Startups incorporated within a time-period and meeting other conditions can deduct up to 100% of their profits;
    • The income tax rate for new co-operative societies engaged in manufacturing activities has been lowered from 22% to 15%.
  • Ministry of Defence has set a target of achieving a turnover of US$ 26 billion in aerospace and defence Manufacturing by 2025, which includes US$ 5 billion exports.
    • A new category of capital procurement ‘Buy {Indian-IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)}’ has been introduced in Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP)-2016.
  • By 2030, the Indian government expects the electronics manufacturing sector to be worth US$ 300 billion.
    • The PLI for semiconductor manufacturing is set at Rs. 760 billion (US$ 9.71 billion), with the goal of making India one of the world’s major producers of this crucial component.
  • Initiatives like Make in India, Digital India and Startup India have given the much-needed thrust to the Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) sector in India.
  • In September 2022, the National Logistics Policy was launched to ensure quick last mile delivery, end transport-related challenges.
  • The Mega Investment Textiles Parks (MITRA) scheme to build world-class infrastructure will enable global industry champions to be created, benefiting from economies of scale and agglomeration. Seven Textile Parks will be established over three years.
  • The ‘Operation Green’ scheme of the Ministry of the Food Processing Industry, which was limited to onions, potatoes and tomatoes, has been expanded to 22 perishable products to encourage exports from the agricultural sector.

Key highlights of the speech delivered by the Finance Minister

• Greater sophistication in manufacturing is needed
• Manufacturing must increase its share: For India to become more self-reliant, manufacturing must increase, and with the help of policies, India must increase its share in manufacturing and global value chain.
• Opportunities in India: The consumer market in India presents a $2.9 trillion opportunity.
  • Also, spending on food is expected to rise to $1.4 trillion while financial services will climb to $670 billion by 2031.
    • Together this would create another $1.39 trillion of opportunities.
• India’s demographic dividend will persist for the next 30 years: It comes with an added advantage of a historically lowest dependency ratio, means the net benefit is going to be towards more increase in consumption.
  • In order to reap the benefit, skilling is being ramped up.
• India’s consistent high growth is a result of policy stability, absence of flip-flops, corruption-free decision-making combined with facilitation in legislative and legal frameworks.
  • These frameworks are based on industry feedback for rapid changes in the compliance regime.

Why in News? 

• In the run-up to the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, two opposition leaders were asked to modify specific parts of their speeches that they had made on Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR) during the allotted broadcast time.
• Prasar Bharati is India’s state-run public broadcaster and the parent organisation of Doordarshan and AIR.

 What’s in Today’s Article?

• What Changes were Asked from the Opposition Leaders?
• How ECI Allocates Time to Each Recognised Party for Public Broadcasting During Elections?
• What are the ECI’s Guidelines on Speech Contents for Public Broadcasting During Elections?
• What are the Concerns Raised by the Opposition Leaders?

What Changes were Asked from the Opposition Leaders?

• The CPI (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury had to delete references to the electoral bond scheme, drop terms “communal authoritarian regime” and “draconian laws”, and replace “bankruptcy” (of governance) with “failure”.
• On the other hand, the All-India Forward Bloc (AIFB) leader G Devarajan was made to remove the word “Muslims” from his speech about the Citizenship Amendment Act.
• According to a Prasar Bharati official, the TV and radio networks were simply following rules set by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

How ECI Allocates Time to Each Recognised Party for Public Broadcasting During Elections?

• Allocation of time:
  • Since the 1998 Lok Sabha elections, recognised political parties have been allowed to freely use state-owned television and radio during polls.
  • The amount of time allowed to each recognised national and state party before the election campaign begins is decided by ECI.
• Amount of time:
  • All national parties (put together) get a minimum of 10 hours of telecasting time on Doordarshan’s national channel, and at least 15 hours on its regional channels.
    • Additionally, they get 15 hours of airing on regional AIR stations and 10 hours on the national AIR.
  • All State parties (put together) get a minimum of 30 hours of telecasting time on the appropriate regional Doordarshan channel and AIR radio station.
• Time allotted for the current Lok Sabha elections:
  • The ECI allocated broadcast and telecast time to each of the six national parties and 59 state parties for the 2024 elections.
  • For national parties, out of the 10 hours prescribed, a total of 4.5 hours (45 minutes each) was allocated in both Doordarshan and AIR.
  • The remaining 5.5 hours was further allocated on the basis of vote share in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
  • Similar formulae were followed while allocating time to state parties.
  • The ECI had allocated 54 minutes each on Doordarshan and AIR to CPI (M), and 26 minutes each on the two media to AIFB.

What are the ECI’s Guidelines on Speech Contents for Public Broadcasting During Elections?

• Submit transcripts:
  • Parties and their speakers are expected to submit transcripts of their speeches three to four days before recording.
  • These have to be approved by the concerned authorities in the respective AIR and Doordarshan stations.
• The guidelines forbid:
  • Criticism of other countries;
  • Attack on religions or communities;
  • Anything obscene or defamatory;
  • Incitement of violence;
  • Anything amounting to contempt of court;
  • Attacks against the integrity of the President and judiciary;
  • Anything affecting the unity, sovereignty and integrity of the nation; and
  • Any criticism by the name of any person.

What are the Concerns Raised by the Opposition Leaders?

• According to the CPI(M) leader, the censorship applied to his text is a patent denial of the right to dissent in a democracy.
  • The deletion of the word ‘bankruptcy’ of governance and the suggestion to replace it with ‘failure’ only endorses the authoritarian character of the government.
• According to the AIFB leader, he unsuccessfully argued for the need to use the word ‘Muslim’.
  • According to him, the CAA is discriminatory to Muslims because it mentions every other minority community eligible for citizenship (except Muslims).

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Russia – China Summit

Why in news? 

• Recently, President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing for a two-day state visit. During this visit, he met with President Xi Jinping at the historic Great Hall of the People, seat of power of the Chinese Communist Party. Both the leaders signed and issued a joint statement on deepening China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era. Both leaders pledged to deepen their strategic partnership. This was Putin’s first international visit since the start of his fifth presidential term.

What’s in today’s article?

• China – Russia friendship

China – Russia friendship

• Relationship – historical background
  • The relationship between China and the Soviet Union did not begin well.
    • When Chairman Mao Zedong visited Moscow after the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, he was made to wait for weeks for a meeting with Joseph Stalin.
  • During the Cold War, China and the USSR were rivals, competing for control of the global communist movement.
  • Tensions between the countries rose dangerously in the early 1960s, and they fought a brief border war in 1969.
  • The relationship began to improve after the death of Mao in 1976, but remained frosty right until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
  • In the post-Cold War-era, economic relations have formed the new strategic basis for Sino-Russian relations.
    • China became Russia’s biggest trading partner, and the largest Asian investor in Russia.
    • China views Russia as a powerhouse of raw material and a valuable market for its consumer goods.
  • The hostile approach of Western countries led by USA towards Russia after the annexation of Crimea in 2014 brought Moscow closer to Beijing.
• Nature of relationship
  • As per the leaders of both the countries, the relations between China and Russia are not opportunistic, and are not directed against anyone.
  • President Xi said the China-Russia friendship was everlasting, and had become a model for a new type of international relations.
  • On the other hand, a White House spokesperson had said that the China-Russia relationship was a marriage of convenience.
• Relationship against the backdrop of the Ukraine War
  • China and Russia signed a no-limits strategic partnership only days before Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
  • The Chinese role in the war has been a major concern for the West, led by the United States.
    • The US believes China is supplying tech that Russia is using to build missiles, tanks, and other battlefield weapons.
    • Russian imports of machine tools, computer chips, and other dual-use items from China have increased significantly.
      • The sales of Chinese logistics equipment like lorries (to transport troops) and excavators (to dig trenches) to Russia have increased by four to seven times since the war began.
• China – Russia friendship: concerns for India
  • For New Delhi, the Russia-China defence axis throws up critical questions.
  • About 60-70% of Indian defence supplies come from Russia, and India needs regular and reliable supplies.
    • This is crucial especially at a time when Indian and Chinese soldiers are locked in a standoff at the border for the last four years.
  • Experts in India are also worried about a scenario in which Russia becomes a “junior partner” of China.
  • Analysts claim that if war broke out between India and China, Russia’s response would be uncertain.
    • During the 1962 war, the Soviet Union did not support India. In contrast, Moscow backed India during the 1971 war.
    • However, today’s Russia under Vladimir Putin is different from the old Soviet Union, and its stance might vary.

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RBI Flags Supervisory Concerns Over ARCs

Why in the News? 

• RBI has identified several supervisory concerns in the functioning of Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs).

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About ARCs (Background, Functions, Working, Benefits, etc.)
• News Summary

About Asset Reconstruction Companies:

• An Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC) is a specialized financial institution that buys the NPAs or bad assets from banks and financial institutions so that the latter can clean up their balance sheets.
• They are regulated by the Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002, commonly known as SARFAESI Act.
• ARCs are regulated by RBI as a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) under RBI Act, 1934.They function under the supervision and control of the RBI.
• 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in ARCs is permitted under the Automatic route.
• Functions of ARCs Include:
  • Acquisition of financial assets
  • Change or takeover of Management / Sale or Lease of Business of the Borrower
  • Rescheduling of Debts
  • Enforcement of Security Interest
  • Settlement of dues payable by the borrower

Background / Need for ARCs:

• The origin of ARCs is normally credited to a 1991 report on financial sector reforms by a panel chaired by former RBI Governor Narasimham.
• Accounting policies of the banking system until the 1990s didn’t include any norms for setting aside funds against bad loans.
• RBI released its first set of norms to classify bad loans or non-performing assets in October 1990.
• It led to a pile of bad loans in most public sector banks and development financial institutions was unearthed.
• The Narasimhan Panel recommended the establishment of an asset reconstruction fund or asset reconstruction company to flush bad loans out of the system.

Working of ARCs:

Benefits of ARCs:

• Improved Financial Health of Banks: ARCs help banks clean up their balance sheets by purchasing Non-Performing Assets (NPAs), allowing banks to focus on their core activities and improve their financial health.
• Specialized Management of NPAs: ARCs specialize in managing and recovering bad loans, which can be more efficient and effective than banks handling these tasks themselves.
• Enhanced Recovery Rates: With their expertise and dedicated focus, ARCs can potentially recover more funds from bad loans than banks might be able to on their own.
• Boost to Credit Flow: By reducing the burden of NPAs, ARCs help banks free up capital, which can then be used for fresh lending, thereby boosting credit flow in the economy.
• Economic Stability: Efficient management of NPAs by ARCs contributes to the overall stability of the financial system, as it helps in mitigating the risks associated with high levels of bad loans.
• Market for Distressed Assets: ARCs create a market for distressed assets, providing an exit route for banks and financial institutions looking to offload their bad loans.
• Restructuring and Revival: ARCs often work on restructuring and reviving sick units, which can help preserve jobs and support economic growth.
• Specialized Skill Set: ARCs bring in a specialized skill set and innovative recovery strategies, which can lead to better outcomes in terms of asset recovery and resolution.

RBI Flags Supervisory Concerns Over ARCs:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked top bosses of Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs) to focus on governance and adhere to ethical conduct while doing business.
• This advisory has come amidst various allegations of their indulgence in unethical practices including providing backdoor entry to defaulting promoters of insolvent companies.
• RBI’s Deputy Governor J. Swaminathan, while urging ARCs to foster a culture of integrity and ethical conduct, highlighted several supervisory concerns in the functioning of ARCs.
• He asked these entities to adopt a regulation plus approach where “there is compliance with both the letter of the regulation and also its spirit.”
• Deputy Governor M. Rajeshwar Rao, highlighted the importance of sound governance which would provide a strong foundation for the ARCs to build a robust business model.
• He also stressed the need for responsible conduct in recovery process and emphasised that ARCs should follow transparent and non-discriminatory practices.

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Why in news? 

In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India ruled that the Enforcement Directorate cannot arrest someone under Section 19 of the PMLA after the Special Court has taken cognizance of the complaint.

What’s in today’s article?

• Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)
• Section 45 of the PMLA
• Background of the case
• Key highlights of the judgement

Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002

• Enacted in January 2003, the Act has three main objectives –
  • To prevent and control money laundering
  • To confiscate and seize the property obtained from the laundered money; and
  • To deal with any other issue connected with money laundering in India.
• Sec. 3 of the Act defines offence of money laundering as –
  • whosoever directly or indirectly attempts to indulge or knowingly assists or knowingly is a party or is actually involved in any process or activity connected with the proceeds of crime and projecting it as untainted property shall be guilty of offence of money-laundering.
• The Act was amended by the Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Act, 2009 and by the Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Act, 2012.
• Most recently, the PMLA was amended through the –
  • Finance Act, 2015; Finance Act, 2018; Finance Act, 2019

Section 45 of the PMLA

• About
  • It states that no accused person shall be granted bail unless:
    • the Public Prosecutor has been given an opportunity to oppose the application for such release; and
    • where the Public Prosecutor opposes the application, the Court is satisfied that:
      • there are reasonable grounds for believing that he is not guilty of such offence and
      • that he is not likely to commit any offence while on bail.
• Stringent norms
  • The twin conditions of bail under Section 45 of the PMLA pose stringent thresholds for an accused.
    • For one, the person has to prove in court that he or she is prima facie innocent of the offence.
    • Secondly, the accused should be able to convince the judge he would not commit any offence while on bail.
  • The burden of proof is entirely on the incarcerated accused, who would be often handicapped to fight the might of the state.
  • The twin conditions make it almost impossible for an accused to get bail.

Background of the case:

• The current judgment was based on an appeal filed by Tarsem Lal against the ED challenging a Punjab and Haryana High Court denying him anticipatory bail.
• The questions of law in the case were whether an accused, appearing in the special court pursuant to its summons, can apply for bail under the regular provisions of the CrPC.
• If so, whether such a bail plea would also have to satisfy the twin conditions imposed by Section 45 of the PMLA.

Key highlights of the judgement

• 
• Gave a fillip to the right to personal liberty
  • SC held that a person summoned by a designated special court under the PMLA, is presumed to be not in custody.
  • Hence, they need not apply for bail under the draconian conditions posed by the anti-money laundering law.
• Limits the power of arrest by the ED
  • The judgment limits the power of arrest by the ED after a special court takes cognisance of a case.
  • The Bench said the ED would have to separately apply for the custody of a person once he appears in court.
  • The central agency would have to show specific grounds that necessitated custodial interrogation.
• Accused can be directed to furnish bonds
  • The special court can require the accused to provide a bond under Section 88 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
    • Section 88 of the CrPC gives a court officer the power to require a person to sign a bond for their appearance in court.
    • The bond can be with or without sureties.
  • SC observed that bond under Section 88 is just a promise to appear in court. It is just an undertaking
  • Hence, an order accepting bond under Section 88 does not amount to grant of bail and hence the twin conditions of Section 45 of the PMLA are not applicable to it.
• Provided further relief to the accused
  • The judgment said an accused, who appears in a special court pursuant to its summons, could be exempted from personal appearance in the future.
  • On the other hand, if an accused does not appear after a summons is served, the special court could issue a bailable warrant followed by a non-­bailable one.
• ED may arrest a person not shown as an accused
  • When ED wants to conduct further investigation concerning the same offence, it may arrest a person not shown as an accused in the complaint already filed, provided the requirements of Section 19 are fulfilled.
    • Section 19 of the PMLA deals with the procedures of arrest.

Why in news?

• India and Iran signed a long-term agreement covering Indian operations at the Chabahar port, eight years after concluding the general framework of cooperation for the port in Iran.

What’s in today’s article?

• Chabahar port
• Significance of Chabahar Port
• 10-year agreement for Chabahar port operation

Chabahar port

• About
  • 
  • Chabahar is a deep-water port in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province. It is the Iranian-port that is the closest to India.
  • It is located in in south-eastern Iran, on the Gulf of Oman, providing easy and secure access for large cargo ships.
  • It is Iran’s first deepwater port that puts the country on the global oceanic trade route map.
• Development of port
  • An MoU for the development of Chabahar port by India was signed in May 2015. The contract was executed in May, 2016 during the visit of PM Modi to Iran.
• Current status
  • India has so far supplied six mobile harbour cranes (two of 140-tonne and four of 100-tonne capacity) and other equipment worth $25 million.
  • India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL has been operating Chabahar port through its wholly owned subsidiary, India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone (IPGCFZ), since December 24, 2018.
  • The port has handled more than 90,000 twenty-foot-equivalent units (TEUs) of container traffic and more than 8.4 million metric tonnes (MMT) of bulk and general cargo since then.

Significance of Chabahar Port

• Strategic significance to both Iran and India
  • It can potentially help Tehran ward off the effect of Western sanctions.
  • It offers New Delhi an alternative route that bypasses Pakistan in order to ensure access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
    • The port is partly intended to provide an alternative for trade between India and Afghanistan as it is 800 kilometres closer to the border of Afghanistan than Pakistan’s Karachi port.
    • Pakistan does not allow India, land access for trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia.
• Humanitarian corridor
  • The port has also facilitated the supply of humanitarian assistance, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Till date, a total of 2.5 million tonnes of wheat and 2,000 tonnes of pulses have been transshipped from India to Afghanistan through Chabahar port.
  • In 2021, India supplied 40,000 litres of the environment friendly pesticide (malathion)through the port to Iran to fight locust attacks.
• Chabahar and International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)
  • The INSTC, which was initiated by Russia, India, and Iran, is a multi-modal transportation route envisaged to link the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea via Iran, and onward to northern Europe via St Petersburg in Russia.
  • 
  • The INSTC envisages the movement of goods:
    • from Mumbai to Bandar Abbas in Iran by sea;
    • from Bandar Abbas to Bandar – e- Anzali, an Iranian port on the Caspian Sea, by road;
    • from Bandar-e-Anzali to Astrakhan, a Caspian port in the Russian Federation by ship; and
    • onward to other parts of the Russian Federation and Europe by rail
  • Hence, INSTC and Chabahar Port will complement each other for optimising Indian connectivity with Russia and Eurasia.
• Tool to strengthen India’s relation with Iran & Afghanistan
  • This port has potential to herald a new age of trade, marine cooperation, and transshipment while boosting trilateral trade between India, Iran, and Afghanistan.

10-year agreement for Chabahar port operation – key highlights

• Agreement signed
  • The long-term agreement was signed between Indian Ports Global Ltd. (IPGL) and Port and Maritime Organisation (PMO) of Iran, enabling operation of the Shahid-Behesti terminal.
• Funding
  • IPGL will invest approximately $120 million in equipping the port.
  • India has also offered a credit window equivalent to $250 million for mutually identified projects aimed at improving Chabahar-related infrastructure.
• Significance
  • This agreement has cleared the pathway for bigger investments to be made in the port.
    • The signing of long-term agreement got delayed due to some tricky issues, including arbitration.
    • In the absence of long-term agreement, the two countries had concluded short-term leases.

Why in news?

• The Geneva-based, United Nations-linked Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) deferred the accreditation of the National Human Rights Commission-India (NHRC) for the second year in a row. This is the first time India’s status has been suspended for two years in a row, in 2023 and in 2024. The decision was taken during the meeting of the Sub Committee on Accreditation (SCA) on May 1, 2024. This decision could now affect India’s ability to vote at the Human Rights Council and some UNGA bodies.

What’s in today’s article?

• National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
• Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI)
• NHRC-India accreditation status review

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

• About
  • It is a statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.  The Commission is the watchdog of human rights in the country.
• Composition of NHRC

• • It is a multi-member body consisting of a chairperson and five members.
  • The chairperson should be a retired chief justice of India or a judge of the Supreme Court.
  • Members should be a serving or retired judge of the Supreme Court, a serving or retired chief justice of a high court and three persons (out of which at least one should be a woman) having knowledge or practical experience with respect to human rights.
• Appointment & Tenure
  • The chairperson and members are appointed by the President on the recommendations of a six-member committee consisting of:
    • Prime Minister as its head; Speaker of the Lok Sabha; Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha; Leaders of the Opposition in both the Houses of Parliament; Central Home Minister
  • The chairperson and members are appointed for the term of 3 years or till the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
  • The chairperson and members are eligible for reappointment.

Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI)

• About
  • It is an organisation affiliated to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
  • It is a global network of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) that works to promote and protect human rights.
    • GANHRI represents 120 NHRIs from around the world.
  • GANHRI’s mission is to unite, promote, and strengthen NHRIs to operate in line with the UN Paris Principles.
• Accreditation by the GANHRI
  • Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) reviews NHRIs every five years, and there is an appeal process for NHRIs to ensure greater transparency and due process.
  • In a unique peer-review-based accreditation process, GANHRI ensures individual NHRIs’ compliance with internationally recognised standards – the Paris Principles – to ensure their independence, pluralism and accountability.
    • The Paris Principles set out internationally agreed minimum standards that NHRIs must meet to be considered credible.
    • The six principles require a country‘s human rights agency to be independent from the government in its structure, composition, decision-making and method of operation.
  • An NHRI is reviewed by the SCA when –
    • It applies for initial accreditation
    • It applies for re-accreditation every five years
    • The circumstances of the NHRI change in any way that may affect its compliance with the Paris Principles.
  • NHRIs that are assessed as complying with the Paris Principles are accredited with ‘A status’, while those that partially comply are accredited with ‘B status’.
    • This accreditation status affects a country’s ability to vote at the UN Human Rights Council and some UNGA bodies.
  • India’s accreditation: India’s NHRC got ‘A’ status of accreditation for the first time in 1999, which it retained in 2006, 2011, and in 2017 after it was deferred for a year.

NHRC-India accreditation status review

On May 1, 2024, NHRC’s performance was to be reviewed in order to decide on the accreditation status.

• Observations made by SCA
  • The committee’s latest report is still awaited. However, its previous report (2023 report) had cited a number of reasons for recommending the deferral. These included:
    • Composition: lack of transparency in appointing members to the NHRC,
    • appointment of police officers to oversee human rights investigations
    • lack of gender and minority representation on the member panel.
  • The NHRC’s ratings were put on hold in 2023 over these concerns
• India’s stand
  • GANHRI wanted India to make some structural changes and incorporate a few suggestions given by them. However, this was not possible at this time due to the ongoing general elections in India.

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An Overview of the Smart Cities Mission

Why in News?

• In this year’s list of poll promises and accomplishments, the NDA-1 government’s flagship program – Smart Cities Mission (SCM), has taken a back seat.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• What is the Smart Cities Mission (SCM)?
• What are the Main Components of SCM?
• What are the Achievements of SCM?
• Some Success Stories of SCM
• What are the Criticisms of SCM?

What is the Smart Cities Mission(SCM)?

• It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), launched on 25 June, 2015.
• Its objective is to promote cities –
  • To ensure a decent quality of life to their citizens through the application of ‘smart solutions’.
  • To drive economic growth through comprehensive work on social, economic, physical and institutional pillars of the city.
  • To drive sustainable and inclusive development.
• 100 cities were selected for five years under the mission, which did not clearly define a smart city.
  • The Central Government will give financial support to the extent of Rs. 48,000 crores over 5 years i.e. on an average 100 crore per city per year.
  • An equal amount on a matching basis is to be provided by the State/ULB.
• The mission that was to be completed in 2020, was given two extensions till June 2024.

What are the Main Components of SCM?

• The SCM had two main aspects:
  • Area-based development consisting of three components [redevelopment (city renewal), retrofitting (city improvement), and green field projects (city extension)] and
  • Pan-city solutions based on ICT.
• These further comprised some six categories that would include e-governance, waste management, water management, energy management, urban mobility, and skill development.

What are the Achievements of SCM?

• Around ₹2 lakh crore was kept aside for the mission, with public-private partnerships (PPP) an important driver of the same (though, not more than 5% has come through the PPP route).
• In order to make the mission effective, a business model of governance was adopted bypassing the existing models of city governance in the country.
  • An SPV (special purpose vehicle) led by a bureaucrat or a representative of an MNC, and other major stakeholders was created and registered under the Companies Act.
• The SCM, with an allocation of ₹86,850 crore over eight years, has achieved an impressive completion rate of 83%.
• Participating cities have utilised ₹72,571 crore, focusing on 21 sectors including education, health, housing, water supply, solid waste management, and public transport.
• The most common feature across all cities – Integrated Command and Control Centers (ICCCs), enable monitoring and management of various urban functions.
  • They have been instrumental in disaster response, flood monitoring, and traffic management.

Some Success Stories of SCM:

• Davanagere’s (Karnataka) Stormwater Drainage System:
  • It successfully implemented a holistic stormwater drainage system, significantly reducing instances of flooding.
  • This project exemplifies the mission’s effectiveness in addressing crucial urban challenges.
• Jabalpur’s (MP) Water Supply Enhancement:
  • Jabalpur is set to provide 24×7 water supply to 2,000 households, showcasing the mission’s focus on improving essential services.
  • However, challenges remain in retrofitting existing infrastructure with new technologies.

What are the Criticisms of SCM?

• The selection of 100 cities on a competitive basis and implementation of SCM was flawed, as the urbanisation in India is dynamic and not static like the West.
• The SCM became an exclusionary scheme wherein not more than 1% of a city’s geographical area was selected for development.
• The projects sanctioned under the SCM have seen a fall in the total outlay from the expected ₹2 lakh crore to ₹1,67,875 crore.
  • This is 16% less than the projected capital flow in 100 cities.
• The SPV model designed for smart cities was not aligned with the 74th Constitutional Amendment, resulting in a top-bottom governance structure.
• In the name of executing smart city projects, there was displacement of people living in poorer localities. For example, street vendors.
• Another major consequence of the SCM has been enhanced urban flooding, because infrastructure projects dismantled water channels in some of the towns.

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What is Xenotransplantation?

Why in the News?

• The first recipient of a modified pig kidney transplant passed away around two months after the surgery was carried out.
• Richard “Rick” Slayman had the transplant at Massachusetts, USA in March at the age of 62. Surgeons said they believed the pig kidney would last for at least two years.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About Transplantation (Meaning, Human Transplantation)
• About Xenotransplantation (Meaning, Need, Why Pig’s Organs are Used, Etc.)
• News Summary

Transplantation:

• Transplantation is a surgical procedure in which tissue or an organ is transferred from one area of a person’s body to another area, or from one person (the donor) to another person (the recipient).
• In the last 50 years, transplantation has become a successful worldwide practice.

Human Transplantation:

• Human cells and tissues for transplantation can save lives or restore essential functions. For example:
  • A corneal graft can restore sight in corneal blindness;
  • The transplantation of haematopoietic stem cells can cure congenital or acquired diseases including leukaemia.
  • The transplantation of a human heart valve often constitutes the best replacement situation and recipient patients do not require long term anti-coagulation therapy.

What is Xenotransplantation?

• Xenotransplantation involves the transplantation of nonhuman tissues or organs into human recipients.
• The development of xenotransplantation is driven by the fact that the demand for human organs for clinical transplantation far exceeds the supply.
• Scientists are still exploring the risks and benefits of xenotransplantation.

Why Pig’s Organsare Used for Xenotransplantation?

• Since the 1990s, researchers have attempted to use pigs as the source animal for xenotransplantation, and the pig is currently considered the most appropriate candidate species.
• Reasons for selecting the pig as a source animal include:
  • Pig’s relatively large litter size and short maturation period,
  • Its size and physiological similarity to humans,
  • Low risk of xenozoonosis (an infectious disease transmitted from animal to human by transplantation), and
  • Readily application of genetic engineering techniques to produce porcine organs that are resistant to rejection.
• Thanks to genetically modified pigs and immunosuppressive therapy, survival time results for xenografts have improved considerably in preclinical xenotransplantation models.

What is Immunosuppressive Therapy?

• Immunosuppressive therapy is a drug regimen that patients use to lower their bodies’ immune response.
• These drugs help doctors stop the immune system from overreacting and damaging transplanted organs and tissues.

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Why in news?

• The Armed Forces have finalized the structure for making integrated theater commands. They are now considering appointing a Vice Chief of Defence Staff and a Deputy Chief of Defence Staff.

What’s in today’s article?

• Theaterisation of Armed Forces
• Theatre commands and India
• Current command structure in India
• Recent steps taken by India towards theaterisation
• Proposed organisational structure for integrated theatre commands – key highlights

Theaterisation of Armed Forces

• It is a concept which seeks to integrate the capabilities of the three services – army, air force and navy – in order to optimally utilise their resources for wars and operations.
• A theatre command/unit will be created by integrating elements/assets from all the three services.
  • Simply put, a theatre command deploys elements of the three services under a single, unified command structure.
• Each command is assigned a specific geographical region for operational roles.
• Almost all major countries like China, Russia, US, UK and France work on a theatre command concept.
  • For example, China’s Western Theatre Command looks after the entire borders with India.

Theatre commands and India

• 
• The Kargil Review Committee, the Naresh Chandra Committee and the Group of Ministers (GoM) had called for structural changes in higher defence management.
• It was the Shekatkar committee, which had recommended the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and theatre commands.

Current command structure in India

• At present, India has 17 single service commands and only two tri-service commands.
• The 17 single service commands are divided as:
  • Army – 7 commands; Airforce – 7 commands; Navy – 3 commands
• The two tri-service commands are: Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), and The Strategic Force Command (handles the nuclear weapons).
  • The Andaman and Nicobar command is a full-fledged command raised as a tri-service command in 2001.

Recent steps taken by India towards theaterisation

• Proposal to create a national defence committee
  • There is a proposal for theatre commanders under a national defence committee likely to be headed by the Defence Minister.
• Inter-Services Organisation (Command, Control and Discipline) Act 2023
  • The act empowers the commander-in-chief and the officer-in-command of inter-services organisations with disciplinary and administrative powers over personnel from the other services serving in them.
  • Limited cross-postings between the Army, Navy and IAF have already been implemented to promote jointness.
    • Restructuring of the headquarters and the subsequent postings will take place after the final approval from the govt.
• First tri-service common defence station
  • In March 2024, the decision was taken to transform Mumbai into the first tri-service common defence station.
    • A common defense station would merge all Army, Navy, and Air Force facilities, like logistics and maintenance, under one leadership.
  • It was also decided to set up additional joint logistics nodes across the country to boost integration in logistical needs and streamline their supply chains.

Proposed organisational structure for integrated theatre commands – Key highlights

• Organisational structure for the creation of integrated theatre commands is ready
  • The Armed Forces have finalised the organisational structure for the creation of integrated theatre commands.
  • However, the organisational structure plan may be fine tuned after it gets government approval.
• Appointment of a Vice Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)
  • The Vice CDS is likely to be an officer of the rank of General or equivalent.
  • He is expected to look after strategic planning, capability development and procurement-related matters.
• Appointment of a Deputy CDS
  • The Deputy CDS is likely to be an officer of the rank of Lieutenant General or equivalent.
  • He will be responsible for operations, intelligence and will coordinate the allocation of assets between theatres.
• Creation of commands
  • The proposal entails creation of the western theatre command headquarters in Jaipur where the Army’s South Western Command is located.
  • The northern theatre command is likely to be in Lucknow.
  • The maritime theatre command is likely to have its base in Coimbatore.
    • It will involve the IAF’s Prayagraj-headquartered Central Command and its Southern Air Command based in Thiruvananthapuram.
    • Earlier, the plans were to set up the maritime theatre command headquarters in Karwar.
• Overall Plan is to create three adversary-based theatre commands
  • one facing Pakistan,
  • another opposite China, and
  • a maritime theatre command to tackle maritime threats outside the coastal borders of the country.
• Role of three service chiefs
  • The three service chiefs will be responsible for raising, training and sustaining the individual services.
  • It is not known yet whether they will continue to retain some operational roles. The three theatre commanders will be responsible for operations.
• No additional manpower is likely to be enrolled for creation of the theatre commands
  • Only readjustments within organisations will be carried out.