UPSC Daily Current Affairs| Prelim Bits 27-03-2025

Effects of Domestic Migration in India

Prelims – Economic and Social Development.

Mains – GS III| Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.

Why in news?

A research report recently released by the State Bank of India (SBI) highlighted that Migration of labor from low-income states resulting in inflation in high income States in the South such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

• Labor Migration and Inflation – Labor migration from low-income to high-income states is contributing to higher inflation in southern states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
• This migration is linked to employment opportunities and increased purchasing power.

Purchasing power refers to the value of a currency or income in terms of the goods and services that can be purchased with it, meaning the ability to buy goods and services.

• Regional Inflation Variations – Southern and Eastern regions show higher inflation trends.
• Northeast and Western regions have the lowest inflation rates.
• Post-pandemic (FY21 to FY25), inflation indicates the following:
  • Northeast – 3.4% decline.
  • Southern region – Only 2.6% decline.
• Labor Migration and Economic Dynamics – Workers moving from low-income to high-income states create unique economic ripple effects including:
  • Enhanced purchasing power in destination states.
  • Increased demand for goods and services.
  • Potential upward pressure on local prices.
• Rural-Urban Inflation Divide – Rural inflation is higher than urban inflation and the reasons for it include:
  • Higher food prices.
  • Rural food basket weight is 54.2% (compared to 36.3% in urban areas).
• Fiscal Policy and Inflation – The report suggests that higher taxes levied by Southern states on items like petrol/diesel, liquor, and property registration contribute to inflationary pressures.
• The high sales tax collection in southern states, indicates that state level fiscal policy has a large impact on regional inflation.

Reference

1. The Hindu | Migration of Labor
2. PIB | Empowering India's Migrant Workforce

National Task Force (NTF) on Student Mental Health

Prelims – Indian Polity & Governance.

Mains – GS II | Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Why in the News?

Recently, a National Task Force (NTF) on Student Mental Health was formed.

• Formed by – Supreme Court of India.
• Objectives – To address the mental health concerns of students and to prevent student suicides in institutions of higher education.
• Need – National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2021 highlights that over 13,000 students lost their lives by committing suicide in the country, which is almost twice a decade ago.

According to the NCRB report, student suicides accounted for 7.6% of the total suicides in India in 2022, with 1.2% of total suicides attributable to professional or career problems and 1.2% to failure in examinations.

• Composition – Chairman and ex-officio members
  • Ex-officio members – Secretaries of the ministries of higher education, social justice and empowerment, legal affairs, and women & child development.
• Functions – Determining the most significant factors for student suicides.
• Reviewing current rules and providing suggestions.
• Carrying out surprise checks at universities and colleges.
• It can make recommendations for additional steps beyond its original mandate for efficient handling of student mental health issues.
• Report preparation:
  • Interim report - within 4 months.
  • Final report - within 8 months.

Reference

The New Indian Express| NTF for Student Mental Health

Legality of Cow Slaughter Bans

Prelims – Indian Polity and Governance.

Mains – GS II | Government policies and interventions.

Why in News?

The recent announcement of Maharashtra to invoke Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act against repeat offenders in cases of cow-slaughter rekindle debates on slaughter bans.

• Indian Constitution – Article 48  of the Directive Principles directs the state to make efforts for banning animal slaughtering of cows and calves and other milch and draught cattle.
• By virtue of Entry 15 of the State List under 7th Schedule, the State Legislatures have given exclusive powers to make laws regarding the conservation of cattle including the prevention of cow slaughter.
• Statutory provisions – At present, many states have enacted legislation prohibiting the slaughter of cows or the sale of beef.
  • For example, Bihar Preservation and Improvement of Animals Act, 1955.
• Supreme Court – Mohammad Hanif Quareshi Vs State of Bihar (1958) marked a watershed moment to negotiate the centuries-old communally fraught issue of cattle slaughter.
• In this case, Supreme Court (SC) partially upheld the state bans, carving out key exceptions.
• The ban on slaughter of she-buffaloes, breeding bulls and working bullocks (cattle and buffalo) which are useful is reasonable but of those which are not useful is not valid.
• It mainly reframed the issue from its communal overtones to bovine economics.
• It said that cow slaughter was prohibited for economic value and not entirely religious sentiments.

On the right to religion, cow slaughter was held not to be a core tenet of the religion while the Supreme court cited “interests of the general public” as a reasonable restriction on the right to trade and profession under Article 19(1)(g).

• Challenges – The question as to when a she-buffalo, breeding bull or working bullock (cattle and buffalo) ceases to be useful and becomes useless and unserviceable is a matter for legislative determination

Reference

The Indian Express| Constitution and the Cow

Tirzepatide

Prelims – Current events of national and international importance.

Mains – Bio-Technology.

Why in the News?

Eli Lilly, a multinational pharmaceutical company, officially launched its Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) drug in India.

• Tirzepatide – It belongs to a new class of diabetes medicines for the treatment of chronic obesity and for weight-loss.
• It is the 1st significant weight-loss and diabetes drug to enter India.
• It is a type 2 diabetes management drug which is injected weekly once.
• Approved by – Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), India’s drug regulator.
• Working mechanism – It mimics 2 key hormones:
  • Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)
  • Gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP)
• These hormones help regulate blood sugar, control appetite, and slow digestion.
• Dual action on – GLP-1 and GIP receptors sets it apart from Ozempic (Semaglutide), which only targets GLP-1.
• It is more effective than Ozempic (Semaglutide).

Ozempic (Semaglutide) is an anti-diabetic medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and to lower the risk of a heart attack, stroke, or death in people who also have heart disease.

• Common side effects – Gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and acid reflux.
• In some cases, severe diarrhea can lead to dehydration and acute kidney injury.
• Suitable for
  • Adults with Type 2 diabetes.
  • Obese or overweight individuals struggling with weight loss (up to 20 kg weight loss over 72 weeks).
  • Patients with insulin resistance who haven’t responded well to other treatments.

Reference

The Indian Express| Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) in India

Anti-Defection law

Prelims – Indian Polity and Governance.

Mains – GS II | Significant provisions of Indian Constitution

Why in news?

The Supreme Court (SC) is considering whether the constitutional courts can set a timeline for the speaker to decide on disqualification petitions under the Tenth Schedule (Anti-defection law).

• Anti-defection law - Inserted in the Constitution in 1985 through 52^nd amendment act as the Tenth schedule.
• Purpose - It lays down the process by which legislators may be disqualified on grounds of defection by the Presiding Officer of a legislature based on a petition by any other member of the House.
• The law applies to both Parliament and state assemblies.
• Grounds of defection
  • If he/she either voluntarily gives up the membership of his party.
  • If he/she disobeys the directives of the party leadership on a vote. This implies that a legislator defying (abstaining or voting against) the party whip on any issue can lose his membership of the House.
  • If a nominated member joins a political party after 6 months of being elected.
  • If any independently elected member joins any political party.
• Exception - The law allows a party to merge with or into another party provided that at least two-thirds of its legislators are in favour of the merger.
• Time limit - The law does not specify a period for the Presiding Officer to decide on a disqualification plea.
• Judicial Review - The presiding officer's decision on the legitimacy of reasons for disqualification or defection is subject to judicial review.

Key supreme court judgements on anti-defection law

• Kihoto Hollohan vs Zachillhu (1992) - The SC ruled that the Speaker's decision was subject to judicial review on grounds of malafides, violation of constitutional mandate, non-compliance with principles of natural justice, etc.
• Keisham Meghachandra Singh vs. Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly (2020) - The Court held that the Speaker cannot employ delaying tactics and has to decide the disqualification petition within a reasonable period.

References

1. The Hindu | Speakers to decide on defections
2. PRS India | What is the anti-defection law?