Elections in Rajya Sabha

The recent Rajya Sabha election in several States raised concerns about the sanctity of election process as it witnessed cross-voting by MLAs.

• As per Article 80, the members of Rajya Sabha elected indirectly by the elected members of the Legislative Assembly of each State and the respective Union Territories.
• Cross voting – It occurs when members vote for a candidate from a party different from the one to which they belong which questions the integrity of election process.
• Open ballot system – To prevent cross-voting, an amendment to the Representation of the People Act, 1951 in 2003 introduced an open ballot system for Rajya Sabha elections.
• Members are required to show their ballot paper to the authorized agent of their party. Failure to do so may result in disqualification of the vote.
• Kuldip Nayar versus Union of India (2006) – The Supreme Court upheld the system of open ballot for Rajya Sabha elections.
• The court is of the view that if secrecy in voting became a source of corruption, transparency had the potential to eliminate it.
• However, the Election Commission specified that the provisions of the Tenth Schedule, with respect to voting against the instruction of the party, will not be applicable for a Rajya Sabha elections.
• The elections to Rajya Sabha are not treated as a proceeding within the Legislative Assembly. 
• Furthermore, political parties cannot issue any ‘whip’ to its members for such elections.

World Trade Organization’s types of subsidies

Cairns Group

• Cairns Group is a coalition of 20 agricultural fair-trading countries which together account for almost 30% of the world’s agricultural exports.
• It was launched in 1986 at Cairns, Australia just before the beginning of the Uruguay Round.
•  Vision – Deep cuts to all tariffs including tariff peaks and removal of tariff escalation
• Elimination of all trade-distorting domestic subsidies
• Elimination of export subsidies and clear rules to prevent circumvention of export subsidy commitments.
• Member countries – Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, Uruguay and Vietnam.
• India is not a member of Cairns Group.

Three stages of India’s nuclear program

• Formulation – By Homi Bhabha who is credited as “father of India’s nuclear program”.
• Launch year – 1954.
• Aim – To achieve complete self-sufficiency in nuclear energy by leveraging India's significant thorium resources.
• The ultimate goal was to capitalize on India’s vase thorium reserves while accounting for its low uranium reserves.
• India has only about 2% of the global uranium reserves but 25% of the world’s thorium reserves which is found in the monazite sands of coastal regions of South India.
• Closed fuel cycle – The three stages feed into each other in such a way that the spent fuel generated from one stage of the cycle is reprocessed and used in the next stage of the cycle to produce power.
• The closed fuel cycle helps to breed fuel and minimise the nuclear waste.
• Thorium – It is viewed as the fuel of the future, Stage-III aims at using thorium as fuel for power generation on a commercial scale.

Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR)

The vital second stage of India’s three-stage nuclear programme got a boost with the commencement of ‘core loading’ at the country’s first indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.

• Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) - It is the vital 2nd stage of India’s 3-stage nuclear programme.
• Core loading - It is the process of placing nuclear fuel assemblies inside the core of a nuclear reactor.
• The Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) will initially use the Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel.
• PFBR is an advanced third generation reactor with inherent passive safety features ensuring a prompt and safe shut down of the plant in the event of an emergency.
• PFBR has been fully designed and constructed indigenously by Bhartiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI).
• Once commissioned, India will only be the second country after Russia to have commercial operating Fast Breeder Reactor.

Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)

• Aim – To limit the spread of ballistic missiles and other unmanned delivery systems that could be used for chemical, biological, and nuclear attacks.
• Launch year – 1987.
• Establishment – By the G-7 industrialized countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the United States).
• Member countries – 35.
• India – It is a part of the regime since 2016.
• Restrictions – The regime urges the member countries to restrict their exports of missiles and related technologies capable of carrying a 500-kilogram payload at least 300 kilometers or delivering any type of weapon of mass destruction.

Shanan Hydropower Project

The Centre has ordered that status quo be maintained on the Shanan hydropower project, over which Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have made competing claims.

• Shanan Hydropower Project is a British-era 110-MW hydel project which has been a point of contention between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
• It is located at Uhl (a tributary of the Beas River) in Himachal Pradesh.
• It is controlled by the Punjab Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL).
• PSPCL is a profit-making entity, generating a revenue of Rs 200 crore per annum.
• It was originally leased to Punjab in 1925 signed by Raja Joginder Bahadur (then ruler of Mandi) and Col BC Batty, a British representative and Chief Engineer of Punjab.
• The 99-year-old lease came to an end on March 2, 2024.
• Himachal Pradesh contends that the project should remain under its control once the lease expires, it stated that they would not allow Punjab to stake claim on the project after the lease period.

Self Help Groups (SHGs)

• A Self-Help Group is an informal association of individuals who come together to improve their living conditions.
• It can be formal (registered) or informal. Registration under any Societies Act, State cooperative Act or a partnership firm is not mandatory.
• It is a self-governed and peer-controlled group comprising people with similar socio-economic backgrounds and a shared desire to achieve a common purpose.
• Members of SHG agree to save regularly and contribute to a common fund.
• The members agree to use this common fund and such other funds (like grants and loans from banks), which they may receive as a group, to give small loans to needy members as per the decision of the group.
• As per National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) data, there are around 9 million SHGs with nearly 100 million women members, averaging 14 SHGs per village.
• The concept of SHGs began in the 1970s, notably with the formation of the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) in Gujarat.
• In 1992, SHGs were linked to banks for small loans, leading to the SHG Bank Linkage Project (SHG-BLP) for setting up livelihood opportunities.
• Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana was launched in 1999 to recognize the potential of SHGs in promoting self-employment in rural areas.
• In 2011, SHGs were integrated into the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), becoming core implementers of the government's objective to ensure livelihood opportunities for the poor.

Cervical Cancer

India’s interim Union Budget 2024-25 has taken a significant step by supporting the vaccination of girls aged 9 to 14 against cervical cancer, marking a new era in women’s health.

• Cervical cancer – It is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix -the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.
• It is a common sexually transmitted infection which is caused mainly due to the long-lasting infection with certain types of Human papillomavirus (HPV).
• Almost all cervical cancer cases (99%) are caused due to high-risk HPV, a highly common virus transmitted through sexual contact.
• It is preventable as long as it is detected early and managed effectively.
• Symptoms:
  • Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between periods or after menopause,
  •  Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse
  • Watery, bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odour.
• Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer Elimination – In 2020, the WHO adopted this strategy in order to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem.
• 90-70-90 Targets – These are a set of goals set by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020 to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030.
• Two vaccines licensed globally that are available in India are:
  • A quadrivalent vaccine (Gardasil, from Merck) and
  • A bivalent vaccine (Cervarix, from GlaxoSmithKline).
• Cervavac – It is India’s first indigenous quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine (qHPV) vaccine and intended to protect women against cervical cancer.
• It is developed by the Serum Institute of India in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology.
• Bhutan was the first Low Middle Income Country to launch a nationwide HPV vaccination program for girls aged 12 to 18 in 2010.
• It achieved an initial coverage of 95%, research shown a decrease in the prevalence of HPV transmission.

Regulation of State’s borrowing in India

• The State’s borrowing in India in India are regulated by:
  • Article 293
  • 7th Schedule
  • Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003
  • Finance Commission
  • State’s own Fiscal Responsibility Acts.
  • Union Government
• Article 293 – It grants fiscal autonomy to states, allowing them to borrow only from within the territory of India on guarantee from the Consolidated Fund of the State.
• 7th Schedule – Fiscal matters are delineated in the 7th Schedule of the Constitution, with "Public Debt of the State" falling under the State List, giving states exclusive jurisdiction over this matter.
• FRBM Act 2003 – The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act 2003 was enacted to ensure intergenerational equity in fiscal management, it sets limit on fiscal deficit and borrowing for both the Central and State governments.
• Finance Commission – It periodically makes recommendations regarding fiscal matters, including borrowing limits for States, it is crucial for determining the borrowing ceilings for states, taking into account factors such as economic conditions, fiscal health, and developmental needs.
• State Fiscal Responsibility Acts – Each State may have its own Fiscal Responsibility Act, which further defines the limits and guidelines for borrowing and fiscal management within the State.
• Role of Centre – It plays a significant role in overseeing fiscal matters, including approving borrowing limits for States based on recommendations from bodies like Finance Commission.
• It can influence the State’s borrowing limits through legislative changes, amendments to existing laws like the FRBM Act, or by exercising discretion in granting additional funds or relaxing borrowing constraints in exceptional circumstances.

Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India has notified the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024 in accordance with the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023.

Atmospheric Research Testbed

Recently the 1st phase of India’s Atmospheric Research Testbed in Central India (ART-CI) was inaugurated at Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh

• About - It is an open-field observational and analytical research program.
• Aim - To study vital cloud processes associated with the Indian monsoon, particularly focusing on the Monsoon Core Zone (MCZ) in central India.
• MCZ is the core monsoon zone is a region in India that stretches from Gujarat in the west to West Bengal in the east.
• Funded by - The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
• Implemented by - The Indian Institute of Tropical Metrology, Pune.
• ART-CI - It is a component under Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS).
• ACROSS Scheme - It is a Central Sector Scheme, pertains to the atmospheric science programs of MoES.
• The sub-schemes under the ACROSS scheme are multi-disciplinary in nature and will be implemented in an integrated manner through 4 institutes.
• Access, Watch and Reserve (AWaRe) – It is a classification tool of World Health Organization (WHO) for monitoring antibiotic consumption.
• It defines the targets and monitors the effects of stewardship policies that aim to optimize antibiotic use and curb antimicrobial resistance.

DIANA Initiative

Recently Finland joined the DIANA Initiative of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

• DIANA – Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic.
• It aims to address future challenges in defence and security by harnessing technological solutions.
• Initiative of - North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
• Aim - It seeks to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative solutions with applications in both civil and defence sectors.
• DIANA has a network of more than 200 affiliated accelerator sites and test centres.
• All NATO nations are members of DIANA.
• The DIANA Board of Directors is responsible for governance and comprises representatives from every Allied country.
• DIANA accelerator programme – Aimed at helping companies and countries develop deep technologies and innovations applicable to both commercial and defence sectors.

SheRNI Portal

Recently the SheRNI Portal was launched by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to connect, support women scientists and faculty members across India.

• SheRNI - She Research Network in India.
• Aim - To create a national-level expert platform for women faculty members and facilitate the exchange of expertise, insights and experiences across diverse fields.
• Launched by - The Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

PM-SURAJ Portal

• PM-SURAJ – Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan evam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan.
• Aim - To offer credit support to the marginalized segments of society.
• Launched by - The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• It provides financial assistance directly to beneficiaries, eliminating middlemen and commissions.
• The portal will help empower people deprived of opportunities.
• It will provide information about various government schemes at one place.

Status of Leopards in India Report

Recently, the 5th cycle of leopard population estimation (2022) was carried out and ‘the Status of Leopards in India’ report was released.

• Aim – To reveal crucial insights into leopard distribution and conservation challenges.
• Conducted by – National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in collaboration with State Forest Departments.
• It is under quadrennial “Monitoring of Tiger, Co-predators, prey and their habitat” exercise in tiger range States.
• Coverage – 20 States of India, and focussed on about 70% of the animals’ expected habitat, which are India’s tiger reserves and protected forest areas.
  • Forested habitats within 18 tiger states, covering 4 major tiger conservation landscapes.
  • Non-forested habitats, arid, and high Himalayas, total of about 30% area were not sampled for leopard.
• Scientific methodologies – A meticulous process combining camera trapping, habitat analysis, and population modelling.

Key Findings of the report

• 8% rise in numbers from 2018 to 2022 with 13,874 individuals (Range - 12,616 to 15,132).
• A 1.08% per annum growth in sample area from 2018.
• The largest growth rate of 1.5%, in Central India & Eastern Ghats.
• A 3.4% decline per annum in Shivalik hills and Gangetic plains.
• Only 4 States reported over a 1,000 animals, where Madhya Pradesh houses the largest followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
• Tiger Reserves or sites with highest leopard population
  • Nagarajunasagar Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh), followed by Panna (Madhya Pradesh), and Satpura (Madhya Pradesh).
• Threats – Habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching.
• Human-wildlife conflict likely reason for decline in the big cat population by 22% in Uttarakhand.
• Significance – The findings underscore the critical role of Protected Areas in conserving leopard populations.

Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport

The Rohini Sounding Rocket was launched from the mobile launch pad to mark the commencement of physical work on the Kulasekarapattinam spaceport.

• Geographical location – Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu.
• Kulasekaranpattinam is a town better known for its Dussehra celebrations at Sri Mutharamman Temple.
• Role – It is ISRO’s 2nd satellite launch facility, would be completed within 2 years to launch SSLVs in order.
• It would have the capacity to launch 24 satellites per year.
• Need – The rockets launched from ISRO’s Sriharikota facility in Andhra Pradesh 1st heads east, and then turn south to avoid the Sri Lanka’s airspace, costing more fuel and reduce payload’s capacity.
•  Geographical advantages – It can head straight in the southern direction without a dogleg manoeuvre and closer to equator than Sriharikota thereby reducing time and fuel wastage.
• Economic significance – It is relatively closer to the ISRO Propulsion Research Complex located in Mahendragiri, in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu.
• It makes it easier to transport the rocket components safely in shorter time, thus reducing the costs involved.
• Safety considerations – Proximity to the eastern coastline of India are safer, as any failure of launches allow the debris to fall harmlessly in Bay of Bengal or Indian Ocean.

Women, Business and the Law Report 2024

The 10th edition of the women, business and the law report was published recently.

• An annual studies measuring the laws that affect women’s economic opportunity.
• Published by – World bank
• Coverage – 190 economies.
• For the 1st time – It analysed the impact of childcare & safety policies on women’s participation in the labour market.
• It presents a new approach to measure the implementation gap between laws (de jure) and how they function in practice (de facto).
• 10 indicators – Safety, Mobility, Workplace, Pay, Marriage, Parenthood, Childcare, Entrepreneurship, Assets, and Pension.

Key Findings of the Report

• Workplace – No country in the world affords women the same opportunities as men in the workforce.
• Global gender gap – It was far wider than previously thought and closing this could raise global GDP by more than 20%.
• Pay – Globally, women earned just 77 cents of each dollar earned by a man.
• Pension – In 81 countries, a woman’s pension benefits do not account for periods of work absences related to childcare.
• Parenthood – Less than 50% the countries had financial support or tax relief for parents of young children.
• Safety – 151 countries had laws against sexual harassment in the workplace but only 40 countries had laws that covered abuse in public areas or on public transport.
• Childcare – Addressing the childcare gap would immediately lead to a 1% increase in women’s participation in the labour force.
• Legal gap – Countries on average, established less than 40% of the systems needed for full implementation.
• Women on average enjoyed just 64% of the legal protections men do, down from the previous estimate of 77%.

Asiatic Lions

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recently recategorized the Asiatic lion status as vulnerable from endangered indicating a positive shift in its conservation status.

Nomenclature change

• Due to genetic similarity between Central African, West African and Asiatic Lions, IUCN has clubbed all three under Panthera leo leo.
• Earlier, the Asiatic lions were classified as Panthera leo persica.

Asiatic Lions

• About - The Asiatic lion is a subspecies of lion, slightly smaller than African lions.
• They are also known as Persian lions or Indian lions.
• Scientific Name - Panthera leo leo.
• Family – Felidae.
• Distribution - They used to range from Turkey, across Asia, to eastern India.
• Habitat - At present Gir National Park, Gujarat is the only abode of the Asiatic lion.
• They are one of the 5 big cats found in India and are better known as ‘the king of beasts’.

Project Lion

• The Project Lion envisages landscape ecology-based conservation of the Asiatic Lion in Gujarat by integrating conservation and eco-development.
• The Project is being implemented in the Gir landscape in Gujarat which is the last home of the Asiatic lion.
• Implementation - The State Government of Gujarat and other stakeholders like Central Zoo Authority.