[Mission 2024] INSIGHTS DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS + PIB SUMMARY 16 August 2023

GS Paper 1

Syllabus: Ancient History

Source: TH

 Context: In the context of India’s 76th year of Independence, the article highlights the debate surrounding the origins of democracy and India’s claim to being the “mother of democracy.”

What is Democracy?

Democracy is a system of government where power is vested in the hands of the people, allowing them to participate in decision-making through voting and representation.

The debate:

Western narrative claims that democracy was invented in ancient Athens before being rediscovered and spreading around the globe in modern times.

While ancient Greece is often associated with the birth of democracy, India’s historical references to democratic practices challenge this narrative.

Aspect of Democracy:

Conclusion:

Despite historic roots, flaws in the system, such as the exclusion of certain groups, discrimination, and weak political rights exist. There is a need of protecting democracy, as gifts like democracy can also be vulnerable to erosion.

To know about democracy from a polity point of view: Click here

Insta Links:

• India’s democratic values have eroded significantly
• India’s democracy, diminished and declining

Mains Links:

To enhance the quality of democracy in India the Election Commission of India has proposed electoral reforms in 2016. What are the suggested reforms and how far are they significant to make democracy successful? (UPSC 2017)

Prelims Links: UPSC 2021

GS Paper 2

 Syllabus: Governance/ Government Policies and Interventions

Source: BBC

 Context: The recently passed Digital Personal Data Protection Bill in India has raised concerns among privacy experts due to its potential impact on the landmark right to information (RTI) law.

Major Provision of the New Bill:

The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill impacts the Right to Information (RTI) Act in the following ways:

• Exemption of Personal Information: The new data protection law changes a provision in the RTI Act to exempt “personal information” from being disclosed. This affects information sought under the RTI law.
• Impact on Transparency: Activists and experts are concerned that the change will reduce transparency and hinder the ability to access information.
• Blanket Ban on Personal Information: The new law introduces a blanket ban on personal information, making it difficult to access information even if it relates to public activities or larger public interest.
• Increased Denials: Officials are expected to deny more RTI requests using the personal information exemption, affecting the availability of crucial information.
• Exception Burden: While the change doesn’t affect the provision allowing access if public interest outweighs the harm, it shifts the burden to individuals seeking information to prove its public interest.

Other Concerns related to the draft Bill: Click Here

  For Comparing India’s proposal with other countries: Click Here

Insta Links:

New draft digital data protection bill: How it compares with the older version and  laws elsewhere

Mains Links:

The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill must ensure that individuals’ personal data is collected and processed in a manner that respects their privacy rights under Article 21 of the Indian constitution. Comment.

GS Paper 2

 Syllabus: Federalism/ Government Policies

Source: IE

 Context: The conflict between Tamil Nadu and the Central government over NEET has broader implications related to equity and federalism

What is NEET?

NEET (National Eligibility Entrance Test) is the qualifying test for MBBS and BDS programs in Indian medical and dental colleges. It was introduced to standardize admissions across the country.

Tamil Nadu’s Opposition: Tamil Nadu has been vehemently opposing NEET, citing various issues:

• Adverse Effects: A committee led by Justice K. Rajan found that NEET negatively impacted the share of seats historically enjoyed by Tamil Nadu Board of Secondary Examination (TNBSE) students.
• Favoured CBSE Students: NEET favoured Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) students over TNBSE students, creating an imbalance.
• Coaching Dependency: NEET led to a surge in the coaching industry, shifting focus from learning to exam preparation.
• Social Inequality: Repeated attempts to crack NEET disproportionately benefited financially and socially privileged students, excluding marginalized backgrounds.
• Economic Disparities: Merit-based admissions in state-run institutions contrasted with economically advantaged students getting admissions in private colleges based on poor NEET scores.
• Exam Conduct Issues: Discrepancies in exam conduct, including impersonation cases, raised concerns about the fairness of the exam.

Tamil Nadu attempted legislative actions to counter NEET: 

In 2017, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly passed bills aiming to exempt the state from NEET-based admissions, but these bills were not granted approval by the President. In 2021, a new bill was introduced to admit students to MBBS/BDS courses solely based on Class XII board scores, bypassing NEET. In 2022, after the Governor returned the bill, it was readopted by the Assembly and sent back to the Governor. Currently, the bill is awaiting consideration by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Can states refuse to implement Central laws?

• Usually, when a state wants to amend a Central law made under one of the items in the concurrent list,it needs the clearance of the Centre.
• When a state law contradicts a Central lawon the same subject, the law passed by Parliament prevails.

Why has the Constitution envisaged such an arrangement?

This is an arrangement envisaged as most Parliament laws apply to the whole of India and states amending the Central laws indiscriminately could lead to inconsistencies in different regions on the application of the same law. In matters of trade and commerce, this could especially pose serious problems.

The other options available with the states are:

• To take the Centre to the Supreme Court over the validity of these laws.
• Article 131of the Constitution provides exclusive jurisdiction to the Supreme Court to adjudicate matters between the states and the Centre.
• Article 254 (2) of the Constitution empowers state governments to pass legislation which negates the Central acts in the matters enumerated under the Concurrent List.
  • State legislation passed under Article 254 (2)requires the assent of the President of India.

Way forward:

The complex issue of NEET and its impact on Tamil Nadu’s education system requires a balanced solution that addresses both equity concerns and the preservation of regional values.

To resolve this matter, a multi-pronged approach could be considered.

• First, there should be a comprehensive review of the NEET examination process to ensure that it fairly evaluates students’ aptitude and knowledge rather than solely relying on marks.
• Second, alternative admission criteria that account for socioeconomic backgrounds and contextual factors should be explored, enabling a more diverse pool of students to access medical education.
• Third, efforts should be made to enhance the quality of education in state-run institutions, providing students with the necessary skills to excel in competitive exams.
• Additionally, the central government and state authorities could collaborate to establish a transparent and inclusive framework for medical admissions that combines elements of standardization and local autonomy.

Insta Links:

What is the Bill to scrap NEET in Tamil Nadu?

Content for Mains Enrichment

Source: IE

Source: BBC

 Varsha Sharma, a farmer from Himachal Pradesh, India, has faced challenges due to erratic rainfall and water diversion for industries, impacting her rice farming. She shifted to hybrid rice varieties and apple cultivation, but the hybrid rice required excessive additives that damaged the soil.

In 2018, she turned to red rice, a traditional variety that thrives without chemicals and fertilizers (completely Organic), offering better nutrition and organic qualities. Red rice also commands a good price in the market, making it a favourable choice for many farmers.

Himachal Pradesh’s government aims to expand red rice cultivation to 4,000 hectares. The resurgence of traditional rice varieties like red rice is transforming farming practices in India, with indigenous seeds proving resilient and sustainable.

NGO helping Farmers: India’s Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA), is an organisation that works with farmers to make farming more sustainable.

Usage: The story can be used in an Essay question based on Agriculture

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE

 Context:  On India’s Independence Day, Punjab Chief Minister paid homage to activist Karnail Singh Isru, who died on the same day in 1955 while participating in the Goa Liberation Movement.

• Karnail Singh Isru was born in 1930 in what is now Pakistan and was inspired by the freedom movement against colonial rule. He joined the Communist Party of India (CPI) and became part of the Goa Liberation Movement, which aimed to hoist the Indian flag in Goa.
• Isru left his home to join the movement without informing his family and was part of a group of Satyagarhis led by Sahodrabai Rai.
• However, upon entering Patradevi village in Goa, Portuguese forces opened fire, and Isru was fatally shot in the chest at the age of 25.

Goa was eventually annexed by India in 1961 through Operation Vijay.

In Goa, a bronze bust of Isru was installed in a primary school in Patradevi village. The legacy of Karnail Singh Isru serves as a reminder of the sacrifice made for India’s freedom struggle and the Goa Liberation Movement.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

 Context: On India’s 77th Independence Day, Prime Minister announced the upcoming launch of the ‘Vishwakarma Yojana’ which is set to be introduced on Vishwakarma Diwas (September 17).

• This scheme aims to benefit individuals skilled in traditional craftsmanship, especially from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community.
• Skilled artisans like weavers, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, laundry workers, and barbers, among others, will be empowered through this scheme.
• The scheme will encompass various elements such as financial aid, modern and green technology training, brand promotion, market connectivity, digital payments, and social security.

The initiative is in line with other successful government schemes like Jan Dhan Yojana, PM SvaNidhi, and Ujjwala, and seeks to empower artisans and strengthen the agri-tech sector, including women self-help groups, by providing them with 15,000 drones and necessary training.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

Context:  The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), a division of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has introduced a new mobile application called ‘SAMUDRA’ – Smart Access to Marine Users for Ocean Data Resources and Advisories.

Features:

• This app offers comprehensive ocean-related information, benefiting seafarers and the fishing community.
• It provides real-time updates and critical alerts on oceanic disasters like tsunamis, storm surges, high waves, and swell surge alerts.
• It features interactive maps, charts, and animations to explain complex oceanic phenomena.

Benefits:

• The app is particularly valuable for fishermen as it offers Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisories, guiding them to potential fish aggregation locations.
• The app also serves various public and private entities like the Indian Coast Guard, the Navy, and shipping industries.
• The app aligns with INCOIS’s mission to serve the nation with ocean data and advisory services, contributing to sustainable ocean activities and the Blue Economy.

Mapping

Source: IE

 Context: Former United States President Donald Trump and 18 allies face charges, including the “Violation of the Georgia RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations) Act”.

Trump has been charged with 40 crimes, including forgery, false statements, and conspiracy. RICO law allows prosecutors to bundle seemingly unrelated crimes if they support a common objective, making it significant in this case. A conviction for racketeering in Georgia carries a 20-year prison term.

Georgia is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the north by Tennessee and North Carolina; to the northeast by South Carolina; to the southeast by the Atlantic Ocean; to the south by Florida; and to the west by Alabama.