Daily Current Affairs UPSC 19 October 2024

Preponderance Of Probabilities

• The Supreme Court recently stated that courts should use the principle of preponderance of probability instead of proof beyond reasonable doubt in motor accident claim cases.
• Preponderance of probabilities is a legal standard used in civil cases in many countries, where the court must be convinced that the existence of a fact is more likely than its non-existence.
• In civil cases, the standard of proof is lower with preponderance of probabilities, while in criminal cases, proof beyond reasonable doubt requires a higher standard of proof approaching certainty.

Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)

• The 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has recently ended.
• The IPU is a global organization of national parliaments that was established in 1889.
• The main goal of the IPU is to promote parliamentary diplomacy and empower parliaments and parliamentarians to support peace, democracy, and sustainable development worldwide.
• The organization has 180 members, including India, and 15 associate members.
• The headquarters of the IPU is located in Geneva, Switzerland.

Lady Justice

• The Supreme Court of India recently revealed a redesigned statue of Lady Justice.
• The original statue, dating back to 1872 in Calcutta High Court, was inspired by Greek and Roman iconography.
• The new Lady Justice statue has unimpeded vision, symbolizing that the law is not blind and treats everyone equally.
• Instead of a sword, the statue now holds a Constitution, representing that justice in India is based on constitutional principles rather than violence.
• The statue is depicted in Indian attire, wearing a saree instead of Western clothing.
• Lady Justice still holds the scales of justice in her right hand, representing balance and fairness in the legal system.

Blue Washing

• A report called 'On Track or Off Course? Assessing Progress Toward the 30x30 Target in the Ocean' revealed that the world is unlikely to meet the 30x30 target due to blue washing.
• The 30x30 target aims to protect 30% of the world's land and ocean by 2030.
• Blue washing refers to marine areas being falsely labeled as protected without actually safeguarding marine life.
• The report indicates that while 8.3% of the ocean is designated as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), only 2.8% are effectively protected.
• Bluewashing is also a term used in corporate governance, similar to greenwashing but focusing more on social and economic responsibility rather than environmental concerns.

Moonlight Programme

• The European Space Agency has launched the Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS) programme.
• The objective of the Moonlight Programme is to provide services for over 400 moon missions planned by space agencies and private companies in the next two decades.
• The programme will consist of a constellation of five lunar satellites.
• Benefits of the programme include enabling precise, autonomous landings and surface mobility, facilitating high-speed communication and data transfer between Earth and the Moon, and offering coverage at the Moon's South Pole.
• Initial services are expected to begin by the end of 2028, with the system being fully operational by 2030.

Locusts

• Farmers in Idukki, Kerala are facing locust infestation, a problem previously seen in Western India in 2020, particularly in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.
• Locusts are short-horned insects similar to grasshoppers that form swarms ranging from less than 1 square kilometer to several hundred square kilometers. They are known for their voracious feeding behavior that can cause devastation to vegetation.
• India is home to four species of locusts, including Desert, Migratory, Bombay, and Tree locusts.
• Preventive measures include the use of pesticides like Malathion and the work of Locust Warning Organizations under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

Yars Missile

• Russia recently conducted a test to assess the readiness of its Yars nuclear missile unit.
• The Yars missile is a modified version of the Topol-M missile system and can be deployed in silos or on mobile launchers.
• It is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a range of up to 11,000 km.
• Ballistic missiles are self-guided weapons that follow a ballistic trajectory to deliver a payload to a specific target.
• The Yars missile is equipped with MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle) technology, allowing it to deliver multiple nuclear warheads to different targets.

Ground- based Broadcasting

• TRAI recently released a consultation paper on the regulatory framework for Ground-based Broadcasting (GBB).
• GBB, also known as terrestrial broadcasting, uses advanced technologies like cloud-based platforms, broadband networks, and fiber technology to efficiently transmit content to Distribution Platform Operators.
• Traditional broadcasting involves uplinking and downlinking television channels through satellite.
• The current guidelines from the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting require broadcasters to use satellite medium for uplinking and downlinking channels.

Malawi (Capital: Lilongwe)

The President of India visited Malawi.

Political Features of Malawi

• Location: Malawi is located in southeastern Africa and is a landlocked country.
• Neighbouring countries: Malawi shares borders with Mozambique to the East and South, Zambia to the West, and Tanzania to the North.

Geographical Features of Malawi

• Relief: Malawi occupies a narrow, curving strip of land along the East African Rift Valley.
• Major Lakes: The country is home to Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa.
• Major Rivers: Some of the major rivers in Malawi include Rukuru, Dwangwa, Lilongwe, and Bua.
• Highest Peak: The highest peak in Malawi is Sapitwa peak, located in Mt. Mulanje.

"Supreme Court Guidelines for PCMA-2006 Implementation"

In the case of SC in Society for Enlightenment and Voluntary Action v. UoI, it was determined that personal laws and traditions cannot restrict the implementation of the PCMA.

Key SC observations

• The Supreme Court instructed authorities to prioritize preventing child marriage and protecting minors, only resorting to penalties for offenders as a last measure.
• The court emphasized the importance of addressing underlying factors like poverty, gender inequality, lack of education, and cultural norms that contribute to child marriage.
• Marriages involving children infringe upon their right to choose a life partner freely.
• The Supreme Court called on Parliament to amend the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act to prohibit child betrothals.

Key Provisions of Guidelines

Legal Enforcement

• State Governments and Union Territories (UTs) are required to appoint Child Marriage Prevention Officers (CMPO).
• Establishment of a Specialized Police Unit and State Special Child Marriage Prohibition Unit.

Judicial Measures

• Magistrates are empowered to take Suo Moto Action and Issue Preventive Injunctions.
• Exploration of Special Fast-Track Courts for Child Marriage cases.

Other

• Adoption of the Child Marriage Free Village Initiative, similar to the "Open Defecation Free Village" model.
• Establishment of a technology-driven monitoring system to track daily attendance for school-going girls up to the 12th grade.

About PCMA , 2006

• PCMA was put into effect by replacing the Child Marriage Restraint Act (CMRA) of 1929, also known as the Sharda Act, in order to prevent child marriages in India.
• According to PCMA, a child is defined as a male under 21 years of age and a female under 18 years of age.
• The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021 seeks to modify PCMA by raising the minimum age of marriage for females to 21 years, as recommended by the Jaya Jaitly committee.

Status of Child Marriage in India

• 23% of women and 17.7% of boys aged 20-24 were married before turning 18, according to NFHS-5.
• The majority of girls and women who were married as children reside in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, with Uttar Pradesh being the largest contributor, as per UNICEF.

"Call for Responsible Capitalism in Large Economies"

During the Tech Leaders Roundtable in Mexico, the Minister stressed the importance of responsible capitalism, highlighting the need for large economies to not only focus on growth but also on reducing inequality and providing opportunities for all.

What is meant by Responsible Capitalism?

• This economic approach incorporates ethical values into business practices.
• It stresses the importance of balancing profit with social responsibility.
• Businesses are encouraged to contribute to societal well-being, fairness, and environmental sustainability, rather than just focusing on shareholder returns.

What’s the need for Responsible Capitalism?

• Tackling worldwide issues: Companies and governments can use responsible capitalism to address sustainability, inequality, and exclusion challenges.
• Ensuring business longevity: Profit-focused approaches may not be sustainable in the long run, while responsible capitalism can aid in adapting to technological disruptions like AI.
• Ethical leadership and stakeholder involvement: Encourages fairness in decision-making, ensuring stakeholders are treated fairly and business practices adhere to legal and ethical guidelines.

Measures taken to promote Responsible Capitalism in India

• CSR is required by law under section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013.
• Environmental regulations include rules for managing plastic waste and stricter emission standards for vehicles.
• Labor reforms involve codes for wages, occupational safety, health, and working conditions.
• Financial sector initiatives include priority sector lending norms from RBI and green bond guidelines from SEBI.

Responsible capitalism

• Ethical business practices
• Social responsibility
• Environmental sustainability
• Ensuring fair wages and labor rights
• Upholding corporate governance principles

Global Coral Bleaching Crisis: Record-Breaking Mass Bleaching Event

• According to NOAA, the current mass coral bleaching event is the most extensive on record, surpassing previous events by over 11% in a shorter period of time.
• 77% of the world's coral reef areas have been affected by bleaching-level heat stress, spanning across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans.

Understanding Coral Bleaching

• Corals have a symbiotic relationship with algae in their tissues, and bleaching occurs when they expel these algae due to environmental stressors.
• The current bleaching event, declared in April 2024, is the 4th global event since the first one in 1998 which resulted in an 8% loss of corals.
• Approximately 14% of the world's remaining corals died in the 2010 and 2014-2017 bleaching events.

Impacts of Coral Bleaching

• Ecological impacts include reduced biodiversity and disruptions in the food chain.
• Socio-economic impacts involve declines in the fisheries sector and reduced tourism.

Efforts to Prevent Coral Bleaching

India

• Coral species are protected under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019 and Integrated Island Management Plan prohibit harmful activities in coastal ecosystems.
• Technology like Bio rock is used in the Gulf of Kutch to aid coral growth.

Global

• The G20 has established the Coral Research & Development Accelerator Platform to address coral bleaching.
• The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), of which India is a member, works towards coral reef conservation.

"Global Water Economics Report"

A report from the Global Commission on the Economics of Water (GCEW) suggests that the water cycle should be managed as a global resource and provides suggestions on how to properly value and govern water in order to ensure food security and uphold human dignity.

Why we must govern the water cycle as a global common good?

• The connection and reliance between communities, countries, and regions through local and transboundary water systems is important.
• Economic factors are often overlooked in the management of water resources.
• For example, the emphasis on "blue water" sources like rivers and lakes ignores the importance of "green water" stored in soil and vegetation.
• The depletion of the planet's natural resources is linked to disruptions in the water cycle, climate change, and loss of biodiversity.

Key Findings of the Report

• Areas with high population density like Northwestern India are at a heightened risk for water-related challenges.
• The poorest 10% of the world's population rely heavily on precipitation from land-based sources.
• Lower middle income countries like India could experience a 14% decrease in GDP due to climate change, water storage issues, and limited access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services.
• If current trends continue, a significant decline in water storage could make irrigation impractical, resulting in a 23% decrease in global cereal production.

Key Recommendations

• Manage the hydrological cycle as a shared global resource and consider how water intersects with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
• Transform markets to support innovative missions that break down traditional sector boundaries and promote a holistic approach to the economy, such as revolutionizing food systems and creating a circular water economy.
• Foster partnerships between public and private sectors to increase funding and improve the quantity, quality, and reliability of financial resources.
• Establish a global water governance framework with the goal of creating a Global Water Pact (GWP) that sets specific and measurable targets for stabilizing the hydrological cycle and protecting the world's water resources.

"Assessing India's Non-Kinetic Warfare Readiness"

The recent Pager explosions in Lebanon demonstrate a form of warfare that does not involve physical force, similar to what was seen in conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, as well as Israel and Palestine.

About Non-Kinetic or Hybrid Warfare

• Non-kinetic warfare goes beyond traditional military tactics and includes electronic warfare, cyber attacks, information operations, psychological tactics, and economic measures.
• It can be more effective and deadly than traditional methods, such as cyber attacks on critical infrastructure.
• Unlike kinetic warfare which relies on physical destruction, non-kinetic warfare disrupts operations using methods like laser or electromagnetic waves.

Emerging Threats that call for Non-Kinetic Warfare Readiness

• Hostile neighbors like Pakistan and China use non-kinetic tactics to achieve their geopolitical goals.
• Non-state actors like Hezbollah have also been known to use non-kinetic methods.
• Internal challenges like Naxalism and emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence also pose threats.

Initiatives taken by India

• India is developing advanced weapons like the Directionally Unrestricted Ray-Gun Array (DURGA)-II Project.
• Structural reforms have been made, including the establishment of the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) and the Defence AI Project Agency (DAIPA).
• India has also formed international partnerships, such as the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) with the USA, to enhance its non-kinetic warfare capabilities.

"Supreme Court to Review PBPTA Judgment"

• The Supreme Court has approved the review petition filed by the Union Government regarding the 2022 judgment on the Union of India vs M/S. Ganpati Dealcom Pvt. Ltd. Case, which declared certain provisions of the PBPTA unconstitutional.
• The PBPTA was created to prevent benami transactions and allows for the seizure of benami properties.
• A benami transaction occurs when a property is owned or transferred by one person but is funded by another person.

Key highlights of the 2022 Judgement

• Section 3(2) of the PBPTA, which imposed jail time for benami transactions, was deemed unconstitutional as it violated Article 20(1) of the Constitution.
• The law could not be applied retroactively, meaning authorities could not prosecute or confiscate assets for transactions made before the law was enacted.
• The Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act of 2016 did not explicitly state if it could be applied retrospectively.
• The Union argued that the 2016 Act should be applied retroactively.

Concerns related to Benami Transactions or Property

• Seen as a significant method for concealing illicit funds.
• Encourages illegal tax avoidance, resulting in decreased government income.
• Causes artificial inflation of real estate values, disrupting the market.
• Illegitimate asset diversion complicates tracking ownership and weakens financial system credibility.