Current Affairs – October 27-28, 2024

{GS2 – Governance – Welfare} Aadhaar is Not Proof of Date of Birth

Context (IE): The SC ruled that Aadhaar cards cannot be used as proof of date of birth (DOB). The case was related to compensation in cases of death under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (MVA).

The age is used to determine the multiplier. This numerical value reflects the deceased’s future contributions to the dependents based on their potential earning capacity and life expectancy.

Key highlights of recent judgement

2018 Constitutional Bench Ruling: The SC referred to the 2018 judgment that Aadhaar primarily serves as proof of identity, not age. Section 9 of the Aadhaar Act 2016 specifies that Aadhaar does not establish citizenship or domicile rights.
Juvenile Justice Act, 2015: Section 94 specifies that the matriculation or equivalent certificate, not Aadhaar, should be used to determine age, especially in juvenile cases.

Legal Clarifications on the Use of Aadhaar as an Identity Document

Bombay High Court (2022): In the State of Maharashtra vs. UIDAI, the court clarified Aadhaar’s limited use as proof of identity and residence only—not citizenship or date of birth.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY, 2018): MeitY issued a memorandum stating that Aadhaar is not inherently proof of date of birth, as it relies on supporting documents.
Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO, 2024): The EPFO removed Aadhaar from its accepted list of documents for date of birth verification in its retirement fund administration.

Evolution of Aadhaar’s Mandate

Initial Concept: Originally introduced by the UPA government, Aadhaar aimed to provide unique IDs to economically weaker sections to streamline access to government schemes.
Expansion and Legislative Journey:
- Early Legislative Challenges: Political and administrative disagreements initially delayed Aadhaar’s adoption. The National Identification Authority of India (NIAI) Bill faced rejections and was withdrawn, primarily due to security concerns and issues over illegal immigration.
- 2016 Passage as Money Bill: The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill was introduced in 2016 as a money bill.

Current Status

Voluntary Registration: Despite being ‘voluntary‘, Aadhaar registration has expanded significantly.
Private Entities: These are used by companies like Amazon for identity verification.
Mandatory for Employment: Aadhaar made mandatory for workers under the MGNREGS.

{GS2 – IR – Issues} Protectionism

Context (IE | ET): India’s recent protectionist shift amidst economic challenges like global supply chain disruptions can potentially harm economic growth and competitiveness.

Protectionism refers to economic policies restricting imports to protect domestic industries through tariffs, quotas, and regulations.

Historical Context of Protectionism in India

Protectionist Policies Pre-1990s: India’s post-independence strategy used high tariffs (averaging 125% in the 1980s) to shield domestic industries and limit imports and foreign investment.
1991 Liberalization Shift: Facing a financial crisis, India cut tariffs from 125% to 35% by 2001, attracting FDI and boosting GDP growth to 7-8% annually in the early 2000s.
Return to Protectionism Post-2017: From 2017, tariffs on imports like electronics rose (10% to 20%) under “Make in India,” reducing imports from China by 30% and promoting local production.
Atmanirbhar Bharat (2020) raised duties to support self-reliance, making India a competitive hub in renewable energy. E.g. 15% duty on solar components.

Advantages of Protectionism

Protection of Domestic Industries: Protectionism allows struggling domestic industries to grow. Tariffs on textiles in India helped local manufacturers compete with cheaper imports.
Job Preservation: Limiting imports preserves jobs in local industries. In 2019, U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium reportedly saved around 1,000 jobs in domestic mills.
Promotion of Self-Reliance: The Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative aims to enhance local production in electronics and pharmaceuticals.
Encouragement of Local Innovation without foreign competition. For example, protecting the Indian automobile industry in the 1990s allowed Maruti Suzuki to advance its technology.
Safeguards critical industries for national security needs. For example, the U.S. uses tariffs to protect its steel industry, ensuring a reliable supply of military needs.

Disadvantages of Protectionism

Inefficiency in Domestic Industries as it shields industries from global competition and innovation.
Higher Consumer Costs: Import barriers increase prices by limiting competition. E.g. Price hikes in consumer electronics by 15-20%.
Harm India’s export competitiveness and integration into global value chains, with India’s share of global exports stagnating at around 1.7%.
Short-Term Gains, Long-Term Losses: Protectionism can yield immediate benefits for local sectors but ultimately causes long-term economic harm by reducing productivity, leading to stagnation.
Loss of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): High tariffs deter foreign investment, limiting technology transfer and job creation. E.g. FDI in India dropped from $62 billion in 2015 to $46 billion in 2020.
Weakening of Trade Negotiation Leverage of favourable trade agreements and access to international markets by reduced openness to trade.
Lack of diversification due to dependency on Tariffs, which undermines long-term growth and global supply chain access, particularly in sectors like agriculture.
Manufacturing Sector Stagnation: Lack of exposure to global best practices limits productivity improvements. E.g. India’s manufacturing productivity growth has fallen behind countries like Vietnam.

Way Forward

Engage in Open Trade Policies: Reduce tariffs, which average 13.5% in India compared to a global average of 8.5%, to enhance trade competitiveness.
Join Trade Alliances like the RCEP to enhance market access, attract foreign direct investment (FDI), and improve supply chain integration.
Strategic Targeting of Protectionist Measures: Target support for high-growth sectors, such as the electric vehicle (EV) market, projected to reach $300 billion by 2030.
Gradual Liberalization: To boost competitiveness, implement gradual tariff reductions in sectors like textiles, where India currently holds a 4% share of global exports.
Enhance innovation and competitiveness through initiatives like “Make in India”, as India’s R&D investment is only 0.7% of GDP, well below the 3% in leading economies.
Align with Global Standards like environment and labour rights regulations to improve competitiveness.
Diversification of Trade Partnerships with traditional allies; India’s exports to Southeast Asia grew by 40% in 2021, highlighting emerging market potential.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly assess trade policies to identify inefficiencies, as highlighted by the World Bank’s evaluations of India’s tariff impacts, which indicate significant economic costs.

Read more > End of the Era of Hyperglobalisation.

{GS2 – IR – Middle East} India-UAE Bilateral Relations

Context (IE | PIB): Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) 2024 between India & UAE replaced the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) to enhance economic cooperation.

UAE constitutes 3% of India’s total FDI receipts and has invested $19 billion from 2000 to 2024.

History of India-UAE Relations

Strategic Partnership Declaration (2015): The Indian PM’s visit to the UAE established a strategic partnership that enhanced cooperation across various sectors.
Cultural Engagement (2019): India participated as the Guest of Honour at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, showcasing the strong cultural ties between the two countries.
COVID-19 Solidarity (2020-2021): The UAE supported India during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing essential medical supplies and vaccines, reinforcing bilateral solidarity.
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (2022): The signing of the CEPA aimed to significantly enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation, focusing on various sectors.

Challenges in India-UAE Relations

Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs): UAE’s Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) regulations and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) have hindered Indian exports, particularly in poultry, meat, and processed foods.
China’s Economic Influence: China’s provision of low-interest loans in the UAE has crowded out Indian companies, challenging India’s economic interests in the region.
Middle Eastern conflicts, like the Israel-Palestine, threaten India’s IMEC projects and strain relations with Iran and other Arab nations after the UAE’s normalisation with Israel through the Abraham Accords.
Kafala System undermines the rights of Indian blue-collar workers in the UAE, granting employers undue control over their immigration and employment.
UAE’s financial support to Pakistan, a country linked to sponsoring terrorism against India, raises significant national security concerns for India.
India’s low ranking in contract enforcement may deter UAE investors, limiting FDI despite improved terms in the BIT.

Way Forward

Strategic Dialogue Platforms: Initiate dialogues like the 2+2 format with the U.S. and Russia to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various sectors.
Align with UAE’s Vision 2021: Utilize opportunities in renewable energy, startups, and fintech to deepen economic engagement while supporting the UAE’s diversification away from oil.
Strengthen defence ties like COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) between India and the U.S., enabling India’s military to access secure and encrypted communication.

{GS2 – Policy – IC – Judiciary} Appointment of Chief Justice of India (CJI)

Context (IE): Justice Sanjiv Khanna will be the next 51^st Chief Justice of India (CJI).

Though the office of the CJI is constitutionally mandated under Article 124 (1), it does not specify a detailed procedure for appointing the CJI.
Convention: The outgoing CJI traditionally recommends their successor strictly based on seniority—not age, but the duration of service in the Supreme Court.
Government‘s Role: The Central government does not directly appoint the CJI. The Union Law Minister seeks the incumbent CJI’s recommendation and forwards it to the PM, who then advises the President.
Eligibility for CJI
- Must be an Indian citizen
- Must have at least five years of experience as an HC Judge or in succession across multiple HCs OR at least ten years of experience as an advocate in an HC or succession across multiple HCs Or must be a distinguished jurist, in the President’s opinion.
Appointment: CJI is appointed by the President under Article 124(2) of the Constitution.
- Whenever there is any doubt about the seniormost Judge’s fitness to hold the office of the CJI, consultation with other Judges, as envisaged in Article 124 (2) of the Constitution, would be made for the appointment of the next CJI.
Tenure: IC does not specify a fixed tenure for SC judges. However, it states that a judge serves until the age of 65. Any questions regarding a judge’s age are to be determined by an authority and manner provided by Parliament.
Removal: The CJI can only be removed by an order from the President following an address by Parliament, supported by a special majority (i.e., a majority of the total membership of each House and at least two-thirds of the members present and voting).
- Grounds for removal: Proven misbehaviour or incapacity (Article 124(4)).

In 2019, the SC ruled that the office of Chief Justice of India (CJI) comes under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.

{GS2 – Polity – IC – Comparison} Indian and American Constitution

Context (IE): India, the largest democracy, and the USA, one of the oldest democracies, demonstrate how their constitutions effectively act as a guide for their political systems.

Similarities Between Indian and American Constitutions

Foundation of Democratic Governance: India’s Preamble emphasises justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, while the US’s Preamble outlines the purposes of governance for the people.
Framework for Fundamental Rights: Articles 12-35 of the Indian Constitution detail Fundamental Rights, and the US Bill of Rights enumerates specific protections for individual freedoms.
Federal Structure: Both constitutions embody a federal system, delineating powers between central and state governments and facilitating a division of responsibilities.
Separation of Powers: Article 50 (DPSP) of the IC emphasises the separation of the judiciary, and Articles I-III of the U.S. Constitution define the roles and powers of each government branch.
Amendment Process allowing for legal adaptations over time. Article 368 of Indian Constitution and Article V of U.S. Constitution describes the amendment process.
Independent Judiciary: Indian Constitution’s Articles 124-147 outline the structure and powers of the Supreme Court and High Courts and U.S. Constitution: Article III establishes the judiciary.
Both affirm national sovereignty and the supremacy of their constitutions as the highest law of land.
Bicameral Legislature: Article 79 Indian Constitution establishes the Parliament, consisting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and US’s House of representative and Senate.

Key Differences Between Indian and American Polity

Political System: While India operates under a multi-party system reflecting its diverse society, the U.S. primarily functions as a two-party system dominated by the Democratic and Republican parties.
Fundamental Rights India guarantees social and economic rights alongside civil liberties in Articles 12-35. The U.S. focuses mainly on individual freedoms through the Bill of Rights.
Emergency Provisions: The Indian constitution contains explicit provisions (Articles 352, 356, 360) for declaring emergencies, while the U.S. lacks formal emergency provisions.
Judicial Structure: India has a unified judiciary with the Supreme Court at the top, while the U.S. has a dual court system comprising federal and state courts.
Judicial Appointments: Judges are appointed by the President based on collegium recommendations, while U.S. Federal judges are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
Role of Religion: The Indian Constitution recognises secularism but allows for personal laws based on religion, but the U.S. Constitution mandates strict separation of church and state.

Read more > Constituion.

Context (TH): Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying launched $25 million Pandemic Fund Project on “Animal health security strengthening in India for pandemic preparedness and response”.

Established under Indonesia’s G20 Presidency, it finances critical investments to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response capacities at national, regional, and global levels.
Implemented with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank and the FAO.
Designed to enhance India’s animal health security & safeguard the country from “zoonotic” diseases.

Read in detail about the One Health Approach.

{GS3 – Agri – Livestock} Livestock Census

Context (IE): Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD) launched the 21st Livestock Census. The First Livestock Census was conducted in 1919-20. It is conducted every five years.

The 20^th Livestock Census was the first to use mobile technology.
Agency: Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, MoFAHD.
Carries out a headcount of domesticated animals, poultry, and stray animals in the country.
Takes into account information about the species, breed, age, sex, and ownership status of the animals.
Data, under the report, is presented separately for urban and rural areas.
21st Livestock Census will capture new data points like:
- Data on pastoral animals, the contribution of pastoralists to the livestock sector, their socio-economic status, and livestock holding.
- Proportion of households whose major income comes from the livestock sector.
- Data on the gender of stray cattle.

{GS3 – IS – Issues} Digital Arrest

Context (IE): PM drew attention to “digital arrests”, warning people against the scam.

A ‘digital arrest’ involves cybercriminals using deception and fear to control a victim’s digital communication and movement to extract money or information.
Fraudsters claim to be officers of an investigative government agency or law enforcement like CBI, Narcotics, TRAI, or customs officials and use deepfake videos, fake arrest warrants, etc, to impersonate officials of law enforcement agencies
They approach the intended target using audio or video calls first to intimidate people and then extort money from them while confining them in one location under the false pretence of an ‘arrest’.

{Prelims – Envi – Species} Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus)

Context (DTE): Burmese pythons are showing up in various parts of Florida, extending their range.

About Burmese Python

It is the largest of the three subspecies of Indian pythons and one of the largest snake species globally.
It is an excellent swimmer and needs a permanent source of water. It can also stay in water for 30 minutes but mostly stays on land. These non-venomous snakes are also good climbers.
Size: Can grow to 20 feet and weigh more than 250 pounds, with females being larger than males.
Unique Jaw Structure: Unlike many other species, they have a lower jawbone that is not fused at the front, allowing for an impressive gape (jaw opening).
Native Range: Northeastern India, southern China, Southeast Asia, and the Malay Peninsula, but it is absent from the Philippines.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable.

{Prelims – In News} Digital Memorial of Valour

Context (PIB): The Railway Protection Force (RPF) launches the ‘Digital Memorial of Valour’ to honour brave martyrs. This website features details of force martyrs, including those from RPF and Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF), who have laid down their lives over the years in the nation’s service.

It is aligned with the ‘Digital India’ initiative.

Read More > Railway Protection Force (RPF).

{Prelims – PIN World – Asia} Coral Triangle

Context (DTE): Experts recommend the Coral Triangle be classified as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area to protect it from harmful maritime activities.

Often referred to as the ‘Amazon of the seas’, it is a huge marine area in Southeast Asia. It includes countries like Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Philippines, Timor-Leste & Solomon Islands.
It encompasses portions of 2 biogeographic regions: the Indonesian-Philippines Region and the Far Southwestern Pacific Region.
It has 76% of all known coral species worldwide and 37% of the world’s total coral reef fish.

About Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSAs)

These are internationally recognised, highly sensitive, and highly protected locations because of their ecological, socioeconomic or scientific significance.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) stressed the guidelines for designating those areas