Current Affairs – December 11, 2024

{GS2 – Polity – IC – FRs} No Reservation Based on Religion

• Context (IE): SC reviewed appeals against the Calcutta HC’s decision nullifying West Bengal’s classification of 77 Muslim communities as OBCs and its policy of reservations beyond the 50% limit.
• Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra extend reservations beyond the 50% cap, citing the need to address regional imbalances despite facing criticism.

Constitutional and Statutory Framework

• Article 15(4): Allows special provisions for socially and educationally backward classes, SCs and STs.
• Article 16(4): Permits reservation of government posts for underrepresented backward classes.
• Indira Sawhney Judgment (1992): Upheld OBC reservations in public employment, capped at 50% and excluded religion as a criterionfor backwardness.
• Mandal Commission Report: Laid the foundation for reservation policies & their extension in govt jobs.
• Rural Employment Guarantee Schemes: Aimed at addressing socio-economic gaps and supporting marginalised communities.

Challenges with Current Framework

• Lack of empirical data on backward class representation in promotions.
• Absence of clear guidelines on how states can exceed the 50% cap.
• Potential misuse of reservations by political motivations without adequate social justice outcomes.

Impact of Extended Reservations on Affected Groups

• OBCs and SC/STs: Potential benefits if extended reservations are maintained.
• General Category: Perception of unfairness leading to social unrest and growing inequality.
• Government Employees: Uncertainty around career progression if promotions are restricted or altered.

Measures to Address Gaps

• Data Collection: States should provide empirical data to justify extending reservations beyond 50%.
• Regular Policy Review: Of reservation policies to ensure equity & address marginalised groups’ needs.
• Consultations: Involve social justice groups, institutions and experts to assess impact and feasibility.
• Judicial Oversight: Ensure reservation policies adhere to constitutional limits through judicial review.
• Social Support: Enhance alternative social support programs to complement reservation policies.

{GS2 – Polity – IC – Parliament} No-Confidence Motion Against RS Chairman

• Context (IE): A no-confidence motion has been submitted against the Rajya Sabha (RS) Chairman (Vice-President), marking the first such action in the history of the Indian Parliament.

Vice President (VP) of India

• The office of the VP is the second-highest constitutional office after the President. It ranks second in the order of precedence and first in the line of succession to the presidency.
• The VP is also the ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha. In this capacity, his powers and functions are similar to those of Loksabha’s speaker.
• The VP of India is elected by an electoral college of members from both Houses of Parliament. This election uses a proportional representation system through a single transferable vote.
• It serves a term of five years and is eligible for re-election.
• The VP may resign by submitting his resignation to the President of India.
• If the President is unable to discharge their duties due to absence, illness, or any other cause, the Vice-President assumes the role of Acting President.
  • This arrangement continues until a new President is elected, which must occur within six months if the vacancy arises due to the President’s death, resignation, or removal.
  • During this period, the VP ceases to perform the functions of Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must be a citizen of India.
  • Must be at least 35 years old.
  • Must be eligible to be elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
  • Not hold any office of profit under the union or any state government or any local or public authority.

Role of the Rajya Sabha Chairman

• The Chairman’s role involves presiding over the House and ensuring order in its proceedings.
• In the case of a tie during voting on a particular issue, the Chairman exercises a casting vote. This vote is deciding the outcome when the votes are equally divided.

Constitutional Framework for Removal

• Article 67(b): This article outlines the framework for removing the Vice-President from office.
• Grounds for Removal: The Constitution does not specify any particular grounds for the removal of the Rajya Sabha Chairman. The decision is left to the discretion of the members of Parliament.
• 14-Day Notice: A mandatory 14-day notice period is required before moving a resolution to remove the Chairman.
• Intention and Reasons: The notice must clearly state the parliamentarian’s intention to move the resolution and outline the reasons for it.
• Voting for the Resolution: A resolution must be passed in Rajya Sabha by an effective majority (i.e., a majority of all the then members of the house) & also agreed upon by the Lok Sabha to effect removal.

Note: Effective majority in India is only a type of Special Majority. 

{GS2 – Social Sector – Education} UGC Higher Education Reforms

• Context (TH): UGC‘s Draft (Minimum Standards of Instruction for Grant of UG & PG Degree) Regulations 2024 propose transformative changes to India’s higher education sector.

Key Provisions

• Bi-annual Admissions for UG & PG courses: To allow flexibility in student entry & graduation cycles.
• Flexible Discipline Choice: Students can switch between disciplines in UG and PG courses based on passing a national qualifying exam, allowing for more diverse academic pathways.
• Multiple Degrees: Students will have the opportunity to pursue multiple degrees simultaneously.
• Autonomy to Institutions: Higher educational institutions will be free to set their own attendance requirements, giving them control over internal governance.
• Support for NEP 2020: The reforms align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises hybrid learning, interdisciplinary education, and skill-based courses.
• National Credit Framework (NCF): NCF allows for greater academic flexibility by enabling students to accumulate credits from various institutions and courses.

Issues and Challenges in Implementation

• Faculty Shortage: Lack of trained & motivated faculty affects the adoption of flexible learning structures.
• Ill-equipped Regulatory Framework: Current regulatory policies, particularly for affiliated colleges, don’t support new provisions effectively; however, may be more suitable for autonomous institutions.
• Resistance to Flexible Systems: Legacy institutions and traditional faculty often resist reforms like the ‘academic bank of credits’ due to established teaching methods.
• Uneven Compliance: States may resist centralised reforms, leading to inconsistent implementation.
• Infrastructure Challenges: States with weaker educational systems face difficulties effectively adopting and executing these reforms.
• Inertia in Administrative Systems: Slow administrative procedures and outdated academic bodies may hinder the swift adoption of changes, leading to delays in reform implementation.

Financial Constraints

• Budget–Cut: 15% cut in higher education funding hampers reforms, facility upgrades & faculty hiring.
• Underfunded Institutions: Non-autonomous colleges struggle to implement reforms due to limited financial resources.

Student-Centric Impact

• Academic Freedom: Students can choose disciplines, pursue multiple degrees & transfer credits easily.
• Workforce Readiness: Hybrid learning & skill-based education align graduates with market demands.
• Inequity: Underprivileged students may face challenges accessing & navigating flexible learning systems.
• Access Disparities: Flexibility may create unequal opportunities without adequate resource support.

Way Forward for Successful Reforms

• Increased Investment in Education: Higher budget allocation is essential for faculty recruitment, infrastructure, and technological upgrades.
• Enhancing Faculty Strength: Address faculty shortages and offer professional development opportunities to meet new demands.
• Revamping Regulatory Frameworks: Update policies to support new provisions for uniform implementation, especially for affiliated colleges.
• Collaboration Between State and Central Governments: Improve coordination to implement effective reform, especially in regions with weaker infrastructure.
• Promoting Hybrid Learning Models: Expand online and hybrid learning to cater to diverse student needs and meet global standards.
• Overcoming Institutional Resistance: Encourage institutions to adopt new systems like the ‘academic bank of credits’ with faculty and staff training.

{GS3 – IE – Development} Nehruvian Vision and Its Impact

• Context (IE | TW): Arvind Panagariya’s The Nehru Development Model critiques Nehru’s economic policies, while Arun Mohan Sukumar’s Midnight’s Machines examines India’s complex relationship with technological development.

Key Features of the Nehru Development Model

• Economic Doctrine: Advocated for heavy industrialisation and state-led socialism to eradicate poverty and achieve self-sufficiency.
• Planning and Controls: Emphasised central planning through Five-Year Plans, import substitution, and public sector expansion.
• Policy Instruments: Licensing of private enterprises, import/export regulations & investment controls.

Visionary Contributions

• Institution Building: Creation of IITs, NPL (National Physical Laboratory) and other institutions aimed to foster scientific temper and technical education.
• Political Stability: Laid the foundation for a stable democratic polity.
• Heavy Industry: Initiated industrial capacity in sectors like steel and energy.

Major Issues in Nehru’s Economic Vision

• Licence-Permit Raj: Created bureaucratic inefficiencies, delays, and corruption in business activities.
• Neglect of Agriculture: Disproportionate allocations to heavy industries left agriculture underfunded.
• Trade Policy Flaws: Import restrictions and high tariffs reduced India’s global export competitiveness.
• Bloated Bureaucracy: Stifled entrepreneurial growth and innovation.
• Economic Imbalance: Overemphasis on heavy industries led to low growth in consumer goods and agricultural sectors.

Challenges in Technological Development

• Limited Diffusion of Technology: Policies like the Community Development Scheme lacked scalability and grassroots impact.
• Foreign Trade Restrictions: Imports are restricted to basic machinery.
• Brain Drain: Failure to retain scientific talent, despite institutions like IITs and NPL.

Impact on India’s Growth

• Low Economic Growth: Per capita GDP grew by only 2% annually during Nehru’s tenure.
• Export Decline: India’s share in world exports fell from 2.5% in 1947 to 0.9% by 1966.
• Agricultural Lag: Inadequate food production led to the need for Green Revolution in subsequent years.
• Missed Opportunities: Other Asian economies surged ahead between the 1950s and 1991, leveraging market-oriented reforms.

Way Forward

• Technology Promotion: Invest in R&D, frugal engineering & Digital India and Make in India.
• Balanced Resource Allocation: Prioritise agriculture, small-scale industries and social infrastructure alongside heavy industries.
• Inclusive Growth Models: Participatory policies catering to rural and urban development needs.
• Trade Liberalisation: Shift from import substitution to export-driven policies to integrate with global value chains.

Also refer to Nehru’s Legacy of Secularism.

{GS3 – IE – Industry} Amendment to Advance Solar Manufacturing

• Context (PIB): The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has introduced an amendment to the Approved Models and Manufacturers of Solar Photovoltaic Modules (ALMM) Order, 2019. This amendment, effective from June 2026, introduces the ALMM List-II for solar PV cells.

• Mandatory Compliance: From 2026, all solar PV modules in government-backed schemes, net metering, and open access projects must source cells from ALMM List-II.

Impact of Amendment

• Reducing Carbon Footprint: The amendment aligns with environmental goals and energy security strategies by minimising solar module imports.
• Aligning with Energy Targets: Supports India’s target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel power capacity by 2030.
• Encouraging Investments & jobs: Increased demand for solar PV cells will likely attract investment in high-tech manufacturing facilities and create job opportunities.
• Thin-film solar modules manufactured in integrated solar PV module manufacturing units will comply with requirement to use solar PV cells from List II, promoting technological innovation and diversification.

{GS3 – S&T – ISRO} India’s Space Ambitions

• Context (TH): India’s space program is evolving with ambitious goals, leveraging advanced technology, private sector involvement and international collaborations.

Recent Achievements

• Chandrayaan-3 Success: First soft landing near the lunar south pole, positioning India among elite space-faring nations.
• Aditya L1 Launch: India’s first solar observatory, advancing solar and heliophysics research.
• Gaganyaan Preparations: Groundwork for India’s first human spaceflight mission by 2025.
• Increased Funding: Over $1.5 billion allocated for 2024-25, emphasising government commitment.

Need for Advanced Space Capabilities

• Human Exploration: Plans for moon missions and the Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035.
• Global Competitiveness: Address limitations in payload capacity to match global players like SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Starship.
• Payload Limitations: LVM3 supports only 4,000 kg to GTO, requiring reliance on foreign launchers.
• Heavy Satellite Launch: Dependence on foreign rockets for satellites like GSAT-N2 highlights need to develop reusable, heavy-lift rockets like Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) for strategic autonomy.

Issues and Challenges

• Technological Gaps: Limited expertise in reusable rocket tech & human-spaceflight infrastructure.
• Funding Pressures: Sustaining investment amid competing national priorities.
• Regulatory Hurdles: Need for clear policies to govern private sector and foreign collaborations.

Private Sector Engagement: Benefits

• Collaborative Development: Private contracts for reusable, heavy-lift rocket design and production.
• FDI & Foreign Expertise: Recent policy reforms encourage technical collaboration and investment, open avenues for commercialisation, create jobs and boost GDP.
• Innovative Funding Models: Milestone-based funding ensures cost control and accountability.
• Operational Redundancy: Enables multiple, frequent launches, enhancing reliability.
• Technology Boost: Drives innovation in rocket design, manufacturing and infrastructure.

Way Forward

• Strengthen Ecosystem: Build a robust industrial base to support advanced space technologies.
• Strategic Investments: Prioritise funding for reusable rockets, heavy-lift capabilities, etc.
• Expand Global Collaborations: Partner with space agencies and private entities to accelerate progress.
• Educational Focus: Develop programs to train a workforce skilled in advanced space technologies.

{GS3 – S&T – Space} Antimatter and Antiparticle

• Context (TH): A recent study has explored antimatter, providing insights into why matter dominates the universe by addressing the Sakharov conditions.

Antimatter

• Antimatter comprises antiparticles with the same mass but opposite charges and quantum properties as their corresponding particles. It is rare in the observable universe but can be created in particle accelerators or observed in cosmic rays.
• For example, the antimatter equivalent of an electron is a positron (positively charged), and that of a proton is an antiproton (negatively charged).

Applications of Antimatter Research

• Medical Imaging: Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans use positrons.
• Energy: Theoretical potential as a high-energy fuel source.
• Space Exploration: Future propulsion systems could utilise antimatter.
• Fundamental Physics: Enhances knowledge of the early universe and cosmic evolution.

Antiparticles

• Antiparticles are counterparts to particles with the same mass but opposite charge, theorised by Paul Dirac in 1928 and observed by Carl Anderson in 1932.
• Example:  Proton and Antiproton.
• These are important in understanding fundamental symmetries in physics, particularly charge-parity-time (CPT) symmetry. It helps to explain why the universe predominantly comprises matter despite the theoretical symmetry between matter and antimatter.

Sakharov Conditions

• Proposed by physicist Andrei Sakharov, these conditions explain why the observable universe has a matter-antimatter asymmetry, a phenomenon known as baryon asymmetry.
• The three necessary conditions are:
  • Baryon Asymmetry: A substantial imbalance between baryons (protons & neutrons) & antibaryons.
  • CP Violation: Processes that do not conserve the combined symmetry of charge conjugation (C) and parity transformation (P).
  • Out of Thermal Equilibrium: Interactions that do not occur at equal rates in both forward and backward directions.

{Prelims – Awards} UN’s Champions of the Earth Award

• Context (TH): Ecologist Madhav Gadgil has received the UN’s Champions of the Earth award. He is the only Indian to win this year, recognised for his work on population growth, climate change, and development affecting fragile ecosystems in India.

• Earlier, PM Narendra Modi was conferred with this award in 2018.
• UNEP has presented this award annually since 2005. It is the UN’s highest environmental honour.
• Purpose: To honour trailblazers who have significantly contributed to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable solutions.
• Categories: Policy Leadership, Science and Innovation, Entrepreneurial Vision, Inspiration and Action.

{Prelims – Sci – Bio} AgeXtend: AI-based Platform

• Context (TH): Researchers from Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi, developed an AI-based platform named AgeXtend to identify age-defying molecules rapidly.

• Efficiency in Identification: Compared to traditional research methods, it reduces the time required to identify viable molecules with geroprotective (age-defying) properties.
• Identification of Molecules: Accurately identified benefits of known compounds, such as metformin (a diabetes drug) & taurine (an amino acid), even without prior knowledge of these compounds.
• Predictive Capabilities: It uses AI to predict and identify compounds with anti-ageing properties, assess their safety, and understand their biological effects.