Current Affairs – January 29, 2025

{GS2 – Polity – IC – Parliament} The Whip System

Context (IE): The Vice President recently sparked a debate by criticizing the party whip system, stating it curtails MPs’ freedom of expression and independence.

History and Origins of the Whip System

The term “whip” comes from the hunting field, where a “whipper-in” kept stray hounds together.
In politics, first used by Edmund Burke to describe rallying party followers during parliamentary matters.

Whip System in India

The concept of the whip was inherited from colonial British rule.
It is often used in parliamentary parlance for floor management by political parties.
A whip is a written order that a political party issues to its members for being present for a crucial vote or that they vote only in a particular way.
A whip is also an essential office-bearer of the party in the Parliament.
In India, all parties can issue a whip to their members.
The office of ‘whip’ is mentioned neither in the IC, in the Rules of the House, nor in the Parliamentary Statute. It is based on the conventions of the parliamentary government.

In India, the system has been in place since the early days of Parliament, ensuring party unity & discipline.
The All-India Whips Conference, held annually since 1952, fosters coordination between ruling and opposition whips for efficient parliamentary functioning.

Types of Whips

One-Line Whip: Informs members of a vote, allowing them to abstain.
Two-Line Whip: Requires MPs to be present, but does not mandate how to vote.
Three-Line Whip: The strictest, instructing members to vote in alignment with the party.

Government’s Chief Whip

In Lok Sabha: The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs acts as the Chief Whip for the ruling party.
In Rajya Sabha: Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs handles this responsibility.

Procedure for Enforcement of the Whip

Issuance of Directive: The party issues a whip, specifying attendance and voting directions.
Mandatory Compliance: Members must adhere to the whip to maintain party unity.
Expulsion: Severe breaches may lead to expulsion from the party.
Action Against Defiance: Party leaders may recommend disqualification under the Anti-Defection Law (1985) for violations.

Importance of the Whip System

Responsibility: Issues directives to MPs to ensure participation & adherence during parliamentary proceedings.
Maintains Party Discipline: Ensures coherence and unity within the party during crucial votes in Parliament.
Stabilizes Parliamentary Democracy: Prevents disruptions during critical legislative processes.
Guides MPs’ Actions: Aligns MPs with party ideologies and decisions.
Facilitates Governance: Enhances efficiency in the legislative process through coordinated efforts.
Demonstrates Party’s Strength and Unity, especially during division voting on key issues.
Non-Compliance Can Lead To Embarrassment and even affect the outcome of votes, potentially triggering a no-confidence motion.

Criticism of the Whip System

Curtails Autonomy: Limits MPs’ freedom of expression and independent decision-making.
Suppresses Dissent: Forces MPs to align with the party, discouraging diverse opinions.
Concentrates Power: Strengthens party leadership’s control, sidelining individual voices.

Exceptions to Whip Compliance

Conscience Votes: MPs can vote freely on moral or ethical issues, with party permission.
Prior Approval: Members may defy the whip if explicitly allowed by party leadership.

International Comparison

United Kingdom: Whips exist but MPs occasionally defy them without severe repercussions.
Australia: Whip system operates similarly, with room for conscience votes in critical matters.
Canada: Greater flexibility exists, especially in non-confidence or private member bills.

Context (IE): 2024 ASER highlights progress of early childhood education in rural India, with notable gains in preschool enrollment & improvements in reading & arithmetic skills among children.

About ASER

ASER is a nationwide citizen-led household survey by NGO Pratham Education Foundation.
It provides the status of children’s schooling and learning in rural India.
ASER reports are usually referred to by the government while formulating policies.
The ‘BASIC’ ASER:
- Collects information about enrollment in pre-school and school in the age group of 3–16.
- Assesses children aged 5–16 one-on-one to understand their foundational reading and arithmetic abilities.

Key Findings of ASER 2024

Preschool Enrollment: 77.4% of rural children (age 3-5) are enrolled in early childhood education programs, including Anganwadis and private LKG/UKG classes.
Improvements in Learning Levels: Significant progress in reading and arithmetic levels, especially among children in Classes 1-3.
Digital Literacy: First time digital literacy for older children (15-16 years) recorded, with over 90% of rural adolescents having access to smartphones.

Key Concerns and Challenges

Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE): While preschool coverage is high, quality of early education remains inconsistent, particularly in Anganwadis and pre-primary classes.
State-Level Variations: Himachal Pradesh and Punjab focus more on pre-primary school education, while other states rely heavily on Anganwadis.
Digital Literacy Gaps: Gender disparities exist in digital skills, with boys outpacing girls in tasks like browsing for information.

Recommendations from ASER 2024 Report

Focus on Quality ECCE: Strengthening early childhood education by recruiting and training specialized teachers in the curriculum and pedagogy of ECCE.
Resource Allocation: The NEP 2020 stresses dedicated budget allocation for recruiting, training, and sustaining pre-primary teachers.
Anganwadi Strengthening: Enhancing the early childhood education component within Anganwadis, ensuring additional resources for quality education.

Government Efforts

FLN (Foundational Literacy and Numeracy): The government’s initiative to ensure universal proficiency in reading and numeracy by Class 3.
NIPUN Bharat: A National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy, launched in 2021 to improve FLN.

Context (IE): UP issued a ban on halal-certified products, prohibiting their manufacturing, storage, sale, & distribution within the state, with exceptions for exports.

What is Halal Food?

Halal is an Arabic term meaning ‘permissible’ in Islamic law, opposite of ‘haram’ (forbidden).
Primarily associated with Islamic dietary laws, it refers to food processed in accordance with these laws, which include specific slaughtering practices.
Halal meat must be slaughtered by a single cut to the jugular vein, carotid artery, and windpipe, with specific prayers recited during the process.
Halal also applies to other consumables like medicines and personal care products, ensuring no haram ingredients, such as pig-fat gelatin, are used.

Who Issues Halal Certifications?

Halal certification is not regulated by a govt body in India but is issued by private organizations.
Notable certifying bodies include Halal India Private Limited and the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust, accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB).
These certifications are internationally recognized by countries like Qatar, UAE, and Malaysia.

Reason Behind the Ban/ Issues with Halal Certification

Claims that some companies were issuing halal certifications to boost sales among a specific community.
Creation of a “parallel system” that caused confusion about food quality.
Allegations that funds raised through halal certification were being used to fund terrorism.
Such certification could potentially be misused for financial gain without regulation.
Halal certification, unlike other certifications like Satvik, Kosher & Vegan, unfairly targets a particular community.

Context (TH): Study in Assam finds high prevalence of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) in TB survivors among tea plantation workers and highlights concerns over epidemic dropsy.

CPA is a fungal lung infection caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, primarily affecting individuals with immunodeficiency.

Health Concerns in Assam’s Tea Gardens

Prevalence of TB: TB is a significant public health issue in Assam’s tea belts, affecting 217 per 100,000 people (National TB Prevalence Survey 2019-2021).
Post-TB CPA: Common in patients who have recovered from TB or are actively battling TB, often leading to chronic cough, weight loss, and fatigue.
A year-long study in Assam’s Dibrugarh district found 17.18% prevalence of CPA among tea workers, with a significant spike (48.9%) in post-TB patients.
Assam’s CPA rate is higher than the global average, standing at 60 per 100,000 people, surpassing countries like Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Nutritional and Environmental Factors

Epidemic Dropsy: Caused by consuming low-grade edible oils contaminated with Argemone mexicana, leading to heart failure and glaucoma.
Health Risks: Sanguinarine and dehydrosanguinarine are the toxic compounds in contaminated oils, causing severe health issues like cardiac decompensation and septic shock.
Nutritional Deficiency: Low-grade cooking oils used in the region contribute significantly to the health crisis.
Demographics: CPA is more common in middle-aged male workers, with smoking being a contributing factor.
Poor Living Conditions: Factors like poverty, poor nutrition, exposure to kitchen smoke, and close contact with TB patients contribute to the spread.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis: Early diagnosis through Aspergillus antibody tests is recommended for TB survivors with respiratory symptoms.
Serological and Radiological Tests: These methods help detect CPA and ensure timely treatment, reducing morbidity and mortality rates.

Antibody Test/Serological Test

Antibody tests only detect antibodies the immune system develops in response to the virus, not the virus. Antibodies can show up between 9-28 days after the infection has set in.
Antibodies are proteins that help fight infections & can provide protection against getting that disease again.
Antibodies are disease-specific. E.g, measles antibodies will protect you from getting measles if you are exposed to it again, but they won’t protect you from getting mumps if you are exposed to mumps.
Serology tests are crucial for the management & surveillance of the disease. These tests offer insight into the virus’s incidence, including symptomatic or asymptomatic infections.

{GS3 – Envi – CC} Greenland’s Lakes Turn Brown: A Carbon Crisis

Context (IE): Greenland’s lakes turned brown and began emitting carbon dioxide due to extreme weather events in 2022.

Causes of Transformation

Warm Temperatures and Rain: Typically, Greenland experiences snowfall in fall, but 2022’s higher temperatures resulted in rain instead, which caused thawing of permafrost.
Permafrost Thawing: Thawing permafrost released organic carbon, iron, magnesium, and other elements, which were washed into the lakes, altering their composition.
Atmospheric Rivers: Strong atmospheric rivers, which transport water vapour across regions, intensified the rainfall and contributed to higher temperatures, further impacting the lakes.

Impact of Extreme Weather

Physical, Chemical, and Biological Changes: The lakes’ water quality deteriorated; colour, odour, and taste dramatically altered due to increased organic carbon and other elements.
Water Quality Decline: Increased dissolved organic material resulted in harmful chlorination byproducts (trihalomethanes), potentially carcinogenic.
Phytoplankton Impact: Reduced sunlight penetration hindered phytoplankton, which rely on sunlight for photosynthesis and carbon dioxide absorption.
Carbon Emissions Surge: The lakes, once carbon sinks, became sources of carbon dioxide, with emissions increasing by 350%.

Broader Climate Impact

Implications for Global Carbon Levels: Collapse of carbon sinks, including forests, oceans, soils, has significantly reduced carbon absorption even by land, leading to higher atmospheric carbon levels and accelerating climate change.
Atmospheric Rivers and Global Warming: Studies indicate that atmospheric rivers will become more frequent and intense, contributing to higher rainfall and temperatures, exacerbating the issue.

Wider Environmental Concerns

Increased Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Global carbon dioxide emissions are rising rapidly, with the Global Carbon Budget predicting 41.6 billion metric tonnes of emissions by 2024.
Reduced Carbon Sequestration: As natural carbon sinks like forests & oceans lose their capacity to absorb carbon, the accumulation of heat-trapping gases will escalate, worsening the global climate crisis.

{GS3 – Envi – CC} Paris Agreement: Current Setbacks

Context (TH): The Paris Agreement faced a major setback as the US, under President Trump, withdrew, complicating global climate action efforts.

Challenges in Implementation

Voluntary NDCs: Nationally Determined Contributions lack binding commitments, weakening enforcement.
Policy Disparities: Varying national priorities hinder coordinated global efforts.
Ineffective Summits: Key UN conferences like COP27 and COP28 showed limited progress on fossil fuel phase-out and emissions.
Disagreements on Funding: The ‘loss and damage’ fund faced major global disputes.
Data Transparency Issues: Incomplete and inaccurate reporting by countries hampers accountability in the Global Stocktake process.

Challenges of Achieving the Paris Goals

Exceeding Temperature Limits: Current emissions trends risk surpassing the 1.5°C target, with the 2°C limit also becoming unlikely.
Climate Feedback Risks: Natural feedback loops, like ocean heat release, may accelerate global warming beyond safe thresholds.
Economic Priorities: Inflation and economic challenges divert focus from climate action to national agendas.
Geopolitical Barriers: Political instability & rising nationalism hinder global cooperation on climate goals.

Impact of US Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement

Increased Emissions: US withdrawal added 4 GtCO2e to projected global emissions by 2030, worsening the climate crisis.
Weakened Climate Policies: Rollbacks on EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) regulations, renewable energy incentives, and bans on offshore drilling undermined climate action.
Global Skepticism: Withdrawal weakened the Paris Agreement’s credibility and discouraged climate efforts in developing nations.
Financial Aid Impact: Developing countries faced reduced financial & technological support from US.
Rejoining Challenges: Despite Biden’s reentry, damage from Trump’s term and policy unpredictability remain significant hurdles.

Geopolitical Tensions and Developing Country Concerns

Unmet Financial Commitments: Wealthy nations missed the $100 billion annual funding target until 2022, with a new $300 billion pledge by 2035 facing skepticism.
Distrust Among Nations: Developing countries feel unsupported, and the US withdrawal deepened the divide in global climate negotiations.
Green Technology Investments: China and the EU have accelerated green technology adoption, leading the global transition to low-carbon economies.

Way Forward

Legally Binding Commitments: Strengthen the Paris Agreement with enforceable emission reduction and climate financing targets.
Robust Accountability: Establish transparent monitoring systems and penalties for non-compliance with climate goals.
Enhanced Collaboration: Foster partnerships between developed and developing nations to share technology and resources.
Focus on Innovation: Promote green technologies and incentivize renewable energy to drive climate resilience and economic growth.

{GS3 – Infra – Initiatives} Teesta-III Dam Reconstruction

Context (IE): MoEFCC has approved the reconstruction of Teesta-III hydel project’s dam in Sikkim following the damage caused by a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in October 2023.
Despite concerns, the EAC approved the proposal without a fresh public hearing, citing no new land acquisition or displacement.

Teesta-III Hydroelectric Project

Located on Teesta River, 1,200 MW Teesta-III hydel project was severely damaged, disrupting operations.
The original dam structure, a 60-meter-high concrete rockfill dam, was destroyed.
The new structure will be a 118.64-meter-high concrete gravity dam, deemed stronger & more resilient.

Teesta River

The Teesta River originates from the Pahunri (or Teesta Kangse) glacier in the Eastern Himalayas in the state of Sikkim, India.
It flows southward through the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal, eventually entering Bangladesh.
In Bangladesh, it merges with the Brahmaputra River (known locally as the Jamuna River).
Major tributaries: Rangpo River, the Rangit River, and the Great Rangit River.

Dam Design & Construction Types

Concrete Gravity Dam: Made entirely of concrete, these dams rely on their own weight to resist water pressure; highly stable & durable; more expensive due to the material costs. Eg- Hirakud Dam (Odisha)
Earthfill (Embankment) Dam: Made primarily of compacted earth materials, these are cost-effective & flexible but require large volumes of material; more susceptible to erosion & suitable for wide valleys. Eg- Indira Sagar Dam (Madhya Pradesh)
Rockfill Dam: Similar to earthfill dams but use rocks as the main construction material; more resistant to erosion than earthfill dams and offer good stability, but they can be more labor-intensive to construct. Eg- Sardar Sarovar Dam (Gujarat)
Concrete Rockfill Dam: These dams have a core made of rockfill, providing additional stability. They are typically less costly than full concrete dams but may not be as stable in extreme conditions. Eg- Tehri Dam (Uttarakhand)
Buttress Dam: This type features a concrete slab supported by multiple buttresses or sloped supports. It is more economical than a gravity dam, especially in narrow valleys, but requires strong foundations. Eg- Koyna Dam (Maharashtra)
Arch Dam:. Arch dams are curved concrete structures that transfers the water pressure to the canyon walls; ideal for narrow, steep-sided valleys & are only suitable for specific geological conditions. Eg- Idukki Dam (Kerala)
Hybrid Dam: A combination of two or more dam types, typically combining features of concrete gravity, rockfill, earthfill dams, depending on location & design requirements. They provide a balance between cost & structural integrity. Eg- Bhakra Nangal Dam (Himachal Pradesh-Punjab)

{GS3 – S&T – Defence} Pralay Missile

Context (IE): DRDO is set to showcase Pralay, India’s first short-range quasi-ballistic missile for conventional strikes, at the 2025 Republic Day parade.

About Pralay Missile

Pralay was conceptualized in 2015.
Type: Indigenous, short-range, quasi-ballistic missile developed by DRDO; Similar to Russia’s Iskander M and China’s Dong Feng 12.
Payload: Capable of carrying warheads between 500-1,000 kg, enhancing strike versatility.
Capabilities: Powered by a solid-propellant rocket motor, carrying conventional warheads.
Range: 400 km, suitable for deployment along Line of Control (LoC) & Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Guidance System: Equipped with advanced navigation & avionics.
The Pralay missile is a conventional missile, which means it can only carry a non-nuclear warhead and is intended for tactical operations.
The Pralay missile is not the longest-range surface-to-surface missile in terms of absolute range, but it is the longest-range surface-to-surface missile for conventional military operations.

Quasi-Ballistic Missiles

They are a hybrid of ballistic and cruise missiles.
Flight Path: Maneuvers mid-flight, flies at lower altitudes.
Stealth: More difficult for missile defense systems to intercept.
Speed: Travels at hypersonic speeds (Mach 5 or above).

Strategic Importance

Counterforce Capability: Ideal for striking high-value enemy targets like missile silos, airfields, and logistics hubs.
Deterrence: Strengthens India’s defense posture and regional stability, especially in contested areas.
Indigenization: Reflects India’s growing self-reliance in advanced missile technology, highlighting the success of DRDO’s efforts.

{Prelims – PIN} Libia Lobo Sardesai: Voice of Goa’s Liberation Struggle

Context (IE): Libia Lobo Sardesai, a Goan freedom fighter, was awarded the Padma Shri in 2025 for her pivotal role in Goa’s liberation struggle through underground radio broadcasting.

Goa’s Liberation Struggle

Colonial Rule: Goa was under Portuguese control for 451 years until its liberation in 1961.
Economic Blockade (1954): India imposed a blockade, cutting off sea, road, and rail links after Portuguese suppression of satyagrahis.
Satyagrahi Assault (1955): Thousands of satyagrahis entering Goa faced Portuguese firing, leading to several casualties.
Total Censorship in Goa: Portuguese authorities banned external newspapers, printed materials, and free communication.

Contributions of Libia Lobo Sardesai to Goa Freedom

Underground Radio Station: Libia and her colleague Vaman Sardesai ran ‘Goenche Sodvonecho Awaz’ (Voice of Freedom of Goa) from 1955 to 1961 to counter Portuguese propaganda.
Broadcasting Operations: The station aired hour-long programs in Konkani and Portuguese from forested locations like Amboli (Maharashtra) and Castle Rock (Karnataka).
Final Broadcast (December 1961): The station relayed messages from the Indian government, including Defence Minister V K Krishna Menon’s surrender ultimatum to the Portuguese Governor General.

Role in Operation Vijay

Operation Vijay

The Indian Army stationed troops around the borders of Goa, Daman and Diu.
Military action began on December 17, and on the evening of December 19, Goa, Daman and Diu were liberated.

Military Operation: Launched on December 18, 1961, by the Indian Armed Forces to liberate Goa.
Portuguese Surrender was confirmed on December 19, 1961, by Lt. General J N Chaudhuri.
Announcement of Freedom: Libia announced Goa’s freedom aboard an Indian Air Force plane over Panaji, declaring its integration with India.

Padma Awards

History

The Government of India instituted two civilian awards, Bharat Ratna & Padma Vibhushan in 1954. The latter had three classes namely Pahela Varg, Dusra Varg and Tisra Varg.
These were subsequently renamed as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri vide Presidential Notification issued on January 8, 1955.
Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, are announced every year on the occasion of Republic Day except for brief interruption(s) during the years 1978, 1979 and 1993 to 1997.

Eligibility

All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards.
Government servants including those working with PSUs, except doctors and scientists, are not eligible for these Awards.
The award is normally not conferred posthumously. However, in highly deserving cases, the Government could consider giving an award posthumously.
A higher category of Padma award can be conferred on a person only where a period of at least five years has elapsed since conferment of the earlier Padma award. However, in highly deserving cases, a relaxation can be made by the Awards Committee.
The nomination process is open to the public. Even self-nomination can be made.

Selection

All nominations received for Padma Awards are placed before the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year.
The Padma Awards Committee is headed by the Cabinet Secretary.
Recommendations of the committee are submitted to the PM and President for approval.
The awards are presented by the President usually in the month of March/April every year where the awardees are presented a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion.
The total number of awards to be given in a year (excluding posthumous awards and to NRI/foreigners/OCIs) should not be more than 120.
The award does not amount to a title and cannot be used as a suffix or prefix to the awardees’ name.