UPSC Daily Current Affairs: 2 August 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS3/Economy

National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (Nats)

Source: NDTV

Why in news?

Recently, the Union Education Minister launched the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) 2.0 Portal and disbursed Rs 100 crore stipends to apprentices through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. NATS 2.0 Portal facilitates registration and application for apprenticeships. It allows industries to manage vacancies and contracts, providing essential employability skills and a guaranteed monthly stipend to young graduates and diploma holders.

About National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) :

The National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) is a flagship program of the Government of India aimed at skilling Indian youth in trade disciplines.

Key points about NATS:

• Objective: NATS encourages skill development among young people by providing practical, hands-on On-the-Job Training (OJT) opportunities. It bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
• Eligibility: It offers training to graduate, diploma students, and vocational certificate holders. The duration of apprenticeships ranges from 6 months to 1 year.
• Stipend: During the apprenticeship period, apprentices receive a stipend. Fifty percent of this stipend is reimbursable to the employer by the Government of India.
• Certificate of Proficiency: At the end of the training, apprentices receive a Certificate of Proficiency issued by the Government of India. This certificate can be registered at all employment exchanges across India as valid employment experience.

GS2/International Relations

Indo-pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness

Source: The Hindu

Why in news?

The Quad countries recently announced the extension of the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) to the Indian Ocean. This initiative will utilize the Indian Navy's Information Fusion Centre in Gurugram to enhance maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific region.

About Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA)

• The IPMDA is an initiative launched by the Quad countries (Australia, India, Japan, and the United States) in May 2022.
• It aims to enhance maritime security and domain awareness across the Indo-Pacific region by leveraging technologies and providing training support to regional partners.

Key Objectives and Features

• Maritime Security and Awareness:
  • The IPMDA aims to provide near-real-time, integrated maritime domain awareness to partners, monitoring maritime spaces and securing sea lines of communication.
  • It addresses challenges such as natural disasters, human trafficking, illegal fishing, and dark shipping.
• Technological Integration:
  • The initiative utilizes satellite-based tracking services for vessel identification and combating dark shipping.
  • This technology enhances the maritime picture of partners' exclusive economic zones.
• Capacity Building:
  • The IPMDA offers capacity-building measures to improve partners' maritime situational awareness.
  • It helps in protecting waters and resources.
• Inclusivity and Regional Cooperation:
  • While addressing concerns about Chinese involvement, the initiative emphasizes inclusivity and regional collaboration.
  • The goal is to enhance overall maritime security in the region.

Challenges

• Perception Issues:
  • Some regional states perceive the initiative as anti-China, potentially hindering broader participation.
• Implementation Hurdles:
  • Effective implementation requires overcoming data management and information-sharing obstacles.
  • It is essential to ensure that smaller allies in the Indo-Pacific are not strained by the initiative.

GS2/International Relations

India – Vietnam Bilateral Relationship

Source: AIR

Why in News?

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh came to India for a three-day visit, aimed at deepening the strategic ties between India and Vietnam.

About India-Vietnam Bilateral Relationship (History, Trade, Defence, Diaspora, etc.)

India-Vietnam Bilateral Relationship:

• India and Vietnam share a history of cultural and civilizational links, rooted in the struggle for independence from colonial rule.
• India held the Chairmanship of the International Commission for Supervision and Control (ICSC) following the Geneva Accord of 1954 to support peace efforts in Vietnam.
• Initially, India had Consulate-level relations with North and South Vietnams, later establishing full diplomatic ties with unified Vietnam in 1972.
• The relationship was upgraded to a 'Strategic Partnership' during the visit of Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to India in 2007.

Trade & Economic Cooperation:

• Bilateral trade has flourished, growing from US$200 million in 2000 to US$14.14 billion in FY 2021-22, marking a 27% increase.
• Key export items from India to Vietnam include iron and steel, cotton, cereals, meat, electrical machinery, and mechanical appliances.
• Key import items from Vietnam to India encompass electrical and electronic equipment, chemicals, machinery, articles of plastic, copper, rubber, coffee, tea, and spices.

Defence Partnership:

• The defence collaboration focuses on modernization and capacity building, with India providing Defence Lines of Credit totaling US$600 million to Vietnam.
• Recent naval visits and exchanges have strengthened ties, including the delivery of relief supplies and joint exercises like MILAN.

Indian Diaspora in Vietnam:

• An estimated 6000 individuals from India reside in Vietnam, particularly in and around Ho Chi Minh City, employed in various sectors like business, IT, hospitality, and education.

Key Outcomes of the Latest Bilateral Meet:

• India and Vietnam signed nine agreements to boost their strategic partnership in customs, agriculture, legal matters, broadcasting, culture, and tourism.
• The leaders emphasized the need for closer cooperation in defence, digital technology, renewable energy, and increasing bilateral trade, which has reached $15 billion.
• Both countries acknowledged the significance of enhancing the Vietnam-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and supporting greater representation of the Global South in international affairs.

GS2/Polity

SC verdict on SC/ST Sub-Categorisation

Source: Indian Express

Why in news?

In a significant 6-1 majority ruling, a seven-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court declared that Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) do not form a socially homogeneous group. The court affirmed that states have the authority to sub-classify SCs/STs to provide reservations for the more disadvantaged segments within this category.

• This decision allows states to ensure that reservation benefits reach those SC/ST communities that are less privileged and have been historically marginalized within the broader SC/ST category.

Article 341 of the Constitution

• Allows the President, through a public notification, to list as SC "castes, races or tribes" that suffered from the historical injustice of untouchability.
• SC groups are jointly accorded 15% reservation in education and public employment.
• In the last three decades, multiple States like Punjab, Bihar, and Tamil Nadu have tried to bring in reservation laws at the State level in a bid to sub-categorise SCs.

E. V. Chinnaiah v State of Andhra Pradesh (2004)

• In this case, apex court held that once a community is included in the Presidential List for Scheduled Castes under Article 341 of the Constitution, they become part of a single larger class of people, casting a wide net for the purposes of reservation.
• The Bench held:
  • That the State did not have the legislative power to create sub-classifications within this single class.
  • That such an action would violate the Right to Equality.
• The Constitution has provided that these lists can only be made by Parliament and notified by the President.

Davinder Singh case

• In 2020, another five-member Supreme Court bench unanimously ruled that sub-categorisation is constitutionally valid and suggested a larger constitutional bench rule on the matter.

Matter referred to seven-judge bench

• A seven-judge Constitution bench is now examining the validity of its 2004 judgment in E V Chinnaiah vs State of Andhra Pradesh.
• The top court is examining questions:
  • Whether sub-classification inside the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes categories be permitted like in the case of other backward classes (OBCs) and
  • If the state assemblies are competent to introduce laws empowering the states to undertake this exercise.

Key highlights of the judgement

• Are all castes in the SC list to be treated similarly?
• CJI Chandrachud described the Presidential list as a "legal fiction," meaning it is treated as real for legal purposes but does not exist in actuality.
• SCs are recognized by the Constitution to provide benefits to listed communities.

Can states 'tinker' with or sub-classify the Presidential list?

• Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution empower states to make special provisions for the advancement of SCs and provide reservations for backward classes in education and public employment.
• In the E V Chinnaiah case, the court ruled that states could only provide reservations for SCs as a whole and could not sub-classify SCs to allocate portions of the reserved quota among state-created sub-classes.

What is the yardstick for sub-classification?

• The majority opinion in the Supreme Court's ruling set strict guidelines for states on creating sub-quotas for Scheduled Castes (SCs).
• States must demonstrate a need for additional protections, provide empirical evidence, and have a reasonable rationale for sub-classifying SCs.

Does the 'creamy layer' principle apply to Scheduled Castes?

• Only the opinion of Justice Gavai bats for introducing the 'creamy layer' exception for SCs (and STs) that is already followed for Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
• Four of the seven judges agreed with Justice Gavai’s opinion on the matter.

Dissent by Justice Trivedi

• Justice Trivedi, the lone dissenter on the Bench, observed that States do not have the power to alter the Presidential list under Article 341.
• She pointed out that any inclusions or exclusions from the list can only be done by the Parliament.

Relief to many states

• The ruling is likely to give impetus to States like Punjab, Bihar, and Tamil Nadu which have previously attempted to introduce separate reservations within the SC/ST categories.
• In an election rally in Telangana last year, PM Modi promised to look into the sub-categorisation of Scheduled Castes (SCs) to identify and help the most backward among them.

Demand of caste census

• It is also likely to strengthen the Opposition’s demand for a caste census to ascertain the share of different groups in the reservation pie.

GS2/Polity

Privilege Motion

Source: India Today

Why in news?

Congress moved a Privilege Motion against Prime Minister for posting on social media a portion of remarks which were expunged from the proceedings of the House by the Chair.

Background:-

• The notice for the motion was moved by Charanjit Singh Channi under rule 222 which gives a member the power, with the consent of the Speaker, to raise a question involving a breach of privilege either of a member or of the House or of a Committee.

What are Parliamentary Privileges?

• Parliamentary privileges are special rights, immunities, and exemptions enjoyed by the members of Parliament. The aim of this is to ensure legislators and house can perform duties effectively.

Collective privileges

• The Indian Parliament can decide if its reports, debates, and proceedings should be published or not.
• The Parliament has the right to exclude outsiders from its proceedings.
• It can conduct secret sessions if needed.
• The Parliament can make rules for regulating its procedures, business conduct, and work adjudication.
• It can suspend or expel members for violating privileges.
• The Parliament can reprimand, admonish, or even imprison individuals who breach privileges.
• The Parliament is informed about the arrest, detention, conviction, imprisonment, and release of its members.
• The Parliament can initiate inquiries and call witnesses.
• The proceedings of the Parliament and its committees cannot be questioned in court.
• No arrests or legal processes can occur within the House precincts without the presiding officer’s permission.

Individual Privileges

• Members of Parliament cannot be arrested during sessions, 40 days before and after sessions. This privilege is only available for civil cases and not in criminal and preventive detention cases.
• They have the freedom of speech in the houses and are immune from court proceedings for their speech in Parliament.
• They are exempt from jury service and can refuse to give evidence or appear as witnesses during sessions.

What is a Privilege Motion?

• A privilege motion is moved by a member when they believe that a minister or another member has breached these privileges. The motion aims to censure the concerned member or minister for their actions.

Conditions for Raising a Privilege Motion

• Specific Matter of Recent Occurrence: The issue must be a specific incident that has occurred recently.
• Need for Intervention: The matter should require the intervention of the House.

Process of a Privilege Motion

• Raising the Motion: A member submits the motion to the Speaker (Lok Sabha) or Chairman (Rajya Sabha).
• Initial Examination: The Speaker/Chairman examines the motion and decides whether to admit or reject it. The Speaker/RS chairperson is the first level of scrutiny of a privilege motion. The Speaker/Chair can decide on the privilege motion himself or herself or refer it to the privileges committee of Parliament.
• Committee of Privileges: If the motion is referred to the Committee of Privileges, it investigates the matter.
• Committee Report: The committee examines the case, calls relevant persons, reviews documents, and submits a report with recommendations.
• House Consideration: The House considers the committee’s report and decides on the action to be taken.

Common Causes for Privilege Motions

• Misconduct by Members: Actions by MPs that are deemed dishonorable or contrary to the dignity of the House.
• Publication of Expunged Remarks: Publishing remarks that have been ordered to be expunged from the official records.
• Obstructing Members in the Discharge of their Duties: Any action that hinders MPs from performing their parliamentary duties.
• Disrespectful Conduct: Actions by any individual or authority that show disrespect to the House or its members.

GS3/Environment

Sturgeons

Source: DTE

Why in news?

According to a recent report, the survival of four sturgeon species in the lower Danube River is at risk due to poaching and trafficking, placing them among the most endangered fish globally. Sturgeons, with their ancient origins, hold significant cultural, economic, and ecological value in various Northern hemisphere rivers, symbolizing healthy and free-flowing river systems.

About Sturgeons

• Sturgeons have existed for millions of years, with fossils dating back to the Late Cretaceous period.
• Considered "primitive," they retain many characteristics from their early ancestors.

Physical Characteristics

• Distinctive Features:
  • Sturgeons are long-lived, late-maturing fishes with unique characteristics like a heterocercal caudal fin similar to sharks.
  • They have an elongated, spindle-like scaleless body armored with bony plates called scutes.
• Size: Various species can reach lengths of 2 to 3.5 meters.

Habitat and Behavior

• Habitat: Sturgeons inhabit subtropical, temperate, and sub-Arctic regions in rivers, lakes, and coastlines of Eurasia and North America.
• Migratory Patterns: Many sturgeon species are anadromous, migrating upstream to spawn and residing in river deltas and estuaries for most of their lives.

Additional Information

• Sturgeons are heavily exploited worldwide for their roe (caviar) and meat, leading to a drastic decline in global populations.
• Due to overfishing and habitat loss, most sturgeon species are critically endangered.
• Since 1998, CITES has regulated international trade of all sturgeon species to address concerns about unsustainable harvesting and illegal trade.

The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024

Source: The Hindu

Why in news?

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs introduced the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024, in the Lok Sabha.

Need for the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024

• Amendment required in the Disaster Management Act (DMA) 2005
• Main purpose of DMA was to establish institutional mechanisms for:
  • Drawing up and monitoring disaster management plans
  • Ensuring prevention and mitigation of disasters
  • Coordinated response to disasters
• Authorities and Committees at national, state, and district levels
• Act reviewed based on past disasters and stakeholder consultations

About the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024

• Mainstreams disaster management in development plans
• Aligns with 15th Finance Commission recommendations

Criticism of the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024

• Creates confusion with multiple authorities
• May hamper rescue and relief operations
• Grants excessive rulemaking power to Central government
• Potential overlap with State legislative powers

Govt's Clarification on the DM (Amendment) Bill 2024 and Way Ahead

• Bill introduced under Concurrent List Entry 23
• Follows a report by a task force in 2013
• Examination needed to avoid conflicts with federal structure

GS1/Geography

Gobi Desert

Why in news?

China is planning to construct the world's first nuclear power plant utilizing molten thorium salt in the Gobi Desert, with a target for operationalization by 2025. This innovative thorium-based nuclear power station differs from conventional reactors by employing thorium instead of uranium as fuel. Notably, the sole functioning thorium reactor currently operates in the Gobi Desert, situated approximately 120 kilometers northwest of Wuwei in Gansu province.

About Gobi Desert

• The Gobi Desert, a vast expanse of cold desert and grasslands, spans across northern China and southern Mongolia.
• Ranking as the sixth largest desert globally, its boundaries stretch from the foothills of the Pamirs in the west to the Greater Khingan Mountains in the east, encompassing the Altai and Hangayn mountain ranges in the north and the Pei Mountains in the south.

Formation

• The Gobi Desert owes its existence to the rain shadow effect caused by the Himalayas, which intercept rain-laden clouds, preventing them from reaching the region.

Terrain

• In contrast to typical sandy deserts, the Gobi predominantly features exposed bare rock formations, interspersed with sand dunes, grasslands, and rocky outcrops.

Biodiversity

• Despite its harsh conditions, the Gobi Desert sustains a diverse array of flora and fauna specially adapted to survive in desert environments.
• Noteworthy wildlife includes the Bactrian camel, the rare Gobi bear, snow leopards, various bird species, and hardy plant species that thrive amidst the challenging surroundings.

GS2/Polity

Protection of Children From Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act

Source: Indian Express

Why in news?

The Karnataka High Court has quashed proceedings under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Act against a 23-year-old accused after he married the alleged victim in the case, with the caveat that the proceedings can be revived if he abandons the victim and their child. The incident occurred on February 2, 2023, when the accused took the school-going girl to an isolated location and allegedly sexually assaulted her. The girl subsequently gave birth to their child. Both parties — accused and victim — through their legal representatives submitted that they were in love, but faced parental opposition.

About Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act

• It aims to address offences of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children, which were either not specifically defined or adequately penalised.
• It was enacted as a consequence of India's ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1992.

Key features of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act:

• It is a gender-neutral legislation as it defines a child as any person under the age of 18.
• It considers non-reporting a crime so any person in charge of an institution (excluding children) who fails to report the commission of a sexual offense involving a subordinate, faces punishment.
• It does not specify any time limit for reporting abuse so a victim may report an offence at any time, even years after the abuse has occurred.
• It keeps the victim's identity confidential as the Act forbids the disclosure of the victim's identity in any form of media unless authorized by the special courts established by the Act.

Key Provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act

• It defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years. The Act provides punishment as per the gravity of the offence.
• It mandates that investigation in the cases is to be completed in two months (from the date of registration of FIR) and trial in six months.
• It states a sexual assault is to be considered aggravated if – the abused child is mentally ill or, when the abuse is committed by a member of the armed forces or security forces, a public servant, or a person in a position of trust or authority of the child, like a family member, police officer, teacher, or doctor or a person-management or staff of a hospital, whether Government or private.
• It prescribes rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than ten years but which may extend to imprisonment for life and also a fine as punishment for aggravated penetrative sexual assault.
• It makes provisions for avoiding the re-victimization of the child at the hands of the judicial system. It makes it mandatory to report such cases as it makes it the legal duty of a person aware of the offence to report the sexual abuse. In case he fails to do so, the person can be punished with six months’ imprisonment or a fine.
• It prescribes punishment to the people who traffic children for sexual purposes.
• It provides for punishment against false complaints or untrue information.
• It was amended in 2019 to increase the minimum punishment from seven years to ten years. It further adds that if a person commits penetrative sexual assault on a child below the age of 16 years, he will be punished with imprisonment between 20 years to life, with a fine.

GS3/Economy

After import duty cut on gold, govt. to decide future of SGB scheme

Source: Indian Express

Why in news?

Following the Budget announcement to cut the import duty on gold, the government plans to make a final decision regarding the future of the Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGB) scheme in September.

India's Gold Market

• The gold industry in India is significant, with substantial contributions to the economy and employment.
• India, along with China, led global demand for gold jewellery in 2023, despite high prices.
• India is the second-largest consumer of gold jewellery worldwide.

Impact of Gold on the Economy

• Gold plays a crucial role in India's economy, impacting factors like inflation, savings, and investments.
• Gold imports contribute to India's current account deficit, affecting foreign exchange reserves.

Import Duty Cut on Gold

• The government recently reduced import duties on gold from 15% to 6% in Budget 2024-25.
• This led to a decline in gold prices and a subsequent increase in demand for the metal.

Sovereign Gold Bonds Scheme (SGBS)

• Introduced by the Government of India in November 2015, SGBS allows investors to purchase gold in digital or paper form.
• Issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the scheme aims to reduce demand for physical gold.

Govt to decide future of SGB scheme in September

• The government is set to determine the fate of the SGB scheme following the import duty cut on gold.
• Experts suggest that the cost of financing the fiscal deficit through SGBs may not align with investor benefits, possibly leading to the scheme's discontinuation.

Business/employment opportunities

• Gold industry provides significant employment opportunities in India, including miners, artisans, and retailers.

Current account deficit (CAD)

• India's status as the second-largest gold importer contributes to the country's current account deficit.

Inflation

• Gold is often used as a hedge against inflation, with increased demand during times of high inflation.

Savings and investments

• Gold is considered a safe-haven asset in India, attracting many as a form of savings and investment.

Budget 2024-25 and SGB

• The government reduced gross SGB issuances and net borrowing through SGBs in the recent budget.
• The customs duty reduction on gold aims to tackle issues like gold smuggling.