Supreme Court on Legislative Privileges and Bribery (GS-2 Mains)

Overturned Verdict:

• A 7-judge bench overruled the 1998 P.V. Narasimha Rao v. State case.
• That case granted MPs/MLAs immunity from prosecution for bribery related to votes or speeches in the House.

New Ruling:

• MPs/MLAs cannot claim immunity for bribery to influence votes or speeches.
• Parliamentary privilege doesn’t shield legislators from criminal law.

Impact:

• Strengthens anti-corruption measures.
• Opens doors for prosecuting legislators involved in bribery.
• Promotes greater accountability and transparency in legislatures.

Parliamentary Immunity in India:

• Article 105(2) and 194(2) grant immunity for actions/statements in official legislative duties.
• Ensures uninterrupted representation and power balance in a democracy.

Conclusion:

• Parliamentary privilege is crucial, but doesn’t protect criminal acts.
• This judgement upholds the rule of law and probity in public life.

 

 

India-EFTA Free Trade Agreement (FTA) (GS-2 Mains)

FTA Details:

• EFTA to invest $100 billion in India (pharma, food processing, engineering, chemicals).
• India to eliminate duties on various EFTA products (gold, machinery, pharmaceuticals).
• Investment from EFTA provident funds.

Significance for India:

• Diversifies imports away from China (pharmaceuticals, chemicals).
• Access to better-standardized devices from Switzerland.
• Estimated 1 million jobs created through investment.

Concerns:

• Potential increase in trade deficit with Switzerland.
• Limited access for Indian agricultural exports to EFTA.
• Reduced benefits due to Switzerland’s overall import duty elimination.
• Challenges in harmonizing regulatory standards.
• Unresolved issues around intellectual property rights.

Way Forward:

• Strong potential for increased trade and partnership.
• Agreement should promote sustainable development and gender equality.

India Enters Second Stage of Nuclear Program with PFBR (GS-3 Mains)

The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR):

• Developed by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI).
• Breeder reactor: produces more fuel (Pu-239) than it consumes.
• Uses MOX fuel (mixed oxide) initially, with a Uranium-238 blanket for transmutation.
• Can also utilize Thorium-232 in the blanket to create fissile Uranium-233 for future use.

Significance of PFBR:

• Key to India’s three-stage nuclear program for self-reliance in fuel.
• Reduces nuclear waste by using spent fuel from the first stage.
• Advanced safety features for emergency shutdown.
• Makes India the second nation (after Russia) with a commercial fast breeder reactor.

India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Program:

Stage 1 (Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors – PHWRs):

• Uses natural uranium (U-238) and heavy water.
• Produces plutonium-239 (fissile material) as a byproduct.

Stage 2 (Fast Breeder Reactors – FBRs): (Current Stage)

• Uses plutonium-239 and uranium-238 to produce energy, plutonium, and Uranium-233.
• PFBR is a key part of this stage.

Stage 3 (Advanced Heavy Water Reactors – AHWRs): (Future Stage)

• Uses plutonium-239 and thorium-232 to produce energy and Uranium-233.
• Aims to utilize India’s abundant thorium reserves.

 

Critical Minerals: Essential for India’s Growth (GS-1 & 3 Mains)

What are Critical Minerals?

• Minerals with high economic importance and supply risk (import dependence, low recycling, limited substitutes).
• Crucial for renewable energy, defense, electronics, pharmaceuticals.

Significance for India:

• Essential for economic development and national security.
• Needed to meet ambitious clean energy goals (50% non-fossil power by 2030).
• Supports renewable energy, defense, agriculture, electronics, and more.

Recent Developments:

• Auction of 18 critical mineral blocks worth ₹30 lakh crore.
• Amendment to MMDR Act (2023) designates 24 critical minerals.
• Increased funding for research and innovation in mining.
• Geological Survey of India finds potential lithium reserves in J&K.
• Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL) to acquire overseas critical mineral assets.
• India joins the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP) for collaboration.

Way Forward:

• This auction is crucial for India’s economy, security, and clean energy goals.
• Diversify import sources to reduce reliance on single suppliers.
• Form strategic partnerships with mineral-rich countries.
• Collaborate on research and development with developed nations.

 

Global Warming’s Threat to India ( GS-1 & 3 Mains)

Study Highlights:

• Pollination: Pollination in India reduced by half at 3-4°C global warming compared to a quarter reduction at 1.5°C.
• Biodiversity: Limiting warming to 1.5°C allows half of India to act as a biodiversity refuge, compared to 6% at 3°C.
• Agriculture: Over 50% of Indian agricultural land to face drought with 3°C warming, with severe droughts lasting over a year.
• Sea-level rise: Economic damages from sea-level rise to increase more slowly if warming limited to 1.5°C.
• Natural capital risk: Areas in India already at high risk at 1.5°C due to increasing human population.

Recommendations:

• Limit Warming to 1.5°C:Achieve Paris Agreement goals to reduce drought risk, heat stress, and flooding.
• Enhanced Mitigation Efforts:Current policies are insufficient to prevent a 3°C rise.
• Expand Protected Areas:Conserve biodiversity for climate resilience.
• Prioritize Mitigation & Adaptation:Reduce emissions and adapt to unavoidable changes.
• Restore Ecosystems:Improve natural carbon capture and resource resilience.

 

Prelims

Hangul Deer Population Expected to Rise

• The number of Hanguls in Kashmir is expected to cross 300 this spring for the first time in over 3 decades.

About Hangul

• Subspecies of Asian Red Deer
• State Animal of Jammu and Kashmir
• High-altitude forest dwellers
• Found in Dachigam National Park, Rajparian Wildlife Sanctuary, Overa Aru, Sind Valley, Kishtwar, and Bhaderwah forests

Conservation Efforts

• Hangul population declined from 2000 in 1947 to 289 currently.
• Listed as Critically Endangered on IUCN Red Data Book.
• Project Hangul is a collaborative effort by the Jammu and Kashmir government, IUCN, and WWF to increase Hangul population.

 

Geographical Indication (GI) Tag for Tamil Nadu Agriculture

10 Products to Get GI Tag:

• Sathayamangalam Red Banana (Erode)
• Kolli Hills Pepper (Namakkal)
• Meenambur Seeraga Samba Rice (Ranipet)
• Ayyampalayam Nettai Thennai (Dindigul) – A type of coconut
• Urigam Puli (Krishnagiri) – A type of tamarind
• Bhuvanagiri Mithi Pagarkai (Cuddalore) – A type of bitter gourd
• Sencholam (Salem, Karur) – A type of millet
• Tirunelveli Senna Leaf (Tirunelveli)
• Odaipatti Seedless Grapes (Theni)
• Gloriosa Superba and Senganthal seed (Karur, Dindigul, Tiruppur) – Medicinal plants

What is a GI Tag?

• Protects product names with a specific geographical origin and unique qualities.
• Promotes exports and prevents unauthorized use.
• Enhances economic benefits for producers in that region.

 

Cavum Clouds: Hole-Punch Wonders in the Sky

What are Cavum Clouds?

• Also known as hole-punch clouds or fallstreak holes.
• Appear as circular or elliptical holes in cloud cover with wispy trails in the center.

Formation:

• Occur in mid-level altocumulus clouds containing supercooled water droplets.
• Airplanes passing through cause adiabatic expansion, freezing droplets into ice crystals.
• Ice crystals grow heavy, fall out, leaving a hole and wispy trails (virga) of falling ice that don’t reach the ground.

Cloud Types (for Reference):

• Cirrus: Wispy, high-altitude ice crystal clouds (fair weather).
• Stratus: Layered, low-altitude clouds often associated with warm fronts.
• Cumulus: Puffy, vertically-developed clouds caused by warm air updrafts.
• Nimbostratus: Gray rain or snow clouds.
• Stratocumulus: Patchy, low-altitude clouds with some separation.
• Cumulonimbus: Towering thunderstorm clouds with flat anvil tops.

 

Venice Biennale: The Olympics of the Art World

What is it?

• Founded in 1895, it’s one of the world’s biggest and most prestigious art exhibitions.
• “Biennale” means “every other year” in Italian, but now refers to major international exhibitions every two years.
• Features contemporary art from various countries, often with a central theme exploring social, economic, and political issues.

India’s Participation

• Debuted in 1954 with works by M.F. Husain, S.H. Raza, and others.
• Officially participated again in 2011, showcasing artists like Zarina Hashmi and Praneet Soi.
• Collaborated with Ministry of Culture and other institutions for the 2019 Biennale.