Art and Culture 

Padma Shri awardee Baiga tribal artist Jodhaiya Bai dies - The Hindu 

Madhya Pradesh's famous Baiga tribal artist Jodhaiya Bai, a Padma Shri recipient, died in Umaria district after a prolonged illness.

Baiga Tribe

• Classification: One of India’s Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs which inhabits Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Livelihood: Previously semi-nomadic, practiced "Bewar" (slash-and-burn cultivation).
• Tattooing: Central to their culture, with tattoos specific to body parts and age groups which is made using kajal from Ramtilla (Niger) seeds.
• Mahua Tree: Fermented to produce an intoxicant, integral to diet and culture.
• Habitat Rights: First Indian community granted habitat rights, highlighting their forest dependence.

Society 

How to secure entrance exams, stop leaks: expert panel's ideas - Indian Express

A seven-member panel headed by former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan has made a set of 101 recommendations to the Ministry of Education for conducting national level entrance exams in a “transparent, smooth and fair” manner. The panel was constituted by the Ministry after the NEET-UG paper leak.

Key recommendations made by the panel

Limiting NTA’s Scope

• Focus Areas: NTA should prioritize entrance exams until its capacity is enhanced.
• Human Resources:
  • Appointment of two additional Directors General and task-specific directors.
  • Recruitment of domain-specific experts and a leadership team with relevant knowledge.
• Operational Dependency: Reduce reliance on outsourced agencies and service providers

Recommendations for State and District Involvement in Exams

• Coordination Committees: Form committees at state and district levels which officials from NTA, NIC, police, and Intelligence Bureau to strategize for transparent exams, identify testing centres, and secure question paper transportation with police or paramilitary forces.
• Test Centre Management: Seal test centres in the presence of district administration and police & maintain security until centres are de-sealed for the exam.
• Presiding Officers: Appoint an NTA “presiding officer” as the overall in-charge of each test centre, similar to election presiding officers.

Improving the Testing Process

• Multi-Session Testing: Spread exams over several days to weeks.
• Multi-Stage Testing: Suggested for NEET-UG, similar to JEE Main and Advanced.
• Allocation of Testing Centres: Assign candidates to centres within their district & ensure each district has a testing centre; use mobile centres for rural/remote areas.
• Pen-and-Paper Exams: Prepare more than three sets of question papers & use encrypted question papers sent to confidential servers for on-site printing.
• Candidate Verification: Implement a "Digi-Exam" system for recording candidate data during application and verifying biometrics at the test centre.

Long-Term Measures 

• Harmonization of Tests: Implement uniform eligibility, admission criteria, sessions, and testing modes for undergraduate admissions.
• Computer Adaptive Testing: Tailored questions based on a candidate's ability, determined in real-time during the test which enhances security and provides a better assessment of individual capabilities.
• Infrastructure Development: Collaborate with Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas to develop digital infrastructure for computer-based testing (CBT).
• Reduced Dependence on Service Providers: Expand government-run, AICTE-recognized, and private testing centres.

Polity 

Section 6A of the Citizenship Act — why it fails Assam - The Hindu 

The top court’s recent ruling upholding the constitutional validity of Section 6A, fails to address key constitutional concerns, particularly those that impact Assam’s indigenous population.

Background 

• Introduction: Section 6A was added in 1985 following the Assam Accord between the Government of India and Assam Movement leaders.
• Cause: Addressed migration from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) into Assam, raising concerns over local culture, economic strain, and political imbalance.
• Provisions:
  • Before January 1, 1966: Migrants declared Indian citizens.
  • Between January 1, 1966, and March 25, 1971: Citizenship granted

Gaps in the Reasoning of Section 6A

• Violation of Article 29:
  • Cultural Displacement: Section 6A impacts the cultural and linguistic identity of Assamese people, violating Article 29, which guarantees protection of distinct cultural identities.
  • Court’s Ruling:
    • Held Section 6A does not violate Article 29(1).
    • Interpreted the right to "conserve" culture as allowing proactive steps to protect identity.
    • Claimed the petitioners failed to prove that migration hindered Assamese efforts to conserve their culture.
  • Criticism: Court overlooked how circumstances created by Section 6A erode cultural identity despite formal recognition of conservation rights.
• Demographic and Cultural Impact:
  • Research Findings:
    • Immigrant-host culture interaction alters attitudes, values, and social affiliations.
    • Between 1951-2011, the Bengali-speaking population in Assam rose by 36.36%, while Assamese-speaking population declined by 30.18%.
  • Cultural Displacement: Demographic shifts reflect linguistic and cultural erosion, not mere coexistence of ethnic groups.
• Temporal Unreasonableness:
  • Manifest Arbitrariness: Section 6A has no temporal limitation, allowing indefinite applications for citizenship.
  • Ineffectiveness: Over 40 years after the cut-off date, the law no longer addresses the problem it was meant to solve, highlighting its outdated relevance.

Faulty Mechanism and Its Impact

• Flaws in Identification Mechanism:
  • State's Burden: Section 6A(3) places the onus on the state to initiate proceedings without a provision for voluntary self-identification by migrants.
  • No Deadline: Absence of a referral deadline to foreigners’ tribunals allows indefinite operation, rendering the system ineffective.
• Tribunal Overload:
  • Case Backlog: Foreigners’ tribunals are overwhelmed with cases, including claims by ineligible individuals, slowing down the process.
  • Systemic Confusion: Leads to inefficiency and ambiguity in determining citizenship status.
• Judicial Oversight:
  • Flawed Judgment: The Court's ruling justified Section 6A but failed to address key constitutional concerns.
  • Cultural Neglect: Ignored the erosion of Assamese linguistic and cultural identity, violating Article 29.
  • Temporal Unreasonableness: Overlooked the outdated and arbitrary nature of the provision, perpetuating ineffective policies.

World Affairs 

Positive signals emerge from India-China talks - The Hindu

India and China “positively affirmed” the outcome of their disengagement agreement on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), as National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Wednesday for the first boundary talks between the Special Representatives (SRs) since 2019.

India-China Talks: Key Highlights

• Lack of Progress on Flights and Exchanges: Statement after talks did not mention resumption of direct flights or journalist exchanges.
• Focus on Restoring Exchanges: Emphasis on economic, cultural, and trade exchanges.
• Border Disengagement: Both sides affirmed the implementation of the October 2024 disengagement agreement, allowing patrolling and grazing in certain areas.
• Border Management: Discussions on maintaining peace and tranquillity at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and ensuring border issues do not hinder bilateral relations.
• Resumption of SR Process: Aimed at advancing a fair and acceptable resolution to the India-China boundary dispute.
• De-escalation Efforts: After disengagement at seven friction points along the LAC, focus shifted to de-escalation and troop withdrawal.

India’s territorial contentions 

Moldova joins International Solar Alliance - The Hindu 

Moldova has recently joined the International Solar Alliance.

International Solar Alliance (ISA)

• Origin: Conceptualized at COP21 (2015) by India and France.
• Headquarters: Gurugram, India.
• Mission: Combat climate change via solar energy solutions.
• ‘Towards 1000’ Strategy:
  • Mobilize $1,000 billion for solar energy by 2030.
  • Provide energy access to 1,000 million people.
  • Install 1,000 GW solar capacity.
• Governance:
  • ISA Assembly: Apex decision-making body overseeing policies and implementation.
  • 104 member countries and 16 signatories. 
  • Framework Agreement enforced in 2017; post-2020 amendment, all UN members can join.
• Key Initiatives of ISA:
  • Scaling Solar Applications for Agricultural Use (SSAAU): Promotes solar-powered water pumps for agriculture.
  • ISA CARES: Delivers solar energy solutions for healthcare in low- and middle-income countries.
  • Solarizing Heating and Cooling Systems: Targets solar-based heating and cooling solutions for commercial, industrial, and residential needs.
  • Global Solar Facility: Launched at COP27 to boost solar investments in underserved African regions.

Economy 

High cost of financing fiscal deficit: why the Gold Bond scheme could end - Indian Express 

The government is considering discontinuing the sovereign gold bond scheme due to the high cost of financing the scheme. Officials are of the view that sovereign gold bonds were issued with the objective to boost investment in gold, but the recent announcement to cut the import duty on gold in Budget 2024-25 has already been made in line with that objective and has helped raise demand for gold.

Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) Scheme

• Issuer: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on behalf of the Government of India.
• Denomination: Each unit represents one gram of gold.
• Purpose: Helps the government finance its fiscal deficit.
• Key Features:
  • Interest Rate: Fixed at 2.5% per annum on the initial investment, credited semi-annually.
  • Maturity:
    • Tenor: 8 years.
    • Early Redemption: Allowed after 5 years.
  • Redemption Price: Based on a three-day average of the closing gold price (999 purity) as published by IBJA.
  • Market Value Protection: Redemption ensures the current market price of gold.
• Advantages:
  • Trading: Tradable in the secondary market.
  • Storage: Eliminates risks and costs associated with holding physical gold.
  • Returns: Combines market value appreciation of gold with periodic interest payments.
• Concerns:

• High Cost to Government: Financing the fiscal deficit through SGBs is expensive relative to the benefits for investors.
• Reduction in Issuances: 
  • Initially, 10 tranches per year were issued, reduced to four and later to two.
  • Gross SGB issuance for FY 2024-25 reduced to ₹18,500 crore from ₹29,638 crore in the interim budget.
  • Net borrowing target through SGBs lowered

Environment 

Wildlife experts tag almost-blind Ganges river dolphin for the first time in India - The Hindu

A team of wildlife conservationists tagged the almost-blind Ganges river dolphin for the first time. A healthy male river dolphin from Kulsi, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, was tagged and released under veterinary care.

Gangetic Dolphin

• Habitat: Freshwater species found in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems (India, Nepal, Bangladesh).
• Common Names: Blind dolphin, Ganges dolphin, Ganges susu, hihu, South Asian River Dolphin.
• Scientific Name: Platanista gangetica.
• National Significance: Recognized as India’s National Aquatic Animal.
• Physical Features:
  • Long snout, rounded belly, stocky body, large flippers.
  • Lacks lens in the eyes, leading to the name "blind dolphin."
  • Uses bio-sonar for hunting in murky waters.
  • Surfaces every 30-120 seconds to breathe, earning the nickname "Susu."
• Diet: Feeds mainly on fish.
• IUCN Status: Endangered.
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 Status: Schedule I.
• CITES Status: Appendix I.

HUGE MARINE HEAT WAVE KILLED 4 MN ALASKA SEABIRDS IN 2014-16: STUDY - Indian Express

A record breaking marine heat wave was behind the mass deaths of a species of Alaskan seabirds, known as the com- mon murres, nearly a decade ago, according to a new study.

Findings of the study

• Mass Mortality of Common Murres: Over four million common murres died due to the marine heatwave "The Blob" (2014–2016).
• Domino Effect on Marine Life: Oceanic changes linked to warm water affected marine life, from plankton to humpback whales. Fish collapse, crucial to murres’ diet, critically impacted their survival.
• Impact of Oceanic Heat Absorption: Oceans have absorbed over 90% of excess heat from human activities, such as fossil fuel burning and deforestation. Consequences include severe damage to coral reefs, kelp forests, and other marine ecosystems.

Marine Heatwaves

• Definition: Prolonged periods of unusually high sea surface temperatures (SST).
• Effects on Ecosystems:
  • Coral bleaching, seagrass destruction, and kelp forest loss.
  • Adverse impacts on the fisheries sector.
• Key Drivers:
  • Ocean currents accumulating warm water.
  • Air-sea heat flux due to atmospheric warming.
  • Influence of winds and climate modes like El Niño.
• Impact on Rainfall in Northwest India:
  • Moisture Supply: Marine heatwaves in the Bay of Bengal increase SST, leading to higher evaporation rates and atmospheric moisture which resulted in above-average rainfall in northwest India.
  • Effect on Depressions: Increased frequency and intensity of depressions, crucial for monsoon patterns.
  • Ecosystem Disruption: Alters species behavior and ecosystem structures which is linked to mass mortality of marine invertebrates.
  • Habitat Changes: Species like spiny sea urchins expand habitats, leading to kelp forest loss.
  • Economic Losses: Fisheries and aquaculture face significant economic damage.
  • Biodiversity Loss: Drastic reductions in marine biodiversity, e.g., 85% coral bleaching in Gulf of Mannar (2020 study).
  • Deoxygenation and Acidification: Exacerbates ocean stressors such as acidification, deoxygenation, and habitat damage.

Science and Technology 

ISRO begins assembly of HLVM3 for Gaganyaan’s flight - The Hindu

The Indian Space Research Organisation recently commenced the assembly of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (HLVM3) for the Gaganyaan mission’s maiden uncrewed flight.

Gaganyaan

• About: ISRO's human spaceflight mission which includes three orbital flights: two unmanned and one manned.
• Orbital Module: It will carry three Indian astronauts in low-earth orbit (300–400 km) for 7 days.
• Payloads:
  • Crew Module: Spacecraft for human transport.
  • Service Module: Powered by two liquid-propellant engines with emergency escape and mission abort features.
• Launch Vehicle Human rated GSLV Mk III (H- LVM-3): 3 -stage heavy-lift launch vehicle with necessary payload capability.
• Significance
  • Scientific and Technological Advancements:
    • Enhances science, technology, and industrial growth.
    • Involves multiple agencies, industries, and disciplines.
  • Youth Inspiration: Encourages interest in science and technology.
  • International Collaboration: Boosts global partnerships and addresses regional needs like food, water, and energy security.
  • Private Sector Participation: IN-SPACe reforms promote private involvement in space sector.
  • Technology Development: Contributes to innovations for societal benefits.