Society 

Why has the UGC-CARE list of journals been discontinued?  - The Hindu 

The University Grants Commission (UGC) decided to discontinue the UGC Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics (UGC-CARE) list, which is a list of quality academic journals, first introduced in 2018. 

New Parameters for Peer-Reviewed Journals

• Draft Notification: 36 suggestive parameters under eight criteria.
• Key Criteria:
  • Journal Preliminary Criteria: Title, ISSN, periodicity, transparency review policy.
  • Editorial Board: Availability and composition of the editorial board.
  • Other Criteria: Editorial policy, journal standards, visibility, research ethics.

Reasons for UGC's Withdrawal

• Objective: Ensure only reputable journals are recognised for faculty selection, promotion, and research funding.
• Criticism of UGC-CARE List:
  • Over-centralisation in journal quality assessment.
  • Delays in inclusion/exclusion of journals.
  • Limited availability of research journals in Indian languages.
  • Lack of transparency in decision-making.
• New Approach:
  • Decentralisation of journal evaluation.
  • Higher education institutions (HEIs) to establish their own mechanisms for evaluating journals.
  • Institutions to align their evaluations with UGC's indicative parameters.
  • Allows flexibility for discipline-specific and evolving research fields.

Response from Academia

• Concerns:
  • Risk of proliferation of low-quality journals.
  • Lack of central oversight may lead to inconsistencies in evaluation.
• Student Federation of India (SFI) Stance:
  • Decision taken without proper consultation.
  • Setback to academic integrity and research quality.
  • Part of a broader deregulation trend under NEP 2020.

 

Polity 

What has SC previously ruled on gag orders? - The Hindu

The Supreme Court recently granted interim protection from arrest to podcaster and influencer Ranveer Allahbadia in connection with the First Information Reports (FIRs) registered against him over remarks made on the YouTube show “India Got Latent”.

Allahbadia’s Plea

• Multiple FIRs: Filed in Maharashtra, Assam, and Rajasthan under BNS 2023, IT Act 2000, and Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act 1986 for alleged obscenity.
• Supreme Court Petition: Sought consolidation of FIRs and interim protection from arrest under Article 32.

Granting Interim Relief

• Discretionary Power: No statutory conditions; judges impose conditions based on justice and investigation needs.
• Key Considerations:
  • Flight Risk: Possibility of absconding.
  • Witness Intimidation: Risk of threats.
  • Evidence Tampering: Potential interference with the investigation.
• Bail Conditions:
  • Passport deposit, high bail bond, periodic police appearances.
  • SC cautions against excessive restrictions like location tracking (Google Maps PIN).
• Judicial Precedents:
  • Satender Kumar Antil Case (2022): Conditions must be reasonable and feasible.
  • Frank Vitus Case (2024): GPS tracking of accused violates Article 21 (Right to Privacy).

Unique Aspect of the Case

• Gag Order: Allahbadia barred from airing content online till further orders.
• Doctrine of Prior Restraint: Prevents speech before it occurs; courts deem it impermissible except in rare cases.
• Relevant Cases:
  • Rehana Fathima Case (2021): SC stayed bail condition restricting social media activity.
  • Mohammed Zubair Case (2021): SC rejected govt’s request to ban tweets, citing the chilling effect on free speech and professional rights.

 

I&B Ministry plans new laws to regulate digital content - The Hindu

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry is examining the existing statutory provisions and the need for a new legal framework to regulate “harmful” content on digital platforms, indicating the government’s move to sharpen its vigilance over them following an outcry over Ranveer Allahbadia’s comments on a YouTube programme.

Concerns Over Digital Content Regulation

• Misuse of Free Speech: Concerns over obscenity and violence on digital platforms.
• Need for Stricter Laws: Existing laws insufficient; demand for a stronger legal framework.

Regulatory Gaps in Digital Media

• No Specific Legal Framework: Unlike print and electronic media, OTT and YouTube lack clear regulations.
• Censorship Concerns: Debate over potential misuse of new provisions for content control.
• Need for Legislative Action: Calls for amending existing laws or enacting new ones.

 

Why is three- language policy controversial? - The Hindu

The Union Government has withheld ₹2,152 crore in funds due to Tamil Nadu under the Samagra Shiksha scheme for refusing to join the Prime Minister Schools for Rising India (PMSHRI) initiative. While T.N. is eager to participate in the PM SHRI scheme, it staunchly opposes the accompanying mandate to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

NEP 2020 and the Three-Language Formula

• Policy Retention: Continues the three-language formula from NEP 1968.
• Key Change: No compulsory imposition of Hindi; states and students can choose languages.
• Mandatory Indian Language: At least 2/ 3 languages must be Indian.
• Bilingual Teaching: Emphasizes instruction in the home language/mother tongue and English.
• Sanskrit Promotion: Included as an optional choice in the language formula.

Opposition in Tamil Nadu

• Historical Resistance: Opposition to Hindi imposition dates back to 1937.
• Major Protests: 1965 anti-Hindi agitation led to deaths; continued opposition since then.
• Policy Consistency: Tamil Nadu follows a two-language policy (Tamil and English).
• 2019 Amendment: Kasturirangan Committee removed mandatory Hindi due to backlash.

Concerns Over Hindi Imposition

• Perceived Backdoor Entry: Critics argue the policy indirectly promotes Hindi.
• Resource Constraints: Limited availability of non-Hindi language teachers.
• Regional Language Neglect: No major efforts to promote south Indian languages in northern schools.

Political Standoff

• Centre’s Stand: Insistence on adherence to the three-language policy.
• T.N. Response: TN rejects Hindi imposition, vows to protect Tamil interests.

Way Forward

• Dialogue Needed: Constructive discussions between Centre and Tamil Nadu.
• State Performance: T.N.’s two-language model has ensured high enrolment and low dropout rates.
• Education Funding: Language disputes should not affect schemes like Samagra Shiksha.

 

World Affairs 

India Assumes Chairmanship of Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation - PIB 

In a historic move, India assumed Chairmanship of Bay of Bengal (BOB) Inter-Governmental Organisation from Bangladesh at the 13th Governing Council Meeting at Malé, Maldives, in the presence of senior government representatives from Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bangladesh.

Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation

• Establishment: 2003.
• Origin: From the Bay of Bengal Programme (1979) under FAO-UN.
• Purpose: 
  • Supports small-scale/artisanal fisher folk in the Bay of Bengal region.
  • Sets international benchmarks in small-scale fisheries development.
• Members: Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka.
• Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties: Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand.
• Objectives:
  • Promote awareness & best practices in marine fisheries management.
  • Enhance skills, training, and technology transfer in small-scale fisheries.
  • Develop regional information networks.
  • Encourage women’s participation in the marine fisheries value chain.

 

Environment 

Melting glaciers caused 2 cm sea level rise this century: the likely impact - Indian Express

Melting ice from glaciers worldwide has led to the sea level rising by almost 2 cm this century alone, a newly-published study has found.

Glacier Melting and Sea Level Rise

• Ice Loss: Glaciers losing 273 billion tonnes of ice annually for 25 years.
• Human Risk: Every cm rise exposes 2 million people to flooding.
• Causes of Sea Level Rise

• Glacial Melting:
  • Since 2000, glaciers lost 2%-39% regionally, 5% globally.
  • Loss is 18% higher than Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets.
• Thermal Expansion:
  • Water expands as it warms, contributing to ⅓ to ½ of sea level rise (NASA).

Sea Level Rise Trends

• Historical Rise:
  • 21 cm rise since 1880 (NOAA).
  • Accelerated from 0.18 cm/year (1993) to 0.42 cm/year (2024).
• Uneven Rise:
  • Southwestern Indian Ocean: 2.5 mm/year (WMO, 2022).
  • Indian coastal cities:
    • Mumbai: 4.44 cm (1987-2021) – highest in India.
    • Haldia: 2.726 cm, Visakhapatnam: 2.381 cm, Kochi: 2.213 cm (CSTEP, 2024).

Concerns 

• Coastal Flooding & Erosion: West Bengal lost 99 sq km (1990-2016, NCCR).
• Human Displacement: 29% of the global population lived within 50 km of the shore in 2018.
• Ecosystem Damage: Threat to mangroves, coral reefs, freshwater sources.

 

Sci and Tech 

First detailed map of moon’s south pole made from Chandrayaan data - The Hindu

Astronomers are excited to be poring over the first ever detailed geological map of the moon’s south polar region, where India’s Chandrayaan-3 lunar module, Vikram, touched down earlier. The map is expected to throw new light on the moon’s origin and evolution.

Lunar Magma 

• Magma Ocean: Chandrayaan-3 confirmed a global underground magma ocean on the moon.
• Previous Evidence: US, Russian, and Chinese missions hinted at subsurface lava but lacked polar data.
• Detection: Pragyan rover’s Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer found magma under the landing site.

Mapping the Landing Site

• Landscape: High-altitude highlands and low, flat plains.
• Crater Analysis: Secondary craters linked to Schomberger as the primary debris source.
• Age Estimation: Region estimated to be 3.7 billion years old, coinciding with early microbial life on Earth.

Earth-Moon Common Origins

• Formation Hypothesis:
  • 4.5 billion years ago, a Mars-sized planetary body collided with Earth.
  • Ejected debris coalesced into the moon over millions of years.
• Geochemical Similarities: Earth and Moon share isotopic compositions, supporting a common origin.

Lunar Craters & Impact Studies

• Impact Evidence: Moon’s surface has craters formed by asteroid collisions.
• Scientific Interest: Studying lunar craters helps understand impact events on Earth and inner planets.
• South Pole-Aitken Basin: One of the oldest and largest impact craters, near Chandrayaan-3’s landing site.

Preserving Lunar History

• Craters as Time Capsules: Lack of atmosphere preserves impact history for millennia.
• Geological Dating Tool: Lunar craters help determine the age of geological features on other planets.
• Threat from Colonization: Future lunar missions may disturb the undisturbed lunar landscape.

Lunar Pollution & Human Impact

• Spacecraft Debris: Since Luna 2 (1959), multiple missions have left components and waste on the moon.
• Regolith Disturbance: Human activity may affect the thin lunar exosphere.
• Water Ice Contamination: Lander exhaust releases water vapour, leading to inaccurate ice distribution data.
• Future Concerns: Rising lunar missions and resource mining may accelerate contamination.

 

Why Microsoft's claims of quantum computing breakthrough matter - Indian Express 

Microsoft last week claimed a breakthrough in quantum computing, an eagerly-awaited technology much like artificial intelligence (AI), that holds the promise of performing tasks beyond the capabilities of current technologies.

Quantum Computing

• About: Utilizes quantum mechanics to solve complex problems beyond classical computers' capabilities.
• Operation: On subatomic particles like electrons and photons, enabling advanced data processing.
• Significance:
  • Enhances molecular and chemical interactions, AI, and optimization problems.
  • Potential applications in scientific discoveries, drug development, supply chains, and financial modeling.

• Quantum vs Classical Computing:

 

Defence 

What is India’s dilemma over fighter jets? - The Hindu

The two foremost Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) of Russia and the U.S., the SU-57 and F-35, got a lot of attention at Aero India, which was held from February 10-14 in Bengaluru, with the former undoubtedly being the showstopper with its manoeuvres.

F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

• About: Single-seat, single-engine strike fighter with three variants:
  • F-35A: Conventional take-off and landing (Air Force).
  • F-35B: Short take-off/vertical landing (Marine Corps).
  • F-35C: Aircraft carrier variant (Navy & Marine Corps).
• Development: By the U.S. with 7 international partners and 10 foreign military sales customers.

Russian Fighter Jet (SU-57)

• Agreement: Signed between India and Russia in 2010 for joint development of the FGFA (now SU-57).
• Disagreements: Over high cost, limited technology transfer, and India's preference for a twin-seat variant led to India's exit from the project.

IAF’s Squadron Strength

• Sanctioned strength: 42.5 fighter squadrons.
• Current strength: 31 squadrons, with ageing platforms.
• Global developments:
  • U.S., Russia, and China operate 5th-generation jets.
  • China has tested 6th-generation fighters.
  • Pakistan may acquire 40 J-35 jets from China.

Future Fighter Jet Acquisitions

• Planned procurement: Over 500 fighter jets, mainly LCA variants and AMCA.
• LCA-Mk1A:
  • 83 jets contracted (delayed due to GE engine supply).
  • Additional 97 jets to be ordered.
  • 12 jets to be delivered in 2025; order completion in 3.5 years.
• LCA-Mk2: First flight expected in early 2026.
• AMCA:
  • Prototype rollout by 2026-27.
  • Certification by 2032, induction by 2034.
• Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA):
  • 114 jets planned, RFI issued in 2019.
  • Delayed due to high cost and changing priorities.

Challenges & Considerations

• F-35 as a stopgap: Would take a decade to materialize.
• Rafale case study:
  • 2016 deal: 36 jets for €7.87 billion.
  • Over €1 billion in R&D for India-specific enhancements.
• Indigenous vs. Foreign Procurement:
  • Further foreign additions would increase maintenance complexity and shift focus from domestic programs.

Diversification of Defence Procurement

• Historical background: India relied on Russian military hardware.
• Shift since early 2000s:
  • By 2040, IAF to have 220 LCA-Mk1, 120 LCA-Mk2, and initial AMCA batches.
  • Powered by GE F-404 & F-414 engines.
• Dependence on foreign engines:
  • F-414 engine licence-manufacture or 110KN engine co-developed with France for AMCA-Mk2.
  • India’s fixed-wing and helicopter fleet will largely rely on U.S. and French engines.