Society 

Web-portal of NYPS 2.0 - PIB 

• Objectives:
  • Strengthen democratic values and inculcate discipline & tolerance.
  • Familiarize students with Parliamentary procedures and government functioning.
  • Promote constitutional values and democratic living.
• Participation Categories:
  • Institution Participation:
    • Educational institutions conduct Youth Parliament sittings as per guidelines.
    • Kishore Sabha: Students (Class VI-XII).
    • Tarun Sabha: Undergraduate & Postgraduate students.
  • Group Participation:
    • Groups of citizens organize Youth Parliament sessions.
  • Individual Participation:
    • Citizens attempt a quiz on ‘Bhartiya Democracy in Action’.
• Resources Available: E-training materials like literature, model debates, questions, list of business, scripts, video tutorials, etc.

 

Polity 

What is the SC directive on sacred groves? - The Hindu 

Recently, the Supreme Court directed the Forest Department of Rajasthan to map on the ground and via satellite every ‘sacred grove’ in detail. They were to be identified irrespective of their size and based “solely on their purpose and their cultural and ecological significance to the local community”. After mapping, the court directed the department to classify them as ‘forests’ and notify them as ‘community reserves’ under the Wildlife Protection Act (WLPA) 1972. Effectively, the decision would transfer the sacred groves from community protection to forest officialdom for the purposes of conservation.

T.N. Godavarman Case 

• About: Regarding the definition of ‘forest land’ under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
• Supreme Court’s Ruling:
  • ‘Forest land’ includes areas recorded as forests in government records, regardless of ownership.
  • Directed State governments to form expert committees to identify such areas.

Rajasthan’s Implementation:

• 2004 Report: Classified only sacred groves meeting ‘deemed forest’ criteria (≥5 hectares with 200 trees/hectare).
• CEC’s Objection: Criticized this narrow classification; recommended including more areas, exempting only pre-1980 non-forestry diversions.
• 2018: Supreme Court directed Rajasthan to implement CEC’s recommendations.
• 2024: Rajasthan reported identifying sacred groves as ‘forest lands’ following interlocutory applications.
• Contradiction: Rajasthan’s Forest Policy 2023 omitted protective measures for sacred groves present in the 2010 policy.

Sacred Groves 

• Definition: Community-regulated forest patches conserved through customary laws and taboos.
• Regulation: Resource extraction is often prohibited, except for medicinal plants by custodians.
• Importance: Associated with temples, shrines, monasteries, pilgrim sites, and burial grounds.
• Ecological Value:
  • Bbiodiversity hotspots and repositories of herbal medicines.
  • Support unique flora and fauna.
  • Help in soil stabilization, and mitigating floods, landslides, and droughts.

• Cultural Transmission: Oral traditions preserve local legends, myths, and beliefs across generations.
• Health and Well-being: Contribute to mental and physical well-being of communities, as documented by anthropologists.

Regional Names:

• Devara kadu (Karnataka)
• Devban (Himachal Pradesh)
• Kavu/sarpa kavu (Kerala)
• Sarna (Chota Nagpur)
• Devbani (Chhattisgarh)
• Jahera/thakuramma (Odisha)
• Devgudi (Maharashtra/Chhattisgarh)
• Ki law lyngdoh/ Ki law niam (Meghalaya)

Community Reserves

• Introduction: A Protected Area category under the Wildlife Protection (Amendment) Act, 2002, alongside national parks and sanctuaries.
• Purpose: Locals voluntarily conserve habitats to protect fauna, flora, and cultural conservation practices.
• Community Responsibilities:
  • Prevent wildlife offences under WLPA.
  • Assist authorities in arresting offenders.
  • Report wildlife deaths and prevent fires.
• Offences include:
  • Damaging boundaries
  • Teasing/molesting wildlife
  • Littering
  • Setting fires or using harmful chemicals.
• Land Use Regulations: No change in land use without approval from the reserve management committee and the State government.

Management Structure:

• Supervised by the Chief Wildlife Warden.
• Community Reserve Management Committee includes:
• 5+ members from gram panchayat or gram sabha.
• Forest/Wildlife Department representative.
• For private land, includes the landowner, department representative, and Panchayat/tribal representative.

• Leadership: Chairperson of the committee acts as Honorary Wildlife Warden.
• Supreme Court’s Direction: Union Environment Ministry to identify and map sacred groves and create a governance policy for them.

Conflict Between Forest Department’s Takeover and FRA Provisions

• FRA’s Provisions:
  • Sacred groves would be classified as ‘community forest resources’ (CFRs) under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.
  • CFRs include customary forest lands, such as reserved forests, protected forests, sanctuaries, and national parks with traditional community access.
• Role of Gram Sabhas:
  • Protecting, conserving, regenerating, and managing CFRs.
  • Preventing activities harmful to cultural and natural heritage.
  • Forming Community Forest Resource Management Committees.

Jurisdiction Issue:

• Sacred groves within forest areas fall under gram sabhas, not the Forest or Wildlife Department.
• Sacred groves outside forest land also fall under FRA if notified as ‘forest land’.

 

What does Rajasthan's Bill against 'unlawful' religious conversions say - Indian Express

Recently, a Bill was tabled in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly to stop “unlawful” religious conversions. Though it is yet to be debated, the Bill is not expected to see major changes, if at all, and will likely be passed during the ongoing budget session.

Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2025

• Unlawful Conversion: Conversion through coercion, force, allurement, or fraud.
• Allurement: Includes cash, material benefits, employment, free education, etc.
• Burden of Proof: Lies on the person who “caused” the conversion, reversing the usual presumption of innocence in criminal cases.
• Filing of FIR: Can be lodged by the aggrieved person, their parents, siblings, or any blood/marriage/adoption-related individual.

Punishments:

• 1–5 years imprisonment with a minimum fine of ₹15,000 for unlawful conversion.
• 2–10 years imprisonment with a ₹25,000 fine if the victim is a minor, woman, or SC/ST individual.
• 3–10 years imprisonment with a minimum fine of ₹50,000 for unlawful mass conversion.
• Repeat offenders face double the punishment for subsequent offences.
• Legal Status of Offences: Cognizable (arrest without warrant) and non-bailable (bail subject to magistrate’s discretion).

Procedure for Voluntary Religious Conversion (Rajasthan Bill, 2025)

• Declaration: Declaration form must be submitted to the District Magistrate (DM) 60 days before conversion.
• Non-compliance: Up to 3 years’ imprisonment and a minimum fine of ₹10,000.
• Notification by the Convertor: The person performing the conversion must notify the DM 1 month in advance. 
• Non-compliance: Up to 5 years’ imprisonment and a minimum fine of ₹25,000.

• Inquiry Process: An officer (not below Additional DM) will inquire to verify the intention and purpose of the conversion.

Post-Conversion Requirements:

• The converted person must submit a declaration within 60 days of conversion.
• The declaration will be displayed on the DM’s notice board until confirmation.
• Declaration Details: Includes date of birth, address, father’s/husband’s name, religion before and after conversion, and conversion date/place.
• Personal Verification: The convert must appear before the DM within 21 days of filing the declaration to confirm identity and declaration details.

Need 

• Purpose: To prevent the conversion of “gullible persons”.
• Constitutional Context: To balance the right to religious freedom with the need to prevent forced or fraudulent conversions.
• Legal Gap: No existing law in Rajasthan addressing unlawful conversions, unlike in other states.

Previous Attempts to Pass Anti-Conversion Law in Rajasthan

• 2006: Introduced as the Rajasthan Freedom of Religion Bill, 2006  to curb conversions through force, allurement, or fraudulent means.
• 2008: Amended Bill required prior approval from the District Collector for conversions but stalled by the Centre due to deviation from national policy.
• 2013-2018: Govt. renewed efforts to enact the Bill but centre rejected the legislation again in 2017.

 

Home Ministry asks State governments to prevent misuse of State Emblem of India - The Hindu 

The Union Home Ministry has asked State governments to prevent the misuse and improper depiction of the State Emblem Of India emphasising that the Lion Capital logo is incomplete without the motto — Satyamev Jayate — in Devanagari script.

State Emblem of India

• Origin: Adapted from Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath.
• Design: Original has four lions on a circular abacus resting on a bell-shaped lotus.
• Abacus frieze: Elephant, galloping horse, bull, and lion separated by Dharma Chakras.
• Modifications in State Emblem (Adopted on 26 January 1950):
  • Only three lions visible; the fourth is hidden.
  • Dharma Chakra in the centre, with a bull (right) and horse (left).
  • Bell-shaped lotus omitted.
• Inscription: "Satyameva Jayate" (Truth Alone Triumphs) in Devanagari script from Mundaka Upanishad.
• Legal Regulations: State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005 & Regulation of Use Rules, 2007 govern its usage.

 

World Affairs 

Trump's plan to 'own' Gaza - Indian Express

In an extraordinary press conference that he addressed with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by his side, United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday made some major policy announcements on the Middle East.

Key Middle East Policy Announcements by U.S. 

• Palestinian Relocation: Urged Palestinians to leave Gaza, suggesting Jordan and Egypt should accept them.
• U.S. Control Over Gaza: Claimed the U.S. will “take over” Gaza and transform it into the “Riviera of the Middle East”.
• Policy on Iran and Houthis: Reinstated “maximum pressure” on Iran via an executive orde & re-designated Yemeni Houthis as a terrorist organization.

Analytical Takeaways from US’ Proposals

• Violation of International Norms: 
  • Risks breaching UNSC and UNGA resolutions supporting Palestinian self-determination (which India supports).
  • Violation of jus cogens norms, including prohibitions against ethnic cleansing.

• Implications for Displacement: Permanent displacement of Palestinians, drawing parallels to Jewish diaspora history pre-Israel.
• Israeli Alignment: Favored by Israel; Netanyahu calls Trump the “best friend” Israel has had in the White House.

• Potential Destabilization: Proposals could escalate regional tensions, affecting ceasefire sustainability post-hostage releases.

Reasons for Egypt/ Jordan’s Resistance to Accepting Displaced Palestinians

• Jordan’s Resistance:
  • Security Concerns: Views any Israeli attempt to displace Palestinians as a “declaration of war” and a breach of the 1994 peace treaty.
  • Demographic Pressure: Hosts over 2 million Palestinian refugees, making up 1 in 5 of its population.
  • Resource Constraints: Among the poorest globally in water resources.
  • Political Stability: Fears of armed Palestinian resistance, rooted in historical events like Black September (1970).

Egypt’s Resistance:

• Political Repercussions: Fears domestic backlash for aiding in undermining the Palestinian cause.
• Security Concerns: Potential resurgence of the Muslim Brotherhood.
• International Image: Risks damaging Egypt’s standing in the Arab world and globally if seen as complicit in Palestinian displacement.

Impact of the Return of Maximum Pressure on Iran for the Arab World

Contradictions with Arab Consensus: Trump’s Gaza resettlement idea contradicts positions of Jordan, UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

Iran’s improving Ties with Arab States:

• Iran-UAE Joint Economic Committee launched multi-sectoral cooperation (May 2024).
• Saudi-Iran trade resumed (April 2023).
• Saudi military chief’s historic visit to Tehran.

• UAE-Iran Dynamics: UAE welcomed IRGC warships and officials, a sharp contrast to the strained ties during the last decade.
• Iran’s Diplomacy: Iran expressed willingness for nuclear talks if the West is serious.

 

Environment 

Why temperatures at North Pole reached 20° Celsius above average - Indian Express

Temperatures increased by more than 20 degrees Celsius above average at the north pole, crossing the threshold for ice to melt, on February 2. While mercury soared to 18 degrees Celsius hotter than the 1991–2020 average in the north of Svalbard, Norway, on February 1, it had risen to more than 20 degrees Celsius by the next day.

Reasons for High Temperatures at the North Pole

• Low-Pressure: A deep low-pressure system over Iceland allowed warmer air from lower latitudes to move northward, raising temperatures.
• Warm Sea Surface Temperatures (SST): Unusually hot SST in the northeast Atlantic intensified wind-driven warming.
• Temperature Anomaly: Recently, daily average temperatures were 20°C above normal, with absolute temperatures exceeding -1°C, during the peak of polar winter (November–February).

Reasons for Faster Warming in the Arctic

• Rapid Temperature Rise: The Arctic has warmed 3.8 times faster than the global average since the late 1970s.
• Global temperature increase: 1.3°C above the 1850-1900 baseline.

Key Factors Behind Arctic Warming:

• Albedo Effect:
  • Sea ice reflects sunlight, keeping temperatures low.
  • Melting ice exposes darker land/water, which absorbs more heat.
• Weak Convection:
  • In the Arctic, limited vertical mixing prevents heat from dispersing.
  • Greenhouse gases trap heat near the surface, increasing warming.

• Contrast with Tropics:

• Strong convection in tropical regions helps distribute heat vertically, unlike in the Arctic.

 

Sci and Tech 

Story of NavIC: crucial indigenous SatNav system, hurdles in development path - Indian Express 

India’s space agency on Sunday (February 2) reported the partial failure of its NVS-02 navigation satellite due to the non-firing of its engines in space. This was the latest in a series of setbacks suffered by the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), operationally referred to as the Navigation with India Constellation (NavIC) system.

IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System)

• Origin: Conceived in 1999 after the Kargil War, when India couldn’t access the US GPS for military use.
• Aim: To create an indigenous navigation system for both defence and civilian applications.

Development:

• Planned as a seven-satellite constellation to be operational by 2016.
• First satellite, IRNSS-1A, launched on July 1, 2013.
• Satellites launched: IRNSS-1A to IRNSS-1K between 2013 and 2025.
• IRNSS-1G (2016): Marked the completion of the constellation.

Current Status:

• 11 satellites launched under the ₹2,250 crore NavIC program (including replacements).
• Only 5 satellites are currently fully operational, as per ISRO.

Issues with IRNSS Satellites

• Atomic Clock Failures: Since mid-2016, failures reported in rubidium atomic clocks (3 per satellite) on IRNSS and ESA’s Galileo GNSS.
• IRNSS-1A: All clocks stopped working by July 2016, though other components functioned.
• Replacement Satellite Failure: IRNSS-1H, launched on August 31, 2017, failed to reach orbit as the PSLV-C39 heat shield did not detach.
• Engine Failure: IRNSS-1K (NVS-02) launched in 2025 faced engine failure, leaving it in a sub-optimal orbit.
• Overall Impact Out of 11 satellites launched, 6 have faced partial failures due to clock malfunctions, launch issues, or engine problems.

Operational Satellites in the NavIC System

• Fully Operational Satellites: IRNSS-1B, 1F, 1I, and NVS-01 (IRNSS-1J).
• Partially Operational: IRNSS-1C - due to issues with old atomic clocks.

Key Updates:

• NVS-01 (1J) and NVS-02 (1K) are next-generation satellites with a mix of indigenous and foreign atomic clocks.
• 1I replaced the failed 1A (after 1H's failed launch).
• 1K faced an engine failure recently, impacting its functionality.

• Total Active Satellites: Estimated 4 fully operational and 1 partially operational in the NavIC system.

Importance of IRNSS/NavIC System for India

• Services Provided:
  • Standard Positioning Service (SPS): For general and commercial use.
  • Restricted Service (RS): For defence and strategic applications.

Features:

• Provides positioning data with accuracy better than 20 meters in all weather conditions.
• Coverage includes India and regions up to 1,500 km around it.
• Operates on dual frequencies (L5 and S-band) for higher accuracy.

Strategic Importance:

• Reliability for Defence: Independent navigation system, reducing reliance on foreign systems like GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, etc.
• Military Use: Supports applications such as navigation, target acquisition, and secure communications.
• Qualcomm Partnership (2023): NavIC support in mobile chipsets, expanding civilian usage.
• Future Plans: ISRO aims to launch 3 more II -generation satellites (NVS-03, 04, 05) to enhance capabilities and ensure service continuity.