1. CITIZENSHIP (AMENDMENT) ACT 2019 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Recently, the Union Government issued citizenship certificates to over 300 applicants under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019.

Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019

• Amended the Citizenship Act, 1955: The act amended the Citizenship Act, 1955 to make illegal migrants eligible for citizenship of India. 
• Citizenship on the basis of religion: The CAA provides citizenship on the basis of religion to six undocumented non-Muslim communities (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians) from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who entered India on or before 31st December, 2014.
• Definition: Under the Act, an illegal migrant is a foreigner who:

o Enters the country without valid travel documents like a passport and visa, or

o Enters with valid documents, but stays beyond the permitted time period.

• Exemption: Illegal migrants may be put in jail or deported under The Foreigners Act, 1946 and The Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920.

o It exempts the members of the six communities from any criminal case under the Foreigners Act, 1946 and the Passport Act, 1920.

o The two Acts specify punishment for entering the country illegally and staying here on expired visas and permits.

• Citizenship by registration or naturalisation: The Act allows a person to apply for citizenship by registration or naturalisation if the person meets certain qualifications.
• Relaxations: Under The Citizenship Act, 1955, one of the requirements for citizenship by naturalisation is that the applicant must have resided in India during the last 12 months, as well as for 11 of the previous 14 years.

o The amendment relaxes the second requirement from 11 years to 6 years .

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2. NAKBA DAY (Syllabus GS Paper 1 – World History)

Context: On May 15, every year, Palestinians mark the Nakbareferring to the displacement of thousands of Palestinians, and the near-total destruction of Palestinian society in service of the creation of Israel.

Nakba Day

• About: It is an annual day of commemoration for Palestinians, observed on May 15th.
• Meaning of term: The Nakba, which means “catastrophe” in Arabic, refers to the mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.
• History of Nakba Day
• British Support for Jewish State: In 1948, the British government backed the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine.
• Declaration of State of Israel: On May 14, 1948, immediately after the British Mandate ended, Zionist forces proclaimed the State of Israel.
• First Arab-Israeli War: This declaration ignited the first Arab-Israeli war, a significant conflict in the region's history.
• Division of Territory: The remaining 22 percent of Palestine was split into the occupied West Bank and the besieged Gaza Strip.

o Fighting persisted until January 1949 when Israel and neighboring countries reached an armistice agreement.

• Green Line: The 1949 Armistice Line, also known as the Green Line, delineates the boundary between Israel and the West Bank.
• 1967 Borders: The Green Line also represents the (pre-)1967 borders, before Israel occupied the remaining Palestinian territories in the June 1967 war.

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3. GREAT PYRAMID OF GIZA (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – History)

Context: A mysterious L-shaped structure has been observed underground in the western cemetery of Giza.

Great Pyramid of Giza

• About: It is also known as the Great Pyramid and the Great Pyramid of Khufu, stands as an iconic symbol of ancient Egyptian architecture and engineering prowess.
• Location: Situated on the Giza plateau, approximately five miles west of the Nile River, near Cairo, Egypt, the pyramid commands attention with its strategic placement.
• Built by:  Khufu (Cheops), the second king of Egypt's 4th dynasty, the construction of the Great Pyramid began around 2580 BC and concluded around 2560 BC, marking a monumental feat of ancient craftsmanship.
• Historical Significance: Holding the title of the tallest human-made structure for over 3,000 years until the construction of the Eiffel Tower in 1889, the Great Pyramid remains a testament to ancient ingenuity and architectural mastery.
• Exploration: The pyramid's excavation using modern techniques commenced in 1880 under the guidance of British archaeologist Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie.
• Features

o Standing approximately 455 feet tall today, with each side measuring around 755 feet at the base, the Great Pyramid boasts over two million stone blocks, each weighing over 2000 pounds.

o Within the pyramid lie three significant chambers: the King's Chamber, the Queen's Chamber, and the Grand Gallery, connected by intricate tunnels and air shafts.

o Comprised primarily of yellowish limestone blocks for its core and finer, light-colored limestone for the inner passages, the pyramid's interior burial chamber is constructed of massive granite blocks, underscoring the grandeur of ancient Egyptian craftsmanship.

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4. KANWAR LAKE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: The appalling condition of Bihar’s Kanwar Lake was not an issue in ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The lake is the first and only wetland in the state of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

Kanwar Lake

• About: It is Asia’s largest freshwater oxbow lake and Bihar’s only Ramsar site.
• Also Known as: Kabartal Jheel
• Located: Begusarai district, Bihar
• Formation: It was formed as a residual oxbow lake, resulting from the meandering of the Gandak River, a tributary of the Ganga.
• Migratory Birds: Kanwar Lake serves as a vital stopover along the Central Asian Flyway, hosting 58 migratory waterbird species for rest and refueling.
• Rich Fish Biodiversity: With over 50 documented species, Kanwar Lake is a hub of fish biodiversity, contributing to the local ecosystem's richness.
• Habitat: The lake is home to five critically endangered species, including three vulture species and two waterbirds, emphasizing its conservation significance.
• Threats to Conservation: Major threats to Kanwar Lake include water management activities such as drainage, water abstraction, damming, and canalization, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.

Ramsar Convention

• About: The Ramsar Convention, signed on February 2, 1971, aims to preserve the ecological character of wetlands of international importance.
• Origin: Named after Ramsar, the Iranian city where the treaty was signed, sites designated for conservation under this convention are identified as 'Ramsar sites'.
• India and Ramsar Convention: The first Ramsar Site in India, the Chilika Lake in Odisha, was designated in 1981.
• Presence in India: 80

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5. DOWRY PROHIBITION ACT (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Social Issues)

Context: The Allahabad HC directed the Uttar Pradesh government to file an affidavit on whether Dowry Prohibition Officers have been appointed to oversee that the provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act are complied with.

Dowry Prohibition Act

• About: Enacted on May 20, 1961, the Dowry Prohibition Act 1961 was the first legislative measure aimed at addressing the issue of dowry.
• Definition of Dowry: Section 2 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, offers a comprehensive definition of dowry, encompassing various forms of property or valuable security exchanged in relation to marriage.
• Prohibition of Dowry: The primary aim of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, was to eradicate the practice of giving and receiving dowry, recognizing it as a harmful social phenomenon.
• Legal Consequences: The act unequivocally prohibits both the giving and receiving of dowry, with Section 3 outlining penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for those involved.
• Exclusions: Section 3(2) of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, exempts certain gifts exchanged during marriage ceremonies from being considered as dowry, subject to specific conditions.
• Offenses and Penalties:Those found guilty of breaking this law face imprisonment for a minimum of five years and a fine of at least Rs 15,000, or an amount equivalent to the value of the dowry, whichever is greater.

Amendment to the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1984

• About: It prescribes a minimum punishment of two years imprisonment and fine to anyone demanding dowry. 
• Prohibited Items: It explicitly prohibits the giving, directly or indirectly, of any property or valuable security in connection with a marriage.
• Absolute Prohibition on Dowry: Any exchange of cash, kind, jewelry, articles, or properties in respect of a marriage is strictly prohibited under the Dowry Prohibition Act.
• Punishment: The Act mandates a minimum punishment of two years imprisonment and a fine for anyone found guilty of demanding dowry.

o Even the act of making a demand for dowry is now prohibited and carries a punishment of imprisonment for up to five years and a fine of Rs. 10,000/-.

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6. INTERNET SHUTDOWN (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Governance)

Context: According to recent data analyzed by Access Now, India accounted for 41% of the global internet shutdowns in 2023, with 116 instances logged.

Internet Shutdown

• About: These are disruptions in access to internet services, primarily affecting mobile internet.
• Objective: To prevent communal tensions, civil war, riots, and situations of unrest, aiming for proportionality.
• Types: Preventive Shutdowns and Reactive Shutdowns

Data on Internet Shutdown

• In India, more than one district was affected by 64 shutdowns, primarily due to 47 shutdowns in Manipur and a statewide shutdown in Punjab in March.
• Besides blocking specific platforms nationwide, 13 states in India experienced local or statewide internet shutdowns.
• The number of Indian states witnessing more than five shutdowns rose from 3 in 2022 to 7 in 2023, with 41% of all shutdowns lasting five or more days, compared to 15% in 2022.
• The study also revealed that 51 shutdowns across 11 countries, such as Iran, Palestine, Ukraine, Russia, and Sudan, coincided with "documented grave human rights abuses."

Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017

• About: The law was amended in 2017, leading to the promulgation of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017.
• Internet Service Suspension: The substantive law for suspending internet services is primarily derived from a broad interpretation of Section 5(2) of the Telegraph Act 1855.
• Evolution from Traditional Legal Framework: The interpretation differs from traditional legal frameworks, suggesting a departure from prior Acts or Rules governing such suspensions.
• Authority for Issuing Directives: The authority empowered to issue directives for suspension falls under the jurisdiction of the Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, a body representing the Central Government.

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7. MTP ACT, 2021 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2– Health and Gov. Policies)

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court declined a 20-year-old woman's plea to terminate her pregnancy, emphasizing the right to life of a 28-week-old fetus, despite allowing exceptions for rape survivors or minors beyond the 24-week limit under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, stating, "The child in the womb has a fundamental right to live."

Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 2021

• About: The Act extends the permissible termination of pregnancy from 20 weeks to 24 weeks, providing women with a longer gestation period for making this choice.
• Section 3: Abortion can be recommended by one doctor for pregnancies up to 20 weeks and by two doctors for specific categories of women within the 20 to 24-week range.

o If the gestational period exceeds 24 weeks, termination is only allowed in cases of substantial fetal abnormalities determined by a Medical Board or when the mother's life is at risk.

• Unmarried women can now seek an abortion in the event of contraceptive failure, with this ground being applicable for pregnancies up to 20 weeks.
• A Medical Board will be established by all state and union territory governments, responsible for evaluating whether a pregnancy can be terminated after 24 weeks due to substantial fetal abnormalities.
• Protect: The MTP Act only protects the mother’s well-being and health.

Article 21

• About: It  ensures the "Protection of Life and Personal Liberty," stating that no individual can be deprived of their life or personal liberty except through due legal process.

Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971

• According to this act, termination of pregnancy is permissible for a variety of conditions up to 20 weeks of gestation
• Termination is allowed when the continuation of pregnancy poses a risk to the life of the pregnant woman.
• It is permissible when there is a significant risk that the child, if born, would face serious physical or mental abnormalities.

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8. SARISKA TIGER RESERVE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court halted all mining activities around the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, declaring a one-kilometre radius around critical tiger habitats off-limits for mining.

Sariska Tiger Reserve

• About: A prominent wildlife sanctuary and national park located in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, India. The park is a part of the Aravalli Range.
• Establishment: It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955.

o Later, it was designated as a Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger in 1978.

o The wildlife sanctuary was declared a national park in 1982.

• Vegetation: Dry deciduous forests, thorn scrubs, and grasslands.
• Fauna: Apart from Bengal tigers, Sariska Tiger Reserve is known for its rich biodiversity, including Indian leopards, jungle cats, caracals, sambar deer, chital, nilgai, and a variety of bird species.
• Threat to reserve: Animal poaching, marble mining continue to threaten environment, habitat loss due to developmental activities, and Human-animal conflict.
• Other information:

o It is the first reserve in the world with successfully relocated tigers.

o Two tigers from Ranthambhore National Park were relocated to Sariska Tiger Reserve. 

o By 2020, the tiger population in the reserve has risen to 20.

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9. JUVENILE JUSTICE ACT, 2015 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Supreme Court has attempted to plug significant gaps in the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act (JJA), 2015.

Juvenile Justice Act, 2015

• About: It was enacted by Parliament to replace earlier legislation, including the Juvenile Delinquency Law and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000.
• Objective: To consolidate and amend the law relating to children alleged and found to be in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection. 

o By adopting a child-friendly approach in the adjudication and disposal of matters in the best interest of children.

• Juvenile trial : The child is defined in the JJ Act, 2015 as a person who has not completed 18 years of age.

o Differentiated Trial:  According to Section 15(1) of the Act, in case of a heinous offence alleged to have been committed by a child age group of 16-18 years the Juvenile Justice Board “shall conduct a preliminary assessment.

• Section 18 (3): The sole aim of preliminary assessment is to determine whether the child in the age of 16-18 years should be tried as an adult in case of heinous offence.
• Role of JJ Board: The Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) is solely responsible for conducting preliminary assessment, which it must complete within three months from the date of first production of the child before it.
• Punishment: It prescribes punishment for the various offences against children such as enhanced punishment for cruelty to children from six months to three years. 

o The selling or buying of children will be a punishable offence with imprisonment of five years.

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10. ARTICLE 22 & UAPA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 - Polity)

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court ordered the release of Newsclick founder-editor, invalidating his arrest in a terror case due to the Delhi Police's failure to inform him of the grounds for his arrest beforehand.

Article 22 of the Indian Constitution

• About: No person who is arrested shall be detained without being informed of the grounds for such arrest.
• Right to Legal Representation: Every arrested person has the right to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of their choice.
• Mandatory Production Before Magistrate: Anyone arrested and detained must be brought before the nearest magistrate within 24 hours, excluding travel time.
• Objective: It deals with the protection against arrest and detention in certain cases. This article is applicable to both citizens and non-citizens.
• Article 22(1): No person who is arrested shall be detained in custody without being informed, as soon as may be, of the grounds for such arrest nor shall he be denied the right to consult, and to be defended by, a legal practitioner of his choice.
• D.K. Basu Judgment: In 1997, the landmark judgment of D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal established crucial guidelines aimed at preventing custodial torture and deaths.
• Upholding Fundamental Rights:The Supreme Court established stringent guidelines for handling custodial violence and deaths, mandating their adherence in all arrest and detention cases until appropriate legal safeguards are enacted.

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA)

• Passed: in 1967.
• Aims: To effective prevention of unlawful activities and associations in India.
• The Act grants complete authority to the central government. 

o If the Centre perceives an activity as illegal, it can proclaim it as such through an Official Gazette.

• Applicability: Under the act, both Indian and foreign nationals can be charged.
• Punishment: The act has the death penalty and life imprisonment as the highest punishments.
• Duration of punishment: Under section 43D, police are empowered to detain the accused in police custody for 30 days and in judicial custody for a period of 180 days without the charge sheet.
• Recent Amendment: Under the Act, the central government may designate an organisation as a terrorist organisation if it: (i) commits or participates in acts of terrorism, (ii) prepares for terrorism, (iii) promotes terrorism, or (iv) is otherwise involved in terrorism. 

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