1. PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMAL ACT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: In recent times, countries worldwide have enhanced animal cruelty laws and punishments. The recent cruelty against community dogs in India has prompted discussions on the deficiencies within the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act (1960) and need of amendment in this Act.

Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, (Amendment) Bill-2022

• About: The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has prepared the draft Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act (Amendment) Bill-2022.
• Imprisonment: The draft proposes a maximum of 5 years imprisonment, along with a fine, for killing an animal, introducing a new clause for this purpose.
• Definition of Gruesome Cruelty: The Act defines gruesome cruelty as acts causing extreme pain and suffering to animals, punishable by a minimum fine of Rs 50,000 or imprisonment up to three years.
• Care for Community Animals: Local governments will be responsible for the care of community animals, defined as those born in a community with no claimed ownership, excluding wild animals under the Wildlife Protection Act.
• Introduction of Five Freedoms: A new Section 3A is proposed, outlining 'five freedoms' for animals, which include freedom from thirst, hunger, discomfort, pain, injury, and disease, the ability to express normal behavior, and freedom from fear and distress.

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act (1960)

• About: It is the foundational law aimed at safeguarding animal rights and preventing cruelty inflicted by humans.
• Definition of Animals: The Act provides a comprehensive definition of animals, encompassing all living creatures except humans.
• Offenses & Punishments: The Act delineates various forms of animal cruelty and imposes punishments on offenders to deter such acts.
• Guidelines for Animal Experimentation: The Act sets guidelines for ethical experimentation on animals for scientific purposes and regulates the exhibition of performing animals.
• Establishment of AWBI: The Act mandates the establishment of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to oversee and enforce its provisions.

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2. ARTICLE 31(C) (Syllabus GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Recently, a nine-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India, while deliberating on the government's authority to acquire and redistribute private property, opted to address the "radical constitutional consequence" of whether Article 31C remains in force.

Article 31C

• About: It protects laws enacted to ensure the “material resources of the community” are distributed to serve the common good (Article 39(b)) and that wealth and the means of production are not “concentrated” to the “common detriment” (Article 39(c)).

oAs per Article 31C, these particular directive principles (Articles 39(b) and 39(c)) cannot be challenged by invoking the right to equality (Article 14) or the rights under Article 19 (freedom of speech, right to assemble peacefully, etc).

• Introduced by: The Constitution (Twenty-fifth) Amendment Act, 1971.
• The "Bank Nationalisation Case": The Statement of Objects and Reasons for the amendment referenced the Rustom Cavasjee Cooper vs Union Of India, 1970 case, commonly known as the "Bank Nationalisation Case".
• Supreme Court's Decision: In the Bank Nationalisation Case, an eleven-judge Bench struck down The Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1969, citing Article 31(2) which required compensation for acquired property.
• Criticism of the Banking Act: The court found the 'right to compensation' insufficiently addressed in the Banking Act.

The Journey of Article 31C

• Challenges to 25CAA: The Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) asserted the concept of the "basic structure" of the Constitution. It invalidated the latter part of Article 31C, allowing judicial review of laws aimed at implementing certain directive principles.
• The Constitution (Forty-second) Amendment Act: Enacted in 1976, this amendment broadened the scope of protection under Article 31C to include all directive principles. It aimed to prioritize directive principles over fundamental rights, aiming to prevent the latter from impeding socio-economic reforms.
• Minerva Mills v. Union of India,1980: This case saw the Supreme Court invalidate clauses 4 and 5 of the amendment. The court affirmed that Parliament's amending power couldn't be used to bypass limitations and acquire unlimited authority.

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3. ILO REPORT ON LABOUR (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 - Economy)

Context: The International Labour Organization’s (ILO) latest report, ‘Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate’, is an urgent call to ensure the future of labour is climate-proofed and to address the constantly evolving work environment as the planet warms.

Key Point of Report

• Identified Hazards: The ILO has recognized six primary impacts of climate change: excessive heat, solar ultraviolet radiation, extreme weather events, workplace air pollution, vector-borne diseases, and agrochemicals.
• Most Affected Occupational Groups: The ILO highlights agriculture workers, construction sector workers, conservancy workers in urban areas, and those in transport and tourism as the most affected by climate change impacts.
• Vulnerability of Gig Economy Workers: The growing gig economy, including ride-hailing drivers, delivery personnel, and home repair workers, is highly susceptible to heat-related hazards due to the nature of their work.
• Gig Employment: India's gig economy, comprising various sectors like transportation, delivery, and services, is rapidly expanding, projected to reach 4.5% of the workforce by 2030 according to a Nasscom study.

Which sectors are affected?

• Indian Agriculture:

o Nearly 90% of Indian farmers own less than two hectares of land, as per NSSO data of July 2018-June 2019.

• MSME Sector in India:

o India's Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector employs around 21% of the country's workforce.

o This sector comprises approximately 64 million enterprises.

o India's MSME sector is second in size only to China's.

Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate

• About: This report presents critical evidence related to the impacts of climate change on OSH, to bring attention to the global health threat workers are currently facing.
• The report addresses the following key issues:

o Excessive heat, Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, Extreme weather events, Workplace air pollution, Vector-borne diseases and Agrochemicals

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4. TOBACCO CULTIVATION (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Agriculture)

Context: Tobacco growers in Andhra Pradesh are set to reap the fallout of a substantial drop in crop output in key producing countries like Brazil, Zimbabwe and Indonesia because of weather extremes, such as drought and unseasonable rain.

Tobacco

• About: It is derived from the leaves of the genus Nicotiana, a plant from the nightshade family indigenous to North and South America.
• Global Production:  China, India, and Brazil.
• Major Tobacco-Producing States in India: Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal, Telangana, and Bihar are among the major tobacco-producing states in India.
• Climatic Conditions for Tobacco Cultivation

o Frost-Free Period: A frost-free period of 90 to 120 days is necessary from transplanting to the last harvest of leaves.

o Temperature: The mean daily temperature for optimal growth falls between 20°C and 30°C.

o Dry Period Requirement: A dry period is essential for the ripening and harvest of tobacco leaves.

o Rainfall: Excessive rainfall leads to thin and lightweight leaves, impacting the quality of the crop.

o Soil Conditions: Tobacco crops are sensitive to waterlogging and require well-aerated, drained soils.

o pH Range: The optimum pH for tobacco cultivation ranges from 5 to 6.5. Soil salinity affects leaf quality.

o Water Requirements: Water needs vary based on climate and growing period, ranging from 400 to 600mm for maximum yield.

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5. FERTILIZERS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Agriculture)

Context: Recently, the government's key goal after the Lok Sabha elections is likely to focus on balanced fertilization, aiming to deter farmers from excessive application of urea, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), or muriate of potash (MOP) with high concentrations of primary nutrients.

Fertilizers

• About: It is a substance, either natural or artificial, that contains chemical elements essential for plant growth and productivity.
• Role: Fertilizers augment the natural fertility of soil by replenishing chemical elements depleted by previous crops or by enhancing soil fertility directly.
• Fertilizers to Enhance Soil Fertility: In situations where soil fertility is inadequate, natural or manufactured materials, commonly referred to as fertilizers, can be added to supply essential plant nutrients.
• Composition of Fertilizers: While the term "fertilizers" typically encompasses largely inorganic materials, it generally excludes lime or gypsum, which serve distinct purposes in soil management.
• Diammonium phosphate fertilizer: It is perfect for any agriculture crop to provide full phosphorus nutrition throughout crop growth and development, as well as a starter dose of nitrogen and low sulfur.
• Muriate of Potash (MOP): It is the most concentrated form of granular potassium and typically the most cost-effective. The even granule size of MOP allows for accurate spreading.

Nutrient-Based Subsidy

• About: Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) is a mechanism wherein the subsidy is provided to fertilisers based on their nutrient content rather than a flat rate for all fertilisers.
• Implementation: The NBS scheme was implemented from April 1, 2010.
• Fertilizer Covered: Nitrogen(N), Phosphorus(p), Potassium (K), and Sulphur(S).
• Subsidized Fertilizers under NBS:

o NBS applies to fertilizers like Di Ammonium Phosphate (DAP), Muriate of Potash (MOP), Mono Ammonium Phosphate (MAP), Triple Super Phosphate (TSP), Single Super Phosphate (SSP), Ammonium Sulphate (AS), and 16 grades of complex fertilizers.

• Objective: The primary goal of NBS is to ensure the balanced use of fertilisers and promote the application of required nutrients to enhance soil fertility.
• Fortification/Coating Incentive:

o Fortified/coated variants of subsidized P&K fertilizers, adhering to Fertilizer Control Order (FCO) provisions for Boron and Zinc, receive additional per tonne subsidies.

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6. PHISHING ATTACK (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Cyber Security)

Context: Verizon Business, a New Jersey-based provider of cybersecurity solutions, recently reported that India faces significant phishing attacks, with employees frequently falling victim to clicking on deceptive links or attachments, resulting in substantial financial losses.

Phishing Attack

• About: It refers to an attempt to steal sensitive information, typically in the form of usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, bank account information, or other important data to utilize or sell the stolen information.
• Trusted Sources: Attackers mimic reputable sources and make enticing requests to lure in victims, akin to how a fisherman uses bait to catch a fish.
• Common Examples: The most common examples of phishing are used to support other malicious actions, such as on-path attacks and cross-site scripting attacks.
• Delivery Channels: These attacks typically occur via email or instant message, and can be broken down into a few general categories.

Spear Phishing

• About: This type of phishing is directed at specific individuals or companies, hence the term spear phishing.

Clone Phishing

• About: It involves mimicking a previously delivered legitimite email and modifying its links or attached files to trick the victim into opening a malicious website or file.

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7. PATACHITRA PAINTING (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Art and Culture)

Context: The pioneering female patachitra artists from the village of Naya in West Bengal are now selling their artwork online and gaining global recognition.

Patachitra Painting

• About: It originates from eastern Indian states like Odisha and West Bengal, dating back to possibly the 12th century.
• Origin of Term: The term "Patachitra" derives from Sanskrit, with "Patta" meaning "cloth" and "Chitra" meaning "picture".
• Themes: These paintings are renowned for their intricate details and often depict mythological narratives and folktales, particularly stories of Hindu deities.

o They serve as visual representations of ancient Bengali narrative art, aiding in the storytelling process during performances.

• Historical Significance:

o Originally, Patachitra paintings were crafted for ritual purposes and as keepsakes for pilgrims visiting temples in Odisha, notably Puri, as well as other temples in the region.

• Technique and Process:

o Patachitra paintings are meticulously crafted on a specialized canvas, traditionally made by layering cotton sarees with tamarind paste and clay powder.

o Both cotton and silk canvases are now used for these paintings.

o Artists typically begin by completing the borders before filling in colors directly without prior sketches.

o All colors utilized are derived from natural sources such as lamp soot and powdered conch shells.

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8. HINDU MARRIAGE ACT 1955 (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Indian Society)

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court emphasized that a Hindu marriage transcends mere celebration, stating it's a sacred process, not merely "song and dance" or "wining and dining," thus asserting that adherence to prescribed rituals under the Hindu Marriage Act is crucial for validity, even after registration.

Hindu Marriage Act 1955

• About: It was enacted by the Parliament of India on May 18, 1955.
• Purpose: To define and alter the laws concerning marriage involving Hindus and others.
• Features of the Hindu Marriage Act

o Monogamy Mandate: Bigamy is prohibited under Section 5 of the Act, disallowing a man from having more than one wife simultaneously.

o Minimum Age Requirement: Both parties must meet the age criteria specified in Section 5(iii) of the Act: 21 for the groom and 18 for the bride.

o Restitution of Marital Rights: Section 9 of the Act provides for the recovery of conjugal rights, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the marital bond.

o Voidable Marriages: Marriages where a partner was mentally incompetent at the time or lacked legal consent are considered void under Section 5(ii)(a), (b), (c).

o Validity through Traditional Rites: Marriages conducted with traditional rites and customs are recognized under the Act, with legal obligations placed on the father to care for post-marriage children.

• Important Sections of the Hindu Marriage Act: 

o Section 5: It outlines the requirements for a Hindu marriage.

o Section 9: It pertains to the reinstatement of marital rights.

o Section 13: It deals with the grounds for divorce, specifying when a couple can petition for divorce in court.

o Section 24: It addresses post-divorce maintenance and financial assistance.

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9. UNIVERSAL IMMUNIZATION WIN (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Health)

Context: Mother may be allowed to report side-effects of routine immunization of their babies on the government's U-WIN platform, according to plans under consideration.

Universal Immunization Win (U-WIN)

• About: The U-WIN platform mirrors Co-WIN, the digital backbone of India's COVID-19 vaccination drive since January 2021, initially launched in 65 districts.
• Functions: Comprehensive Immunization Services: U-WIN manages registration and vaccination of pregnant women, and newborns, records delivery outcomes, administers birth doses, and organizes subsequent vaccination events.
• Role as Information Repository: U-WIN acts as the primary repository for immunization services data, facilitating reporting on antigen-wise coverage, vaccination status updates, and routine immunization session planning.
• Digitized Tracking and Monitoring: Every pregnant woman and newborn are digitally registered, enabling tailored tracking for vaccination, dose reminders, and follow-up on dropouts.
• Access and Usage: Currently, only healthcare providers can access U-WIN, utilizing its real-time tracking capabilities for vaccination data, adverse effects, follow-ups, registrations, and certifications.

• Comparison with Co-WIN: U-WIN's framework draws from Co-WIN's success, which facilitated over 2 billion COVID-19 vaccinations within 18 months.
• World's largest: Notably, U-WIN is set to become the world’s largest electronic immunization system serving millions of beneficiaries under the universal immunization programme.
• Impact on Public Health Initiatives: As part of India's Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), U-WIN contributes to one of the world's largest public health endeavors, offering free vaccination against 12 life-threatening diseases to millions of newborns and pregnant women annually.

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10. BOOKER PRIZE (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Sports and Awards)

Context: The Booker Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in the literary world, has recently come under fire for the historical links to slavery of its original sponsor, Booker Group.

Booker Prize

• About: It is globally recognized as the premier literary award for a single work of fiction.
• Origins: Founded in the UK in 1969, the Booker Prize initially celebrated Commonwealth writers before expanding its eligibility to writers worldwide.
• Objective: To champion outstanding fiction by honoring the best English-language novel of the year.
• Eligibility Criteria: Any novel originally written in English and published in the UK and Ireland during the prize year qualifies for consideration.

o Works must be original English compositions, not translations, and published by registered UK or Irish imprints.

• Prize Rewards: The winner of the Booker Prize is awarded £50,000, while each shortlisted author receives £2,500.
• Booker Prize Foundation: Established in 2002 as a registered charity, the Booker Prize Foundation oversees the awarding of both the Man Booker Prize for Fiction and the Man Booker International Prize.

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