Idate Commission Report

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) emphasised the importance of executing the recommendations of the Idate Commission report, to address the concerns of Nomadic, Semi-Nomadic, and De-Notified Tribes (NTs, SNTs, and DNTs) in India.

• The NHRC urged the government to repeal the Habitual Offenders Act, 1952, or appoint a representative from the De-notified Tribe community along with nodal officers as mandated by the Act.
  • Additionally, it recommended excluding DNTs/NTs/SNTs from SC/ST/OBC categories and creating tailored policies for them.

What were the Major Recommendations of the Idate Commission?

• About:
  • It was established in 2014 under the leadership of Bhiku Ramji Idate, to compile a statewide catalogue of Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs).
  • Another mandate was to recognize those excluded from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories and recommend welfare measures for their well-being.
• Recommendations:
  • Assign individuals not identified in the SCs/STs/OBCs list to the OBC category.
  • Enhance legal and constitutional safeguards by incorporating a third schedule into the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 to prevent atrocities and restore the feeling of security amongst the members of the community.
  • Create a permanent commission with legal standing for the DNTs, SNTs, and NTs.
  • Form a distinct department to address the welfare of these communities in states with significant populations.
  • Undertake a thorough survey of DNT families to determine their estimated numbers and distribution.

Who are Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes?

• About:
  • They are also known as 'Vimukt Jatis. These communities are among the most vulnerable and disadvantaged.
  • De-notified communities, once labelled as 'born criminals' during British rule under laws like the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871.
    • They were officially de-notified by the Indian Government in 1952.
  • A few of these communities which were listed as de-notified were also nomadic.
    • Nomadic and semi-nomadic communities are defined as those who move from one place to another rather than living in one place all the time.
  • Historically, Nomadic Tribes and De-notified Tribes never had access to private land or home ownership.
  • While most DNTs are spread across the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories, some DNTs are not covered in any of the SC, ST or OBC categories.
• Major Committees/Commissions for NTs, SNTs, and DNTs Communities:
  • The Criminal Tribes Inquiry Committee, 1947 constituted in the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh).
  • Ananthasayanam Ayyangar Committee, 1949.
    • Criminal Tribes Act, 1871 was repealed based on the recommendation of this committee.
  • Kaka Kalelkar Commission (also called first OBC Commission), 1953.
  • The B P Mandal Commission, 1980.
    • The commission also made some recommendations related to the issue of NTs, SNTs, and DNTs Communities.
  • The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC), 2002 held that DNTs have been wrongly stigmatised as crime prone and subjected to high handed treatment as well as exploitation by the representatives of law and order and general society.
• Distribution:
  • In India, roughly 10% of the population is composed of NTs, SNTs, and DNTs Communities.
  • While the number of Denotified Tribes is about 150, the population of Nomadic Tribes consists of about 500 different communities.
    • It has been estimated that South Asia has the world’s largest nomadic population.

What are the Challenges Faced by Nomadic Tribes?

• Lack of Basic Infrastructure Facilities: Communities lack essential facilities such as access to drinking water, shelter, and sanitation, which deprives them of basic amenities. Additionally, healthcare and education services are unavailable to them.
• Lack of Social Security Cover: Due to their frequent mobility, these individuals lack a permanent settlement, leading to an absence of social security coverage and exclusion from government welfare schemes that require documents like Ration Cards, Aadhar Cards and caste certificates.
• Bad Treatment by Local Administration: Due to the stigma of being labelled as criminals in the past, they continue to be treated as such and subjected to torture by the local administration and police.
• Ambiguous Caste Categorisation: The classification of castes is ambiguous for these communities, as they are categorized as Scheduled Castes (SC) in certain states and as Other Backward Classes (OBC) in others.

What Developmental Efforts have been Taken for these Tribes?

• Dr Ambedkar Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship for DNTs:
  • This Centrally Sponsored Scheme was launched in 2014-15 for the welfare of those DNT students who are not covered under SC, ST or OBC.
  • The scheme of Pre-matric Scholarships for DNT students is helpful in spreading education amongst DNT children, especially the girl child.
• Nanaji Deshmukh Scheme of Construction of Hostels for DNT Boys and Girls:
  • This Centrally Sponsored Scheme, launched in 2014-15, is implemented through State Governments/UT Administrations/Central Universities.
  • The goal of the program is to offer hostel accommodations to DNT students who do not fall under the categories of SC, ST, or OBC.
    • This support is intended to facilitate their pursuit of higher education.
• Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs:
  • It aims to provide free competitive exam coaching, health insurance, housing assistance, and livelihood initiatives.
  • It ensures expenditure of Rs. 200 crores to be spent over five years beginning 2021-22.
  • The DWBDNCs (Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities) has been tasked with the implementation of this scheme.

Third South Summit

Source: AN

Why in News?

Recently, the 3^rd South Summit was held in Kampala, Uganda, bringing together the members of the Group of 77 (G77) and China.

• The Third South Summit brought together the 134 members of the Group of 77 and China to boost South-South cooperation on trade, investment, sustainable development, climate change, poverty eradication, and digital economy, among other areas. The theme of the summit was “Leaving No One Behind.”

What is Group of 77 (G77)?

• Establishment:
  • The Group of 77 (G-77) was established on 15^th June 1964 by signatories of the “Joint Declaration of the Seventy-Seven Developing Countries” issued at the end of the first session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva.
    • The G77 group has 134 members excluding China because the Chinese government does not consider itself a member, but rather a partner that provides political and financial support to the group. Although the group (G 77) mentiones China as its member.
• Aims:
  • The Group of 77 is the largest intergovernmental organization of developing countries in the United Nations.
  • It provides the means for the countries of the South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on all major international economic issues within the United Nations system.
• Structure:
  • A Chairman, who acts as its spokesman, coordinates the Group’s action in each Chapter.
  • The Chairmanship, which is the highest political body within the organizational structure of the Group of 77, rotates on a regional basis (between Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean) and is held for one year in all the Chapters.
    • Chapters refer to the regional divisions, currently, Uganda is the chairman, acts as the spokesperson and coordinates the actions of the G-77 on behalf of the member countries within the African Chapter.
      • Chapters in G77 are the offices of the group in different locations where they coordinate their activities and represent their interests in various UN agencies and international forums.
      • The chapters of the G77 are in Geneva (UN), Rome (FAO), Vienna (UNIDO), Paris (UNESCO), Nairobi (UNEP) and the Group of 24 in Washington, D.C. (IMF and World Bank).
  • For the year 2024, the Republic of Uganda holds the Chairmanship of the G-77.
• South Summit:
  • The South Summit is the supreme decision-making body of the Group of 77.
  • The First and the Second South Summits were held in Havana, Cuba, in 2000 and in Doha, Qatar, in 2005, respectively.

What are the Key Highlights of the Third South Summit Outcome Document?

• Call for Peaceful Solution of Palestinian-Israeli conflict:
  • Member countries emphasised that “there can be no sustainable development without peace and no peace without sustainable development” and called for a “just and peaceful solution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.”
• Universal Implementation of Agendas:
  • The Outcome Document reaffirmed the commitment to implementing various global agendas, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA), the Paris Agreement on climate change, the New Urban Agenda (NUA), and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).
• Poverty Eradication:
  • Member countries reaffirmed poverty eradication as the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development.
  • Stressing the importance of adequate means of implementation, leaders called upon developed countries to commit to a new phase of international cooperation through a strengthened and scaled-up global partnership for development.
• Strengthening Multilateral Institutions:
  • The summit stressed the need to strengthen the role of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in dealing with the reform of the international financial architecture.
  • It was highlighted that the Global Financial System failed to provide a global safety net for developing countries. Deep reforms were proposed, including an SDG Stimulus of USD 500 billion annually, adequate capitalization of MDBs, and expansion of contingency financing for countries in need.
  • Called for meaningful contributions to climate finance, including the delivery of USD 100 billion per year and the doubling of adaptation finance by 2025, encouraging an ambitious new finance goal at the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29).
• Financing Needs and Debt Solutions:
  • Member countries urged Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to meet the financing needs of all developing countries, including Low- and Middle-Income Countries, through concessional finance and grants.
  • The leaders called for scaling up debt swaps for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including swaps for Climate and nature.
• Urgent Reforms for Inclusion and Equity:
  • Leaders at the summit called for urgent reforms in multilateral organisations to recognize and leverage the significance of the Global South, emphasising the need for an international financial system rooted in inclusion and equity.

What is Global South?

• About:
  • The Global South, often misconceived as a purely geographical concept, encompasses diverse countries, drawing upon geopolitical, historical, and developmental factors.
    • While it is not solely defined by location, it broadly represents nations facing developmental challenges.
    • Many countries included in the Global South are in the northern hemisphere, such as India, China and all of those in the northern half of Africa.
      • Whereas, Australia and New Zealand, both in the southern hemisphere, are not in the Global South.
• Historical Context:
  • Brandt Line: The line was proposed by former German Chancellor Willy Brandt in the 1980s as a visual depiction of the north-south divide based upon per-capita GDP.
    • This line symbolizes the global economic divide, zigzagging across continents, encompassing parts of Africa, the Middle East, India, and China, excluding Australia and New Zealand.

• G-77: In 1964, the Group of 77 (G-77) countries came into existence when they signed a Joint Declaration during the first session of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva.
  • The G-77 is a coalition of developing nations, primarily from the global south, formed to collectively address economic and development issues at the United Nations.
• Resurgence of Global South:
  • Economic Dynamics:
    • Economic Imbalances Exposed by Covid-19: The pandemic amplified existing economic disparities, disproportionately impacting Global South countries due to limited healthcare infrastructure, disrupted supply chains, and heavy reliance on sectors vulnerable to lockdowns.
    • Shifts in Trade and Supply Chains: Reevaluations of global supply chains post-pandemic and in context of recent geopolitical conflicts like Russia-Ukraine war, opened discussions on repositioning production centers, providing an opportunity for some Global South economies to restructure and enhance their roles.
  • Geopolitical Realities:
    • The Global South's collective voice gained traction in international forums like G20, altering power dynamics and prompting greater consideration of their perspectives and interests.
  • Environmental and Climate Impact:
    • Vulnerability to Climate Change: The Global South is disproportionately affected by climate change, driving discussions on climate adaptation, resilience-building, and the need for equitable global climate action.
    • Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development: Emphasis on sustainable development goals, renewable energy investments, and environmental conservation initiatives within the Global South attracted global attention and support.

Extension of BSF Jurisdiction

Source: HT

Why in News?

The Supreme Court (SC) is set to hear the dispute over the expansion of the Border Security Force (BSF) jurisdiction in Punjab.

• In 2021, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification expanding the jurisdiction of the BSF in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam. This was challenged by the Punjab government.

What is BSF?

• The BSF was raised in 1965, after the India-Pakistan war.
• It is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces of the Union of India under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
  • Other Central Armed Police Forces are: Assam Rifles (AR), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), National Security Guards (NSG) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
• The 2.65-lakh force is deployed along the Pakistan and Bangladesh borders.
  • It is deployed on the Indo-Pakistan International Border, Indo-Bangladesh International Border, and Line of Control (LoC) along with the Indian Army and in Anti-Naxal Operations.
• BSF has been defending Sir Creek in the Arabian Sea and the Sundarbans delta in the Bay of Bengal with its state of the art fleet of Water Crafts.
• It contributes dedicated services to the UN peacekeeping Mission by sending a large contingent of its trained manpower every year.

Why was the BSF Jurisdiction Extended?

• Jurisdiction of BSF:
  • The BSF is meant to secure India’s borders with its neighbouring nations and is empowered to arrest, search and seize under a number of laws, such as the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) of 1973, the Passports Act 1967, the Passport (Entry into India) Act 1920, and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), 1985 etc.
    • Section 139(1) of the BSF Act allows the central government, through an order, to designate an area “within the local limits of such area adjoining the borders of India” where members of the BSF can exercise powers to prevent offences under any Acts that the central government may specify.
• Extension of BSF Jurisdiction:
  • Prior to the notification issued in October 2021, the BSF could exercise its powers within 15 kilometres of the border in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam. The Centre expanded this to within 50 kilometres of the border.
    • The notification states that, within this larger 50-kilometre jurisdiction, the BSF can only exercise powers under the CrPC, the Passport (Entry into India) Act and the Passports Act.
    • For other central legislations, the 15-km limit remains.
  • In the states of Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, it extends to the entire area of the state.
• Reasons for Extension of Jurisdiction:
  • Increased Use of Drones and UAVs: The expansion of the Jurisdiction of BSF was in response to the increased use of drones and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), which have long-range capabilities and enable spying and smuggling of arms and fake currency.
  • Cattle Smuggling: Cattle Smuggling is another issue that the BSF aims to combat. The extension of jurisdiction allows the BSF to address the challenges posed by smugglers who may attempt to take advantage of areas beyond the original jurisdiction of the force.
    • Smugglers often seek refuge outside BSF jurisdiction.
  • Uniform Jurisdiction: Extension of BSF Jurisdiction in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam establishes uniformity in the jurisdiction of the BSF across states in India by standardising the 50-kilometer limit, which was already applicable in Rajasthan.
    • Additionally, the notification reduced the jurisdiction in Gujarat from 80 kilometres to 50 kilometres.

What are the Issues Raised by the States Related to the Extension of BSF Jurisdiction?

• Concerns about State Powers:
  • The expansion of BSF's jurisdiction would encroach upon the state's exclusive powers to legislate on matters related to the police and public order.
  • These powers are granted to the states under Entries 1 and 2 of the State List as per Article 246 of the Constitution.
    • Although, the Union government also has the legislative capacity to issue the direction under Entries 1 (defence of India), 2 (armed forces) and 2A (deployment of armed forces) of the Union Lists.
  • By extending the BSF's jurisdiction, the central government has overstepped into areas where states traditionally have authority.
• Non-Cooperative Federalism:
  • Some states view the extension of BSF's jurisdiction as a challenge to the principles of Federalism, which emphasize a distribution of powers between the central government and the states.
• Geographical Differences:
  • In Punjab, a significant number of cities and towns would fall within the 50-kilometer jurisdiction, while in Gujarat and Rajasthan, the areas along the international border are sparsely populated, primarily consisting of marshlands or deserts.
  • This geographical difference is one of the Prime factors influencing the impact of the jurisdiction extension.

What Needs to be Done for Borders Management Without Compromising Jurisdiction of States?

• Collaborative Approach:
  • There is a need to foster collaboration between central and state law enforcement agencies to jointly manage border security.
  • Establishing a framework for information sharing and coordination among different security forces.
    • Create joint task forces comprising both central and state police personnel for specific border regions.
• Involvement of State Police:
  • There is a need to involve units of state police in border surveillance to complement the efforts of central forces like the BSF.
    • Adopt a model similar to the arrangements made by the Coast Guard and Indian Navy at sea, where each force has exclusive jurisdiction but engages in mutual vigilance.
• Technology Integration:
  • Invest in advanced surveillance technologies, including drones, sensors, and communication systems, to enhance border monitoring.
  • Establish a centralised information-sharing platform that integrates data from different sources for real-time analysis.
• Clear Legal Framework:
  • Develop a clear legal framework that outlines the roles, responsibilities, and jurisdiction of both central and state forces in border areas.
  • Establish protocols for addressing cross-border incidents and conducting joint investigations when required.
• Regular Consultations:
  • There is a need to conduct regular consultations and meetings between central and state authorities to address concerns and challenges related to border management.
  • Establish a platform for continuous dialogue to adapt strategies based on evolving security dynamics.
• International Cooperation:
  • Engage in diplomatic initiatives to enhance cooperation with neighbouring countries on border security matters.
  • Explore joint initiatives, information sharing, and coordinated patrols with neighbouring countries to address transnational security challenges.

What is the Constitutional Viewpoint on Deployment of Armed Forces in States?

• Under Article 355, the central government has the authority to deploy its forces to safeguard a state from "external aggression and internal disturbance," even in cases where the state has not requested assistance from the Centre and is hesitant to accept central forces.
• In the case of a state’s opposition to the deployment of armed forces of the Union, the right course for the Centre is to first issue directives under Article 355 to the state concerned.
• In the event of the state not complying with the directive of the Central government, the Centre can take further action under Article 356 (President’s Rule).

Ethical Use of Generative AI in Healthcare

Source: DTE

Why in News?

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released guidance on the ethical use and governance of Large Multi-Modal Models (LMM) in healthcare, acknowledging the transformative impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies like ChatGPT, Bard, and Bert.

What are Large Multi-Modal Models (LMM)?

• LMMs are models that use multiple senses to mimic human-like perception. This allows AI (Artificial Intelligence) to respond to a wider range of Human communication, making interactions more natural and intuitive.
• LMMs integrate multiple data types, such as images, text, language, audio, and other heterogeneity. This allows the models to understand images, videos, and audio, and converse with users.
• Some examples of multimodal LLMs include GPT-4V, MedPalm M, Dall-E, Stable Diffusion, and Midjourney.

What are the WHO’s Guidelines Regarding the Use of LMMs in Healthcare?

• The new WHO guidance outlines five broad applications of LMMs in healthcare:
  • Diagnosis and clinical care, such as responding to patients’ written queries;
  • Patient-guided use, such as for investigating symptoms and treatment;
  • Clerical and administrative tasks, such as documenting and summarizing patient visits within electronic health records;
  • Medical and nursing education, including providing trainees with simulated patient encounters, and;
  • Scientific research and drug development, including to identify new compounds.

What Concerns has WHO Raised about LMMs in Healthcare?

• Rapid Adoption and Need for Caution:
  • LMMs have experienced unprecedented adoption, surpassing the pace of any previous consumer technology.
    • LMM is known for their ability to mimic human communication and perform tasks without explicit programming.
  • However, this rapid uptake underscores the critical importance of carefully weighing their benefits against potential risks.
• Risks and Challenges:
  • Despite their promising applications, LMMs pose risks, including the generation of false, inaccurate, or biased statements that could misguide health decisions.
  • The data used to train these models can suffer from quality or bias issues, potentially perpetuating disparities based on race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity or age.
• Accessibility and Affordability of LMMs:
  • There are broader concerns as well, such as the accessibility and affordability of LMMs, and the risk of Automation Bias (tendency to rely too much on automated systems) in healthcare, leading professionals and patients to overlook errors.
• Cybersecurity:
  • Cybersecurity is another critical issue, given the sensitivity of patient information and the reliance on the trustworthiness of these algorithms.

What are the Key Recommendations of WHO Regarding LMMs?

• Called for a collaborative approach involving governments, technology companies, healthcare providers, patients and civil society, in all stages of LMM development and deployment.
• Stressed on the need for global cooperative leadership to regulate AI technologies effectively. Governments from all countries must cooperatively lead efforts to effectively regulate the development and use of AI technologies, such as LMMs.
• The new guidance offers a roadmap for harnessing the power of LMMs in healthcare while navigating their complexities and ethical considerations.
  • In May 2023, the WHO had highlighted the importance of applying ethical principles and appropriate governance, as enumerated in the WHO guidance on the ethics and governance of AI for health, when designing, developing and deploying AI for health.
• The six core principles identified by WHO are:
  • Protect autonomy
  • Promote human well-being, human safety, and the public interest
  • Ensure transparency, explainability, and intelligibility
  • Foster responsibility and accountability
  • Ensure inclusiveness and equity
  • Promote AI that is responsive and sustainable.

Pulsar Glitches

Source: TH

Why in News?

In 1967, two astronomers at the University of Cambridge discovered the First Pulsar, later named PSR B1919+21, setting the stage for a journey into the depths of neutron stars and their enigmatic pulsar counterparts.

What are Pulsars?

• About:
  • Pulsars are rapidly rotating Neutron Stars that blast out pulses of radiation at regular intervals ranging from seconds to milliseconds.
  • Pulsars have strong magnetic fields that funnel particles along their magnetic poles accelerating them to relativistic speeds, which produces two powerful beams of light, one from each pole.
  • The periodicity of pulsars is caused by these beams of light crossing the line of sight on Earth, with the pulsar appearing to 'switch off' at points when the light is facing away from Earth.
    • The time between these pulses is the 'period' of the pulsar.

What are the Theories Related to the Discovery of the Pulsars and their Behaviour?

• Link with the Discovery of Neutrons:
  • The discovery of pulsars is closely linked to James Chadwick's 1932 discovery of neutrons.
    • Neutrons in a group resist having the same energy, seeking the lowest available energy level. When heavy stars die, their cores implode. If they aren't heavy enough to become black holes, they collapse into a ball of neutrons, creating a neutron star.
• Pulsars as Rotating Neutron Stars:
  • The signals, coming from a very small patch of the sky and that they repeated frequently, led scientists to identify Pulsars as Rotating Neutron Stars.
    • Radio signals emitted from near the poles of such a star would form a narrow cone that sweeps past the earth with every rotation – like the light from a lighthouse shining over a ship on the sea.

• Unexpected Glitches:
  • Over time, the neutron stars experienced a slowing of their rotation. The energy preserved through this reduction in rotation rate was utilised to propel electric charges outside the star, resulting in the generation of radio signals.
  • In 1969 when researchers observed a glitch in the pulsar PSR 0833-45.
    • Glitches, characterised by abrupt changes in rotation rate of pulsar followed by gradual relaxation, introduced a new layer of complexity to pulsar dynamics.
  • The subsequent decades witnessed the observation of over 3,000 pulsars, with around 700 glitches recorded.
    • These glitches became intriguing phenomena, prompting scientists to delve deeper into the underlying mechanisms governing these celestial events.

How are the Pulsars Formed?

• Supernova Explosion:
  • Pulsars are formed from the remnants of massive stars with masses between 1.4 and 3.2 times that of our Sun. When such a star exhausts its nuclear fuel, it undergoes a supernova explosion.
• Formation of Neutron Star:
  • The outer layers of the star are blasted off into space during the supernova, and the inner core contracts due to gravity. The gravitational pressure becomes so intense that it overcomes the electron degeneracy pressure, causing electrons and protons to be crushed together to form neutrons.
• Neutron Star Characteristics:
  • The resulting object is a neutron star, which is extremely dense and has a strong gravitational field (about 2 x 10^11 times that of Earth's gravity).
• Angular Momentum Conservation:
  • As the star collapses, it conserves its angular momentum. The collapse leads to a much smaller size, causing a dramatic increase in rotational speed.
• Pulsar Emission:
  • The rapidly rotating neutron star emits beams of electromagnetic radiation along its magnetic field lines. If Earth intersects these beams as the neutron star rotates, astronomers observe periodic pulses of radiation, and the object is identified as a pulsar.

What led to the Occurrence of Glitches in Pulsars?

• Neutron Star Structure:
  • A neutron star, characterised by a solid crust and a superfluid core, provides a unique backdrop for the interplay of forces governing celestial dynamics.
  • The contrast between the crust's deceleration and the sustained vortex speed within the superfluid core becomes pivotal in comprehending the origins of glitches.
• Superfluid State Inside Neutron Stars:
  • Post-glitch behaviour strongly suggests the presence of a superfluid state inside these cosmic entities.
    • The neutron star is a 20-km-wide sphere with a solid crust and a core. The core predominantly contains the superfluid, and no solid parts.
• Peculiar Properties of Superfluids:
  • Superfluids, when set in motion inside a container, exhibit an extraordinary characteristic — they continue moving indefinitely. This property of perpetual motion without friction becomes crucial in understanding the behavior of the superfluid core within neutron stars.

Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Thakur

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, the President of India announced that the Bharat Ratna would be awarded to socialist leader and former Chief Minister of Bihar Karpoori Thakur, posthumously.

• This comes at a time when three-day celebrations are being held in Bihar to mark his birth centenary.

Who was Karpoori Thakur?

• About: Karpoori Thakur, called as “Jan Nayak”, was a prominent Indian politician who served as the 11^th Chief Minister of Bihar twice, from 1970-71 and 1977-79.
• Early Life and Political Foundation (1942-1967): He was a freedom fighter and a staunch socialist who worked under the guidance of stalwarts such as Jayaprakash Narain, Dr Rammanohar Lohia and Ramnandan Mishra.
  • Represented the Nai community, listed as an Extremely Backward Class (EBC) among OBCs.
    • Entered politics in 1952, serving as a legislator until 1985.
• Chief Ministerial Term and Policies: In 1977, during his Chief Ministership, Mungeri Lal Commission recommended reclassifying backward classes into extremely backward classes (including weaker sections of Muslims) and backward classes.
  • In 1978, he introduced a groundbreaking reservation model, allocating 26% of reservations with specific quotas for OBCs, EBCs, women, and economically backward classes among upper castes.
    • This reclassification was also seen as a percussor of the Mandal Commission report, advocating for 27% reservations for Other Backward Classes.
  • Implemented wide-ranging policies, including the promotion of Hindi, and Urdu as the second official language, waiving school fees, and strengthening Panchayati Raj.

Investment Forum for Advancing Climate Resilient Agrifood Systems in India

Source: PIB

Why in News?

Recently, the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) of the Government of India, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations jointly launched the ‘Investment Forum for Advancing Climate Resilient Agrifood Systems in India’ in New Delhi.

What is the Investment Forum for Advancing Climate Resilient Agrifood Systems in India?

• About:
  • The initiative aims to create an investment and partnership strategy fostering climate resilient agrifood systems among various stakeholders in India.
  • The Forum facilitated discussions and deliberations on six key areas namely,
    • Climate resilient agriculture (experiences and pathways).
    • Digital infrastructure and solutions.
    • Financing climate resilient agrifood systems (domestic and global).
    • Climate resilient value chains.
    • Production practices and inputs for climate resilience.
    • Gender mainstreaming and social inclusion for climate resilience.
• Importance of Investing in Climate-Resilient Agrifood Systems:
  • Climate change has profound implications for India, particularly affecting its economically vulnerable rural population, largely dependent on climate-sensitive agricultural livelihoods.
    • Agriculture contributes to about 13% of total greenhouse gas emissions in India and is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
    • Indian agriculture is susceptible to extreme temperatures, droughts, floods, cyclones, and soil salinity.
    • Climate change can affect crop yields, water availability, soil health, pest and disease outbreaks, and food security.
  • Climate resilient agrifood systems can help mitigate and adapt to climate change, enhance food production, reduce poverty, and improve livelihoods.
    • Climate mainstreaming into agrifood systems necessitates larger investments from global climate finance, domestic budgets, and the private sector.

Maratha Reservation Progress

Recently, the Maharashtra state government, responding to the Maratha community's demand for reservations, has issued a gazette notification proposing amendments to the caste certificate rules.

• It aims to ease and expand the scope of offering Kunbi OBC certification to Marathas, allowing them access to government jobs and educational institutions.
• The state has proposed to amend the Maharashtra Scheduled Castes, Denotified Tribes (Vimukta Jatis), Nomadic Tribes, Other Backward Classes and Special Backward Category (Regulation of Issuance and Verification of) Caste Certificate Rules, 2012, by adding the term ‘sage-soyare’ (i.e., relatives from the family tree).
  • It means that the entire family tree of everyone who has a Kunbi certificate will get the Kunbi certificate.

Read more: Maratha Quota

Aditya-L1: Deployment of Magnetometer Boom in Sun's Orbit

Recently, the Aditya-L1 mission, India's venture to study the Sun, marked a crucial milestone with the successful deployment of its six-magnetometer boom.

• Designed to study the low-intensity interplanetary magnetic field in space, the boom features two high-precision magnetometer sensors strategically placed at distances of 3 and 6 meters.
  • It is constructed with carbon fibre reinforced polymer segments
• Aditya L1, positioned at Lagrange Point 1, aims to observe the Sun's radiation, particles, and magnetic field in multiple wavelengths, marking a significant step in solar research.

Read more: Aditya-L1 mission

US Supreme Court Case Roe v Wade

• On 22^nd January 1973, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in Roe v. Wade that the right to an abortion is a fundamental right.
• The court ruled that the constitutional right to privacy includes a woman's right to choose whether to have an abortion or not. The court applied the constitutional principles of privacy and liberty to a woman's ability to terminate a pregnancy.
• However, the government can still regulate or restrict abortion access depending on the stage of pregnancy.
  • The ruling also stated that a person can choose to have an abortion until a fetus becomes viable, which is usually between 24 and 28 weeks after conception.
• Prior to Roe v. Wade, abortion had been illegal throughout much of the country. Since the 1973 ruling, many states have imposed restrictions on abortion rights.
• The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, in 2022, ruling that there was no longer a federal constitutional right to an abortion. Court upheld a Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
  • The decision overturned 50 years of legal protection and paved the way for individual states to curtail or ban abortion rights.

Read more: US’ Roe v. Wade Case 1973

Gallantry Awards

On the 75^th Republic Day, the President of India approved Gallantry awards to 80 Armed Forces and security forces personnel, 12 of which were awarded posthumously.

• Gallantry Awards have been instituted by the Government of India to honour the acts of bravery and sacrifice of the officers/personnel of the Armed Forces, other lawfully constituted Forces and civilians.
• Post-independence, the first three gallantry awards namely Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra were instituted by the Government of India on 26th January 1950 and were deemed to have effect from the 15th August 1947.
  • After that, other three gallantry awards i.e. Ashoka Chakra Class-I, Ashoka Chakra Class-II and Ashoka Chakra Class-III were instituted by the Government of India on 4^th January, 1952, which were deemed to have effect from the 15th August, 1947.
    • These awards were renamed as Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra respectively in January, 1967.
• These gallantry awards are announced twice in a year, first on the occasion of the Republic Day and then on the occasion of the Independence Day.
• Gallantry awards are categorized into two types:
  • Wartime Gallantry Awards
    • These awards are given for bravery in the face of the enemy.
  • Peacetime Gallantry Awards
    • These awards are given for bravery other than in the face of the enemy.

• Order of precedence of these awards is the Param Vir Chakra, the Ashoka Chakra, the Mahavir Chakra, the Kirti Chakra, the Vir Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra.

Read more: Gallantry Awards