17 Aug 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

17 August 2023 CNA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
1. Understanding the MoEFCC’s U-turn
C. GS 3 Related
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
GOVERNANCE
1. An Act to cement digital authoritarianism
2. New Bills and a principled course for criminal law reforms
F. Prelims Facts
1. Want to catch a supernova? There’s a new app for that
G. Tidbits
1. Centre and WHO to launch Global Initiative on Digital Health
2. ‘Vishwakarma scheme will aid 30 lakh artisan families’
3. Why is Bihar’s caste-based survey facing legal challenges?
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
FIP Magazine

2. New Bills and a principled course for criminal law reforms

Syllabus: Important Aspects of Governance, Transparency and Accountability

Mains: Need for criminal law reform and provision of the  recent bill introduced 

Context: Recent Bills propose criminal law reform in India. Debate, inclusivity, principles, efficacy, and state power are crucial considerations.

Introduction of Recent Criminal Law Reform:

  • Recent Bills and their significance: The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Bill were introduced to reform India’s criminal laws.
  • Varied reactions and the need for productive debate: The Bills sparked diverse opinions, necessitating balanced discourse on sustainability, efficacy, rule of law, and justice delivery.

Some Reformatory Measures:

  • Moderate modifications promoting inclusivity: Bills reflect changes such as gender inclusivity, modernization of terms, and punishments for minor and serious offences.
  • Integration of technology and innovative measures: Embracing technology, introducing trial in absentia, and community service as commendable steps.
  • Alignment with judicial decisions: Removal of attempted suicide and adultery, tempering the offence of sedition, and introduction of new offences like terrorism and mob lynching.

Also read Reforms in Criminal Justice System.

The Test for the Bill:

  • Upholding fundamental principles: Examination of whether reforms adhere to criminal jurisprudence fundamentals and address the needs of those impacted by the criminal justice system.
  • Balancing state security and individual liberties: Necessity to strike a balance between security imperatives and individual freedoms.
  • Addressing class divides and public trust: Ensuring equality, equitability, and building public trust to remedy legitimacy deficiencies.
  • Bridging rhetoric and reality: Ensuring reforms effectively translate into meaningful change and enhance the criminal justice system’s functionality.
  • Impact on vulnerable and marginalized: Measuring the impact of reforms on vulnerable groups, victims, and the underprivileged.

State’s Power Asset:

  • Criminal law as a strategic tool: Historical and contemporary use of criminal law as a pre-emptive tool by the political executive.
  • Concerns of preventive approach: Scrutiny of the proliferation of preventive criminal law and its implications.
  • As the Bills undergo consideration by the select committee, there is an expectation for enhanced engagement to refine the drafts, and accommodate victims’ rights, hate crime provisions, bail regulations, sentencing framework, and legal aid. The overarching goal of the envisioned criminal law reforms is to reinforce the rule of law and bolster the pursuit of justice.

Nut Graf: India’s recent criminal law reform Bills have ignited varied opinions. Balancing public aspirations, state perspectives, and adherence to justice delivery, the Bills address inclusivity, technology integration, and judicial alignment. Crucially, they must uphold fundamental principles, bridge rhetoric with reality, and mitigate class divides while empowering the vulnerable.

F. Prelims Facts

1. Want to catch a supernova? There’s a new app for that

Syllabus: GS 3- Science and Technology

Prelims: General awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nanotechnology

Introduction

  • The night sky appears serene but conceals a universe of constant movement and transformation.
  • Planets, asteroids, comets, stars, supernovae, and black holes shape this dynamic cosmos.
  • Astronomers observe these cosmic events through telescopes.

Smartphones Revolutionise Stargazing

  • Smartphones play a crucial role in collecting astronomy data, benefitting both professionals and enthusiasts.
  • Apps transform smartphones into powerful tools for stargazers, aiding observation and alignment.
  • Smartphone cameras enhance low-light capabilities, becoming virtual windows to the heavens.

Apps for Space Enthusiasts

  • Numerous space-focused apps are available for Android and iOS phones, offering free access to sky phenomena.
  • Apps like Google Sky Map locate and identify stars, planets, and nebulae.
  • NASA’s app provides space mission updates, images, and videos.

Also read BHUVAN – Geo Portal Developed by ISRO.

ZARTH App: Merging Science and Gaming

  • ZARTH (ZTF Augmented Reality Transient Hunter) was developed by Ashish Mahabal and his team.
  • Inspired by Pokemon Go, ZARTH lets anyone ‘hunt’ for optical transients, fleeting cosmic events.
  • Utilises Sky Map and adds daily data from Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) telescope at Palomar Observatory.
  • ZTF scans the northern sky every two days and aids in tracking asteroids and studying supernovae.

How ZARTH Works

  • Players catch transients by touching them on the app.
  • Around 200 transients are added daily, out of 100,000 detected by ZTF.
  • Transients include supernovae, flaring stars, white dwarf binaries, and more.
  • ZARTH ranks transients based on rarity and importance, users compete to score points.

ZARTH’s Impact and Future

  • ZARTH aims for astronomy outreach and citizen science involvement.
  • Expected to enhance transient data as citizen scientists contribute.
  • Potential for classroom integration, stimulating interest in STEM education.
  • Plans to expand to iPhones, elevating astronomical event detection.

Conclusion

  • ZARTH app bridges science and gaming, enabling smartphone users to engage in astronomy.
  • Human-AI collaboration enhances astronomical discoveries.
  • Smartphone technology transforms stargazing, making the universe more accessible to all.

G. Tidbits

1. Centre and WHO to launch Global Initiative on Digital Health

  • India and WHO jointly introduce the Global Initiative on Digital Health at the G­20 summit in Gandhinagar.
  • Aims to enhance data convergence, health platform interfaces, and global digital health investments.
  • Emphasises vital interim medical countermeasures (MCM) through a ‘network of networks approach’ before future health emergencies.
  • India, along with WHO, leads advocacy for MCM, fostering global collaboration.
  • Global digital platform to feature investment tracker, ask tracker (identifying product/service needs), and a library of digital health platforms.
  • Digital health solutions will enhance universal health convergence and healthcare services.
  • Initiative secured funding from international partners.
  • India maintains a data ownership policy for citizens; the global data-sharing platform ensures user data privacy while promoting data interoperability.
  • Summit also strives to establish a Climate and Health Initiative with the Asian Development Bank and launched a patient and healthcare workforce mobility portal.

2. ‘Vishwakarma scheme will aid 30 lakh artisan families’

  • Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves “PM Vishwakarma” scheme with ₹13,000 crore funding.
  • Scheme, announced by PM Modi on Independence Day, for traditional craftspeople and artisans from 2023-24 to 2027-28.
  • Aims to strengthen “Guru-Shishya parampara” and traditional skills among artisans using hands and tools.
  • Focuses on improving the quality and global reach of artisan products, integrating with value chains.
  • Covers 18 traditional trades like carpenter, blacksmith, goldsmith, potter, etc.
  • Provides PM Vishwakarma certificate, ID card, and credit support up to ₹1-2 lakh at 5% interest.
  • Offers basic and advanced skilling programs, along with ₹500/day stipend during skill training.
  • Aims to cover 30 lakh families over a five-year period.

3. Why is Bihar’s caste-based survey facing legal challenges?

Introduction

  • The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear petitions challenging Patna High Court’s decision to uphold the Bihar government’s ongoing caste survey on August 18.
  • The Bihar government launched a two-phase caste survey on January 7, aiming to gather detailed socio-economic data to formulate better policies for disadvantaged groups.
  • The survey covers a population of 12.70 crore across 38 districts.
  • Phase one involved a house listing exercise from January 7 to January 12. The second phase was paused due to a High Court stay order on May 4 but resumed on August 2.
  • The second phase collects data on castes, sub-castes, and religions. The final survey report is expected in September, close to the 2024 elections.

Importance of Caste Census

  • The decennial Census records Scheduled Castes (SCs) data but lacks comprehensive information on Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and other groups.
  • The central government rejects a socio-economic caste census due to administrative difficulties, despite conducting a 2011 survey with unreleased data.
  • Bihar’s move was seen as an attempt to revive Mandal politics

Challenges and Opposition

  • Petitions against the survey claim the Bihar government’s order is unconstitutional since only the central government can conduct a census as per the Constitution.
  • Petitioners argue the state government lacks authority to appoint District Magistrates without central government notification under the Census Act.
  • Petitions challenge the High Court verdict for violating privacy, as personal data is collected through an executive order.
  • The High Court defended the state’s authority to create policy and dismissed privacy concerns, referencing the Puttaswamy judgement.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements about supernovas:
  1. It is the largest explosion that occurs in space.
  2. Supernovas are easily observed within our Milky Way galaxy due to clear visibility.
  3. A supernova occurs due to a change in the core of a star, which can happen in only one way.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation: 

Statement 2 is incorrect as visibility within our Milky Way is obstructed by dust. Statement 3 is incorrect as there are two different ways a change in the star’s core can lead to a supernova. 

Q2. With reference to the Global Initiative on Digital Health, which of the following
statements is/are correct?
  1. It will focus on data convergence, the interface of health platforms, and investments in the digital health space.
  2. The initiative includes an investment tracker, an ask tracker, and a library of existing digital health platforms.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. Only 1
  2. Only 2
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation: 

Both statements are correct. 

Q3. With reference to the "PM Vishwakarma" scheme, consider the following statements:
  1. The scheme aims to promote digital skills among traditional artisans and craftspeople.
  2. The scheme’s objective is to encourage the use of modern machinery over traditional tools.
  3. There are two types of skilling programs offered under the scheme: basic and advanced.

How many of the statements given above are incorrect?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation: 

Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect; the scheme focuses on promoting and nurturing traditional skills and artisans, not digital skills or modern machinery. 

Q4. With reference to the Triple Test requirements established in the Puttaswamy
judgment, consider the following statements:
  1. It provides a framework for evaluating government actions related to personal privacy.
  2. The Triple Test includes necessity, proportionality, and legitimacy.
  3. The Triple Test criteria are applicable only to issues of national security.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation: 

Statement 3 is incorrect; the Triple Test criteria apply beyond national security issues.

Q5. With reference to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in India, 
which of the following statements is incorrect?
  1. NTCA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
  2. It addresses the livelihood interests of local people in areas surrounding Tiger Reserves.
  3. NTCA can’t oppose a forest clearance for an infrastructure project for diverting Tiger Reserve areas.
  4. NTCA is responsible for overseeing the management of tiger reserves and protecting their habitats.
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation: 

Statement (c) is incorrect; the NTCA can oppose forest clearance for infrastructure projects that may adversely affect tiger reserves. 

I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

  1. Identify the merits and demerits of the idea of a ‘caste-based’ census in India. (250 words, 15 marks) [GS-2; Polity and Governance]
  2. There is no ‘perfect’ data protection law. Comment. (250 words, 15 marks) [GS-2; Polity and Governance]

Read the previous CNA here.

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  1.  SRIKANT PRADHAN
    August 17, 2023 at 1:30 pm

    it is good to study in byjus and very much helpful to me. THANK YOU BYJUS TEAM

    Reply