07 Mar 2024: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
C. GS 3 Related
ENVIRONMENT
1. Trees in Corbett fell prey to nexus, says SC
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
SCIENCE
1. The tale of ‘have money, buy miracle drug’
2. Remembering the forgotten women of science in India
POLITY
1. Are legislators immune to bribery charges?
2. Hundreds rally in Ladakh seeking Statehood, Sixth Schedule inclusion
F. Prelims Facts
1. Navy commissions INS Jatayu, MH-60R helicopter squadron
2. PM launches India’s first underwater Metro line in Kolkata
3. President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards
4. HC seeks Centre’s response on shutting down of MAEF
G. Tidbits
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

2. Remembering the forgotten women of science in India

Syllabus: GS-3, Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology

Mains: Underrepresentation of women in science and the way to reverse this trend

Underrepresentation in Indian Science:

• The Indian Academy of Sciences, founded by C.V. Raman in 1934, has never had a woman scientist leading it.
• Only 14% of working scientists and 15% of faculty members in research institutes across India are women.
• The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, India’s top science award, has been awarded to only 20 women scientists out of 571 recipients since 1958.

Biases Against Women in Science:

• Explicit and implicit biases persist, with perceptions that men are more suited to science and women are inherently less interested.
• The Matilda effect contributes to the exodus of women from science, as they face under-appreciation and discrimination in opportunities and promotions.
• Figures like Rosalind Franklin and Jocelyn Bell went unrecognized for their contributions, reflecting a broader trend of women being overlooked in science.

Challenges Faced by Women Scientists:

• Women scientists face psychological pressures and systemic challenges in their careers.
• Societal expectations regarding family and childcare often hinder their progress in science.
• The authors of “Lab Hopping: Women Scientists in India” highlight the mediocrity in Indian science due to the lack of diversity and call for breaking stereotypes and addressing sexism.

Celebrating Women Scientists:

• Recognizing and celebrating the achievements of women scientists is crucial to inspiring future generations.
• Initiatives like publications profiling Indian women scientists and anthologies such as “Lilavati’s Daughters” and “Gutsy Girls of Science” aim to highlight the struggles and triumphs of women in STEM fields.
• Biographies like “Janaki Ammal: Life and Scientific Contributions” and “Chromosome Woman, Nomad Scientist, a Life” shed light on the extraordinary lives and contributions of pioneering women scientists in India.

Addressing the Gender Gap in Science:

• Despite efforts to encourage girls and women in science, the gender gap persists, weakening the overall contribution of science to national development.
• Initiatives are needed to address the visible and invisible barriers hindering Indian women’s scientific careers and promote diversity in the field.

Nut Graf: Despite strides in science, women in India face significant barriers, with underrepresentation in top positions and prestigious awards. Biases persist, hindering their progress. Efforts to celebrate and support women scientists are crucial for a more equitable future.

Category: POLITY

1. Are legislators immune to bribery charges?

Syllabus: GS-2, Parliament and State Legislatures—Structure, Functioning, Conduct of Business, Powers & Privileges and Issues Arising out of these

Mains: Parliamentary privileges and bribery

Background:

• The recent ruling by a seven-judge Bench of the Supreme Court revolved around the immunity from prosecution claimed by Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) for accepting bribes in exchange for casting votes or making speeches in the House.
• Articles 105(2) and 194(2) of the Indian Constitution confer immunity to MPs and MLAs respectively in relation to anything said or any vote given in Parliament or Legislative Assemblies.

Case Overview:

• Sita Soren, a Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) member, faced accusations of accepting a bribe to cast her vote in the 2012 Rajya Sabha elections.
• The Jharkhand High Court dismissed her plea invoking Article 194(2) immunity, leading to an appeal in the Supreme Court.
• The Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Chandrachud, referred the matter to a seven-judge Bench, questioning the correctness of the previous P.V. Narasimha Rao judgment.

1998 Ruling Revisited:

• The P.V. Narasimha Rao ruling pertained to the 1993 JMM bribery case involving former Union Minister Shibu Soren and others.
• While some judges opined that legislative immunity couldn’t extend to bribery cases, the majority upheld a narrow construction to protect parliamentary participation and debate.

Recent Supreme Court Decision:

• The Supreme Court emphasized the purpose of legislative privileges, highlighting the need for an environment conducive to debate and deliberation.
• It ruled that bribery compromises this purpose and doesn’t enjoy immunity under Articles 105(2) and 194(2).
• The Court clarified that the offence of bribery is complete upon acceptance, regardless of subsequent actions such as voting or speaking.
• It rejected the argument that Parliament’s power to punish its members for contempt negates the Court’s jurisdiction to prosecute bribery offences.
• The verdict’s principles extend to Rajya Sabha elections and appointments of the President and Vice-President, overruling previous observations.

Nut Graf: The recent Supreme Court ruling clarified that MPs and MLAs aren’t immune from prosecution for accepting bribes. It revisited the P.V. Narasimha Rao judgment, asserting that bribery compromises legislative privileges and warrants legal action.

2. Hundreds rally in Ladakh seeking Statehood, Sixth Schedule inclusion

Syllabus: GS-2, Indian Constitution: Significant Provisions 

Mains:  Inclusion of Ladakh under the 6th Schedule

Context:

• Ladakh witnessed a shutdown and protest rally demanding Statehood and Sixth Schedule inclusion for the newly created Union Territory.
• Talks between Ladakh groups and the Union Home Ministry were inconclusive, prompting the protest.

Protest Details:

• All religious organizations support Leh Bandh after failed discussions with the Ministry of Home Affairs on March 4.
• Hundreds gather peacefully at Leh’s NDS Ground for the protest rally.
• Kargil district observes a shutdown in solidarity with the protest.
• The LAB (Leh Apex Body) and KDA (Kargil Democratic Alliance) jointly issue a call for a bandh and ‘Leh Chalo.’

Demands and Negotiations:

• Ladakh groups negotiated with the Ministry on three key demands: Statehood, Sixth Schedule inclusion, and establishment of an exclusive Public Service Commission for Ladakh.
• Additionally, there is a demand to increase Lok Sabha seats from one to two.

Wangchuk’s Announcement:

• Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk addressed the gathering in Leh and announced his intention to go on a fast to advocate for the region’s demands.
• He expressed his desire to emulate Mahatma Gandhi’s peaceful methods by inflicting pain on himself rather than taking anyone hostage.

Nut Graf: Ladakh experiences a shutdown and protest rally demanding Statehood and Sixth Schedule inclusion. Talks with the Union Home Ministry fail, prompting peaceful protests and announcements of fasting by activists like Sonam Wangchuk.

Q1. Which of the following statements regarding Schedule Six of the Indian 
Constitution is/are correct?

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve:

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the Election Commission of India:

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding sugarcane cultivation in India:

1. Sugarcane is a Kharif crop, primarily sown in the monsoon season.
2. Sugarcane requires significantly less water than other major crops.
3. Minimum Support Price (MSP) is provided for sugarcane.

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Statement 1
2. Statement 2
3. Statements 1 and 2
4. All of the above

Q5. Consider the following:

1. Carbon monoxide
2. Nitrogen oxide
3. Ozone
4. Sulphur dioxide

Excess of which of the above in the environment is/are cause(s) of acid rain?

1. 1, 2 and 3
2. 2 and 4 only
3. 4 only
4. 1, 3 and 4