13 Mar 2024: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
C. GS 3 Related
ECONOMY
1. Give Kerala one time package to tide over financial crisis, SC tells Centre
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. How is nuclear waste generated?
SOCIAL JUSTICE
1. Intra-group caste variances, equality and the Court’s gaze
F. Prelims Facts
1. India world’s top arms importer between 2019-23
2. Number of poor people increases in Sub-Saharan Africa
3. Drug regulator warns about Meropenem, Disodium
4. Jan industrial growth slows to 3.8%
G. Tidbits
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

Category: SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. Intra-group caste variances, equality and the Court’s gaze

Syllabus: GS-2, Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections of the population by the Centre and States and the Performance of these Schemes

Mains: Sub-classifications of Scheduled Castes

Introduction:

• The impending judgment in the State of Punjab vs Davinder Singh case by a seven-judge Bench of the Supreme Court of India holds significant implications for affirmative action and reservations under the Constitution.
• The central question revolves around whether State governments have the authority to make sub-classifications within the proportion prescribed to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in public employment recruitment.

Background:

• The issue stems from a circular issued by the Government of Punjab in 1975, which reserved 50% of SC seats for Balmikis and Mazhabi Sikhs, sparking legal challenges.
• The Supreme Court’s 2004 judgment in E.V. Chinnaiah vs State of Andhra Pradesh struck down the Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservations) Act, establishing that only Parliament holds authority to modify the President’s list of SCs.

Legal Arguments and Precedents:

• The Punjab government persisted by enacting the Punjab Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes (Reservation in Services) Act, 2006, prioritizing Balmikis and Mazhabi Sikhs, leading to further legal battles.
• The Supreme Court’s questioning of its earlier verdict in Chinnaiah, citing precedents like Indra Sawhney vs Union of India, suggests the possibility of permitting sub-classifications within backward classes.
• This potential deviation from previous interpretations calls for a fresh examination of the Constitution’s provisions on reservations and equality.

Constitutional Interpretation:

• The crux of the matter lies in the constitutional commitment to substantive equality enshrined in Articles 14 to 16, necessitating remedial measures for historically disadvantaged groups like SCs.
• Reservations should be viewed not as contradictory to equality but as a tool to fulfil its essence by addressing historical injustices and ensuring fair treatment.
• Article 341, while preserving the President’s authority over the SC list, doesn’t inherently bar sub-classifications or special measures within the listed castes.

Implications and Conclusion:

• Evaluating sub-classifications within SCs and STs should consider the objective of ensuring fair treatment and addressing intra-group variances in development.
• The government’s power to implement reservations is coupled with a duty to achieve constitutional equality, highlighting the need for a nuanced approach to affirmative action.
• Ultimately, the Supreme Court’s decision in State of Punjab vs Davinder Singh will shape the trajectory of affirmative action policies and their alignment with the constitutional principles of equality and justice.

Nut Graf: The impending Supreme Court judgment in State of Punjab vs Davinder Singh addresses the legality of sub-classifications within Scheduled Castes for reservations, pivotal for affirmative action and equality under the Constitution.

2. Number of poor people increases in Sub-Saharan Africa

Context: In a global landscape where poverty has seen a general decline, Sub-Saharan Africa stands out for its contrasting trend of increasing poverty levels. 

About: 

• Recent data from the World Bank reveals a worrying rise in poverty within the region, with the number of impoverished individuals swelling from 278 million in 1990 to 397 million in 2019. This surge, particularly notable since 2008, coincides with numerous conflicts across Sub-Saharan African nations. 
• In stark contrast, regions like South Asia have witnessed significant reductions in poverty over the same period. 
• While poverty rates have declined in terms of population share, the challenge persists, especially in fragile and conflict-affected states. 

The World Bank emphasizes the critical connection between stability and poverty alleviation, highlighting the urgent need for concerted efforts to address instability and conflict as integral components of poverty reduction strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa.

3. Drug regulator warns about Meropenem, Disodium

Context: 

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has issued a stern warning against the production and distribution of unapproved drugs, particularly those categorized as “New Drugs.”

Issue:

• This cautionary measure follows reports indicating the unauthorized manufacture and sale of drugs, including Meropenem (an antibacterial agent) and Disodium EDTA (used for treating calcium overload).
• No new drug should be manufactured or sold without proper authorization from the licensing authority. Manufacturers intending to produce new drugs are required to seek permission from the central licensing authority before proceeding.

Significance: 

This proactive step aims to safeguard public health by ensuring that only authorized and regulated drugs are available in the market.

4. Jan industrial growth slows to 3.8%

Context: India’s industrial output growth moderated to 3.8% in January, compared to a revised increase of 4.24% in December, signalling a slowdown in the manufacturing sector, which grew by 3.2% from 4.5% previously.

About:   

• This was accompanied by a contraction in consumer non-durables for the second time in three months.
• While mining and electricity generation showed improvement at 5.9% and 5.6% respectively, consumer durables production surged by 10.9%, driven partly by favourable base effects. 
• Capital goods production expanded by 4.1% in January, and intermediate goods also posted faster growth at 4.8%. 
• The growth rates for primary goods and infrastructure/construction goods slightly eased to 2.9% and 4.6% respectively.

Significance: Despite overall growth, certain segments like electronics and optic products recorded contractions, reflecting the mixed performance of India’s industrial sector and highlighting ongoing challenges in specific industries.

Q1. Which of the following statements regarding the State Bank of India (SBI) 
is/are accurate?

Q2. Which of the following statements regarding the "Khelo India" initiative 
is/are correct?

Q3. Which of the following statements regarding the Monetary Policy Committee 
(MPC) and inflation targeting in India is/are correct?

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding food inflation in India:

Q5. What is blue carbon? [PYQ 2021]