Chalo India Campaign

• The Ministry of Tourism is going to launch the Chalo India campaign on the sidelines of the ongoing World Travel Mart in London.
• About

• Chalo India is a first-of-its-kind initiative to bring more foreign tourists to India, wherein the government will allow “friends” of diaspora members to get free visas. 
• Five foreign nationals nominated by each Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder on a special portal will be eligible for a gratis e-visa (visa granted without fees).

Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das

• Parliamentarians paid tribute to Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das on his Birth Anniversary.
• He was a freedom fighter, leader, and social reformer, regarded as one of the key figures in the early 20th-century nationalist movement.
• He became an active member of the Indian National Congress (INC) and aligned himself with the more radical wing of the party.
• His early political ideas were influenced by Bankim Chandra and ‘Rashtraguru’ Surendernath Banerjee who was twice the President of INC, in 1895 and 1902.
• He was a key figure in the Swadeshi Movement (1905–1908), which aimed at boycotting British goods in protest against the partition of Bengal by the British.
• He established the Swarajya Party within the Congress in collaboration with Pt. Motilal Nehru, the Ali brothers, Ajmal Khan, Vittihalbhai Patel and others. 

Every Private Property Not a Community Resource: SC

• Recently, a nine-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court of India ruled that the State cannot take over private property solely under the pretext of serving the ‘common good’.

Nature of Private Property

• The concept of private property has been a cornerstone of legal and economic systems worldwide.
• Private property rights in India have evolved through various constitutional amendments and judicial interpretations. 
• Initially, the ‘right to property’ was a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(f) and Article 31 of the Constitution.
• However, the 44th Amendment in 1978 relegated it to a constitutional right under Article 300A, allowing the state to acquire private property only through due process and with adequate compensation.

Supreme Court’s Ruling

• The majority opinion, led by the Chief Justice of India, found that Justice Krishna Iyer’s 1978 ruling, which suggested that all private properties could be considered community resources, is ‘unsustainable’.
• The court ruled that not all privately owned property could be considered ‘material resources of the community’ under Article 39(b) of the Directive Principles of State Policy, and this should be assessed on a case-by-case basis rather than through a blanket application.
• It overturned the 1978 judgement by Justice Krishna Iyer, which had a broader interpretation of Article 39(b).

Revisiting Article 39(b)

• The Supreme Court, in its recent ruling, clarifies that private property cannot be classified as ‘material resources of the community’ merely because it meets a certain social or economic criterion. 
• The majority opinion asserts that taking private assets in the name of the common good requires a more rigorous justification.

Dissenting Opinions: Justice Nagarathna’s Views

• ‘Material resources’ can in the first instance be divided into two basic categories, namely:

1. State owned resources which belong to the State which are essentially material resources of the community, held in public trust by the State; and 
2. Privately owned resources.

• However, the expression ‘material resources’ does not include ‘personal effects’ or ‘personal belonging’ of individuals, which are intimate and personal in nature and use.
• Justice B.V. Nagarathna partially dissented, emphasising the need for a balanced approach that considers both individual property rights and the community’s needs.

Implications of the Supreme Court Ruling

• It underlines the importance of protecting individual property rights while ensuring that resource redistribution serves the public interest in a balanced and justified manner. 
• Protection of Private Property Against Arbitrary State Acquisition: Supreme Court reinforces the protection of private property against arbitrary State acquisition and underscores the need for a more nuanced approach to resource redistribution. 
• Economic Shift: The decision reflects a shift towards a more market-oriented economic policy,moving away from the socialist ideologies that influenced earlier rulings.
• The Supreme Court noted, ‘India’s dynamic economic policies over the past three decades have contributed to the country’s rapid growth, positioning it among the world’s fastest-growing economies’.
• It is expected to have a significant impact on future cases involving property rights and State powers in India.

Conclusion

• The Supreme Court’s ruling marks a critical juncture in the legal landscape of property rights in India. 
• It reaffirms the importance of due process and adequate compensation in the acquisition of private property by the state. 
• As India continues to evolve economically, this judgement provides a nuanced understanding of the nature of private property, balancing individual rights with the common good.

Exercise VINBAX-2024

• The Exercise “VINBAX 2024” is scheduled to be conducted from 04 to 23 November 2024 at Ambala and Chandimandir.

Exercise VINBAX 2024: 

• It is a bilateral army exercise conducted between India and Vietnam.
• This edition marks a significant increase in the scope with Bi Service level participation for the first time by personnel of Army and Air Force from both the countries.
• The Indian Army contingent comprising 47 personnel is being represented by a Regiment of the Corps of Engineers along with personnel from other arms and services.
• The aim of VINBAX-2024 is to enhance joint military capability of both sides in employment and deployment of Engineer Company and Medical Teams to undertake engineering tasks as part of United Nation Contingent in Peace Keeping Operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
• The conduct of VINBAX-2024 as a field training exercise with enhanced scope from previous editions of bilateral exercise will strengthen mutual confidence, interoperability and enable sharing of best practices between the Indian Army and Vietnam People’s Army. 
• A 48 hours Validation Exercise with Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief demonstration and equipment display is also part of the schedule to assess the standards achieved by both contingents
• The joint exercise will also provide an opportunity to the troops of both the Contingents to learn about the social and cultural heritages of each other.

Gravity Energy Storage

• Gravity energy storage is emerging as a viable solution to address a major challenge of solar and wind power.

Gravity Energy Storage: 

• It is a new technology that stores energy using gravity.
• How does it work?
• It involves lifting a heavy mass during excess energy generation and releasing it to produce electricity when demand rises or solar energy is unavailable. 
• The types of weights used are often water, concrete blocks or compressed earth blocks.
• Unlike pumped-hydro energy storage, gravity energy storage offers more flexibility in site selection. 
• A typical setup involves a heavy piston within a fluid-filled cylindrical container.
• When solar energy production exceeds demand, surplus electricity lifts the piston, converting the surplus electrical energy into stored energy. 
• When demand surpasses supply, the piston descends, driving water through a turbine to generate electricity supply to meet demand.

Advantages

• • It can last for decades with minimal maintenance, unlike batteries that degrade over time.
  • It avoids harmful chemical reactions, reducing environmental impact and disposal issues, an important consideration in the move towards a greener planet.
  • It can also be more cost-effective for large-scale applications, with lower level costs of energy and storage.
  • It is particularly advantageous in areas with space constraints or environmental concerns that restrict the deployment of other storage systems.

IL-35 Protein

• Scientists at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) in Guwahati, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, have discovered a specific protein IL-35 that can aid in new treatments for type I and autoimmune diabetes mellitus.

IL-35 Protein: 

• It is a specific protein of IL-12α and IL-27β chains.
• It helps protect against type 1 and autoimmune diabetes.
• It regulates macrophage activation, T-cell proteins, and regulatory B cells.
• It inhibited pancreatic beta cell-attacking immune cells. Additionally, IL-35 lowered particular immune cells that produce inflammatory chemicals, reducing pancreatic cell infiltration, a key contributor in type 1 diabetes and autoimmune diabetes mellitus.

Autoimmune diabetes mellitus

• Autoimmune diabetes mellitus or T1DM is an organ-specific autoimmune disease.
• It affects the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells, after an inflammatory process leads to a chronic deficiency of insulin in genetically susceptible individuals.
• It ultimately results in lifelong dependence on exogenous insulin.
• It is a complex multifactorial disease in which both genetic susceptibility and environmental factors promote the autoimmune responses against beta cells.
• Several environmental risk factors have been suggested as candidate triggers of islet autoimmunity, including certain viruses higher birthweight, infant weight gain, dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and various dietary factors (e.g., vitamin D deficiency, omega-3 fatty acid deficiency, high milk consumption) 
• There are no preventive or immunosuppressive therapies that can prevent damage or disease manifestations.

India Hosts Maiden Asian Buddhist Summit

• The Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) organized the First Asian Buddhist Summit (ABS).
• The theme of the summit is on ‘Role of Buddha Dhamma in Strengthening Asia’.
• The summit brought Sangha leaders, scholars, experts and practitioners from various Buddhist traditions across Asia.
• Asian Buddhist Summit covered the following themes:
  • Buddhist Art, Architecture and Heritage;
  • Buddha Cārikā and Dissemination of Buddha Dhamma;
  • Role of Holy Buddhist Relics and its Relevance in Society;
  • Significance of Buddha Dhamma in Scientific Research and Well-Being;
  • Role of Buddhist Literature and Philosophy in the 21st Century.
• The Summit is also a manifestation of India’s Act East Policy, which is principled on collective, inclusive and spiritual development of Asia with Dhamma as the guiding light. 

Buddhism

• Buddhism is a spiritual and philosophical tradition based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, who lived around the 5th to 4th century BCE in what is now Nepal and India.
• The core of Buddhism is the understanding of human suffering, its causes, and the path to overcome it. 
• Buddhism offers a path to enlightenment, which is seen as liberation from suffering and the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara).
• The ultimate goal in Buddhism is to attain Nirvana—a state of liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Relevance of Buddhist Teachings in Today’s World

• Mindfulness and Meditation: In recent decades, mindfulness meditation, a central Buddhist practice, has become widely embraced for its mental health benefits. 
• Emotional Resilience: Buddhism teaches the importance of accepting suffering as a part of life (dukkha), this can help people build resilience in the face of adversity.
• Peace and Nonviolence: Buddhism advocates for nonviolence (ahimsa) and peaceful resolution of conflicts, offering a model for dialogue and reconciliation. 
• Forgiveness: Buddhist principles also emphasize the importance of forgiveness, his teaching is particularly relevant in post-conflict societies or communities dealing with historical trauma.
• Transcending Materialism: In a world often fixated on material wealth, Buddhism provides an alternative perspective on happiness—rooted in inner peace, wisdom, and compassion.

Soft Power Diplomacy

• Soft Power: The concept of soft power has emerged as a potent tool for countries to wield influence and shape perceptions without resorting to coercive tactics.
• This is often referred to as soft hegemony, a concept used by western countries, especially the United States.
• It is used to influence other cultures by subtly promoting their ideas and values through popular trends, particularly targeting the younger generation.
• Joseph Nye was the first to coin the term “soft power”. 

• Buddhism as India’s Cultural Soft Power Diplomacy

• To Strengthen Ties with South Asian Countries: Many Southeast Asian nations, such as Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka, have deeply rooted Buddhist traditions.
• India has been strategically leveraging its rich Buddhist heritage to strengthen ties and counter China’s growing influence. 
• Positioning Itself as a Peaceful Nation: By emphasising shared values and diversity, India aims to not only deepen diplomatic and economic relations but also position itself as a beacon of peace and stability in the region. 
• Origin of Buddhism: India’s promotion of Buddhist diplomacy is bolstered by historical roots, with Buddhism originating there, and the presence of significant sites like Bodh Gaya. 
• The Dalai Lama and India’s Global Influence: Living in exile in India since 1959, the Dalai Lama serves as an ambassador of Buddhist philosophy.
• India’s support for the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism has increased its influence among Buddhist communities worldwide.
• The Revival of Nalanda University: The original Nalanda University, established in the 5th century CE, was a major center for Buddhist studies, attracting students and scholars from all over Asia.
• The new Nalanda University aims to be a global hub for education and research in Buddhist studies.
• Buddhist Art and Monuments: Indian Buddhist art and architecture, such as the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, the Sanchi Stupa, and the Great Stupa at Sarnath, are UNESCO World Heritage sites that serve as symbols of India’s cultural heritage. 
• Foreign Policy: The country’s foreign policy emphasises a non-military approach, including the Panchsheel Initiative and the Panchamrit Principles.
• One crucial aspect is Sanskriti evam Sabhyata, highlighting India’s cultural connections with other nations to bolster its soft power strategy.
• Tourism: India is currently home to seven of the eight most significant Buddhist sites in the world.
• The Ministry of Tourism is promoting a number of tourist circuits that transgress national borders.

§  The holy places of Buddhism, where Lord Buddha was born and He taught, preached, and attained ‘Enlightenment’ and ‘Nirvana’, are termed as Buddhist Circuit.

Conclusion

• The historical intertwining of Indian and Asian cultures through Buddhism provides a strong foundation for fostering mutual understanding and cooperation. 
• By leveraging historical, cultural, and religious ties, India seeks to foster mutual understanding, cooperation, and goodwill among nations. 
• Through initiatives such as the promotion of Buddhist tourism and the revival of Nalanda University, India endeavours to assert its leadership in the realm of academia while simultaneously strengthening its cultural and diplomatic foothold. 

India-Kazakhstan Form Joint Venture For Titanium Slag Production

• India and Kazakhstan have signed an agreement to establish a joint venture company, IREUK Titanium Limited, for the production of titanium slag in India. 

Titanium

• Titanium is a strong, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant metal and it is the 9th most abundant element on Earth.
• Primary Ores: Rutile (TiO₂) and Ilmenite (FeTiO₃)
• Titanium slag is a byproduct of the ilmenite smelting process, where ilmenite ore is processed to produce high-purity titanium dioxide (TiO₂) feedstock for further refining.
• Applications: Used in industries requiring durability and lightweight materials. This includes aerospace components (aircraft engines, frames), medical implants (due to its biocompatibility), automotive parts, electronics, and even sports equipment.

International Energy Agency

• The global market for clean energy technologies is set to rise from $700 billion in 2023 to more than $2 trillion by 2035 – close to the value of the world’s crude oil market in recent years, says a first of its kind study by the International Energy Agency (IEA).
• It is an autonomous intergovernmental organisation within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) framework.
• Mission: It works with governments and industry to shape a secure and sustainable energy future for all.
• It was created in response to the 1973-1974 oil crisis when an oil embargo by major producers pushed prices to historic levels and exposed the vulnerability of industrialised countries to dependency on oil imports. 
• It was founded in 1974 to ensure the security of oil supplies.
• IEA’s mandatehasexpanded over time to include tracking and analyzing global key energy trends, promoting sound energy policy, and fostering multinational energy technology cooperation.
• It is the global energy authority, providing data, analysis and solutions on all fuels and all technologies. 
• In recent years, the IEA has also focused on renewable energy and initiatives focused on environmental protection and stopping climate change.
• Membership: It is made up of 31 member countries, 13 association countries, and 5 accession countries.
• Criteria for membership: A candidate country to the IEA must be a member country of the OECD. In addition, it must demonstrate several requirements.
• Crude oil and/or product reserves equivalent to 90 days of the previous year’s net imports, to which the government has immediate access (even if it does not own them directly) and could be used to address disruptions to global oil supply;
• A demand restraint programme to reduce national oil consumption by up to 10%;
• Legislation and organisation to operate the Co-ordinated Emergency Response Measures (CERM) on a national basis;
• Legislation and measures to ensure that all oil companies under its jurisdiction report information upon request;
• Measures are in place to ensure the capability of contributing its share of an IEA collective action.
• India joined this organization in 2017 as an Associate member.
• Reports published by IEA: World Energy Outlook, World Energy Balances, Energy Technology Perspectives,World Energy Statistics and Net Zero by 2050.

LignoSat: World’s First Wooden Satellite

• Japan has launched LignoSat, the world’s first wooden satellite into space to prove that wood is a space-grade material.

• Named after the Latin word for “wood”, LignoSat is made of honoki, using a traditional Japanese crafts technique without screws or glue.
• Honoki, a kind of magnolia tree native to Japan and traditionally used to make sword sheaths.
• Developed by Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry Co. is scheduled to orbit the Earth for six months.
• The satellite will measure how wood endures the extreme environment of space, where temperatures fluctuate from -100 to 100 degrees Celsius every 45 minutes as objects orbit through darkness and sunlight. 
• It will also gauge timber’s ability to reduce the impact of space radiation on semiconductors, making it useful for applications such as data centre construction.

Maha Kumbh Mela

• The upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela will be in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26, 2025.

• The Maha Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years.
• It is the world’s largest peaceful pilgrimage, drawing millions to bathe in sacred rivers for spiritual cleansing and liberation. 

Historical Background: The Kumbh Mela dates back to the Maurya and Gupta periods.

• During medieval times, it received royal patronage and was even attended by Mughal Emperor Akbar. 
• Colonial records by British administrators like James Prinsep offer detailed documentation of the festival.
• Post-Independence: Since India’s independence, the Maha Kumbh Mela symbolizes national unity and cultural heritage. UNESCO recognized it as an intangible cultural heritage in 2017, highlighting its enduring cultural significance.
• Religious Significance: The festival is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and rotates among four sacred sites: Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik, and Prayagraj.
• Each is situated by a holy river, from the Ganges to the Shipra, the Godavari, and the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati in Prayagraj.
• The timing of each Kumbh Mela is determined by the astrological positions of the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter, believed to signal an auspicious period for spiritual cleansing and self-enlightenment
• Core Ritual: Central to the Kumbh Mela is the ritual of bathing at Triveni Sangam (confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Sarasvati), believed to purify the soul, free one from rebirth, and guide toward spiritual liberation.
• Special Ceremonies: The grand Shahi Snan (royal bath) marks the festival’s start, with auspicious bathing dates like Paush Purnima. The Peshwai procession, where ascetics parade on elephants and chariots, is another iconic feature.
• Cultural Celebration: The Mela showcases Indian arts, music, dance, and crafts, allowing pilgrims to experience a cultural celebration alongside their spiritual journey.
• Global Participation: The Kumbh attracts international pilgrims drawn by its message of unity, tolerance, and universal spirituality, illustrating humanity’s shared pursuit of inner peace.

Minuteman III Missile

• The US army would be carrying out a test launch of a Minuteman III hypersonic nuclear missile hours after voting close on Election Day.
• The LGM-30G Minuteman III is an American intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
• "L" in LGM is the US Department of Defense designation for silo-launched; "G" means surface attack; and "M" stands for guided missile.
• It first became operational in the early 1970s.
• It is the sole land-based component of the U.S. nuclear triad.
• It was designed and manufactured by the Boeing Corporation. 
• Originally, it was only supposed to be kept in service for about ten years, but instead, it has been modernized as its replacement, the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD),is due to become available for use in 2029.
• It was the first U.S. missile fitted with multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs).
• The United States currently has an estimated 440 Minuteman III missiles in its arsenal.

Features:

• It is a three-stage, solid-fuel missile.
• The missile is 18.2 m long with a diameter of 1.85 m and a launch weight of 34,467 kg.
• Speed: Approximately 15,000 mph (Mach 23 or 24,000 kph) at burnout (Hypersonic).
• It has a maximum range of 13,000 km and is capable of carrying a payload of three re-entry vehicles.
• It now carries a single nuclear war head pursuant to arms control agreements between the United States and Russia. 
• The Minuteman missiles are dispersed in hardened silos and connected to an underground launch control center through a system of hardened cables. 
• It has a fast launch time, nearly 100 percent testing reliability, and backup airborne launch controllers to preserve retaliatory capabilities.

Notable discoveries about Vitamin D

• Scientists have made some notable discoveries about how Vitamin D deficiency early in life can trigger problems with the body''s immune system.

Vitamin D

• Vitamin D (also referred to as calciferol) is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in a few foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement.
• It is also produced endogenously when ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis.
• During periods of sunlight, vitamin D is stored in fat and then released when sunlight is not available.
• Foods that naturally have vitamin D include egg yolks, saltwater fish, and liver.
• Why is vitamin D so important?
• Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption and helps maintain adequate levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood, which is necessary for healthy bones and teeth.
• Without sufficient vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen.
• Vitamin D also plays a role in your nervous system, musculoskeletal system, and immune system.

Vitamin D Deficiency:

• A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone diseases such as osteoporosis or rickets. Osteoporosis is a disease in which your bones become weak and are likely to fracture (break).
• With chronic and/or severe vitamin D deficiency, a decline in calcium and phosphorus absorption by your intestines leads to hypocalcemia (low calcium levels in your blood). 
• This leads to secondary hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid glands attempting to keep blood calcium levels normal).
• Both hypocalcemia and hyperparathyroidism, if severe, can cause symptoms, including muscle weakness and cramps, fatigue, and depression.

PM E-DRIVE Scheme

• The PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme was approved by the Cabinet with an outlay of Rs. 10,900 crore till March  2026.

• It promotes mass mobility through the support of public transportation systems. 
• Its primary aim is to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), establish charging infrastructure, and build a robust EV manufacturing ecosystem in the country.

Objectives:

• Promote mass mobility via EVs.
• Offer upfront incentives for EV purchases to boost adoption.
• Establish a competitive EV manufacturing ecosystem aligned with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
• Improve air quality and reduce transportation-related environmental impacts.

Key Components:

• Subsidies: Incentives for various EV types, including e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-ambulances, e-trucks, and other emerging EV categories.
• Grants for Capital Assets: Funding for electric buses, charging stations, and upgrades to testing facilities.
• Administrative Costs: Includes funding for IEC (Information, Education & Communication) activities and a project management agency.

Eligible EV Categories:

• Two-Wheelers: 24.79 lakh electric two-wheelers, both private and commercial, with advanced batteries.
• Three-Wheelers: 3.2 lakh electric three-wheelers for commercial use with advanced batteries.
• e-Ambulances: Rs. 500 crore allocated, with performance and safety standards under development.
• e-Trucks: Rs. 500 crore allocated for e-trucks with scrapping certificate verification.
• e-Buses: Rs. 4,391 crore allocated for 14,028 electric buses, with demand aggregation for major cities, especially replacing older buses.

Proba-3 Mission

• Recently, the union minister of Science and Technology said that India will launch the European Space Agency''s Proba-3 mission early next month from the spaceport at Sriharikota.

Proba-3 Mission:

• It is the European Space Agency''s (ESA) first mission dedicated to precision formation flying.
• It is the innovative mission which will demonstrate precision formation flying between two satellites to create an artificial eclipse, revealing new views of the Sun’s faint corona.
• The core objective of the mission is to create an artificial eclipse by precisely coordinating two independent satellites. This capability will enable scientists to observe the Sun''s corona, a region typically obscured by the intense brightness of the Sun. 
• It consists of two small satellites — a Coronagraph spacecraft and a solar-disc-shaped Occulter spacecraft.

Working

• By flying in tight formation about 150 metres apart, the Occulter will precisely cast its shadow onto the Coronagraph’s telescope, blocking the Sun’s direct light.
• This will allow the Coronagraph to image the faint solar corona in visible, ultraviolet and polarised light for many hours at a time.
• It will provide new insights into the origins of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) — eruptions of solar material that can disrupt satellites and power grids on Earth.
• The mission will also measure total solar irradiance, tracking changes in the Sun’s energy output that may influence Earth’s climate.

Rising STEM Research Demands Revitalised Education

• The majority graduates from Higher educational institutions in India, lack essential industry-ready skills, highlighting a critical skill gap.

STEM research refers to the study and development of advancements in four core areas: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. 

• It focuses on solving complex problems, driving innovation, and contributing to scientific knowledge across a range of high-impact fields.

• Challenges in STEM Research in India

• Skill Gap: Graduates from many Indian higher education institutions lack essential industry-ready skills. This gap makes it challenging for industries to find skilled professionals, impacting economic growth.
• Faculty Shortages: Teaching institutions are already facing faculty shortages, which will worsen if enrollment issues persist.
• Focus on Rankings over Quality: Emphasis on research output for rankings pushes faculty toward producing papers and patents, often prioritizing quantity over quality. This focus diverts resources from improving teaching quality.
• Predatory Research Outlets: The presence of predatory conferences and publications diverts attention from genuine research, undermining the credibility and quality of research output.

Step required for improvement

• Separate Ranking Systems: Teaching institutions should be ranked based on their teaching quality, while research output should not heavily influence rankings for institutions primarily focused on teaching.
• Enhanced Focus on Pedagogy: Faculty in teaching institutions should prioritize pedagogy over research initially, allowing the education quality to improve and later benefiting research outcomes.
• Faculty Development Programs: Greater emphasis on faculty development, mentorship, and updated courses, both online and offline, to improve teaching quality.
• Collaboration with Research Institutions: Joint efforts between teaching and research institutions to share best practices in pedagogy can strengthen the quality of teaching.
• Dedicated Teaching Track: Creating a dedicated teaching track within academic hierarchies can incentivize teachers to focus on pedagogy. Faculty can progress based on teaching skills rather than research output alone.

Steps taken by Indian Government

• National Education Policy (NEP): NEP promotes quality education and aims to bridge the skill gap in the country. It encourages a balance between research and teaching quality.
• Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF): ANRF supports research and aims to foster collaborations between institutions, supporting the development of quality research and teaching standards.
• Impacting Research Innovation & Technology (IMPRINT): This initiative aims at providing solutions to the most relevant engineering challenges and translating knowledge into viable technology in 10 selected technology domains.
• Research parks at IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Kanpur, IIT Chennai, have been established which provide an interface between entrepreneurship and Industry to establish their R&D units in collaboration with students & faculty members of the IITs.

Conclusion

• Revitalizing the country’s teaching institutions is critical to producing a larger, higher-quality talent pool, capable of driving innovative research and scientific discoveries.
• By prioritizing pedagogical excellence, creating dedicated teaching tracks, and fostering collaboration between teaching and research institutions, India can cultivate an educational ecosystem where quality teaching and impactful research reinforce each other.

River City Alliance

• Union Minister for Jal Shakti Shri inaugurated Ganga Utsav 2024 in Haridwar under the River City Alliance.

River City Alliance

• It is an organization that now includes 145 river cities nationwide. 
• The alliance’s main objective is to promote healthy urban rivers through an integrated approach to river-sensitive urban planning. 
• The Alliance is open to all river cities of India. Any river city can join the Alliance at any time.

SC Upholds validity of U.P. Madrasa Act

• The Supreme Court held that the validity of a law cannot be challenged for violating the Basic Structure of the Constitution.

Supreme Court ruling

• The Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the ‘Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act 2004′ and set aside the Allahabad High Court’s judgment which had struck it down earlier.
• The reason is that concepts such as democracy, federalism, and secularism are undefined concepts.
• Allowing courts to strike down legislation for violation of such concepts will introduce an element of uncertainty in our constitutional adjudication.
• The court referred to the observation made by the  Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Raj Narain case.

T.N. Declares Heatwaves a State-specific Disaster

• The Tamil Nadu government has notified the heatwave as a State-specific disaster. 

• The World Meteorological Organization declared that 2023 was the hottest year on record. 
• In the summer of 2024, a severe and long heatwave impacted India, blistering plains and hills, causing deaths and heat strokes. 
• State Specific Disaster: It would entail providing relief to people affected by heatwaves and launch interim measures to help manage the heat.
• Expenditure for this will be incurred from the State Disaster Response Fund.

Heatwave

• A heatwave is defined as a prolonged period of unusually and excessively hot weather, accompanied by high humidity. 
• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has specified the following criteria:
• a heatwave need not be considered till the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C for plains and at least 30°C for hilly regions. 

Uttar Pradesh Brings New Rules for DGP Appointment

• The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet cleared the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh Selection and Appointment Rules, 2024.
• The new rules are in compliance with the Supreme Court verdict in Prakash Singh judgment on police reforms in the case of 2006. 
• According to new guidelines, a committee will decide the state’s new police chief.
• Earlier, the state government had to send the list of eligible officers to the UPSC, which shortlisted three names and sent them to the state, after which it could choose one of them. 

The selection committee

• Head: The selection committee headed by a Retired High Court Judge.
• Members: It will consist of the chief secretary, a person nominated by the UPSC, the UP Public Service Commission chairman or their nominee, an additional chief secretary or principal secretary (Home) and a retired DGP. 

Issues with Police System in India

• Colonial Legacy and Structure: The Police Act of 1861 still governs the police system, which was designed for colonial control rather than for modern-day democratic governance.
• Political Interference: Frequent interference from politicians hampers impartiality in law enforcement.
• Custodial Death: There are many cases on custodial death means Death by torture/pressure in police/judicial custody.
• During 1996-1997 in D.K.Basu judgment, the Supreme Court (SC) issued a guideline against custodial death in India.
• Training and Capacity Building: Training programs are outdated and lack emphasis on soft skills, ethics, and community engagement.
• Delays in Implementing Reforms: Various reform recommendations, including those by the Supreme Court in the Prakash Singh v. Union of India case (2006), have seen limited implementation.

Way Forward

• Implementing Reforms: Adopting the Model Police Act of 2006 and the recommendations of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission.
• Community Policing Programs: Encouraging initiatives like Mahila Suraksha Samitis and Community Liaison Groups for better relations with communities.
• Independent Oversight Mechanisms: Establishing state and central level oversight bodies to ensure accountability.

Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC)

• Scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) Bengaluru recently reported the “first significant” results from the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) payload onboard the ADITYA-L1 Mission.

Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC):

• It is the primary payload of the Aditya-L1 Mission-India’s first mission to observe the Sun from a vantage point 1.5 million kilometres from the earth.
• It is an internally occulted solar coronagraph capable of simultaneous imaging, spectroscopy, and spectro-polarimetry close to the solar limb.
• It is built by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) at its CREST (Centre for Research and Education in Science and Technology) campus at Hosakote, Karnataka.
• The VELC consists of a coronagraph, spectrograph, polarimetry module, and detectors, aside from auxiliary optics.

Purpose:

• It will observe the solar corona, which is the tenuous, outermost layer of the solar atmosphere. 
• VELC can image the solar corona down to 1.05 times the solar radius, which is the closest any such payload has imaged.
• It will analyze the coronal temperature, plasma velocity, density, etc.
• It will also study Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and the solar wind. 

Coronagraph

• It is a specialized instrument designed to block out the light of the sun so that researchers can glimpse the burning star''s hot, thin, outermost layer, called the corona. 
• The French astronomer Bernard Lyot invented the coronagraph in the 1930s.
• The sun''s corona is normally visible only during solar eclipses, when the moon''s shadow covers the bright central layers of our parent star and allows its dimmer corona to appear.
• A coronagraph mimics this natural phenomenon with a circular mask that sits inside a telescope and selectively blocks the bulk of the sun''s light.
• The specialized coronagraphs act as filters on the central star, allowing the tiny fragments of planetary light to shine through

World Solar Report Series

• The 3rd edition of the World Solar Report series was released at the 7th Assembly of the International Solar Alliance.

• The newly launched 4 reports namely World Solar Market Report, World Investment Report, World Technology Report, and Green Hydrogen Readiness Assessment for African Countries each highlight a crucial area in the global shift towards sustainable energy.
• First introduced in 2022, this series provides a comprehensive overview of global progress in solar technology, key challenges, and investment trends in the sector.

Key Highlights

• World Solar Market Report
• Rise in Solar Capacity: Global solar capacity has increased from 1.22 GW in 2000 to 1,418.97 GW in 2023—a 40% annual growth rate. 
• Solar Industry Employment Boom: It provides 16.2 million jobs, with solar leading with 7.1 million—up 44%, and 86%.
• World Investment Report
• Exponential Growth in Energy Investments: Global energy investments are set to soar from $2.4 trillion in 2018 to $3.1 trillion in 2024—a steady climb at nearly 5% annually. 
• APAC leads global solar investments: APAC is at the forefront of solar investments pouring USD 223 billion into solar in 2023. 
• World Technology Report 
• It include record-setting 24.9% efficiency in solar PV modules, an 88% reduction in silicon usage since 2004, and a 90% drop in utility-scale solar PV costs, fostering resilient, cost-effective energy solutions.
• Readiness Assessment of Green Hydrogen in African Countries’report
• Green hydrogen offers a viable alternative to coal, oil, and gas, supporting Africa’s transition to cleaner energy.

International Solar Alliance

• It is an international organisation with 120 Member and Signatory countries. 
• Established: By Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of France Francois Hollande in 2015.
• Headquarter: First international intergovernmental organisation to be headquartered in India. 
• Mission: To unlock US$1 trillion of investments in solar by 2030.
• Reducing the cost of the technology and its financing. 

India’s Renewable Energy Capacity

• India’s total electricity generation capacity has reached 452.69 GW. 
• Having the 8,180 MW (megawatt) of nuclear capacity, the total non-fossil fuel-based power now accounts for almost half of the country’s installed electricity generation capacity. 
• As of 2024, renewable energy-based electricity generation capacity stands at 201.45 GW, accounting for 46.3 percent of the country’s total installed capacity.
• Solar power contributes towards 90.76 GW, wind power follows closely with 47.36 GW, hydroelectric power generating 46.92 GW and small hydro power adding 5.07 GW, and biopower, including biomass and biogas energy, adds another 11.32 GW. 

India’s Targets

• India has a vision to achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2070, in addition to attaining the short-term targets which include:
• Increasing renewables capacity to 500 GW by 2030,
• Meeting 50% of energy requirements from renewables,
• Reducing cumulative emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030, and
• Reducing emissions intensity of India’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 45% by 2030 from 2005 levels.