Air Quality Index (AQI) 

·        According to a Central Pollution Control Board bulletin,The air quality in Delhi slipped into the “very poor” category on Sunday and it is expected to remain so for the next three days.

Air Quality Index (AQI) 

·        The Air Quality Index is a tool for effective communication of air quality status to people in terms that are easy to understand.

·        The Minister for Environment, Forests & Climate Change  in 2014 launched ‘The National Air Quality Index’ (AQI) .

·        The formulation of the index was a continuation of the initiatives under Swachh Bharat Mission. 

·        It helps the public and the government understand the condition of the air and what subsequent measures are to be taken to combat the situation, based on its severity.

·        There are six categories of AQI, namely 

Initiatives 

·        The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) had announced the imposition of Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) as there was a prediction that Delhi’s air quality is likely to worsen.

o   The GRAP is a set of emergency measures taken to reduce air pollution.

o   The authorities in the National Capital Region (NCR) have been asked to hike the parking fee and increase the service of CNG/electric buses and metro trains to discourage people from using private vehicles.

·        The Delhi government had earlier launched a 15-point Winter Action Plan to curb air pollution. 

·        It also banned the sale, manufacturing, storage and bursting of firecrackers.

Cyclone Tej

·        The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that Cyclone Tej, a depression gathering force in the Arabian Sea, intensified into an ‘extremely severe cyclonic storm’ near the coasts of Oman and Yemen.

More about the News

·        It developed from a low-pressure area in the southeast Arabian Sea and intensified into a depression.

·        Currently, it is moving west-northwest towards Maharashtra’s coast.

·        Cyclone Tej may bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, storm surges, and coastal flooding to the affected areas.

Increase in Frequency of Arabian Sea Cyclones:

·        Changing Ocean and Atmosphere Patterns: Alterations in ocean and atmosphere warming patterns are causing more frequent and severe tropical cyclones in the Eastern Arabian Sea, near India’s west coast.

·        Indian Ocean Dipole’s Role: The positive phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), akin to the Indian Nino, results in warmer sea surface temperatures and increased rainfall in the western Indian Ocean region.

·        Human-Induced Impact: The recent surge in extremely severe post-monsoon cyclonic storms in the Arabian Sea is attributed to anthropogenic factors, marking a shift away from natural variability. Human-induced climate change is amplifying the frequency and intensity of cyclones in the Arabian Sea.

What are Cyclones?

·        A cyclone is any low-pressure area with winds spiraling inwards and is caused by atmospheric disturbances around a low-pressure area distinguished by swift and often destructive air circulation. 

·        The air circulates inward in an anticlockwise direction in the Northern hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern hemisphere.

·        The center of a cyclone is a calm area. It is called the eye of the storm. The diameter of the eye varies from 10 to 30 km. It is a region free of clouds and has light winds.

·        Around this calm and clear eye, there is a cloud region of about 150 km in size. In this region, there are high-speed winds (150–250 km/h) and thick clouds with heavy rain. Away from this region the wind speed gradually decreases.

·        A large cyclone is a violently rotating air mass in the atmosphere, 10 to 15 km high.

·        A cyclone is known by different names in different parts of the world as:

Formation of Cyclones

·        Before cloud formation, water takes up heat from the atmosphere to change into vapour. When water vapour changes back to liquid form as raindrops, this heat is released to the atmosphere. 

·        The heat released to the atmosphere warms the air around. The air tends to rise and causes a drop in pressure. More air rushes to the center of the storm. This cycle is repeated. 

·        The chain of events ends with the formation of a very low-pressure system with very high-speed winds revolving around it. It is this weather condition that is called a cyclone. 

·        Factors like wind speed, wind direction, temperature and humidity contribute to the development of cyclones.

·        The conditions which favour the formation and intensification of tropical cyclone storms are:

o   Sea surface with a temperature higher than 27° C,

o   Coriolis force,

o   Small differences in the vertical wind speed,

o   Weak- low-pressure area.

Nomenclature

·        The names are maintained and updated by an international committee of the World Meteorological Organization.

·        The tropical cyclones /hurricanes are named neither after any particular person, nor with any preference in alphabetical sequence.

·        The Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RSMCs) – They are responsible for monitoring and prediction of tropical cyclones over their respective regions. They are also responsible for naming the cyclones.

·        There is a strict procedure to determine a list of tropical cyclone names in an ocean basin(s) by the Tropical Cyclone Regional Body responsible for that basin(s) at its annual/biennial meeting. 

·        The importance for naming tropical cyclones:

o   It helps to identify each individual tropical cyclone. 

o   It facilitates disaster risk awareness, preparedness, management and reduction. 

o   Local and international media become focused on the tropical cyclone.

o   It removes confusion where there are multiple cyclonic systems over a region.

o   Warnings reach a much wider audience very rapidly, if a name is associated with it.

Ecological Health of the Himalayas

·        The Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court for taking steps to assess the carrying capacity of the 13 Himalayan states in a time-bound manner.

o   13 Himalayan Indian States/Union Territories, namely Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Assam and West Bengal, stretching across 2500 km.

What is the carrying capacity of a region?

·        Carrying capacity of a region is based on the maximum population size that an ecosystem or environment can sustainably support over a specific period without causing significant degradation or harm to its natural resources and overall health.

·        It is crucial in understanding and managing the balance between human activities and the preservation of natural ecosystems to ensure long-term sustainability.

·        The carrying capacity for any given area is not fixed, and can be altered by improved technology, but mostly it is changed for the worse by pressures which accompany a population increase.

Vulnerabilities of Himalayan region

·        The Himalayan ecosystem is vulnerable and susceptible to the impacts and consequences of changes on account of natural causes, climate change resulting from anthropogenic emissions; and developmental paradigms of modern society. 

·        It has led to significant disruption in ecosystems leading to shifts in range, migration patterns, seasonal activities and abundance of territorial and marine species, affecting the livelihood of resource dependent communities.

·        Such threats and uncertainties have undermined the socio-economic development of the Indian Himalayan Region.

Importance of Himalayas

·        Nearly 50 million people reside in this region, which is characterised by a diverse demographic, and versatile economic, environmental, social and political systems.

·        Climate: The Himalayas prevent India from cold Siberian winds. Without the Himalayas, India would have been a dry, cold land.

o   They intercept south-west monsoon winds, which are responsible for monsoon rain, very crucial for agriculture and the economy of India. 

·        Natural resources: The Himalayas are a source of perennial rivers viz. Indus, Ganga and the Brahmaputra river system.

o   They provide minerals and forest produce for the Economic development of the country.

o   They are the source of soil for the fertile plains of northern India as well as the region of North East. 

·        Defence, Tourism and Pilgrimage: The Himalayas form a natural boundary with China and Myanmar, thus providing a cover against any adventure by the foreign militaries.

o   The Doons, Valleys, scenic hill stations and religious sites attract millions of tourists from India and the world. 

Initiative to overall development of Himalayan ecosystems

·        The National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) 2010: It is coordinated and implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), aims to understand the complex processes affecting the Himalayan ecosystem and evolve suitable management and policy measures for sustaining and safeguarding the Himalayan ecosystem.

o   NMSHE attempts to address issues concerning Himalayan Glaciers and associated hydrological consequences, Biodiversity conservation and protection, Wildlife conservation and protection, Traditional knowledge societies and their livelihood, and Planning for sustaining of Himalayan ecosystem.

·        Other initiatives like the Indian Himalayas Climate Adaptation Programme, Secure Himalaya Project, and Guidelines on ‘Carrying Capacity in the Indian Himalayan Region’ etc are vital for the overall development of the Indian Himalayan Region.

What needs to be done?

·        It is highlighted that the suggestion made by the government focuses on one institution, i.e., the G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, while others are just a part of the technical group.

o   Almost all the other institutes are important players in their respective domains and should be equal partners in policy making.

·        People-centric approach: It needs to involve the local population and grass-roots bodies, from panchayats and other urban local bodies, in determining the carrying capacity of the Indian Himalayan Region.

·        Focus on social aspect: There is a wider and longer term need for assessing the overall sustainable capacity of the environment, including all biological species, food, habitat, water including ecology and agriculture.

o   The expert committee should be asked to focus on the social aspects or population sustainability of the respective States.

·        Sustaining the Himalayan ecosystem as a National Mission, will focus on the rapid generation of four types of national capacities, dealing with Human and knowledge capacities, Institutional capacities, Capacities for evidence based policy building and governance and Continuous self learning for balancing between forces of Nature and actions of mankind. 

Electoral Bonds

·        The former Chief Election Commissioner of India, SY Quraishi, spoke on the need for transparency in political funding and Electoral Bonds. 

What is an Electoral Bond?

·        Government of India notified the Electoral Bond scheme in 2018.

·        An electoral bond is like a promissory note that can be bought by any Indian citizen or company incorporated in India from select branches of State Bank of India. 

·        The citizen or corporate can then donate the same to any eligible political party of his/her choice. 

How does it Work?

·        The bonds are issued in multiples of Rs 1,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 100,000 and Rs 1 crore . 

·        The receiver can encash the bonds through the party’s verified account. The electoral bond will be valid only for fifteen days.

·        The electoral bonds are available for purchase for 10 days at the beginning of every quarter. 

o   An additional period of 30 days shall be specified by the government in the year of Lok Sabha elections.

·        Eligibility: Any party that is registered under section 29A of the Representation of the Peoples Act, 1951 and has secured at least one percent of the votes polled in the most recent General elections or Assembly elections is eligible to receive electoral bonds. 

·        Anonymous Donation: The electoral bonds will not bear the name of the donor. Thus, the political party might not be aware of the donor’s identity.

·        Tax exemption: A donor will get a deduction and the recipient, or the political party, will get tax exemption, provided returns are filed by the political party.

Need for the Electoral Bonds

·        The government contended that it would make political donations transparent while also protecting the identity of the donor.

·        The electoral bonds would keep a tab on the use of black money for funding elections. 

Concerns with Electoral Bonds

·        Lack of Transparency: The government amended Section 29C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, effectively exempting political parties from informing the ECI about the details of contributions made to them through electoral bonds.

o   This would impact transparency and keep citizens from vital information about how much contribution a political party received and through what source. 

·        Influx of Black Money: Opponents of the electoral bond scheme argue that since the identity of the donor has been kept anonymous, it could lead to an influx of black money. 

·        Corporate Funding: Earlier there was a cap on the amount of profit a corporation can donate and required the entity to disclose this amount and the name of the beneficiary political party but now, there is no limit to the amount companies can donate.

o   This could increase opacity in political funding and the danger of exchange of advances between such companies by political parties.

·        Funding by Foreign Companies: The amendment to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010 (FCRA), allowing foreign companies to fund Indian political parties, could expose Indian politics and democracy to international lobbyists having their own agendas. 

·        Infringing the ”Right to Know”: The opacity and anonymity made political parties more unanswerable and unaccountable to the citizens at large.

·        Derailing of Election Commission of India guidelines: The ECI said that the amendments derailed its 2014 guidelines on disclosure of expenditure and contributions received by political parties. 

Conclusion

·        All election funding should be made completely transparent so that voters know who is funding whom. 

·        A set of rules on limiting funding shall be brought to prevent private interests from unduly influencing elections or Governments. 

·        Elections should be a more level playing field so that good politicians, candidates and parties with less funds also stand a chance of competing in elections. 

EU Report Calls for 2% Global Wealth Tax on Billionaires

·        The European Union Tax Observatory in its ‘Global Tax Evasion Report 2024’ calls for 2% global wealth tax on billionaires.

Key Findings of the Report

·        The automatic exchange of bank information in reducing offshore tax evasion by a factor of three over the past 10 years.

·        Very low effective tax rates: Report shows that global billionaires have very low personal effective tax rates of between 0% and 0.5% of their wealth.

·        A persistently large amount of profit, nearly $1 trillion, is shifted to tax havens in 2022, which is equivalent to 35% of all the profits booked by multinational companies outside of their headquarter country.

o   The global loss of tax revenue due to this shifting appears to have stagnated at about 10% of corporate tax revenue collected.

·        The global minimum tax has been dramatically weakened.

o   In 2021, more than 140 countries and territories agreed to implement a pioneering minimum tax of 15% on multinational profits, which was expected to increase global tax revenues by 10%.

o   The report red-flagged the trend of ‘greenwashing the global minimum tax’ wherein MNCs can use ‘green’ tax credits for low carbon transition to reduce their tax rates way below the minimum of 15%.

·        New forms of aggressive tax competition are emerging with adverse effects on government revenue and inequality.

·        The ongoing subsidies race for green-energy producers may more than offset the revenue gains from the global minimum corporate tax.

Recommendations made by report

·        The report makes recommendations to reconcile globalisation with tax justice with a common theme of focusing on reducing the tax deficit of multinational companies and wealthy individuals. These include:

o   Reform the international agreement on minimum corporate taxation to implement a rate of 25% and remove the loophole in it that fosters tax competition.

o   Introduce a new global minimum tax for the world’s billionaires equal to 2% of their wealth.

o   Institute mechanisms to tax wealthy people who have been long-term residents in a country and choose to move to a low-tax country.

o   Implement unilateral measures to collect some of the tax deficits of multinational companies and billionaires in case global agreements on these issues fail.

o   Move towards the creation of a Global Asset Registry to better fight tax evasion.

o   Strengthen the application of economic substance and anti-abuse rules.

Fluorescence: Making Animals Glow

·        A recent study reported that the bodies of animals belonging to all the known mammalian orders fluoresce in some way. 

Fluorescence

·        When an object absorbs some light of higher energy (like blue colour) and releases it at lower energy (like red colour).

·        It usually happens when an electron absorbs a photon, or a particle of light, jumps to a higher energy level, before releasing that energy and jumping back down. 

·        In this process, the electron’s spin must not change. If its spin changes, the process is called phosphorescence.

Applications of Fluorescence

·        Biomedical Imaging: Fluorescence is widely used in medical diagnostics, such as fluorescence microscopy, which helps in the study of cellular and tissue structures. It’s crucial for disease detection and research.

·        Environmental Monitoring: Fluorescent markers are employed in environmental studies to track pollutants, monitor water quality, and detect contaminants, which is crucial for environmental protection.

·        Forensic Science: Fluorescence plays a role in forensics, where it can be used to detect trace evidence, such as bloodstains or fingerprints, aiding in criminal investigations.

·        Pharmaceuticals and Drug Development: Fluorescence is vital in drug discovery and development, helping researchers study the binding of drugs to target molecules and monitor biochemical reactions.

·        Material Science: In material science, fluorescence is used to analyze the properties and behaviors of various materials, facilitating the development of advanced materials.

·        Chemical Analysis: Fluorescence spectroscopy is used in chemical analysis to detect and quantify various compounds, making it invaluable in analytical chemistry.

·        Astronomy and Space Exploration: Fluorescence can be applied in the study of celestial objects and extraterrestrial environments, providing insights into the composition and conditions of distant objects in space.

Kasturi Cotton Bharat

·        The Union Textiles Minister launched the website of Kasturi Cotton Bharat to provide necessary information and updates on it.

About

·        Kasturi Cotton Brand: In order to attain the objective of building the image of Indian cotton at Global level, the Ministry of Textiles had announced the “Kasturi Cotton India” Brand of cotton on the eve of World Cotton Day on 7th October 2020. 

The Kasturi Cotton Bharat

·        It is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Textiles, the Cotton Corporation of India, Trade Bodies & Industry.

·        Aim: To work on the principle of self-regulation by owning complete responsibility of Branding, Traceability and Certification of Indian Cotton to enhance its’ competitiveness in the global market and create a sustainable ecosystem for all stakeholders involved.

Matsya Sampada Jagrukta Abhiyan

·        Union Minister Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, launched Matsya Sampada Jagrukta Abhiyan on the occasion of completion of three successful years of implementation of Pradhan Mantri Matasya Sampada Yojna (PMMSY).

Pradhan Mantri Matasya Sampada Yojna (PMMSY)

·        It is the flagship scheme of the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, and was launched in 2020.

·        Aim: To give momentum to the ‘sunrise’ fisheries sector through consolidated efforts from various schemes and initiatives.

·        The PMMSY is an umbrella scheme with two separate Components namely Central Sector Scheme (CS) and  Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).

·        The Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) Component is further segregated into Non-beneficiary oriented and beneficiary orientated subcomponents/activities:

o   Enhancement of Production and Productivity

o   Infrastructure and Post-harvest Management

o   Fisheries Management and Regulatory Framework.

Mission Mahila Sarathi

·        Recently, the Chief minister of UP launched Mission Mahila Sarathi in Ayodhya under the Mission Shakti Abhiyan and flagged off 51 ordinary buses.

About Mission Mahila Sarathi

·        The 51 buses introduced during the launch of the mission will be operated exclusively by women as drivers and conductors.

·        It will encourage more women empowerment, safety and progress, as a larger objective of umbrella Mission Shakti Abhiyan.

Project UDBHAV

·        The Defence Minister launched ‘Project UDBHAV’ during the inauguration of the Indian Military Heritage Festival.

About

·        Project UDBHAV (translates as ‘origin’ or ‘genesis’) is a collaboration between the Indian Army and the United Service Institution of India (USI), which aims to revisit the roots of India’s ancient military thoughts.

·        It acknowledges the vintage scriptures and writings of our Nation, that span centuries in the past and contain profound knowledge that can benefit modern military strategies.

Objectives:

·        To synthesise ancient wisdom with contemporary military practices;

·        Forging a unique and holistic approach to address modern security challenges;

·        To integrate age-old wisdom with contemporary military pedagogy through interdisciplinary research, workshops and leadership seminars;

·        To facilitate in-depth understanding of our knowledge systems and philosophies;

Rationale behind the Project UDBHAV

·        Arthashastra of Chanakya: It underscores the importance of strategic partnerships, alliances and diplomacy, aligning with modern military practices such as international cooperation and soft power projection.

o   Chanakya’s teachings on statecraft and warfare are studied by various institutions the world over.

·        Thirukkural of Thiruvalluvar: It advocates ethical conduct in all endeavours, including warfare, that aligns with modern military codes of ethics of just war and principles of Geneva Convention.

·        Apart from ancient texts, a study of prominent military campaigns and leaders like Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka and Cholas flourished and expanded their influence during their times.

·        The Naval Battle of Saraighat in 1671, led by Lachit Borphukan, stands as a stellar example of the use of clever diplomatic negotiations to buy time, employ psychological warfare, focus on military intelligence and exploiting the strategic weakness of the Mughals.

SC’s ‘No Fundamental Right to Marry’ 

·        Recently some constitutional experts have raised a question on the recent verdict of the Supreme Court of India, with respect to same sex marriage.

o   Recently, the SC agreed that there is no fundamental right to marry under the Constitution.

Legality of Same-Sex Marriages in India

·        The Right to marry is a statutory right rather than a fundamental or constitutional right under the Indian Constitution.

·        Even though marriage is governed by a number of legislative acts, India’s Supreme Court rulings are the only ones that have led to marriage’s recognition as a Fundamental right.

·        The right to marry is inextricably linked to the liberty guaranteed by the Constitution as a fundamental right, as is the ability of each individual to make decisions to exercise one’s liberty to lead a respectful life.

·        In the Supriyo Chakraborty case, the Supreme Court of India ruled that marriage is not a fundamental right. Because of this, the Court ruled that same-sex couples cannot get married. Experts believe that this is a wrong decision.

·        Nonetheless, the court unanimously ordered that same-sex couples be shielded from harassment. The Court also issued directives to raise awareness among the authorities in this regard and even ordered the formation of a committee to investigate several matters.

Problems faced by the LGBTQ+ community

·        Discrimination and Stigmatization: which manifest in various ways, such as employment discrimination, housing discrimination, and exclusion from certain social and religious communities.

·        Violence and Hate Crimes: Hate crimes, harassment, and physical violence against LGBTQ+ individuals are ongoing concerns. These incidents have serious physical, emotional, and psychological consequences.

·        Mental Health Issues: LGBTQ+ individuals are at higher risk of experiencing mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, often because of social isolation, discrimination, and family rejection.

·        HIV/AIDS Disparities: LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly gay and bisexual men, continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. Access to healthcare and prevention methods like Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) remains a serious concern.

Human Rights Declaration

·        Experts argue that the Court ignored the fact that India was an original signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the founding document of all human rights in the world.  

·        As India is a signatory to the UDHR, and as such, state legislatures and the national parliament must enact laws that support the UDHR. 

·        More significantly, Indian courts have interpreted laws and the Constitution in accordance with the UDHR and other international agreements.

·        The Supreme Court held, citing Article 16 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Puttaswamy case, that the right to marry the person of one’s choice is fundamental to Article 21 of the Constitution.

Way Forward

·        The society should spread awareness about the same-sex marriage and to continue advocating for legal recognition and societal acceptance to ensure equal marriage rights for all couples, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation.

Small Savings Instruments (SSIs)

The government raised the interest rate on the five-year recurring deposit scheme for the December quarter and retained the rates for all other small savings schemes. 

·        The government reviews the rate every quarter.

About Small Savings Instruments (SSIs) 

·        They are a set of savings instruments managed by the central government with an aim to encourage citizens to save regularly irrespective of their age. 

·        It comprises instruments, including the National Saving Certificate (NSC), Public Provident Fund (PPF), Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) and Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme. 

·        The money raised from people who save through these schemes goes to the Centre and is put into a fund called the National Small Savings Fund (NSSF).

·        The government resets the interest rate at the beginning of every quarter. 

o   Theoretically, since 2016, interest rate re-setting has been based on yields of government securities of the corresponding maturity, with some spread on the scheme for senior citizens, as advised by the Shyamala Gopinath Committee.

Latest Developments

·        National Savings (Monthly Income Account) Scheme, 2019 has been amended through National Savings (Monthly Income Account) (Amendment) Scheme, 2023 and the maximum investment limit has been raised from ₹ four lakh fifty thousand to ₹ nine lakh for a single account and from ₹ nine lakh to ₹ 15 lakh for a joint account with effect from 1st April 2023.  

·        Likewise, the Senior Citizen Savings Scheme, 2019 has been amended through Senior Citizens Savings (Amendment) Scheme, 2023 and the maximum investment limit has been raised from ₹ 15 lakh to ₹ 30 lakh .

Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations

·        Recently, India asserted that it did not violate diplomatic norms as enshrined in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, while dealing with Canada.

About

·        According to Canada’s Foreign Minister, unilateral revocation of diplomatic privileges and immunities is contrary to international law, including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

·        However, India claims that reduction in the number of Canadian diplomats in India in fact did not impact the staff requirement in the Canadian consulates, and it does not violate the Vienna Convention.

Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations

·        The Convention was adopted in 1961, is a foundational document of modern diplomacy. It updated and codified diplomatic practices that had evolved over centuries.

·        It is a comprehensive treaty that covers various aspects of diplomatic relations, including the establishment of diplomatic missions, the status and privileges of diplomatic agents, and the termination of diplomatic relations.

·        It has been ratified by 193 countries, making it one of the most widely accepted international treaties.

·        The convention says that persons working as diplomats are “inviolable” and can therefore not be arrested or detained.

·        Host nations hold the responsibility to protect diplomats from attacks on their freedom and dignity.

·        The treaty says that foreign envoys cannot be prosecuted or punished by the host country for actions carried out in the line of duty.

·        It also gives host countries the right to expel envoys.