National Commission for Minorities

• The eighth meeting of the National Commission for Minorities for the year 2024-25 was held on November 20 under the chairmanship of Iqbal Singh Lalpura.
• The Commission discussed the recommendations of the Chairman and Members based on their tour reports. 
• The Commission was apprised about recent minority related court judgments, RBI report on credit facilities, employment status amongst minorities, meetings with state governments for follow up action for grievance disposal, etc.

National Commission for Minorities

• In January 1978, the government set up the Minorities Commission to safeguard the interests of minorities.
• With the enactment of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992, the Minorities Commission became a statutory body and was renamed as the National Commission for Minorities.
• This Act came into force with effect from May 17, 1993. 
• The Commission consists of a chairperson, a vice chairperson and five members to be nominated by the central government from amongst persons of eminence, ability and integrity. 
• The members, including the chairperson, are required to be from amongst the minority communities.
• In accordance with Section 4(1) of the NCM Act, 1992, each member including the chairperson holds office for a period of three years from the date of assumption of office.

The main functions of the Commission are:

• i) Evaluate the progress of the development of minorities under the Union and states.
• ii) Monitor the working of the safeguards for minorities provided in the Constitution and in laws enacted by Parliament and the state legislatures.
• iii) Make recommendations for the effective implementation of safeguards for protection of the interests of minorities by the central government or state governments.
• iv)  Look into specific complaints regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of the minorities and take up such matters with the appropriate authorities.
• v) Cause studies to be undertaken into the problems arising out of any discrimination against minorities and recommend measures for their removal.
• vi)   Conduct studies, research and analysis on the issues relating to socio-economic and educational development of minorities.
• vii) Suggest appropriate measures in respect of any minority to be undertaken by the central government or state government.
• viii) Make periodical or special reports to the central government on any matter pertaining to minorities and in particular difficulties confronted by them.
• ix) Any other matter which may be referred by the central government.

Minority communities in India

• Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jain and Zorastrians (Parsis) have been notified as minority communities. 
• As per the Census 2011, the percentage of minorities in the country is about 19.3 per cent of the total population of the country. The population of Muslims are 14.2 per cent, Christians 2.3 per cent, Sikhs 1.7 per cent, Buddhists 0.7 per cent, Jain 0.4 per cent and Parsis 0.006 per cent.

10 years of POLIO Free India

• The India’s success in polio-free fame in 2014 represents one of the most significant successes in international public health.

India’s participation in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) complemented by the strong countrywide immunization efforts under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) made it successful.

Immunization in India

• The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) was launched in 1978.
• This program aimed to offer vaccines to children against several diseases. 
• In 1985, this application turned into renamed the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), broadening its reach to rural areas beyond city facilities. 
• The UIP was an essential part of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), launched in 2005 to enhance the health of rural populations.
• Today, UIP is one of the global’s largest public health packages, focused on over 2.67 crore newborns and 2.9 crore pregnant women yearly, providing free vaccines for 12 vaccine-preventable diseases. 
• Polio was one of the first diseases focused under UIP, and its removal became a key public health milestone.
• Polio

• Polio (poliomyelitis) is a fairly contagious viral disease because of the poliovirus. 
• It in most cases influences youngsters under the age of 5 and might lead to extreme headaches which include paralysis, disability, or maybe death. 
• Spread: Polio spreads especially through fecal-oral transmission. 
• It also can unfold through breathing droplets from coughing or sneezing.

• Symptoms: 

• Most cases are moderate or asymptomatic. 
• A smaller percentage of infected people increase paralytic polio, which could motivate paralysis, typically affecting the legs or respiratory muscle groups.

• Vaccination: 

• There is not any therapy for polio, it may only be prevented. 
• Polio vaccine, given in a couple of cases, can protect a child for life. 
• There are two vaccines to be had: oral polio vaccine and inactivated polio vaccine. Both are effective and safe.

India’s Efforts in Polio Eradication

• Pulse Polio Programme Launch (1995): It used an Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) method, achieving over 1 million children and ensuring each child under 5 was vaccinated.
• The marketing campaign was iconic, with the slogan “Do Boond Zindagi Ki” (Two drops of life).
• Routine Immunization and System Strengthening: The UIP provided free vaccines against polio, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, measles, hepatitis B, and tuberculosis.
• Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) Introduction (2015): IPV gives extra protection towards polio, specifically against type 2 poliovirus, and was step by step expanded nationwide by 2016. 
• Political Will and Community Engagement: Political leaders in any respect ensured that resources were allocated and the program acquired the needed attention.
• The Pulse Polio campaigns also relied heavily on door-to-door efforts, reaching kids in tough-to-reach areas.
• Final Leap: On 27th March 2014, India was formally declared polio-free, a milestone celebrated globally as an example of a hit public health intervention.

Way Ahead

• Annual Polio Campaigns: India maintains National Immunization Days (NID) and Sub-National Immunization Days (SNID) annually to preserve immunity levels high and ensure that no infant is ignored.
• Surveillance and Border Vaccination: Continuous surveillance and vaccination at global borders continues to mitigate the danger of polio re-importation from endemic regions.
• New Vaccines and Expansion: India has delivered several new vaccines underneath its immunization program, which includes Rotavirus, Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV), and Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine, as a part of broader efforts to save you other vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Mission Indradhanush: Launched in 2014, it aims to increase immunization coverage to 90%.

 2nd India-Australia Annual Summit:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese held the second India-Australia Annual Summit on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro on November 19.

Highlights of 2nd India-Australia Annual Summit:

• A raft of issues including ways to boost ties in areas of defence and security ties, mobility, science and technology and education figured prominently at the second India-Australia Annual Summit.
• Ahead of the fifth anniversary of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025, the Prime Ministers noted the significant progress made in strengthening bilateral ties across a range of important sectors.
• The two leaders looked forward to a long-term vision of defence and security collaboration to enhance collective strength, contribute to both countries'' security, and make an important contribution to regional peace and security.
• They welcomed the launch of the Renewable Energy Partnership (REP) which would provide the framework for practical cooperation in priority areas such as solar energy, green hydrogen, energy storage, investments in related projects and allied areas.
• Both sides are keen to build on the momentum created by the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) which was signed in 2022.
• They welcomed further work towards an ambitious, balanced and mutually beneficial Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), to realise the full potential of the bilateral economic relationship.

 The two leaders observed that ‘Make in India’ and ‘Future Made in Australia’ have complementarity and collaborative potential and could help create new jobs, unlock economic growth and secure our future prosperity in a changing world.

•  The leaders called for greater two-way investments reflective of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and instructed officials to explore ways to realise greater synergies between the economies of both the countries.
• They welcomed the growing space partnership between the two countries, both at space agency and space industry levels. Cooperation to support the Gaganyaan missions, the planned launch of Australian satellites on-board an Indian launch vehicle in 2026 and joint projects between our respective space industries exemplify this deepening collaboration.
• They reiterated their strong support for the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) as the Indian Ocean region’s premier forum for addressing the region’s challenges and looked forward to working closely together when India assumes the IORA Chair in 2025.

 India’s Exports Rises  

• The India’s exports showed an upward swing in October 2024 with an increase of 17.25percent due to festival demand in developed countries. 
• New record levels of export diversification and non-oil exports whereas cumulative exports for the year 2024/25 inclusive of services is likely to exceed $ 800 billion despite earlier hiccups.

India’s Trade Trends: Opportunities and Challenges

• The trade dynamics of India are on a wild swing this financial year. On that front, after a weak second quarter, goods exports recorded a sharp increase in October at 17.25%, making it only second to March 2020 with exports worth $39.2 billion. 
• This increase, largely attributed to heightened demand occasioned by the Christmas season in developed regions, has generated optimism over a much better second half in the current fiscal year.
• But flaws in petroleum trade and a broadening import bill indicates a weak link that should not be encouraged.

The Bright Spot: Non-Petroleum Exports

• Non-petroleum exports were up by 25.6% in October and for the first seven months of 2021 at $211.3 billion – the highest ever, said the survey. 
• But this only goes to illustrate the fact that India has a very diversified export portfolio. 
• Market demand during festivities has been an instrumental factor, and if this trend continues, the cumulative addition of merchandise and services export for 2024-2015 can easily surpass the targeted $ 800 billion.
• Another factor that has helped keep up the trade momentum is India’s services exports 14.6% year on by September. 
• Collectively, these trends indicate the relative vulnerability of those export oriented sectors of India which remain robust even in such a challenging world environment characterized by increasing geopolitical risks and low trade expansion.

The Petroleum Trade Conundrum

• On average, other country groupings were able to perform well in their non-petroleum export destinations Nevertheless, the outlook for the petroleum sector is unimpressive. 
• Australian crude oil imports rose by 13.2% to $18.3 billion in October, but Australian petroleum exports dropped by 22%, their lowest level in nearly three years. It brought the record oil trade deficit to $13.7 billion.
• This is due to the export value decreasing from $ 15.5 billion last year to $ 13.8 billion at a time when global oil prices are significantly lower than last year. However they do not adequately account for the increase in the import bill. 
• There may be a potential increase in domestic demand for petroleum products but much attention should be made on the disparity in imports and exports. 
• The surge in the oil trade gap together with the festive and wedding season which boosted gold imports, the overall import bill crossed a record of $ 66.3 billion in October.

Trade Deficit and Its Implication

• The organisation also pointed out that India’s trade deficit has increased in the past couple of months which has exerted more pressure on the economy. 
• Indeed foreign exchange reserves are still healthy enough to cater for about a year import covers while a progressively expanding trade deficit could present long-term risks to the economy. 
• High import means the import bill not only impinges on the balance of payment but even puts India in a precarious position with shocks arising from changes in the world oil prices or even geopolitical instabilities.

Global Trade Landscape: Risks and Opportunities

• The WTO expects global trade to grow 3% in 2025 up from a projected 2.7% in this year. 
• However, few risks are apparent. Global decline has a large impact most evidently in China, and unresolved conflicts in countries like Ukraine and the Middle East which directly interfere with supply chain. 
• On top of these factors, the extra anticipated pressure comes from the return of Donald Trump as the U.S President. 
• His administration may prefer more protectionism, for example through increased import taxes and local production subsidies, which are potentially unfavourable to India’s exports around the world.
• This emerging scenario means that India has to be cautious in its trade policies. 
• A recent proposal to a new laptop import management system with possible constraints may attract the attention of the U.S. government. 
• India has to ensure that such measures do not lead to a trade dispute, especially when the focus of the Trump administration is expected to be in the Far East.

Conclusion

• However, India’s ramp rebound in exports is a positive sign but problems such as the rising trade deficit and the volatile condition of the global trade system cannot be overlooked. 
• Therefore, the opening and offering of non-petroleum exports, encouraging the growth of manufacturing at home and achieving a balance in the foreign trade policies are possible solutions to improve India’s place on the list of successful countries of the world. 
• It is therefore embedded in the fact that the aim is to create legal changes for sustainable development that will lock the economy to outside volatilities.

Kochi – Muziris Biennale

•  Recently it was announced that the sixth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) will be held from December 12, 2025 to March 31, 2026 in which artist Nikhil Chopra will be the curator.
• Muziris or Muchiri is an ancient harbor and urban centre on the Malabar coast. However, the exact location has been a matter of dispute.
• Muziris was mentioned in the Periplus of the Erythrean Sea, the Bardic Tamil poems, and some classical sources.
• Pliny the Elder, in his Natural History, hailed Muziris as “the first emporium of India”
• It was the major ancient port city of the Cheras.
• It was also an important trading port for Christian and Muslim merchants which facilitated interactions between South India and Persia, the Middle East, North Africa, and the (Greek and Roman) Mediterranean region.
• Export: Spices, semi-precious stones, pearls, diamonds, ivory, chinese silk, tortoise shells, etc.
• Import: gold coins, peridots, multicolored textiles, copper, tin, coral, raw glass, wine, etc.
• As the Roman trade declined from the 5th century AD, the port attracted the Persian, Chinese and Arab traders until the devastating floods of Periyar in 1341.
• According to the recent findings through DNA analysis, Muziris was first occupied by the indigenous and ‘Megalithic’ (Iron Age) people. A continuous inflow of traders exemplified multicultural mixing in ancient South India.

MUSAWWARI – ART Exhibition

•  A Recently an exhibition called ‘Musawwari: Miniatures Today’ was held in New Delhi, highlighting the relevance of miniature paintings in contemporary times.
• It is a new group art exhibition on traditional styles of painting associated with miniatures in South Asia.
• It features a group of 20 artists from Europe, North America, Ecuador, South Asia, and West Asia, who interpret Indian aesthetics within contemporary global contexts.
• Miniature paintings are highly detailed paintings presented on a small scale.

Evolution:

• The tradition can be traced from the 9th-10th century in Buddhist and Jain palm leaf scriptures.
• It flourished in the 1500s during the Mughal period, however, it started declining during the last periods of the Mughals i.e., the time of Aurangzeb.
• However, in later time, various miniature traditions developed in various regions like Rajasthani, Himachali, etc.

Techniques:

• The traditional Tempera technique is used in this type of art and there are some preconditions for it like:
• The painting cannot be larger than 25 square inches.
• The subject should be within 1/6th of the actual size.

Features of the paintings:

• Most of the human characters are side-faced with big black eyes, a pointed nose, slim waist, black hair, and brown and fair skin color.
• However, Lord Krishna''s skin color is blue.
• Mostly natural colors are used.

Different schools of miniature paintings in India: 

President Vladimir Putin declares New Russian Nuclear Doctrine

The Russian President signed an updated nuclear doctrine declaring that any conventional attack on Russia supported by a nuclear power will be considered a joint attack on his country.

• New Russian Nuclear Doctrine

The new Russian nuclear doctrine signed by President Vladimir Putin declares that any massive attack on Russia may result in a nuclear response. 

• Why Russia adopted a new nuclear doctrine?

The new doctrine was signed in response to US President Joe Biden''s decision to allow Ukraine to use longer-range missiles supplied by the US to strike targets inside Russia, the doctrine was updated to reflect the current geopolitical situation.

• What are the key elements of the revised nuclear doctrine?

Joint Attack Consideration: According to the doctrine, a non-nuclear power attacking Russia with the assistance of a nuclear power will be considered to have launched a joint attack on Russia.

Nuclear Response Triggers: If a conventional or nuclear attack threatens Russia''s sovereignty and territorial integrity, especially against Russia or its ally Belarus, Russia may respond with nuclear weapons.

Aggression by Military Blocs: As per the doctrine, if a member of a military bloc or coalition (with NATO specifically mentioned) attacks Russia, the bloc as a whole will consider that to be aggression.

Broader Triggers for Nuclear Use: The doctrine broadens the range of situations in which Russia may respond with nuclear weapons, such as in the event of a massive air attack involving aircraft, drones, ballistic and cruise missiles, and other flying vehicles.

 Prime Minister Modi meets with Prime Minister of the UK

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with his British counterpart Keir Starmer on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This was the first meeting between the two Prime Ministers. 
• Both leaders agreed to take forward an ambitious India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to take the relationship to new heights in trade and investment, security and defence, technology, climate, health and education.
• As part of this they agreed to relaunch India-UK trade talks early next year. 
• Both leaders underlined the importance of resuming the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations at an early date and expressed confidence in the ability of the negotiating teams, to address the remaining issues to mutual satisfaction, leading to a balanced, mutually beneficial and forward looking agreement.
• They also welcomed the recent launch of the Technology Security Initiative, and discussed the opportunities for further cooperation on defence and security.

FTA to help double bilateral trade by 2030

• India and the UK formally launched negotiations for the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in January 2022.
• It is expected to help double bilateral trade by 2030 and boost economic ties between the two countries.
• India-UK bilateral trade (both goods and services) stood at £36.3 billion during the FY 2022-23. India was the UK’s 12th largest trading partner in this period accounting for 2.1 per cent of UK’s total trade.
• The UK is the sixth largest inward investor in India, with a cumulative equity investment of $34.30 billion (April 2000-June 2023), accounting for around 5.31 per cent of all foreign direct investment into India
• In May 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the then British PM Boris Johnson committed to an Enhanced Trade Partnership which could double the trade by 2030, strengthening relationship and invigorating respective economies through an FTA. 
• This Enhanced Trade Partnership is part of a wider 2030 Roadmap which covers the full spectrum of the UK-India bilateral relationship. 
• The pact will help in boosting Indian exports of leather, textile, jewellery and processed agri products.
• Besides, the Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) on pharma could provide additional market access. There is also great potential for increasing exports in service sectors like IT/ITeS, nursing, education, healthcare, including AYUSH and audio-visual services.

 India will also seek special arrangements for the movement of its people.

• India’s main exports to the UK are articles of apparel & clothing accessories, power generating machinery & equipment, petroleum and petroleum products, textile yarn, fabrics, footwear, medicinal & pharmaceutical products, engineering goods, transport equipment, spices, and marine products.
• The main imports from the UK to India are non-ferrous metals, metalliferous ores & metal scrap, industrial machinery, transport equipment, beverages, electrical machinery, and appliances, professional-scientific instruments and chemicals.
• • In the services sector, the UK is the largest market in Europe for Indian IT services.

 A UK-India agreement would help to put Britain at the heart of the Indo-Pacific region, an area representing over 40 per cent of global GDP and containing some of the world’s fastest growing economies. As these economies expand, it is key that the UK has access to their markets.

The 2030 Roadmap includes commitments to:

• •Expand  UK-India health partnership to enhance global health security and pandemic, vaccines and other medical products reach those who need them most.
• the Expand the UK-India partnership on tackling climate change, by accelerating the development of clean energy and transport and new technology, protecting nature and biodiversity and helping developing countries adapt to the impact of climate change.
• Deepen the economic relationship between the UK and India through an Enhanced Trade Partnership and confirming our intent to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement with a view to doubling UK-India trade over the next decade.
• Increase cooperation between British and Indian universities on crucial research in areas like health, emerging technologies, and climate science – and bringing enterprises together to propel ground-breaking innovations to communities that need them most. 
• Cooperate closely to tackle threats to our shared security in all their forms. 
• Enhance migration relationship, to make it easier for British and Indian nationals to live and work in each other’s countries.

Sanyukt Vimochan 2024

Command Structure of the Indian Army 

 Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise

• The Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) is a military cooperation that aims to save lives, reduce suffering, and resolve emergencies during natural disasters.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

• It is an apex Body of Government of India, with a mandate to lay down policies for disaster management. NDMA was established through the Disaster Management Act enacted by the Government of India on 23 December 2005.
• NDMA is responsible for framing policies, laying down guidelines and best-practices for coordinating with the State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMA''s) to ensure a holistic and distributed approach to disaster management.

 SC questions delay in delimitation process for northeastern states

• The Supreme Court raised concerns over the delay in carrying out the delimitation exercise in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Assam, despite a 2020 presidential order rescinding the deferment of the process.
• A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar said that once the President rescinds the notification,  that is enough to proceed with the delimitation exercise. 

What is the case about?

• A plea seeks immediate implementation of the delimitation exercise in northeastern states.
• The petition cited the presidential order of February 28, 2020, which allowed delimitation in the four northeastern states, along with the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
• The petitioner pointed out that two years have passed since the writ petition was filed, yet no concrete steps have been taken to initiate delimitation in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Manipur. He added that Assam alone has seen progress, with delimitation completed in August 2023 following an order from the Ministry of Law and Justice.
• The Election Commission (EC) maintained that specific directions from the central government are required to begin delimitation under Section 8A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
• The bench asked Additional Solicitor General K.M. Natraj, appearing for the Centre, to take instructions on the future course of action on the matter.
• The Additional Solicitor General said while consultations are underway for Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, the ongoing violence in Manipur makes the situation there unconducive.
• The hearing on the plea was then deferred till January 2025.

What is delimitation?

• Delimitation means the process of fixing limits or boundaries of territorial constituencies in a country or a province having a legislative body. 
• The job of delimitation is assigned to a high power body. Such a body is known as Delimitation Commission or a Boundary Commission.
• Delimitation Commission Under Article 82 of the Constitution, the Parliament by law enacts a Delimitation Act after every census.

Delimitation Commissions constituted in the past:

• i) In 1952 under the Delimitation Commission Act, 1952
• ii) In 1963 under Delimitation Commission Act, 1962
• iii) In 1973 under Delimitation Act, 1972
• iv) In 2002 under Delimitation Act, 2002.
• In May 2022, the Delimitation Commission on Jammu & Kashmir headed by former Supreme Court judge (retd) Ranjana Prakash Desai notified its final report.
• The Delimitation Commission in India is a high power body whose orders have the force of law and cannot be called in question before any court. 
• These orders come into force on a date to be specified by the President of India on this behalf. The copies of its orders are laid before the House of the People and the State Legislative Assembly concerned, but no modifications are permissible therein by them.
• The state governments have no role in redesigning the borders of constituencies.
• The present delimitation of constituencies has been done on the basis of 2001 Census figures under the provisions of Delimitation Act, 2002. The Constitution was specifically amended in 2002 not to have delimitation of constituencies till the first census after 2026. Thus, the present constituencies carved out on the basis of 2001 Census shall continue to be in operation till the first census after 2026.