01-January-2025-Daily-Current-Affairs

THE NATURE OF DISSENT IN THE INDIAN JUDICIARY

TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU

Judicial dissent is a cornerstone of democracy, promoting healthy debate and refining legal interpretations.

Role of Dissent in Democracy

• Dissent is vital for a vibrant democracy, ensuring diverse perspectives in judicial decisions.
• Both India and the U.S. have a history of impactful judicial dissent, but their reasons and contexts differ.

Dissent in the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS)

• Political Influence on Judicial Appointments: U.S. judges are appointed based on political affiliations, often shaping their judicial decisions.
• Example: Justice Stephen Breyer (appointed by Democrats) supported affirmative action and opposed the death penalty, as seen in Glossip v. Gross (2015).
• Justice Samuel Alito (appointed by Republicans) dissented on same-sex marriage in Obergefell v. Hodges (2015).

Dissent in the Indian Supreme Court

• Reduced Political Influence: Indian judges are chosen by a collegium, minimizing political interference in judicial decisions.
• Examples: ADM Jabalpur Case (1976): Justice H.R. Khanna opposed the suspension of fundamental rights during the Emergency, later influencing constitutional amendments.
• V. Narasimha Rao Case (1998): Justices Agarwal and Anand dissented on bribery-related immunity for parliamentarians, later overruled in Sita Soren (2023).
• Social Dissent: Judges express contrasting views on social and religious issues.
• Examples: Shayara Bano Case (2017): Justices Khehar and Nazeer dissented, arguing triple talaq was integral to Sunni personal law.
• Aishat Shifa Case (2022): Differing opinions on whether banning hijabs in schools violated secularism.
• Intellectual Dissent: Dissents often arise from differing constitutional interpretations.
• Example: Lalta Prasad Vaish Case (2024): Justice Nagarathna focused on textual clarity regarding the term “intoxicating liquor.”

Conclusion

Judicial dissent strengthens democracy by fostering debate, encouraging judicial independence, and shaping future legal frameworks. It ensures laws align with evolving societal values while upholding constitutional principles.

GEOPOLITICAL SHIFTS IN 2025

TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: INDIAN EXPRESS

The geopolitical environment in 2025 brings significant changes, including leadership shifts, regional turmoil, and global conflicts. These developments present India with both opportunities and challenges in shaping its foreign policy and global standing.

A Changing Global Order in 2025

• The year witnesses’ key events like Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency, leadership changes in India’s neighbourhood, and ongoing global conflicts.
• These shifts demand a recalibration of India’s diplomatic strategies to maximize benefits and address risks.

India’s Neighbourhood: Political Changes

• Bangladesh: Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year tenure ends amid protests, leading to her exile in India. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus faces political instability and tensions with India over Hasina’s extradition.
• Sri Lanka: The rise of leftist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake introduces a new approach to addressing Tamil minority issues, closely monitored by India.
• Maldives: Relations show slight improvement under Mohamed Muizzu despite his earlier anti-India stance.
• Nepal: K.P. Sharma Oli’s pro-China policies remain a challenge, though his alliance with the Nepali Congress provides some stability.

Global Conflicts and India’s Position

• Ukraine Crisis: Peace talks are underway, with China and India playing critical roles. India faces the challenge of balancing mediation efforts with its long-term interests.
• Relations with China: Border tensions ease with troop withdrawals and diplomatic talks. Despite ongoing trust issues, high-level visits, including a possible trip by PM Modi to China, may foster better relations.
• Pakistan: Relations remain strained due to terrorism concerns, with little progress on SAARC’s revival.

India and Western Alliances

• United States: Donald Trump’s return adds uncertainty, but a Modi-Trump meeting could enhance ties.
• Canada: Relations remain tense over allegations of India’s involvement in the killing of a Khalistani separatist.
• Europe: Rising far-right movements and immigration issues pose challenges for Indian workers and students. Free trade talks with the EU and UK continue amid political shifts.

Focus Beyond the West

• Africa: India may host a summit to deepen ties, building on the success of the 2015 India-Africa Summit.
• Russia: President Putin’s visit to India underscores ongoing bilateral cooperation amidst global scrutiny over the Ukraine war.

Conclusion

In 2025, India must balance regional challenges and global opportunities to cement its role as a global power. Diplomatic agility and proactive engagement will be crucial for navigating an evolving geopolitical landscape.

QUAD MEMBERS REAFFIRM INDO-PACIFIC COMMITMENT

TOPIC: (GS2) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: THE HINDU

The Quad Foreign Ministers recently pledged to work towards a free, open, and stable Indo-Pacific region. They emphasized ASEAN centrality and regional cooperation to ensure peace and prosperity in the area.

About the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)

Formation and Purpose

• Quad includes India, the U.S., Australia, and Japan.
• Established in 2007, initially to coordinate humanitarian aid after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Primary Objective

• Promotes a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
• Focuses on countering China’s expanding influence in the region.

Key Cooperation Areas

• Maritime Security: Ensuring the safety of international waters.
• Infrastructure Development: Building resilient infrastructure in Indo-Pacific nations.
• Connectivity: Enhancing links between member and regional countries.

Commitment to Regional Institutions

• ASEAN Centrality: Recognizes the importance of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in maintaining regional security.
• Support for the Pacific Islands Forum: Stresses the role of the forum in addressing Pacific region challenges.
• Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA): Quad supports IORA’s role in fostering collaboration across Indian Ocean nations.

Future Engagements

• Upcoming Quad Summit: India will host the next Quad Summit in late 2025, focusing on advancing shared goals.
• Regional Focus: Continues to prioritize strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific through cooperation and diplomacy.

Conclusion

The Quad remains committed to a stable and secure Indo-Pacific, fostering regional partnerships and promoting shared values of openness and inclusivity.

INDIA-NEPAL JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE: SURYA KIRAN

TOPIC: (GS3) SEQURITY: THE HINDU

The 18th edition of Exercise Surya Kiran, a collaborative military drill between India and Nepal, is being conducted in Nepal’s Shivalik ranges. This exercise emphasizes strengthening military cooperation and mutual understanding.

Key Details of Exercise Surya Kiran

Objective

• Enhance interoperability and coordination between the armies of India and Nepal.
• Focus on joint counter-terrorism (CT) strategies and mountain warfare tactics.

Annual Event

• Conducted every year, alternately in India and Nepal.
• This edition is taking place at the Nepal Army Battle School in Saljhandi, Western Nepal.

Core Focus Areas

• Counter-Terrorism Operations: Training to combat modern terrorism threats.
• Jungle and Mountain Warfare: Preparing for operations in challenging terrains.
• Humanitarian Assistance: Activities aimed at disaster relief and rescue operations.

Significance of the Exercise

• Strengthening Relations: Reinforces the bond of friendship between India and Nepal. Promotes trust and collaboration between the two nations.
• Military Cooperation: Facilitates the exchange of military expertise and best practices. Improves operational readiness in diverse scenarios.

Conclusion

Exercise Surya Kiran is a vital platform for enhancing defence ties and building mutual trust between India and Nepal. By focusing on modern warfare and humanitarian training, the exercise underscores the commitment of both nations to regional stability and partnership.

ISRO’S POEM-4 MODULE SUCCESSFULLY DEPLOYS 10 PAYLOADS

TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: THE HINDU

ISRO’s POEM-4 module under the PSLV-C60/SpaDeX mission deployed 10 payloads successfully, enabling non-government entities to test space technologies efficiently. This highlights India’s efforts to boost private participation in space exploration.

Key Highlights of the POEM-4 Module

What is POEM-4?

• Full Form: POEM-4 stands for PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-4.
• Purpose: It is designed for conducting scientific experiments in space.
• Part of a Mission: POEM-4 is associated with the PSLV-C60/SpaDeX mission launched by ISRO.

Technical Features

• The module is a modified PS4 stage (upper stage of the PSLV rocket), reused to deploy payloads in orbit. Operates at an altitude of 350 km with a 55-degree inclination.
• Facilitates experiments and payload testing for non-government entities (NGEs) without requiring an entire satellite launch.

Significance of the Mission

• Payload Deployment: A total of 10 payloads were successfully deployed.
• Facilitating NGEs: Provides opportunities for start-ups, academic institutions, and research organizations to test their technologies in space.
• Lowering Barriers: Reduces costs and entry hurdles for private entities in space research and innovation.

Role of IN-SPACe

Introduction to IN-SPACe

• Stands for Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center.
• An autonomous body under the Department of Space, focusing on promoting private sector participation in space activities.

Functions of IN-SPACe

• Encourages collaboration between non-government entities and ISRO.
• Facilitates the use of Indian space infrastructure by private entities.
• Provides a competitive environment for private companies in the space sector.
• Works to create a vibrant and robust space ecosystem in India.

Contribution to POEM-4

• IN-SPACe enabled the deployment and operationalization of the 10 hosted payloads on POEM-4.

Conclusion

The POEM-4 module exemplifies India’s commitment to integrating private players into its space missions. With IN-SPACe’s support, the mission paves the way for innovation and broader participation in the Indian space ecosystem.

GOOGLE’S QUANTUM CHIP WILLOW: A REVOLUTIONARY STEP IN COMPUTING

TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGTY: THE HINDU

Google’s newly introduced quantum chip, Willow, represents a breakthrough in quantum computing, showcasing significant advancements in efficiency and error correction for solving highly complex problems.

What is Willow?

• Quantum Processor: Willow is a cutting-edge quantum processor developed by Google.
• Qubit Count: It features 105 physical qubits, which process and store information.

Operating Conditions

• Requires extremely low temperatures near absolute zero (-273°C) for optimal performance.
• Utilizes both data qubits and measurement qubits to detect and correct computational errors.

Unique Working Mechanism

• Unlike classical computers, Willow uses qubits that can exist in multiple states simultaneously (superposition), allowing it to perform many calculations at once.
• Incorporates advanced error-correction techniques, ensuring greater speed and reliability compared to earlier quantum systems.

Key Achievements of Willow

• Efficiency in Problem Solving: Demonstrated remarkable capabilities by completing random circuit sampling, a highly complex computational task, in just minutes. The same task would take traditional computers millions of years.
• Applications in Diverse Fields: Holds potential to revolutionize areas such as drug discovery, climate modeling, and optimization problems in industries like logistics and finance.

Significance of Willow

• Error-Correction Breakthrough: Overcomes a significant limitation in quantum computing by addressing errors, making it more efficient and dependable.
• A Step Towards Practical Quantum Computing: Signals progress in making quantum computing viable for real-world applications, bridging the gap between theoretical and practical usage.

Conclusion

Google’s Willow quantum chip highlights the immense potential of quantum technology to solve challenges that are beyond the scope of classical computers, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of computing.

SOCIAL INEQUALITY AND ITS LINK TO BRAIN AGING AND DEMENTIA

TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU

A recent study highlights how social inequality influences brain aging and dementia, stressing the need to address socioeconomic disparities for better global brain health outcomes.

Link Between Social Inequality and Brain Health

• Connection Established: The study shows a clear link between social inequality and changes in brain structure related to aging and dementia.

• With dementia cases rising globally, especially in low- and middle-income nations, addressing inequality is vital for brain health interventions.

• Rising Concern: Dementia rates are expected to surge, making it crucial to tackle disparities to prevent widespread cognitive decline.

Study Scope and Methods

Research Conducted by Experts

• The study was carried out by teams from South America and Trinity College Dublin.
• It involved over 2,100 participants from Latin America and the US, including individuals with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Focus Areas

• The analysis examined structural inequality indices and their impact on brain volume and connectivity.
• It particularly looked at brain regions responsible for memory and cognitive functions.

Key Findings: Effects of Inequality

• Negative Impacts on Brain Health: Higher socioeconomic disparities were linked to reduced brain volume and weakened connectivity. The effects were most severe in Latin America.
• Latinos and Alzheimer’s: Latinos with Alzheimer’s experienced the strongest negative effects, showcasing how inequality worsens neurodegeneration.
• Independent of Individual Factors: These effects persisted even after adjusting for variables like age, education, and cognitive ability.

Broader Determinants of Brain Health

Role of Macro-Level Factors

• Structural inequality and physical environments influence brain health beyond individual characteristics.
• The study urges the inclusion of these factors in brain health strategies globally.

Future Directions

• More research is needed to explore biological mechanisms linking inequality to neurodegeneration.
• Interventions must address both individual and macro-level disparities for meaningful improvements.

Conclusion

Addressing social inequality is key to mitigating its impact on brain health, emphasizing the urgency of incorporating societal factors into global strategies for combating dementia and cognitive decline.

PANGONG LAKE

TOPIC: (GS1) GEOGRAPHY: THE HINDU

Pangong Lake, located in the Ladakh Himalayas, is renowned for its unique beauty and strategic significance. It is one of the world’s highest saltwater lakes, attracting attention for its geographical and political relevance.

About Pangong Lake

Meaning and Name Origin

• The name “Pangong Tso” originates from the Tibetan language, meaning “High Grassland Lake.”
• Also referred to simply as Pangong Lake.

Geographical Features

• Situated in the Ladakh Himalayas at an altitude of over 14,000 feet (4,350 meters).
• It is a landlocked (endorheic) lake, meaning it does not flow into any sea or ocean.
• Known as the world’s highest saltwater lake.

Physical Characteristics

• Spans 135 kilometers with a unique boomerang shape.
• One-third of the lake lies in India, while two-thirds extend into China.
• Remarkably, the lake changes colors, appearing blue, green, or red depending on the time and weather.

Strategic Importance

• The lake is located in a region of geopolitical significance, often at the center of India-China boundary discussions.

Conclusion

Pangong Lake is not only a natural marvel but also a symbol of strategic importance, underscoring the need to preserve its ecological and political balance.