05-April-2024-Daily-Current-Affairs

UNIVERSITIES MUST BUDGE ON COLLEGE AUTONOMY NUDGE

TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY AND GOVERNANCE– SOURCE: THE HINDU

The National Education Policy 2020 aims to transform colleges into autonomous institutions to foster innovation, self-governance, and academic freedom.

Autonomy Regulation by UGC:

• UGC introduced a new regulation in April 2023 to grant autonomy to colleges.
• Response: 590 colleges applied for autonomous status, indicating significant interest in autonomy.

Benefits of Autonomy:

• Autonomy allows colleges to customize their curriculum to meet student and industry needs, promoting innovation.
• Empowering colleges with autonomy fosters accountability and efficiency in academic and administrative decisions.
• Autonomy enhances institutional identity and pride, motivating faculty and staff towards excellence.

NIRF Rankings and Autonomy:

• The NIRF 2023 rankings show that 55 out of the top 100 colleges are autonomous, highlighting the positive impact of autonomy on academic excellence.
• In the top 10 colleges, five are autonomous, reinforcing the success of autonomy in achieving excellence.

Regional Trends in Autonomy:

• States like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana lead in the establishment of autonomous colleges.
• Even states with fewer autonomous colleges, like Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, and West Bengal, show growing interest in autonomy.

Challenges Faced by Autonomous Colleges:

• University Limitations: Some universities impose restrictions on syllabus changes and delay in recognizing autonomy, hindering college operations.
• Reluctance of Universities: Universities may hesitate to grant complete autonomy to colleges, especially in critical areas like syllabus design and fee imposition.
• Arbitrary Fees: Universities may impose arbitrary fees on autonomous colleges, undermining their autonomy and fairness.

NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY 2020

• The National Education Policy 2020 introduces significant reforms to promote inclusive and holistic education, emphasizing the importance of regional languages, foundational literacy, and flexible curricular structures to cater to the diverse needs of learners across the country.

Key Features of the National Education Policy 2020

Expansion of Foundational Education:

• Extending the school-going years from 3 to 18 instead of 6 to 14 to foster holistic development in children aged 3-6.

 Inclusion Efforts:

• Aim to bring two crore out-of-school children back into the mainstream education system.

Emphasis on Regional Languages

• Instruction medium until at least fifth grade to be in a regional language, recognizing its importance in a child’s cognitive and cultural development.

Curricular Restructuring:

• Shift from the 10+2 structure to a 5+3+3+4 structure, catering to different age groups from 3-18 years, including 12 years of schooling and three years of Anganwadi and pre-schooling.

Development of Early Childhood Education Framework:

• National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) tasked with developing a national framework for early childhood care and education (NCPFECCE) for children up to eight years old.

Focus on Literacy and Numeracy:

• Establishment of a National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy to ensure universal literacy and numeracy in all primary schools by grade 3 by 2025.

National Book Promotion Policy:

• Formulation of a policy to promote books and reading culture nationwide.

Redesigned Board Exams:

• Introduction of school exams in Grades 3, 5, and 8 to be conducted by appropriate authorities, with holistic development as the focus. Board exams for Grades 10 and 12 to continue, redesigned with holistic development in mind.

Establishment of PARAKH:

• Setting up of a National Assessment Center, PARAKH, to ensure holistic development through standardized assessments.

Recommendations for Effective Autonomy Implementation:

State Councils for Higher Education should ensure effective implementation of UGC autonomy regulations.

Collaboration: Universities must collaborate with autonomous colleges, streamlining decision-making processes and fostering trust.

Fostering autonomy in colleges is crucial for innovation and excellence in higher education, demanding collaboration and effort from all stakeholders to overcome challenges effectively.

REVISIT THESE SECTIONS OF THE BHARATIYA NYAYA SANHITA

TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY AND GOVERNANCE– SOURCE: THE HINDU

Some sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita faces postponement due to concerns over disproportionate penalties and potential constitutional conflicts.

• The introduction of “Petty Organised Crime” under Section 112 raises ambiguity in punishments and questions about consistency in sentencing

Section 106(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023:

• On Hold Decision: Central government postponed implementing this section, which mandates up to 10 years’ imprisonment for failing to report a fatal accident to authorities, awaiting discussions with All India Motor Transport Congress due to concerns over harshness
• Disproportionate Penalty: Critics argue that the penalty increase from 5 to 10 years for merely fleeing an accident scene without reporting is excessive, lacking parallel provisions in law and not aiding immediate medical assistance.
• Constitutional Conflict: Concerns raised regarding potential violation of Article 20(3) of the Indian Constitution, which prohibits self-incrimination, as fear of harsher punishment may lead to compelled confession, contrary to constitutional principles.

CHANGES IN BNS COMPARED TO IPC

• Introduction of community service as a penalty for minor offenses marks a significant addition to BNS.
• BNS now addresses mob lynching with a dedicated punishment provision.
• The inclusion of organized crime and petty organized crime as new offenses expands the legal framework.
• The enactment of a specific provision for terrorist acts strengthens BNS against such threats.
• Adjustments in penalties for hit and run cases reflect changes in sentencing priorities.
• Sedition no longer falls under BNS, replaced by treason under a new section (150).
• Possession of counterfeit currency is decriminalized under BNS.
• The definition of theft under BNS now includes intangible items like data and identity.
• A new offense of snatching is introduced in BNS.
• BNS addresses emerging crimes, such as credit card skimming, within its expanded scope.

Introduction of “Petty Organised Crime” under Section 112:

• New Offence: Section 112 introduces the offense of “petty organized crime,” encompassing various criminal acts committed by a group or gang member, with unspecified punishments.
• Ambiguity in Punishment: Concerns arise due to vague sentencing guidelines for acts falling under this provision, potentially conflicting with Supreme Court rulings on open-ended laws.
• Comparison with Existing Offenses: Sentencing for similar crimes varies under different sections of the BNS, raising questions about consistency and fairness in penalties

Revision of Theft Offenses under Section 303(2)

• Threshold for Non-cognizable Offenses: The amendment sets a threshold of stolen property value (less than ₹5,000) for cases to be classified as non-cognizable, raising practical and legal complications.

 Concerns Over Discretionary Punishments

• Judicial Discretion: Sections 104 and 143(6) & (7) of the BNS, mandating specific punishments without judicial discretion, raise constitutional concerns akin to the voided Section 303 of the Indian Penal Code, necessitating revisions for fairness and legality.

HOW ARE SYMBOLS ALLOTTED TO POLITICAL PARTIES?

TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY AND GPOVERNANCE – SOURCE: THE HINDU

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) denied a common symbol by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in Tamil Nadu

• The VCK secured 1.09% and 0.99% votes in 2019 and 2021, respectively, but was refused a common symbol.
• Rule 10B stipulates that a registered unrecognised party can obtain a common symbol for two general elections and should secure at least 1% of votes polled in the previous election to qualify.
• Despite having one Lok Sabha MP and four MLAs in Tamil Nadu, the VCK failed to meet the 1% vote threshold in the 2021 State Legislative Assembly elections, leading to the denial of a common symbol.

Election Symbol Allocation by the Election Commission of India (ECI):

HOW ARE SYMBOLS ALLOTTED

The ECI allocates symbols to political parties based on guidelines outlined in The Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.

• The order aims to regulate symbol specification, reservation, choice, and allotment during elections.

         

Types of Symbols:

• Reserved Symbols: Exclusively assigned to recognized political parties.
• Free Symbols: Available for unrecognised registered parties’ candidates.
• Exclusive Symbols: Granted to recognized national and state parties, reflecting their established status.

Symbol Selection Process:

• Preference Lists: Unrecognized parties provide a list of ten preferred symbols from the free symbol pool.
• Proposal of New Symbols: Parties can suggest up to three new symbols for consideration, adhering to specified criteria.

Historical Origins:

• Sketching Process: Symbols were initially sketched by MS Sethi, reflecting objects relatable to the common man.
• Birth of Familiar Symbols: Iconic symbols like the bicycle, elephant, and broom originated from these sessions.
• Modern Additions: New symbols like a bowl of noodles and a mobile charger have been included over time to reflect contemporary times.

Political Parties’ Involvement:

Preference Submission: Unregistered parties submit symbol preferences.

Proposal of New Symbols: Parties can suggest new symbols, adhering to criteria for approval.

Symbol Allocation in Split Parties:

• Decision by ECI: In cases of party splits, the ECI determines symbol assignment, ensuring fairness and clarity.
• Recent Example: Different symbols were assigned to factions of the Shiv Sena by the ECI, demonstrating its role in symbol allocation during splits.

PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SMT. DROUPADI MURMU, LAUNCHED INDIA’S FIRST HOME-GROWN GENE THERAPY FOR CANCER AT IIT BOMBAY.

TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY– SOURCE: PIB

President hailed it as a major breakthrough in the fight against cancer, offering accessible and affordable treatment named “CAR-T cell therapy,” instilling hope for countless patients.

Affordability:

• Unlike expensive therapies in developed nations, this therapy is affordable, making it accessible to a larger population globally.
• It’s hailed as the world’s most affordable CAR-T cell therapy, aligning with the ‘Make in India’ initiative and promoting self-reliance.
• Developed through collaboration between IIT Bombay, Tata Memorial Hospital, and industry partner ImmunoACT.

In the past two decades, research has expanded options with new drugs and immune system-boosting therapies.

Advancements in Cancer Interventions:

• Drugs targeting cancer cell survival and spread have been developed.
• Immune system-boosting drugs and CAR T-cell therapy show promise in shrinking tumors and eradicating advanced leukemias and lymphomas.

Development of CAR T-cell Therapy in India:

• India joined the elite list of countries with CAR T-cell therapy after regulatory approval in October.

           

CAR T-cell Therapy Process:

• Customized for each patient, involves extracting T cells, genetically modifying them in labs, and infusing them back into the patient.
• Offers potential long-term effectiveness with fewer side effects compared to traditional

Cost and Accessibility:

• Despite being more affordable than Western counterparts, the therapy remains expensive in India.
• Collaboration among planners, scientists, and policymakers is needed to ensure accessibility and affordability for all patients.

PRATUSH TELESCOPE

TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY– SOURCE: THE HINDU

PRATUSH – Probing reionisation of the Universe using Signal from Hydrogen, is an innovative radio telescope.

Astronomers looking forward expanding our view of the cosmos by deploying high-resolution telescopes on the moon and in its orbit, aims to revolutionize our comprehension of the universe by providing insights from the moon’s far side.

Developed by the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in Bengaluru, India, in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Key Features:

• High-Resolution Capability: PRATUSH’s location on the moon’s far side and advanced technology afford it high-resolution capabilities.
• Objective: PRATUSH is designed to detect signals from the first stars and galaxies, shedding light on the cosmic dawn of the universe.
• Instrumentation: Equipped with a wideband frequency-independent antenna, a self-calibrating analog receiver, and a digital correlator, PRATUSH captures crucial radio noise for understanding the Dark Ages of the universe.
• Target Sensitivity: PRATUSH aims for high sensitivity, targeting a few millikelvin without being constrained by systematic features. This ensures accurate detection of faint signals from the early universe.

         

Mission Execution:

Initially, PRATUSH will be placed into Earth’s orbit by ISRO for fine-tuning and testing.

Subsequently, ISRO will launch PRATUSH towards the moon to commence its mission of unravelling the universe’s origins.

NITROGEN-FIXING BACTERIA

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT– SOURCE: THE HINDU

Recent research has unveiled nitrogen-fixing bacteria’s exhibiting behaviours similar to organelles, suggesting a deeper integration between these bacteria and their host plants.

This discovery could shed light on the intricate mechanisms underlying symbiosis and nutrient cycling in ecosystems.

     

Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria:

• Importance: Nitrogen-fixing bacteria play a crucial role in the nitrogen cycle by converting atmospheric nitrogen gas into form that plants can use, helping to enrich soil fertility.

There are two main types of nitrogen-fixing bacteria:

• Symbiotic or mutualistic: These bacteria form mutually beneficial relationships with certain plants, residing in specialized structures called root nodules.
• Free-living: These bacteria do not require a host and are commonly found in soil or aquatic environments.

Examples:

• Symbiotic bacteria include Rhizobium, associated with leguminous plants like peas, and various Azospirillum species, which thrive in cereal grasses.
• Free-living bacteria encompass Cyanobacteria like Anabaena and Nostoc, as well as genera.

TIDALLY LOCKED PLANET

TOPIC: (GS1) GEOGRAPHY– SOURCE: THE HINDU

A group of astronomers and astrophysicists from around the world has recently verified the initial observation of a super-Earth exoplanet that is tidally locked.

A tidally locked planet is one that keeps the same face towards its parent star as it orbits, with its rotation period matching its orbital period around the star.

     

Characteristics:

• One side of the planet always faces the star, experiencing perpetual daylight and likely extreme heat.
• The other side is in perpetual darkness, potentially freezing water and atmospheric gases due to extreme cold.
• The Moon is tidally locked to Earth, showing only one side to us.
• Pluto and its moon Charon are tidally locked to each other due to their close proximity and similar sizes.

Influence on Movement: Tidal locking slows down a planet’s spin, affecting its movement and creating unique environmental conditions.

Beyond Planets: Tidal locking isn’t limited to planets; it can occur in other celestial bodies, such as binary star systems, where two stars are tidally locked to each other. This phenomenon is crucial in understanding the dynamics of celestial bodies in space.

CONTEMPT OF COURT

TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY AND GOVERNANCE– SOURCE: THE HINDU

The Allahabad High Court recently stated that decisions made by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, can only be appealed to the Supreme Court and not to the High Court.

Constitutional Provisions:

• Article 129 of the Constitution designates the Supreme Court as a ‘Court of Record’, empowering it to punish for contempt of itself.
• Article 215 grants similar powers to the High Courts.

Types of Contempt:

• Civil Contempt: Involves willful disobedience to a court’s judgment, decree, or order, or breach of an undertaking given to a court.
• Criminal Contempt: Includes actions like publishing scandalous matter about a court, interfering with judicial proceedings, or obstructing the administration of justice.
• Punishment: Contempt of court can lead to simple imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to two thousand rupees, or both. However, apology to the satisfaction of the court may result in discharge or remission of punishment.

Exemptions:

• Fair and accurate reporting of judicial proceedings isn’t considered contempt.
• Fair criticism of a judicial order after a case’s conclusion is also not contemptuous.
• Contempt laws uphold the dignity and authority of the judiciary while ensuring the smooth functioning of the justice system.