Content:
A new age of imperialism
What has SC previously ruled on gag orders?
Why has the UGC-CARE list of journals been discontinued?
Women achievers to take charge of PM’s social media accounts for a day
Health Ministry bans export of drugs containing Tapentadol, Carisoprodol
Why personal accident insurance is a lifeline
First detailed map of moon’s south pole made from Chandrayaan data
A new age of imperialism
Context : Decline of the Rules-Based International Order
The post-WWII order, founded on economic integration, collective security, and self-determination, is weakening.
The U.S., once its key proponent, now repudiates UN Charter principles, especially after the second Trump presidency.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations , Global Governance)
Historical Context of the World Order
Formation (1941-1945): U.S., U.K., Soviet Union, and China established collective security (Four Policemen concept).
Yalta Conference (1945): Inclusion of France; spheres of influence implicitly accepted (e.g., Soviet control in Eastern Europe).
Despite flaws, institutions like the UN and Bretton Woods fostered predictable international relations.
Trump’s Disruption of Global Norms
Withdrew from key agreements (Paris Agreement, WHO).
Imposed unilateral tariffs, disrupting global trade.
Pursuing nationalist policies, focusing on U.S. hemispheric dominance.
U.S.-Russia Rapprochement and Ukraine Crisis
Trump bypasses Ukraine in peace talks; labels Zelenskyy a dictator.
Concessions to Russia (e.g., no NATO troops in Ukraine) undermine European security.
European reliance on NATO now challenged; forced to rethink defense strategies.
Resurgence of Spheres of Influence
U.S. refocuses on the Western Hemisphere and West Asia.
Russia gains a freer hand in Europe; seeks to reclaim imperial-era territories.
China eyes Taiwan amid waning U.S. presence in East Asia.
Implications for India and the Region
China’s historical claims (e.g., McMahon Line dispute) raise regional security concerns.
India faces heightened insecurity with shifting global alignments and China’s assertiveness.
Emerging World Order: Might Over Right
Multilateralism gives way to power politics and territorial ambitions.
The global system transitions from cooperation to competition and coercion.
What has SC previously ruled on gag orders?
Context : Ranveer Allahbadia Case Overview:
SC granted interim protection from arrest (Feb 18) in FIRs related to alleged obscenity on his YouTube show India Got Latent.
Stringent conditions imposed:
Prohibited from posting on social media until further orders.
Directed to surrender passport.
These conditions contrast previous SC caution against undue restrictions while granting relief.
Relevance : GS 2(Judiciary ,Polity )
Allahbadia’s Plea:
Filed under Article 32 for fundamental rights protection.
Sought consolidation of FIRs from Maharashtra, Assam, and Rajasthan to prevent harassment.
Precedent: In Parteek Bansal v. State of Rajasthan (2022), SC criticized multiple FIRs for the same offence as harassment.
Interim Relief Conditions:
No statutory guidelines; judges use discretion based on:
Flight Risk: Potential of absconding.
Intimidation of Witnesses: Possibility of threats.
Tampering with Evidence: Risk of interfering with investigation.
Usual conditions: passport surrender, high bail bonds, mandatory police appearances.
SC cautions against disproportionate restrictions:
Satender Kumar Antil v. CBI (2022): Conditions “impossible of compliance” defeat bail’s purpose.
Frank Vitus v. NCB (2024): Google Maps PIN sharing deemed unconstitutional; violates Article 21 privacy rights.
Gag Orders & SC’s Prior Rulings:
Allahbadia’s content ban is a prior restraint—restricting speech before it occurs.
SC’s free speech stance:
Rehana Fathima Case (2021): Kerala HC’s social media ban stayed.
Mohammed Zubair Case (2021): Request to restrict tweets rejected; gag orders create a “chilling effect” on speech and hinder profession.
Principle: Prior restraints permissible only in exceptional cases to balance freedom of speech and justice.
Why has the UGC-CARE list of journals been discontinued?
Background:
The UGC-CARE list, introduced in 2018, aimed to recognize reputable academic journals for faculty selection, promotions, and research funding.
On February 2024, the UGC discontinued the list, replacing it with 36 suggestive parameters under eight criteria for evaluating journals.
Relevance : GS 2(Governance , Education )
New Suggestive Parameters (36 under 8 Criteria):
Journal Preliminary Criteria: Title, ISSN, periodicity, transparency in review policy.
Editorial Board Criteria: Availability and composition details of editorial board.
Editorial Policy: Ethical publishing standards and peer-review process.
Journal Standards: Consistency, citation practices, and quality indicators.
Journal Visibility: Indexing, reach, and accessibility.
Research Ethics: Measures against plagiarism and predatory practices.
Why did UGC withdraw the CARE list?
Criticisms of CARE List:
Over-centralisation: Excessive control in journal recognition decisions.
Delays: Slow process in adding or removing journals.
Limited Representation: Exclusion of respected Indian language journals.
Lack of Transparency: Opaque decision-making processes.
UGC’s Justifications for New Approach:
Decentralisation: Institutions can develop their own evaluation mechanisms aligned with UGC parameters.
Flexibility: Allows consideration of discipline-specific needs and emerging fields.
Combating Predatory Journals: Places responsibility on HEIs to ensure publication quality.
Response & Concerns:
Students’ Federation of India (SFI):
Condemned the move, citing lack of consultation with academic communities.
Feared proliferation of low-quality journals without central oversight.
Warned of academic integrity erosion and inconsistent evaluation processes.
Broader Concerns:
Part of deregulation trend under NEP 2020.
Risk of arbitrary journal evaluations by different institutions.
Women achievers to take charge of PM’s social media accounts for a day
Women Achievers & International Women’s Day (March 8)
PM Narendra Modi to hand over his social media accounts to women achievers for a day.
Aim: Allow women from diverse fields to share insights and inspire others.
Initiative highlights the role of Nari Shakti (women power) in nation-building.
Reference to Hansa Mehta’s contribution to the national flag and women’s role in the freedom struggle.
Relevance : GS 2(Governance , Social Issues)
Space Sector Growth & Women Participation
India launched around 460 satellites in the past decade, including foreign ones.
Increasing involvement of women scientists in ISRO and space missions.
Encourages youth to explore careers in science through visits to labs and planetariums.
Focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI)
India’s progress in AI recognized at an international conference in Paris.
Example: Thodasam Kailash, a schoolteacher using AI to create music in the Kolami language.
National Games & Youth Achievements
Over 11,000 athletes participated in the Uttarakhand National Games.
Rise of teenage sports champions:
Gavin Antony (15) – Shooting
Anushka Yadav (16) – Hammer throw
Dev Kumar Meena (19) – Pole vault
Wildlife Conservation & Cultural Significance
Emphasis on the cultural connection with wildlife in Indian traditions.
Appreciation for tribal communities’ role in protecting wildlife.
Health Ministry bans export of drugs containing Tapentadol, Carisoprodol
Context : Export Ban on Tapentadol-Carisoprodol Combinations
Health Ministry banned the export of unapproved combination drugs containing Tapentadol and Carisoprodol.
Action taken after reports of Aveo Pharmaceuticals (Mumbai) exporting these drugs to certain West African countries.
Relevance : GS 2(Health, Governance)
Drug Profiles
Tapentadol: Opioid used for moderate to severe pain; approved in various tablet forms (50-200 mg).
Carisoprodol: Muscle relaxant targeting pain centers in the brain and spinal cord.
The combination is not approved in India and not listed under the NDPS Act.
Regulatory Actions & Compliance Measures
CDSCO and State regulators initiated risk-based inspections since December 2022:
905 manufacturing units inspected.
694 regulatory actions taken (including production halts, licence suspensions, and warnings).
Aveo Pharmaceuticals audited (Feb 21-22); operations halted following non-compliance findings.
Seizure & Preventive Measures
Seized materials:
1.3 crore tablets/capsules.
26 batches of Tapentadol and Carisoprodol APIs.
Maharashtra FDA ordered immediate production stop and withdrawal of export NoCs.
Nationwide instructions issued to prevent further distribution of the unapproved combination.
Why personal accident insurance is a lifeline
Context : Rising Accident Rates in India (2023-24)
Road accidents: ~1.73 lakh deaths, 4.63 lakh injuries in 2023.
Home accidents:
Falls: 30%
Burns: 20%
Accidental poisoning: 15%
Drowning (mainly children): 10%
Workplace accidents (2024): 400+ deaths, 850+ serious injuries.
Adventure sports risks: Activities like trekking, rafting, and paragliding contribute to rising accident numbers.
Relevance : GS 2(Health )
Why Personal Accident Insurance is Vital
Provides a financial safety net against sudden accidents.
Affordability: Cheaper than health or life insurance; accessible to all income groups.
Key Benefits of Personal Accident Insurance
Accidental death/permanent disability cover: Fixed payout ensures financial stability for dependents.
Support for dependents: Education and marriage funds for children, widows, and parents.
Medical expense coverage:
Hospitalisation costs covered.
Lump sum benefits for burns, broken bones, or coma.
Recovery support:
Coverage for home/vehicle modifications.
Expenses for prostheses, wheelchairs, crutches.
Income protection: Payouts during recovery to offset lost wages.
Debt coverage: Some policies cover outstanding loans if the policyholder is a breadwinner.
Emergency services: Air ambulance for remote-area accidents.
Exclusions & Premium Factors
Exclusions:
Self-inflicted injuries, suicide attempts.
Accidents under alcohol/drug influence.
Injuries from criminal activities or high-risk sports.
Pre-existing conditions/disabilities.
Premium determination:
High-risk jobs (e.g., miners, factory workers) attract higher premiums than office jobs.
Bottom Line:
Personal accident insurance is an affordable, crucial safeguard against unexpected financial burdens arising from accidents across various environments (road, home, work, or adventure).
Understanding coverage details and exclusions is vital for making informed choices.
First detailed map of moon’s south pole made from Chandrayaan data
Context :
First-ever detailed geological map of the moon’s south polar region created using Chandrayaan-3’s Pragyan rover data.
Collaborative effort by PRL Ahmedabad, Panjab University, and ISRO’s Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems.
Focused on Vikram lander’s site (landed August 23, 2023) revealing an undulating landscape of highlands and low plains.
Relevance : GS 3(Science , Technology)
Major Scientific Findings:
Primordial magma presence confirmed:
Chandrayaan-3 detected an ancient underground ocean of molten rock beneath the landing site.
Confirms earlier suspicions from Apollo, Luna, and Chang’e missions but provides first polar region data.
Age of the region:
Estimated at 3.7 billion years, coinciding with early microbial life emergence on Earth.
Cratering history:
Secondary craters traced to the Schomberger crater as the primary debris source.
Landed near the South Pole–Aitken Basin, one of the oldest and largest craters in the solar system.
Earth-Moon Evolutionary Links:
Common origin theory supported:
Earth and moon possibly formed from debris after a Mars-sized body collided with Earth 4.5 billion years ago.
Geochemical similarities: Presence of common isotopes and aligned orbital inclinations.
Environmental Concerns:
Lunar littering and contamination risks:
Decades of space missions have left debris, affecting the regolith and thin lunar exosphere.
Water vapour exhaust from landers may skew lunar ice readings at the poles.
Colonisation efforts could further disturb the pristine lunar surface and hinder future scientific studies.
Scientific Significance:
Helps date geological features on other rocky planets using crater analysis.
Provides new insights into the moon’s formation, evolution, and internal structure.
Crucial for future lunar exploration and resource management strategies.