Content :

1. Centre will allow import of EVs at 15% to promote domestic manufacturing
2. Health facilities not fully prepared for diabetes, hypertension care: study
3. How is President’s Rule imposed?
4. How Japan’s new AI Act fosters an innovation-first ecosystem
5. Centre calls for proposals to set up de-addiction centres in ‘gap’ districts
6. Team from CCMB finds clues to Darwin’s ‘abominable mystery’

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Centre will allow import of EVs at 15% to promote domestic manufacturing

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Policy Overview

• Import Duty Reduced: EV manufacturers allowed to import up to 8,000 electric cars per year at 15% customs duty, down from 70-100%.
• Eligibility Criteria: Manufacturers must commit to investing ₹4,150 crore (~$500 million) in setting up domestic EV manufacturing units.
• Implementation Timeline: Approved companies must start operations within 3 years and meet local value addition norms.
• Duration: Concessional duty valid for 5 years from date of approval.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance ) , GS 3(Energy ,Technology)

Domestic Manufacturing Push

• Objective: Boost Make in India for EVs while attracting foreign investment.
• Companies can use either greenfield (new) or brownfield (existing) investments—a key change from earlier draft policy.
• Brownfield clause may added after lobbying from domestic players who concerned unfair competition.

Global Interest & Tesla’s Position

• Heavy Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy noted that Tesla is not keen on manufacturing in India; more focused on setting up showrooms and sales.
• Policy possibly aimed at attracting other global EV players like BYD, Hyundai, or VW.

Key Features of the Scheme

• Car Price Minimum: Imported vehicles must have minimum CIF value of $35,000 to avoid dumping of low-cost imports.
• Cap on Imports: Limited to 8,000 units annually, ensuring domestic manufacturers are not overwhelmed.
• Localization Mandate: Gradual increase in domestic value addition over the years to ensure manufacturing ecosystem develops.

Implications for India

• Encourages technology transfer, job creation, and supply chain development.
• Potential to reduce import dependence in long term.
• Ensures controlled opening of Indian EV market while safeguarding domestic industry interests.

Challenges & Criticisms

• Risk of policy misuse if localization norms are not strictly enforced.
• Possible market distortion if foreign EVs dominate high-end segment.
• Domestic manufacturers may still face pressure to match global tech and quality.

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Health facilities not fully prepared for diabetes, hypertension care: study

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A recent ICMR study highlights that India’s lower-tier health facilities are inadequately prepared for diabetes and hypertension care, with significant gaps in diagnostics, staffing, and medicine availability.

Relevance : GS 2(Health, Governance)

Key Findings

• Survey Scope:
  • Cross-sectional survey across 19 districts in 7 States.
  • Total 415 health facilities surveyed; 75.7% were public facilities.
  • 57.6% were primary care facilities.
  • 53.3% located in rural areas.

• Overall Readiness:
  • Sub-centres: Lowest readiness at 61%.
  • Community Health Centres (CHCs): 59% readiness.
  • Primary Health Centres (PHCs): 73% readiness – better than other public primary-level facilities.
  • Private primary care facilities (Level 2): Only 57% readiness.
  • District hospitals & tertiary care centres (public/private): Above 70% – considered prepared.

• Preparedness Criteria Used:
  • Based on WHO’s Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA).
  • Parameters included: Equipment, diagnostics, staff, medicines, guidelines, and data systems.

Key Concerns Identified

• Infrastructure gaps at lower-tier facilities (sub-centres, CHCs).
• Inadequate diagnostic capacity at district hospitals, despite being secondary-level facilities.
• Weak drug supply chains and data systems at primary care level.
• Private primary care also lags behind public PHCs in readiness.

Recommendations by Experts

• Human Resource Strengthening: Ensure adequate staffing at all public health levels.
• Supply Chain Improvements: Provide an uninterrupted supply of essential medicines for diabetes and hypertension.
• Diagnostic Services:Upgrade diagnostic facilities at district hospitals to manage complications.
• Programme Management: Deploy dedicated programme managers to ensure full utilization of services.
• Data & Guidelines: Improve health information systems and ensure availability of standard treatment guidelines.

Implications

• India’s frontline rural healthcare (sub-centres, CHCs) is underprepared for managing NCDs.
• PHCs show relatively better readiness, indicating success of certain public health investments.
• Highlights the urgent need for systemic strengthening in infrastructure, diagnostics, and human resources to handle the rising burden of non-communicable diseases.

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How is President’s Rule imposed?

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Context & Current Situation

• Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 2025 due to a deteriorating security situation.
• A delegation of 10 MLAs met the Governor to press for forming a viable government, as the assembly’s term ends in March 2027.

Relevance : GS 2(Federalism ,Polity )

What is President’s Rule (Article 356)?

• Imposed when the State government cannot function as per the Constitution.
• Triggered by:
  • Governor’s report, or
  • Failure to comply with Union’s directions (Article 365).
• President (i.e., Union government) takes over executive authority of the State.

Procedure for Imposition

• Proclamation must be approved by both Houses of Parliament within 2 months (simple majority).
• Valid for 6 months at a time, extendable up to 3 years in total (with conditions).
• Assembly may be:
  • Kept under suspended animation, or
  • Dissolved, depending on the situation.

Historical Misuse & Political Expediency

• B.R. Ambedkar hoped Article 356 would remain a “dead letter”.
• However, it was misused frequently, especially to remove Opposition-led governments.
• Past examples: Imposition based on loss in Lok Sabha elections, or law and order issues.

Dissolution of Assemblies – No Uniform Norm

• No standard approach adopted by Governors after President’s Rule:
  • Kerala (1970) and Punjab (1971): Assemblies dissolved despite doubtful majority.
  • Punjab (1967), UP (1968), MP (1969), Odisha (1971): Assemblies retained; attempts made to form new Ministries.
• Governor’s discretion often politically driven.

Judicial Intervention – S.R. Bommai Case (1994)

• Landmark case that limited misuse of Article 356.
• Key rulings:
  • President’s Rule can be imposed only in case of breakdown of constitutional machinery.
  • Subject to judicial review.
  • Legislative Assembly should not be dissolved until Parliament approves the proclamation.
  • Prevents dissolution for political reasons.

Post-Bommai Judicial Oversight

• Courts struck down imposition of President’s Rule in:
  • Bihar (2005)
  • Uttarakhand (2016)
  • Arunachal Pradesh (2016)
• Judiciary now acts as a constitutional watchdog against arbitrary use.

Revocation of President’s Rule

• In Manipur’s case:
  • Assembly has 18+ months left.
  • Viable government with majority support can be formed without elections.

Conclusion

• Article 356 remains a sensitive constitutional tool.
• Its use must be strictly limited to constitutional crises, not political expediency.
• Current situation in Manipur calls for a government with democratic and social legitimacy.

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How Japan’s new AI Act fosters an innovation-first ecosystem

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Core Features of Japan’s AI Act (2025)

• Name: Act on the Promotion of Research, Development and Utilisation of AI-Related Technologies.
• Philosophy: Promotes innovation over regulation; coordination over control.
• Model Type: Voluntary and facilitative, not risk-tiered or enforcement-heavy.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance) ,GS 3(Technology)

Key Assumptions Behind the Law

• Assumption 1: Innovation thrives better without rigid regulatory burdens.
• Assumption 2: Voluntary cooperation, under national guidance, can mitigate risks effectively.

Structural and Strategic Provisions

• Establishes AI Strategy Headquarters under the Cabinet.
• Responsible for creating a Basic Plan for AI: includes R&D, deployment, international cooperation, and public education.
• Article 13: Government must develop non-binding guidelines reflecting international norms to prevent misuse (e.g., privacy violations, IP theft).
• Article 17: Mandates international cooperation and global norm alignment (e.g., via G7 Hiroshima Process, OECD, UN AI bodies).

Strengths of the Innovation-First Model

• Avoids regulatory chilling effects: Encourages experimentation and rapid development.
• Government as a facilitator: Signals support instead of regulatory policing.
• Encourages multi-stakeholder participation: Includes businesses, universities, public bodies, and citizens.
• Supports long-term economic revival: Aligned with Japan’s strategy to overcome workforce shrinkage and global tech competition.
• Flexible for future adaptation: The law includes provisions for future review and amendment.

Challenges and Risks

• Lack of binding standards: Could delay response to harm or malpractice.
• Accountability concerns: Unclear enforcement pathways for bias, misinformation, or AI failure.
• Risk of public trust erosion: Without enforceable rules, public may question AI reliability and fairness.
• Global pressure to clarify “responsible AI”: Especially in high-risk sectors like health or defense.

Comparative Global Context

• EU: Risk-tiered model (2024 AI Act); values digital sovereignty, rights-based governance, and strict enforcement.
• U.S.: Moving toward sector-specific legislation (AI Disclosure Act); balancing innovation with oversight.
• UAE: Executive-led, innovation-friendly with sectoral pilots and AI sandboxes.

Strategic Implications

• Japan’s model is a trust-based gamble on coordinated governance and technocratic leadership.
• Aims to lead globally by showing that responsibility doesn’t need rigidity.
• Real test lies in policy agility, cross-sector coordination, and global norm adaptation.

Conclusion

• Japan’s AI Act is a bold alternative to both deregulation and hyper-regulation.
• Success would offer a replicable blueprint for innovation-led governance.
• Failure could expose the limits of voluntary models in the face of rapidly advancing, high-risk technologies.

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Centre calls for proposals to set up de-addiction centres in ‘gap’ districts

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Context :

• The Union Government has invited proposals to establish District De-Addiction Centres (DDACs) in 291 “gap” districts across 30 States and UTs.
• These are part of the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) led by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE).

Relevance : GS 2(Social Issues ,Governance)

What Are “Gap” Districts?

• Districts without any centrally supported:
  • Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs),
  • Community-based Peer Led Initiatives (CPLIs),
  • Outreach and Drop-in Centres (ODICs).
• These lack basic infrastructure for treatment or rehabilitation related to substance abuse.

Objectives of New DDACs

• Provide treatment and rehabilitation facilities for substance use disorder.
• Act as multi-functional centres with:
  • Drop-in facility,
  • Peer-led initiative area,
  • Rehab beds for 15 to 30 patients.
• Conduct primary prevention through awareness campaigns.
• Engage in risk mitigation of substance use in vulnerable communities.

Key Implementation Details

• Proposals invited from NGOs and start-ups with a minimum of 2 years’ experience in the field.
• Last date to apply: June 30, 2025.
• Centres to have defined infrastructure norms including space for staff and multi-functional facilities.

States with Highest Number of Gap Districts

• Chhattisgarh: 31 out of 33 districts.
• Bihar: 25 districts.
• Madhya Pradesh: 23.
• Gujarat: 22.
• Arunachal Pradesh: 21.
• Others: Jharkhand (16), Punjab (16), Uttar Pradesh (18), Assam (10).

Future Roadmap

• MoSJE will conduct a fresh nationwide survey to gather district-level data on extent and pattern of substance use.
• Data will help target interventions more precisely in future phases.

Significance

• Addresses regional disparity in access to de-addiction services.
• Aims to create a comprehensive network of support in previously underserved regions.
• Critical for early intervention, especially in rural and tribal belts affected by drug dependency.

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Team from CCMB finds clues to Darwin’s ‘abominable mystery’

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Background & the “Abominable Mystery”

• Darwin termed the sudden and rapid diversification of flowering plants (around 130 million years ago) an “abominable mystery”.
• Fossil records show flowering plants (angiosperms) diversified abruptly in anatomy and habitat.
• This was an anomaly in the otherwise gradual process of evolution.

Relevance : GS 3(Science )

Findings by CCMB Scientists

• Study published in Nature Plants by CSIR-CCMB, Hyderabad.
• Researchers identified a gene called SHUKR in Arabidopsis thaliana, a model flowering plant.
• SHUKR:
  • Expressed in sporophyte cells.
  • Crucial for pollen (male gametophyte) development.
  • Regulates F-box genes, which help remove old proteins and make room for new ones in developing pollen.

Shift in Plant Life Cycle Control

• In mosses (early land plants):
  • Gametophyte is dominant; sporophyte is dependent.
  • Sperm swims in water to reach egg.
• In flowering plants:
  • Sporophyte is dominant.
  • Gametophytes (pollen and ovules) are enclosed and reduced.
  • SHUKR reveals sporophyte controls gametophyte development — overturns old assumption of independent gametophyte control.

Role of SHUKR in Evolutionary Success

• SHUKR and F-box genes are:
  • Present only in eudicots (which form 75% of flowering plants).
  • Rapidly evolving, enabling adaptive pollen production.
• Helps pollen adjust to variable conditions — heat, drought, humidity.
• Suggests molecular basis for flowering plants’ rapid radiation and global success.

Implications for Food Security & Climate Resilience

• Flowering plants are central to:
  • Food systems (seeds = cereals, pulses, oilseeds).
  • Biodiversity and ecosystem stability.
• Climate change threatens plant reproduction by damaging pollen viability.
• SHUKR could:
  • Help breed climate-resilient crops.
  • Enable precision pollination strategies based on environmental cues.
  • Open avenues for adaptive, genetically-informed agriculture.

Scientific Significance

• Cracks part of Darwin’s puzzle by linking molecular innovation (SHUKR) to evolutionary expansion.
• Shows sporophyte’s regulatory role in gametophyte formation — a paradigm shift in plant developmental biology.

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