Content

1. Crimes against Children Surge in Assam, Rajasthan, and Kerala
2. Securities Transaction Tax (STT) Challenge: Analysis
3. Medicine Nobel for Scientists Who Demystified the Immune System
4. MGNREGA Norms Tweaked for Water Projects
5. Scientific Research in Resource-Constrained Settings: Challenges and Adaptations
6. Why the Immune System Doesn’t Attack the Body

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Crimes against children surge in Assam, Rajasthan, and Kerala

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Why in News

• The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2023 data shows a sharp rise in crimes against children in Assam, Rajasthan, and Kerala.
• The increase is significant compared to the national average rise of 25%, prompting policy, media, and governance attention.
• The trends highlight issues in child protection, legal enforcement, and reporting mechanisms.

Relevance :

• GS-2 (Governance & Social Justice):
  • Child protection policies and mechanisms
  • Legal reforms like POCSO Act, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act
  • Role of state machinery in prevention, rescue, and rehabilitation
• GS-3 (Social Issues & Internal Security):
  • Trends in crimes against children
  • Reporting mechanisms and classification of offences
  • Targeted interventions for vulnerable groups

Overall National Trend

• National increase in crimes against children (2018–2023): 25%.
• Focus States: Assam, Kerala, Rajasthan — all exceeding the national average.

State	Average Cases (2018–2022)	Cases in 2023	% Increase
Assam	5,100	10,000	~100%
Kerala	2,800	5,900	106%
Rajasthan	6,200	10,500	70%

State-wise Drivers of the Rise

Assam

• Main Cause: Crackdown on child marriage.
• Data:
  • Cases under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006:
    • 2020–2022: ~150 cases/year
    • 2023: 5,267 cases
  • Share of child marriage cases in total crimes against children: 52% (2023) vs 3–4% previously.
• Insight: Rise reflects active enforcement, not necessarily a spike in incidence.

Rajasthan

• Drivers:
  • Reclassification under POCSO Act, 2012
    • Shifted from IPC Section 376 (rape) to POCSO provisions.
    • Cases under Sections 4 & 6 of POCSO read with IPC Section 376: 3 → 3,500+ cases (2022–2023).
    • Indicates more accurate classification, alongside a real increase in offences.
  • Kidnapping and abduction:
    • Cases under child kidnapping/abduction provisions rose sharply.
    • Share in total crimes against children: >54% (2023).

Kerala

• Drivers:
  • POCSO cases surge due to improved classification and reporting.
  • Increase reflects both better detection and possibly a genuine rise in offences.

Broader Observations

• Reporting vs Incidence:
  • Higher numbers may partly reflect improved reporting and classification rather than purely higher crime rates.
• POCSO Act 2012 Impact:
  • Enhanced legal focus on child sexual offences.
  • Uniform classification helps in policy formulation and tracking.
• Policy Implication:
  • States need better child protection mechanisms, rapid response teams, and awareness programs.
  • NCRB data aids in targeted interventions and resource allocation.

Key Takeaways

• Assam, Kerala, and Rajasthan are high-alert states for child protection interventions.
• Legal reforms like POCSO Act implementation improve classification, monitoring, and enforcement.
• Policy focus should balance prevention, rescue, rehabilitation, and reporting mechanisms.
• Data-driven approach is crucial to distinguish between reporting artefacts and real increase in crimes.

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Securities Transaction Tax (STT) Challenge

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Why in News

• The Supreme Court of India has issued notices on a plea challenging the constitutional validity of the Securities Transaction Tax (STT).
• The petitioner claims STT violates fundamental rights, particularly:
  • Article 14: Right to equality
  • Article 19(1)(g): Right to trade or profession
  • Article 21: Right to live with dignity
• The case has drawn attention because it could impact stock market regulation, direct taxation, and financial market participants.

Relevance

• GS-2 (Polity & Governance):
  • Constitutional rights: Article 14, 19(1)(g), 21
  • Role of judiciary in reviewing legislative competence
• GS-3 (Economy & Finance):
  • Taxation policy and financial market regulation
  • Double taxation, equity and efficiency in taxation

Basics of STT

• Introduction: STT was introduced in 2004 under the Finance Act.
• Purpose:
  • To curb tax evasion in securities markets.
  • Applied on transactions on listed stock exchanges.
• Nature of Tax:
  • Levied on all securities transactions, including buying and selling shares, derivatives, and equity mutual funds.
  • Charged irrespective of profit or loss, unlike income tax which is applied on net profit.

Key Claims in the Petition

• Double Taxation:
  • STT is levied even when capital gains tax is paid on the profit from the same transaction.
  • Example: If a trader earns ₹1 lakh profit:
    • Capital Gains Tax (CGT) applies
    • STT is additionally charged, increasing the effective tax burden.
• Punitive Nature:
  • Tax is applied even on loss-making trades, unlike most Indian taxes which are profit-linked.
  • Viewed as deterrent to free trade.
• Violation of Fundamental Rights:
  • The petitioner argues STT infringes the right to earn a livelihood and equal treatment under law.
  • No refund or adjustment mechanism like TDS in salaried income exists for STT.

Legal Context

• Current Framework:
  • STT is mandated under Finance Act, 2004, applied to:
    • Equity shares
    • Derivatives
    • Equity-oriented mutual funds
  • Collected at the time of transaction, automatically deducted by brokers.
• Comparative Mechanism:
  • TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) for salaried individuals can be adjusted/refunded annually.
  • STT has no such provision, making it unique and potentially punitive.

Broader Implications

• Financial Market Impact:
  • If SC strikes down or modifies STT, it could reduce compliance burden for traders.
  • Potentially increase trading volume and liquidity in stock markets.
• Government Revenue:
  • STT revenue in FY 2023-24: ~₹9,500 crore (approximate, from Union Budget data).
  • Challenging STT could affect direct tax revenue from securities transactions.
• Policy Debate:
  • Balances tax collection efficiency vs fundamental rights.
  • Raises questions on design of financial market taxation in India.

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Medicine Nobel for scientists who demystified the immune system

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Why in News

• The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Shimon Sakaguchi (Japan), Mary Brunkow, and Fred Ramsdell (USA).
• Recognition is for discoveries related to the human immune system, particularly regulatory T cells (Tregs) and peripheral immune tolerance.
• Significance: Findings have paved the way for novel therapies in cancer, autoimmune diseases, and organ transplantation.

Relevance

• GS-3 (Science & Technology):
  • Advances in immunology and biotechnology
  • Implications for healthcare, personalized medicine, and public health
• GS-2/3 (Ethics & Innovation):
  • Research ethics, translational research, and equitable access to advanced therapies

Human Immune System

• Components:
  • B cells: Produce antibodies to neutralize pathogens.
  • T cells: Mediate cellular immunity; can kill infected cells or regulate immune response.
  • Neutrophils & Macrophages: Innate immune cells; engulf pathogens.
• Function: Identify and eliminate foreign antigens while maintaining tolerance to self-cells.
• Tolerance: Prevents immune system from attacking body’s own tissues. Two types:
  • Central tolerance: Elimination of self-reactive T cells in thymus.
  • Peripheral tolerance: Mechanisms outside the thymus, ensuring immune cells do not attack self-cells in circulation.

Key Discoveries by the Laureates

1. Shimon Sakaguchi (1995):
   1. Identified a previously unknown class of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in mice.
   1. Showed these cells suppress autoimmunity by controlling other T cells.
   1. Introduced the concept of peripheral immune tolerance beyond central tolerance.
2. Mary Brunkow & Fred Ramsdell (2001):
   1. Discovered that mutations in the Foxp3 gene cause severe autoimmune disease (IPEX syndrome) in humans.
   1. Demonstrated the mechanistic link between Foxp3 and Tregs, establishing Tregs as the immune system’s “security guards.”

Mechanism of Peripheral Immune Tolerance

• Regulatory T Cells (Tregs):
  • Express Foxp3 gene.
  • Monitor and regulate other immune cells to prevent self-reactivity.
  • Deficiency or mutation leads to autoimmune disorders, where the body attacks its own tissues.
• Impact on Disease:
  • Cancer: Manipulating Tregs can boost anti-tumor immunity.
  • Autoimmune Diseases: Treg-targeted therapies reduce abnormal immune attacks (e.g., Type 1 diabetes, IPEX).
  • Transplantation: Enhances graft acceptance by controlling immune rejection.

Clinical & Research Significance

• Peripheral Tolerance: Launched a new field of research.
• Medical Applications:
  • Novel immunotherapies for cancer (checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T).
  • Treatments for autoimmune diseases (immune modulation via Tregs).
  • Organ transplantation: Reduces rejection risk.
• Ongoing Research: Several therapies targeting Tregs are in clinical trials.

Broader Scientific Context

• Previously, immune tolerance was thought to occur only through central tolerance (elimination in thymus).
• Discoveries reveal multi-layered immune regulation, highlighting:
  • Complexity of immune system
  • Need for balance between immunity against pathogens and self-tolerance
• Showcases how basic research can translate into therapeutic breakthroughs.

Numbers & Facts

• Foxp3 mutations: Cause IPEX syndrome, a rare but life-threatening autoimmune disorder.
• Treg discovery timeline:
  • 1995: Sakaguchi identifies Tregs in mice
  • 2001: Brunkow & Ramsdell link Foxp3 mutations to autoimmune disease
• Clinical trials: Multiple Treg-based therapies underway globally for autoimmunity, cancer, and transplantation.

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MGNREGA Norms Tweaked for Water Projects

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Why in News

• The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) revised the Schedule-I norms of MGNREGA to increase allocation and spending on water conservation, water harvesting, and water-related rural works.
• Objective: Address groundwater depletion and promote productive assets, aligning MGNREGA with climate resilience and agriculture sustainability.

Relevance

• GS-3 (Economy & Rural Development):
  • MGNREGA implementation, rural employment, and resource allocation.
  • Water conservation and sustainable agriculture linkages.
• GS-3 (Environment & Ecology):
  • Groundwater depletion, water security, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
• GS-2 (Governance):
  • Policy reforms, targeted fund allocation, and state-level planning under a central scheme.

What is MGNREGA?

• Full form: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005.
• Purpose: Provide at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment per rural household annually.
• Scope:
  • Rural works under employment guarantee are funded by the Central Government.
  • Work types: infrastructure creation, water conservation, land development, afforestation, etc.
• Key provision: Minimum wage payment for 100 days per household, with priority to the poorest and most vulnerable.

What Changed in the Norms?

• Previous rules: Funds could be spent flexibly across sectors; water-related works had a maximum 30–35% allocation.
• New rules:
  • Minimum 60% of MGNREGA funds at the district/block level must go to water conservation, water harvesting, and water-related works.
  • Other works (productive assets, agriculture-related, and livelihood-focused) will compete for the remaining allocation.
• Reason for change:
  • To create productive assets that directly support agriculture and rural income.
  • Responds to Prime Minister’s directive emphasizing water security.

Classification of Blocks

• Blocks categorized based on groundwater extraction:
  • Semi-critical: groundwater depletion moderate; some intervention needed.
  • Critical: severe depletion; urgent intervention needed.
  • Over-exploited: excessive extraction; recharge and conservation critical.
• Funding priority:
  • Blocks with over-exploited or critical status get the majority of MGNREGA allocations.
  • Objective: replenish groundwater and improve agricultural productivity.

Financial Implications

• Allocation: About ₹35,000 crore earmarked for water-related works under MGNREGA.
• State-wise impact:
  • Priority to states with over-exploited or critical blocks.
  • Example: Rajasthan (214 blocks), Punjab (115), Tamil Nadu (106), Haryana (88), Uttar Pradesh (59).

Rationale Behind the Move

• Groundwater depletion: Over 70% of blocks in over-exploited or critical zones face declining water tables.
• Agriculture support: Water conservation critical for irrigation, crop resilience, and rural livelihoods.
• Climate resilience: Addresses rainfall variability and drought-prone areas.
• Prime Minister’s push: Aligns MGNREGA with productive asset creation, beyond mere wage employment.

Strategic and Policy Implications

• MGNREGA as a multi-purpose tool:
  • Provides employment
  • Builds climate-resilient infrastructure
  • Supports water security and agriculture productivity
• Monitoring and implementation:
  • Focus on district/block-level planning
  • Ensures targeted interventions in critical areas
• Expected outcome:
  • Improve groundwater recharge
  • Ensure sustainable agriculture and livelihoods
  • Reduce rural migration due to water scarcity

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Scientific Research in Resource-Constrained Settings: Challenges and Adaptations

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Why in News

• Highlighted at the Student Conference on Conservation Science (Bengaluru, September 2025) by Dr. Sammy Wambua, conservation genomics scientist from Pwani University, Kenya.
• Focus: How researchers in the Global South, including India and Kenya, navigate bureaucratic, financial, and technological obstacles.
• Relevance: Highlights systemic issues in Indian scientific research and points toward South-South collaboration and innovative solutions.

Relevance

• GS-3 (Science & Technology):
  • Challenges in scientific research infrastructure, technology adoption, and funding.
  • Role of innovation and collaboration in overcoming systemic barriers.
• GS-2/3 (Governance & Policy):
  • Regulatory bottlenecks and procurement rules in government-funded research institutions.
  • Importance of policy reform and accountability.

Context of Scientific Research in the Global South

• Scientific research in developing countries faces structural barriers:
  • Bureaucratic red tape
  • Limited funding
  • Expensive and rapidly evolving equipment
• Yet, researchers continue work through innovation, improvisation, and collaborations.
• Indian and African scientists face similar challenges, making comparative learning relevant.

Bureaucratic Challenges

• Multiple overlapping policies and opaque approval processes stall research.
• Oral directives can override written rules; official communication often silent or delayed.
• Example:
  • Wildlife permits in India: delays of up to 8 months, even when legally allowed.
  • DNA sequencing procurement in public universities: cycles often exceed six months, leading to obsolete equipment.
• Dr. Wambua advocates that government offices should function like service counters: transparent, clear, and proactive.

Funding Constraints

• Postgraduate scholarships and project funding often delayed or denied.
• Indian context: Fellowships disbursed months late, forcing students into teaching or personal loans.
• Workarounds:
  • Partner with NGOs or conservation organizations to link research outcomes with capacity building.
  • Ensure research budgets cover student fees and stipends.

Technological Limitations

• Equipment such as DNA sequencers are expensive (tens of lakhs INR) and quickly become outdated.
• Workarounds:
  • Ship samples to labs abroad for processing using state-of-the-art facilities.
  • Leverage international collaborations to access cutting-edge technology.

Collaborative Solutions

• Frameworks of Collaboration: Provisional agreements allow work to start while formal MoUs are processed.
• International collaborations:
  • Essential to bridge funding and technology gaps.
  • Facilitate knowledge transfer and capacity building.
• South-South collaboration emphasis: Pooling resources among African and Asian countries can align research priorities and avoid isolated, ineffective efforts.

Indian Context and Jugaad

• Procurement rules:
  • “Lowest price” norms create challenges for specialized reagents.
  • Recent reforms: direct purchase limit increased from ₹1 lakh → ₹2 lakh; VCs can approve tenders up to ₹200 crore.
• Jugaad culture: Scientists develop quick fixes to overcome bureaucratic hurdles, e.g., sitting in offices, improvising timelines.
• Publication metrics:
  • 2014–2023: Indian agricultural scientists coauthored ~2,100 papers with US institutions → 33,000+ citations.
  • Shows international collaboration boosts visibility and impact.

Lessons and Recommendations

• Transparency and responsiveness: Governments should provide real-time updates on permits, approvals, and funding.
• Flexible procurement: Simplify processes for specialized equipment and reagents.
• Collaborative networks:
  • Encourage cross-border research frameworks (South-South and North-South).
  • Pool resources and share facilities to mitigate technology and funding constraints.
• Innovation and resilience: Researchers can sustain work using creative problem-solving, persistence, and networking.

Broader Implications

• Ensures equitable science by enabling researchers from resource-constrained settings to contribute globally.
• Addresses systemic gaps in Indian scientific ecosystem: bureaucracy, funding delays, and outdated rules.
• Highlights need for policy reforms in research funding, procurement, and international collaboration.

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Why the Immune System Doesn’t Attack the Body

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Basics of the Immune System

• The immune system defends the body against pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and harmful molecules.
• Key players: T cells, a type of white blood cell, coordinate immune responses and destroy infected cells.
• Problem: How does the immune system avoid attacking the body’s own healthy cells? This is called immune tolerance.

Relevance

• GS-3 (Science & Technology):
  • Advances in immunology and biotechnology
  • Implications for healthcare, personalized medicine, and public health
• GS-2/3 (Ethics & Innovation):
  • Research ethics, translational research, and equitable access to advanced therapies

The Discovery

• By the 1980s, scientists hypothesized the existence of a special type of T cell that prevents the immune system from attacking itself.
• These were later identified as regulatory T cells (Tregs), also known as “police” T cells.
• Function of Tregs:
  • Suppress overactive immune responses.
  • Maintain tolerance to self-antigens.
  • Prevent autoimmune diseases (conditions where the body attacks itself).

Key Experiments

• Shimon Sakaguchi’s study (1995):
  • Surgically removed the thymus (T cell maturation site) in newborn mice.
  • Result: Mice developed autoimmune conditions unless Tregs were present.
  • Conclusion: Thymus is crucial for producing regulatory T cells; without them, self-attack occurs.
• Later experiments identified FOXP3 gene as essential for Treg development.
  • Mutations in FOXP3 → autoimmune conditions like IPEX syndrome in humans and Scurfy mice in animals.

Contributions of Researchers

• Shimon Sakaguchi (Japan):
  • Discovered Tregs and their role in immune tolerance.
  • Coined the term “police T cells.”
• Mary F. Brunkow & Frederick J. Ramsdell (USA):
  • Identified the FOXP3 gene controlling Treg development.
  • Linked genetic mutations to autoimmune diseases in humans.

Significance of Regulatory T Cells

• Autoimmunity: Prevents the immune system from attacking organs and tissues.
• Cancer therapy:
  • Some therapies target Tregs to enhance immune attacks on tumors.
  • Understanding Tregs helps balance immune activation and suppression.
• Drug development: Potential to create therapies for autoimmune diseases by modulating Treg activity.
• Gene therapy: FOXP3 gene research enables interventions in rare immune disorders.

Why This Is in the News

• 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded to Sakaguchi, Brunkow, and Ramsdell.
• Recognises the decades-long work in immune tolerance and regulatory T cell biology.
• Implications for:
  • Understanding autoimmune diseases.
  • Development of immunotherapies for cancer.
  • Potential future therapies to balance immune overactivity.
• Highlights the integration of genetics, immunology, and therapeutic innovation.

Bottom Line

• Regulatory T cells are the body’s internal “police”, ensuring that immune responses target invaders but not healthy cells.
• Discovery of these cells and their genetic control mechanisms has transformed:
  • Basic immunology.
  • Clinical management of autoimmune conditions.
  • Precision medicine approaches in cancer therapy.

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