12 June 2024, The Hindu
Uniform Civil Code is part of government’s agenda, says Union Law Minister Meghwal
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GS 2: Indian Constitution: features, amendments, significant provisions
- Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on June 11 said the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) was part of the Narendra Modi government’s agenda.
- Assuming charge of office, a portfolio that he held in the earlier government as well, Mr. Meghwal rejected the charge that there was conflict between the executive and the judiciary, and expressed hope that a solution would be found on the issue of the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP).
IISc develops method to remove heavy metal contaminants from groundwater
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GS 3: Achievements of Indians in science & technology.Indigenisation of technology and developing new technology
- Indian Institute of Science (IISc) researchers have developed a novel remediation process for removing heavy metal contaminants such as arsenic from groundwater.
- According to IISc, the three-step method, which is patent-pending, also ensures that the removed heavy metals are disposed of in an environment-friendly and sustainable manner, instead of sending untreated heavy metal-rich sludge to landfills from where they can potentially re-enter groundwater.
India’s looming financial crisis
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GS 3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation of resources, growth, development and employment.
- Rapid credit growth is akin to a siren song. It lures economies with the promise of prosperity only to lead them into crises.
- Each financial boom is framed as a story of financial innovation and good times. But each new story is just whipped-up frenzy, it is, in economist Robert Shiller’s words, “irrational exuberance”.
- As the economists Carmen Reinhart and Kenneth Rogoff explained in their celebrated history of financial folly, governments and market participants dismiss previous crises that followed credit booms by invoking the mantra “this time is different”.
The social sciences, a shelter for the ‘excluded’ student
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GS 2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources
- The general election is just over and a sizable share of India’s youth is scrambling for college admissions; their contributions are crucial in realising the dream of Viksit Bharat@2047.
- The month of May was important for the youth of India as the results of many examinations were released, generating ecstasy, agony, and heartbreaks.
- The publication of results triggers a rush for seats in higher education institutions, and, in turn, another series of examinations to qualify for these.
- This transition to higher education is important as it determines the quantity and quality of human capital, which is vital for economic growth. In developing economies, including India, this transition is plagued by a mismatch between demand and supply.
- The extent of excess seats in some courses and institutions, and shortages in some others, determines the magnitude of exclusion in the system.
Arrest, agencies, and criminal courts
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GS 2: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies
- The Supreme Court did not mince words in May 2024, while delivering two significant judgments that impact the liberty of people accused of criminal offences.
- The first judgment says that the custody of an accused is not necessary prior to the filing of the charge sheet in certain criminal cases.
- If the lower courts strictly comply with the directives in this judgment, it would bring relief to investigating agencies.
- The second judgment relates to informing an accused of the grounds of arrest in writing.
- This is a fundamental right under Article 22 of the Constitution. While this judgment was delivered in the context of special statutes — namely, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967 — it will be relevant to see whether these directives can equally be extended to provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) as far as communication of grounds of arrest is concerned.
Bihar’s call for special category status
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GS 2: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States
- Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has reiterated the State’s long-standing demand to be granted the special category status by the Centre, a move that would increase the amount of tax revenues that the State gets from the Centre.
- The demand for special category status right now is significant because Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) depends on support from Mr. Kumar’s Janata Dal (United), which has 12 seats in the new Lok Sabha, to hold on to power at the Centre.
- Notably, the Bihar Cabinet had passed a resolution late last year demanding special category status to the State.
- The special category status was introduced in 1969 based on the recommendations of the Fifth Finance Commission.
- The intent was to help States that are disadvantaged in terms of their geographic, social or economic status to improve their position on par with other, more developed Indian States.
New portable atomic clock offers very accurate timekeeping at sea
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GS 3: Science and Technology- Recent developments and their applications and effects in everyday life
- Atomic clocks are the backbone of the Global Positioning System (GPS), the network of satellites above the earth that we use every day to navigate cities, respond to emergencies, and organise military operations, among other things.
- Despite being one of the most accurate timekeeping methods, however, there is still room for improvement.
- Scientists today are pushing the boundaries with a new technology called optical atomic clocks.
UN declares2025 the Year of QuantumScience
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GS 3: Science and Technology- Recent developments and their applications and effects in everyday life
- The United Nations has said 2025 will be designated the ‘International Year of Quantum Science and Technology’.
- In a statement, the body said the initiative will be “year-long”, “worldwide”, and that it will “be observed through activities at all levels aimed at increasing public awareness of the importance of quantum science and applications.”
