Daily Current Affairs Summary 2nd MAY 2025

Inclusive Digital Access is Part of Article 21: Supreme Court Judgment

1. In the landmark case Amar Jain v. Union of India and Others, the Supreme Court has expanded the scope of Article 21.
2. The Court ruled that inclusive and meaningful digital access is a fundamental right under the Right to Life and Liberty.

Key Highlights of the Judgment:

1. The Court emphasized that digital access must be inclusive, meaningful, and equitable for all individuals.
2. It recognised the Right to Digital Access as an instinctive and essential part of the Right to Life under Article 21.
3. The State's responsibility to ensure digital inclusion stems from Article 21 (Right to Life), Article 14 (Equality before law), Article 15 (Prohibition of discrimination), and Article 38 (Social Justice obligation).
4. The Court invoked the principle of substantive equality, stressing that digital transformation must ensure fairness and inclusiveness.
5. Directed the authorities to revise existing Know-Your-Customer (KYC) norms for banking and e-governance access.
6. The revised digital KYC must be accessible to individuals with facial disfiguration (e.g., acid attack survivors) and persons with visual impairments.
7. These directions were issued under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
8. A total of 20 specific directions were issued by the Court to make the eKYC process more accessible and inclusive.

Significance of Inclusive Digital Access:

1. Enables equal access to government welfare schemes and e-governance services.
2. Helps in bridging the rural-urban digital divide.
3. Ensures access to online education platforms and financial technology services.
4. Empowers marginalised and vulnerable groups to participate in the mainstream development process.
5. Reinforces the idea that digital accessibility is a critical enabler of constitutional rights and dignity.

Relevant Supreme Court Judgments on Internet and Digital Rights: Sabu Mathew George v. Union of India (2017): Directed search engines to block advertisements related to pre-natal sex determination. Clarified that this does not curtail the right to access information or freedom of expression. Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India (2020): Recognised that access to the internet is essential for exercising the right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a). Upheld that internet access is integral to the right to trade and occupation under Article 19(1)(g).

 

Climate Change-Induced Monsoon Variability Threatens Bay of Bengal’s Marine Life: Study

1. A recent study over the Bay of Bengal examined climate impacts over centuries to millennia timescales.
2. The study reported a 50% reduction in food availability for marine organisms due to extreme monsoon events.
3. This long-term climate variability is now directly linked to disruptions in marine food chains.

How Climate Change Impacts the Bay’s Marine Ecosystem:

1. Reduced Plankton Growth: Extreme monsoons disrupt the vertical mixing of nutrient-rich deep-sea water to the surface.
2. Plankton, including phytoplankton (microscopic plants) and zooplankton (tiny animals), form the foundation of the marine food chain.
3. Planktons not only feed larger marine life but also produce oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis.
4. Decline in plankton due to climate stress leads to food scarcity across the marine food web.
5. Loss of Marine Biodiversity: Changing Ocean conditions cause a decline in species diversity, impacting fisheries and food security.
6. Disrupted Nutrient Supply: Climate change weakens wind intensity, affecting the mixing of ocean layers and nutrient circulation.
7. Ocean Acidification: Rising CO₂ levels cause a drop in ocean pH, reducing calcium carbonate essential for corals and shell-forming organisms.
8. This leads to weakening of coral structures and affects species dependent on coral ecosystems.

Why Marine Ecosystems Matter:

1. Climate Regulation: Oceans absorb approximately 25% of all global carbon emissions, helping moderate global warming.
2. Food Security: Seafood is a major source of protein for millions across coastal and island nations.
3. Livelihood Support: The Blue Economy uses ocean resources for employment, income, and community sustenance.
4. Economic Growth: Oceans support marine tourism, fisheries, and resource extraction, boosting national economies.

Efforts to Safeguard Marine Ecosystems:

Global Initiatives	Indian Initiatives
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS): Provides a legal framework for the sustainable use and conservation of marine resources.	The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Extends legal protection to marine fauna and endangered species in Indian waters.
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL): Aims to reduce the impact of shipping on marine environments through pollution control.	National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA): A comprehensive policy for preservation and sustainable management of aquatic habitats across the country.

Union Cabinet Approves Caste Enumeration in Upcoming Census

1. The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs has given approval for caste-based enumeration in the upcoming national census.
2. This decision marks a significant shift toward data-driven governance and inclusive policymaking.

Historical Background of Caste Enumeration in India:

1. 1881 to 1931 (British Era): The British administration conducted detailed caste-based census for colonial administrative purposes.
2. Post-Independence (1951 Onwards): The Government of India discontinued general caste enumeration, continuing only for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to promote national unity.
3. 1961 Directive: The Central Government authorized states to conduct independent surveys for identifying Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
4. SECC 2011 (Socio-Economic and Caste Census):
   1. Conducted to collect data on the socio-economic status of households across various caste groups.
   2. However, caste-wise data from SECC 2011 was never officially released due to data inconsistencies.

Census in India – Constitutional and Legal Basis:

1. Census is a Union Subject under Entry 69 of the Union List (Schedule VII) as per Article 246 of the Constitution.
2. The Census Act, 1948 provides the legal framework for conducting census and defines the role of census officers.

Why Caste Enumeration in Census is Important:

1. Judicial Mandate:

1. As per Indra Sawhney & Others v. Union of India (1992), caste-based backwardness must be objectively assessed.
2. The Supreme Court held that such identification should undergo periodic review by a permanent expert body.

2. Promoting Social Justice:

1. Caste data, along with socio-economic indicators, may help in revising the list of socially and educationally backward classes (SEBCs).
2. It can enable a ‘quota-within-quota’ system, ensuring equitable distribution of reservation benefits through sub-categorization.

3. Evidence-Based Policymaking:

1. Accurate caste data allows for targeted welfare schemes, addressing the specific needs of underprivileged and marginalized communities.
2. It will help policymakers make informed decisions based on ground realities rather than assumptions.

Courts Have Limited Powers to Modify Arbitral Awards: Supreme Court

Key Judgment: Gayatri Balasamy v. ISG Novasoft Technologies Ltd.

1. The Supreme Court clarified that courts can modify arbitral awards under limited and specific circumstances.
2. This power arises under Section 34 or 37 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.

When Can Courts Modify Arbitral Awards?

1. Severability of Award: Courts may modify the award if the invalid portion can be separated from the valid one without affecting the whole.
2. Legal Doctrine Invoked: The court cited "omne majus continet in se minus" – the principle that the greater power to set aside an award includes the lesser power to modify it in part.
3. Clerical or Typographical Corrections: Errors involving computation, clerical mistakes, or typos may be corrected.
4. Interest-Related Modifications: Post-award interest may be altered in certain conditions to align with justice.
5. Article 142 of the Constitution: The court may use its powers under Article 142 to do complete justice, but only when consistent with the spirit of the 1996 Act.

Arbitration in India

1. Definition: Arbitration is part of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, where disputes are resolved outside courts through a mutually agreed private adjudication process.
2. Other ADR Modes: Includes conciliation and mediation alongside arbitration.
3. Why It Matters: Arbitration is considered less adversarial, faster, and more flexible than traditional litigation.
4. Legal Basis: Governed by the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, based on the UNCITRAL Model Law (1985).

Key Legal Provisions in the 1996 Act

1. Section 34(1): Allows recourse to a court only for setting aside an arbitral award, not for modifying it entirely.
2. Section 37: Specifies appealable orders including those related to interim measures and setting aside awards.

Positive Aspects of the Judgment

1. Equity Through Article 142: Enables courts to ensure fairness in commercial disputes without compromising legal principles.
2. Avoids Re-Arbitration: Saves time and cost by modifying only the problematic portion, rather than starting arbitration afresh.

Concerns and Challenges

1. Risk to India’s Arbitration Hub Aspirations: Expanded judicial powers may prompt businesses to prefer international arbitration venues, undermining India’s intent to become a global arbitration centre.
2. No Distinction in Law: The 1996 Act does not differentiate between domestic and international arbitration, raising concerns for global investors

Brain-Computer Interface (BCI): A Breakthrough for Paralysed Individuals

1. Scientists have developed a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) system that enables paralysed individuals to control robotic arms using only their thoughts.
2. The system works by detecting brain activity when a person imagines a movement, which is then processed using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to move a robotic arm accordingly.

What is a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)?

1. A BCI is a computer-based system that captures brain signals generated by the Central Nervous System (CNS).
2. These signals are analyzed and translated into commands, which are sent to an external device to perform a specific action.
3. It is not a voice-controlled, muscle-activated, or mind-reading system.

Major Components of a BCI System:

1. Signal Acquisition: Involves measuring brain signals through sensors which are digitized and transferred to a computer.
2. Feature Extraction: The acquired signals are analyzed to identify features that indicate the user’s intent, filtering out irrelevant data.
3. Feature Translation Algorithm: Converts meaningful features into machine-readable commands that can operate output devices.
4. Device Output: Executes the intended action such as letter selection, cursor movement, or operation of robotic limbs.

 

Component of BCI System

 

Key Applications of BCI Technology

1. Communication and Control: Acts as an alternative interface for those with physical disabilities to communicate or operate devices.

2. Medical Uses:

1. Supports prevention (like controlling smoking urges or motion sickness).
2. Aids in detection and diagnosis of brain-related or sleep disorders.
3. Facilitates rehabilitation in patients with brain stroke or motor impairments.

3. Security and Authentication: Employs unique brainwave patterns for user identification, reducing risks associated with passwords or biometric theft.

4. Education and Training:

1. Assesses how clearly a user understands studied content.
2. Enables personalized interaction and adaptive learning tools.

Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

1. India has raised objections to the inclusion of the hazardous insecticide Chlorpyrifos under the Convention for global phase-out in 2021.
2. Chlorpyrifos is widely used in Indian agriculture, particularly for pest control in crops like cotton and rice.

Background of the Convention

1. The Stockholm Convention was formally adopted in 2001 and came into force in 2004.
2. It is a global treaty aimed at addressing the threat of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).

Objective of the Convention

1. The core objective is to safeguard human health and the environment from harmful chemical substances.
2. It focuses on regulating substances that are toxic, long-lasting, and bioaccumulative in ecosystems and food chains.

Understanding POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants)

1. POPs are carbon-based organic compounds that resist environmental degradation.
2. They persist for long periods, accumulate in fatty tissues, and biomagnify up the food chain.
3. These substances pose serious risks to both human and wildlife health even at low concentrations.

Key Features of the Convention

The Convention maintains a dynamic list of harmful chemicals, categorized into three annexes:

1. Annex A: For elimination of listed chemicals.
2. Annex B: For chemicals allowed under restricted use.
3. Annex C: For substances requiring reduction of unintentional releases.

India’s Role and Position

1. India has signed and ratified the Stockholm Convention, reaffirming its commitment to global chemical safety.
2. However, India continues to oppose the listing of Chlorpyrifos, citing agricultural dependency and lack of viable alternatives.
3. The decision reflects India’s balancing act between environmental obligations and national agricultural needs.

Mendelian Inheritance: Rediscovering the Roots of Genetics

1. Scientists have recently identified the specific genes responsible for the last three traits in peas originally studied by Gregor Johann Mendel.
2. Mendel is widely regarded as the father of modern genetics for his foundational work on hereditary principles.
3. He conducted experiments by cross-breeding around 28,000 garden pea plants to investigate how traits are passed from one generation to the next.
4. His observations focused on features such as seed shape, seed color, pod shape, pod color, among others.

Objective of Mendel’s Experiments

1. Mendel aimed to uncover the underlying mechanism through which traits are inherited in living organisms.
2. He selected pea plants (Pisum sativum) due to their easily distinguishable traits, short lifecycle, and ease of controlled pollination.

What is Mendelian Inheritance?

1. Mendelian inheritance refers to the method of genetic transmission of traits from parents to offspring through discrete units called genes.
2. This approach laid the foundation for understanding how traits are passed and how genetic variation arises.

Mendel’s Three Laws of Inheritance

1. Law of Dominance
   1. In a cross between two organisms with contrasting traits, only the dominant trait appears in the offspring of the first generation (F1).
   2. The recessive trait is masked but reappears in the second generation (F2).
2. Law of Segregation
   1. Each organism carries two alleles for every trait, which separate during gamete formation, ensuring that each gamete carries only one allele.
   2. This ensures that traits do not blend but are inherited independently from each parent.
3. Law of Independent Assortment
   1. Genes controlling different traits are assorted independently of one another during the formation of gametes.
   2. This law explains how the inheritance of one trait does not influence the inheritance of another, promoting genetic diversity.

Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for Sugarcane – Sugar Season 2024–25

1. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister, has approved the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane for the 2024–25 sugar season.
2. FRP is the minimum price that sugar mills are legally required to pay to sugarcane farmers for their produce.
3. This price is declared by the Central Government to ensure fair returns to farmers while considering the industry's paying capacity.
4. The power to fix FRP comes from the Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966, under the Essential Commodities Act.
5. The FRP is fixed based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), which analyses cost structures and market dynamics.
6. The FRP ensures a legally binding payment, irrespective of the market price of sugar, providing farmers a guaranteed income.
7. In addition to FRP, certain states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttarakhand announce a State Advised Price (SAP).
8. SAP is usually higher than FRP, set by state governments to offer additional support to sugarcane farmers.
9. Mills in these states are bound to pay the higher SAP, creating regional variations in procurement pricing.

Vikramaditya I – The Restorer of Chalukya Glory

1. A rare inscription dating to the era of Vikramaditya I of the Badami Chalukya dynasty was recently discovered near Madapura Lake, in Davangere district of Karnataka.
2. Vikramaditya I ruled between 644 CE and 681 CE, marking a significant phase in Chalukyan resurgence.
3. He succeeded to the throne following the defeat and likely death of his father Pulakeshin II, who had earlier lost to Pallava king Narasimhavarman I.
4. His reign is remembered primarily for the military revival of the Chalukyas after this setback.
5. His greatest military accomplishment was the recapture of Vatapi (modern-day Badami), the Chalukya capital, which had been taken by the Pallavas.
6. This reconquest re-established Chalukya dominance in the Deccan region and restored dynastic prestige.
7. Apart from warfare, Vikramaditya I was a notable patron of temple architecture, contributing to the evolution of freestanding structural temples.
8. These early temples laid the foundation for the later Chalukyan architectural style, blending Nagara and Dravida elements.

 

Sigma 8 (S8) – A Measure of Cosmic Clumpiness

 

Sigma 8 (S8) – A Measure of Cosmic Clumpiness

 

1. Sigma 8 (S8) is a key cosmological parameter that quantifies the inhomogeneity or clumpiness of matter in the Universe.
2. It helps scientists understand how matter is distributed—whether it is uniform or clustered—across different regions of the cosmos.
3. The value of S8 is derived by counting galaxies, galaxy clusters, and other cosmic structures, which act as tracers of matter distribution.
4. A higher S8 value reflects greater clustering or clumping of matter, suggesting a more uneven cosmic structure.
5. In contrast, a lower S8 value indicates that matter is more evenly spread across the Universe.
6. The concept is crucial to understanding the formation of large-scale structures like galaxies and voids in the universe.
7. S8 Tension arises when different observational techniques—such as gravitational lensing and cosmic microwave background studies—yield inconsistent S8 values.
8. This inconsistency challenges current cosmological models and hints at possible gaps in our understanding of fundamental physics.
9. Recent research suggests that resolving the S8 tension could help determine the true nature and evolution of the universe.

Phthalates – Hidden Health Risks in Everyday Plastics

1. A recent study has linked daily exposure to phthalates with nearly 3.5 lakh deaths globally, accounting for 13% of all heart disease-related fatalities.
2. Phthalates, also known as ortho-phthalates, are a group of chemical compounds widely used in plastic manufacturing.
3. They are primarily added to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to make the plastic softer, flexible, and less brittle.
4. Commonly referred to as “plasticizers,” phthalates are colorless, odorless, and oily liquids used to improve the usability of plastic products.
5. These chemicals do not form a permanent bond with the plastic, making them prone to leaching into the environment and human bodies.
6. Due to their physical properties, they easily migrate from products into air, food, water, and human tissues.
7. Applications include a wide range of products such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices (like IV tubing), food packaging, toys, flooring materials, and personal care products.
8. Repeated exposure has raised global concerns due to their potential role as endocrine disruptors and contributors to cardiovascular and reproductive health issues.

Encephalitis: Neurological Threat

1. Encephalitis International, a UK-based organization, has launched a global awareness campaign to emphasize the importance of vaccination in combating the rising threat of encephalitis and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
2. Encephalitis refers to the inflammation of the active tissues of the brain, which can disrupt normal brain function and pose life-threatening risks.
3. This condition is caused by either an infection—viral, bacterial, fungal—or due to an autoimmune response triggered by the body's own immune system.
4. Inflammation in the brain leads to symptoms such as severe headache, neck stiffness, light sensitivity, confusion, drowsiness, and seizures.
5. Key viral pathogens responsible for encephalitis include the Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV), Influenza virus, and West Nile Virus, among others.
6. The disease can affect individuals of all ages, but children, older adults, and immunocompromised people are especially vulnerable.
7. In India, prevention efforts include the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), which offers free vaccines against 12 life-threatening diseases, including Japanese Encephalitis.
8. Continued awareness and global vaccination campaigns are vital to reducing the burden of encephalitis and preventing avoidable deaths, especially in high-risk regions.

Project SeaCURE – Harnessing the Ocean to Capture Carbon

1. Project SeaCURE is a pioneering carbon removal initiative launched along England’s south coast.
2. It is funded by the UK government and aims to explore innovative climate solutions through marine-based technologies.
3. The project operates as a small-scale pilot, testing the feasibility of extracting carbon dioxide directly from seawater.
4. The core objective is to evaluate whether this method can serve as a cost-effective and scalable approach to lower atmospheric CO₂ levels.
5. Unlike conventional techniques that capture emissions from industrial sources or directly from the atmosphere, SeaCURE focuses on the ocean as a carbon sink.
6. The ocean contains carbon concentrations up to 150 times higher than atmospheric levels, offering a dense and untapped carbon reservoir.
7. By removing CO₂ from seawater, the project aims to create a negative emissions system that complements existing carbon capture technologies.
8. The success of SeaCURE could pave the way for future large-scale deployment of ocean-based carbon removal as part of global climate mitigation strategies.

 

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