Vaikom Struggle

Context: 2024 marks the centenary of Vaikom Struggle

About-

• The Vaikom Struggle was a socio-political movement in the 1920s against the
prohibition of backward caste Hindus from walking on streets near the Vaikom
Mahadeva temple in Travancore princely state.

• It marked a landmark moment for religious reform and social justice in India, setting
the stage for future mass movements advocating equality.

How did the struggle evolve into a mass movement?

– Initially led by leaders of the Kerala State Congress Committee and social activists,
the movement gained momentum when Periyar E.V. Ramasamy joined in 1924.
– His Involvement galvanized people across classes, ultimately leading to the removal
of these restrictions in November 1925.

Consequences

• The movement inspired similar efforts nationwide, such as B.R. Ambedkar’s temple
entry protests at Ambadevi Temple and Kalaram Mandir.
• In South India, legislative actions like the 1932 Bill for temple entry, Travancore
Temple Entry Proclamation (1936), and the Madras Temple Entry Authorization Act
(1947) progressively dismantled caste-based restrictions in temples.

How did these reforms pave the way for modern legislation?
 • These movements and legislative acts created a precedent for incorporating
religious reforms into the Constitution. B.R. Ambedkar’s addition of the phrase
“subject to public order, morality, and health” in Article 25 enabled the state to
intervene in religious practices to ensure equality.

Can the state regulate religion without compromising secularism?

• Yes, state regulation of religion is aimed at ensuring equality and access in public
spaces like temples.
• Laws such as the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act,
1959, and judicial rulings (e.g., Shirur Mutt case, 1954) have upheld the state’s role
in managing secular aspects of temples while respecting essential religious
practices.

How is the centenary of the Vaikom Struggle being commemorated?

• On December 12, 2024, Tamil Nadu and Kerala governments are jointly celebrating
the centenary to honor the movement’s legacy.
• This event highlights the collaboration between two states and commemorates the
contributions of leaders like Periyar and B.R. Ambedkar in advancing social reform.

What is the enduring significance of the Vaikom Struggle?

• The struggle symbolizes the fight for social justice and equality, reaffirming the
reformist trajectory in South India.
• It serves as a reminder of the collective efforts required to challenge caste-based
oppression and bring about meaningful change.

‘Growing Misuse’ of IPC Section 498A

Context- The Supreme Court raised concerns over the misuse of Section 498A of the
Indian Penal Code (IPC) (now Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita), which penalises cruelty against
married women by their husbands and in-laws.

About Section 498A (Section 84 of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023)

• It deals with the offense of cruelty by a husband or his relatives towards a married
woman.
 • This section was introduced to address the rising instances of cruelty and
harassment faced by married women in the context of dowry.

It defines cruelty as:

• Any wilful conduct which is of such a nature as is likely to drive the woman to
commit suicide or to cause grave injury or danger to life, limb or health (whether
mental or physical) of the woman; or
• Harassment of the woman where such harassment is with a view to coercing her or
any person related to her to meet any unlawful demand for any property or valuable
security.
• Punishment: Whoever the husband or the relative of the husband of a woman,
subjects her to cruelty shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may
extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine.
• A complaint must be filed within three years of the alleged incident.
• The offence is cognizable and non-bailable, which means that immediate custody
of the accused is possible.

Why Was Section 498A Introduced?

• Section 498A was added to the IPC in the backdrop of increasing dowry deaths and
cases of domestic violence in the 1980s.
• It sought to provide legal protection to women suffering from Physical and mental
harassment, Dowry-related abuse and Coercion and violence within marriages.

Misuse of Section 498A

• Growing Misuse: With the rise in matrimonial disputes, there’s a growing tendency
to misuse this provision for personal vendetta against the husband and his family.
• Coercion for Financial Gain: False cases are used to extort money or gain leverage in
matrimonial disputes.
• Vague Allegations: Often, vague and generalized allegations are made without
specific details or evidence, leading to the misuse of legal processes and
harassment of innocent family members.
• Social and Psychological Damage: The stigma associated with domestic violence
allegations can have severe consequences for the accused, even if they are
ultimately acquitted.
• Immediate Arrest: The provision for immediate arrest in some cases can be misused
to pressure the accused before guilt is established.
 • Ethics and Integrity: The misuse of legal provisions raises ethical concerns and
highlights the importance of integrity in legal proceedings.

Why is Section 498A Being Misused?

• No Immediate Verification: Since Section 498A is a cognizable and non-bailable

offense, arrests can occur without preliminary investigation, which creates scope
for abuse.
• Marital Disputes: In cases of interpersonal conflicts or divorces, false accusations
may be used to settle scores.
• Lack of Accountability: The absence of strict penalties for filing false cases adds to
its misuse.

Supreme Court’s Stand

• Scrutiny of Allegations: The court emphasized the need to scrutinize vague

allegations to prevent the misuse of legal provisions and arm-twisting tactics.
• Specifics Required: FIRs should contain concrete and precise allegations with
details about the time, date, place, and manner of the alleged harassment.
• Context Matters: The court considers the context of the FIR, such as the timing and
circumstances surrounding the complaint, to determine its genuineness.
• Protecting Innocents: The court aims to protect innocent family members from
being unnecessarily dragged into matrimonial disputes without substantial
evidence.
• Judicial Responsibility: The court emphasizes the role of the judiciary in scrutinizing
complaints and preventing the misuse of legal processes.

Way Ahead

• Balanced Legal Framework: Laws should be gender-just, protecting the rights of all
individuals regardless of gender.
• Preliminary Investigation: There should be mandatory preliminary inquiry before
registering FIRs to filter false cases.
• Family Welfare Committees: Independent committees can examine cases before
formal arrests, as suggested in the Rajesh Sharma case.
• Accountability for False Complaints: Individuals making false accusations should
be held accountable.

Factors Contributing to Domestic Violence Against Women

 – Patriarchal Norms: Deeply ingrained patriarchal norms perpetuate gender inequality
and normalize violence as a means of control within families.
– Cultural Acceptance: In many societies, domestic violence is tacitly accepted or
overlooked, discouraging victims from seeking help.
– Economic Dependence: Financial dependence on male family members often traps
women in abusive relationships.
– Substance Abuse: Alcohol and drug abuse can significantly increase the risk of
domestic violence.
– Lack of Education and Awareness: Limited awareness of legal rights and support
mechanisms prevents victims from seeking help.

Chief Justice need Longer Tenures

Context: The article discusses the persistent issue of short tenures for Chief Justices in
Indian High Courts, a problem that undermines the institutional effectiveness and
operational efficiency of the judiciary. It highlights recent examples, explores the critical
role of a Chief Justice, and provides a historical comparison to emphasize the need for
longer tenures.

Why are short tenures of Chief Justices a concern?

• Short tenures limit the ability of Chief Justices to effectively manage their
responsibilities. They often retire before fully understanding the institution they
lead, which impacts the overall efficiency and innovation within the judiciary.

Why is a Chief Justice’s role critical?

• The Chief Justice oversees:

o Administrative and financial health of the High Court.
o Recommendations for judgeship appointments.
o Formation of various committees.
o Staff welfare and disciplinary actions.
o Representation of the judiciary at seminars, symposia, and bar associations.
o Legal education and engagement with advocate associations.
o Judicial responsibilities as the State’s top authority.

Are the challenges similar across all High Courts?

o No, the challenges vary significantly across High Courts depending on their location
and specific requirements.
o Understanding these unique needs demands time, which short tenures do not allow.

What have experts and judges said about this issue?

• Justice L. Nageswara Rao of the Supreme Court stated that judges elevated to the
apex court need a minimum of 7-8 years, if not 10, to settle into their roles.
• Chief Justices with brief tenures have echoed similar concerns, lamenting their
inability to initiate reforms or improvements due to limited time.

Was this always the case?

No, during British rule, Chief Justices typically had longer tenures. For instance:

• Between 1862 and 1947, the Madras High Court had only 11 Chief Justices,
averaging 8 years per tenure.
• In contrast, from 1947 to 2012, the Court had 24 Chief Justices in 65 years,
averaging only 75 years. Excluding long-serving Chief Justices P.V.
Rajamannar (13 years) and Veeraswami K. (7 years), the average drops to just
over 2 years.

Why does this issue need urgent attention?

• Short tenures leave little room for innovation, reform, and systemic improvement.
The increasing complexity of a Chief Justice’s duties makes prolonged tenures
essential for meaningful contributions.

What can be done to address this problem?

• The solution requires joint deliberation among stakeholders, including the Bar, to
design measures ensuring longer and more effective tenures for Chief Justices.
• This needs to be prioritized before it deeply impacts the judiciary’s institutional
health.

Assisted Dying
Context: The article discusses the introduction and debates surrounding the Terminally Ill
Adults (End of Life) Bill 2024-25, also known as the Assisted Dying Law, in the United
Kingdom. It sheds light on the broader ethical, legal, and philosophical questions tied to
the right to die, framed by recent developments in Britain and comparisons to global
practices.
What is the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill 2024-25?

• The Bill, also known as the Assisted Dying Law, allows terminally ill adults in
England and Wales with less than six months to live to seek assistance in ending
their lives. The process requires approval from two doctors and a High Court judge.
• The Bill aims to address such situations by allowing a dignified choice for terminally
ill individuals.
• The Bill has tight controls, including independent medical assessments, reflection
periods, and judicial oversight, to ensure the process is not abused.

Why is assisted dying such a complex issue?

• The debate revolves around fundamental ethical, legal, and societal questions. It
pits the right to personal autonomy and dignity against concerns about potential
abuse and societal values around the sanctity of life.

What are the primary arguments against assisted dying?

• Slippery Slope Argument: Critics argue that once allowed, the scope of assisted
dying could expand, leading to abuse, particularly against vulnerable groups like the
elderly and disabled.
• Concerns from Canada: Canada’s law, initially limited to foreseeable death, has
expanded to include those with grievous medical conditions, diluting its original
boundaries.
• Philosophical and Religious Objections: Critics see the law as a threat to the
sanctity of life and claim it is disguised as compassion but undermines the
inviolability of life.

How do proponents respond to the criticism?

• Carefully Drafted Legislation: The Bill only permits assisted dying for competent
adults with terminal illnesses, requiring assessments by two doctors, a 14-day
reflection period, and High Court approval.
• Respect for Autonomy: Proponents argue the law upholds personal liberty, allowing
individuals to make decisions about their own lives and alleviate unbearable
suffering.
• Ethical Justification: Supporters contend that preventing terminally ill patients from
seeking relief violates their dignity and autonomy.

What universal lessons can be drawn from Britain’s debate?

 • The discussions underscore the importance of balancing ethical concerns with
personal dignity.
• The debates highlight the need for clear laws to prevent abuse while respecting
individual autonomy and freedom.
• Assisted dying laws must balance personal freedom with societal ethics.

What is India’s position on assisted dying?

• India recognizes a limited right to die, allowing passive euthanasia and advance
medical directives per the Supreme Court’s Common Cause vs. Union of India
(2018) judgment.
• This right is grounded in liberty, privacy, and dignity but does not yet extend to active
assisted dying.

Why is the right to assisted dying important?

• The ability to choose to end unbearable suffering respects human dignity and
autonomy, core principles of a meaningful life.
• While laws must include safeguards, they cannot ignore the fundamental right of
individuals to decide on matters of life and death.

Prelims Facts-
Consumer Confidence Survey
• According to the latest Consumer Confidence Survey of the Reserve Bank of India
(RBI)Indian consumers’ confidence about general economic situation, employment
scenario, their income and spending have weakened.
• It Is a survey that indicates how optimistic or pessimistic consumers are regarding
their expected financial situation.
• If the consumers are optimistic, spending will be more, whereas if they are not so
confident, then their poor consumption pattern may lead to recession
• It is released by the Reserve Bank of India bi-monthly.

Highlights:

• Households displayed somewhat higher optimism on one year ahead outlook for
major economic parameters, except prices.
• The future expectations index (FEI) improved by 0.5 points to 121.9 in the latest
survey.
 • The CCS survey showed that households anticipated higher spending over one year
horizon on the back of higher essential as well as non-essential spending
• Consumer confidence for the current period declined marginally owing to weaker
sentiments across the survey parameters except household spending.
• The current situation index (CSI) moderated by 0.7 points to 94 in November 2024
from 94.7 in September 2024.

Bluetooth Low Energy Gateway and Node System

• iHub – AWaDH (Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub) at the Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar, under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary
Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) launched Bluetooth Low Energy Gateway and
Node System.
• Bluetooth Low Energy Gateway and Node System is first-of-its-kind cost-effective
system connects Bluetooth-enabled sensors to cloud platforms.
• It enables seamless data transmission, real-time environmental monitoring, and
advanced analytics across diverse sectors such as agriculture, logistics, and
environmental resilience.

Key Features of the BLE Gateway

• Offers 4G, WiFi, and LAN compatibility for flexible networking.

• Supports data transmission up to 1 km in line-of-sight (LOS) scenarios.
• Collects and processes data from multiple connected nodes, streamlining analysis
and decision-making.
• Providing durability in extreme weather conditions while maintaining a compact and
user-friendly form.
• Eliminates the need for extensive wiring, reducing installation costs and supporting
remote deployments.
• Delivers energy-efficient performance for prolonged operation.
• Manages over 100+ connected BLE nodes, ideal for large-scale IoT networks.
• Allows remote firmware updates to keep the system up-to-date with minimal
manual intervention.
• Fully supports integration with mobile apps, cloud platforms, and diverse sensors
for enhanced flexibility.

Champions of the Earth award

 • India’s veteran ecologist, Madhav Gadgil has been named as one of the six
‘Champions of the Earth award’ for 2024.
• Champions of the Earth award was established in 2005 and awarded by the United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• It is the UN’s highest environmental honour, recognises trailblazers at the forefront
of efforts to protect people and the planet.
• Every year, UNEP honours individuals and organizations working on innovative and
sustainable solutions to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature
and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.
• Champions of the Earth are celebrated in four categories:
• Policy leadership- Public sector officials leading global or national action for the
environment. They shape dialogue, lead commitments and act for the good of the
planet.
• Inspiration and action- Leaders taking bold steps to inspire positive change to
protect our world. They lead by example, challenge behavior and inspire millions.
• Entrepreneurial vision -Visionaries challenging the status quo to build a cleaner
future. They build systems, create new technology and spearhead a groundbreaking
vision.
• Science and innovation-Trailblazers pushing the boundaries of technology for
profound environmental benefit. They invent possibilities for a more sustainable
world.

India Skills Report 2025

• India’s employability among graduates is expected to rise by 7 percent, reaching
54.81 percent in 2025, according to the ‘India Skills Report 2025.’
• It has been prepared by the industry body Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) in
collaboration with Wheebox (a talent assessment agency) and All India Council for
Technical Education (AICTE).
• It is based on data from over 6.5 lakh candidates who participated in the Global
Employability Test (G.E.T.) across India, alongside insights from over 1,000
corporations across 15 diverse industries.

Highlights of the Report:

• Nearly 55 percent of Indian graduates are expected to be globally employable in

2025, up from 51.2 percent in 2024 (a seven percent increase).
 • It notes that management graduates (78 percent) have highest global employability,
followed by engineering students (71.5 percent), MCA students (71 percent) and
science graduates (58 percent).
• States like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Delhi are emerging as major hubs for
employable talent, while cities such as Pune, Bengaluru and Mumbai are leading
the way in providing a skilled workforce.
• Gender analysis shows that the employability rate for men is expected to rise to 5
percent in 2025 from 51.8 percent in 2024.
• Meanwhile, for women, the employability rate is projected to decline to 47.5 percent
from 50.9 percent during the same time period.
• In 2025, 50 percent of secondary and tertiary students are expected to receive
vocational training, further positioning India as a key player in the global talent
market.
• The report further stresses the importance of integrating vocational training with
industry needs, particularly in emerging sectors such as AI, cybersecurity, and green
energy.

UN Report on Land Degradation

• The United Nations (UN) released its report, The Global Threat of Drying Lands,
during COP16 in Riyadh, emphasizing the growing threat of aridity to global
agricultural systems.

Key Highlights of the UN Report:

• Affects 40% of Earth’s arable lands (5.7 million sq km) and an additional 7% when
soil erosion is considered.
• 77.6% of Earth’s land became permanently drier between 1961-2020.
• Global arid areas may expand by 3.9% by 2040, resulting in significant crop losses:
o 20 million tonnes of maize
o 19 million tonnes of rice
o 8 million tonnes of soybeans
o 21 million tonnes of wheat
• Sub-Saharan Africa: Up to 22% of crop production may be lost by mid-century.
• Kenya: Maize production could decline by 50% by 2050.
• South Asia and North Africa: Significant declines in rainfed agriculture expected.
 Cesses and Surcharges
• Arvind Panagariya, Chairman, 16th Finance Commission, recently termed the
grievance of States regarding the Centre’s increasing reliance on cesses and
surcharges as a “complicated issue.”Cess and surcharges are levied by the Central
government for the purposes of the Union under Article 271 of the Constitution of
India.

Ground Level Ozone Pollution

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) highlighted the
steps being taken to control Ground Level Ozone Pollution(GLOP) in India.Ground-
level ozone (O₃) pollution refers to the excess presence of ozone at the Earth’s
surface, which is formed through chemical reactions in the atmosphere.Unlike the
ozone layer in the stratosphere, which protects life from harmful ultraviolet
radiation, ground-level ozone is a harmful pollutant that poses significant health
risks and environmental damage.

DHARINI 3D Foetal Brain Atlas:

• Researchers at Indian Institute Of Technology (IIT) Madras have developed a
revolutionary tool known as DHARINI, a detailed 3D map of foetal (unborn offspring
that develops in the uterus of a mammal) brain, that holds significant implications
for understanding brain disorders.DHARINI is the world’s largest and most detailed
high-resolution 3D foetal brain atlas, mapping over 5,000 brain sections and 500
brain regions.

Ayush Visa for Medical Value Travel

• The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy
(AYUSH) highlighted the Ayush Visa, an initiative to promote medical value travel
(MVT) for foreigners seeking treatment in India’s traditional medicine systems.
Ayush Visa introduced in 2023 with four sub-categories: Ayush Visa (AY-1), Ayush
Attendant Visa (AY-2), e-Ayush Visa, and e-Ayush Attendant Visa. Purpose is to allow
foreigners to receive treatment through Ayush systems like therapeutic care and
wellness in accredited hospitals or wellness centers.
 Syria and Middle East Tension
• The collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria after an 11-day offensive by rebel

groups has triggered a geopolitical reshuffle in the Middle East.Assad’s rule,

characterized by authoritarianism, ended after sustained pressure from rebel forces
led by Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, a former al-Qaeda operative. External supporters
like Iran and Russia shifted focus elsewhere, contributing to Assad’s defeat

6th edition of the Capacity Building Program

• The 6th edition of the Capacity Building Program for Sri Lankan Civil Servants
commenced at the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) in Mussoorie.The
program hosted 40 mid-career civil servants from Sri Lanka, focusing on
governance, policy frameworks, AI in governance, and India’s successful models in
public administration. It was established in 2014 by the Government of India as an
 autonomous institution under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and
Pensions.

Poppy Cultivation
• Manipur recorded a 32.13% decline in poppy cultivation during 2023-24, as per a
report by the Manipur Remote Sensing Applications Centre (MARSAC).Declined
from 28,598.91 acres in 2021-22 to 11,288.1 acres in 2023-24. Major districts with
eradication operations: Kangpokpi (4,454.4 acres), Ukhrul (3,348 acres),
Churachandpur (2,713.8 acres).
• Opium

• Scientific Name: Papaver somniferum

• It is a medicinal herb that produces a variety of alkaloids such as morphine,
codeine, etc. and is best known as a pain reliever in modern medicine.
• It is used for a range of treatments, from post-operative pain management and
palliative care for terminal cancer patients to treating accident-related trauma
and chronic pain syndromes.
• Under the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961), India is
among the 12 countries in the world allowed to grow opium poppy for medicinal
use.
• However, India is the only nation allowed to extract gum opium, in which skilled
workers manually extract the latex that contains 70% of the morphine
synthesised by the plant by lancing its flower-bearing pod.
• Countries such as Australia, France, China and Turkey, which grow legal opium,
use a CPS method.
• The extraction process is carried out at facilities controlled by the Department of
Revenue under the Ministry of Finance.
• Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are the three traditionally opium
growing States, where poppy crop cultivation is allowed based on licences
issued annually by the Central Bureau of Narcotics.

Opium production in India

• Origin: India has been growing poppies at least since the 15 th century.
 • Monopoly: The British East India Company assumed monopoly on the cultivation of
poppy when the Mughal Empire was on the decline, and the entire trade was
brought under government control by 1873.
• Post independence: After India gained independence, the cultivation and trade of
opium passed on to the Indian government, with the activity being controlled by The
Opium Act, 1857, The Opium Act, 1878, and The Dangerous Drugs Act, 1930.
• Present: The cultivation and processing of poppy and opium is controlled by the
provisions of The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and
Rules.

AgeXtend
• Researchers at IIIT-Delhi have developed AgeXtend as a tool to efficiently cut down
the time taken to identify viable molecules with geroprotectors, or age defying
properties.AgeXtend is an Artificial Intelligence-based platform designed to identify
compounds with geroprotective (anti-aging) properties.

Dulcibella camanchaca
• The Atacama Trench, among the deepest oceanic regions, reveals unique
biodiversity with the discovery of Dulcibella camanchaca, a new predatory
amphipod.Found In Atacama Trench, South Pacific Ocean, at a depth of 7,902
meters

World’s First Carbon-14 Diamond Battery

• Scientists from the University of Bristol and the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)
have created the world’s first carbon-14 diamond battery.
• It a carbon-14 diamond battery, a strange fusion of radioactive decay, synthetic
diamonds and plasma chemistry.
• It uses carbon-14, a radioactive isotope of carbon of half-life of 5,700, because it
emits a short-range radiation, quickly absorbed by any solid material.
• It functions similarly to solar panels but instead of using light particles, it captures
fast-moving electrons from within the diamond structure.
 • It can prove particularly helpful in healthcare where it can be used to power
pacemakers, hearing aids, and ocular devices. Patients won’t need to replace
batteries as the diamond battery can last for years.
• The battery could also be used in extreme environments – both in space and on
earth – where it is not practical to replace conventional batteries.
• They can also prove to be of great help in space missions without worrying about the
power to replace or charge the power source of spacecrafts.

Saydnaya Military Prison

• The infamous Saydnaya Military Prison near Damascus, often referred to as the
“human slaughterhouse,” became a site of unimaginable atrocities under Bashar al-
Assad’s regime.
• Location: Near Damascus, Syria, infamous for severe human rights violations.