INSIGHTS

DAILY
CURRENT
AFFAIRS + PIB
SUMMARY

1 JULY 2024

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 Table of Contents
GS Paper 1:
• 50th anniversary of the Emergency 3
• Gender Discrimination at the Workplace 5
GS Paper 2:
• Tibet-China Dispute Act Passed by US Congress 9
Reports in News
• Reports In News 11
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
• Bhuvan Panchayat Portal and National Database for Emergency Manage-
ment12
• International North-South Transport Corridor 13
• Ways and Means Advances (WMA) 13
• AI washing 13
• Space Debris 14
• Senna spectabilis 15

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GS Paper 1:

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EMERGENCY

Syllabus: Post-Independence India

Context: On June 25, India marked the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, a 21-month period from 1975 to
1977, during which Prime Minister Indira Gandhi suspended civil liberties, curtailed press freedom, made
mass arrests, cancelled elections, and ruled by decree.

What is an “Emergency”?
An Emergency refers to legal measures in a country’s constitution or laws that enable swift government
response to crises like war or rebellion threatening national stability, security, or sovereignty.

Provisions in Constitution: These are outlined in Articles 352 to 360 under Part XVIII of the Indian Con-
stitution, drawing inspiration from Germany’s Weimar Constitution.

What was a National Emergency?

Emergency in India was a period of 21 months from 1975 to 1977 declared by the then Prime Minister
Mrs Indira Gandhi and officially issued by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed under Article 352 of the Consti-
tution of India because of the prevailing “internal disturbances”.

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This gave the Prime Minister the authority to Rule by decree leading to the suspension of elections and
curbing of civil liberties.

National Emergency has been proclaimed three times in India:

• Indo-China War (1962): Declared due to “external aggression” during the Sino-Indian War.
• Indo-Pak War (1971): Imposed on the grounds of “external aggression” during the Indo-Pakistani
War.
• (1975-1977): The third and most controversial national emergency was declared due to “internal
disturbance” amidst internal political unrest, significantly suspending civil liberties.

Reasons for declaration of Emergency in 1975:

1. Internal Disturbances: Growing political dissent and protests against Prime Minister Indira Gand-
hi’s government created significant internal instability. Eg: Nationwide protests and movements such
as Jayaprakash Narayan’s Sampoorna Kranti or “Total Revolution”.
2. Electoral Malpractice Allegations: The Allahabad High Court found Indira Gandhi guilty of electoral
malpractices and invalidated her 1971 election victory in the Indira Gandhi vs Raj Narain case.
3. Economic Challenges: The country faced severe economic issues, including high inflation, food
shortages, and labor strikes. Eg: Strikes and protests by labor unions, such as the railway workers’
strike of 1974. Also, post-liberation war hardship persisted along with a national emergency already
in place.
4. National Security Threats: Indira Gandhi’s government argued that there were threats to national
security from both internal and external sources. Eg: Threats from the Cold war and post-liberation
war tensions.

It was criticized as the darkest phase of post-independent India:

1. Suspension of Civil Liberties: Fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and expression,
were suspended.
2. Arbitrary Arrests and Detentions: Thousands of opposition leaders, activists, and dissidents were
detained without trial. Eg: Key political figures such as Jayaprakash Narayan and Morarji Desai were
imprisoned under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA).
3. Human Rights Violations: The Emergency witnessed a disregard for human rights. Eg: The mass
sterilization program, targeting low-income populations, was coercive and unethical.
4. Centralization of Power: The 38th and the 42nd Amendment significantly curtailed the powers of
the judiciary and centralized authority in the executive. Eg: Limitations on judicial review.
5. Press Censorship and Information Blackout: The Emergency witnessed a severe crackdown on
press freedom. Media outlets faced strict censorship, and critical reporting of the government’s ac-
tions was banned. Eg: The Indian Express publishing a blank editorial in protest.

Lessons that were learnt and checks and balances put in place to prevent a recurrence:
1. Constitutional Safeguards: Later, the newly formed Janata government brought about 43rd and
44th amendments in 1977 and 1978 respectively to restore the earlier constitution to some extent.
Eg: Written recommendation of the cabinet for national emergency, “armed rebellion” in place of in-
ternal disturbance et al.
2. Judicial Activism: The Supreme Court evolved the basic structure doctrine to strike down 39th
Amendment some parts of the 42nd This paved the way for restoration of democracy. Eg: The land-
mark Minerva Mills case (1980) established the power of judicial review over proclamations of emer-
gency.
3. Parliamentary Oversight: Efforts were made to strengthen parliamentary oversight over the execu-
tive branch. Eg: Passage of subsequent amendments by Parliament, Parliamentary committees were

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 empowered.
4. Ensuring Fair Elections: Reforms were introduced to make the electoral process more transparent
and fairer. Eg: ECI became multi-member body, reforms like Model Code of Conduct were brought in.
5. Civil Society and Grassroots Mobilization: The Emergency galvanized civil society, highlighting its
role in protecting democracy. Eg: Significance of JP’s Sampoorna Kranti, the post-emergency rise of
activist organizations like the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL).

Conclusion:
The Emergency of 1975-77 serves as a powerful reminder of the need for robust democratic safeguards to
prevent the abuse of power. Looking ahead, constant vigilance by citizens, a robust civil society, and strong
democratic institutions are essential to prevent a return to such a dark chapter.

Insta Links:

• The Big Picture - Today’s India and Lessons from Emergency

Mains Link:
Q) Under what circumstances can the Financial Emergency be proclaimed by the President of India?
What consequences follow when such a declaration remains in force? (UPSC 2018)

Prelims Link:
Q) With reference to the constitution of India, prohibitions or limitations or provisions contained in
ordinary laws cannot act as prohibitions or limitations on the constitutional powers under Article
142. It could mean which one of the following? (UPSC 2019)
(a) The decisions taken by the Election Commision of India while discharging its duties can not be chal-
lenged in any court of law.
(b) The Supreme Court of India is not constrained in the exercise of its powers by laws made by the parlia-
ment.
(c) In the event of grave financial crises in the country, the President of India can declare Financial Emer-
gency without the counsel from the cabinet.
(d) State Legislatures can not make laws on certain matters without the concurrence of the Union legisla-
ture.

Ans: (b)

GS Paper 1:

GENDER DISCRIMINATION AT THE WORKPLACE

Syllabus: Indian Society: Issues related to Women

Context: The article criticizes Foxconn for not hiring married women due to concerns about family duties
and absenteeism.

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What are the Issues?
Foxconn, an Apple supplier, reportedly does not hire married women, citing family duties and higher
absenteeism as reasons. This highlights a broader issue where women’s careers are hindered by traditional
gender roles, as they often manage household responsibilities, allowing men to excel at work. Data suggests
that India’s Female LFPR has decreased from 30% to 24% in the past two decades, despite an increase in
girls’ enrollment in Class 10.

Issues with Foxconn’s Action

1. Gender Discrimination: Excluding married women from employment based on family duties and
absenteeism.
2. Reinforcing Gender Roles: Perpetuating traditional roles where women are expected to handle
household responsibilities.
3. Inequality in Opportunities: Denying married women equal access to job opportunities and career
advancement.
4. Workplace Diversity: Reducing workplace diversity by not hiring a significant segment of the pop-
ulation.
5. Economic Impact: Limiting married women’s financial independence and economic contributions.
6. Violation of Rights: Potentially breaching anti-discrimination laws and equal employment rights.
7. Unfair Assumptions: Making broad assumptions about married women’s work performance with-
out individual assessment.

Other key issues that impact workplace gender inclusivity

• Cultural Norms and Stereotypes: Indian society perpetuates traditional gender roles where women are
expected to prioritize family over career.
○ Example: The gender pay gap in India persists, with women earning 19% less than men,
reflecting these biases.
○ Solution: Promote gender-neutral upbringing, challenge stereotypes through media cam-
paigns, and emphasize equal opportunities.
• Patriarchal Organizational Structures: Many workplaces in India maintain hierarchies dominated by
men, making it challenging for women to ascend to leadership roles.
○ Example: A study found that only 15% of board seats in NSE-listed companies were held by
women in 2021.
○ Solution: Implement quotas or targets for female representation in leadership roles and fos-
ter mentorship programs.
• Implicit Bias and Stereotype Threat: Implicit biases against women persist in performance evaluations and
decision-making processes.
○ Example: Studies have shown that women receive less credit for their work compared to
men in similar positions.
○ Solution: Implement unconscious bias training for managers and use standardized per-
formance evaluation criteria.
• Harassment and Safety Concerns: Workplace harassment is a major deterrent for women, often going unre-
ported due to fear of retaliation.
○ Example: The #MeToo movement highlighted the widespread prevalence of harassment in
Indian workplaces.
○ Solution: Enforce strict anti-harassment policies, provide safe reporting mechanisms, and
sensitize employees through training.
• Lack of Work-Life Balance: Balancing work and family responsibilities remains challenging for women due

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 to inadequate support systems.
○ Example: Maternity leave policies in India are not uniform, leading to disparities.
○ Solution: Encourage flexible working arrangements, affordable childcare facilities, and ex-
tended parental leave.
• Education and Skills Gap: Gender bias in education and vocational training limits women’s access to high-pay-
ing jobs.
○ Example: Women are underrepresented in STEM fields and emerging industries.
○ Solution: Promote STEM education for girls, offer scholarships, and collaborate with indus-
tries for skill development.
• Cultural Sensitivity Training: Cultural biases and insensitivity towards diversity often hinder inclusivity.
○ Example: Insensitive comments or practices can create hostile work environments.
○ Solution: Regular cultural sensitivity training for employees and management can foster a
more inclusive atmosphere.

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Measures to Address the Issue:
Key Recommen- Description
dations
Legislation and Strengthen and enforce existing laws related to workplace gender inclusivity, including an-
Enforcement ti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws.
Stricter enforcement of laws such as the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Pre-
vention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act of 2013.
Increase fines and penalties for non-compliance and expedite cases to set deterrent examples.
In 2017, the Maternity Benefits Amendment Act was passed which increased the stipulated
maternity leave period in India from 12 weeks to 26 weeks in organisations that have at least
10 employees.
The Supreme Court of India declared (in Selina John’s case) rules penalizing women employ-
SC Judgement
ees for getting married as unconstitutional, citing gender discrimination and inequality.
Corporate Initia- Encourage companies to adopt inclusive policies, diversity training, and transparent report-
tives ing of gender-related data.
Promote initiatives like the Tata Group’s “Second Career Internship Program” for women’s
reentry into the workforce.
Women’s Net- Support and promote women’s networks within organizations to provide mentorship and
works networking opportunities.
Adopt models like “Lean In Circles” to create peer groups for women to support each other’s
career growth and mentorship.
Media Campaigns Use media to challenge stereotypes and promote positive portrayals of women in the work-
place.
Draw inspiration from campaigns like Dove’s “Real Beauty” to challenge unrealistic standards
and depict women as competent professionals.
Collaboration Encourage partnerships between government, NGOs, and the private sector to create a co-
hesive approach to gender inclusivity.
Highlight successful initiatives like the “Mahila Shakti Kendra” collaboration that empow-
ers women through skill development, education, and healthcare.

Conclusion empowerment schemes, what interventions can help

By addressing these dimensions and implementing change this milieu?” (UPSC 2021)
these strategies, India can foster a workplace envi-
ronment that embraces diversity and gender in-
clusivity, ensuring that women have equal oppor- Prelims Links:
tunities to thrive professionally.
Which of the following gives the ‘Global Gen-
der Gap Index’ ranking to the countries of the
world? (UPSC 2017)
Insta Links:
(a) World Economic Forum
• Prevention of sexual harassment or POSH Act
(b) UN Human Rights Council
(c) UN Women
(d) World Health Organization
Mains Links:
Q.“Though women in post-Independent India have Ans: A
excelled in various fields, the social attitude towards
women and the feminist movement has been patri-
archal.” Apart from women’s education and women

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GS Paper 2:

TIBET-CHINA DISPUTE ACT PASSED BY US CONGRESS

Syllabus: International Relations

Context: US Congress recently, passed the “Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act,”
aimed at countering China’s historical claims over Tibet and promoting dialogue between Beijing and the
Dalai Lama.

What does the Policy say?

The Act states that US policy requires the Tibet-China dispute to be resolved peacefully through dialogue,
in accordance with international law and the UN Charter. It supports the Dalai Lama’s “Middle Way Ap-
proach,” which envisions Tibet remaining part of China while granting Tibetans meaningful autonomy.

What is the History of the Issue between China and Tibet?

The China-Tibet issue centres on Tibet’s historical quest for independence and China’s claim of sov-
ereignty over the region. Tibet, located on the Tibetan Plateau, has been the traditional homeland of
the Tibetan people and other ethnic groups. In 1913, the 13th Dalai Lama declared de facto indepen-
dence for Tibet, which China never recognized, asserting its own sovereignty. In 1951, after the Chinese
Communist Party’s takeover, Tibet’s leaders were coerced into signing the Seventeen Point Agreement,
ostensibly granting autonomy but allowing Chinese military presence. The agreement, rejected by many
Tibetans, marked the beginning of tensions culminating in the 1959 Tibetan Uprising. Following the Dalai
Lama’s flight to India and the establishment of the Central Tibetan Administration, China intensified
control over Tibet, suppressing freedoms and imposing demographic changes that challenged Tibetan cul-
tural survival despite infrastructure developments.

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India’s Tibet Policy:
Aspect Details
Historical Bound- Defined under the Simla Convention of 1914 between Tibetan representatives and
aries between In- British India.
dia and Tibet
Chinese Annex- China’s full control over Tibet led to disputes over boundaries, including the McMa-
ation (1950) hon Line.
1954 Agreement India signed an agreement with China recognizing Tibet as part of China.
Tibetan Refugees India provided refuge to the Dalai Lama and his followers after the Tibetan uprising.
(1959)
Official Policy India recognizes the Dalai Lama as a spiritual leader; and restricts political activi-
ties of Tibetan exiles.

Policy Shifts Since 2003, the Government of India has recognised Tibet Autonomous Region
as part of the People’s Republic of China following the signing of the Declaration
on Principles for Relations and Comprehensive Cooperation between India and China
Balancing Act India maintains Tibet is part of China while supporting Tibetan cultural identity
cautiously

Impact of Tibet and the Dalai Lama on India-China relations:

1. Geopolitical Significance: Tibet historically neighbored India, influencing boundaries and the Line
of Actual Control (LAC) over 3500 km.
2. Strategic Importance: Tibet’s plateau is crucial for water resources and holds geopolitical signifi-
cance, complicating India-China-Tibet dynamics.
3. Diplomatic Agreements: India recognized Tibet as part of China in a 1954 agreement (and again in
2003), altering its stance from historical conventions.
4. Dalai Lama’s Presence: China views the Dalai Lama, residing in India, as a separatist, straining bi-
lateral relations persistently.

Conclusion: ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative. Give a brief de-

India faces complex challenges in its Tibet policy, scription of CPEC and enumerate the reasons why
balancing humanitarian concerns with geopolit- India has distanced itself from the same. (UPSC
ical realities. As it navigates relations with China, 2018)
maintaining a strategic yet compassionate approach
towards Tibetans in India while addressing legal and
Prelims Link:
leadership issues post-Dalai Lama will be crucial for
stability and regional cooperation. Q. “Belt and Road Initiative” is sometimes men-
tioned in the news in the context of the affairs
of : (UPSC 2016)
Insta Links: (a) African Union
• India-China relations (b) Brazil
(c) European Union
(d) China
Mains Link:
Q. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
is viewed as a cardinal subset of China’s larger Ans: D

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Reports in News

REPORTS IN NEWS

Reports Description
RBI’s Financial The latest 29th issue of the Financial Stability Report (FSR) reveals encouraging
Stability Report trends in India’s banking sector as of March-end 2024.
(FSR)
Scheduled commercial banks reported a notable decline in their Gross Non-Perform-
ing Assets (GNPAs) and Net NPA ratios, reaching multi-year lows of 2.8% and 0.6%
respectively.
About the report:
The Financial Stability Report (FSR), issued biannually (every six months) by
the RBI, provides a comprehensive assessment of financial stability and the resilience
of India’s financial system. Prepared by the Sub-Committee of the Financial Stabil-
ity and Development Council (FSDC), chaired by the Governor of RBI, the report
evaluates risks impacting the financial sector.
Artificial In- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released the AIPI Dashboard, ranking Sin-
telligence Pre- gapore 1st and India 72nd.
paredness In-
The AIPI Dashboard tracks AI readiness in 174 economies based on digital infra-
dex (AIPI)
structure, human capital and labour market policies, innovation and economic inte-
gration, and regulation and ethics.
Countries are categorized as Advanced Economy (AE), Emerging Market Economy
(EM), and Low-Income Country (LIC).
Annual World The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released a report on World
Drug Report Drug Day, observed annually on June 26th since 1987 to promote action against drug
(2024) abuse and illicit trafficking.
Key highlights include a rise in drug abuse, with 292 million users in 2022, and can-
nabis being the most abused drug, followed by opioids, amphetamines, cocaine, and
ecstasy.
Regions most affected by drug-related criminal activity include the Triple Frontier
area (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay) and the Golden Triangle (Laos, Myanmar, Thailand).
Cannabis legalization has occurred in Canada, Uruguay, and 27 U.S. jurisdictions. The
psychoactive effect of cannabis is primarily due to THC (delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol).
Additionally, illegal drug activities contribute to environmental issues like defor-
estation, toxic waste dumping, and chemical contamination.
Migration and The World Bank released a brief highlighting key trends in remittance and migration.
D eve l o p m e n t Remittance flows to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) reached $656 bil-
Brief 2024 lion, with India receiving the most at $120 billion, followed by Mexico, China, the Phil-
ippines, and Pakistan.
Top migration destinations include the US, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and
the UK, with the largest number of emigrants from India (18.7 million), followed by
Ukraine, China, Mexico, and Venezuela. The largest migration corridor is from Mexico
to the US.

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Facts for Prelims (FFP)

BHUVAN PANCHAYAT PORTAL AND NATIONAL DATABASE FOR EMERGENCY

MANAGEMENT

Context: Recently two new Geoportals developed by ISRO: ‘Bhuvan Panchayat (Ver. 4.0)’ for rural land
records and ‘National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM Ver. 5.0)’ were launched.
• These portals provide high-resolution satellite imagery for visualisation and planning.

Portal Purpose Features

Bhuvan Pan- Support decentralized planning Digitizes land records
chayat Portal Empower grassroots citizens Reduces dependency on local administration
Minimizes corruption
NDEM Ver. 5.0 Provide space-based inputs on natu- Effective early warning systems
Portal ral disasters Continuous monitoring
Aid in disaster risk reduction Supports India and neighbouring countries

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 INTERNATIONAL NORTH-SOUTH • If WMA exceeds 90 days, it becomes an over-
draft, with interest 2 percentage points
TRANSPORT CORRIDOR higher than the repo rate.
•
Context: India-Russia trade has advanced with the
first-ever shipment of Kuzbass coal from Siberia
to India via the International North-South Trans-
port Corridor (INSTC).
• The 7,200 km-long INSTC, a multimodal
network of sea, road, and rail, offers the
shortest route from St Petersburg to Mum-
bai.
• The INSTC is part of Russia’s strategy to redi-
rect trade flows from Europe to Asia and
the Middle East due to Western sanctions.
• This corridor will benefit several countries,
including Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, the Bal-
tic, Nordic nations, and 11 Central Asian AI WASHING
countries.
Context: “AI washing,” a term popularized by the US
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), re-
fers to companies exaggerating their use of AI to
appeal to consumers.
• This phenomenon has surged following
the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in 2022,
leading to a significant rise in startups and
companies claiming to use AI.
• However, only a small percentage actually
integrate AI into their operations.
• AI washing involves businesses overstating
their AI capabilities or misleading consumers
about their features.
• Notable examples include Google’s misrep-
resented AI demonstrations and Amazon’s
WAYS AND MEANS ADVANCES cashier-less checkout systems that relied
(WMA) on manual oversight.
The consequences of AI washing are substantial. It
Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has in- can divert resources from genuine AI innovation,
creased the Ways and Means Advances (WMA) complicate decision-making for businesses seek-
limits for State governments and Union territo- ing real AI solutions, and pose data security risks to
ries by 28%. consumers.

About Ways and Means Advances (WMA):

• Introduced in 1997 to address mismatches
in government receipts and payments.
• Governments can obtain immediate cash
from the RBI, repayable within 90 days,
with interest at the existing repo rate.
• Legal Authority: Authorized under Section
17(5) of the RBI Act, 1934.

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 SPACE DEBRIS

Context: A defunct Russian satellite, RESURS-P1, broke up into over 100 pieces of debris, forcing astro-
nauts on the International Space Station (ISS) to shelter in their spacecraft for about an hour.
• This incident adds to the growing concern over space debris as space becomes increasingly
crowded with vital satellite networks.

About Space Debris:

• Man-made objects in Earth’s orbit that are no longer functional.

Examples: Defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and debris fragments from collisions.
Threats from Space Debris:
• Threat to Marine Life: Objects falling into oceans pose risks to marine life and contribute to pollu-
tion.
• Threat to Satellites: Debris poses hazards to operational satellites, potentially causing malfunctions.
• Kessler Syndrome: Overpopulation of space debris causing cascading collisions.
• Reduction of Orbital Slots: Accumulation limits the availability of orbital slots for future missions.
• Space Situational Awareness: Increasing debris complicates tracking and orbit prediction for satel-
lite operators and space agencies.

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 SENNA SPECTABILIS

Context: The Kerala Forest Department has partnered with Kerala Paper Products Limited (KPPL) to
remove invasive species like Senna spectabilis from the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.
• These plants threaten the wildlife habitat in the Nilgiri biosphere.
Senna spectabilis:
• A deciduous tree native to tropical regions of the Americas.
• Ecological Impact: Thick foliage inhibits the growth of native trees and grasses, leading to food
shortages for wildlife, particularly herbivores. Disrupts germination and growth of native plant
species.
• Conservation Status: Classified as ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red List.

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