Articles Covered

1. Ministry of Law and Justice to organise Conference titled ‘India’s Progressive Path in the Administration of Criminal Justice System’ tomorrow
2. Tiger Cats
3. Express View on Elon Musk and India’s space race
4. DRDO hands over first batch of indigenous Leading Edge Actuators & Airbrake Control Module to HAL for LCA Tejas Mk1A
5. Once-mighty Rio Grande, other New Mexico rivers are ‘most endangered’ in the US: Non-profit
6. Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF)
7. India’s population estimated at 1.4 bn, 24% in 0-14 age bracket: UNFPA
8. Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA)

Ministry of Law and Justice to organise Conference titled ‘India’s Progressive Path in the Administration of Criminal Justice System’ tomorrow

1. In order to repeal archaic colonial laws and usher in legislations which are citizen centric and cater to the requirements of a vibrant democracy three laws have been enacted to overhaul the criminal justice system in the country.
2. The legislations e.the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, replace the earlier criminal laws namely, the Indian Penal Code 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. As notified, these criminal laws are to take effect from 1^st July 2024.
3. To generate awareness about these legislative enactments, particularly amongst the stakeholders and legal fraternity, the Ministry of Law and Justice is organising a Conference titled ‘India’s Progressive Path in the Administration of Criminal Justice System’, at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, Janpath, New Delhi tomorrow i.e. 20^thof April, 2024.
4. The Conference aims at bringing out the highlights of the three criminal laws and organise meaningful interactions through technical and Q & A sessions.
5. Besides, judges of various courts, advocates, academicians, representatives of law enforcement agencies, police officials, public prosecutors, district administration officials and law students shall be participating in the Conference.
6. The day-long Conference, starts with the inaugural session and concludes with the valedictory session. In between three technical sessions are being organised, one on each law.
7. The inaugural session will shed light on the overarching objectives of the new criminal law triad.

Tiger Cats

A new species of tiger cat, the clouded tiger cat, discovered in Brazil, faces threats from deforestation and illegal hunting.

• Also known as the oncilla, tiger cats are small spotted cats that quietly stalk Central and South America, perfectly adapted for clambering in trees and hunting small prey.
• They are among the shyest and smallest wild cats in the Americas, weighing between 1.5 to 3 kilograms (3.3 to 6.6 pounds), much smaller than most domestic house cats.
• Until recently, they were split into two species: the northern tiger cat (Leopardus tigrinus), and the Atlantic Forest tiger cat (Leopardus guttulus), along with a handful of subspecies.

1. The northern tiger cat is native to the savanna and shrublands of the Guiana Shield and central Brazil, while the Atlantic tiger cat lives further south in forested areas of central to southern Brazil, down through Paraguay and northeastern Argentina.
2. Researchers recently concluded that the family includes a third species: the clouded tiger cat (Leopardus pardinoides).

Clouded Tiger Cat

• It is a new species of forest-dwelling tiger cat.
• Scientific Name: Leopardus pardinoides
• Geographic Distribution:It is found in the cloud forests of the southern Central American and Andean Mountain chains, which stretch from Costa Rica through Panama, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina.

Features:

1. It is a long-tailedcat with short-round ears, weighing 2.27 kg.
2. The new species has a remarkably margay-looking head, which hasa nice dense soft fur of a rich reddish/orangish/grayish-yellow background color adorned with irregularly shaped medium-large ‘cloudy’ rosettes that are strongly marked and often coalesce.
3. Distinctively, it has only one pair of mammae/teats.

Express View on Elon Musk and India’s space race

Liberal FDI regime is of a piece with India’s growing stature as a space-faring nation. Market freedom must be combined with regulatory oversight.

The Finance Ministry notified amended rules under the Foreign Exchange Management Act to allow up to 100 percent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for the Indian space sector through three categories of liberalised entry routes.

• 100% FDI in Indian Space Sector: Key Highlights of the Notification
• 100% FDI for Manufacturing, Operation of Satellites: 100 per cent FDI has been allowed for the Indian space sector category of manufacturing and operation of satellites, satellite data products, and ground segment and user segment.

Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA):

1. About: FEMA is a comprehensive regulatory framework that governs foreign exchange transactions, external trade, payments, and foreign investments in the country.
2. Aim: To facilitate external trade and payments, promote orderly development and maintenance of the foreign exchange market, and ensure proper utilization of foreign exchange resources.

• In this, up to 74 per cent would be through the automatic route and a government nod would be required for investment beyond 74 per cent.
• Under the earlier policy, any foreign investment in manufacturing and operating satellites is allowed only with government approval.

49% FDI for Launch Vehicles: Automatic FDI has also been permitted up to 49 per cent for launch vehicles and associated systems or subsystems and the creation of spaceports for launching and receiving Spacecraft.

Government approval would be required for investments beyond 49 per cent.

Definition of Key Terms in the Notification

1. Satellites – manufacturing and operation: It has been defined as end-to-end manufacturing and supply of satellite or payload, establishing the satellite systems including control of in-orbit operations of the satellite and payloads.
2. Satellite Data Products: These have been defined as reception, generation or dissemination of earth observation or remote sensing satellite data and data products including Application Interfaces (API).
3. Ground segment: It refers to supply of satellite transmit or receive earth stations including earth observation data receive station, gateway, teleports, satellite telemetry, Tracking and Command (TTC) station, and Satellite Control Centre (SCC) etc.
4. User Segment: It refers to supply of user ground terminals for communicating with the satellite, which are not covered under the ground segment.
5. Launch vehicles and associated systems or sub-systems: It is defined as a vehicle and its stages or components that is designed to operate in or place spacecraft with payloads or persons, in a sub-orbital trajectory, or earth orbit or outer space.
6. Spaceport: It refers to the base from which spacecraft are launched, and consists of facilities involving devices for transportation to, from and via outer space.
7. Space Activities: They largely encompass the launch vehicle and launch service, the satellite, ground stations that can detect the signals, and user products where the data from satellites is utilised.

Strengthening Indian Space Sector: FDI Policy and Future Investment Plans

• Enabling Power Indian Space Sector:Currently, ISRO operates spaceports in the country. By allowing 49 per cent FDI in the segment, the government aims to make the ecosystem more enabling for private companies.
• Increasing share in Global Space Economy:Indian space sector’s share of the global space economy is between 2 and 3 percent.

1. The government plans to increase it to more than 10 percent by 2030.
2. According to the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), this scale-up will require an investment of $22 billion in the next 10 years.

Indian National Space, Promotion and Authorization Centre (INSPACe)

• Objective:  To act as a single window nodal agency that will oversee and permit the activities of private companies into the Indian space sector.
• Nodal agency: Department of Space (DOS) Government of India.

Functions:

1. It will also oversee the sharing of the ISRO assets by the private players with due consideration to the present and ongoing projects of the ISRO.
2. It will also handhold and guide the private players on the issue of technology, promotion, and expertise.

DRDO hands over first batch of indigenous Leading-Edge Actuators & Airbrake Control Module to HAL for LCA Tejas Mk1A

1. DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has handed over the first batch of the indigenous Leading-Edge Actuators and Airbrake Control Module to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), marking a significant leap towards self-reliance in aeronautical technologies.
2. The HAL, Lucknow has already made preparations for the production of these units for the current 83 LCA Tejas Mk1A order.
3. The Secondary Flight Control of LCA-Tejas, comprising Leading Edge Slats and Airbrakes, now boasts state-of-the-art Servo-Valve based electro-hydraulic servo actuators and control modules.
4. These high pressure, redundant servo actuators and control module, characterised by astute design, precision manufacturing, assembly, and testing, represent a culmination of ADA’s relentless pursuit of indigenous technological prowess.
5. Collaborating with Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, and Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI), Bengaluru, ADA plans to achieve self-reliance in these technologies.
6. The successful completion of flight trials for Leading Edge Actuators and Airbrake Control Modules has paved the way for production clearance, enabling HAL to gear up for equipping the Mk-1A variant of LCA Tejas.
7. The production of these critical components is underway at the Accessories Division, HAL, Lucknow, marking a significant stride towards bolstering India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities. Noteworthy contributions from public and private industries, including Godrej Aerospace, Mumbai, alongside certification agencies such as CEMILAC and DGAQA, have been instrumental in this endeavor.
8. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO and DG-ADA congratulated the entire team of ADA, RCI, HAL, CMTI and all participating industries for achieving this significant milestone.

Once-mighty Rio Grande, other New Mexico rivers are ‘most endangered’ in the US: Non-profit

• River that forms Mexican-American border endangered due to loss of federal clean water protections
• The Annual Report, Conducted by American Rivers, classed the Rio Grande River as America’s ‘most endangered river.

American Rivers focuses on protecting and promoting the health of rivers in the US.

• An endangered river is a river system that has shown the potential to wholly or partially dry up, or has exhibited ecological issues that may affect its flow in the near future.

Endangered Rio Grande River: Water Issues and Migration Hotspot

Endangered Rivers: The Rio Grande, along with the San Juan, Gila, and Pecos rivers flowing through the US state of New Mexico, is endangered due to the loss of clean water protections.

The Rio Grande River is in decline as its waters have been diverted and over utilised by both the US and Mexico.

Hotspot of Migration: In recent years, the Rio Grande has become a hotspot of migration into the US from the rest of the Americas as well as around the world.

• Many migrants across South America cross the Darien Gap in Panama and travel through Mexico to arrive at the Mexican-American border on the Rio Grande.

Rio Grande River

The Rio Grande River is one of the longest rivers in North America, running around 1,900 miles (3,060 kilometres) from the Colorado Rockies southeast to the Gulf of Mexico. 

1. Etymology: The river’s English and Spanish names mean, respectively, “large” and “rough.”
2. Bordering Countries: Rio Grande River forms the border between the United States state of Texas and Mexico and Mexico.
3. It provides fresh water for seven United States and Mexican states.
4. River Course:The San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado are its sources, and the river flows into the Gulf of Mexico.
5. Principal Tributaries:  Pecos, Devils, Chama, and Puerco rivers in the United States and the Conchos, Salado, and San Juan in Mexico. 

Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF)

The failure of private investment, as measured by private Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) as a percentage of GDP at current prices, to pick up pace has been one of the major issues plaguing the Indian economy.

1. GFCF refers to the growth in the size of fixed capital in an economy.
2. Fixed assets/capital are tangible or intangible assets produced as outputs from production processes that are used repeatedly, or continuously, for more than one year.
3. GFCF consists of resident producers’ investments, deducting disposals, in fixed assets during a given period.
4. It also includes certain additions to the value of non-produced assets realized by producers or institutional units.
5. Private GFCF can serve as a rough indicator of how much the private sector in an economy is willing to invest.
6. Overall GFCF also includes capital formation as a result of investment by the government.
7. GFCF matters because fixed capital, by helping workers produce a greater amount of goods and services each year, helps to boost economic growth and improve living standards.
8. In other words, fixed capital is what largely determines the overall output of an economy and, hence, what consumers can actually purchase in the market.
9. Developed economies such as the U.S. possess more fixed capital per capita than developing economies such as India.

Statistics:

1. GFCF in the Indian economy increased significantly from INR 32.78 lakh crore in 2014-15 to INR 54.35 lakh crore in 2022-2023.
2. This surge in capital formation reflects substantial investments in infrastructure, industry, and public goods.

India’s population estimated at 1.4 bn, 24% in 0-14 age bracket: UNFPA

1. India’s population is estimated to have reached 1.44 billion, with 24 per cent in the 0-14 age bracket, according to a recent report by the UNFPA.
2. The United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) State of World Population – 2024 report — “Interwoven Lives, Threads of Hope: Ending Inequalities in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights” — revealed that India’s population is estimated to double in 77 years.

• According to the recent reports of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), India’s population is estimated to have reached 44 billion, with 24 percent in the 0-14 age bracket.

The UNFPA’s State of World Population report 2024 “Interwoven Lives, Threads of Hope: Ending Inequalities in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights” revealed that India’s population is estimated to double in 77 years.

Key Highlights of the Report:

• Population:India leads globally with an estimated population of 44 billion, followed by China at 1.425 billion, according to the report.
• India’s population was recorded at 21 billion during the last census, conducted in 2011.
• Demographic Profile: The report provided a demographic breakdown that shows around 24% of the population is aged 0-14, 17% are aged 10-19, and 26% fall in the 10-24 age range.
• The largest demographic, 68%, is the working-age group of 15-64, while seniors aged 65 and above constitute 7%of the population.
• Life expectancy at birth is 71 years for men and 74 years for women.
• Social Issues: The prevalence of child marriage remains high with 23%of marriages involving underage individuals between 2006-2023.
• Health Issues:The report highlights health issues, specifically of women
• Maternal Health:Maternal mortality rates have significantly decreased but still present vast inequities across different regions.
• The report highlighted that out of India’s 640 districts nearly a third achieved the sustainable development goal of reducing maternal mortality ratio below 70 per 100,000 live births, however 114 districts still have ratios of 210 or more.
• The highest MMR of 1,671 per 100,000 births is seen in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh, a rural area with a high proportion of indigenous peoples.
• Healthcare Access: Marginalized groups, including women with disabilities, migrants and refugees, ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA+ and those from lower castes like Dalits, often have limited access to necessary health services.
• For instance, nearly half of Dalit women do not receive antenatal care.
• Socioeconomic Challenges
• Gender-Based Violence:Women with disabilities are significantly more likely to experience gender-based violence, up to 10 times more than those without disabilities.
• Furthermore, the violence is aggravated by caste-based discrimination. Dalit women, have high rates of gender-based violence are considered a means of oppression and control.
• Economic Dependency:Economic constraints force many women into cycles of poverty, exacerbating poor health outcomes and continued reliance on inadequate healthcare.
• Increased Vulnerability:The vulnerability of women is further compounded by climate change, humanitarian crises, wards and mass migration, which have a disproportionate impact on women.
• Legal and Social Protections: The report advocates for legal protections to combat caste-based discrimination in workplaces and educational institutions, highlighting the need for policies that specifically protect vulnerable women from systemic injustices.
• Global Health Trends:Globally, progress on key health measures for women is slowing or completely stalled, with 800 women still dying daily from childbirth-related causes and many lacking autonomies over their sexual and reproductive decisions.
• In 40 percent of countries with data, the report said women’s bodily autonomy is diminishing.
• Inequitable health benefits in India:India has made progress in healthcare accessibility and quality. However, these benefits have been cornered by wealthier women and those belonging to ethnic groups that already had better access to health care.

UNFPA:

1. It is a subsidiary organ of the UN General Assembly and works as a sexual and reproductive health agency.
2. Establishment: It was established as a trust fund in 1967and began operations in
3. In 1987, it was officially renamed the United Nations Population Fund but the original abbreviation, ‘UNFPA’ for the United Nations Fund for Population Activities was retained.
4. Objective: UNFPA works directly to tackle Sustainable Development Goals on health (SDG3), education (SDG4) and gender equality (SDG5).

Funding: UNFPA is entirely supported by voluntary contributions of donor governments, intergovernmental organizations, the private sector and foundations and individuals, not by the United Nations regular budget. 

Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA)

The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) Asia Pacific, in collaboration with other environmental organisations, has called on the ASEAN to take decisive action in response to plastic pollution.

1. GAIA is a worldwide alliance of more than 1,000 grassroots groups, non-governmental organizations, and individuals in over 90 countries.
2. GAIA aims to power a transition away from our current linear and extractive economy and towards a circular system that supports people’s right to a safe and healthy environment.
3. GAIA envisions a just, zero-waste world built on respect for ecological limits and community rights, where people are free from the burden of toxic pollution and resources are sustainably conserved, not burned or dumped.
4. This entails fighting pollution and building regenerative solutions in cities through local campaigns, shifts in policy and finance, research and communication initiatives, and movement building.
5. They work on four primary points of intervention: incineration, zero waste, plastic, and climate.

Incineration

1. Incineration is the process of burning hazardous material sat temperatures high enough to destroy contaminants.
2. Incineration is conducted in an “incinerator,” which is a type of furnace designed for burning hazardous materials in a combustion chamber.
3. Many different types of hazardous materials can be treated by incineration, including soil, sludge, liquids, and gases.
4. Although it destroys many kinds of harmful chemicals, such as solvents, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), and pesticides, incineration does not destroy metals, such as lead and chromium.
5. Modern incinerators include air pollution control equipment (e.g., fabric filters, scrubbers, and electrostatic precipitators) to remove fly ash and gaseous contaminants.