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The Indian stock market has become the 4th largest globally, surpassing Hong Kong.

Indian Stock Market Became 4th Largest Stock Market, Surpassing Hongkong

• Indian stock market value: $4.33 trillion (₹366 lakh crore)
• Hong Kong’s total market value: $4.29 trillion
• The Top 3 stock markets in the world are the US, China, and Japan.

Factors Contributing to India’s 4th Largest Stock Market

• Impact of Hong Kong’s Market Decline: The decline in Hong Kong’s stock market due to the weakening appeal of China as an investment destination has helped India emerge as the world’s largest stock market. 
• Strong Corporate Performance: Many Indian companies, especially in sectors like IT, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy, are experiencing higher growth and profitability. 
  • This has helped in attracting investor interest and boosted market capitalization.
• Technological Upgradation: Technological advancements such as online trading platforms and mobile apps have made access to the stock market easy. It has helped in increasing the investor base and facilitated efficient transactions. 
• India’s Alternative to China: Economic slowdown and geopolitical uncertainties make China less attractive to investors. However, India’s stable and promising economic environment, coupled with recent reforms has made India a favorable alternative.

Implications of Indian Stock Market Surpassing Hong Kong

• Geopolitical Impact:
  • Geopolitical Shift in Power Dynamics: India’s growing influence in the financial world signals its increasing economic and political strength, possibly challenging China’s dominance.
  • Enhanced Soft Power: A rising stock market can attract foreign investment which can  improve India’s reputation as a stable and appealing investment destination.
  • Potential for Cooperation: A stronger Indian economy could encourage deeper economic and strategic cooperation with other regional players like the Quad countries to counterbalance China’s influence.
• Geo-economic Consequences:
  • Diversification of Investments: India’s larger market provides more investment options, reducing dependence on the Chinese market and lessening risks linked to its slowdown.
  • Rise of the Indian Rupee: Increased foreign investment could elevate the value of the Indian rupee, making it a more significant regional currency and possibly challenging the dominance of the US dollar.
  • Growth of Financial Hubs: A larger and more dynamic Indian stock market could transform cities like Mumbai into major financial hubs in the region, attracting capital and expertise.

Challenges and Uncertainties

• Sustaining Growth:
  • India must maintain robust economic growth and implement effective financial regulations to retain its position as a top market.
• Domestic Challenges:
  • Issues like income inequality and social unrest might hinder India’s economic potential and limit its global impact.
• China’s Reaction:
  • China may respond to India’s rise through economic or political measures, creating uncertainties in the regional dynamics.

What is the Stock Market?

• Definition: It is a marketplace where publicly listed companies’ stocks (Equities or Shares) are bought and sold. 
• There are two primary stock exchanges: 
  • The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE): It is the oldest stock exchange
  • The National Stock Exchange (NSE).
• These stock exchanges have their benchmark indices:
  • The SENSEX for the BSE  
  • The NIFTY 50 for the NSE 
    • These benchmarks track the performance of the top 30 and 50 companies respectively.
• Market Structure: 
  • Primary Market: Companies release shares to the public through an initial public offering (IPO) to raise funds.
  • Secondary Market: Investors buy shares from each other either at the current market price or at a price they both decide on.
• Regulation by: The primary and secondary markets are regulated by SEBI in India. 

News Source: Indian Express

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End to End encryption has fundamentally shifted the landscape of data privacy and control, impacting various stakeholders profoundly.

What is encryption?

• Encryption involves changing information that can be consumed into a form that is not consumable, following specific sets of rules.
• There are different kinds of such rules (See Image).
  • For example, (with particular settings) the Data Encryption Standard (DES) encrypts the words “ice cream” to AdNgzrrtxcpeUzzAdN7dwA== with the key “kite”. If the key is “motorcycle, ” the encrypted text becomes 8nR+8aZxL89fAwru/+VyXw==.
  • The key is some data using which a computer can ‘unlock’ (decrypt) some ‘locked’ (encrypted) text, knowing the rules used to ‘lock’ it.

What is End to End Encryption?

• End to End Encryption is a secure communication method. E2E is encryption that refers to particular locations between which information moves.
• It encrypts data between two devices (sender and receiver). It prevents unauthorized access during transfer, excluding third-party access such as cloud service providers, internet service providers (ISPs), and cybercriminals.
• There are two important forms of encryption: Encryption-in-Transit and E2E encryption.
  • Encryption-in-transit means it is encrypted before a message is relayed from the server to the actor (or vice versa). This scheme is used to prevent an actor from being able to read the message’s contents by intercepting the relay. 
  • In End to End Encryption, the message is encrypted both in transit and at rest – i.e. when being relayed from the sender’s phone to the server (or vice versa) and when it is sitting inside the server. It is only decrypted when a receiver receives the message.

Mechanism of End to End Encryption

• The encryption keys (for scrambling and unscrambling messages) are not stored with the service provider but directly on the user’s devices (endpoints).
• Messages are transformed into an unreadable format using a special algorithm during transmission.
  • This “scrambled” data is unreadable without the decryption key.

How is information encrypted?

• There are many Encryption methods that vary based on the level of secrecy and protection.
• There are major differences between symmetric and asymmetric encryption 

• • Symmetric encryption: Symmetric encryption utilizes a single key for encryption and decryption, exemplified by DES and Triple DES.
    • Symmetric encryption is suitable when the sender and recipient are the same, as in encrypting a computer’s hard drive or setting a WiFi password.
  • Asymmetric encryption
    • Asymmetric encryption involves separate keys for encryption and decryption.
    • The public key encrypts the message, while a corresponding private key decrypts it.
    • This encryption is very useful when the recipient and sender are different. 
    • The longer the key, the higher the level of protection it provides and vice-versa. 
• For Example The messaging app WhatsApp uses the Curve25519 algorithm to create public keys for messages. 
  • Curve25519 uses the principles of elliptic-curve cryptography (ECC).
  • ECC’s advantage is that it can provide the same level of security as another asymmetric encryption algorithm but with a shorter key.
• Distinct symmetric and asymmetric schemes utilize various hash functions for message encryption.

Benefits

• Secure Communication:
  • End to end encryption relies on public key cryptography that stores private keys on the devices involved.
  • Messages are only readable by those accessing these private keys on the endpoint devices.
• Protection from Unwanted Access:
  • E2EE safeguards user data from unauthorized parties like service providers, cloud storage providers, and companies dealing with encrypted data.
• Tamper-Resistance:
  • Decryption keys in End to End Encryption are not sent separately; they are already with the recipient.
  • If a message is tampered with during transit, it can’t be deciphered by the recipient, ensuring the tampered content remains unreadable.
• Other Benefits:
  • E2E encryption empowers activists and journalists in oppressive regimes to communicate securely, safeguarding sensitive information from government surveillance and censorship. 

Drawbacks

• Communication Endpoint Complexity:
  • Some End to End Encryption implementations permit re-encryption of data during transmission.
  • It is crucial to identify and delineate the communication endpoints precisely.
  • Compromise at these endpoints may lead to the exposure of encrypted data.
• Excessive Privacy Concerns:
  • Service providers’ inability to grant law enforcement access to the encrypted content raises privacy issues.
  • The rise of End to End Encryption has sparked debates about balancing user privacy with content moderation responsibilities. Companies grapple with finding ways to combat illegal activity while upholding user privacy rights and complying with regulations.
• Limited Metadata Protection:
  • While messages are indecipherable during transit, details like the date and recipient remain visible.
  • This exposed metadata can offer valuable information to unauthorized individuals.

Conclusion

End to End Encryption is a powerful tool with significant implications for individuals, organizations, and society as a whole. It raises broader questions about individual autonomy, government overreach, and the ethical responsibilities of technology companies in the digital age.

News Source: The Hindu

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The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) under the Ministry of Finance has  released time-series data

India’s Direct Tax to GDP Ratio Reaches 15-Year High of 6.11% in FY23 

• Direct  tax collections: It accounted for 54.62 per cent share in the overall tax collections by the government  in FY 2022-23, a four-year high.
  • Net Direct tax Collections (reflect collections after refunds):  It increased by 160.52 per cent to Rs 16.63 lakh crore in FY 2022-23 from Rs 6.39 lakh crore in FY 2013-14. On a year-on-year basis, there was an  increase  of  17.8 per cent.
  • Gross direct tax collections: It was  Rs 19.7 lakh crore in FY 2022-23, a rise of 173.3 per cent from Rs 7.21 lakh crore in FY 2013-14. Year on year it rose by 20.5 per cent.
  • A higher direct taxes-to-indirect taxes ratio is considered progressive as indirect taxation hurts the poor more than direct taxes.
• Direct tax to GDP ratio (reflects the share of taxes in the overall output generated in the country): It rose to a 15-year high of 6.11 per cent in the financial year 2022-23.
• Income  tax return filers:  It was 7.4 crore in FY23, ( out of which 6.97 crore were individuals) an increase of 6.3 percent from FY22.
• Tax buoyancy (It is the growth rate of taxes in relation to the economy’s nominal GDP): It  declined to 1.18 in 2022-23 from 2.52 in 2021-22 (low base effect) and 1.29 in the pre-Covid year of 2018-19. 
  • A tax buoyancy greater than 1 reflects a faster growth in taxes as against the country’s national income.
• Growth rate for taxes: It is  17.79 per cent in 2022-23, higher than 15.11 per cent nominal GDP growth.
• The cost of tax collection (It is the expenditure on tax collection as a proportion to  the total tax collections): It was 0.51 per cent in FY23, the lowest level since 2000-01 but  in absolute terms, it increased to Rs 8,452 crore, the highest level since 2000-01.
• Amongst States  and Union Territories: 
  • Maharashtra leads with  36.4 per cent (Rs 6.05 lakh crore) of the overall direct tax collections in the country in the financial year 2022-23,
  • Delhi at 13.3 per cent (Rs 2.22 lakh crore), Karnataka at 12.5 per cent (Rs 2.08 lakh crore) and Tamil Nadu at 6.4 per cent (Rs 1.07 lakh crore). Cumulatively, these four states accounted for 68.6 per cent of the overall direct tax collections in FY23.

News source: The Indian Express

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Former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur will posthumously be honored with Bharat Ratna.
It was announced on his 100th birth anniversary. 

About Karpoori Thakur

• Karpoori Thakur was born in 1924 in one of the most backward sections of society – the Nai (Barber) community, known for his unwavering commitment to the marginalized sections of society.
• Karpoori Thakur was also known as ‘Jan Nayak’ (People’s Leader) and participated in the Quit India movement, enduring several months in jail. 
• He was the Bihar Chief minister  twice (December 1970 to June 1971 and December 1977 to April 1979.
• He joined All India Students’ Federation (AISF) after completing his studies. 

Karpoori Thakur Contribution

• Implementing the Mungerilal Commission report: This report recommended job reservations for the backward classes in Bihar. 
• Empowered millions of farmers, boosting agricultural  productivity and rural development by implementing land reforms through The Bihar Tenancy Act.
• The National midday meal scheme was his brainchild and continues to improve educational outcomes across India
• Reform Initiatives: He removed English as compulsory subject for the matriculation examinations; prohibition of alcohol; preferential treatment for unemployed engineers in government contracts.
• Sampoorna Kranti: Karpoori Thakur along with JP Narayan, was  instrumental in launching the iconic ‘Sampoorna Kranti’ (Total Revolution) movement with the aim of transforming Indian society in a non-violent way.

Highest Civilian Award: Bharat Ratna

It is the highest civilian award of the Republic of India, instituted on 2 January 1954.

• The award is conferred in recognition of exceptional service performance of the highest order without distinction of race, occupation, or sex.
• It is awarded in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavor.  
• Award Specifications: The original specifications for the award called for a circular gold medal, 35 mm in diameter, with the sun and the Hindi legend “Bharat Ratna” above and a floral wreath below. The reverse was to carry the state emblem and motto.

Other Criteria

• The recommendations for Bharat Ratna are made by the Prime Minister to the President. 
• The number of annual awards is restricted to three in a particular year.  
• On award confirmation, the recipient receives a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion.  
• The Award does not carry any monetary grant.  
• In terms of Article 18 (1) of the Constitution, the award cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the recipient’s name. 
• However, should an award winner consider it necessary, he/she may use the following expression in their biodata/letterhead/visiting card etc. to indicate that he/she is a recipient of the award:  ‘Awarded Bharat Ratna by the President’ or ‘Recipient of Bharat Ratna Award’ 

Important Facts about Bharat Ratna Recipient

• The holders of Bharat Ratna rank 7th in the Indian order of precedence.
• Till now it has been given to 49 persons and 15 are awarded posthumously.
• First Bharat Ratna Awardee: Shri Rajagopala Chari, Sarvapalli Radha Krishna, CV Raman
• Youngest Bharat Ratna Recipient Sachin Tendulkar and only sportsman.
• First singer  Recipient of Bharat Ratna  M.S. Subbulakshmi.
• First foreigner Recipient  Abdul Gaffar Khan & Nelson Mandela.
• First naturalized Indian citizen Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, better known as Mother Teresa.
• In 2019, it was awarded to Nanaji Deshmukh and Bhupen hajarika and Pranab Mukherjee.
• Out of 49 Bharat Ratna awardees, five females, six  presidents and seven prime ministers are awarded by Bharat Ratna.
• Bharat Ratna was suspended Only from July 1977 to January 1980 due to a change in government and again suspended between August 1992 to December 1995.

News Source: The Hindu

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Recently, the Supreme Court criticized Gujarat police for violating the DK Basu Vs State of West Bengal case guidelines, in a case of publicly flogging of a particular community.

About DK Basu Vs State of West Bengal (1997 (1) SCC 416)

• The case laid down the rules for the police’s conduct during arrests and detentions.
• The DK Basu Vs State of West Bengal Case Guidelines are as follows:
  • Identification & Details of Arresting Officer: Identification of the arresting officer must be visible and all details must be recorded in a register.
  • Details of Detainee: A memorandum must be prepared containing all the details which must be witnessed by near or dear of the detainee.
    • An entry must be made in the prescribed diary.
  • Right to be Informed: Police must ensure that accused should avail the right to be informed.
    • The person arrested must be informed of his right as an accused.
  • Informed within Particular Time Framework: Police need to inform him about legal aid organization within 8-12 hours of arrest.
  • Legal Examination: If the arrestee is injured he must be legally examined.
    • The medical examination should be done within 48 hours.
  • To Communicate: All details must be sent to the magistrate in writing.
    • The arrestee must be allowed to meet an attorney/lawyer.
    • A room shall be provided to officers for communication.

Way Forward

• Follow SC Guidelines: Every police officer must know what is the law laid down in DK Basu vs State of West Bengal case. 
• Prioritize Human Rights: In every condition, it should be remembered that no action by anyone will hamper the human rights of anyone.

News Source: The Indian Express

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The first pulsar (PSR B1919+21)  was discovered by scientist Jocelyn Bell Burnell and Antony Hewish in 1967.

What are Pulsars?

• About: Pulsars are rotating neutron stars observed to have pulses of radiation at very regular intervals that typically range from milliseconds to seconds. 
• They have very strong magnetic fields which funnel jets of particles out along the two magnetic poles. These accelerated particles produce very powerful beams of light.
• Radio signals emitted from near the poles of such a star would form a narrow cone that sweeps past the earth with every rotation,  like the light from a lighthouse shining over a ship on the sea.

• Importance Pulsars: 

  • Act as cosmic tools:  The light emitted by a pulsar carries information about neutron stars, its physics and what is happening inside them.
  • Natural clocks in the universe: Many known pulsars blink with precise regularity as a result scientists can watch for changes in a there blinking and  indicate something happening in the space nearby. 
    • Through this method scientists began to identify the presence of alien planets orbiting pulsars and the first planet outside Earth’s solar system ever found was orbiting a pulsar. 
  • calculate cosmic distances: The exquisite and precise  timing of the pulses, scientists have made some of the most accurate distance measurements of cosmic objects.
  • To test theory of general relativity: The regular timing of pulsars may be disrupted by gravitational waves (he ripples in space-time predicted by Einstein) There are multiple experiments currently searching for gravitational waves via this pulsar method.

About Pulsar Glitch

• Origin: Before it was considered that neutron stars after their formation started  rotating  slowly over time, as the energy ‘saved’ by reducing the rotation rate was used to accelerate electric charges outside the star, producing the radio signals.
  • The  problem of Pulsar Glitch  was discovered  in 1969 when two research groups reported an abrupt and brief increase in the rotation rate of the pulsar PSR 0833-45.
• Study: Scientists have spotted more than 3,000 pulsars and around 700 such glitches and plotted the rotation rate of pulsars over time on a graph.
• Assumption : The familiar decreasing pattern was visible but  during a glitch, the rate increases briefly before relaxing to the original value. Scientists assume that the glitch is the result of something happening inside the star.
• Hypothesis: Although the problem of the glitch has no solution as of now, some  hypotheses surround the scientific community.
  • Presence of superfluid: The slow post-glitch relaxation hints that the neutrons inside the star were in a slippery, frictionless state, which is called a superfluid.

Also Read: 

• Formation Of Stars Part-I
• Part-II – From Formation to Cosmic Remnants

News source: The Hindu

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The Delhi high court  set aside an order of the Central Information Commission (CIC) directing the income-tax department to disclose information related to the grant of tax exemption status to the PM CARES Fund.

Delhi HC Quashes CIC order on PM CARES Fund Information Disclosure

• Asking for Details: An activist had sought details regarding the tax exemption granted to the PM Cares Fund in May 2020, which was denied by the CPIO/Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax (Headquarter) (Exemption) and appellate authority.
• Reason for Denial: The information sought is exempted from disclosure under Section 8(1)(j) of the Right to Information Act.
  • The information sought was not related to any public activity or interest and would cause an unwarranted invasion of the privacy of an individual.

Judgment of the Delhi High Court

• Income Tax Act vis-i-vis RTI Act: The court held that the Income Tax Act prevails over the RTI Act, adding that information relating to an assessee could only be supplied subject to special circumstances.
• Beyond Jurisdiction: The Court said that CIC does not have jurisdiction to directly furnish information provided for in Section 138 of the Income Tax Act and Section 138 (2) of the Income Tax Act prevails over Section 22 of the Right to Information Act (RTI Act). 
  • Even if CIC had jurisdiction, the failure to give PM CARES notice of hearing would have invalidated the order.

The Right to Information Act

• Right to Freedom of Speech & Expression: It was passed by the Parliament in 2005 to enable the citizens to exercise their freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution.
• Mandate: It provides the right to information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority.
• Provision: Under the provisions of the Act, a citizen may request information from a “public authority” (a body of government) which is required to reply within thirty days.

Important Associated Sections of the Right to Information Act

• Section 8(1)(j): It allows officials to refuse access to information, if it intrudes on the privacy of an individual, but permits disclosure of information if there is an overriding public interest.
• Section 11: It prescribes that any information related to a third party can only be divulged after giving notice to the said third party. 
• Section 22: It explicitly states that it overrides all other inconsistent legislation. 
  • The duties of officials to open up under the Central Act override the duties of secrecy in other laws, such as the Official Secrets Act.
• Section 138 (1)(b) and Section 138 (2) of the IT Act: It lays down a specific procedure relating to the disclosure of information relating to a third party under the IT Act that would override Section 22 of the RTI Act. 
  • The information sought for by the Respondent herein is clearly covered by Section 138(1)(b) of the IT Act. 
  • The satisfaction of Principal Chief Commissioner or Chief Commissioner or Principal Commissioner or Commissioner over asking information is, therefore, necessary. 
    • That satisfaction cannot be abrogated to any other authority under a general Act for divulging the information sought for.

About PM CARES Fund

Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund or PM CARES Fund is a public charitable trust. It is a dedicated fund with the primary objective of dealing with any kind of emergency or distress situation, posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and providing relief to the affected.

• Formation: On 28 March 2020, following the COVID-19 pandemic in India. 
  • It has been registered as a Public Charitable Trust.
• Composition: The Prime Minister is the ex-officio Chairman, the Minister of Defence, Minister of Home Affairs and the Minister of Finance, Government of India are ex-officio Trustees of the Fund.Purpose: For combating and containment and relief efforts against the covid outbreak and similar pandemic like situations in the future.
• Objectives: 
  • Relied & Assistance: To provide assistance and relief to all the affected persons in the event of any emergency of any kind that may be either natural or man-made. 
  • Enhancement of Services: Creation as well as upgradation of any pharmaceutical facilities, any necessary infrastructure, healthcare or any other kind of support and funding for research. 
• Voluntary Contribution: The fund consists entirely of voluntary contributions from individuals/organizations and does not get any budgetary support. 
• Availability of Tax Exemptions: 
  • IT Act, 1961: Donations to PM CARES Fund would qualify for 80G benefits for 100% exemption under the Income Tax Act, 1961.
  • CSR: Donations to PM CARES Fund will also qualify to be counted as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expenditure under the Companies Act, 2013.
  • FCRA: It receives exemptions from the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020, which enables the PM CARES Fund to accept donations and contributions from individuals and organizations based in foreign countries.

News Source: Economic Times

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Lake Victoria is facing numerous environmental challenges which demand collective efforts for restoration and conservation. 

• Lake Restoration: India-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and National Environment Management Council (NEMC), Tanzania conducted a multinational stakeholder consultation in Dar es Salaam to decide on strategies to restore the lake.

About Lake Victoria

• About: It is the world’s largest tropical lake and the second largest freshwater lake.  (after Lake Superior in North America). 
• Bordering Countries: Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya. 
• • It is also called Victoria Nyanza in Kenya, Nalubaale in Uganda, and Ukerewe in Tanzania.
• Source:  It is a source of the White Nile River which flows northward and eventually joins the Blue Nile in Sudan to form the Nile River.
• Source of Water: Though the Kagera River is its largest tributary, the most important source of water for the lake is rainfall. 
• Geology: The lake lies within an elevated plateau in the western part of Africa’s Great Rift Valley.
• Islands: Important islands are the Rusinga and Mfangano islands in Kenya; the Rubondo and Ukerewe islands in Tanzania; and the Ssese and Ngamba islands in Uganda.
• Need for Intervention: Lake Victoria and its flora and fauna support the livelihoods of about 45 million people. 
• The fragile ecosystem of the heavily polluted lake could be damaged irreversibly in the absence of appropriate interventions.

News Source: DTE

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The Serum Institute of India (SII) to join the CEPI network of vaccine producers in the Global South.

Serum Institute Joins CEPI Network For Vaccines Developments

• Aim: To achieve the 100 Days Mission to develop new vaccines against known or novel infectious diseases within three months of a pandemic threat being recognised and provide a more rapid, agile, and equitable response to future disease outbreaks.

Serum Institute Joins CEPI Network: Significance

• Capacity development: CEPI will invest up to $30 million to expand Serum Institute of India’s ability to supply investigational vaccines in the face of epidemic or pandemic risk.
• Transfer of Technology: CEPI-backed vaccine developers can now quickly transfer their technology to SII within days or weeks of an outbreak.
• Enhanced cooperation: Serum Institute of India will also support the development, stockpiling and licensure of new vaccines against CEPI’s priority pathogens.

About CEPI Global Network

• About: It  is an  innovative global partnership between public, private, philanthropic, and civil society organizations working together to accelerate the development of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases.
• Launch: It was officially launched at the World Economic Forum Summit, Davos in  2017 
• Founders: It was founded by the governments of India and Norway, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome and the World Economic Forum.
• Headquarters:  Oslo, Norway.
• Mission: To accelerate the development of vaccines and other biological countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats so they can be accessible to all people in need.
• Approach: CEPI takes an end-to-end approach, operating as both a funder and a facilitator.
• Focus:  Vaccine development, licensure  and manufacturing  and stockpiling while supporting the efforts of our partners in vaccine discovery and last-mile delivery
• Recognised institutions under CEPI Network: Translational Health Science And Technology Institute (THSTI), it is one of the Global Network of Laboratories for centralized assessment of COVID 19 Vaccines.

Also Read: 

• India’s First Indigenously Developed Hepatitis A Vaccine
• World’s First Vaccine For Chikungunya Approved

News Source: The Hindu      

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A Chinese research and survey vessel Xiang Yang Hong 03, authorized by the Maldivian government, is scheduled to dock at a port in the Maldives.

Chinese Ship in Maldives: Maldives Gives Port Clearance

• Purpose: According to the Maldivian foreign ministry, for rotation of personnel and replenishment. 
  • Further, the research vessel will not be conducting any research while in Maldivian waters. 
• India is keeping a close watch on the movement of the ship.

Implications for India

• Security Threat: India considers Chinese ships docked so close to its mainland a security threat as the research carried out by them could be used for military purposes.
• Diplomatic Implications: The Chinese move may be aimed at undermining the relationship between India and the Maldives.
• This move comes days after the Maldivian President set a March 15 deadline for India to withdraw its military personnel from the country.

News Source: IE

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This article is based on the news “Limits and borders: On the territorial jurisdiction of the Border Security Force” which was published in the Hindu. The Supreme Court decided to examine the questions that arise from the expansion of the  Border Security Force’s (BSF) jurisdiction by the Central Government.

Punjab Govt in SC Against Expansion of BSF Jurisdiction

• Background of Jurisdiction Expansion:  The Central government passed a notification in October 2021 amending BSF Act, 1968 extending the jurisdiction of the BSF (Border Security Force) from 15 to 50 km from the International Border.
• Legal Challenge by Punjab Government: Punjab has filed a suit against the Union government under Article 131 of the Constitution, challenging the decision to increase the operational jurisdiction of the BSF.

• Examination of Issues: A three-judge bench will hear the matter in the third week of April. The court will examine the following issues:
  • Arbitrary Exercise of Power: Whether the notification issued by the union government resulting in the increase in the jurisdiction of the BSF in the State of Punjab constitutes an arbitrary exercise of power of the BSF Act 1968.
  • Beyond the Local Limit: Whether the increase of the jurisdiction of the BSF is beyond the ‘local limits of areas adjoining the borders of India.
  • Factors to be Considered: What factors ought to be taken into account while determining the “local limits of areas adjoining the borders of India”.
  • Similar Treatment of States: Whether all states have to be treated alike for the purpose of determining the local limits of areas adjoining the borders of India under Section 139 (1) of the BSF Act, 1968.
  • Challenge under Original Suit: Whether the constitutionality of the notification of October 11, 2021 can be challenged in an original suit under Article 131 of the Constitution.

Centre’s Notification of 2011

• Amendment to BSF Act (October 2021)

• • The Union government amended the BSF Act, 1968 extending its search, seizure, and arrest authority from 15 km to 50 km along the international border in Punjab, West Bengal, and Assam.
  • In Gujrat, it was reduced from 80 km to 50 km and it was kept unchanged at 50 km for Rajasthan.
  • Section 139(1) (i) of the BSF Act, 1968 empowers the central government to confer powers and duties on members of the force in respect of any central acts for the purposes specified therein.

• Impact on Powers Exercised by BSF: 

  • Its jurisdiction has been extended only in respect of the powers it enjoys under Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 and the Passport Act, 1967. 
  • Powers related to NDPS Act, Arms Act, Customs Act and certain other laws, remain unchanged.
  • Powers under these acts will continue to be only up to 15 km inside the border in Punjab, Assam and West Bengal, and will remain as far as 80 km in Gujarat.

Rationale Behind Modification of Jurisdiction

• Operational Efficiency: The extension of the BSF’s jurisdiction will help in  curbing trans-border crimes and help to discharge its border patrol duty more effectively.
  • The limited jurisdiction of the BSF restricted its capacity to operate effectively in the “points of origin” in the deeper areas within these states, where the smuggling of goods and involved networks strive beyond its reach. 
• Uniformity in Border Operations: It will bring “uniformity” for its operations in the borders states of Punjab, West Bengal, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Assam where it can now operate within a 50 km area from the border.
  • Earlier, BSF has had different jurisdictions in different states and this will bring uniformity to the jurisdiction.
• Concurrent Powers with Local Police: The BSF does not have the power to investigate or prosecute offenders, but has to hand over those arrested and the contraband seized from them to the local police.
  • Thus, local police will continue to have jurisdiction. In practice, BSF personnel usually work in close coordination with the police and there ought to be no clash of jurisdiction. 
• Curbing Narcotics and Cattle Trade: There are growing incidents of drones delivering weapons and narcotics in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. 
  • However, the drones observed thus far have a limited range, typically not exceeding 20 km.
  • It would also help in curbing the menace of cattle smuggling as smugglers take refuge in the interior areas outside the jurisdiction of BSF. 
  • The BSF has been able to check cross-border crimes like narcotics trafficking and cattle smuggling in various cases where it has undertaken operations under the new jurisdiction.

Issues Involved in Extension of Jurisdiction:

• Threat to Federalism: The states along the border view the action taken by the Centre as a violation of federal principles and an infringement upon their law and order jurisdiction
  • They argue that law and order is a state subject and enhancing BSF’s jurisdiction infringes upon powers of the state government.
  • These powers are provided in Entries 1 and 2 of the State List under Article 246 of the Constitution.
  • Punjab and West Bengal have passed resolutions in their respective Assemblies opposing the expansion.
• Interference with law and Order of states: It can lead to the Centre’s interference into the law and order of the states. 
  • It will place “nearly one-third of the state, and most parts of the geopolitically sensitive northern Bengal, under the jurisdiction of the BSF” in West Bengal, which borders Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal internationally. 
  • “At least nine districts” of the state of Punjab, which borders Pakistan internationally, will be fully or partially under the BSF’s expanded jurisdiction.

• Impact on Role of Border Guarding: The states have argued that policing is not the role of a border-guarding force and it will weaken the capacity of the BSF in discharging its primary duty of guarding the international border.
• No Unilateral Powers to Central government:  Punjab has stated that Section 139 of BSF Act does not give unilateral power to the Centre to extend into areas which do not touch the border.
  • It would not fall in the ambit of “local limit” to which the BSF jurisdiction can extend.
• Limited Impact on Smuggling Offences: BSF’s jurisdiction has not been increased under the Arms Act, Customs Act and NDPS Act, which cover most of the smuggling offences on the border and deal with far greater offences.
• Misuse of Powers by the BSF: Apprehensions have been made that the increased jurisdiction of BSF, without adequate safeguards, might lead to arbitrary use of their powers and result in increased human rights violations. 
  • Concerns have also been raised that the powers can be misused to frame rival leaders in false drugs and arms smuggling cases in these states.

Way Forward 

• Collaborative Federalism: Enhancing police capacity and facilitating grounds for greater cooperation between BSF and state police should be initiated jointly by the Centre and states. 
  • Cooperation is needed between the central and state agencies with enhanced information sharing for taking prompt action to resist illegal activities.
• Smart Border Management: Technology like Smart Fencing and Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System should be utilised to enable effective communication and coordination among all security agencies and controlling illegal trafficking of arms and goods.
• Police Reforms: The police forces guarding the international forces need to be trained to tackle the contemporary security challenges and must be equipped  with adequate modern infrastructure.
  • Police forces across India lack weapons and fundamental communications and transport infrastructure.
  • CAG audits have found shortages in weaponry with state police forces. For example, Rajasthan and West Bengal had shortages of 75% and 71% respectively in required weaponry with the state police.
• Institutional Support: Inter-State Council and Zonal Councils should be used to facilitate essential dialogues and consultations between the Center and the States. 

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Context: 

This article is based on the news “Intersectionality of gender and caste in women’s participation in the labour force” which was published in the Hindu. According to Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2021-22, Female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in India has been significantly increasing over the years and around 1/3rd of women have joined the labour force.

About Female Labour Force Participation

• Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS): The data on employment and unemployment is collected through PLFS which is conducted by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) from 2017-18. 
• Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR): Labour Force Participation Rate is defined as the percentage of persons in labour force (i.e. working or seeking or available for work)in the population.
• Female Labour Force Participation Rate: As per the latest PLFS report, around 32.8% females of working age (15 years and above) were in the labour force in 2021-22 which was just 23.3% in 2017-18, registering a surge of 9.5% points during these years. 
• Female Labour Force Participation Rate in Rural Sector: The major push came from the rural sector than the urban sector, where it increased by 12.0 percentage points. 
  • In rural areas, female Labour Force Participation Rate has increased to 36.6% during 2021-22 as compared to 24.6% in 2017-18. 
• Female Labour Force Participation Rate in Urban Sector: Female Labour Force Participation Rate was 23.8% in 2021-22 as compared to 20.4% in 2017-18 in urban areas, showed an increase of just 3.4% points.

Female Labour Force Participation in India: Current Status

• Long-Term Decline in Female Labour Force Participation Rate: Over the past two decades, there has been a decline in female labour force participation (LFP), in line with an overall reduction in labour force engagement. 
  • The estimations indicate that female labour force participation in India between 1990 and 2022 has decreased from 28% to 24%.
• Short Term Rise in Female Labour Force Participation Rate: The latest Report of Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2021-22 is evident of increased Female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in India. 
  • The estimated Labour Force Participation Rate on usual status for women of age 15 years and above in the country was 30.0% during 2019-20 which rose to 32.8% in 2021-22.

Factors Responsible for Low Female Labour Force Participation in India

• Society and Social Norms: Social norms are informal, unwritten rules of behaviour and social conduct that determines the acceptable, appropriate doings and attitudes in the given social context. The prevalent social norms for female are “Female Homemaker norm”, and for males are “Male Breadwinner norm”.
  • Around 3.4% women were outside the labour force due to social reasons and most of the work of women is home based such as caregiving. 
• Unpaid Care Work:  The prime social and cultural norm is ‘time poverty’ among married women. Females busy in their domestic activities are not paid for the labour they perform.
  • Around 49% females are engaged in performing their domestic duties, child care, free collection of goods, sewing, tailoring, weaving, etc. for household use. 
• Gender Biased Social Norms: In terms of gender, there are many barriers that women face ranging from societal expectations to legal and economic constraints in their pursuit of employment. 
  • For instance, there are laws in many companies that prevent women from working on the night shift.
  • For instance, according to UNDP report, around 92.39 per cent of people in India justify intimate partner violence (physical or emotional abuse) in some way or believe that women should not have reproductive rights. 
• Caste Discrimination: In the case of lower-caste households, there is higher female LFP in the informal sector, which is explained through economic constraints and limitations in social mobility. 
  • For instance, historically, people from the lower castes have been expected to engage in manual and domestic work irrespective of their gender, leading to their higher participation in the informal sector.
• Salary/Wage Disparity: Statistics suggest a significant pay disparity exists between males and females who are engaged in similar kinds of jobs with men earning more than women across all forms of work.
  • In 2023, male self-employed workers earned 2.8 times that of women. In contrast, male regular wage workers earned 24% more than women and male casual workers earned 48% more than women.
• Education Levels:  Many scholars have discussed the importance of education for women to access employment and women from higher castes (due to their economic condition) that have historically had a higher chance to access education, translating into better employment.
  • Greater educational attainment leads to higher participation in the labour force and also increased productivity. 
  • According to the World Economic Forum, globally around 64 million women lost their jobs during the pandemic (twice as many as men), because women are more likely to work in informal, temporary, and part-time jobs. 

Significance of Increasing Female Labour Force Participation in India

• Economic Growth: A higher Labour Force Participation Rate means more women are actively contributing to the workforce, which can lead to increased productivity and economic growth. Women bring diverse skills and perspectives to the workplace, fostering innovation and efficiency. 
  • For instance, a report by McKinsey Global Institute has estimated that just by offering equal opportunities to women, India could add US$ 770 billion to its GDP by 2025. 
• Women’s Empowerment: Increased Labour Force Participation Rate means more women gain financial independence, allowing them to make decisions about their lives, education, and family. 
  • Further, participation in the workforce enhances women’s status in society, challenging traditional gender roles and fostering empowerment.
• Global Recognition: A diverse and inclusive workforce enhances a country’s global competitiveness by tapping into the full potential of its population. For instance, increasing female Labour Force Participation Rate imply improving SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), and SDG 10 (reduced inequality).
• Harnessing Demographic Potential: India, with a large young population, can harness the demographic dividend by ensuring the active participation of women in the workforce, contributing to sustained economic growth.

Government Initiatives to Improve Women Female Labour Force Participation in India

• Codification of the Labour Laws: The Government has notified four Labour Codes namely, the Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.
  • The Code on Social Security, 2020: It has the provisions for enhancement in paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks, provision for mandatory crèche facility in the establishments having 50 or more employees, permitting women workers in the night shifts with adequate safety measures, etc.          
  • The Code on Wages 2019: It has provisions that there shall be no discrimination among employees on the ground of gender in matters relating to wages in respect of work of similar nature done by any employee. 
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme: It was launched with the objective to guarantee the survival, women safety, and education of female children.          
• For Safe and Convenient Accommodation: 
  • The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013: It was enacted to ensure safe working spaces for women, provide protection against sexual harassment of women at workplace and for the prevention and redressal of complaints of sexual harassment.
  • Working Women Hostel scheme of grant-in-aid for construction of new/ expansion of existing buildings for providing hostel facilities to working women in cities, smaller towns and also in rural areas. 
• For Supporting Women Affected by Violence: One Stop Centre (OSC) and Universalization of Women Helpline intended to provide 24 hours immediate and emergency response to women affected by violence.           
• Skill India Mission: In order to enhance the employability of female workers, the Government is providing training to them through a network of Women Industrial Training Institutes, National Vocational Training Institutes and Regional Vocational Training Institutes. 
• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA): MGNREGA mandates that at least one third of the jobs generated under the scheme should be given to women. 

Way Forward to Increase Female Labour Force Participation in India

• Improve Access to Quality Education: Focus on improving access to quality education for all women, irrespective of caste or economic background. 
  • The relationship between the education level and female Labour Force Participation Rate in India have an U-shaped with around 37.3% of total women with education level post graduate & above are working.
• Combating Caste Discrimination: Implement affirmative action policies to address caste-based discrimination and promote inclusivity in the formal sector leading to women empowerment. 
• Role of SHG in Women Empowerment: Self Help Groups (SHG) such as Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahila Mandal, UMED Abhiyan have proven beneficial in the development of women entrepreneurship for the cause of women’s empowerment.
• Addressing Structural Rigidities: Implement reforms in the manufacturing and service sectors to create a more inclusive and flexible work environment. Encourage the formalization of informal sector jobs, providing better job security and benefits.
  • For instance, Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) organization organize self-employed women in the informal economy and assists their collective struggle for fair treatment. 
• Vocational Training: It is closely related with economic growth with capability to create employment for their income generation. 
• Promoting Gender-Neutral Social Norms: Encourage positive portrayals of women in diverse roles through media and educational programs.
  • For example, Nirmala Sitaraman (India’s Finance Minister), Sudha Murty (chairperson of the Infosys Foundation), Kiran Bedi (first Indian IPS officer) etc. are few women who can act as idols, showcasing women empowerment in India.

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