The recent train tragedy in Jalgaon, Maharashtra has brought to light critical issues surrounding passenger safety and negligence in Indian Railways.

• The Standing Committee on Railways, in its latest report, has highlighted several concerns regarding the operational and financial health of Indian Railways. 

Indian Railways at a Glance

• The history of Indian Railways dates back to over 160 years ago. 
• On 16th April 1853, the first passenger train ran between Bori Bunder (Bombay) and Thane, a distance of 34 km.
• Network Size: Indian Railways operates over 67,000 km of track across the country, making it the 4th largest rail network in the world (after the United States, Russia, and China).
• Number of Stations: There are more than 7,300 railway stations across the country.
• Passenger Traffic: Indian Railways carries over 8 billion passengers annually.
• Freight Traffic: Indian Railways handles around 1,200 million tonnes of freight every year, making it one of the largest freight carriers in the world.

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Key Issues Highlighted by the Standing Committee on Railways

• Low Average Speed of Freight Trains:
  • The average speed of freight trains over the last 11 years has been only 25.14 km/h.
  • This slow speed is seen as a major bottleneck in increasing the earnings of Indian Railways.
    • Freight services contribute significantly to IR’s revenue.

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• Revenue from Freight Services:
  • Freight services are the major source of income for Indian Railways.
  • In 2023-24, IR earned Rs. 1,68,293 crore, with a target of Rs. 1,80,000 crore for 2024-25.
  • Higher freight speeds and improved logistics are essential to meet revenue targets.
• Slow Progress in ‘Kavach’ Safety System Implementation: 
  • Kavach is an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system that helps prevent collisions by automatically applying brakes if a loco pilot fails to do so.
• Underutilization of Research & Development Funds
  • Research Design & Standards Organization (RDSO) is responsible for R&D of Indian Railways.
  • Budget allocation of R&D for FY 2024-25 is Rs. 72.01 crore, which is relatively low.
  • Funds utilization in previous years has been poor:
    • 2022-23: Out of Rs. 107 crore, only Rs. 39.12 crore was spent.
    • 2023-24: Out of Rs. 66.52 crore, only Rs. 28.34 crore was spent.
  • The Committee stressed that R&D is a long-term investment and the Railways should ensure proper utilization of funds.
• Declining Net Revenue of Indian Railways:
• • The committee noted that Indian Railways’ net revenue has been negligible in recent years:
    • 2022-23 and 2023-24: Net revenue was minimal.
    • 2024-25: The budget estimate for net revenue is just Rs.2,800 crore.
  • The primary reason for this is low revenue from the passenger segment, particularly AC classes. 
  • The committee recommended a review of passenger fares and strategies to reduce losses in this segment.

Other Issues Faced by Indian Railways

• Overburdened Tracks: Around 60% of routes operate at over 100% capacity, leading to delays and accidents.
• Train Accidents: Derailments, collisions, and level-crossing accidents continue despite safety measures.
  • In the 2023-24 financial year, there were 313 passenger deaths and four railway employee fatalities in 40 train accidents. 
• Outdated Signaling System: Many sections still use manual signaling, leading to inefficiencies.
• Slow Adoption of AI & Automation: Unlike global rail networks, IR lags in AI-based predictive maintenance.
  • The Shift2Rail program, part of the EU’s initiative to modernize rail transport, has used AI for Predictive maintenance to monitor the health of train components, Real-time monitoring of rail infrastructure and Optimizing train scheduling and route planning.
• Environmental Concerns: Expansion projects often lead to ecological damage.
  • Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link has seen protests from environmentalists due to their impact on local flora and fauna.
• Project Delays & Bureaucratic Hurdles:  Infrastructure projects often face land acquisition delays, litigation, and bureaucratic inefficiencies.
• Political Interference: Decision-making is influenced by regional and electoral considerations rather than national interest.

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Way Forward

• Infrastructure Modernization: Implement Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) and High-Speed Rail projects.
  • The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train, supported by Japan’s Shinkansen technology, will reduce travel time between the cities from 8 hours to 2 hours.
• Financial Reforms: Rationalize fares, explore PPP models, and improve operational efficiency.
  • UK’s Network Rail has implemented several PPPs for infrastructure development and station upgrades, leading to improved efficiency and investment in the rail sector.
• Safety Enhancements: Expand Kavach (anti-collision system), modern signaling, and better staff training.
  • Europe’s ETCS (European Train Control System) provides real-time speed control and automatic braking to prevent accidents, contributing to one of the safest rail networks in the world.
• Passenger-Centric Reforms: Improve hygiene, ticketing systems, and station amenities.
  • The Swachh Rail, Swachh Bharat campaign focuses on cleanliness and has introduced more waste bins and cleanliness inspectors in trains and stations.
  • The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme aims to upgrade more than 500 stations, providing better facilities like waiting lounges, free Wi-Fi, and clean toilets.
• Environmental Sustainability: Focus on electrification, solar-powered stations, and waste management.
  • The Indian Railways has set a target of becoming a “Net Zero” entity by 2030 by completing electrification of all railway tracks.

Conclusion

While Indian Railways remains a vital part of India’s economy, addressing these challenges through modernization, financial restructuring, and technological advancements is crucial for its long-term sustainability and efficiency.

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The Supreme Court has recently delivered a split verdict in the Chhattisgarh burial case.

• In this case, two judges of the SC disagreed on whether a Christian man should be allowed to bury his father on private land or at a designated burial ground. 
• Justice B V Nagarathna held that the petitioner should be allowed to conduct funeral rights on his private agricultural land while Justice S C Sharma ruled that the burial should take place at a designated Christian burial ground.. 
• However, unlike usual procedures, the case was not referred to a larger Bench for a final decision.

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What is a Split Verdict?

• A split verdict occurs when a Bench with an even number of judges cannot reach a unanimous or majority decision. 
• This usually happens with two-judge Benches (Division Benches), where both judges have differing opinions.
• Typically, when a split verdict occurs, the case is referred to a larger Bench with an odd number of judges (three, five, or more) to ensure a final ruling.

Past Instances of Split Verdicts and Their Outcomes

• Karnataka Hijab Ban Case (2022)

  • Justice Hemant Gupta upheld the hijab ban, stating that it applied equally to all students.
  • Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia struck down the ban, ruling that it violated students’ right to education and freedom of religion.
  • The case was referred to a larger Bench, but the SC has yet to begin hearings.

• 1993 Mumbai Blasts – Yakub Memon Death Sentence (2013)

• • Justice Anil R. Dave upheld the death sentence.
  • Justice Kurian Joseph ruled in favor of a stay to review procedural irregularities.
  • A three-judge Bench heard the case and confirmed the death sentence the next day.

• Pregnancy Termination Case (2023)

• • A woman sought abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy.
  • Justices Nagarathna and Hima Kohli initially allowed the termination.
  • A medical report later indicated the foetus had a high chance of survival.
  • Justice Kohli reversed her decision, and the case was sent to a three-judge Bench, which did not permit termination.

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Recently, Uttarakhand Chief Minister officially rolled out the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for all residents of the State, except the Scheduled Tribes and natives who have migrated out of the State.

• Uttarakhand has become the first Indian State to implement the UCC post Independence.

Key Features of Uttarakhand’s UCC

• Marriage and Divorce Regulations:
  • Bans practices such as halala, iddat, and talaq from Muslim Personal Law.
  • Ensures equal property and inheritance rights for women.
  • Mandates online registration of marriages, divorces, and live-in relationships .
  • Marriages can be performed according to religious customs, but registration within 60 days is mandatory
  • Both men and women have equal grounds for divorce, ensuring gender neutrality in the divorce process.
• Rights in Live-in Relationships:
  • Landlords cannot deny housing to registered live-in couples.
  • Live-in relationships (before or after UCC) must be registered within one month of implementation.
  • Termination of live-in relationships can be done online or offline with mutual confirmation.
  • Pregnancies during live-in relationships must be reported within 30 days of childbirth.
• Will Registration: Options for uploading handwritten/typed wills, filling out an online form, or recording a three-minute video.
  • Armed forces personnel and mariners can create a ‘privileged will’ under flexible rules.
  • Simplifies the creation, cancellation, and modification of wills and codicils for testamentary succession
• Administrative Framework:
  • Sub-registrars verify applications within 15 days (or three days in emergencies).
  • Rejection appeals can be made to registrars within 30 days; further appeals to the registrar-general within another 30 days.
• Enforcement and Penalties: Violators receive warnings initially; repeated offenses result in fines.

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Uniform Civil Code in India

• The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a proposed legal framework that aims to replace personal laws based on religious customs with a unified set of civil laws applicable to all citizens, regardless of religion or ethnicity. 
• It seeks to address matters like marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption under a common framework, promoting equality, secularism, and gender justice.
• Key Features of UCC
• • Uniform Application: Replaces religion-specific personal laws for Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and others.
    • Applies equally to all citizens in personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption.
  • Secular and Inclusive: Envisions a secular legal system, ensuring equal treatment irrespective of religious or cultural backgrounds.
    • Promotes equality before the law and eliminates discriminatory practices rooted in personal laws.
  • Focus on Gender Justice: Addresses gender-based discrimination in personal laws, empowering women with equal rights in marriage, divorce, property, and inheritance.

Historical Background

• Pre-Independence Era: Discussed during British rule and later in the Constituent Assembly debates.
  • In 1835, a British report recommended legal uniformity but excluded personal laws of Hindus and Muslims.
  • Portuguese Civil Code of 1867: Goa has a UCC under the Goa Civil Code (Portuguese Civil Code of 1867), which applies uniformly to all Goans, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
  • B N Rau Committee (1941): Formed to codify Hindu laws, recommending equal rights for women.
• Post-Independence Developments: Article 44 of the Constitution included the UCC as a Directive Principle of State Policy.
  • Article 44: “The State shall endeavor to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.”

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Personal Laws in India

• Concurrent Jurisdiction: Personal law subjects like marriage, divorce, inheritance come under Concurrent list in Seventh Schedule.
• Hindu Personal Laws and Uniform Civil Code: These laws (that apply also to the Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists) have been codified by the Parliament in 1956. This Code Bill has been split into four parts:
  • The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955: Established monogamy and made Hindu marriages dissoluble contracts.
  • The Hindu Succession Act, 1956: Improved inheritance rights for daughters and widows.
  • The Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956: Made the mother the natural guardian of the child after the father
  • The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956: Allowed girls to be adopted and granted maintenance rights to wives and widows
• The Sharia Law of 1937: Governs the personal matters of all Indian Muslims in India.
  • It explicitly states that the government won’t interfere in personal disputes. Instead, a religious authority will make a decision based on their understanding of the Quran and Hadith.
• Christians, Parsis, and Jews: These three communities governed under the Indian Succession Act of 1925.

Arguments in Favor of a Uniform Civil Code

• Gender Justice and Equality: UCC will eliminate gender discrimination in personal laws, ensuring equal rights for women in marriage, divorce, inheritance, and maintenance.
  • The Global Gender Gap Report 2024 ranks India 129th out of 146 countries, with significant gaps in economic and legal rights for women. 
• Secularism and Constitutional Mandate: UCC aligns with India’s secular principles by ensuring that all citizens are treated equally under the same civil law, rather than being governed by religion-based personal laws.
  • Article 44 (DPSP): The Constitution explicitly states that the State should “endeavor to secure a Uniform Civil Code for the citizens.”
• National Integration and Unity: A UCC will remove legal fragmentation based on religion and promote a unified national identity, reducing communal tensions.
  • Census 2011: India has over 200 million Muslims, 26 million Christians, and various other minorities, each governed by different personal laws, creating legal complexities and inequalities.
• Simplification of Legal System and Reduction in Litigation: UCC will replace multiple religious personal laws with a single framework, reducing legal confusion, contradictions, and judicial backlog.
  • Hindu Succession Act, 1956 was amended in 2005 to grant daughters equal property rights, whereas Muslim inheritance laws still favor male heirs. 
• Protection of Women’s Rights in Marriage and Inheritance: Women, especially in Muslim and tribal communities, suffer due to unequal inheritance rights, polygamy, and lack of legal protection.
  • UNDP Gender Inequality Index (2022): India ranks 108th due to discriminatory inheritance and marriage laws.
  • National Sample Survey (2019): Women own only 13% of agricultural land despite contributing 50% of farming labor.
• Curbing Religious Exploitation and Misuse of Laws: UCC will prevent misuse of religion-based laws for personal or political gains, ensuring legal consistency.
  • While triple talaq was abolished, Muslim men can still easily divorce their wives compared to other communities.

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Arguments against of a Uniform Civil Code

• Violation of Religious Freedom and Constitutional Rights: UCC may infringe upon Article 25 and Article 26 of the Constitution, which guarantee religious freedom and allow communities to manage their own affairs.
  • 21st Law Commission (2018): Concluded that UCC was “neither necessary nor desirable” at the time, as it could undermine India’s religious diversity.
• Threat to India’s Cultural and Religious Diversity: India is home to Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and over 700 tribal communities, each with distinct personal laws and one-size-fits-all UCC may erase cultural identities.
  • Tribal Laws (Article 371 & 5th & 6th Schedule): Special protections exist for tribals, such as Khasi, Naga, and Mizo communities, whose customs may not align with a UCC.
• Fear of Majoritarianism and Political Misuse: Many minorities fear that UCC is not truly secular, but rather an attempt to impose Hindu-centric laws on all communities, potentially eroding pluralism.
  • Uttarakhand UCC (2024): Critics argue that the UCC passed in Uttarakhand disproportionately targets Muslim practices (banning polygamy, triple talaq) while not addressing Hindu biases, such as inheritance and temple entry for women.
• Practical Challenges in Implementation: Given India’s vast diversity, enforcing a uniform law would require rewriting multiple personal laws, leading to legal and administrative chaos.
  • Special Marriage Act (1954): Already allows for secular marriages, but is rarely used due to social stigma, showing that even an existing alternative is not widely accepted.
• Resistance from Minority and Tribal Communities: Many minority groups feel that UCC would erase their unique identity, disrupt traditional practices, and marginalize their communities.
  • Naga and Mizo Customary Laws govern marriage and inheritance differently, often favoring tribal elders’ decisions over codified laws.
• Potential for Social Unrest and Resistance: A sudden or forced implementation of UCC could trigger large-scale protests, communal tensions, and legal challenges.
  • CAA-NRC Protests (2019-2020) showed how laws perceived as targeting minorities led to massive unrest. A hastily imposed UCC could result in similar nationwide opposition.

Way Forward for Implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC)

• Gradual and Phased Implementation: A sudden, all-encompassing UCC could face massive resistance. A step-by-step approach can help communities adapt over time.
  • Law Commission (2018): Suggested that incremental reforms in personal laws may be more effective than imposing a UCC overnight.
• Extensive Public Consultation and Consensus Building: UCC must reflect all communities’ concerns, not just the majority. Consultation ensures inclusivity and reduces resistance.
  • 22nd Law Commission (2023-24): Reopened UCC discussions and invited public feedback from different religious and social groups.
• Harmonization of Existing Personal Laws Instead of Overriding Them: Instead of imposing a single UCC, reforming and harmonizing personal laws to remove discriminatory practices can be more effective.
  • Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 2019 ended triple talaq while retaining other aspects of Muslim personal law.
• Ensuring Constitutional Safeguards for Minorities and Tribals: Many minority and tribal communities fear UCC will dilute their identity. Legal safeguards can protect their cultural rights while ensuring equality.
  • Uttarakhand UCC (2024): Exempted Scheduled Tribes (STs), respecting their constitutional protections.
• Strengthening Legal Awareness and Gender Justice Campaigns:  Mass awareness campaigns on women’s inheritance rights, divorce laws, and marriage rights.
  • Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme helped raise awareness on gender equality—similar programs can promote legal literacy on UCC.
• Learning from Global Models and Best Practices: Countries like Turkey, France, and Germany have implemented secular civil codes, but with careful adaptation to local traditions.
  • Adopt a hybrid approach, allowing communities to transition at their own pace.
  • Goa UCC Success: Goa has had a uniform civil code for decades, proving that gradual adaptation works better than forced implementation.

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Conclusion

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a complex but crucial step toward ensuring gender justice, national unity, and legal uniformity in India. However, its implementation must be gradual, consultative, and inclusive, respecting India’s cultural and religious diversity. A balanced approach—harmonizing existing personal laws, securing constitutional safeguards for minorities, and promoting legal awareness—will be key to achieving social cohesion and legal equality without triggering unnecessary conflicts. 

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Recently the rare corpse flower bloomed simultaneously in Sydney, Australia, and New York, U.S., marking its first bloom in Sydney in over a decade.

About Corpse Flower (Amorphophallus Titanum)

• The corpse flower is recognized for its enormous size and resembles the smell of decaying flesh.
• It is famous for its unusual blooming cycle and its ability to attract carrion-eating insects for pollination.
• Habitat: The corpse flower is native to the rainforests of western Sumatra, Indonesia.
  • In Indonesia, it is known as Bunga bangkai, where Bunga means flower and bangkai means corpse.
• Size and Structure: The plant can grow as tall as 3 meters (approximately 10 feet).
  • It features a tall, phallic-shaped spadix (a central spike) that is surrounded by a large, purple spathe (a petal-like structure) which unfurls during blooming.
• Blooming Cycle: The corpse flower blooms infrequently, typically once every 7 to 10 years or more.
• The bloom lasts for only a single day.
  • Its blooming cycle depends on the amount of energy stored in its underground corm (a bulb-like structure).
  • The plant undergoes multiple leaf cycles, which help it accumulate sufficient energy before entering the flowering stage.
• Odor: The flower emits a strong, unpleasant smell that resembles rotting meat.
  • This foul scent attracts carrion insects, such as flies and carnivorous bees, which play a crucial role in its pollination.

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• The chemicals released during female flowering which gives it the odor are : 
  • Dimethyl disulfide – emits a garlic-like odor.
  • Dimethyl trisulfide – has a scent resembling rotting meat and cabbage.
  • 3-Methylbutanal – produces an aroma similar to ripening soft cheese.
  • Dimethyl sulfide & Methanethiol – both smell like boiled or rotting cabbage.
  • Methyl thioacetate – carries a strong sulfurous odor.
  • Isovaleric acid – gives off a scent reminiscent of smelly feet.
• Pollination: The corpse flower relies on carrion insects for pollination.
  • It contains both male and female flowers, but the female flowers bloom first to prevent self-pollination.
• IUCN Conservation Status:  Endangered
  • Reasons: Habitat destruction, deforestation, and illegal poaching.

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Recently , Rwanda-backed M23 rebels claimed to have captured Goma, a strategic city in eastern Congo. 

About the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

• The DRC is the second-largest country in Africa, after Algeria, located in Central Africa. 
• As the Equator passes through it , it lies in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
• • It is located to the east of the Prime Meridian in the Eastern Hemisphere.
• It is bordered by the Central African Republic and South Sudan to the north, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania to the east, Zambia to the southeast, and Angola to the southwest.
• The capital, Kinshasa, is located along the Congo River, which is the only river in Africa that crosses the equator twice.
• The Katanga Plateau is a major mining region, rich in minerals such as cobalt, copper, tin, radium, uranium, and diamonds.
• Highest Peak: Mt. Stanley
• In 2021, attacks in the mineral-rich Ituri and North Kivu provinces resulted in the deaths of hundreds and the displacement of many.
• Goma is a strategic city in eastern Congo, which is a hub for the region’s vast and largely untapped mineral wealth.

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About Rwanda

• Rwanda is a landlocked country located south of the Equator in east-central Africa.
• It is located in the African Great Lakes region with the capital at Kigali.
• Rwanda is bordered by Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west.
• The country’s major rivers include the Mukungwa River (in the Nile Basin) and the Rusizi River (in the Congo Basin).
• Lake Kivu is Rwanda’s largest lake and the sixth-largest in Africa.
  • It forms a natural border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Lake Victoria does not share a border with Rwanda.
• Highest point: The Virunga Mountains to the northwest of the country host the highest peak of Rwanda, Mount Karisimbi.
• The Albertine Rift region, covering much of western Rwanda, is known for its rich biodiversity.

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The Ordnance Clothing Factory (OCF), Avadi, a unit of Defence PSU Troop Comforts Limited, under the Ministry of Defence, executed India’s first defence export order to the Republic of Suriname.

• The military uniforms are offered by the Ministry of Defence (GOl) to the Ministry of Defence (Suriname) to strengthen the diplomatic relationships between the two countries.

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About Suriname

• Location: Northern edge of South America, lies in both the Northern and Western Hemispheres.
• Borders: Brazil (south), French Guiana (east), Guyana (west), Atlantic Ocean (north).
• Geography: Divided into coastal lowlands (north) and rainforests & savannas (west & south).
• Highest Point: Julianatop (1,230m / 4,035ft) in the Wilhelmina Mountains.
• Coastline: Approx. 386 km, featuring mangroves and low-lying plains.
• Rivers: Major ones include Coppename, Corantyne, Gran, Lucie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Saramacca.
• Vegetation: Tropical rainforests cover 90% of the land, with vast biodiversity.
• Minerals: Rich in bauxite, gold, oil, and kaolin.
• Protected Areas: 14% of land is designated as National Parks and Nature Reserves.

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Recently a male elephant was camera-trapped in Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve , Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh

• This marks the first sighting in 12 years, with the last recorded presence in 2013.

More on the Elephant Sighting

• Conservation Importance: The elephant was recorded deep inside the forest, unlike past sightings near the fringe areas.
  • Indicates possible restoration of migration patterns and highlights the need for continued conservation efforts.
• Traditional Migration Route: Elephants historically migrated between Namsai (Arunachal Pradesh) and Myanmar via Namdapha National Park.
  • The route included Boga Pahad-Bulbulia-Firmbase-Embeyong-52nd Mile Nallah-Kodboi-Myanmar.

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About Namdapha Tiger Reserve

• Location: Situated in Changlang District, Arunachal Pradesh. It borders Myanmar to the southeast and shares a common boundary with Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary. It lies between the Dapha Bum ridge of the Mishmi Hills (Northeastern Himalayas) and the Patkai Ranges.
• Vegetation: Comprises diverse forest types:
  • Northern Tropical Evergreen Forests
  • North Indian Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests
  • East Himalayan Moist Temperate Forests
  • Moist Alpine Scrub Forests
• River System: The Namdapha River flows north to south through the reserve.The reserve’s name is derived from the Namdapha River.
  • The Namdapha River originates in the Dapha Bum glaciers of Arunachal Pradesh and flows southward, joining the Noa-Dihing River
• Biogeographical Significance: Located at the junction of the Indian Subcontinent and Indo-China Biogeographic Regions.
• Fauna: Home to diverse wildlife, including Elephants, Himalayan Black Bear & Sun Bear, Hoolock Gibbon (India’s only ape) and Slow Loris.
• Flora: Unique species such as Pinus Merkusi and Abies Delavavi (exclusive to the park); Blue Vanda, a rare and endangered orchid and Mishimi Teeta (Coptis teeta), a medicinal plant used by local tribes for treating diseases.

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The Draft Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2025 were published by the Legal Metrology Division, Department of Consumer Affairs recently.

• The draft is open for public consultation till 14.02.2025. 

Key Highlights about the Draft Rules

• The Rules are part of a government project aimed towards achieving ‘One Nation, One Time’ by disseminating IST with millisecond to microsecond accuracy.  
  • The project aims to create technology and infrastructure to disseminate IST from five Legal Metrology laboratories across India. 
• Aim: The rules aim to establish Indian Standard Time (IST) as the mandatory time reference across all sectors, ensuring uniformity and precision. 
• Purpose: The rules prescribes the procedure for synchronization, guidelines for implementation and standards for accuracy, ensuring nationwide alignment with IST and facilitating improved governance, cybersecurity and operational efficiency.
• Formulated By: The rules are formulated by a high-power inter-ministerial committee chaired by the Secretary (Consumer Affairs), the committee also includes,
  • Representatives from National Physical Laboratory (NPL), ISRO, IIT Kanpur, NIC, CERT-In, SEBI and key government departments like Railways, Telecom, and Financial Services, etc
• Reference to Time:  All references to time in legal, administrative, and official documents shall be considered to refer to Indian Standard Time (IST) only.
• Mandates Synchronization: The synchronization of legal, administrative, and commercial activities with IST is mandated, prohibiting the use of alternative time references unless explicitly permitted.

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• Exceptions: The use of alternative timescales (GMT, etc.) is permitted for specific purposes like  scientific, astronomical and navigation etc  are granted exemption from using IST but with prior government approval. 
• For Public Institutions: Government offices and public institutions are required to adopt the synchronization protocols such as Network Time Protocol (NTP) and Precision Time Protocol (PTP)
• Reliability: Cybersecurity measures and alternative reference mechanisms are prescribed, to enhance resilience and reliability during cyber-attacks or disruptions.
• Compliance and Monitoring: The timescales shall be periodically audited to ensure compliance across sectors with penalties imposed for violations. 
• Significance:
  • Comprehensive Framework: It will achieve precise and uniform timekeeping across different sectors such as,
    • Navigation, telecommunications, power grid, banking, digital governance, and cutting-edge scientific research, including deep space navigation and gravitational wave detection.
  • Essential for National Security: IST as of now is not mandatorily adopted by all Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs), many of whom rely on foreign time sources like GPS. 
  • Real Time Applications: It will provide a unified and precise timekeeping framework for strategic, non-strategic, industrial and societal applications. 
  • Smooth  Operation of Critical Infrastructure: These rules synchronize communication networks, banking,  technological infrastructure, emerging technologies (5G technologies, artificial intelligence, IoT) and public services, enabling seamless interactions and enhancing economic efficiency.
  • Industrial Competitiveness: The Rules will facilitate industries for accurate financial transactions, efficient manufacturing, enhancing technological integration and global business interactions.
  • Administrative Effectiveness: It will enhance the government’s ability to conduct accurate, and coordinated enforcement activities like supporting emergency response coordination and ensure consistent scheduling of public transportation. 

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The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 has been released recently.

About the ASER Survey

• It is an annual citizen-led survey that provides reliable estimates of children’s schooling and learning levels in rural India
• ASER is a household-based rather than school-based survey and uses the The ASER survey uses the 2011 census framework
• ‘Basic’ ASER Design: It randomly selects 30 villages from each district, and twenty households from each village generating a total of 600 households per district or about 300,000 households for the country as a whole.
• Age Assessment: Approximately 6.5 Lakh children in 3 age groups are surveyed  in basic reading and arithmetic skills
  • pre-primary (ages 3 to 5), elementary (6 to 14), and older children (15 to 16). 3-16 
• Conducted By: The ASER survey is coordinated by ASER Centre and facilitated by the NGO Pratham network.
  • Around 30,000 volunteers from local partner organisations in each district conduct the survey.

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Key Finding of ASER Survey 2024

• An overall improvement in foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) across states, led largely by government schools was observed as compared to the pre COVID levels of 2018.
• FLN Skills: The  majority of children in Classes 3 and 5 are still unable to read a Class 2 level text in their local language or do simple maths problems.
• Government School Enrollment: It saw a return to pre-pandemic levels 
  • Example: The percentage of 6-14-year-olds enrolled in government schools was 65.6% in 2018, rose to 72.9% in 2022, and has now fallen to 66.8%.
• Reading Skills: The Survey observed a modest recovery in reading skills across all the classes as compared to the pre COVID Levels in 2018, but still a majority of children in Classes 3 and 5 are unable to read a Class 2 level text.
  • Example:  23.4% of Class 3 students enrolled in government schools were able to read a text at a Class 2 level in 2024 as compared to 20.9% in 2018.
    • 76.6% of Class 3 students were unable to read the texts, which were provided in 19 languages.
• Basic Numeracy Skills: Children showed substantial improvement in both government and private schools in basic arithmetic (recognizing numbers, subtracting double-digit numbers with borrowing, and dividing three-digit numbers by one digit).
• • Example:  Among Class 5 students, the proportion of those who could solve the division problems has improved from 27.9% in 2018 to 30.7% in 2024, leaving  almost 70% still lagging behind.
• State wise Performance: Improvement varied among States in the number of children able to read the Class 2 text.
  • 4 to 5.9 percentage point increase: Himachal Pradesh and Bihar 
  • 6 to 9.9 percentage point increase: Odisha, Haryana, West Bengal, and Jharkhand 
  • 10 percentage point Increase: Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh saw the most improvement compared to 2022 levels.
    • Uttar Pradesh saw a 15% point increase from 12.3% in 2018 to 27.9% in 2024.
• Digital Literacy: 89% of the teenagers aged 14 years to 16 years have access to smartphones at home with 31.4% possessing their own phones.
  • Usage: 57% used it for education-related matters and 76% for browsing social media.
  • Gender Safety: Boys were more aware of safety features on their phones than girls with 62% knowing how to block or report a profile, 55.2% knew how to make a profile private, and 57.7% knew how to change a password
• Reasons for the Improvement:
  • Foundational Learning as Key Focus Area: The government has accorded the highest priority to achieve universal foundational literacy and numeracy in primary school by 2025 through the NEP 2020.
  • NIPUN Bharat: There has been focused messaging, along with focused financing for foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN). 
  • Assessment: Internal and external assessments has become part of the school education discourse with more engagement with teachers and students.
  • Training:  There is also an increasing level of engagement and coordination with states for teacher training etc.

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Every year,  Punjab Kesari Lala Lajpat Rai’s birth anniversary is celebrated on 28th January. 

About Lala Lajpat Rai

• Lala Lajpat Rai was a great freedom fighter and nationalist leader of India. 
• He was popularly known as ‘Punjab Kesari’ (Lion of Punjab). 
• A strong believer in Hinduism and nationalism, he worked for India’s independence and social reforms.
• Early Life and Education
  • Born  in Dhudike village, Ferozepur, Punjab.
  • Studied law at Government College, Lahore.
  • Influenced by Swami Dayananda Saraswati and joined the Arya Samaj.

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Lala Lajpat Rai’s Contribution to India’s Freedom Struggle

• Role in the Indian National Congress (INC)
  • Joined INC in the late 19th century and took part in many protests.
  • He was elected President of the All India Trade Union Congress in 1920. .
  • Supported the extremist faction of INC, demanding stronger actions against British rule.
  • Arrested in 1907 and sent to Mandalay jail, but continued his political work after release.
  • Along with Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal formed the Lal-Bal-Pal trio, which promoted aggressive nationalism.
  • Became INC President in 1920 (Calcutta Session), where the Non-Cooperation Movement was officially adopted.
• Contribution to the Swadeshi Movement
  • Actively participated in the Swadeshi Movement (1905), which was launched after the partition of Bengal.
  • Encouraged people to boycott British goods and support Indian industries.
  • Promoted the use of locally made products to weaken British economic control over India
• Leadership in the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920)
  • Took a leading role in the Non-Cooperation Movement (NCM) launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920.
  • INC approved the movement under his presidency.e.
• Role in the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930)
  • Actively supported the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) led by Mahatma Gandhi.
  • Took part in Salt Satyagraha and the Dandi March.
  • Encouraged Indians to boycott British goods, refuse cooperation with British officials, and break unfair laws.
  • Imprisoned multiple times for participating in protests.
• Role in Punjab Politics
  • Strongly opposed British policies that harmed Punjab.
  • Protested against the Rowlatt Act (1919), which allowed the British to arrest people without trial.
  • Led protests against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre (1919).
  • Promoted education in Punjab and founded National College (now D.A.V. College) in Lahore.

Social Contributions

• Fought against untouchability and worked for social reforms.
• Established the Hindu Relief Movement (1897) to help famine-affected people and prevent religious conversions.
• Founded the Servants of People Society (1921) to work for social welfare.

Literary Contributions:  Lala Lajpat Rai was also a writer. Some of his famous books include

• Young India
• England’s Debt to India
• Evolution of Japan
• India’s Will to Freedom
• Message of the Bhagavad Gita
• Political Future of India
• The Depressed Classes
• The Problem of National Education in India
• United States of America (Travelogue)

Institutional Contributions

• Founded many organizations, including:
  • Hisar Bar Council
  • Hisar Arya Samaj
  • Hisar Congress
  • National DAV Managing Committee
• Founded the Punjab National Bank (1894).
• founded the Home Rule League of America in 1917 in New York

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Death and Legacy

• In 1928, while leading a silent protest against the Simon Commission in Lahore, he was brutally lathi-charged by British police under Superintendent James Scott.
• He died a few weeks later due to the injuries he sustained.

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The Halal Certification

Context: “On November 18, 2023, the Food Safety and Drug Administration in Uttar Pradesh banned the production, storage, sale, and distribution of food products with halal certification in the state, except for export items.”

What is Halal Food?

• “Halal” is an Arabic term meaning “permissible” under Islamic law.
• It is commonly used in the context of dietary laws, referring to food that complies with Islamic principles.
• Meat is considered halal when animals are slaughtered using a specific method (single cut to the jugular vein while invoking prayers).
• Non-meat products like water, wheat, and even non-food items like cosmetics can also be certified halal if they do not contain any prohibited (haram) substances.

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Who Issues Halal Certificates?

• In India, there is no official government body regulating halal certification.
• Private organizations like the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust and Halal India Pvt. Ltd. issue halal certifications.
• These agencies are accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB), which is recognized internationally.

Organophosphate

Context: Recently, a series of deaths in Jammu and Kashmir has raised suspicions of organophosphate poisoning, a chemical commonly used in pesticides and insecticides.”

What is organophosphate?

• These chemicals are used to protect crops from pests and control insect-borne diseases.
• Other name: phosphate esters, or OPEs
• They are also used in nerve gases (like Sarin), plastics, and solvents.
• Exposure to organophosphates can be harmful to humans, animals, and even plants.
  • They affect the nervous system, leading to fatal consequences.
• It contains sulphur and phosphorus atoms. 
• Common organophosphates include:
  • Parathion
  • Malathion
  • Methyl parathion
  • Chlorpyrifos
  • Diazinon
  • Terbufos

DeepSeek

Context: DeepSeek is a Chinese-made artificial intelligence (AI) model that has the tech world buzzing as it has occupied the top spot for free  Apple Store’s downloads.

About DeepSeek

• DeepSeek is the name of a free AI-powered chatbot, which looks, feels and works very much like ChatGPT.
• Founded by: DeepSeek was founded in December 2023 by Liang Wenfeng, a serial entrepreneur who also runs the hedge fund High-Flyer.
• Based At: The Start up is based in Hangzhou,Zhejiang province,
• Reasoning Model -R1 :These models produce responses incrementally, simulating a process similar to how humans reason through problems or ideas.
• Censorship: DeepSeek is trained to avoid politically sensitive questions 
  • Example: A BBC respondent has asked the app about Tiananmen Square on 4 June 1989. It generated no answer from DeepSeek 
• Cost Effective: Deepseek is claimed to cost only $6m (£4.8m) to train, a fraction of the “over $100m” cost of ChatGPT-4
• Advanced AI Chips: DeepSeek has used around 2,000 Nvidia H800 chips to train its model before USA banned the exports of Advanced AI Chips to China
  • It has used a combination of high-performance chips and more affordable alternatives to develop the platform.
• Open Source Technology: DeepSeek  new releases DeepSeek-V3 and DeepSeek-R1, are made open-source.
• Performance Capabilities: The DeepSeek AI models are created for complex reasoning performance demonstrating strong performance across mathematics, programming, and natural language processing.

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Paris AI Action Summit

Context: The Paris AI Action Summit, scheduled for February 10-11, 2025, is a key global event on AI governance and regulation. 

• Hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, it will be co-chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Key Agendas of the Summit

• AI Governance & Public Interest: Balancing innovation and regulation to ensure AI benefits society.
• Market Concentration: Addressing the dominance of Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta in foundational AI models.
• AI Safety & Transparency: Building on previous summits in Bletchley Park (2023) and Seoul (2024) to establish ethical AI frameworks.
• Global AI Competition: Discussing US-China AI advancements and Europe’s struggle to compete due to regulatory constraints.
• Regulatory Approaches: Evaluating diverse AI policies such as  EU’s strict stance, UK’s light-touch approach, and the US-China models.

Significance of the summit:  It comes as the US launches a $500 billion AI project, and China makes significant AI breakthroughs by launching Deepseek .

Georgia Certified Malaria-Free

Context: Georgia has been certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) joining 45 countries and 1 territory underscoring the global progress towards malaria elimination.

• Turkey is now the only country in the WHO European Region not yet certified malaria-free

About Malaria 

• Malaria is a vector borne disease transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes and caused by plasmodium protozoa. 
• Prevalence: Primarily affecting tropical and subtropical regions in Africa, South America, and Asia.
• Transmission: The parasites proliferate first in liver cells before invading Red Blood Cells (RBCs).
• Parasite: Five parasite species cause malaria in humans, with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax posing the most significant threat.

WHO Certification Process: WHO grants malaria-free certification when a country proves that indigenous transmission has been interrupted nationwide for at least three consecutive years.

Bomb Cyclone

Context: Meteorologists are comparing Storm Éowyn to a bomb Cyclone due to its intensification. 

About Bomb Cyclone

• A bomb cyclone is a rapidly intensifying midlatitude storm characterized by a sharp drop in atmospheric pressure and extreme weather conditions such as blizzards, thunderstorms, and heavy precipitation.
• A bomb cyclone is also referred to as explosive cyclogenesis or bombogenesis.
• “Bombogenesis” varies by latitude.
  • At 60 degrees latitude, it is a drop of at least 24 millibars (24 hectopascals) over 24 hours.

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Key Factors in Bomb Cyclone Formation

• Jet Stream Influence: Fast upper-atmosphere winds (200+ mph) enhance storm intensity.
• Cold-Warm Air Interaction: Strong temperature contrast drives rapid intensification.
• Oceanic Heat & Moisture: Warmer waters provide additional energy for storm deepening

Features of  Storm Éowyn making it a Bomb Cyclone

• Extreme Pressure Drop: Storm Éowyn saw a 50-millibar pressure drop in 24 hours, more than double the threshold for explosive cyclogenesis.
• Impact on the British Isles: The storm caused hurricane-force winds across Ireland and Scotland, prompting red warnings from meteorological agencies.
• Record Wind Speeds: A 114 mph gust was recorded at Mace Head, Ireland, rivaling past extreme storms like the Great Storm of 1987.
• Path & Development: Originating off the U.S. East Coast, it traveled 2,000 miles across the North Atlantic, fueled by a strong jet stream and record-warm ocean temperatures.

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