Context

The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers Department of Pharmaceuticals introduces the RPTUAS Scheme (Revamped Pharmaceuticals Technology Upgradation Assistance).

Key Features of the RPTUAS Scheme

• Expanded Eligibility Criteria:   It expanded eligibility to cover any pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in need of quality and technological upgrades and having a yearly revenue of less than 500 crores.
• Preference to MSME: Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) have the preference to assist smaller firms in meeting standards for high-quality production.
• Adaptable Financing Solutions: It introduces reimbursement-based subsidies in place of the conventional credit-linked method. It expands the range of available funding choices, enabling broader adoption.
• Assistance for Adherence to New Guidelines: It accommodates a wider variety of technology advancements in compliance with updated Schedule-M and WHO-GMP guidelines.
• Infrastructure Development: Improvements to testing labs, clean room facilities, HVAC systems, utilities, etc. are all eligible activities.
• Incentive Structure: Pharmaceutical units that achieve turnover criteria can get incentives of up to Rs. 1 crore per unit under the Dynamic Incentive Structure. The incentive structure varies according to turnover, motivating growth at various scales of enterprises.
• Integration of State Government Schemes: It permits integration with programmes run by state governments, opening the door to more top-up assistance. It intends to increase the pharmaceutical industry’s level of support for its technological advancements.
• Improved Verification Process: It provides a strong verification process via a project management organization. It guarantees responsibility, openness, and effective use of resources.
• Issue of  Substandard Drugs: The support for drug companies also comes amid reports of deaths abroad due to the production of substandard drugs linked to Indian companies.

PTUAS Scheme: Pharmaceutical Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme

• Aim:  To help Micro, Small, and Medium Pharma Enterprises (MSMEs) with a demonstrated track record satisfy national and international regulatory standards.
• Interest Subvention: This offers help for approximately SME industries, either by an interest subvention of up to 5% per year (6% in the case of units owned and managed by SC/STs) or a 10% credit-related capital subsidy.
• Maximum Limit: In both circumstances, the loan backed by this is up to a maximum of 10 crores, and the eligible components of the loan are mentioned in the scheme criteria.
• Budget Outlay: 300 crore 

News Source: Business Standard

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Context

The 96th Academy Awards ceremony took place in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.

About the 96th Academy Awards or Oscars 2024

• Organiser: The Academy Awards are organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). 
  • The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was established in 1927.
  • Originally, it was composed of 36 original members, including writers, directors, producers and other industry insiders.
  • It celebrates artistic and technical excellence in the film industry and is considered the pinnacle of achievement for filmmakers and actors worldwide.

Oscars 2024 Winners List:

News Source: The Hindu

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Context

• Recently, SIDBI gets $24.5 million from Green Climate Fund for its Avaana Sustainability Fund.

About Green Climate Fund

• Formation: The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was formed under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. 
  • It works as a Financial Mechanism entity, focusing on developing nations’ efforts to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.
• Headquarters: Incheon, South Korea. 
• Purpose: To help developing countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen their capacity to respond to climate change.
• Target Countries: The GCF primarily assists developing nations most susceptible to climate change, such as Least Developed nations (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and African States.
• Loss and Damages Fund: At COP27, UN delegates agreed to establish a ‘Loss and Damages‘ fund for compensating vulnerable countries affected by climate-related disasters. 
  • The fund was officially approved at the COP28 Summit in 2023.

Investment Areas of The Green Climate Fund:

• Built Environment: The built environment comprises green buildings, sustainable cities, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
• Energy and Industry: This includes encouraging renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean technologies across multiple sectors.
• Human Security, Livelihoods, and Wellbeing: This category includes programmes addressing climate change’s effects on food security, water resources, health, and displacement.
• Land-Use, Forests, and Ecosystems: This programme focuses on forest conservation, sustainable land management, and nature-based climate change solutions.

News Source: Financial Express

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Context

According to the ‘Democracy Report 2024’ released by the Gothenburg-based V-Dem Institute, India, has failed on multiple metrics to emerge as “one of the worst autocratizers”.

About V-Dem Report’s Methodology

• Largest Global dataset: V-Dem produces the largest global dataset on democracy and is based on 31 million datasets that cover 202 countries from 1789 to 2023.
• Measurement of Different Attributes of Democracy: Involving over 4,200 scholars from 180 countries and experts from other countries, V-Dem measures hundreds of different attributes of democracy. 
  • V-Dem uses aggregate expert judgments to produce estimates of critical concepts.
• Innovative ways: V-Dem enables new ways to study the nature, causes, and consequences of democracy embracing its multiple meanings.

Key Findings of the Democracy Report 2024

• Autocratizing Countries: According to the Democracy Report 2024, 42 countries (home to 35% of the world’s population) were undergoing autocratisation. 
  • According to the report, 71% of the world’s population — 5.7 billion people — live in autocracies, an increase from 48% ten years ago. 
  • 8 of the top 10 “stand-alone” autocratizers were liberal or electoral democracies. In 2023, none are liberal democracies, and only 2 can be considered electoral democracies.
• Status of Democracy around the World: The level of democracy enjoyed by the “average person in the world is down to 1985-levels”, with the sharpest decline occurring in Eastern Europe, and South and Central Asia.
• Component of Democracy in Autocratising Countries: The Democracy Report 2024 singled out freedom of expression, clean elections, and freedom of association/civil society as the three worst affected components of democracy in autocratising countries. 
• Weakening of Autonomy of Electoral Bodies: The autonomy of the electoral management bodies “is weakening substantially in 22 of the 42 autocratising countries
• Decline of Liberal Democracy: The  level of “liberal democracy” enjoyed by the average Indian now “down to levels last seen in 1975 during Emergency
• Liberal Democratic Country:  The report noted that the only liberal democracy in the whole of South and Central Asia was Bhutan.

Parameters of Democracy Report 2024:

• Classification: The V-Dem Democracy Report 2024 classifies countries into four regime types based on their score in the Liberal Democratic Index (LDI): Liberal Democracy, Electoral Democracy, Electoral Autocracy, and Closed Autocracy. 
  • Liberal Democracy Index: The LDI captures both liberal and electoral aspects of a democracy based on 71 indicators that make up the Liberal Component Index (LCI) and the Electoral Democracy Index (EDI).
    • The LCI measures aspects such as the protection of individual liberties and legislative constraints on the executive.
    • The EDI considers indicators that guarantee free and fair elections such as freedom of expression and freedom of association. 

What Does Democracy Report 2024 Say About India?

• India’s shrinking environment for religious freedoms: The Indian government also continues to suppress the freedom of religious rights. 
• Intimidation of political opponents: Intimidation of political opponents and people protesting government policies and silencing of dissent in academia are now prevalent. 
• Censoring of Media: The report singles out El Salvador, India and “notably Mauritius” as “among the worst government offenders when it comes to increasing their efforts to censor the media.”

News Source: The Hindu

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Context

The Madhya Pradesh High Court directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a scientific survey of the Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar district.

Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque Row: What is the Dispute?

• Objective: To bring out the nature and character of the structure and demystify and free it from the shackles of confusion.
• Constitution of an Expert Committee: An expert committee is to be constituted by ASI  to conduct a complete scientific investigation (by adopting carbon dating method for ascertaining the age, life of various structures); survey and excavation, through adoption of latest methods and techniques and submit the report within six weeks.
• Petitioners: A group called the Hindu Front for Justice has petitioned the courts to revive the original status of the complex and seek to transfer the property to Hindus.
  • They argued that Kamal Maula Mosque was constructed during the reign of Alauddin Khilji between the 13th and 14th centuries by destroying and dismantling ancient structures of previously constructed Hindu temples.
• Present Status: As per an arrangement in 2003, Hindus perform puja at the complex on Tuesdays while Muslims offer namaz on Fridays
  • For Hindus, the complex is a temple dedicated to the Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati), while for Muslims, it is the site of the tomb of the Sufi saint Kamal Maula Mosque.

Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque Complex

• An ASI-protected site: The structure is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India, which is a disputed site  notionally claimed by both Muslims and Hindus
• Location: It is situated in the middle of the medieval circular city of Dhar in Madhya Pradesh.
• Built by:  It is believed that it was originally a temple of goddess Sarasvati built by Paramara King Bhoja in circa 11th Century AD and The city was long one of the capitals of Malwa.
  • Noted as a great patron of art and literature, Bhoja is said to have established a school, now known as Bhojashala in the complex.
  • Delhi Sultanate: Malwa came under the Delhi Sultanate in the early 14th century, and soon after that, a hypostyle mosque was constructed using parts from fallen temples. 
  • After the death of Chishti Sufi saint Kamal-al-Din in 1331 CE, his tomb was placed next to the mosque, and the building became known as Kamal Maula mosque. This suggests the building was constructed before 1331.

• Architecture of Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque Complex:

• • Pillars: The complex has numerous sandstone pillars of varying design dating to the 11th and 12th centuries. 
    • During the construction of the mosque the pillars were re-cycled as well as put one on top of the other to raise the height of the ceiling  following the building practices seen at Ajmer and the Qutb complex in Delhi.
  • Style of construction:  Domes of trabeate construction, decorated with intricate cusping and lotus forms, have been added. 
    • The mihrab and minbar are later in date, being added in the 1400s by the kings of Mandu in the time of the Malwa Sultanate.
  • Inscriptions: The complex contains a range of stone panels with Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions installed on the walls and floors. These include Sanskrit grammar rules and esoteric diagrams.
    • The inscription on the pedestal (bhojshala)  mentions a statue of Vagdevi (Sarasvatī), showing that the Sarasvati at Dhar was the Jain form of this goddess.

News Source: The Hindu

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Context

Recently the Prime Minister inaugurated Sabroom Land Port in Tripura located along the India-Bangladesh international border.

About Sabroom Land Port

• Connectivity:  It is connected to the Chittagong port of Bangladesh through Maitree Bridge on River Feni.
• Facilitation of Cargo: It will facilitate the movement of passengers and cargo between India and Bangladesh.
• Significance of the Project: It will help ease the movement of goods and passengers between the two countries, provide new market opportunities for products of North-East states and assist the seamless movement of passengers to and from India and Bangladesh.

About Land Ports

• About: These are areas on international borders including portions of national highways, State highways, etc., notified as land customs stations or immigration check posts, with facilities for clearance and transporting passengers and goods across the borders.
• Number of Land Ports: There are currently Eleven Land ports operational in India at Attari, Agartala, Dawki, Petrapole, Raxaul, Rupaidiha, Jogbani, Moreh, Sutarkandi, Srimantapur and PTB at Dera Baba Nanak

News Source: The Indian Express

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Context

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test-fired  indigenously developed Agni-5 ballistic missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology under Mission Divyastra. 

Key Highlights On Mission Divyastra

• Mission Divyastra Flight Test: The flight test named Mission Divyastra was carried out from Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.
• Objective: The test emphasized firing multiple warheads to strike widely separated targets simultaneously.
• India Achieves MIRV Capability: With this test, India has joined the select group of nations with MIRV capability. The project director is a woman with significant women contributions.

Agni 5 Missile

• About: Agni is a long-range missile developed indigenously by the DRDO. It uses a three-stage solid-fuelled engine having a range of over 5,000 km.
• Features: The Agni 5 missile system is equipped with indigenous avionics systems and high-accuracy sensor packages, which ensured that the re-entry vehicles reached the target points within the desired accuracy.

• Maiden flight test of Agni-V: It was conducted in April 2012 and has since been tested multiple times. 
• MIRV Equipped Variant: This latest variant of the missile is equipped with MIRV technology, first developed at least five decades ago but in possession of only a handful of countries.
• Significance: This Agni, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, has a range of more than 5,000 km, making it a long-range missile, and is aimed mainly at thwarting the challenge from China.

What is MIRV Technology?

• About: The MIRV technology means a single missile can carry multiple warheads. The MIRV can target multiple targets hundreds of kilometres apart with a single missile. 
  • These missiles can be launched from land or sea from a submarine. 
  • MIRVs can cause more destruction than traditional missiles that carry a single warhead.
• Nations with MIRV Technology: As of now, the United States, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom are known to have MIRV-equipped missiles. 
  • The US was the first country to develop MIRV technology, deploying a MIRVed Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) in 1970 and a MIRVed Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) in 1971.
• Significance: It provides more target options to the attacker. The defender is compelled to simultaneously defend against them, potentially facing the challenge of overwhelming its anti-missile defences.
• Challenge with Technology: The development of MIRV technology is not easy. It requires the combination of large missiles, small warheads, accurate guidance, and a complex mechanism for releasing warheads sequentially during flight.

Working of MIRV Technology:

• Launch: A MIRV-equipped missile is launched and follows a ballistic trajectory into space, similar to any other ballistic missile.
• Post-boost phase: After the boost phase, the missile’s upper stage, known as the “bus,” reaches a suborbital spaceflight. In this phase, the bus manoeuvres and aligns itself based on the designated targets.
• Deployment: The bus sequentially deploys multiple warheads along with decoys and countermeasures. Each warhead can be assigned a different trajectory and target.
• Re-entry and Impact: The warheads re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere independently and proceed to their respective targets.

News Source: The Hindu

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Context

Kerala Mumps Outbreak: Kerala is currently facing a surge in mumps cases. 

Mumps Outbreak in Kerala: Key Highlights

• This viral infection has become a cause for concern, especially in the Malappuram district and other parts of north Kerala.
• So far, There are around 11,467 cases this year. 
• Kerala’s Malappuram district is densely populated which increases the risk of disease exposure.
• Traditional beliefs of local people towards vaccination have also played a major role in its (mums) prevalence. 

What is Mumps Disease?

• Mumps is caused by the paramyxovirus. 
  • It is also known as parotitis. 
  • It transmits through close contact or airborne droplets from the respiratory system of an infected individual.
• Disease and its complications: In most cases, mumps is self-limiting, but it can lead to complications such as:
  • Swelling of the brain
  • Hearing loss
  • Painful inflammation of the testis in adult males
• Mumps Disease Symptoms: The symptoms usually appear two to four weeks after exposure. 
  • The most distinctive symptom is swelling of the salivary glands.
• Age Group: While mumps mostly affects young children, it can infect teenagers and adults.

Challenges in Controlling Kerala Mumps Outbreak

• Vaccine Hesitancy: Some people in Kerala, especially Malappuram, hesitate to get vaccinated.
  • It is due to misinformation, fear or cultural beliefs.
• High Contagion: Mumps spreads quickly through droplets in places like schools and homes. Therefore, stringent measures are required to prevent further spread.
• Silent Carriers: Some infected people show no symptoms, making it hard to stop the spread.
• Resource Challenges: Kerala’s healthcare system may struggle with the sudden increase in cases. There is a need for sufficient healthcare resources such as hospital beds, medical supplies, and trained personnel. 
• Lack of Universal Immunization: The mumps-measles-rubella (MMR) vaccine is not part of the government’s universal immunisation program. As a result, many children may not have received adequate protection against mumps. Efforts are needed to expand vaccine coverage and accessibility.

News Source: Indian-express

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Context

Recently, Minister of Communications Ashwini Vaishnaw has launched the Curtain Raiser of World Telecom Standardization Assembly Delhi 2024 (WTSA 2024).

Key Highlights On WTSA 2024: World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly 2024 

• India will host ITU’s prestigious World Telecom Standardization Assembly 2024 (WTSA 2024)  in New Delhi from 15th – 24th Oct 2024.
• Minister of Communications, Ashwini Vaishnaw also launched India Mobile Congress (IMC 2024) & also revealed the Spectrum Regulatory Sandbox policy, which has the capacity to enhance India’s telecommunications sector and promote international cooperation in the field. 
• Additionally, the Minister declared the full elimination of the Wireless Operating License (WOL), thereby streamlining telecom licensing procedures even further.

About World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA)

• Scope : It will define the next period of study for ITU-T. 
• It has been held every four years since 2000.
• Significance : it will play a crucial role in shaping the global agenda for standardization of telecom and information and communication technologies (ICTs). 
• It will be preceded by the Global Standards Symposium (GSS 2024) on 14 Oct 2024 at New Delhi. 
• Activities & Events in The WTSA 2024 : 
  • ITU Kaleidoscope Conference (21-23 Oct 2024), ITU exhibitions (14-24 Oct 2024), Network of Women (17 Oct 2024) and AI for Good (18 Oct 2024).

News Source: AIR

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Context

Recently, on a 3-day Visit to India, Foreign Minister of Belarus Sergei Aleinik discussed Bilateral cooperation with India’s  External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.

About Belarus Country

• It Gained independence in 1991 from the Soviet Union.
• Physical Location: Situated in eastern Europe, it is a landlocked country, bordered by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest.
• Belarus Capital: The capital and largest city of this nation is Minsk. 
• Belarus Currency: The Belarusian Ruble (BYN) is the currency of Belarus.
• Language: The spoken languages include Belarusian (official, 24%) and Russian (official, spoken by 70% of the population). 
• River: The majority of the country lies within the Dnieper River basin and Mukhavyets, a tributary of the Bug River.

India Belarus Relations

• India was among the first countries to recognise Belarus as an independent nation in 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. 
• Multilateral Cooperation: 
  • In multilateral forums such as the UN Security Council (UNSC) and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). 
  • Belarus was crucial in supporting India’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat at the UNSC in July 2020. 
  • India has consistently supported Belarus in its endeavours, including its membership in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and participation in international groups like the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). 
• Partnerships A comprehensive partnership exists between the two nations such as Foreign Office Consultations (FOC), the Intergovernmental Commission (IGC), and the Joint Commission on Military Technical Cooperation. 
• Bilateral Agreements and Trade: Bilateral trade in 2022 amounted to US$ 223.77 million. Belarus is an important source of Potash fertilizers for India.
• Indian Diaspora: The Indian community in Belarus is small, consisting of approximately 85 nationals and 476 students, mostly enrolled in Belarusian medical universities.

News Source: AIR

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Context

This Article is based on the news “Centre notifies CAA 2024 rules ahead of Lok Sabha polls schedule announcement” which was published in the Indian Express. The Ministry of Home Affairs Monday notified the Citizenship Amendment Rules 2024.

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CAA 2024 Rules: Citizenship Amendment Rules 

• Implementation of Citizenship Amendment Act 2019: Citizenship Amendment Rules 2024 would enable the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) passed by the Parliament in 2019.
• Portal for Application: The Ministry of Home Affairs has created a portal for this.
  • The applicants must declare the year they entered India without travel documents.
• Delay in Implementation of CAA: Despite its enactment in 2019, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) could not be implemented because the rules were not notified.
• Reasons for delay in Implementation: The delay in implementing the legislation has been attributed to widespread protests against it in states like Assam and Tripura.

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What Are Citizenship Amendment Rules?

• About: The CAA 2024 rules now provide a framework for the application process for those eligible under Citizenship Amendment Act 2019.
• Application Process: The Citizenship Amendment Rules 2024, will enable persons eligible under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019 to submit their individual applications completely online to an Empowered Committee through a District Level Committee as may be notified by the Central Government.
• Eligible Applicants: They include individuals of Indian origin, spouses of Indian citizens, minor children of Indian citizens, individuals with registered Indian citizen parents, and Overseas Citizens of India Cardholders, among others.
• Permissible Documents: They include birth certificates, tenancy records, identity papers, and any licence, school or educational certificate issued by a government authority in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
  • The applicants will have to produce an “eligibility certificate” issued by a “locally reputed community institution” confirming that he/she belongs to the “Hindu/ Sikh/ Buddhist/ Jain/ Parsi/ Christian community and continues to be a member of the above-mentioned community.”

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What is Citizenship Amendment Act 2019?

• About: The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is a legislative enactment that was passed on December 11, 2019 to amend the Citizenship Act of 1955. 
• Citizenship to Religious Minorities: This amendment allowed for the grant of Indian citizenship to religious minorities, including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians, who fled from neighbouring Muslim-majority countries of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan due to religious persecution till December 31,2014.Reduced Number of Years of Indian Residency: Under the act, for the specified class of illegal migrants, the government has reduced the number of residency years to five.
  • This marks a significant reduction from the previous requirement of 11 years for citizenship by naturalisation.

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Exemptions Under Citizenship Amendment Act 2019

• Autonomous Councils: 

  • Autonomous councils created under the 6th Schedule of the Constitution are exempted from the purview of Citizenship Amendment Act 2019. 
    • The law will, therefore, not be implemented in most tribal parts of Northeastern states. 
  • Autonomous councils under this special status include Karbi Anglong, Dila Hasao and Bodoland Territorial Council areas in Assam, Garo Hills in Meghalaya and tribal areas in Tripura.

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• Areas Under Inner Line Permit (ILP): 

• • Areas where the Inner Line Permit (ILP) is required for a visit by people from other parts of the country in Northeastern states are excluded from the law. The ILP is in place in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur.
    • This exclusion aims to safeguard the interests of the tribal and indigenous communities in the North-Eastern region. 
    • Individuals residing in these areas will not be eligible to apply for Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019.

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Issues With Citizenship Amendment Act 2019

• Fears of Illegal Migration: 

  • Indigenous groups in the northeast have expressed concerns over a potential loss of political, cultural, and land rights, as well as fears of increased migration from Bangladesh.

• Religion-Based Citizenship: 

  • The critics of the law object to the religion-based exclusion of refugees from the benefit of Citizenship Amendment Act, arguing that linking Indian citizenship with religion undermined the secular character of the country.
    • The petitioners have contended that the law is arbitrary as it leaves out the persecuted Rohingya of Myanmar, Tibetan Buddhists from China and Tamils from Sri Lanka.

• Against the Right to Equality: 

  • It violates the right to equality enshrined in the Constitution of the country as it discriminates against Muslims. Sects like Shias and Ahmedis also face persecution in Muslim-majority countries like Pakistan but are not included in the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019.
    • Questions have also been raised on the exclusion of persecuted religious minorities from other regions such as Tibet, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.

• Against Assam Accord: 

  • The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is seen in Assam as violating the 1985 Assam Accord, allowing foreign migrants who came to Assam after January 1, 1966, but before March 25, 1971, to seek citizenship. 
    • The cut-off date for citizenship to be extended under the CAA is December 31, 2014.
    • The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2010 might contradict the Assam Accord, as it establishes a distinct timeline.

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• Protest Against NRC: 

• • The protests were against the decision to introduce a National Register of Citizens (NRC) and implement the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.
  • The petitioners have argued that the NRC in Assam to identify illegal immigrants, along with the CAA, will result in the targeting of Muslims.

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Arguments in Favour of Citizenship Amendment Act 2019

• Not Applicable to Indian Citizens: 

  • The government has asserted that the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 will not take away the citizenship of any Indian citizen, irrespective of religion as the CAA does not apply to Indian citizens. The rules are only for those who have suffered persecution for years and have no other shelter in the world except India.
    • Its primary objective is to provide Indian citizenship to certain foreigners who have encountered religious persecution in neighbouring countries based on their faith.

• Distinguishing Based on Religion Persecution: 

  • Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019 does not classify on the grounds of religion but distinguishes on that of “religious persecution”. It said the legislation seeks to undo the “historical injustices”.

• Citizenship to Illegal Migrants: 

  • It establishes a framework for migrants who might have been considered “illegal” otherwise, providing them with the opportunity to apply for Indian citizenship, provided they meet certain conditions.

• Reforming Residence Requirement: 

• • It reduces the residency requirement from 11 to five years.

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Arguments of Supreme Court

• Criteria for Upholding Equality Under Article 14: The Supreme Court has affirmed that any law facing challenges under Article 14 must successfully navigate two legal criteria to uphold equality: 
  • Any distinction between groups must be based on an “intelligible differentia,” 
  • This differentiation must have a rational connection to the objective pursued by the legislation.

• Scrutiny of Rules: The government’s justification for excluding Muslims from the category of “persecuted” minorities hinges on the argument that Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh are Islamic nations where Muslims constitute the majority. 
• Scrutiny will be applied to determine whether these three countries were specifically chosen to exclude Muslims. 

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Conclusion

Since the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019 discriminates based on religion, it strikes at the root of the concept of secularism, which is the basic structure of the Constitution. Therefore, the CAA can be made religion-neutral by granting citizenship to all migrants irrespective of their religious status.

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