Jun 19 2024

Bonn Climate Conference 2024

  • Recently, deliberations on the New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance concluded without consensus

Highlight of the Conference 2024;

  • Adaptation and Carbon Markets: During the Conference, advancements were made on adaptation indicators and improving the international carbon market under Article 6 of the Paris Climate Agreement.
  • New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG):The primary issues, the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance and negotiations on the Mitigation Work Programme (MWP), saw no progress.

New Collective Quantified Goal:

  • Origins: At COP21, a proposal was made to establish a new climate finance goal for the post-2025 period.
  • Climate Finance: In 2009, UNFCCC parties agreed to mobilize $100 billion annually by 2020, a target later extended to 2025. However, developed countries have not fully met this commitment.
  • Aim: The NCQG aims to increase the climate finance target beyond the current $100 billion annually while addressing the key shortcomings of the existing climate financing mechanism.

Mitigation Work Programme:

  • Programme Focus: Established at COP26, the program aims to urgently enhance mitigation ambition and implementation to achieve the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal. In 2024, the focus will be on “Cities: buildings and urban systems,” including:
    • Reducing operational emissions (heating, cooling)
    • Designing efficient building envelopes (retrofitting)
    • Reducing embodied emissions (building materials)

Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS)

  • Recently, health officials are concerned about the outbreak of “flesh-eating bacteria,” known as Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS), in Japan, where almost 1,000 cases have been reported nationwide.

About Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS)

  • Causes: STSS is a rare but severe bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. 
    • It occurs when these bacteria enter deep tissues and the bloodstream, releasing toxins that cause a rapid and dangerous response in the body.
  • Transmission: While it is rare for someone with STSS to spread the infection to others directly, less severe infections with group A strep can progress to STSS if untreated.
  • Symptoms: STSS starts with initial symptoms like fever, chills, muscle aches,
  • Prevention: Preventing STSS involves practising good hygiene, like washing hands regularly and covering your mouth while you cough and sneeze. 
  • Treatment: Treating STSS involves giving strong antibiotics through an IV to kill the bacteria.
    • Patients also receive fluids to stabilise their blood pressure and help their organs work properly. 
    • In severe cases, surgery might be needed to remove infected tissue and prevent further problems.

Bioluminescence

  • From glowing corals to vomiting shrimp, animals have used bioluminescence to communicate for millions of years 

Bioluminescence:

  • About: Bioluminescence is the generation and release of light by living organisms through a chemical reaction, making it a type of chemiluminescence.
    • Chemiluminescence is the term used for a chemical reaction that produces light, and when this occurs within a living organism, it is known as bioluminescence.
  • Mechanism: Bioluminescence works through luciferin reacting with oxygen to produce light. 
    • Organisms may use different types of luciferin and often produce luciferase to speed up this reaction. 
    • They can control when and how brightly they emit light by regulating their biochemical processes, sometimes using photoproteins that activate instantly when specific ions like calcium are present.
  • Functions: Although not fully understood for all animals, bioluminescence generally serves purposes such as warning or evading predators, attracting or detecting prey, and communicating among members of the same species.
  • Bioluminescence Distribution: Bioluminescence is prevalent across various marine organisms, including bacteria, algae, jellyfish, worms, crustaceans, sea stars, fish, and sharks. 

Kollam port 

  • Recently, Home Ministry designates Kollam port as Immigration Check Post

Kollam Port:

  • About: Quilon or Kollam, is an old port town on the Arabian Coast. The town was an international emporium of trade in the olden days and now it is known as the cashew bowl of India. 
  • Resources:The beach sands of the Kollam district have concentrations of heavy minerals like Ilmenite, Rutile, Monosite and Zircon, large deposits of China clay in Kundara, Mulavana and Chathannoor. 
    • There are also lime shell and Bauxite deposits which makes it a strategic mining location. 
    • There are a number of traditional industrial units engaged in processing / manufacturing Coir, Cashew, Coconut, Timber, Spices, Starch, Marine Products, Tiles in the hinterland of the port.

Seaport ICP’s in India:

  • About: The MHA had earlier informed a parliamentary panel that India has 31 authorised seaport ICPs and out of those 10 are under the direct control and management of the Bureau of Immigration, MHA.
    • The remaining ICPs are controlled by State police agencies.

 

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Recently, NSAs of India and the U.S. assured the industry that due diligence would be done to resolve any barriers which hold back deeper India- U.S. ties.

Key Highlights of the Meeting

  • Strengthening Export Controls: The U.S. side pressed for strengthening of India’s export controls as well the ease of doing business.
  • Liberalisation of Licensing Requirements: The Indian side pressed for liberalization of licensing requirements for India for more high-tech areas as well as increased funding for research and development.
  • Enhanced Cooperation Agreement: Both countries agreed to enhance cooperation in several areas including Defence technology, Space, Artificial Intelligence, High-Performance Computing, and critical minerals.
  • Strategic Trade and Technology Commitment: Both countries pledged to take tangible steps in the upcoming months to resolve long standing obstacles to bilateral strategic trade, technology, and industrial cooperation, particularly in the commercial and civil space sector.
  • iCET Initiative Leadership: Both National Security Advisors chaired the second meeting of the India-U.S. initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).

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National Security Advisor

  • About: The National Security Adviser is the highest-ranking official on India’s National Security Council and serves as the principal adviser to the Prime Minister on national security policy and international affairs.
  • Role: It advises the Prime Minister of India on a regular basis regarding both internal and external threats and opportunities facing the country. 
    • Additionally, the NSA manages strategic and sensitive matters on behalf of the Prime Minister.
  • Special Representative: The National Security Advisor of India also acts as the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for engagements with China, and serves as the envoy to Pakistan and Israel on security matters.
  • Coordination with the Intelligence Agencies: The NSA gathers and organizes intelligence reports from various agencies (RAW, IB, NTRO, MI, DIA, NIA) to brief the Prime Minister. 
    • The NSA is assisted by Deputy National Security Advisors (Deputy NSAs).

National Security Council

  • About: The National Security Council (NSC) of India plays a pivotal role in advising the Prime Minister on national security matters and strategic interests.
  • Origin: It was instituted by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee of India in 1998, appointing Brajesh Mishra as its first National Security Advisor.
  • Structure: The NSC of India is structured into three tiers, overseeing strategic political, economic, energy, and security issues. 
    • The National Security Advisor (NSA) chairs the NSC and serves as the principal advisor to the Prime Minister.
  • Three Tiers: The NSC includes three tiers: the Strategic Policy Group (SPG), the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), and the National Security Council Secretariat.
    • The SPG, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, serves as the main forum for inter-ministerial coordination and integration of pertinent inputs.
    • The NSAB conducts long-term analysis and offers perspectives on national security issues.
  • Functions: Operating within the Prime Minister’s executive office, it facilitates communication between the government’s executive branch and intelligence services, providing counsel to leadership on intelligence and security matters.
  • Members: Its members include the Ministers of Home Affairs, Defence, External Affairs, and Finance

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Recently, United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) released Sustainable Development Report 2024

About Sustainable Development Solutions Network

  • About: It  works under the UN Secretary-General.
    • It promotes achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement through education, research, policy analysis, and global cooperation.
  • Publication: Since 2016, SDSN has published a Sustainable Development Report each year that reviews the progress of the 193 UN Member States on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key Highlights of Report

  • Global Progress on SDGs: On average, only 16% of SDG targets are on track to be met globally by 2030. SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) are especially lagging behind.
  • Uneven Progress: SDG progress varies widely by country. Nordic nations are leading, BRICS countries are making notable strides, while poor and vulnerable countries are lagging far behind.
    • Finland ranks first, followed by Sweden and Denmark. 
    • India is 109th out of 166 countries, excelling in Poverty Reduction and Quality Education targets but showing declining progress in Sustainable Cities and Climate Action targets.
  • UN-Mi: The new Index of Support to UN-based Multilateralism (UN-Mi) ranks countries by their engagement with the UN system. Barbados is at the top, India is ranked 139th, and the USA is last.
  • Reforming Global Finance for Sustainable Development: Addressing sustainable development is challenging, requiring urgent global financial system reform.
    •  Low and lower-middle-income countries need affordable long-term capital to achieve their goals. 
    • Mobilising adequate finance demands new institutions, global financing mechanisms, and prioritisation of crucial investments like quality education. 
    • The report suggests five strategies to reform Global Financial Architecture effectively.
  • Challenges in Food and Land Systems: SDG targets for food and land systems are notably off-track. The Sustainable Development Report (SDR) introduces new FABLE pathways to support sustainable practices. 
    • Globally, 600 million people still suffer from hunger, obesity rates are rising, and AFOLU sectors contribute nearly a quarter of annual global greenhouse gas emissions.

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Recommendations by UNSDSN

  • Global Cooperation: Ensuring sustainable development remains central to global cooperation through 2050 and requires adequate financing.
  • Strengthening UN Agencies: Enhance the capabilities of UN agencies while implementing systematic monitoring of UN-led multilateral efforts.
  • Global Governance of Technological Risks: Improving global governance of technological risks and ensuring universal access to critical technologies and research and development capacities.
  • United Nations Reforms: Create a UN Parliamentary Assembly and reform the UN Security Council by adding India as a permanent member and adopting procedures to bypass a veto.
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Jal Shakti Ministry launches a portal to ecologically monitor river Ganga during the review of the Namami Gange Mission projects. 

Environmental flows or E-flows Monitoring System

  • About: This system allows real-time analysis of water quality in the Ganga, Yamuna, and their tributaries.
    • It is an integral component of the PRAYAG portal, which monitors water quality and sewage treatment facility performance along the Ganga River.
  • Developed by: The National Mission for Clean Ganga, an arm of the Jal Shakti Ministry.
  • Use: 
    • Water Quality Analysis: It enables Real-time analysis of the water quality of the Ganga, Yamuna, and their tributaries. The river water quality is also monitored at various locations.
    • Monitoring of Namami Ganga Programme: It also allows monitoring of the Namami Gange programme activities at the central level. 
    • Ensuring optimal performance of STP’s: This includes monitoring the performance of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), and ensuring that they operate at their rated capacity.
    • Planning of Projects: This will aid the planning and monitoring of projects, river water quality, and other key parameters

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Need for E-Flow Monitoring Systems

  • Concerns about impeding flow: There were concerns raised by several environmentalist groups that dams along various stretches of the river were impeding its flow and destroying its ecology.
  • Mandate of the Centre: In 2018, the Centre mandated minimum e-flow for various stretches of the Ganga river to be maintained year-round. 
  • Specifications laid down by NMCG: The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) laid down the flow specifications essential for preserving the river’s ecological balance, safeguarding aquatic life, and ensuring sustainability amidst diverse water usage demands.

Namami Ganga Programme

  • The Namami Gange programme is a flagship programme of the Jal Shakti Ministry that involved cleaning the Ganga and now includes its tributaries. 
  • The program would be implemented by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), and its state counterpart organisations i.e State Program Management Groups (SPMGs).
  • Ensure Sustainable flow of Ganga River: It is a significant step towards ensuring the continuous and sustainable flow of the Ganga River.
  • Track Key Parameters: This system is intended to monitor critical parameters of the Ganga river’s flow using data obtained from the Central Water Commission  across 11 projects along the Ganga mainstream.

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Conclusion

Innovative solutions are needed to ensure the Ganga river’s ecological health through effective monitoring and management measures.

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India is planning to start large-scale production of bio-bitumen sourced from biomass or agricultural waste.

CRRI New Initiative 

  • Objective: To reduce the country’s reliance on imported bitumen.
    • It aims to replace these imports with bio-bitumen within the next decade. 
  • The Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) and the Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun, are set to initiate a pilot study on a 1-km road segment constructed using bio-bitumen.

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Central Road Research Institute (CRRI)

  • It is a leading national laboratory. 
  • Establishment: 1952
  • It is located in New Delhi.
  • It focuses on conducting research and development across various road and runway infrastructure. 

About bio-bitumen

  • Bio-bitumen is a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil-fuel-based bitumen.
    • It is petroleum-free 
  • Also known as bio-asphalt. 
  • It is  manufactured from organic materials such as bio-char, bio-oil, and similar substances.
  • It can be used either to supplement bitumen or to lessen the amount of bitumen in the binder mixture.

How is Bio-Bitumen made? 

  • It is a type of asphalt mixture  which is made from lignins derived from various waste materials
    • Lignins are natural biopolymers found in the plant cell wall. 
      • It provides structural support and aids in growth. 
  • Production Process:  bio-bitumen needs heating of waste mixture to around 500°C without oxygen.
    • This process is known as pyrolysis
      • It is similar to charcoal and biochar production
        • It is used in biofuel manufacturing. 

Benefits of Bio-Bitumen

Using bio-based bitumen offers several advantages:

  • Reduced Imports: It helps reduce the dependency on imported bitumen.
  • Environmental Impact: Addresses issues like stubble burning by utilizing organic waste materials.
  • Economic Benefits: Results in substantial savings on foreign exchange.
  • Promotion of Bio-economy: Boosts the bio-economy by encouraging the use of renewable and sustainable resources in construction.

Bio-Bitumen

About Bitumen

  • Bitumen is a black substance derived primarily from crude oil. 
  • It consists of complex hydrocarbons and includes elements such as calcium, iron, sulfur, and oxygen. 
  • Bitumen is renowned for its ability to provide waterproofing and adhesive properties. 
    • It makes it a vital material in the construction sector.

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India’s Current Situation – Bitumen

  • Demand Growth: India’s bitumen consumption has risen notably due to increased road construction activities.
    • Over the past five fiscal years, the annual average consumption has increased to 7.7 million tonnes from 5.94 million tonnes recorded between 2014-15 and 2018-19.
  • Import Dependency: India currently imports approximately half of its annual bitumen requirement.
    • Imports: In the fiscal year 2023-24, India imported 3.21 million tonnes of bitumen.
    • Domestic Production: During the same period, India produced 5.24 million tonnes of bitumen locally.
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Recently, Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report 2024 was released. 

Organizations involved and Highlights

  • This Energy Progress Report 2024 was prepared in collaboration by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), the World Bank, and the World Health Organization (WHO).
  • Energy Progress Report 2024This report highlighted various challenges due to which world is not on track to meet SDG 7 by 2030. 

About Sustainable Development Goal

  • SDGs are also known as  Global Goals. 
  • Adoption: Adopted by the United Nations in 2015
  • The SDGs consist of 17 goals, each of which is further subdivided 169 specific targets.
  • Purpose: To address major global challenges such as poverty, climate change, and health, aiming to ensure peace and prosperity for everyone by 2030.

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Sustainable Development 

  • This development involves meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

About  SDG 7

  • It is a Part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
    • It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015.
  • Goal: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for everyone.
      • Key Targets

        • Universal Access: Achieve universal access to electricity and clean cooking.
        • Energy Efficiency: Double the rate of energy efficiency improvements.
        • Renewable Energy: Significantly increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.  

Sustainable Development Goal & NITI Aayog Role

  • Niti Aayog is a nodal institute for achieving SDGS by 2023
    • The goals are poverty eradication, climate action, healthcare, education, and equality.

Roles of NITI Aayog

    • Dual Mandate: Niti Aayong oversees the implementation and monitoring of SDGs across India. 
      • Apart from it, foster cooperation among Indian states and UTs. 
      • It assesses SDG India Index and Dashboard, Multidimensional Poverty Index, and regional indices, among others. 
    • Technical assistance: For smooth functioning towards SDGs, NITI Aayog engages in promoting mutual learning among states, and evaluating state and UT performances on specific SDG indicators.
  • Focus Areas of SDG 7

    • Affordable and Reliable Energy: Ensure energy is affordable and reliable
    • Renewable Energy: Increase the share of renewables in the global energy mix
    • Energy Efficiency: Enhance energy efficiency
    • International Cooperation: Foster global cooperation and investment in clean energy infrastructure

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Key Findings of the Energy Progress Report 2024

  • Increased Electricity Access Deficit

    • Reversal in Progress: In 2022, the number of people without electricity increased for the first time in over a decade.
    • Current Statistics: 685 million people live without electricity, 10 million more than in 2021.
    • Sub-Saharan Africa: 570 million people in the region lack electricity, representing over 80% of the global population without access.
    • Regional Deficit: The access deficit in Sub-Saharan Africa has worsened compared to 2010 levels.
  • Challenges in Clean Cooking Access

    • Current Statistics: 2.1 billion people still use polluting fuels and technologies for cooking, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
    • Social Impact: Traditional biomass use forces households to spend up to 40 hours a week gathering firewood and cooking, limiting opportunities for women to work and children to attend school.
    • Health Impact: Household air pollution from polluting fuels causes 3.2 million premature deaths annually.
    • Environment: The use of traditional biomass for cooking has significant environmental impacts.
    • Insufficient Efforts: Despite these advancements, current efforts are still not enough to achieve universal access to electricity or clean cooking by 2030.
  • Growth in Renewable Energy

    • Electricity Consumption: Renewable electricity consumption increased by more than 6% in 2021, with renewables now accounting for 28.2% of global electricity consumption.
    • Installed Capacity: In 2022, installed renewable energy capacity reached a new high of 424 watts per capita globally.
    • Disparities: Developed countries have 1,073 watts per capita of installed capacity, which is 3.7 times more than the 293 watts per capita in developing countries.
  • Energy Efficiency Improvements

    • Recent Progress: Energy intensity improved by 0.8% in 2021, slightly better than the 0.6% improvement in 2020.
    • Economic Impact: The slow progress occurred despite a strong economic recovery post-COVID-19, which saw the largest annual rise in energy consumption in 50 years.
    • Future Requirements: To meet the SDG 7.3 target, annual improvements need to accelerate to over 3.8% by 2030.
      • Energy Efficiency: The current improvement rate is only 2.3%, which is insufficient to meet the SDG 7 target.
  • Financial Support for Clean Energy

    • Rebound in Funding: International public financial flows for clean energy in developing countries increased to USD 15.4 billion in 2022, a 25% rise from 2021.
    • Historical Context: This is still about half of the 2016 peak of USD 28.5 billion

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India’s progress towards SDG 7

Indian initiated major initiatives to progress towards SDG 7

  • Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY): It promotes clean cooking fuel.  
  • National Action Plan on Climate Change: This scheme drives investment towards clean energy. 
  • Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY): This scheme aims for rural electrification. 
  • Swachh Bharat Mission: This mission aims to end open defecation, enhance solid waste management, and establish villages free from open defecation.
  • Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana: This Yojana facilitates access to affordable housing for the low and moderate-income earners who are residents of India.
  • National Clean Air Programme :  This program targets to tackle air pollution problems across the country in a comprehensive manner.

 

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India’s first joint doctrine for cyberspace operations was released by the Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan at a meeting of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.

Global Commons

  • Global Commons are defined as natural assets which are outside national jurisdictions.
  • They are resource domains to which all nations have legal access and are not under the control of a particular state but are open for use by all countries, organizations, and individuals.
    • Examples: High Seas, atmosphere, outer space and the Antarctic.
  • Shared sovereignty: A global common is not an absence of sovereignty but rather shared global sovereignty.
  • Reason for exceptions to the state sovereignty principle: 
    • Ungovernable domains : Countries lack the capacity to realistically govern and exercise control over these inaccessible or otherwise ubiquitous domains all  by themselves.
    • International Conflict: Multiple claims over such domains have the potential to spark off international conflict
    • Mutual interest: Countries will be mutually benefited  in free use and access of these domains.

Key Highlights On India’s First Joint Doctrine for Cyberspace Operations

  • A guiding tool:  It is a keystone publication that will guide commanders of the armed forces in conducting cyberspace operations in today’s complex military operating environment.
  • The Doctrine emphasizes on: Importance will be placed on understanding military aspects of cyberspace operations and providing conceptual guidance for planning, and conduct of operations in cyberspace, as also to raise awareness in our warfighters at all levels.

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Why is a Joint Doctrine for Cyberspace Doctrine Needed?

  • Integration between the forces: The Joint Doctrine will enable Jointness and Integration amongst the forces for Cyberspace Operations.
  • Integrated into national security fabric: Operations in cyberspace need to be integrated  into the national security fabric, to evolve the ‘ends,’ ‘ways’ and ‘means’ to create advantage and influence events in all other operational environments and across all instruments of power
  • Shared sovereignty: Cyberspace is a global common and hence has shared sovereignty, therefore a common, collaborative and integrated doctrine is needed to deal with the risk of cyberspace warfare.
  • Widespread impacts: Hostile actions in cyberspace can impact the nation’s economy, cohesion, political decision making, and the ability to defend itself.

Cyberspace Warfare

  • About: Cyber warfare involves the hostile actions by a nation-state or international organization or Non-state actors  with the intention of disrupting, damaging, or destroying another nation’s computers or information networks infrastructure through, for example, computer viruses or denial-of-service attacks.

Joint Doctrine For Cyberspace Operations

Motivations for Cyber Warfare

  • Military: An effective cyberattack could bring an enemy country’s military to its knees by incapacitating its weaponry systems and hacking its communication network, securing an easy victory.
    • Example: A copy of Remote Manipulator System (RMS), a utilities software tool that enables remote control of devices, was being distributed in Ukraine via fake “Evacuation Plan” emails. 
  • Civil: Attacking the civil infrastructure of a nation directly impacts the people of the country causing widespread political instability by instilling fear and distrust for the leadership causing them to revolt against the government.
    • Example: In March 2014, Russia levied a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack on Ukraine and also crippled Ukraine’s election commission.
  • Hacktivism: Hacktivism involves hackers using cyberattacks to promote an ideology. Hacktivists can engage in cyber warfare by spreading propaganda and weakening an opponent’s standing on the world stage, precluding support from other countries.
    • Example: An attack on Sony Pictures followed the release of the film “The Interview”, which presented a negative portrayal of Kim Jong Un.
  • Income generation: Cyber warfare “soldiers” can engage in such attacks for monetary benefits whether employed by the government, or for their own ulterior motives.
    • Example: In 2015, Chinese hackers stole millions of records from the United States’ Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
  • Nonprofit research: Nonprofit research often reveals very valuable information that a country can use to solve a critical problem. For example:  if a country is trying to develop a vaccine and another one already has it, cyber warfare could be used to steal information pertaining to their solution.

Response to Cyber Warfare

  • Conducting Risk Assessments with Cyber Wargames: A real life wargame can test the response  to a cyber warfare scenario, expose gaps in defenses, and improve cooperation between entities. It will be a learning tool for the defenderson how to act quickly to protect critical infrastructure and save lives
  • Layered Defense Approach: A layered defense approach includes,
    • Securing the cyber ecosystem
    • Raising awareness for cybersecurity
    • Promoting open standards for combating cyber threats
    • Implementing a national cybersecurity assurance framework
    • Working with private organizations to improve their cybersecurity capabilities
  • Securing Private sector: Businesses need a set of measures to ensure corporate cybersecurity, which can also promote national security by, 
    • Create obstacles to breaching the network
    • Use web application firewalls (WAF) to quickly detect, investigate, and block malicious traffic
    • Quickly respond to a breach and restore business operations
    • Facilitate cooperation between the public and private sectors
    • Use local hackers as a resource to help protect against foreign cyber threats.

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India’s Government Initiatives for Cybersecurity

  • The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In): The CERT-In plays the central role for incident response, vulnerability handling, and security management in India’s cyberspace
  • Cyber Surakshit Bharat: It was launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) with National Electronic Governance Division (NeGD)  to ensure more awareness about the latest cybercrimes and the cybersecurity challenges of India.
  • Cyber Swachhta Kendra: The initiative focuses on detecting and removing malicious botnet programs from computers and devices. It provides free tools for malware analysis and helps improve the security of systems and devices.
  • National Cybersecurity Policy 2020: It provides a framework for creating a secure cyber ecosystem and aims to protect information and other critical infrastructure.
  • The National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC): It  was established for the protection of critical information infrastructure in the country.
  • Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): It focuses on tackling all the issues related to Cybercrime for the citizens, which includes improving coordination between various Law Enforcement Agencies and the stakeholders, and to improve citizen satisfaction levels.

 

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Q. Cyber warfare is considered by some defense analysts to be a larger threat than even Al Qaeda or terrorism. What do you understand by Cyber warfare? Outline the cyber threats which India is vulnerable to and bring out the state of the country’s preparedness to deal with the same. (200 words, 10 Marks)

 

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The 18th Lok Sabha will hold its first session from June 24 to July 3, during which the new Speaker of the House will be elected. 

  • Also, Senior Congress leader K Suresh, as the seniormost member of the Lok Sabha, is expected to be appointed pro tem Speaker. 

About Pro tem Speaker

  • Refers: ‘Pro-tem’ essentially means ‘for the time being’ or ‘temporarily’.
  • Mentioned in: The Constitution does not mention the post. However, the official ‘Handbook on the Working of Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs’ speaks about the ‘Appointment and Swearing in of Speaker pro tem’.
  • Appointment: Pro tem Speaker is appointed by the President. 
    • The handbook states when the Speaker post falls vacant before a new Lok Sabha, “the duties of the Speaker are to be performed by a Member of the House appointed for this purpose by the President as Speaker pro tem”.
  • Time Allocation: Since the session of the Lok Sabha starts at 11 am, the time generally fixed for swearing in of the Speaker pro tem is in the morning of the same day at 9:30 am, subject to the convenience of the President.
  • Duties: Administering Oaths to the new MPs: The Speaker pro tem then administers the oath/affirmation to the newly elected members with the help of the other three members. 
    • Three other elected members of the Lok Sabha are also appointed by the President for the MPs to take oath before them. 

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  • Under Article 99 of the Constitution, “Every Member of the House shall, before taking his seat, make and subscribe before the President or some person appointed in that behalf by him, an oath or affirmation according to the form set out for the purpose in the Third Schedule of the Constitution.”
      • According to the handbook, the senior most members (in terms of number of years of membership of the House) are generally chosen for the purpose, though there have been exceptions.

Identification for Senior Most Members

  • A list of the seniormost Lok Sabha members has been prepared and is submitted to the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs or the Prime Minister for identifying an MP as Speaker pro-tem and another three members for oath-taking.
  • After the Prime Minister’s approval, the consent of these members is obtained by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, generally over the telephone. 
  • The Minister then submits a note to the President, seeking approval for the appointment of the Speaker pro tem and the other three members. 
  • They also decide the date and time of the swearing-in ceremony.

About Speaker

  • Rules for Election: The rules for electing the Speaker are laid down in Article 93 of the Constitution. 
    • The Speaker’s post falls vacant just before the new Lok Sabha meets for the first time.
    • Until his/her selection, the pro tem Speaker is chosen to administer some important duties. 

Article 94 of the Indian Constitution

  • It states that whenever the House of the People is dissolved, the Speaker shall not vacate his office until immediately before the first meeting of the House of the People after the dissolution.
  • Criteria for Appointment: There are no criteria as such for a Speaker to be appointed.
    • A Lok Sabha Speaker is elected by a simple majority. This means more than half of the members present in the house have to vote for a particular candidate to become the Speaker of Lok Sabha.
  • Duties and Powers: 
    • Responsible for running the House.
    • Decides the agenda for parliamentary meetings.
    • Allows motions such as adjournments, and no-confidence, to name a few
    • To punish unruly behaviour and even disqualify members on grounds of defection under the 10th schedule of the Constitution.
    • In case of any dispute regarding the rules of the House, the Speaker interprets and applies these rules, which cannot be challenged. 
    • Being the Presiding Officer of the Lok Sabha, the Speaker has to fulfil certain key duties related to its day-to-day proceedings.
  • Exhibit Quality of Non-Partisan: Since the House has members from ruling and opposition parties, the Speaker’s chair has to be non-partisan.
    • The role assumes even more significance since the Speaker is also an elected member of the Lok Sabha, representing a particular party. 
    • Yet, there were some occasions when Speakers quit the party before assuming the role. 
      • Example: N Sanjiva Reddy resigned from the Congress after he was elected Speaker of the fourth Lok Sabha in March 1967.

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Few Important Points that need to be Know about the Speaker

Before Independence

  • The post of the Speaker of the Central Legislative Assembly witnessed a contest on six occasions between 1925 and 1946.
  • In 1925: Elections to choose the Speaker of the Central Legislative Assembly (the lower house of the then Imperial Legislative Council – the legislature of British India) were held for the first time on August 24. 
    • Swaraj Party leader Vitthalbhai J Patel, the first non-official member, won the election against T Rangachariar.
  • In 1930: Patel was re-elected to the post unanimously in 1927. However, he quit the post on April 28, 1930 following a call for Civil Disobedience by Mahatma Gandhi. 
    • Sir Muhammad Yakub won the Speaker’s election in 1930.
  • In 1933: Sir Ibrahim Rahimtoola won the Speaker’s election. However, he resigned on health grounds on March 7, 1933. 
    • He was succeeded by Shanmukham Chetty on March 14, 1933 as the unanimous choice.
  • In 1935: Sir Abdur Rahim was elected as the Speaker of the Fifth Assembly. 
    • Rahim held the office for more than 10 years as the tenure of the fifth Legislative Assembly was extended from time to time on account of the contemplated constitutional changes and World War II.
  • In 1946: The last contest for the post of the Central Legislative Assembly Speaker was held on January 24, 1946 and GV Mavalankar won the election.
    • Mavalankar was subsequently appointed as the Speaker of the Constituent Assembly and the Provisional Parliament that came into being after the Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950.
    • Mavalankar continued to be the Speaker of the Provisional Parliament till April 17, 1952 when the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were constituted after the first general elections.

Uncontested since Independence

  • Since Independence, Lok Sabha Speakers have been chosen by consensus between both the ruling and opposition parties. 
    • Only MA Ayyangar, GS Dhillon, Balram Jakhar and GMC Balayogi have been re-elected to the Speaker’s posts in the subsequent Lok Sabhas.
      • In 1956, Ayyangar, the first Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha, was chosen as the Speaker following the death of Mavalankar. He was chosen as the Speaker of the 2nd Lok Sabha too.
      • Dhillon was chosen as the Speaker of the 4th and 5th Lok Sabha. 
      • Jakhar was Speaker of the seventh and the 8th Lok Sabhas and holds the distinction of being the only presiding officer to complete two full terms.
      • Balayogi was chosen as the Speaker of the 12th Lok Sabha and the 13th Lok Sabha. 
  • The Speaker of the Lok Sabha has always been elected without any contest since Independence.
    • So, if the Opposition INDIA bloc forces an election for the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha on June 26, it would be the first such instance in the history of Independent India.

 

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Recently, Scientists have found evidence with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) tools that elephants have their own names that they use to address each other. 

More on News

  • The study, ‘African elephants address one another with individually specific name-like calls’, was published in the journal Nature on June 10. 
  • It was carried out by Michael Pardo, Kurt Fristrup and George Wittemyer of Colorado State University (US), David Lolchuragi and Iain Douglas-Hamilton of Save The Elephants (Kenya), Joyce Poole and Petter Granl of ElephantVoices (Norway), and Cynthia Moss of Amboseli Elephant Research Project (Kenya)

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Key Findings of the Study

  • Role of Artificial Intelligence: Due to their complexity, which often eludes human auditory detection, artificial intelligence played a vital role in analysing these rumbles.
  • Recognition of Individual Calls: The study assisted by AI uncovered that these rumbles include a distinct component resembling names, allowing elephants to identify and react to individual calls.
  • Analysis of Elephant Vocalizations: Researchers analysed vocalisations, primarily rumbles produced by elephants using their vocal cords, akin to human speech, emitted in Amboseli National Park (Southern Kenya) and Samburu National Reserve (Northern Kenya).
  • Unique Naming Behaviour: Dolphins and parrots mimic their own species’ sounds to communicate, whereas elephants are the first non-human animals observed using distinctive names that are not imitations.
  • Vocal Communication: Elephants learn to link specific sounds with individual elephants, enabling them to directly communicate and capture the attention of particular individuals through distinct vocalisations.
  • Social Bonds: Elephants’ social bonds are crucial, allowing them to maintain multiple relationships within their groups effectively.
  • Behaviour of Elephants: Elephants are known for their intelligence, which includes impressive memory, problem-solving skills, and complex ways of communicating. 
    • They use various behaviours—visual, acoustic (related to sound), and tactile (related to touch)—to interact with each other. Previous research has studied these interactions, especially during greetings.

Elephants

  • About: They are  keystone species that play a crucial role in preserving the balance and health of forest ecosystems. They possess the largest brain size among terrestrial animals.
  • Leadership: The oldest female leads the group in foraging for food and water.
  • Reproduction: The gestation period for the breeding pair lasts approximately 22 months, resulting in the birth of a single calf. During birth, female members of the herd encircle the mother for her protection.
  • Grazers: Elephants play a vital role as grazers and browsers, consuming substantial amounts of vegetation daily and dispersing seeds, which supports plant reproduction and growth.
  • Impact on Asian Landscape: Elephants shape the dense vegetation of the Asian landscape by creating clearings in forests, facilitating sunlight access to seedlings and fostering natural forest regeneration.
  • Water Acess: Elephants also dig for water when surface water is scarce, creating access to water for themselves and other creatures.

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Project Elephant:

  • About: Project Elephant, launched in February 1992, is a government initiative supported by the Central Government of India.
    • It focuses on safeguarding and effectively managing elephant populations in states where wild elephants roam freely.
  • Objectives:
    • Conservation Planning: Implementing science-based strategies to protect elephants.
    • Combatting Illegal Trade: Preventing the illicit trafficking of elephant tusks and shielding elephants from hunters and poachers.
    • Preventing Deaths: Implementing measures to reduce unnatural causes of elephant mortality in India.
    • Restoring Habitats: Rehabilitating natural elephant habitats and migration routes.
    • Reducing Conflict: Mitigating conflicts between humans and elephants in shared areas.
    • Managing Human Activities: Regulating human and livestock activities in elephant habitats to minimize disruptions.

 

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The recent actions of the Indian Prime Minister and the Government have raised concerns regarding the principles of constitutional Morality enshrined in the Indian Constitution.

Recent Concerning Actions taken by the Indian Prime Minister and the Government

  • Pre-emptive Action on Welfare Schemes: 
    • Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi: The Prime Minister approved the seventeenth instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, the farmers’ welfare scheme, for ₹20,000 crore, before the allocation of ministerial portfolios.
      • Such a scheme will be under the Ministry of Agriculture with its working regulated by the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure.
    • Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana: Cabinet Actions Without Portfolios: The first cabinet, which met without the allocation of portfolios, also took the decision “to provide assistance to three crore additional rural and urban households for the Construction of houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana”. 

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Adoption of the Parliamentary Democracy in India

  • Adoption of Parliamentary Democracy: B.R. Ambedkar and his fellow framers wisely chose the parliamentary system over the presidential system to pitch for responsibility in governance.
  • Reason for Adoption:
    • Towards More Responsibility: A Parliamentary Executive being more dependent upon a majority in Parliament becomes more responsible.
      • While, a non-Parliamentary Executive being independent of Parliament tends to be less responsible to the Legislature.
    • Accountability: It was hoped that the assessment of responsibility of the executive is both daily and periodic.
      • Daily Assessment: It is done by Members of Parliament in the form of 
        • Questions , 
        • Resolutions , 
        • No-confidence motions, 
        • Adjournment motions and 
        • Debates on addresses. 
      • Periodic Assessment: It is done by the electorate every five years. Thus, the framers preferred “more responsibility to more stability”.
  • Extension of Tenures: 
    • National Security Adviser and the Principal Secretary: extended tenure Without reconstituting the Cabinet Committee after the formation of the new government.
    • This was done under the garb of the old “Appointments Committee of the Cabinet”, which, incidentally, comprises the Prime Minister and the Home Minister.
  • Shift in Power and Cabinet Functioning: In recent times, the functioning of the Government of India shows a complete negation of the cabinet system and collective responsibility to the President and Parliament. 
    • There is an extraordinary amassing of power in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) which is destroying the constitutional basis of “more responsibility”.
  • Business Rules: Pertinently, the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, as they stand today, allocate only business to the PMO — “To provide Secretarial Assistance to the PM”. 
    • On the contrary, they provide that “The business of the Government of India shall be transacted in the Ministries, Departments, Secretariats and Offices specified in the First Schedule to these Rules”. 
  • Cabinet Secretariat: The distribution of subjects is provided in the Second Schedule. Even the Cabinet Secretariat is only to provide “Secretarial assistance to the Cabinet and Cabinet Committees” and enforce the “Rules of Business”.
      • Impact: These actions demonstrate a significant departure from constitutional principles and accountability. 

What is Constitutional Morality?

  • About: In terms of India, constitutional morality is termed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, referring to respect and adherence to the Constitution and its principles. 
      • The term, constitutional morality was first coined by British historian George Grote in his twelve-volume work, A History of Greece. 
    • It means to follow the Constitution in spirit, not just in words, and to uphold values such as justice, freedom, equality, and brotherhood that the Constitution stands for. 
      • The discretionary power of the state and the principle of non-discrimination are closely associated with the concept of constitutional morality. 
  • Pillars: It comprises following pillars
    • Core Values such as justice, liberty, equality, fraternity, secularism, and dignity
    • Rule of Law
    • Democratic Principles
    • Fundamental Rights
    • Separation of Powers
    • Checks and Balances
    • Constitutional Interpretation
    • Ethical Governance to ensure transparency, accountability, and integrity in public service
  • Constitutional Provisions: Though the term constitutional morality is not explicitly used in the Indian Constitution, it is deeply embedded in several of its sections:
    • Preamble: It outlines the principles that underpin our democracy, including justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
    • Fundamental Rights: It safeguards individuals’ rights against the arbitrary use of state power. Notably, the Supreme Court allows for the enforcement of these rights under Article 32.
    • Directive Principles: They provide guidelines for the state to pursue the goals set by the constitution’s framers, drawing from Gandhian, socialist, and liberal intellectual philosophies.
    • Fundamental Duties: Alongside their rights, citizens also have responsibilities to the nation.
    • Checks and Balances: It includes judicial review of legislative and executive actions, legislative oversight of the executive, etc.
    • Others: The principles of Rule of Law, separation of powers, and the independence of the judiciary, all inherently uphold the essence of Constitutional Morality, safeguarding democracy and fostering good governance.
      • To Ensure Constitutional Morality: Article 77, provides that the President shall make rules for the more convenient transaction of the business of the Government of India, and for the allocation among Ministers of the said business.
      • The Indian Constitution upholds the principles of democracy, secularism, and social justice, and reflects the country’s commitment to upholding constitutional morality.
      • As per Article 74 of the Indian Constitution, there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President who shall, in the exercise of his functions, act in accordance with such advice.
  • Supreme Court’s Viewpoints: The Supreme Court has emphasised in numerous judgments that constitutional morality entails upholding individual dignity, promoting good governance, and preventing the arbitrary use of power.
    • Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973): In this landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India laid down the ‘basic structure doctrine,’ which holds that the Parliament cannot amend the basic structure of the Constitution.
      • The court recognized Constitutional Morality as an essential component of the basic structure, protecting the fundamental values and principles enshrined in the Constitution.
    • SP Gupta Case (First Judges Case), 1982: The Supreme Court labelled a constitutional breach as a severe violation of constitutional morality.
    • Manoj Narula v. Union of India, 2014: The Supreme Court stated that “Constitutional Morality means to bow down to the norms of the Constitution and not act in a manner which would become violative of the rule of law of action in an arbitrary manner.
    • Krishnamoorthy Case, 2015: The Supreme Court emphasised that constitutional morality is essential for good governance.
    • The Union of India vs. Government of the NCT of Delhi Case: It was ruled that high-ranking officials must adhere to constitutional morality and uphold the ideals outlined in the Constitution to prevent the arbitrary use of authority.
      • In the Government of NCT of Delhi Case, 2018, the Supreme Court likened constitutional morality to a “second basic structure doctrine”, emphasising its role in curbing arbitrary authority.
    • Navtej Singh Johar & Ors. vs. Union of India Case: The Supreme Court held that Section 377 infringed upon the rights of the LGBTQI community and violated the fundamental values of individual dignity as enshrined in Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution.
    • Justice K S Puttaswamy and Anr. vs. Union of India and Ors. Case: The Supreme Court confirmed the constitutional validity of Aadhaar with certain restrictions, underscoring the role of courts in checking executive abuse of power.
      • In the Justice K S Puttaswamy case (2018), the Court reiterated its duty to uphold constitutional morality by nullifying any law or executive action that contravenes the constitution.

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Some Notable Examples of Upholding Constitutional Morality

  • India: The Indian Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the practice of triple talaq, which was deemed unconstitutional and violated the fundamental rights of Muslim women.
    • Naz Foundation v. Government of NCT of Delhi, 2009): The Delhi High Court decriminalized consensual homosexual acts between adults, invoking the principle of Constitutional Morality.
      • The court held that criminalising homosexuality violates the fundamental rights to equality (Article 14), freedom of expression (Article 19), and life and personal liberty (Article 21) enshrined in the Constitution.
      • The court emphasised the need for Constitutional Morality to promote inclusiveness, plurality, and tolerance.
  • USA: The United States Supreme Court’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage, which upheld the principles of equality and non-discrimination enshrined in the constitution.
  • South Africa: The South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was established to uphold constitutional morality by promoting accountability, reconciliation, and healing in a post-apartheid society.

Significance of Constitutional Morality

  • Forms a Balance: Constitutional Morality forms a balance between respecting the laws of the land and maintaining individual rights and freedoms. 
  • Backbone of the Constitution: Constitutional Morality forms the backbone of the Constitution, serving as a compass for its interpretation and application.
  • Essential for Democracy: Upholding constitutional morality is essential for the functioning of a democratic society, as it ensures that the rule of law is maintained, and the rights and freedoms of citizens are protected.

Challenges for Constitutional Morality

  • Need to be Built-up: In words of B.R. Ambedkar, “Constitutional morality is not a natural sentiment. It has to be cultivated. We must realize that our people have yet to learn it. Democracy in India is only top-dressing on Indian soil, which is essentially undemocratic.”
  • Constitutional Dictatorship: B.R. Ambedkar did warn that Bhakti in life is good for the salvation of the soul. But in politics, it is the sure path to dictatorship. 
    • What we are witnessing is constitutional dictatorship, something that the framers were strongly against.
  • Lack of Clarity:  The concept of constitutional morality is not clearly defined and also it is unclear what is the extent to which individuals can be taught to uphold the moral principles outlined in the Constitution and behave more ethically toward their obligations?
    • Example: In certain instances, like for instance the issue of the entry of menstruating women into the Sabarimala temple, what non-discriminatory or balanced strategy should be used?
  • Allegations of Bianess: There are various alleged misuse of police or investigating agencies to put pressure on opposition. 
  • Impact on Democracy: There may be use of absolute power affecting the notion of constitutional morality in a parliamentary democracy.
  • Judicial Overreach: If this doctrine is used without limits or restrictions, it could lead to judicial overreach, which is the violation of the separation of powers.
  • Selective Application: There have been several instances where constitutional morality has been selectively applied to certain groups or issues, undermining the principle of impartiality and the rule of law.

Ways to Uphold Constitutional Morality

  • Uphold the principles of justice, equality, and liberty enshrined in the constitution, and promote policies that reflect these values.
  • Uphold the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens and ensure that they are protected against any infringement.
  • Respect the democratic process and ensure that it is transparent, participatory, and accountable.
  • Educate citizens about the importance of upholding constitutional morality.
  • Citizens should be encouraged to actively participate in the political process and hold their elected officials accountable.
  • Defining the holistic meaning of constitutional morality could make this a standard, especially in cases where the rights and liberties of individuals are pitted against religious or cultural practices.
  • Strong and independent institutions, such as the judiciary and the press are needed to play a vital role in upholding constitutional morality.
  • Time has come to foster a cooperative environment where the opposition can effectively scrutinize government actions, propose constructive alternatives, and represent diverse societal interests, promoting a more transparent and accountable government.

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Conclusion

Constitutional Morality, though not explicitly stated in the text of the Constitution, is an inherent philosophical concept that governs its operation and interpretation. It embodies the spirit and ethos of the Constitution, ensuring adherence to its core principles and maintaining a balance between individual rights, governmental authority, and the pursuit of social justice.

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What is meant by the term ‘constitutional morality’? How does one uphold constitutional morality? (150 words, 10 Marks)

 

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