Context: The National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the estimates of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the July-September quarter (Q2) of 2023-24, both at Constant (2011-12) and Current Prices.

What is the current status of India’s GDP?

• Real GDP: India’s GDP had grown by 7.6% to attain a level of ₹41.74 lakh crore in Q2 which means that the real GDP (GDP at constant price) in Q2 of FY24 (Financial Year 2023-24) is 7.6% more than what it was in the same period of FY23.
• Nominal GDP: GDP at Current Prices in Q2 FY24 is estimated at ₹71.66 lakh crore, as against ₹65.67 lakh crore in Q2 FY23, showing a growth of 9.1%.
• The agriculture, livestock, forestry & fishing industry recorded a growth of 1.2% in Q2 FY24.
• Mining & quarrying grew 10% in Q2 FY24 against contraction of 0.1% in Q2FY23. 
• Manufacturing sector grew 13.9% after seeing a contraction of 3.8% in Q2FY23.
• Consumer demand, which is a pivotal contributor constituting about 60% of GDP growth grew 3.13%.
• Government’s final consumption expenditure grew 12.4%. 
• Exports witnessed a growth of 4.32% annually in Q2 FY24.

Significance:

• Optimistic Outlook: The impressive level of economic growth has triggered upward revisions in the GDP forecast for the full financial year. The upside growth has given hope that India’s economic recovery is now gathering momentum.

• Accuracy of RBI’s Forecast: At the start of the financial year, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) forecasted a full-year GDP growth rate of 6.5%.
• Impact on Interest Rates: This implies that RBI may not cut interest rates sooner than expected. 

News Source: IE

Also Read: GDP Of Indian States: State-Wise GDP Of India 2023

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Context: UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) released a study on the sidelines of the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) which underscores the critical need for targeted efforts to address vulnerabilities in agrifood systems.

Is Agriculture most climate affected sector, as per the UN FAO findings on climate impact?

• According to the study, agrifood systems and the communities that support and depend on them are on the front lines of loss and damage linked to climate change.
• Agriculture is the climate-affected sector globally, with 40% of countries reporting economic losses explicitly linked to it.
• About 35% of current climate action plans explicitly refer to loss and damage, with agriculture being identified as the single most impacted area.
• Critical Need for Targeted Efforts: To address vulnerabilities in agrifood systems that play pivotal roles in livelihoods and sustainable development. 
  • For instance, in 2020, the agrifood sector employed over 866 million people globally and represented a turnover of $3.6 trillion.
• Non-economic Losses: Among countries reporting on loss and damage, 33% of non-economic losses are related to the agricultural sector.

Emirates Declaration:

• It was announced at a special session of the World Climate Action Summit.
• Commitment: It commits 134 countries to integrating food into their climate plans (NDCs) by 2025. 
  • This marks the first time in UN climate talks that countries have made a clear commitment to take action on the global food system.

Significance: The countries also included those with the highest food systems-related greenhouse gas emissions like Brazil, China, and the European Union.

• Technical Cooperation: COP28 and a group of partners announced a collaborative effort to offer countries quality technical cooperation and to help deliver on the objectives of the Declaration. 
  • The partners pledged more than USD$200 million, while also committing to increase coordination across their wider portfolios.

News Source: DTE

Also Read: COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai: Key Highlights, Themes, and India’s Role

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Context:  Recently, the Global Drought Snapshot report was released by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) coinciding with COP 28. 

What are the key highlights of the Global Drought Snapshot 2023?

• The Global Drought Snapshot report highlighted that only a few hazards claim more lives, cause more economic loss, and affect more sectors of society than drought. 
• According to UNCCD, 1.84 billion people were drought-stricken, out of which 4.7 percent were exposed to severe or extreme drought. 
• According to the World Bank, around 85% of people affected by droughts live in low or middle-income countries.
• Around 23 countries (including India) declared drought emergencies at a national or sub-national level during 2022-23, according to new data from a global drought map compiled by the United Nations.  
• The year 2023 has broken records when the world breached 2 degrees Celsius of warming on November 17, 2023.

About Drought:

• Drought: It is a prolonged dry period in the natural climate cycle that can occur anywhere in the world. Features: It is a slow-onset disaster characterized by the lack of precipitation, resulting in a water shortage. 
• Impact: Droughts have a cascading effect ranging from dwindling reservoir levels, declining crop yields, loss of biological diversity, and famines to serious economic consequences, especially in agriculture-dependent regions. 

What are the key findings of the Global Drought Snapshot 2023?

• An emergency was declared in 23 countries due to the impact of drought.  
  • Asia: India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and China. 
  • Europe: Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, Greece, Portugal, Romania and Serbia.
  • North America: the United States and Canada also declared drought emergencies.
  • South American: Uruguay. 
  • Africa: Niger, Djibouti, Cabo Verde and Mauritania, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. 
  • Other countries: Including Kiribati, Marshal Islands, and Tuvalu. 

News Source: DTE

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Context: The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government has set aside 1,700 hectares of land along with the Bundelkhand Expressway for setting up solar energy plants.

Solar Expressway: UP’s Vision for Sustainable Expressway Network

• UP Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) is creating the project blueprint. It will play a vital role in the development of the Bundelkhand area.
• UP is looking at powering other expressways in the state, including Purvanchal Expressway, Agra-Lucknow Expressway,  Gorakhpur Link Expressway, etc. with solar energy. 
• The UP government is setting up brownfield and greenfield solar and thermal energy projects across the state in the backdrop of peak hour energy demand breaching the 28,000 MW mark.

About Bundelkhand Expressway:

• It is a four-lane expressway that will link the Bundelkhand area from the national capital Delhi through the Agra-Lucknow Expressway and Yamuna Expressway.
• Aim: Promoting green and renewable energy, and bolstering the e-vehicle charging infrastructure.

What is the significance of the Solar Expressway?

• It will cater to the energy needs of the houses along the expressway and serve as a foundation for e-mobility and local socioeconomic development.
• The use of solar energy will cut down on carbon emissions and save on energy costs.
• It will generate a significant amount of green energy thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 
• It will further lead to economic growth in terms of enhanced open grid access.

News Source: Business Standard

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Context: Pakistan has recently defeated India in an election at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) executive board for the Vice Chair post.

What are the key highlights of UNESCO’s 218th Session?

• UNESCO Executive Board’s 218th Session: Unesco’s executive board held its 218th session in Paris, during which elections were conducted.
• Vote Tally: Pakistan’s candidate secured victory with 38 votes, while India’s candidate received 18 votes in the election.
• Asia Pacific Group: Pakistan secures the position of vice chair for the UNESCO Executive Board for 2023-2025 from the Asia Pacific Group.

About UNESCO

• Aim: It promotes peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication, and information.
• Establishment: Specialized agency of the United Nations, established on November 16, 1945.
• Headquarters: Located in Paris, France.
• Membership: The Organization has 194 Members and 12 Associate Members.

UNESCO Governance

• General Conference: The General Conference comprises the representatives of UNESCO’s Member States. It meets every two years.
  • Voting: One vote per country, irrespective of size or budget contribution.
  • Languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish.
  • Responsibilities:
    • Determines policies and Main work lines.
    • Set programs and UNESCO budget.
    • Elects Executive Board members.
    • Appoints Director-General every four years.
• Executive Board: It oversees UNESCO’s overall management.
  • Composition: Fifty-eight members elected by the General Conference, representing diverse cultures and regions.
  • Meetings: Biannual sessions to address UNESCO’s governance.
  • Term: 4 Years
• Secretariat: The Secretariat is the Executive Branch of the organization. It consists of the Director-General and the Staff appointed by him or her.

India and UNESCO

• Membership: India has been a member of UNESCO since 1946.
• Principal Coordinating Body: The Indian National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO (INCCU) serves as the principal body facilitating collaboration between India and UNESCO, as mandated by the UNESCO constitution.
• Leadership in Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH):
• • India holds a significant role in UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) for the 2022-2026 cycle.
• Recognition of Durga Puja: Durga Puja in Kolkata was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Also Read: Shantiniketan Added to World Heritage Site, and Karnataka’s Sacred Ensembles of Hoysala on UNESCO Heritage List

News Source: Livemint

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Context: Recently, the Indian delegation attended the 91st Interpol General Assembly in Vienna, Austria.

About 91st Interpol General Assembly in Vienna

• Centennial Celebration: 2023 commemorates Interpol’s 100-year anniversary, a significant milestone in international law enforcement.
• Hosted in Vienna: The special General Assembly takes place in Vienna, Austria, acknowledging the city’s historical significance as Interpol’s birthplace in 1923.

Indian Delegation at 91st Interpol General Assembly

• Denial of Safe Havens: India advocates that Interpol member countries deny safe havens to criminals and the proceeds of crime.
• Deportation and Extradition Success: India celebrates the achievement of deporting or extraditing 24 criminals and fugitives using Interpol channels.
• Increased Cooperation Against Transnational Threats: To enhance coordination through Interpol channels to combat organized crime, terrorism, drug trafficking, money laundering, online radicalization, and cyber-enabled financial crimes.
  • The collective effort seeks to prevent these crimes in real time, showcasing a commitment to proactive security measures.
• Support for Interpol Initiatives: India expressed support for Interpol’s Vision 2030 and the creation of the Interpol Future Council.

What is the Interpol?

• The International Criminal Police Organization is an inter-governmental organization with 195 member countries.
  • Goal: Help police in all member countries work together to make the world safer.
  • Function: It enables members to share and access data on crimes and criminals, offering technical and operational support.
• India and Interpol: India joined Interpol in 1949 and is one of its oldest members.
• Red Notice (Wanted Persons): A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. 
• Other Notices by Interpol:
  • Yellow: Missing persons
  • Blue: Additional information
  • Black Notice: Unidentified bodies
  • Green Notice: Warnings and intelligence
  • Orange notice: Imminent threat
  • Purple Notice: Modus operandi

What are the key highlights of India’s engagement with Interpol?

• CBI’s Central Role: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) serves as India’s National Central Bureau for Interpol, coordinating international police cooperation for Indian law enforcement via Interpol channels.
• Engagement: India hosted the 90th Interpol General Assembly in Delhi (October 2022).
  • Key Resolutions and Initiatives: The assembly passed resolutions strengthening collaborative responses against financial crime, corruption, and online child sexual exploitation.
• Global Influence:
  • During the Delhi Session, Interpol released its first global crime trend report, solidifying India’s influence in shaping international crime-fighting strategies.
• Leadership Programs and Training Hub:
  • In 2023, India hosted the Interpol Young Global Police Leaders program, attracting participation from 44 countries.
  • The CBI Academy joined the Interpol Global Academy Network, to emerge as a global training hub for Interpol.

News Source: The Hindu

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Context: Recently, the Railway Minister unveiled an innovative AI-driven initiative-Gajraj.

AI-based Software ‘Gajraj’

• Project Cost and Scope:  The total cost of the project implementation on the 700-km tracks will be ₹181 crore.
• Elephant Train Collisions in Northeast: As per the government data, an average of of 20 elephants die due to train collisions in the country every year. Most of these incidents occur on the Northeast Frontier Railway.
• Successful Outcomes: Implemented in 11 elephant corridors in the Northeast, the system issued a remarkable 9,768 alerts within eight months, leading to the complete elimination of train-elephant collisions in the specified corridors.

What is the Gajraj System?

• It is a kind of Intrusion Detection System or IDS.
• It  is built to use the existing optical fiber cable (OFC) as sensors to identify elephant movements near railway tracks and alert locations to station masters, loco pilots, and control offices. 
• The Indian Railways has chosen the Northeast Frontier Railways to pilot this program and implement this new, cutting-edge technology in some of the worst affected areas.

How does the Gajraj system work?

• Every time an elephant steps onto the track, the system alerts the train controller, station master, train drivers, and other stakeholders who take precautionary measures to avoid imminent danger.
• A real-time alarm is generated when a movement is detected.

News Source: Livemint

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Context: The Philippines inaugurated a new coast guard monitoring base on Thitu Island occupied by Filipino forces in the disputed South China Sea.

About Philippines New Coast Guard Monitoring Base

• The Philippines plans to expand joint patrols with the U.S. and Australia to counter China’s “pure bullying” in the strategic waterway.
• China’s stand: China has warned that such joint naval patrols must not hurt its “territorial sovereignty, maritime rights, and interests.’’

Thitu Island:

• Thitu Island  is a rock located in the Spratly Islands. The Philippines first took possession of the feature in 1974.

Philippines-China Disputes:

Scarborough Shoal:

• China seized the shoal in 2012 after a standoff with the Philippines.
• Since then it has maintained a constant deployment of coast guard and fishing trawlers.
• The Philippines and China claim the shoal, but sovereignty has never been established and remains effectively under Beijing’s control.

Contesting Claims:

• The Scarborough Shoal, also known as Huangyan Island. While it comes under the Philippines’ EEZ.
  • Beijing claims that the records show “China’s sailors discovered Huangyan Island 2,000 years ago.

About South China Sea:

• The South China Sea is part of the Pacific Ocean partially enclosed by islands, archipelagos, and peninsulas from the open ocean. 
• Location: The Sea is located to the South of China, West of the Philippines, North of the Bangka-Belitung Islands and Borneo, and East of Vietnam and Cambodia.
• Major Flowing rivers: Min, Mekong, Pearl, Red, Pampanga, Pahang, Pasig, and Jiulong Rivers. 

For more Details: South China Sea Dispute: Conflict, Collision, Geopolitics, and Tensions

News Source: The Hindu

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Context: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a cyclonic storm, Cyclone Michaung, over the southwest Bay of Bengal.

About Cyclone Michaung

• The Government agency has issued an ‘orange’ alert over Tamil Nadu and coastal and interior Andhra Pradesh.
• It is likely to make landfall in the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. 
• Michaung’ is a name provided by Myanmar. It means strength and resilience. 
• Cyclone Michaung is the fourth tropical cyclone of the year over the Bay of Bengal.

What are the tropical cyclones?

• Tropical cyclones develop in the regions between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer. 
• The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO, 1976) uses the term ‘Tropical Cyclone’ to cover weather systems where winds exceed ‘Gale Force’ (minimum of 34 knots or 63 kph).
• A mature tropical cyclone is characterized by the strong spirally circulating wind around the center, called the eye.
• Tropical cyclones have different names depending on their location and strength. 
  • For instance, they are known as hurricanes in the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, the North Atlantic Ocean and the eastern and central North Pacific Ocean. In the western North Pacific, they are called typhoons.

What are the conditions required for the formation of tropical storms?”

• Large sea surface with a temperature higher than 27° C; 
• Presence of the Coriolis force; 
• Small variations in the vertical wind speed; 
• A pre-existing weak low-pressure area or low-level-cyclonic circulation;
• Upper divergence above the sea level system.

How are Cyclones formed?

• The development cycle of tropical cyclones may be divided into three stages:
  • Formation and Initial Development Stage: The formation and initial development of a cyclonic storm depends upon various conditions. These are
    • A warm sea (a temperature above 26 degrees Celsius to a depth of 60 m) with abundant and turbulent water vapor transfer to the overlying atmosphere by evaporation.
    • Atmospheric instability encourages the formation of massive vertical cumulus clouds due to convection with condensation of rising air above the ocean surface.
  • Mature Phase: Air rises and tends to spread out at the tropopause level. The air warms up by compression, generating a warm ‘Eye’.
  • Modification and Decay: Cyclone begins to weaken as its warm, moist air source begins to ebb or is abruptly cut off. This happens after its landfall or when it passes over cold waters. 

Also Read: Cyclone Midhili

News Source: The Indian Express

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Context: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a warm winter season across the country, saying minimum temperature could remain higher than normal.                                                     

El Nino, Other Factors to Cause Warm Winter

• El Nino Peak: The El Nino condition is inching to its peak. As per the recent observations, the Nino 3.4 region remained 2.4 degrees Celsius above the threshold, as per Indian Meteorological observations.
• Record-Breaking Temperature Trends in 2023: Since 1901 in India, 2023 is on its way to becoming the warmest year ever recorded on Earth with February, August, and November being the warmest months. 
• Cyclone Michaung’s Influence on Temperature: The soon-to-develop Cyclone Michaung will also cause cloudiness and the minimum temperature over south peninsular India and eastern coastal India will remain above normal during the upcoming days.

What is El Nino?

• El Nino,  meaning “the little boy” in Spanish refers to an abnormal warming of surface waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. 
• Scientists in the 1920s first noticed it. It is known to suppress monsoon rainfall. 
• It occurs on average every two to seven years, and episodes usually last nine to 12 months.  
• Formation: 
  • It forms when the trade winds blowing east-to-west along the equatorial Pacific slow down or reverse as air pressure changes, although scientists are not entirely sure what kicks off the cycle.
  • Because the trade winds affect the sun-warmed surface waters, a weakening causes these warm western Pacific waters to slosh back into the colder central and eastern Pacific basins.
• Impacts: 
  • El Niño events are typically associated with increased rainfall in parts of southern South America, the southern United States, the Horn of Africa, and central Asia.
  • In contrast, El Niño can also cause severe droughts in Australia, Indonesia, and southern Asia.

What are the reasons for Warm Winter?

• Factors responsible for Anticipated Warm Winter Weather: 
  • Due to large-scale features like El Nino, in addition to the regional factors like western disturbances and the upcoming cyclone developing in the Bay of Bengal, there are chances of higher-than-normal minimum temperatures, making it a warm winter season over the country.
  • Fewer and less intense cold waves could warm the December- February period.
  • Cloudy conditions caused by western disturbances push the minimum temperature.
    • For Example: In November, five western disturbances crossed the northern India region. Two of these caused widespread rainfall over Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra when interacting with easterly winds.

Also Read: Western Disturbances

News Source: The Indian Express

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Context: This article is based on the news “PM Modi pitches India as host for climate conference in 2028, calls on countries to rise above self-interest” Which was published in the Indian Express. 

• During the high-level meeting Conference of Parties (COP)28, the Prime Minister (PM) Of India proposed to host the COP33 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in India.

India Proposes Hosting COP33 in 2028

• The plan to host the Conference in India in 2028 is an opportunity for the country to put the issues of the Global South and climate justice with a view to an action-oriented COP33.
• Global stocktake (GST) review: According to the 2015 Paris Agreement, the next round of the Global stocktake review is scheduled for COP33.
  • The global stocktake means looking at everything related to where the world stands on climate action and support, identifying the gaps, and working together to chart a better course forward to accelerate climate action.
  • The stocktake occurs every five years, with the first-ever stocktake set to conclude at the Conference of the Parties-28.
  • A proposal to host the Conference of the Parties (COP) must be approved by other signatories UNFCCC. 
• Access of carbon budget to developing nations: The PM underlined the need for proper access to the remaining global carbon budget for poor nations.
• Green Credits Initiative: During the conference, the PM highlighted the need for the adoption of India’s recently launched Initiative by the other countries.

What are the key outcomes of the COP28 Summit in 2023?

• LeadIT 2.0: It focuses on co-development and transfer of low-carbon technology and financial assistance to emerging economies. 
• UAE Declaration on Agriculture, Food, and Climate: It announced the mobilization of more than USD 2.5 billion to support food security while combating climate change.
• Launch of Climate Club: It is a coalition of 36 nations, led by Germany and Chile dedicated to addressing industrial emissions with ambitious goals. 
• Coalition for International tax mechanism: France and Kenya will form a coalition of nations to create an international tax mechanism as a source of finance for developing nations most vulnerable to climate change. 
• Climate Investment Fund ALTÉRRA:  It is a $30 billion climate fund launched by UAE  that will allocate $25 billion towards climate strategies and $5 billion specifically to incentivize investment flows into the Global South.
• New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG): The PM proposed it as a new target for climate finance in the place of US$ 100 billion per year from 2025 onwards.
  • NCQG refers to ongoing negotiations on a new climate finance commitment developed countries must make to developing countries to accelerate the world’s transition from fossil fuels. 
• Tripling nuclear energy: During the conference, more than 20 countries demanded the tripling of the world’s nuclear energy capacity to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
• Loss And Damage Fund: It has been launched to help vulnerable countries cope with the impact of climate change.
  • The initial funding is estimated to be $475 million to which host UAE pledged $100 million, the European Union promised $275 million, $17.5 million from the US, and $10 million from Japan.

Also Read: NDC Synthesis Report For 2023: UNFCCC

What role does India play at the Conference of the Parties?

• Equitable climate action: India has worked to make sure that developing nations do not bear a disproportionate burden of climate action since the 1992 Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit.
• Kyoto Protocol: India played a crucial role in the development of the Kyoto Protocol, negotiated during the Conference of the Parties3, 1997, and based largely on the CBDR-RC principle. 
  • Under the Kyoto Protocol,  India, and China, as developing nations, were granted the freedom to pursue “nationally appropriate” climate actions.
  • In contrast, affluent and industrialized nations were assigned specific emission reduction targets to be implemented between 2008 and 2012.
  • India has hosted the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties once previously, i.e., Conference of the Parties-8 held from October 23-November 1, 2002, in New Delhi. 

What role has India played in the recent Conference of the Parties (COPs) addressing climate change?

• Glasgow summit: During the summit in 2021, India blocked the final draft outcome at the last minute and got the “phase-out” of coal changed to “phase-down”. 
• Sharm El-Shaikh: India ran a campaign during the Conference of the Parties-27  calling for the phase-down of all fossil fuels, not just coal.
  • India has also been actively pressing the need for lifestyle changes to reduce energy consumption and emissions.

Has India made significant progress in achieving its climate goals?

• Intended Nationally Determined. Contribution (NDC): India’s NDC contains three targeted promises: 
  • Reduction of emissions intensity, or emissions per unit of GDP, by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030:  As per the Statistical Review of World Energy, India could meet its emissions intensity reduction target within the next two years before the 2030 target date.
  • Ensuring that at least 50% of its installed electricity capacity in 2030 comprises non-fossil-fuel sources:  India has an installed renewable energy capacity of 174 GW as of June 2023.
    • Including nuclear, the total carbon-free generation capacity is nearly 180 GW  accounting for 43 percent of the total installed capacity surpassing the 2016 NDC commitment of 40 percent by 2030. 
  • Create at least 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of additional carbon sink through tree and forest cover:  As per the Biennial India State of Forest Report 2021, the carbon stock in Indian forests increased to 7,204 Mt.
    • This target seems more challenging to achieve, and India will have to make significant additional efforts here.
• Dominance of coal in energy mix: The share of renewables in India’s energy basket has increased for at least five years. 
  • However, coal provides more than 70 percent of the country’s energy needs. 

What challenges are associated with commitments at the UNFCCC?

• Unfulfilled commitments: The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was established in 2009 to provide developing nations with annual transfers of about $100 billion. 
  • In reality, very little of this tranche has been realized. 
  • GCF is a financial instrument under UNFCCC adopted at the Durban Summit in 2011. Its activities align with developing countries’ priorities through the principle of country ownership.
• Lack of alternate energy reserves with India: As the nation’s economy recovers from the crisis brought on by COVID-19, power demand has been rising at a reasonable rate. 
  • The US and several European nations could transition away from coal because of their natural gas deposits. 
  • This challenges India to transition away from using coal lacking sufficient natural gas reserves although it is also a fossil fuel.

Also Read: World Climate Action Summit

Way Forward:

• Historical Responsibility on Developed Nations:  Developed nations need to take greater action on a scale appropriate to their influence on emissions that warm the earth, considering their greater historical responsibility.
  • Affluent nations should “eliminate” their carbon footprint before 2050.
  • They should not disregard their obligations to the Global Climate Fund (GCF) and the Adaptation Fund, established in 2001.
• COP28 as an opportunity: The plan for India to host the Conference in COP28 offers it the chance to prioritise the concerns of the Global South and climate justice, as it did during its G-20 Presidency this year.
• Taxing bad: Climate Finance can be raised by taxing polluting activities and reducing subsidies for fossil fuels.
  • Taxing the bad refers to levies that target harm to the public good. For example, greenhouse gases. Higher carbon taxes should include charges on emissions from the aviation and maritime industries.
  • Carbon levy on shipping is imperative which transports around 90% of world trade and accounts for nearly 3% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions.
• Reallocation of existing revenue streams:  Although there is a need for new climate funding sources, current revenue streams also need reallocation as:
  • Investments in the fossil-fuel economy continued to outstrip those made in the clean economy.
  • Worldwide, subsidies for fossil fuels totaled to around $1.3 trillion, and substantially more if counting the societal cost of dealing with emissions and pollution.
• Need for private finance: In emerging and developed countries, private finance is dismally low. Thus, multilateral development banks need to ensure inexpensive financing to developing nations.

Conclusion:

India’s proposal to host COP33 in 2028 presents an opportunity to advocate for global climate justice and prioritize the concerns of the Global South, as reflected in its active role at the Conference of the Parties-28 and commitment to initiatives such as the Green Credit Initiative, while addressing challenges like unfulfilled commitments and the imperative need for developed nations to eliminate their carbon footprint before 2050.

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Context: This article is based on the news “President Murmu advocates for All-India Judicial Service: What the idea is, why it hasn’t been implemented” Which was published in the Indian Express. The President recently called for an “All-India Judicial Service (AIJS)” to recruit judges during her inaugural address at the Supreme Court’s Constitution Day celebration (November 26).

What is All-India Judicial Services? 

• The All-India Judicial Service is a reform push to Centralise the recruitment of judges at the level of additional district judges and district judges for all states.
• In the same way that the Union Public Service Commission conducts a central recruitment process and assigns successful candidates to cadres, lower judiciary judges are proposed to be recruited centrally and assigned to states.

What was the earlier proposal regarding the establishment of an All-India Judicial Service?

• The idea of a centralized judicial service was first deliberated in the Law Commission’s 1958 ‘Report on Reforms on Judicial Administration.’
• The idea was proposed again in the Law Commission Report of 1978, which discussed delays and arrears of cases in the lower courts.
• A Draft Bill: In 2006, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice in its 15th Report supported the idea of a pan-Indian judicial service, and also prepared a draft Bill.

Also read: Pendency of Cases in the Supreme Court Need Structural Reforms

What is the constitutional perspective on the All-India Judicial Service?

• The 42nd Constitutional Amendment in 1976 amended Article 312(1) to empower the Parliament to establish an All-India Judicial Service (AIJS), along the lines of the All-India Services viz. IAS, IPS IFoS, etc.
• Accordingly, under Article 312(1) of the Constitution, the Rajya Sabha must pass a resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of its members present and voting.
• However, Article 312 (2) states that the All-India Judicial Service cannot include any post inferior to that of a district judge, as defined in Article 236. 

How will this differ from the present selection system?

• Articles 233 and 234 of the Constitution of India deal with appointing district judges and placing them in the states’ domain.
• All lower judiciary judges up to the level of district judges are selected through the judicial services exam.
• The State Public Service Commissions and the concerned High Court conduct the selection process, since HCs exercise jurisdiction over the subordinate judiciary in the state. 
• Panels of HC judges interview candidates after the exam and select them for appointment.

What are the advantages associated with the creation of the All-India Judicial Service?

• Transparency and Efficiency: Establishing an All-India Judicial Commission enhances transparency by providing a clear framework for the selection process. Open criteria, publicized evaluations, and decision-making visibility contribute to increased public trust in the judiciary.
• Address Structural issues: It will help to address structural issues such as varying pay and remuneration across states, to ensure standard training across states.  
  • Pay scales across States are abysmally low compared to that in the private sector, notably law firms, litigation, and the corporate sector.
• Low judge-to-population ratio: India indeed has a low judge-to-population ratio. This disparity has been pointed out as the reason for judicial delays.
  • Compared to developed nations, India has only 21 judges per million citizens while the US has 107 judges per million. 
• Faster Vacancies: All-India Judicial Service would help fill judicial vacancies more quickly, creating a centralized pool of qualified candidates. 
• According to National Judicial Data Grid records, a shortage of judges is behind the increasing backlog of cases in lower courts nationwide.
• Merit and legal Competence: The Uniform Process,  ensures judges are selected based on merit and legal competence rather than political affiliations.  An independent commission ensures that decisions are made autonomously, based on merit and legal qualifications. 
  • This independence is crucial for upholding the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.
• Uniformity in Selection: A centralized commission promotes uniformity in selecting judges across regions. This consistency helps maintain a standardized level of judicial quality, preventing regional biases and fostering a cohesive national legal system.
  • This will help bring uniformity in Eligibility, Age, Selection criteria, Qualification, Reservation, etc.
• Attract the Talent: A centralized pool of qualified judicial candidates would attract the best talent nationwide. This would help to ensure that the judiciary has access to the most qualified and experienced individuals to serve as judges.
• Reduce and Eliminate the Scope for Political Interference:  The 2017 Haryana Civil Services (judicial branch) paper leak case, in which a former High Court registrar is among the accused, is symptomatic of the rot plaguing the system at the state level.
• Promote National Integration: All-India Judicial Service would foster a national perspective among judges, enabling them to understand and appreciate the nuances of legal issues across different regions and states. This would contribute to more informed and impartial judicial decisions.

What challenges are associated with the implementation of the All-India Judicial Service?

• An affront to Federalism: A centralized recruitment process is seen as an affront to federalism and an encroachment on the powers of states granted by the Constitution.
  • A Centralization  may overlook regional variations, cultural nuances, and specific needs of individual states. 
• Lack of Consensus: In April 2013, the proposal was laid at the Conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of the High Court. 
  • However, it was agreed that the issue needs further deliberation, but no consensus could be reached.
• Lack of Local Representation: Critics argue that the commission might lack true representativeness, potentially sidelining certain regions, communities, or legal traditions. 
  • This could lead to a homogenized judiciary that does not adequately reflect the diverse legal landscape of the country.
• Judicial independence: Currently High Courts oversee the Process of Appointment in the lower judiciary. All-India Judicial Service will undermine the role of HCs and constitutional directives of separation of judiciary from executive influence.
  • The susceptibility of the commission to political influence, either through the appointment process of its members or through subtle external pressures can not be denied. 
• Training and Language Barrier: All-India Judicial Service does not adequately address the challenges of providing standardized judicial training and ensuring linguistic competence across India’s diverse regions.
  • It may also end up not considering local laws, practices, and customs which vary widely across States, vastly increasing the costs of training for judges selected through the mechanism.
  • However, the All-India Judicial Service Supporter argued that if a central mechanism can work for administrative services, IAS and IPS officers can learn the language required for their cadre, and it can also work for judicial services.
• Need for Comprehensive Judicial Reform: Central recruitment would be unable to address the issues and problems in the judiciary.
  • All-India Judicial Service addresses only a narrow aspect of judicial reform and fails to tackle broader systemic issues within the judiciary.

Conclusion:

Unless a broad consensus emerges in favor of the All-India Judicial Service and its expected benefits, the debate and deliberation should focus on implementing more direct solutions to address the problems of the Indian judiciary.

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