UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 June 2024

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 June 2024 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles

InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.

Table of Contents

GS Paper 2: (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 June 2024)

• Flaws in the Criminal Justice System

GS Paper 3:

• Potential of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) for India

• Drying Up: Fixing Urban India’s Water Problem

Reports In News

• Reports in News

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

• Cold lava

• Initiatives to foster innovation

• Apple Intelligence

• Microalgae

• Xylitol

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 June 2024

#### GS Paper 2:

Flaws in the Criminal Justice System

Syllabus: Governance: Police Reforms

Source: TH

Context: Recently, a woman in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, falsely accused a man of rape, leading to wrongful imprisonment. It highlights the loopholes in India’s Criminal Justice System. Also, the government recently extended the centrally sponsored scheme for Fast Track Special Courts (FTSC) till 2026.

Structure of the Criminal Justice System in India:

The Criminal Justice System in India ensures justice for victims and fair treatment for the accused. It operates based on the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Criminal Procedure Code, soon to be replaced by Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.

Three main pillars: | Police: Investigate crimes, apprehend suspects, and enforce laws.

Judiciary: Interpret laws and deliver judgments, with the Supreme Court and High Courts at the top.

Correction System: Manage prisons, focusing on punishment and rehabilitation.

Key Principles | Presumption of innocence (the accused is considered innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt), the right to a fair trial (the accused has the right to a fair and public trial, including the right to defend themselves and present evidence), and adherence to due process.

Major Challenges in India’s Criminal Justice System

• British Legacy: The old laws were remnants of British colonial rule, designed to maintain their control over India’s justice system.

• Punitive Approach: The focus of the laws was punishment rather than ensuring justice for citizens.

• Low Conviction Rates: The laws contributed to low conviction rates and delayed justice, eroding public trust in the legal system.

• Pendency: Over 5 crore pending cases (July 2023).

• Delays: Delays violate the right to a speedy trial (N.S Sahni v. Union of India).

• Lack of Resources: Only 21 judges per million population (Dec 2023); 35% lower judiciary posts and 400 High Court vacancies (May 2023).

• The politicization of Police: Despite SC (Prakash Singh v. Union of India (2006)) warning Separation of duties was not implemented.

• Bail Issues: Over 75% of the prison population are undertrial; prisons at 130% occupancy.

• Gender Bias: Persistent biases, e.g., Karnataka HC judge’s comments on a rape victim.

• Prison Conditions and Mental Health: Model Prison Manual 2016 mandates mental health services, however, there is a high rate of mental illness among prisoners.

• Maharashtra: 42,577 prisoners but only one psychiatrist and two psychologists (2022).

• Non-Implementation of Police Complaints Authority: Prakash Singh (2006) mandated Police Complaints Authorities (PCAs).

• Human Rights Violations: 175 deaths in police custody (2021-2022).

The positive aspects of the proposed criminal law reforms (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.):

• Modernization of Criminal Justice System: E.g., using e-FIR, Zero FIR, new cyber offences, and modernised evidence collection.

• Update of Outdated Laws

• Stringent Provisions for Women and Children: The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has dedicated a separate chapter to these matters and introduced new forms of offence.

• Innovations:Innovations such as trial in absentia and the introduction of community service as a penalty for minor offences are noteworthy.

• Gender Inclusivity: The proposed reforms have reviewed language for gender neutrality and replaced outdated terms such as ‘insanity’ with ‘mental illness.’

• Specific Definitions and Offenses: The bills define and address offences like terrorism, organized crime, mob lynching, and negligent acts, adding new dimensions to criminal law.

• Protection for Victims:, protection and rights of victims, including provisions related to victims’ participation, and rights.

• Expedited Justice:g., Requirement for judgments to be given within 30 days after the trial concludes and limitations on adjournments.

What more needs to be done:

• Bail Reform: Supreme Court directive: Bail should be the rule (Balchand v. State of Rajasthan, 1978). Implement the Law Commission’s 268th Report (2017) to reduce undertrial detention and ensure bail is the norm, not the exception.

• Victim and Witness Protection: Fully implement the Witness Protection Scheme (2018) with proper funding and oversight, as recommended by the Malimath Committee (2003).

• Revamping Fast-Track Courts: Assign dedicated judges, improve infrastructure, set binding timelines, and introduce case management systems to expedite cases.

• Combatting Criminalization of Politics: Establish an institution to tackle political criminalization, investigate the political-criminal nexus, and take decisive action, as suggested by the Vohra Committee (1993).

• Legal Aid Reform: Increase funding and create performance-based incentives for legal aid providers to ensure effective representation for disadvantaged defendants.

• AI in Case Management: Integrate AI for case management, scheduling, and pretrial risk assessment, ensuring transparency and preventing biases.

• Prison Administration Reform: Implement mandatory segregation of undertrials, convicts, and first-time offenders, and enforce national health insurance schemes in prisons, following the Justice Amitava Roy Committee recommendations.

• Gender Sensitization: Mandatory training for judicial officers on gender sensitivity, and establishing accountability mechanisms for gender-biased comments, referencing the SC Handbook on Gender Stereotypes.

• Victim-Centric Justice: Provide comprehensive victim support services, including counselling, legal aid navigation, and a guaranteed right to be heard in court.

• Promoting Restorative Justice: Adopt restorative justice practices focusing on healing harm caused by crime, as recommended by the Madhav Menon Committee (2007).

Additional information:

Insta Links:

• India’s Criminal Justice System

Mains Link:

We are witnessing increasing instances of sexual violence against women in the country. Despite existing legal provisions against it, the number of such incidences is on the rise. Suggest some innovative measures to tackle this menace. (UPSC 2014)

Mob violence is emerging as a serious law and order problem in India. By giving suitable examples, analyze the causes and consequences of such violence. (UPSC 2015)

#### (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 June 2024) GS Paper 3:

Potential of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) for India

Syllabus: Science and technology

•Source: LM*

Context: Artificial general intelligence (AGI) holds the potential to revolutionize India’s trajectory.

What is Artificial general intelligence (AGI)?

Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) surpasses conventional AI in sophistication. Unlike AI, AGI aims for a broad, human-like intelligence, encompassing reasoning, learning, and creativity. It generalizes knowledge, engages in complex reasoning, and exhibits self-awareness and creativity. AGI seeks to emulate human cognitive abilities across diverse tasks and domains.

Applications of AGI:

Application | Example

Healthcare | AGI can analyze diverse medical data to offer personalized treatment options, improving outcomes in personalized medicine.

Finance and Business | AGI can automate tasks in finance, providing real-time analysis and accurate market predictions for better decision-making.

Education Sector | AGI can revolutionize adaptive learning platforms, offering personalized education tailored to individual student needs globally.

Space Exploration | AGI can operate autonomous systems for space exploration, analyze data from space missions, and contribute to new discoveries.

Military and Defense | AGI can enhance surveillance, military strategies, and combat systems for defence purposes.

Initiatives taken:

Initiative | Description

Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) | India’s participation in an international initiative aimed at fostering collaboration among nations to promote the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence.

US India Artificial Intelligence Initiative | Collaborative efforts between India and the United States to advance research, development, and application of artificial intelligence technologies for mutual benefit.

Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Youth | An initiative aimed at educating and empowering youth to understand and responsibly utilize artificial intelligence technologies for societal benefit.

AIRAWAT (Artificial Intelligence Research, Analytics and Knowledge Assimilation Platform) | A platform facilitating research, analytics, and knowledge assimilation in the field of artificial intelligence, fostering innovation and collaboration among researchers, academia, and industry professionals.

IndiaAI Mission | Approved by the Indian Cabinet in March 2024, this initiative involves significant funding over five years to develop AI infrastructure accessible to startups, academia, and industry, positioning India as a global AI leader.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act | The European Union has finalized the world’s first comprehensive law regulating artificial intelligence, known as the AI Act.

Concerns Related to AGI:

• Existential Risk: Concerns about AGI surpassing human intelligence and becoming excessively autonomous, posing existential risks that are challenging to anticipate and control.

• Job Losses and Unemployment: Potentially substantial decrease in job opportunities due to AGI automation, leading to social and economic inequality and concentration of power among overseers.

• Human Oversight and Accountability: Risks associated with AGI controlling information environments and influencing critical areas like elections, raising concerns about oversight and accountability.

• Environmental Concern: Significant energy consumption and e-waste generation associated with developing AGI systems, highlighting environmental impact concerns.

• Ethical Dilemmas: AGI advancement raises ethical challenges related to responsibility, confidentiality, and biased decision-making, requiring compliance with ethical norms to avoid unintended outcomes and inequalities.

• Loss of Basic Human Skills and Creativity: Reduced human involvement in tasks may lead to a decline in creativity and innovation, with AGI potentially producing more innovative but less diverse outcomes compared to human works.

What should India do?

• Establish Dedicated AI Department: Create a central authority to coordinate AI efforts, setting standards and policies aligned with national interests.

• Democratize Data Access: Liberate and democratize access to vast datasets across sectors to stimulate AI development tailored to India’s unique landscape.

• Build Strategic AI Ecosystem: Develop AI capabilities in defence, drone technology, and cybersecurity, supporting the creation of companies in these fields.

• Launch AI Skilling Initiative: Train 50 million people in AI usage skills and 1 million in advanced AI development skills, focusing on data literacy, ethics, and sector-specific applications.

• Foster Educational Partnerships: Collaborate with universities and technical institutes to integrate AI-focused curricula and provide scalable access to industry training through online platforms.

Conclusion:

Moving forward, establishing robust ethical frameworks is paramount for the responsible development and deployment of AGI. Collaborative efforts involving governments, industry stakeholders, and researchers are necessary to create guidelines emphasizing safety, transparency, and accountability. Prioritizing transparency and explainability in AGI systems is crucial to ensure understandable and verifiable decision-making processes, fostering trust and minimizing the risk of unintended consequences.

Mains Link:

What are the main socio-economic implications arising out of the development of IT industries in major cities of India? (UPSC 2022)

“The emergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Digital Revolution) has initiated e-Governance as an integral part of government”. Discuss. (USPC 2020)

Prelims Link:

• Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units

• Create meaningful short stories and songs

• Disease diagnosis

• Text-to-Speech Conversion

• Wireless transmission of electrical energy

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2, 4 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Ans: (b)

Drying Up: Fixing Urban India’s Water Problem

Syllabus: Environment Conservation/ Geography: Conservation of Resources

Source: IE

Context: Urban India faces recurring water crises due to fast-depleting aquifers. Despite efforts by the government to provide tap water, aquifer health remains neglected.

India’s Status:

India is endowed with rich water resources:

• India has 4% of the world’s water resources

• India has 1123 billion cubic metres of surface and groundwater resources.

• Rainfall: According to the Central Water Commission, India receives 4,000 billion cubic metres in rainfall, which is higher than its requirement.

• However, in 2023, around 91 million Indians will not have access to safe water. This data indicates the massive water shortage in India.

Structure of Water Management in India:

Level | Organization | Responsibilities

Central Level | Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) | Formulates national water policies and oversees water resource management activities across the country. Established in May 2019.

Central Water Commission (CWC) | Provides technical guidance on water resource development projects and river basin planning.

Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) | Assesses, monitors, and manages groundwater resources in India.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) | Promotes the cleanliness of streams and wells across states by preventing, controlling, and reducing water pollution, as defined in the Water Act of 1974.

State Level | State Water Resources Departments | Implement water policies and manage water resources within their respective states.

Irrigation Departments | Manage irrigation systems and ensure water distribution for agricultural purposes.

State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) | Monitor and control water pollution within the state.

Local Level | Panchayats (Village Councils) | Manage water resources at the village level, promote water conservation, and ensure equitable distribution.

Municipalities | Manage water supply and sanitation in urban areas.

Water User Associations (WUAs) | Groups of farmers formed to manage and maintain irrigation systems at the local level.

Despite being endowed with water resources, India faces a water crisis due to the following reasons:

• Uneven Rainfall: Uneven distribution of rainfall with around 70% of India’s rainfall being confined to 3-4 months. And there is regional variability with some regions having very high rainfall while others suffer from scarcity.

• River basins: Uneven flow of water in different river basins. For instance, the surplus in the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin but the deficit in seasonal rivers in Indian peninsular regions.

• Inadequate rainfall: According to data released by the India Meteorological Department, the South-West monsoon during June- August 2023 has been below normal in 42 per cent of the districts.

• Groundwater overuse: According to the Stockholm International Water Institute, with farmers providing electricity subsidies to help power the groundwater pumping, the water table has seen a drop of up to 4 meters in some parts of the country.

• Water pollution: The Central Pollution Control Board reported that of the 603 rivers assessed, there are 311 Polluted stretches in 279 rivers in 30 States & Union Territories.

• Climate change: Changing rainfall patterns and, an increase in the frequency of droughts have affected water availability in various regions. Eg: El Nino episodes are becoming more frequent

• Agriculture policies and practices: Fertilizer subsidies, free electricity, price support for water-intensive crops and practices like flood irrigation.

•Source: India Today*

Major Consequences of the Water Crisis:

• Hindering Human Capital Development: Girls miss school due to water collection duties.; Waterborne illnesses and malnutrition cause cognitive impairments in children.

• Long-Term Economic Risks: Water scarcity could cost India up to 6% of its GDP by 2050.

• Rise of Water Mafias: Informal water markets with high prices, worsening social and economic inequalities.

• Impact on Transboundary Water Disputes: Increases tensions and potential conflicts with neighbouring countries over shared river basins.

• Threat to Biodiversity: Depleting water levels and pollution endanger freshwater species, including the Ganges River Dolphin.

Key Government Schemes To Tackle The Groundwater Crisis in India:

• MGNREGA: Supports water conservation through rural employment.

• Jal Kranti Abhiyan: Raises awareness on water conservation.

• National Water Mission: Promotes sustainable water management.

• Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY): Improves groundwater management.

• Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM): Aims to provide tap water to rural households.

• National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG): Addresses Ganga basin groundwater issues.

• Programs like the Sahi Fasal Campaign

Steps to Address the Water Crisis in India:

• Inclusive Water Governance: Inclusive representation in local water management committees and decision-making bodies to ensure that the voices of all castes are heard.

• Interlinking of Rivers: Connect surplus rivers to deficient regions.

• Adopt One Water Approach: Manage water sources sustainably and inclusively.

• Transforming Fallow Land: Convert underutilized land into water recharge parks with bioswales, wetlands, and rainwater harvesting structures.

• Desalination Plants: Use renewable energy and waste-to-energy for desalination plants, creating clean water and utilizing waste.

• Urban Rainwater Harvesting: Mandate rainwater systems in new buildings and retrofit existing ones; install green roofs.

• Promote Drip Irrigation: Encourage drip irrigation and aquaponics to reduce water use in agriculture.

• Smart Water Grids: Implement sensors and real-time monitoring for efficient water distribution.

• Fog Harvesting: Use mesh structures to capture moisture from fog in hilly areas.

• Decentralized Management: Adopt community-driven water supply and sanitation projects, and decentralized wastewater treatment.

• Zero Liquid Discharge: Mandate ZLD systems in industries to recycle wastewater and reduce freshwater use.

To learn about Traditional Methods of water conservation in India: Click Here

Conclusion:

India, despite its water surplus, grapples with a water crisis, highlighting the need for improved water resource management. The key lies in credible data collection to understand water demand across various sectors like agriculture, domestic, and industrial use. Prioritizing water distribution among these sectors is crucial. Embracing the principles of reduce-recycle-reuse and promoting water conservation methods are vital steps. Furthermore, there’s a need for the convergence of laws, schemes, and agencies to ensure optimal utilization of water resources.

Insta Links:

• Regenerative agriculture: A step towards water conservation

Mains Links:

How and to what extent would micro-irrigation help in solving India’s water crisis? (UPSC 2021)

What is water stress? How and why does it differ regionally in India? (UPSC 2019)

What are the salient features of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan launched by the Government of India for water conservation and water security? (UPSC 2020)

Suggest measures to improve water storage and irrigation systems to make their judicious use under the depleting scenario. (UPSC 2020)

Prelims Links:

What are the benefits of implementing the ‘Integrated Watershed Development Programme’? (UPSC 2014)

• Prevention of soil runoff

• Linking the country’s perennial rivers with seasonal rivers

• Rainwater harvesting and recharge of groundwater table

• Regeneration of natural vegetation

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2, 3 and 4 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: C

With reference to ‘Water Credit’, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2021)

• It puts microfinance tools to work in the water and sanitation sector.

• It is a global initiative launched under the aegis of the World Health Organization and the World Bank.

• It aims to enable the poor people to meet their water needs without depending on subsidies.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: C

Reports In News

Reports | Description

State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024 report | By the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

The report focuses on “Blue Transformation in Action,” highlighting key findings such as record-high fisheries production globally and India’s prominent role in aquatic animal production.

FAO’s “Blue Transformation” vision aims for sustainable aquaculture expansion, effective fisheries management, and upgraded aquatic value chains.

Fisheries and aquaculture align with global biodiversity agreements like the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, emphasizing the importance of conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond national jurisdiction.

About FAO: It is a specialized UN agency established on October 16, 1945, headquartered in Rome, Italy. It aims to lead global efforts to eliminate hunger and ensure food security for all.

Strengthening Data Ecosystems in Indian Schools report | By Aapti Institute and Mozilla foundation with funding from United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

School education data, including enrollment rates, student-teacher ratios, and assessment results, are crucial for targeted policies and interventions, personalized learning, and efficient resource allocation. However, issues like lack of integration among diverse datasets, digital divides, and labor-intensive data collection hinder progress.

Recommendations include establishing a centralized data agency, incentivizing teachers for data entry, and strengthening infrastructure.

Initiatives: National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR) and Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) aim to revolutionize the education system by providing unified digital infrastructure and managing school-level data. Additionally, Anganwadi Centres oversee data for children aged 3 to 6 through the POSHAN Tracker.

#### (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 June 2024) Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Cold lava

•Source: Standard*

Context: A volcanic eruption at Mount Kanlaon in the Philippines led to rivers of cold lava, or lahar.

About Cold Lava:

• Cold lava, or “lahar,” is a hazardous flow of volcanic material, debris, and water that descends rapidly from volcanoes, resembling a fast-moving landslide rather than molten lava.

• This dense mixture forms when water interacts with volcanic ash and debris on a volcano’s slopes, creating a river-like flow that can be more destructive than molten lava due to its speed and force.

• The term “cold lava” is misleading, as it remains hot internally but appears and behaves like wet concrete.

• Driven by gravity and the volume of displaced material, lahars can travel far from the volcano’s summit, picking up additional debris and increasing in volume and destructive power.

Initiatives to foster innovation

Source: The Print

Context: NITI Aayog, under its Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), launched two initiatives, to foster innovation and sustainability in India.

Initiative | Description | Collaboration/Focus

AIM – ICDK Water Challenge 4.0 | Tackles critical water-related challenges through innovative solutions | Collaboration with Innovation Centre Denmark (ICDK) at the Royal Danish Embassy in India

Innovations for You (5th Edition) | Coffee table book series featuring 60 entrepreneurs contributing to societal betterment through sustainable innovations | Focuses on SDG Entrepreneurs in India

•Source: TH BL*

Context: The Telangana High Court ruled against a taxpayer using bonus stripping to offset losses, marking the first judgment on GAAR.

What is Bonus Stripping?

Bonus stripping involves buying shares of a company before it issues bonus shares and selling the original shares immediately after to incur a short-term capital loss.

What is GAAR?

GAAR, or General Anti-Avoidance Rules, authorize tax authorities to reject tax advantages on transactions lacking commercial substance and aiming solely to evade taxes. It commenced on April 1, 2017, and is outlined in Chapter X-A of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

Apple Intelligence

•Source: IE*

Context: Apple introduced “Apple Intelligence,” a generative AI system integrated into iPhones, iPads, and Macs via iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia.

• Apple Intelligence combines generative AI with personal context to provide personalized, context-aware responses, enhancing user experience while prioritizing privacy through on-device processing and Private Cloud Compute.

Key features include:

• Writing Tools

• Email Management

• Creative Tools

• Enhanced Siri

Microalgae

Source: TH

Context: Scientists at the CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) have identified microalgae, specifically ‘Chlorella sorokiniana’, as a promising protein supplement for food and feed.

• Their research highlights the Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF), a protein-rich extract from the algae, which offers high-quality protein and essential amino acids that surpass those in commercially available soy meal.

• CGF is beneficial for human and animal health, promoting overall well-being and immunity.

The microalgae do not compete with traditional crops for space and resources, making them a sustainable alternative protein source.

Xylitol

•Source: Economic Times*

Context: A recent study has found that artificial sweeteners, particularly xylitol, commonly found in products like sugar-free chewing gums, low-sugar baked goods, mints, and toothpaste, may increase the risk of blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.

• The study revealed that xylitol enhances platelet aggregation and activity, leading to a hypercoagulable state.

• This heightened platelet reactivity can cause clots in blood vessels, potentially obstructing blood flow and resulting in serious cardiovascular events.

The study also noted that erythritol, another artificial sweetener, poses similar risks.