Current Affairs 21 January 2025

Content :

1. Bihar Teacher’s Quest to Educate Poor Children at Cremation Ground
2. Study Moots Inclusion of 179 Groups in SC, ST, OBC Lists
3. Which Panel is Better for Mullaperiyar, SC Asks States
4. One in Three Indians Wants to Buy an Electric Vehicle Next: Report
5. UGC Regulations or State University Laws?
6. How Many Vehicles Can One Own in the Same City, Asks SC
7. Satellite Projects Aim to Head Off Future Wildfires

Bihar teacher’s quest to educate poor children at cremation ground

Background of the Initiative:

• Founder: Sumit Kumar, a 31-year-old teacher, started “Appan Pathshala” in 2017 at Mukti Dham, a cremation ground in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.
• Target Group: Over 100 children from nearby slums (ages 5-16), primarily from Kundal and Ambedkar Nagar.

Relevance : GS 4(Ethics -Leadership)

Origins and Motivation:

• Initial Visit: Kumar, struck by the sight of children scavenging near bodies, decided to start the school after hearing their response: “What would happen if we study?”
• Challenges: Initially faced resistance from parents but persisted in gaining their trust.

Teaching Approach:

• School Hours: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Saturday.
• Curriculum: NCERT syllabus for Classes 1-10, with senior students helping juniors.
• Extra-curriculars: Wushu martial arts twice a week for girls, promoting physical empowerment.
• Seating: Students sit on mats or sacks due to lack of infrastructure.

Impact on Students:

• Student Stories:
  • Radhika Kumari (Class 7): Values education over location.
  • Mohammad Mubarak: Went from illiterate to able to read and write.
• Social Mobility: 20-25 students enroll in government schools annually.

Support and Recognition:

• Local Support: Recognized by Muzaffarpur Municipal Corporation, with assistance from friends and local authorities.
• Financial Support: Kumar’s brother contributes financially.

Personal Sacrifice:

• Kumar has chosen not to marry, dedicating his life to this cause despite holding a master’s degree and LLB.

Broader Impact:

• Breaking Poverty Cycle: Provides a path for marginalized children to escape poverty.
• Empowerment: Education and martial arts training foster self-confidence and skill development.
• Social Change: Transforms the lives of children and shifts community perceptions.

Sumit Kumar’s Vision:

• Goal: Enroll children in government schools for formal education and recognized certifications.
• Social Change: The initiative aims to uplift children who would otherwise remain deprived of opportunities.

Study moots inclusion of 179 groups in SC, ST, OBC lists

Context :

• Ethnographic Study: The Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI), along with Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs), conducted a major study on 268 denotified, semi-nomadic, and nomadic tribes, aiming to classify groups unrecognized by previous commissions.

• Commissioned by NITI Aayog: The three-year study was commissioned by NITI Aayog to assess inclusion of these groups in the SC, ST, and OBC lists across 26 states and UTs.

Relevance : GS 1(Society )

Recommendations for Inclusion:

• 179 Communities: 179 communities recommended for inclusion in SC, ST, or OBC lists, with 85 as new additions.

• Distribution: 46 for OBC, 29 for SC, and 10 for ST.

• Geographic Spread: Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of proposed additions (19), with other states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, MP, and Rajasthan contributing 8 each.

Additional Findings:

• Correction of Categorization: 9 existing communities recommended for reclassification.

• ‘Not Traceable’ Communities: 63 communities (20%) are “not traceable,” due to assimilation or migration.

Implications:

• Expansion of Quotas: The recommendations could significantly impact the caste-based quota system, influencing political and social debates on reservation.
• Census Uncertainty: The timing of the study coincides with concerns over the next Census and caste enumeration, which may affect future quota adjustments.

Controversies and Criticisms:

• Resistance from DNT, NT, and SNT Communities: Some oppose being categorized as SC, ST, or OBC, fearing added discrimination.

• Proposal for Separate Quota: Calls for a distinct quota or sub-quota for Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT, NT, SNT) to address their unique challenges.

Potential Impact on Policy:

• Quota System Recalibration: The inclusion could lead to changes in the caste-based reservation system, affecting education, employment, and welfare programs.

• Governance Complexity: The Social Justice Ministry is reviewing the recommendations, with final approval pending from NITI Aayog.

Which panel is better for Mullaperiyar, SC asks States

• Dispute: The 129-year-old Mullaperiyar Dam, located in Kerala but owned by Tamil Nadu, has long been a source of conflict over its safety and structural integrity.

• Supreme Court’s Role: The Court has previously addressed safety concerns. Recently, it questioned whether the existing Supervisory Committee (formed by the Court) or the new Statutory Committee (under the Dam Safety Act, 2021) should manage the dam’s safety.

Relevance : GS 2(Polity and Governance)

Key Points of Inquiry

• Court’s Question: Which committee—Supervisory or Statutory—would be more effective in overseeing the dam’s safety?
• Justice Surya Kant’s Concern: The Court highlighted the need to avoid overlap and dual oversight.
• Next Hearing: Scheduled for February 19, where both states will present arguments.

Dam Safety Act of 2021

• National Committee Formation: The Act mandates a National Committee on Dam Safety chaired by the Central Water Commission (CWC) with representatives from both the Centre and States.
• Functions:
  • Policy and guidelines formation for dam safety.
  • Setting national standards for maintenance and safety.

Positions of the States

• Tamil Nadu’s Argument: Tamil Nadu emphasized cooperation and suggested Kerala was obstructing resolution.
• Kerala’s Argument: Kerala contended that Tamil Nadu had not properly maintained the dam, located in Kerala.

Key Legal Debate

• Supervisory vs. Statutory Committee: The Court is deliberating which committee is more suited for the dam’s safety.
• Overlap Concerns: Potential conflicting directives could arise from dual oversight.
• Safety Risks: The dam’s age and structural pressures make effective governance critical.

Impact of the Decision

• Streamlined Oversight: The Court’s ruling could clarify authority and improve dam safety governance.
• Potential for Cooperation: A resolution may encourage better cooperation between Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Concluding Observations

• Specialized Oversight: The case highlights the importance of effective, specialized oversight for critical infrastructure.
• Dam Safety Act’s Role: While the Act provides a national framework, the specific context of Mullaperiyar requires careful judicial consideration.

One in three Indians wants to buy an electric vehicle next: report

• Vehicle Ownership: Only 3.3% of India’s population owns cars, indicating vast growth potential.
• EV Interest: 36% of consumers are considering electric vehicles (EVs) for their next purchase, with 30% leaning towards electric two-wheelers.
• Comparison with Developed Markets: India’s automotive market has more room for growth compared to high-penetration markets like the U.S. and Denmark.

Consumer Preferences and Gender Influence

• Women’s Influence: Women impact 52% of EV purchase decisions, up from 38% for non-EV vehicles in India.
• Tech Preferences: 41% of two-wheeler owners prefer vehicles with in-built navigation systems, signaling a shift towards tech-savvy vehicles.

Barriers to EV Adoption

• Charging Infrastructure: 50% of consumers are concerned about the availability of charging stations.
• High Costs: 45% are dissatisfied with the high purchase costs of EVs.
• Battery Life and Model Variety: One in three are concerned about battery life, while 20% feel current EV models lack variety.

Solutions to Overcome Challenges

• Infrastructure: Expand and improve the discoverability of charging stations.
• Financing: Offer innovative financing options to reduce acquisition costs.
• Local Manufacturing: Scale up production to lower costs and increase variety.
• Battery Health: Enhance transparency on battery life and provide extended warranties.
• New EV Models: 60% of new EV models will be developed by Indian OEMs to meet diverse consumer needs.

Impact of High-Income Households

• Wealth Growth: A 2.7-fold increase in elite households by 2035 will make higher-priced EVs more affordable, boosting market growth.

Preference for Pre-Owned Vehicles

• First-Time Buyers: 25% of first-time car buyers are interested in pre-owned vehicles.
• Market Influences: Digitization and trust in local selling platforms are key drivers for the pre-owned vehicle market.

Future Trends

• Car Rentals: Gen Z is 2.7 times more likely to use self-drive rentals, indicating a shift towards on-demand transportation.
• Influence on Purchases: 85% of rental users are open to purchasing the car model they rented, demonstrating the growing impact of rental experiences on buying decisions.

UGC regulations or State university laws?

Background:

• The conflict in Tamil Nadu’s state universities concerns vacant Vice-Chancellor (VC) positions, with a dispute over the composition of the VC search committee.
• Governor (Chancellor) insists on UGC representation, while the State government adheres to State University Acts, which do not mandate UGC involvement.

Relevance :GS 2(Governance)

Core Dispute:

• Can UGC regulations (subordinate legislation) override State University Acts (plenary laws)? This raises the constitutional question of whether delegated legislation can supersede State laws.

Constitutional Dimensions:

• Article 254(1) allows Central laws to override State laws in cases of conflict, but only applies to plenary laws, not delegated legislation (rules/regulations).
• The Supreme Court has ruled that subordinate legislation cannot override State laws. Previous rulings:
  • Ch. Tika Ramji (1956): Subordinate legislation cannot repeal State laws.
  • University of Delhi vs. Raj Singh (1994): UGC regulations are advisory for State universities.

UGC’s Overreach:

• UGC Regulation 7.3 (on VC appointments) is challenged as executive overreach, as it attempts to impose mandates on State universities where the UGC Act does not directly address VC appointments.
• The UGC Act governs university staff, not officers like the VC, making the regulation potentially ultra vires (beyond its legal scope).

Conflicting Supreme Court Judgments:

• Kalyani Mathivanan (2015): UGC regulations are not mandatory for State universities unless adopted by the State.
• P.J. Dharmaraj (2024): UGC regulations apply only if adopted by the State, adding complexity.

Need for Constitutional Clarity:

• A Constitutional Bench is needed to clarify:
  • Article 254(1) applies only to Central vs. State plenary laws, not subordinate legislation.
  • UGC regulations are advisory unless adopted by the State.
  • Delegated legislation cannot override State laws.

Broader Implications:

• The case could have far-reaching implications for Centre-State relations, federalism, and higher education autonomy.
• Raises concerns about executive overreach and the scope of delegated powers in the federal system.

Political and Administrative Impact:

• The dispute has caused a leadership vacuum in universities, delaying staff appointments and degree awards in states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Punjab, highlighting the urgency for resolution.

How many vehicles can one own in the same city, asks SC

Issue Raised by the Supreme Court:

• The Supreme Court raised questions about whether there are restrictions on the number of vehicles a person can own in the same city.

• It also questioned if there are any laws requiring commercial and residential complexes to provide adequate parking spaces for the increasing number of vehicles.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance)

Context of the Query:

• The court was considering a note prepared by amicus curiae, senior advocate Aparajita Singh, which recommended a robust public transport system to reduce the reliance on private vehicles. This, in turn, could help mitigate the rising levels of pollution and air toxicity in the national capital.

Court’s Observations:

• Justice A.S. Oka, leading the Bench, pointed out the practice of individuals buying multiple vehicles in the same city, which contributes to the congestion and pollution.

• The court highlighted the issue of parking spaces, noting that in many residential complexes, people own two or three vehicles and yet, there may be insufficient parking spots within the premises.

• The court called for development regulations to mandate the provision of adequate parking spaces in both residential and commercial complexes, urging that approvals for new developments should be contingent upon ensuring parking availability.

Proposed Solutions:

• The court proposed that public authorities should buy only electric vehicles (EVs) as part of an effort to tackle the pollution problem, noting that electric vehicles are an important part of the solution to reducing emissions.

• Aishwarya Bhati, Additional Solicitor-General, representing the Commission for Air Quality Management, responded that while the government is moving aggressively towards adopting EVs, a balance needs to be maintained since electricity, a primary power source for EVs, is still largely drawn from coal, which itself contributes to pollution.

Parking Policy Recommendations:

• The court emphasized the need for a comprehensive parking policy due to the growing influx of vehicles in the capital city. The current parking situation, with vehicles often parked on roads, exacerbates traffic congestion and air pollution.

• Ms. Singh, the amicus curiae, suggested that an integrated and efficient public transportation system would be essential to reduce the reliance on private cars, which are a significant cause of the pollution crisis in Delhi.

Next Steps:

• The Supreme Court plans to hear further arguments on these issues, including the impact of vehicle ownership and parking policies on pollution, on February 3, 2025.
  • Authorities such as the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the Ministry of Urban Affairs, and the Delhi Development Authority are required to respond to the court’s queries in the next hearing.

Satellite projects aim to head off future wildfires

Technological Advancements:

• As wildfires become an increasing threat, especially due to climate change, satellite technology is being harnessed to better predict, detect, and monitor fires globally. This effort is aided by the growing availability of satellite data and cheaper space launches.

Relevance:GS 3(Disaster Management )

Satellite Roles in Wildfire Detection:

Satellites can detect a variety of wildfire-related phenomena

• Dry areas prone to outbreaks
  • Active fires (flaming and smoldering)
  • Burnt areas, as well as smoke and trace gas emissions.

Types of Satellites:

• Low-Earth Orbit Satellites (LEO):
  • These satellites orbit at altitudes of less than 1,000 km, providing high-resolution ground images.
  • However, they can only see a given location for a short period as they sweep across the Earth.

• Geostationary Satellites:
  • Orbit at about 36,000 km, remaining fixed over the same part of the Earth’s surface, offering continuous monitoring.
  • The trade-off is lower resolution images.

Challenges with Resolution:

• The ability to accurately monitor individual structures during wildfires, like houses in Los Angeles, is difficult at lower resolutions.
• Higher resolution is vital, especially as wildfires increasingly encroach upon human-populated areas.

Innovative Satellite Projects:

• EFA’s New Low-Orbit Satellite Constellation:
  • Brian Collins, director of Earth Fire Alliance, plans to launch a new low-orbit satellite constellation.
  • The constellation will feature satellites with 5-meter resolution, significantly finer than the 10-meter resolution of current systems like ESA’s Sentinel-2.
  • This advancement will help detect smaller fires and provide more detailed data.
  • EFA’s plan includes launching four satellites by 2026, with a $53 million budget, and a 55-satellite network costing around $400 million.

• OroraTech’s FOREST-3 Nanosatellites:
  • Germany-based OroraTech launched FOREST-3—a nanosatellite system—to deliver fast wildfire alerts and high-quality thermal data.
  • The FOREST-3 system aims to improve detection times and provide more precise data on wildfire locations and behavior.

Challenges with Data Management:

• The sheer volume of data being sent by these satellites poses a significant challenge.
  • ESA’s Sentinel-2 alone sends down 1 terabyte of data daily, equivalent to the storage of a modern laptop.
  • Processing this massive influx of information to extract relevant wildfire data is a complex task.

Machine Learning Solutions:

• Machine learning (ML) techniques are essential in analyzing large data sets, allowing the system to:
  • Detect fire signs in real-time.
  • Predict fire outbreaks and track their progression.

Impact of Satellite Data on Wildfire Management:

• Satellite networks will provide a near real-time view of global fire activity, allowing for more informed decisions on the ground.
• This data will also play a crucial role in early warning systems and fire prevention efforts, potentially reducing wildfire damage.