Current Affairs 12 February 2025

Content:

1. Don’t erase or reload EVM data, says SC
2. IIT Madras develops indigenous Shakti semiconductor chip
3. Addressing the growing threat of forest fires
4. Economy on speedy rebound, India to remain fastest growing nation: FM
5. Products developed in-house by service innovators catch eyeballs
6. India, 57 countries call for inclusive and sustainable AI

Don’t erase or reload EVM data, says SC

Supreme Court ruling on EVM verification:

• The Court provided clarity on the process of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) verification, emphasizing that it should focus only on ensuring the microcontroller has not been tampered with.
• The ruling made it clear that the process should not involve any action that could alter the data stored in the machines, such as erasing or reloading it, ensuring the integrity of the machines remains intact.

Relevance : GS 2(Polity , Elections)

Key instruction for verification process:

• The Court directed that engineers should verify the microchips in the EVMs, confirming no tampering has occurred.
• This verification process must be carried out in the presence of the petitioners (candidates), which adds a layer of transparency to the procedure.
• The role of engineers is to certify that the microcontrollers are intact and have not been tampered with during the election process.

Petitioners’ concerns:

• The petitioners, represented by senior advocates Devadutt Kamat and Prashant Bhushan, raised concerns that the EVM verification process was more of a “mock poll” than an actual tampering check.
• They argued that the manner in which checks were being conducted did not provide the level of transparency and thoroughness they expected in verifying the EVMs’ integrity.

Election Commission’s defense:

• Senior advocate Maninder Singh, representing the Election Commission (EC), contested the maintainability of the petitions, suggesting that the issue had already been adjudicated in the past.
• Singh pointed out that some petitioners were revisiting the same issue after multiple rounds of litigation, including a judgment that upheld the use of EVMs, which the EC believes should settle the matter.
• This highlights the repetitive nature of the litigation around EVM verification and the EC’s position that the matter had already been addressed legally.

Next steps in the legal process:

• The Court has scheduled the next hearing for the week of March 3, 2025, to discuss the matter further.
• The EC has been instructed to file a short affidavit, providing its response to the petitioners’ concerns.
• This will likely lead to a more detailed examination of the verification procedures and whether there are any procedural improvements that could address the petitioners’ concerns.

Broader implications:

• The case reinforces ongoing public debates about the transparency and security of the electoral process, particularly the use of EVMs in elections.
• The Supreme Court’s ruling ensures that any verification of EVMs is conducted with transparency, but it also maintains that the fundamental integrity of the machines should be preserved, avoiding any manipulation of the data.
• This case could further influence future electoral reforms and the procedures for ensuring the credibility of voting systems in India.

IIT Madras develops indigenous Shakti semiconductor chip

Indigenous Shakti semiconductor chip:

• IIT Madras, in collaboration with ISRO, has developed an indigenous aerospace-quality Shakti-based semiconductor chip.

Relevance : GS 3(Science and Technology)

Backing and support:

• The development is supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under its Digital India RISC-V initiative (DIRV).
• The initiative aims to boost the indigenous development of microprocessor-based products with enhanced security and visibility for users adopting RISC-V technology.

Key features and applications:

• The chip is built on the Shakti processor baseline, with a specific focus on space applications, making it suitable for use in aerospace and other strategic sectors.
• The semiconductor chip has potential applications across diverse fields, including the Internet of Things (IoT) and computer systems, addressing both commercial and strategic needs.

Strategic importance for ISRO:

• The development of this chip is part of ISRO’s broader effort to indigenize semiconductors, supporting its goal of self-reliance in space technologies.
• ISRO aims to reduce dependence on foreign technologies by developing domestic alternatives that can be integrated into space missions.

Make in India and self-reliance:

• ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan highlighted the chip’s role as a significant milestone in the Make in India initiative, focusing on semiconductor design and fabrication within India.
• This indigenous chip represents a step forward in India’s ambition to become a leader in semiconductor technology and enhance its capabilities in both defense and space sectors.

Broader implications:

• The development of the Shakti-based chip signals India’s growing capabilities in semiconductor design and fabrication, vital for future advancements in electronics, defense, and space technology.
• The successful creation of this chip may inspire further investments in semiconductor innovation and production, contributing to India’s technological independence.

Addressing the growing threat of forest fires

Growing threat of forest fires:

• Forest fires are a global and national concern, often receiving attention only after significant incidents, such as the recent wildfires in Los Angeles.
• In India, 36% of forest cover is prone to fire, with incidents increasing tenfold in the last two decades, exacerbated by climate change and human activities.

Relevance : GS 3(Disaster Management)

Human-induced causes of forest fires:

• 90% of forest fires are caused by human activities: land clearing, slash-and-burn agriculture, and unattended campfires.
• Rising temperatures and extended dry spells further amplify the risk and intensity of forest fires.

Consequences of forest fires:

• Environmental impact: Loss of biodiversity, wildlife, and trees; disruption to soil fertility, water cycles, and human-wildlife conflicts.
• Economic losses: Forest fires emit 69 million tonnes of CO2 annually, contributing to climate change. Forest degradation costs India ₹1.74 lakh crore annually.
• Social impact: Communities dependent on forests lose access to timber and non-timber forest products, affecting their livelihoods.

Existing policies and schemes:

• India has the National Action Plan on Forest Fires and the Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme (FFPMS) to enhance fire management.
• However, funding for these schemes has been inconsistent, underscoring the need for more stable financial backing.

Challenges in forest fire management:

• The Forest Fire Alert System is unable to differentiate between forest and other fires, delaying responses.
• Limited technological tools, such as predictive modelling and real-time monitoring, hinder efficient fire management.

Technological solutions and advancements:

• Advanced predictive modelling can help identify high–risk areas for forest fires based on climate and geographic data.
• Drones with thermal imaging could monitor fire-prone areas, assess damage, and guide firefighting efforts, with successful pilot projects in Tamil Nadu and Odisha.
• Data integration from the Forest Survey of India, IMD, and ISRO could enhance fire predictions and management.

Empowering local communities:

• Local communities in fire–prone areas should be trained to collect and share real-time fire data via mobile apps, SMS-based systems, and toll-free helplines.
• Community initiatives, like those in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, can be expanded across India, where self-help groups collect pine needles to reduce fire risks.
• Empowering women and youth as ‘forest fire scouts’ and combining local knowledge with modern tools like fire risk mapping can strengthen community-driven fire prevention.

Need for a holistic approach:

• Addressing forest fires requires collaboration among policymakers, scientists, civil society groups, and local communities.
• A multi–dimensional approach, involving infrastructure improvement, consistent funding, technology adoption, community empowerment, and policy intervention, is essential for effective forest fire management.

Economy on speedy rebound, India to remain fastest growing nation: FM

India’s economic rebound:

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman asserts that India’s economy is undergoing a “speedy rebound” after a brief moderation in the second quarter of 2024-25.
• The Union Budget 2025-26 is designed to address the immediate challenges posed by global uncertainties while focusing on spurring growth and private sector investments.

Relevance :GS 3( Indian Economy)

Economic growth performance:

• India has experienced an average growth rate of 8% in the three years prior to 2024-25.
• Only two of the last 12 quarters saw growth rates below 5.4%, highlighting the resilience of the economy.
• Sitharaman stresses that India will remain the fastest growing major economy, with strong foundations supporting the ongoing rebound.

Focus on rural demand:

• Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) is projected to grow by 7.3% in 2024-25, with rural demand playing a significant role.
• PFCE is expected to account for 61.8% of nominal GDP, marking the highest level since 2002-03.

Global economic uncertainties:

• Sitharaman acknowledges the impact of global issues like persistent conflicts, stagnation in global GDP, and inflation in emerging markets on India’s economy.
• These global uncertainties are influencing India’s budget, but the government aims to balance national priorities with fiscal responsibility.

Capital expenditure:

• Responding to concerns about capital expenditure, Sitharaman clarifies that capital expenditure outlays have actually increased, not decreased.
• The effective capital expenditure for 2025-26 is pegged at 4.3% of GDP, slightly lower than the fiscal deficit of 4.4% of GDP.
• The government is prioritizing capital expenditure over revenue or other commitments, with borrowed funds being directed towards creating capital assets rather than covering routine expenses.

Government’s fiscal strategy:

• Sitharaman emphasizes that nearly all borrowed resources are being used for financing capital expenditure, indicating the government’s focus on long-term investments to boost economic growth.

Products developed in-house by service innovators catch eyeballs

AI Weapon System Development:

• The Ten AI Weapon System (TAIWS) has been developed in-house by Army personnel, including Colonel Ashish Dogra and Lieutenant Colonel Prashanth Agrawal, with collaboration from IIT Bombay and MIET Jammu students.
• TAIWS has completed successful field trials and is expected to enhance border surveillance, particularly for preventing terrorist infiltration along the Line of Control (LoC).

Relevance : GS 3(Technology)

Secondary Vision Technology:

• The system uses secondary vision technology to track terrorist movement in difficult terrains, such as the bushy and jungle areas of Kashmir, which are hard to monitor.
• The technology is integrated with a medium machine gun with a killing range of 2 km, already in use by the Army. The gun can also be swapped out if needed.

Innovation and Efficiency:

• These innovations are developed based on operational needs, aimed at improving efficiency and addressing the unique challenges faced by the Army.
• The Army Design Bureau has emphasized the role of “service innovators” in creating these solutions.

Additional Innovations:

• A 50-meter footbridge has been developed that can be quickly laid across water bodies in less than an hour.
• A 9mm sub-machine gun, developed by a serving Army officer, has already seen the induction of around 550 units.

Intellectual Property and Projects:

• The Army Design Bureau has filed for 75 intellectual property rights (IPRs), with 12 already granted.
• The Bureau is currently funding 100 projects, with 75 of them in their final stages.

India, 57 countries call for inclusive and sustainable AI

Inclusive and Sustainable AI Joint Statement:

• Fifty-eight countries, including India, China, Brazil, France, and Australia, signed a joint statement on “Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence for People and the Planet” at the AI Action Summit in Paris.
• The statement promotes the accessibility of AI and emphasizes trust and safety in its deployment.

Relevance : GS 3(Technology)

Key Goals of the Statement:

• Focus on enabling conditions for AI development while avoiding market concentration and promoting industrial recovery.
• Aims to foster AI in a way that positively shapes the future of work and labor markets.
• Emphasizes the need for AI to be human rights-based, ethical, safe, secure, and trustworthy.
• Highlights the importance of narrowing inequalities and assisting developing countries in building AI capacities.

U.S. and U.K. Stance:

• The U.S. and the U.K. did not sign the statement.
• U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance expressed concerns about excessive regulation in the AI sector, advocating for pro-growth AI policies.
• He warned that excessive regulation could harm the AI industry at its critical stage of development.

Previous International Statements:

• This is the third such international statement on AI, following similar ones issued after summits in the U.K. and South Korea.

India and France’s Role:

• India and France are co-chairing the AI Action Summit, emphasizing global collaboration on AI development and regulation.