Current Affairs 23 September 2024

CONTENTS

1. Indian Goods Exports Lose Momentum Amid Rising Trade Deficit
2. Explosions in Lebanon Linked to Modified Devices Used by Hezbollah
3. Government Announces “White Revolution 2.0” to Boost Dairy Sector
4. Sixth Quad Leaders Summit
5. Green Climate Fund
6. Global Cybersecurity Index
7. Advocate-on-Record

 Indian Goods Exports Lose Momentum Amid Rising Trade Deficit

Context:

Following a strong start in the first quarter of 2024-25, India’s goods exports have experienced a slowdown, with a 1.5% decline in July reaching an eight-month low, and a further 9.3% contraction in August. This decline coincided with a record import bill of $64.4 billion in August, resulting in a merchandise trade deficit of $29.7 billion, the second highest after October 2023’s record gap of $29.9 billion.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Factors Behind the Widening Trade Deficit
2. Risks Associated with Widening Trade Deficits
3. Challenges Ahead

Factors Behind the Widening Trade Deficit

Overview of Trade Deficit Growth

• Recent Trends:
  • Exports have decreased over the past two months.
  • Imports rose by 7.5% in July and 3.3% in August.
  • Resulted in a trade deficit reaching a nine-month high of $23.5 billion in July.
  • The deficit further widened by approximately $6.2 billion in August.

Export Performance

• Sector Growth:
  • 18 out of 30 major segments saw growth in exports in July.
  • 19 segments showed growth in August.
• Notable Declines:
  • Key sectors like petroleum and gems and jewellery faced significant downturns.
    • Oil exports fell by 22.2% in July and 37.6% in August.
    • Jewellery exports dropped over 20% in both months.
• Slowing Growth in Other Sectors:
  • Notable slowdowns in drugs, pharmaceuticals, and electronics.
  • Declines in certain segments like stone, plaster, cement, and iron ore due to a slowing Chinese economy.

Oil Import Trends

• Impact of Oil Prices:
  • Despite a $6 decrease in oil prices per barrel in August, India’s oil import bill decreased nearly one-third to $11 billion.
  • This brought the petroleum deficit to its lowest in three years.

Contributions to Trade Deficit

• Key Contributors:
  • The rise in the merchandise trade deficit was primarily due to declines in gems and jewellery exports, with minor contributions from miscellaneous and electronic items.
• Gems and Jewellery Exports:
  • Exports fell below $2 billion.
  • Gold imports surged to a record $10.1 billion in August, more than doubling from previous months.
  • This surge contrasts with a 10.7% decrease in gold imports in July.

Reasons for Increased Gold Imports

• Factors Influencing Gold Imports:
  • Reduction of gold import duty from 15% to 6%, as per the Budget announcement.
  • Recent rise in gold prices.
  • Domestic jewellery manufacturers stocking up for the festive season.

Future Outlook

• Expectations:
  • Economists anticipate that the full effects of the duty cuts on gold and other items will continue to impact the import bill in the coming months.

Risks Associated with Widening Trade Deficits

Current Economic Outlook

• No Immediate Risk:
  • Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal reassures that the trade deficit poses no significant risk to the economy.
  • India’s growth rate exceeds that of the global economy, leading to higher demand for imports than the world’s demand for Indian exports.
  • Barthwal asserts that for a developing economy with high growth, the trade deficit should not be a concern, provided there are no foreign exchange issues.

Foreign Capital and Reserves

• Positive Capital Inflows:
  • Foreign capital inflows have remained positive in recent months.
• Foreign Exchange Reserves:
  • As of August 2, India’s foreign exchange reserves reached a record $675 billion.
  • The Finance Ministry notes this is sufficient to cover 11.6 months of imports.
  • Coverage may decrease if imports exceed $60 billion in the near future.
• Growth in Services Exports:
  • Services exports are estimated to have increased by over 10% from April to August, providing some reassurance.

Global Trade Environment

• Expected Growth:
  • Global trade is projected to grow faster in 2024 compared to 2023, though current demand is weak in developed markets.
• Geopolitical Risks:
  • Ongoing geopolitical tensions and conflicts, along with the upcoming U.S. elections and tariff hikes on Chinese goods, complicate the trade landscape.
  • China’s declining demand for imports may lead to increased dumping of goods in non-U.S. markets at lower prices.
• Oil Prices and Exports:
  • Low oil prices, driven by global demand pressures, may negatively impact India’s oil export prospects.

Challenges Ahead

• Long-Term Export Goals:
  • The Indian government aims to increase services and goods exports to $1 trillion each by 2030.
• Hurdles to Growth:
  • Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran highlights challenges such as:
    • Slowing global economy.
    • Increased tariffs and non-tariff barriers.
    • Adoption of “active industrial policies” by various countries post-pandemic.
    • New trade regulations, including the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and Deforestation Rules.
• Outlook:
  • While there may be opportunities to boost exports in the next year or two, the overall forecast for trade growth remains challenging.

-Source: The Hindu

Explosions in Lebanon Linked to Modified Devices Used by Hezbollah

Context:

Recent explosions in Lebanon, involving hand-held radios such as walkie-talkies and pagers used by Hezbollah, resulted in several fatalities and hundreds of injuries across multiple locations. The devices were covertly modified with Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) to avoid detection via cell phones.

Relevance:

GS III: Science and Technology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Walkie-Talkies
2. Pagers
3. Hezbollah
4. Lebanon

Walkie-Talkies:

• Definition: Handheld, two-way radio devices that allow for voice communication over radio waves. They consist of a transmitter-receiver unit, a microphone, a speaker, and a push-to-talk button.
• History:
  • First used by the military in the 1930s.
  • Invented by Don Hings in 1937, initially for pilots, and were known as wireless sets, pack sets, and two-way field radios.
• How They Work:
  • Operate on specific frequency bands.
  • Users press the push-to-talk button to transmit their voice, which is converted into radio waves.
  • The receiving walkie-talkie picks up these waves and converts them back into sound.
• Applications:
  • Extensively used in emergency services, security, military operations, and industries like construction and hospitality.
  • Valuable in areas with poor mobile network reception due to their independence from cellular networks.
• Modern Features:
  • Modern walkie-talkies include features like flashlights, hands-free technology, SOS signals, and weather alerts.
• Common Issues:
  • Coverage can be lost due to battery depletion.
  • Background noise and static during transmission.
  • Privacy concerns as transmissions can sometimes be intercepted.

Pagers:

• Definition: Also known as beepers, pagers are wireless devices that receive and display messages. They are particularly reliable in areas with weak cellular signals.
• History and Usage:
  • Widely used in the 1980s and still relied upon in specific fields like healthcare and emergency services.
• How They Work:
  • Operate using radio signals transmitted by towers.
  • Can penetrate areas where cellular signals are weak, making them reliable for critical communication.
• Types of Pagers:
  • One-way Pagers: Receive messages but cannot send replies. They alert users through beeps or vibrations.
  • Two-way Pagers: Allow sending and receiving messages but have fewer functions compared to smartphones.
• Applications in Covert Operations:
  • No GPS or Internet Connectivity: This reduces the risk of location tracking.
  • Difficult to Monitor: Radio frequencies are harder to monitor than cellular or internet-based communications.
  • Modified Uses: Pagers can be used to trigger remote signals or alerts discreetly.
  • Use in RCIEDs: Pagers and other electronics have been modified for use in Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Devices (RCIEDs), making them effective in covert operations.

Comparison:

• Walkie-Talkies: Ideal for real-time two-way voice communication, especially in environments where direct and immediate conversation is necessary.
• Pagers: Best for receiving text-based alerts or messages, especially in low-signal environments and when real-time conversation is not required.

Hezbollah:

• Definition: Hezbollah, meaning “Party of God,” is a Shia militia and political party based in Lebanon. It is considered one of the most heavily armed non-state actors in the world.
• Formation and Background: It emerged during the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) in response to Israeli invasions of southern Lebanon in 1978 and 1982. Inspired by Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution, Hezbollah has received significant support from Iran, particularly the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
• Designation as a Terrorist Organization:
  • The United States, Israel, and several other countries have designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization due to its militant activities, involvement in attacks, and its role in regional conflicts.

Lebanon:

• Location: Lebanon is a country in the Levant region of West Asia, situated along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
• Borders: It is bordered by Syria to the north and east, Israel to the south, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. The island of Cyprus lies to the west, across the Mediterranean.
• Capital: The capital and largest city is Beirut.

-Source: Hindustan Times

Government Announces “White Revolution 2.0” to Boost Dairy Sector

Context:

Building on the success of Operation Flood, which initiated the White Revolution in 1970 and transformed India’s dairy sector, the government has announced plans for “White Revolution 2.0” to further enhance the sector’s growth and productivity.

Relevance:

GS III: Agriculture

Dimensions of the Article:

1. White Revolution 2.0: Key Objectives and Initiatives
2. Status of Dairy Cooperatives in India
3. Milk Scenario in India: Overview and Key Insights
4. Challenges and Future Prospects
5. Conclusion

White Revolution 2.0: Key Objectives and Initiatives

• Boosting Milk Procurement:
  • The initiative aims to increase milk procurement by dairy cooperatives from 660 lakh kg per day in 2023-24 to 1,007 lakh kg per day by 2028-29.
  • This represents a 50% increase over the next five years, enhancing market access for dairy farmers and generating employment opportunities, especially empowering women in rural areas.
• Expanding Cooperative Reach:
  • Focuses on expanding the reach of dairy cooperatives to new, uncovered areas, thus increasing their share in the organized dairy sector.
  • This will build on the legacy of Operation Flood, which revolutionized milk production and distribution in India.
• Establishing New Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCSs):
  • The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) plans to establish 56,000 new multipurpose DCSs over the next five years and strengthen 46,000 existing ones.
  • Key states identified for new DCSs include Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh.
  • These societies will be equipped with advanced milk procurement and testing infrastructure to ensure quality and efficiency.
• Funding and Support:
  • The National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) 2.0 will provide the majority of the funding for White Revolution 2.0.
  • Financial aid will be provided for setting up milk procurement systems, chilling facilities, and capacity-building programs at the village level.
  • An additional grant of Rs 40,000 will be provided to 1,000 Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperative Societies (MPACSs) to support the infrastructure of dairy cooperatives.
• Pilot Project Success:
  • In February 2023, NDDB launched a Rs 3.8 crore pilot project to establish dairy cooperatives in uncovered gram panchayats in Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka.
  • As a result, 79 new DCSs were set up, now procuring 15,000 liters of milk daily from around 2,500 farmers.

Status of Dairy Cooperatives in India:

Current Coverage:

• Dairy cooperatives currently cover around 70% of India’s districts, with approximately 1.7 lakh cooperative societies operating in 2 lakh villages. This accounts for 30% of the total villages in the country.

Contribution to Milk Procurement:

• These cooperative societies procure about 10% of the country’s total milk production and 16% of the marketable surplus.

Regional Disparities:

• States like Gujarat, Kerala, and Sikkim have higher coverage of dairy cooperatives.
• In contrast, states such as West Bengal and regions like the Northeast have less than 10% coverage, indicating significant regional disparities.
• The government aims to bridge these gaps by expanding the dairy cooperative networks across all regions in India.

Impact and Future Goals:

• Market Empowerment: White Revolution 2.0 aims to provide better market access and support to dairy farmers in less covered and uncovered areas, boosting their income and ensuring better price realization for their produce.
• Employment and Women’s Empowerment: The initiative is expected to generate substantial employment opportunities in rural areas and empower women by providing them with a reliable source of income.
• Dairy Sector Growth: By increasing the share of dairy cooperatives in the organized sector, White Revolution 2.0 aims to ensure a more structured and efficient dairy supply chain, contributing to the overall growth of India’s dairy industry.

Milk Scenario in India: Overview and Key Insights

Global Leadership in Milk Production:

• India is the world’s largest milk producer, achieving a production volume of 230.58 million tonnes during the 2022-23 period.
• There has been a notable increase in milk production, rising from 187.75 million tonnes in 2018-19 to 230.58 million tonnes in 2022-23.
• Despite this growth, the annual growth rate of production has declined, falling from 6.47% to 3.83% over the same period.

Marketable Surplus and Consumption:

• Approximately 63% of the total milk production reaches the market for sale, while the remaining portion is retained by producers for self-consumption.
• Of the milk entering the market, about two-thirds are handled by the unorganized sector, indicating a significant role of small-scale vendors and local markets.

Organized Sector and Cooperatives:

• In the organized sector, dairy cooperatives hold a significant share, contributing to structured marketing and distribution networks.
• Efforts like the White Revolution 2.0 aim to increase the participation of dairy cooperatives, especially in underserved regions.

Average Yield of Dairy Animals:

• The average milk yield for exotic/crossbred animals stands at 8.55 kg per animal per day, while for indigenous/nondescript animals, it is only 3.44 kg per animal per day.
• There are significant regional disparities, with yields as high as 13.49 kg per animal per day in Punjab for exotic/crossbreed animals, compared to just 6.30 kg per animal per day in West Bengal.

Per Capita Milk Availability:

• The national per capita availability of milk in India is 459 grams per day, which is notably higher than the global average of 323 grams per day.
• However, this availability varies significantly across states, ranging from 329 grams per day in Maharashtra to 1,283 grams per day in Punjab.

Leading Milk Producing States:

• The top five milk-producing states in India are:
  1. Uttar Pradesh (15.72%)
  2. Rajasthan (14.44%)
  3. Madhya Pradesh (8.73%)
  4. Gujarat (7.49%)
  5. Andhra Pradesh (6.70%)
• Together, these states contribute over 53% of the country’s total milk production.

Economic Contribution of the Dairy Sector:

• The milk group, which includes milk consumed or sold in liquid form, ghee, butter, and lassi produced by households, accounted for almost 40% (Rs 11.16 lakh crore) of the total value of output from the agriculture, livestock, forestry, and fishing sector in 2022-23.
• This contribution is significantly higher than that of cereals, highlighting the economic importance of the dairy sector.

Livelihood and Employment:

• The dairy sector is a major source of livelihood in India, providing direct or indirect employment to more than 8.5 crore people.
• A significant proportion of those involved in dairy activities are women, emphasizing the sector’s role in rural women’s economic empowerment.

Challenges and Future Prospects:

• Addressing Regional Disparities: Efforts like White Revolution 2.0 aim to bridge the gaps in dairy cooperative coverage, particularly in underserved regions like West Bengal and the Northeast.
• Improving Yield and Productivity: Enhancing the yield of dairy animals through better breeding, feed, and healthcare practices is essential for sustaining growth in milk production.
• Organized Sector Expansion: Increasing the share of the organized sector, especially through cooperatives, will help in ensuring better price realization for farmers and quality assurance for consumers.

Conclusion:

The Indian dairy sector has made significant strides in becoming the world leader in milk production. However, there are still challenges to be addressed, such as improving productivity, reducing regional disparities, and expanding the organized sector’s reach. Initiatives like White Revolution 2.0 aim to tackle these issues and ensure sustainable growth and development of the dairy industry in India.

-Source: The Hindu, Indian Express

Sixth Quad Leaders Summit

Context:

PM Modi participated in the sixth Quad Leaders’ Summit in Wilmington, Delaware (USA). This year’s summit was hosted by US.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Key Outcomes of Quad Summit 2024:
2. About QUAD

Key Outcomes of Quad Summit 2024:

Quad Wilmington Declaration:

• Adopted to advance the Quad agenda, outlining the group’s strategic direction and collaborative initiatives.

Quad Cancer Moonshot Initiative:

• Objective: Aims to reduce the burden of cancer in the Indo-Pacific region, focusing initially on cervical cancer.
• Approach: Builds on prior collaboration in COVID-19 efforts, leveraging investments, scientific expertise, and contributions from the private and non-profit sectors.
• Future Scope: The initiative aims to address other forms of cancer over time.

Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI):

• Purpose: Supports regional partners in effectively utilizing tools from the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) and other Quad initiatives.
• Components:
  • Enhances maritime monitoring, security, law enforcement, and deters illegal activities in regional waters.
  • India to host the inaugural MAITRI workshop in 2025.
  • Introduction of a maritime legal dialogue to uphold a rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific.
  • Upgrades to IPMDA capabilities with new technology and data over the next year.

Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission:

• Launch: First-ever mission planned for 2025.
• Participants: US, Japan, Australia, and Indian Coast Guards.
• Goal: Enhance maritime safety and interoperability among Quad nations.

Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network Pilot Project:

• Function: Share airlift capacity and leverage collective logistics strengths.
• Benefit: Enables faster and more efficient civilian responses to natural disasters across the Indo-Pacific.

Sustainable Port Infrastructure Development:

• Focus: Support sustainable and resilient port infrastructure development in the Indo-Pacific.
• Objective: Utilize Quad’s expertise for infrastructure support.

Semiconductor Supply Chains Contingency Network Memorandum of Cooperation:

• Aim: Enhance the resilience of Quad’s semiconductor supply chains, ensuring stability and security in technology supply.

Other Announcements:

• Energy Efficiency: Collective effort to boost energy efficiency, including the deployment and manufacturing of high-efficiency affordable cooling systems in the Indo-Pacific.
• Space-Based Web Portal: India to establish a space-based web portal for Mauritius, supporting open science for monitoring extreme weather events and climate impact.
• Quad STEM Fellowship: New sub-category under the Quad STEM Fellowship for students from the Indo-Pacific to pursue a 4-year bachelor’s engineering program at a Government of India-funded technical institute.

Future Summits:

• Quad Leaders’ Summit 2025: India will host the next Quad Leaders’ Summit in 2025, continuing the dialogue and collaboration among Quad nations.

About QUAD

• The Quad is an informal strategic forum comprising four nations, namely –India, United States of America, Australia and Japan.
• One of the primary objectives of the Quad is, to work for a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
• The group for the first time met in 2007 on the side lines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
• It is considered an alliance of maritime democracies.
• The forum is maintained through meetings, semi-regular summits, information exchanges, and military drills of all the member countries.
• The motive behind the Quad is, to keep the strategic sea routes in the Indo-Pacific, free of any military or political influence.
• The core objective of the Quad is, to secure a rules-based global order, freedom of navigation and, a liberal trading system.
• The coalition also aims to offer, alternative debt financing for nations in the Indo-Pacific region.

Purpose of Quad:

• Recently the U.S. has clarified that Quad is not a security or military partnership.
• Its purpose is to advance cooperation on key priorities in specific sectors that is consistent with international law
• It promotes shared values of its members and underpins peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
• A U.S. State Department spokesperson said that “We work to support the rule of law, freedom of navigation and overflight, peaceful resolution of disputes, democratic values, and territorial integrity through open dialogue and information sharing on a diverse set of issue areas, including Maritime Security”.

Significance of Quad:

Quad is becoming a powerful mechanism and its significance is given below:

• Helping to vaccinate a big part of the world and getting a lot of vaccines out there,
• Strengthening maritime security to push back against aggression and coercion in the Indo-Pacific region,
• Working together on emerging technologies and making sure that they can be used in positive ways and an increasingly broad and deep agenda.
• It also supports many activities/platforms as part of its shared approach to the Indo-Pacific.

-Source: The Hindu

Green Climate Fund

Context:

Recently, the Chief of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) committed to ensuring that vulnerable nations receive the necessary financial support to address climate challenges.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Green Climate Fund (GCF):

• Overview:
  • Establishment: The GCF was established at COP 16 in Cancun, 2010, as a key initiative under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
  • Purpose: The GCF aims to support developing countries in their efforts to combat climate change by funding projects and programs that promote low-emission and climate-resilient development.
  • Structure: It operates as a legally independent institution with a fully independent secretariat, led by an Executive Secretary. The Secretariat is based in Songdo, South Korea, and began its operations in December 2013.
• Function and Approach:
  • Partnership Approach: The GCF uses a country-owned approach to accelerate transformative climate action in developing countries. This involves collaborating with national entities and leveraging flexible financing solutions.
  • Expertise: The GCF provides climate investment expertise and supports projects that integrate both mitigation and adaptation measures.

-Source: The Hindu

Global Cybersecurity Index

Context:

India has marked a significant milestone in its cybersecurity efforts by achieving top Tier i.e. Tier 1 status in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2024.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI)
2. International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI)

• Purpose: A trusted reference for assessing and raising awareness of countries’ commitment to cybersecurity at a global level.
• Publisher: International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
• Assessment Criteria: Countries are evaluated based on their development and engagement across five pillars:
  • Legal Measures
  • Technical Measures
  • Organizational Measures
  • Capacity Development
  • Cooperation
• Scoring: Each country’s performance in these pillars is aggregated into an overall score.

Key Highlights of GCI 2024

• Top Performers:
  • 46 countries are placed in Tier 1, representing the highest commitment to cybersecurity across all five pillars.
  • India scored 98.49 out of 100, positioning it among the top ‘role-modelling’ countries demonstrating strong global cybersecurity practices.
• General Trends:
  • Most countries fall into either Tier 3 (“establishing”) or Tier 4 (“evolving”) in terms of cybersecurity development.

International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

• Specialized agency of the United Nations for information and communication technologies.
• Coordinates between governments and private sector bodies for global telecommunication and ICT services.
• Established in 1865 as International Telegraph Union.
• Became a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1947.
• Headquarters located in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Membership: ITU has a membership of 193 countries and nearly 800 private sector entities and academic institutions.

Functions of International Telecommunication Union (ITU):

• Allocation of global radio spectrum and satellite orbits.
• Coordination and setting of technical standards related to telecommunication/ICT.
• Striving to improve access to ICTs in underserved communities worldwide.

India’s association with ITU:

• India has been an active member of the ITU since 1869.
• India has been a regular member of the ITU Council since 1952.

ITU Area office and Innovation Centre:

• India has fully funded the ITU Area Office, which is located on the second floor of the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT) building in Mehrauli, New Delhi.
• The office will serve countries in the region including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Afghanistan, and Iran.
• The office aims to improve coordination among nations in the region and foster mutually beneficial economic cooperation.

-Source: The Hindu

Advocate-on-Record

Context:

The Supreme Court (SC) recently said that advocates-on-record (AoR) in a given case must mark the appearance of only those lawyers who are authorized to appear and argue that case on the particular day

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Advocate-on-Record (AoR)

• Introduced by the Supreme Court (SC) of India under the powers granted by Article 145(1) of the Indian Constitution.
• Purpose: Regulates the practices and procedures of the SC by designating a specific category of advocates.

Role and Responsibilities

• Exclusive Rights:
  • An AoR is the only advocate authorized to represent clients and file cases in the SC.
  • They have the exclusive right to file and conduct cases in the SC.
• Procedural Duties:
  • Responsible for completing all procedural formalities, such as drafting and filing petitions, applications, and other legal documents.
  • An AoR is assisted by a registered clerk for these tasks.
• Communication:
  • All notices, orders, or correspondences from the SC are sent to the AoR, making them the primary point of contact between the court and the client.
• Specialization:
  • AoRs specialize in the practice and procedures of the SC and are well-versed in its rules and regulations.
• Unique Provision:
  • This designation exists only in the SC; no other High Court in India has a similar system.

Requirements to Become an AoR

Outlined in Order IV Rule 5 of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013:

• State Bar Enrollment: The advocate must be enrolled with any State Bar Council.
• Experience: A minimum of four years of prior legal experience.
• Training: Completion of one year of training under a senior AoR.
• Examination: Must pass an examination conducted by the SC.
• Location Requirement:
  • Must have an office in Delhi within a 10-mile radius of the SC house.
  • Must employ a registered clerk within one month of registration as an AoR.

Identification

• Unique Identification Number:
  • Upon registration, an AoR is issued a unique identification number.
  • This number must be used on all documents filed in the SC.

Significance

• AoRs play a crucial role in navigating legal matters through the highest court of the country, ensuring that procedures are properly followed and legal documentation is accurately filed.

-Source: The Hindu