DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 29th August 2024

 Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: The government has banned 156 fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs, including popular medicines such as Cheston Cold and Foracet, used for cold and fever and pain respectively.

Background: –

• The ban is the most sweeping crackdown on FDCs since 2018, when 328 such drugs were banned. A total 499 FDCs have been banned since 2014.

About Fixed-Dose Combination (FDC) drugs

• Definition: FDCs are medications that combine two or more active ingredients (chemical compounds in medicines that have an effect on the body) into a single pill, capsule, or injection.
• Purpose: Designed to simplify treatment for conditions like tuberculosis and diabetes, FDCs reduce the number of pills a patient needs, aiming to improve adherence to medication regimens.
• Examples: For instance, Cheston Cold combines paracetamol (for fever), cetirizine (for allergies), and phenylephrine (for nasal congestion). While this may be beneficial for allergy-related symptoms, it is unnecessary and potentially harmful for bacterial infections.

Potential Risks:

• FDCs may include unnecessary drugs or components, leading to ineffective treatment or adverse effects.
• Excessive use of certain FDCs, particularly those containing antibiotics, can contribute to antibiotic resistance, making future infections harder to treat.

Regulatory Actions:

• Reason for Ban: The ban targets irrational FDCs containing combinations that either do not work well together or are not needed. A significant concern is the misuse of antibiotics, which can lead to increased resistance.
• Market Impact: Despite previous bans, a 2023 study showed that the proportion of FDCs among antibiotics sold in India rose from 32.9% in 2008 to 37.3% in 2020. India has one of the highest numbers of FDCs globally, with many considered inappropriate.
• Pricing Issues: Companies sometimes use FDCs to bypass government price controls on essential medicines.

Recent Government Action:

• The government is addressing irrational FDCs that were approved without comprehensive trials. Banned drugs were initially approved by various state licensing authorities without any trials for combinations because the ingredients were individually approved.
• New regulations from the 2019 Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules classify FDCs as new drugs, requiring approval from the central drug regulator, thereby reducing the presence of irrational combinations in the market.

Source: Indian Express

 Syllabus

• Mains GS-2

Context: The Himachal Pradesh Assembly on August 27, passed a Bill raising the minimum marriageable age for women from 18 to 21 years

Background: –

• The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Bill, 2024, was passed by voice vote. It seeks to amend the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (2006 Act) to advance gender equality and encourage higher education among women.

Why was the Bill passed?

• Commitment to Women’s Welfare: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated that the Bill reflects government’s dedication to improving the welfare of women. Himachal Pradesh is the first state in India to legislate the increase of the minimum marriage age for girls to 21 years.
• Educational and Health Concerns: Health Minister emphasized that early marriage hinders girls’ education and career progress, negatively impacts their physical development, and leads to early pregnancies, affecting women’s health.
• Gender Equality and Opportunities: The Bill aims to provide gender equality and enhance opportunities for higher education by increasing the minimum marriageable age for girls.

Key Provisions:

• Redefinition of “Child”: Section Section 2(a) of the 2006 Act defines a “child” as someone “who, if male, has not completed twenty-one years of age, and if female, has not completed eighteen years of age.” The Bill removes this gender-based distinction, redefining a “child” as a male or female who has not completed 21 years of age.
• Extended Petition Period: Bill extends the time period for filing a petition to annul a marriage. Under Section 3 of the 2006 Act, an individual who was a minor at the time of marriage can file for annulment within two years of attaining majority —before turning 20 for women and 23 for men. The Bill extends this period to five years, allowing both women and men to file petitions before they turn 23.
• Precedence of the Bill: A new provision, Section 18A, has been introduced to ensure that the Bill’s provisions take precedence over all other existing laws. This means that the new minimum marriageable age for women will apply uniformly across Himachal Pradesh, regardless of any conflicting laws or religious and cultural practices.

Why will the President’s Assent Be Required?

• Concurrent List Conflict: The Bill deals with marriage, a subject on the Concurrent List, where both central and state governments can legislate.
• Potential Conflict with Central Law: since the Bill introduces a different minimum marriageable age for women, its provisions will be deemed inconsistent with the 2006 Act —a law enacted by Parliament.
• Article 254: Under Article 254 of the Constitution, if state legislation contradicts central law, it becomes void unless the President’s assent is obtained. With the President’s assent, the state law will override the central law within Himachal Pradesh.

Expert Opinions:

• Child and women’s rights activists argue that raising the minimum marriage age may increase parental control over young adults, especially in a patriarchal society.
• Potential Misuse of Law: Activists highlight that the existing law is often misused by parents to penalize daughters who marry against their wishes, and increasing the age to 21 could exacerbate this issue, leading to further persecution of young women.
• Such a legislative reform could also leave a vast majority of Indian women who marry before the age of 21 years without the legal protections that the institution of marriage otherwise provides.
• It is also likely to endanger the life and liberty of the marginalised communities exposing them to further brutal policing.
• The 2008 Law Commission Report recommended setting a uniform age of marriage for both men and women at 18 years. The National Human Rights Commission in 2018 too proposed a similar reform.

Source: The Hindu

 Syllabus

• Prelims: CURRENT EVENT

Context: After the brutal rape and murder of a doctor on duty at Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, there has been a clamour of voices seeking the death penalty for the accused.

Background: On December 23, 2012 a committee headed by Justice J.S. Verma, former Chief Justice of India, was constituted to recommend changes to the Criminal Law so as to provide for quicker trial and enhanced punishment for criminals accused of sexual assault. It was set up after the gang rape of a paramedic student in Delhi on December 16, 2012 (Nirbhaya).

J.S Verma committee and aftermath

• The committee suggested that the death penalty is not an effective deterrent against serious crimes, but this was not considered.
• The Union Cabinet did not adopt the Justice Verma Committee’s recommendation against the death penalty when it cleared the ordinance on sexual assault.

Amendments Introduced:

• Key amendments in 2013 included the death penalty for: Rape leading to death or a persistent vegetative state (Section 376A), Repeat offenders (Section 376E).
• In 2018, further changes introduced death as the maximum punishment for every participant in a gang rape when the victim is less than 12 years old (Section 376DB), and life-long imprisonment if the victim is less than 16 (Section 376DA).
• Under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, punishment for rape is laid down in several Sections including 64, 65 and 70(2), which notes the punishment for gang rape of a woman under the age of 18 is the death penalty.

Justice Verma Committee’s Recommendations:

• Enhanced Sentences for Rape: The committee proposed increasing sentences for rape from 7 years to 10 years, 20 years, and life imprisonment, stopping short of recommending the death penalty.
• Persistent Vegetative State: For cases causing a persistent vegetative state, the committee recommended rigorous imprisonment of no less than 20 years, or life imprisonment for the remainder of the perpetrator’s natural life.
• Death Penalty as a Myth: The committee highlighted evidence suggesting that the deterrent effect of the death penalty on serious crimes is a myth. According to the Working Group on Human Rights, the murder rate has declined consistently in India over the last 20 years despite the slowdown in the execution of death sentences since 1980.

Stance on Marital Rape:

• Removal of Marital Rape Exception: The committee recommended removing the exception for marital rape, emphasizing that a relationship between the perpetrator and victim should not be a defense against rape.
• Government’s Response: The Union government did not accept this recommendation and refused to criminalize marital rape. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita retains the exception that sexual acts by a man with his wife (over 18 years old) are not considered rape.

Gender Rights and Empowerment:

• Broader Empowerment of Women: The Verma Committee stressed that true empowerment extends beyond political equality to include social, educational, and economic equality.
• Importance of Law and Public Policy: The committee argued that law and public policy must engage with women’s rights, skills development, and insist on total equality in relationships with society and the state.
• Social Mindsets: The committee observed that correcting gender biases requires changes in social norms, led by societal leaders and supported by systemic changes in education and behavior.

Source: Hindu

 Syllabus

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Union Health Minister recently launched the National Medical Register (NMR) Portal in New Delhi.

Background: This initiative contributes to strengthening the digital healthcare ecosystem and ensuring quality healthcare for the people of India.

About National Medical Register (NMR)

• National Medical Register (NMR) Portal facilitates the registration of MBBS doctors eligible for practice in India.
• It is mandated under Section 31 of the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019.
• The Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) maintains an electronic National Register containing doctors’ details.
• The NMR is linked with Aadhaar IDs, ensuring individual authenticity.

Registration Process:

• Doctors register easily through a simple online process, and the portal interlinks medical colleges/institutions and State Medical Councils (SMCs).

Key Features:

• Digital Registration: This is a web-based registration of all medical practitioners to facilitate the e-registration and issuance of certificates. Access to upload, view, update, and download related information.
• Accessible Database: Searchable authenticated computer-based NMR for easy access by the public on the website. This transparency helps patients verify the credentials of their doctors.
• Streamlined Processes: The portal simplifies the processes for registration and record management.
• Real-time Updates: As soon as information is verified and updated it shall be published in the system to be available to the public.

Advantages of the NMR Portal

• Transparency and Accountability: The Portal will reduce the chances of preoccupation of fraud professionals as this one introduces interconnection of information of state medical councils with one another.
• Patient Empowerment: Patients can easily verify the credentials of their healthcare providers, fostering trust and confidence in the medical system.
• Efficiency in Administration: The digital platform significantly reduces administrative bottlenecks, enabling quicker processing of registrations and renewals.
• Data Integration: The portal integrates data from various state medical councils, providing a unified and centralized register of medical practitioners.

Impact on Healthcare Governance

• The project integration of this new phase of NMR was designed within the frame of the Digital India scheme.
• It not only enhances administrative efficiency but also helps in maintaining high standards of medical practice by ensuring that only qualified professionals are registered.

Source: PIB

 Syllabus

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: The Maharashtra government has officially designated the ancient geoglyphs and petroglyphs in Ratnagiri as “protected monuments” under the Maharashtra Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960.

Background: These remarkable artifacts date back to the Mesolithic era and depict various animals.

Key takeaways

• A geoglyph refers to a design that is drawn on the earth.
• Geoglyphs are typically formed of durable elements of the landscape, such as stones, gravel, or earth.
• A geoglyph is usually longer than four metres.
• Geoglyphs are difficult to see or even identify on the ground but are easily appreciated when seen from the sky.

Different types of Geoglyphs

• Positive Geoglyphs: These are created by arranging and aligning materials on the ground to form specific shapes or patterns. Petroforms, which use boulders or stones, fall into this category. Positive geoglyphs can be quite intricate and are often best appreciated from an aerial perspective.
• Negative Geoglyphs: In contrast, negative geoglyphs involve removing part of the natural ground surface to create distinct patterns. Similar to petroglyphs (which are carvings on rock surfaces), negative geoglyphs reveal differently coloured or textured ground. They can be found in various landscapes around the world.
• Arborglyphs: These unique geoglyphs rely on living plants. By carefully seeding and nurturing specific vegetation, people create designs that become visible over time. The patience required for arborglyphs is remarkable, as the design gradually emerges as the plants grow.
• Chalk Giants: These geoglyphs are carved into hillsides, exposing the underlying bedrock. The Uffington White Horse and the Cerne Giant in southern England are excellent examples of chalk giants.

Petroglyphs

• Petroglyphs are fascinating rock carvings created by removing part of a rock surface through incising, pecking, carving, or abrading.
• These ancient images hold cultural and religious significance for the societies that made them.

Source: Times of India

 Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains : POLITY

Context: A recent report by the Ministry of Law and Justice has revealed that nearly two decades after plea bargaining was introduced, its application in India remains minimal.

Background: While plea bargaining remains underutilized, efforts to raise awareness and improve its implementation are crucial for achieving more efficient justice delivery in India.

About Plea bargaining

• Plea bargaining is a legal process in the Indian criminal justice system that allows for the negotiation and resolution of criminal cases between the accused (the defendant) and the prosecution (the state) without a full trial.
• Plea Bargaining was introduced in India in an attempt to streamline the judicial system and reduce the burden on India’s overloaded courts.
• It aims to expedite case resolution and promote efficiency by encouraging defendants to plead guilty in exchange for more lenient sentencing or other benefits.

Plea Bargaining in India:

• In India, plea bargaining is governed by the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, which incorporated it in 2005.
• Under the Indian legal system, plea bargaining is available for offenses that are punishable with imprisonment for a term of seven years or less.
• The accused person must voluntarily opt for plea bargaining, and the court must be satisfied that the plea has been made voluntarily and with full knowledge of its consequences.
• Plea bargaining can take place at any stage of the criminal justice process, from the initial charge to the trial itself.
• The process of plea bargaining in India is initiated by the accused by filing an application before the court expressing his willingness to plead guilty.
• The court will then examine the application and may allow or reject it based on the facts and circumstances of the case.
• If the court allows the application, it will refer the matter to the prosecutor for further negotiations.
• During the negotiation process, the prosecutor may offer a reduced sentence or some other concession in exchange for the accused’s guilty plea.
• The accused may accept or reject the offer, and if accepted, the court will record the plea of guilt and pronounce the sentence as per the terms of the plea-bargaining agreement.
• The court has the discretion to accept or reject the plea-bargaining agreement if it deems it to be unjust, unreasonable, or contrary to the interest of justice.
• Additionally, if the accused breaches the terms of the plea-bargaining agreement, the court may set aside the agreement and proceed with the trial.
• The accused has the right to withdraw the plea at any time before the court pronounces the sentence. If the plea is withdrawn, the trial continues as if the plea-bargaining process had not occurred.
• Once the sentence is pronounced, it becomes final, and the accused cannot appeal against it except on the grounds of manifest injustice.

Types of Plea Bargaining:

• Charge Bargaining: The defendant pleads guilty to a lesser offense than the one originally charged.
• Sentence Bargaining: The defendant pleads guilty in exchange for a specific sentence recommendation.
• Fact Bargaining: The defendant admits to certain facts in exchange for leniency.
• Count Bargaining: The defendant pleads guilty to some charges while others are dismissed.
• Alford Plea: The defendant maintains innocence but acknowledges that there is enough evidence for conviction.
• No Contest Plea: The defendant neither admits nor denies guilt but accepts punishment.

Source: Hindu

Q1.) With reference to the National Medical Register (NMR) Portal, consider the following statements?

1. National Medical Register Portal facilitates the registration of MBBS doctors eligible for practice in India.
2. It is mandated under the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019.
3. The Portal will reduce the chances of preoccupation of fraud professionals as this one introduces interconnection of information of state medical councils with one another.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Q2.) With reference to the geoglyph, consider the following statements:

1. A geoglyph is a design drawn on the earth.
2. Geoglyphs are typically formed of durable elements of the landscape, such as stones, gravel, or earth.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Q3.) With reference to the Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES), consider the following statements:

1. It is a severe form of encephalitis caused primarily by mosquito-borne viruses, characterized by high fever and brain inflammation.
2. When inflammation is caused by an infection in the brain, it is known as infectious encephalitis.

Which of the statements given above is /are not correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’  29th August 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs

Q.1) –  c

Q.2) – b

Q.3) – d