81% of citizen responses have affirmed simultaneous polls: Law Ministry
Syllabus: GS-II
Subject: Indian Polity and Constitution
Topic: Elections – Related Constitutional Provisions
Context: Law Ministry statement on simultaneous polls.
Synopsis:
The Ram Nath Kovind-led high level committee (HLC) was appointed to consider “One Nation One Election” and make recommendations to the government.
Reports:
- In 2018, the Law Commission presented a comprehensive report in support of the concept of simultaneous elections.
- Parliamentary standing committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice 79th report.
- Draft report of the 21st Law Commission expressed conviction on the feasibility of conducting simultaneous elections.
Simultaneous polls:
| Benefits | Challenges |
| Significant cost savings for the public exchequer. | Necessitates constitutional amendments for at least five Articles namely Articles 83, 85, 172, 174, and 356. |
| Reduced strain on administrative structures and security forces, | Is considered contradictory
to the principles of the Constitution and federalism.(S.Y Quraishi) |
| Policy paralysis during Model Code of Conduct addressed | Implementation challenges:
|
| Consistently focused on developmental efforts | Disproportionately benefits national parties which have high financial resources. |
Source: The Hindu
Museveni regrets Indians’ expulsion by Idi Amin in 1970s
Syllabus: GS-II
Subject: International Relations
Topic: Bilateral Relationship
Context: Uganda’s President Museveni speech at the 19th Non Aligned Movement (NAM) summit held in Kampala, Uganda.
Background:
In the 1890s, labourers from British India were brought to Southeast Africa under indentured labour contracts to work on the construction of the Uganda Railway.
In 1972, the President of Uganda Idi Amin ordered the expulsion of his country’s Indian minority, giving them 90 days to leave the country.
| Places in News (for Prelims):
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Source: The Hindu
NISAR Mission on track for a launch soon: NASA official
Syllabus: GS-III
Subject: Science and Technology
Topic: Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology – Space
Context: NISAR mission is on track for an “early 2024” launch.
NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR):
- Low Earth Orbit (LEO) observatory being jointly developed by NASA and ISRO.
- Orbital period: It will map the entire globe in 12 days.
- Objective: Provide spatially and temporally consistent data for understanding
- a) Changes in Earth’s ecosystems, ice mass, vegetation biomass, sea level rise, ground water
- b) Natural hazards including earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and landslides.
- Payloads: L and S dual band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for high resolution data.
- Mission Life: Three years.
Source: The Hindu
Rare Earth Metals May Be Lurking in Your Junk Drawer
Syllabus: GS-II
Subject: Geography
Topic: Resources – World and India (Metals)
Issue: Rare Earth Metals.
Context: Unused rare earths in old devices can meet 40% of demand by 2050, vital for clean energy; recycling eases mining and pollution.
Synopsis:
- Critical for clean energy: electric vehicles, wind turbines.
- Renewable energy allows recovering rare earths for reuse.
- Modeling shows potential 60-67% reduction in mining by 2050.
Challenges:
- Extracting rare earths, hazardous methods, and lack of collection systems.
- Rare earths in electronic devices are often overlooked.
Way Forward:
- Recycling old electronics for rare earths eco-friendly recycling techniques, like microbial extraction can alleviate supply chain vulnerability, pollution, and geopolitical risks, contributing to sustainable energy.
Prelims Top of Form
A few(Facts To know )
| Rare Earth Elements
(REE) comprise 17 metals, including lanthanides, scandium, and yttrium. Despite abundance, extraction challenges earn them the “rare” label.
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Source: Indian Express
Asset monetization drive likely to generate ₹1.5 lk cr this fiscal, led by mining, and highways.
Syllabus: GS-III
Subject: Economic Development
Topic: Indian Initiatives, efforts and Commitments – National Missions.
Issue: Asset Monetization.
Context: In FY24, a record Rs 1.5 trillion asset monetization led by mining and highways is expected, surpassing previous achievements. Notable contributions from coal blocks and NHAI.
Asset Monetisation: Asset monetisation is the process of creating new sources of revenue for the government and its entities by unlocking the economic value of unutilised or underutilised public assets.
Schemes(Prelims)
Source: Indian Express
India to send industry delegation for copper mining opportunities in Zambia.
Syllabus: GS-II
Subject: Geography
Topic: Resources – World and India –Metals.
Issue: Copper Mining.
Context: India’s Mines Ministry proposed sending an industry delegation to Zambia for potential copper exploration and mining projects.
Synopsis:
- Zambia holds 6% of global copper reserves and is the eighth-largest producer in the world.
- Copper is vital in construction, consumer durables, transportation, and clean energy technologies.
- India has low-grade copper ore (less than 1% metal content) compared to the international average of 2.5%). Top of Form
Prelims (Places to Remember):
Source: Indian Express