Daily Prelims Notes 18 January 2025

January 18, 2025
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

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Daily Prelims Notes

18 January 2025

Table Of Contents

1. Gaza truce approved by Israel Security Cabinet

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

Israel’s security Cabinet recommended approval of a ceasefire deal brokered by Qatar and the US to pause the 15-month war with Hamas in Gaza. The deal now goes to the full Cabinet of Ministers for final sign-off.
The ceasefire deal faces fierce opposition from Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners, who are resistant to any compromise.

Terms of the deal:

The deal includes the release of dozens of hostages, with 33 of about 100 hostages to be freed over six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
The agreement outlines two phases for hostage release. The first phase involves the release of 33 hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, with a more difficult second phase planned for the release of the remaining captives, including male soldiers.
Israeli forces will also pull back from many areas, allowing Palestinians to return to their homes, and humanitarian aid will surge.
Hamas has stated that they will not release the remaining hostages without a full Israeli withdrawal and a lasting ceasefire.

About the Conflict:

The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas began after a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which killed over 1,200 people in Israel and took 250 hostages.
In retaliation, Israel launched a large-scale offensive, resulting in significant casualties in Gaza, with over 46,000 Palestinians reported killed.

About Gaza strip:

The Gaza Strip or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory.
It is located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest and Israel on the east and north border.

2. Revisiting Anaemia in India: Beyond Iron Deficiency

Sub: Sci

Sec: Health

Why in News

A recent study challenges the traditional notion that iron deficiency is the primary cause of anaemia in India. Published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the study, funded by the Department of Biotechnology, highlights other significant factors like Vitamin B12 deficiency, air pollution, and methodological issues in anaemia diagnosis.

About Anaemia:

Anaemia is a condition caused by a lack of sufficient red blood cells (RBC) or haemoglobin in the blood.
Conventional approaches have focused primarily on iron deficiency as the primary cause of anaemia, leading to interventions like iron supplementation and bio-fortification of staple foods.
The latest study reveals that only 9% of anaemic individuals tested could be classified as having iron-deficiency anaemia. A significant 22% were classified under “unknown causes” of anaemia.

Factors Contributing to Anaemia Beyond Iron Deficiency:

Deficiencies in Vitamin B12, folate, or other erythropoietic (blood-producing) nutrients.
Hemoglobinopathies: Genetic conditions affecting haemoglobin structure or production.
Air pollution and unhygienic living conditions contribute to the high prevalence of anaemia.
Chronic blood loss due to various health conditions may also be a significant contributor.

Study Details:

Venous blood haemoglobin concentrations were measured in 4,500 participants from eight states across India.
Overall, 34.9% of participants were found to be anaemic.
Prevalence of anaemia among women (aged 15-49): 41.1% (compared to 60.8% in NFHS-5).
Prevalence among adolescent girls (15-19 years): 44.3% (compared to 62.6% in NFHS-5).
Venous blood sampling likely reduced false positives in anaemia diagnosis.

Venous Blood Sampling:

Venous blood sampling is a method of drawing blood directly from a vein, typically using a needle and a vacuum-sealed tube or syringe.
A tourniquet is applied to the arm to make veins more prominent.
Blood is taken from veins, offering a mix of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.

3. Maritime Security Challenges in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea: India’s Strategic Response

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

Why in News

India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, highlighted potential security threats in the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and waters near East African countries. He emphasized the Indian Navy’s proactive measures to enhance maritime security and safeguard vital sea routes. The remarks were made during an event commemorating 2024 as the ‘Year of Naval Civilians.’

Red Sea:

The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. It is approximately 1,200 miles (1,930 km) long and up to 190 miles (305 km) wide.
Bordering Countries:
- African Side: Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti.
- Asian Side: Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
The Red Sea contains some of the world’s hottest and saltiest seawater.
It is one of the most heavily travelled waterways globally, connecting to the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal, facilitating maritime traffic between Europe and Asia.
The sea occupies part of a large rift valley between the African and Arabian tectonic plates, contributing to its significant depth and unique marine ecosystems.
Since November 2023, Yemen’s Houthi group has conducted over 100 attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea, leading to the sinking of two vessels and the deaths of at least four seafarers.

Gulf of Aden:

The Gulf of Aden is a deep water basin that forms a natural sea link between the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea.
Bordering Countries:
- Northern Coast: Yemen.
- Southern Coast: Somalia and Djibouti.
The Gulf is strategically located, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, making it a vital route for maritime trade.
The Gulf of Aden has been a hotspot for piracy and militant activities, including attacks by Houthi rebels, which threaten the security of this crucial maritime passage.

East African Countries Bordering the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden:

About Djibouti:

Situated at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, bordering Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
Hosts several foreign military bases due to its strategic position near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a chokepoint for global maritime traffic.

About Eritrea:

Lies along the southwestern coast of the Red Sea, north of Djibouti and east of Sudan.

About Somalia:

Occupies the Horn of Africa, with its northern coast along the Gulf of Aden.

About Ethiopia:

Landlocked country in the Horn of Africa, east of Sudan and south of Eritrea.
Historically had access to the Red Sea but became landlocked after Eritrea’s independence. Recent agreements, such as the one with Somaliland granting Ethiopia access to the Red Sea, have heightened regional tensions.

4. Court asks Centre to consider application by Sri Lankan Tamil of Indian origin for citizenship

Sub: Polity

Sec: Constitution

Context:

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Central government to consider the application for Indian citizenship of Mathine, a Sri Lankan Tamil refugee.
Mathine, who arrived in India in 1984 at the age of 9, applied for citizenship under Section 5(1)(a) of the Citizenship Act in 2022. She has lived in India for nearly 40 years.

Acquisition of Indian Citizenship:

There are four ways in which Indian citizenship can be acquired: birth, descent, registration and naturalisation. The provisions are listed under the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Citizenship by Birth:

Every person born in India on or after 26.01.1950 but before 01.07.1987 is an Indian citizen irrespective of the nationality of his/her parents.
Every person born in India between 01.07.1987 and 02.12.2004 is a citizen of India given either of his/her parents is a citizen of the country at the time of his/her birth.
Every person born in India on or after 3.12.2004 is a citizen of the country given both his/her parents are Indians or at least one parent is a citizen and the other is not an illegal migrant at the time of birth.

Citizenship by Registration:

Conditions for Citizenship by registration:
- A person of Indian origin who has been a resident of India for 7 years before applying for registration.
- A person of Indian origin who is a resident of any country outside undivided India.
- A person who is married to an Indian citizen and is ordinarily resident for 7 years before applying for registration.
- Minor children of persons who are citizens of India.

Citizenship by Descent:

A person born outside India on or after January 26, 1950 is a citizen of India by descent if his/her father was a citizen of India by birth.
A person born outside India on or after December 10, 1992, but before December 3, 2004 if either of his/her parent was a citizen of India by birth.
If a person born outside India or after December 3, 2004 has to acquire citizenship, his/her parents have to declare that the minor does not hold a passport of another country and his/her birth is registered at an Indian consulate within one year of birth.

Citizenship by Naturalisation:

A person can acquire citizenship by naturalisation if he/she is ordinarily resident of India for 12 years (throughout 12 months preceding the date of application and 11 years in the aggregate) and fulfils all qualifications in the third schedule of the Citizenship Act.

5. Lokpal’s Performance

Sub: Polity

Sec: Constitution

Context

It has been 12 years since the Lokpal Act was passed and 5 years since the Lokpal started functioning. The Lokpal has ordered investigations in only 24 cases and granted prosecution sanctions in 6 cases over five years

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, was enacted by the Indian Parliament to establish the Lokpal at the national level and Lokayuktas in states.
The Act provides a mechanism for investigating allegations of corruption against public functionaries and ensures accountability among public servants.

Composition of Lokpal

The Lokpal consists of a Chairperson and up to eight members. Key aspects include:

Chairperson: Serves as the head of the Lokpal.
Members: Out of the maximum eight members, 50% must be judicial members. Additionally, 50% of the members should be from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), minorities, or women.

Selection Committee

The selection of the Chairperson and members is carried out by a committee comprising:

The Prime Minister
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha
The Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court judge nominated by the Chief Justice
An eminent jurist nominated by the President based on the recommendations of the first four members of the selection committee.

Powers and Functions of Lokpal

The Lokpal is vested with comprehensive powers to combat corruption, including:

Superintendence over Investigations: Authority over any central investigation agency, including the CBI, for cases referred by the Lokpal.
Search and Seizure: Can conduct search and seizure operations during investigations.
Power of Civil Court: Powers of a civil court in certain cases, such as summoning individuals, requiring discovery of documents, and receiving evidence.
Confiscation of Assets: Can order confiscation of assets acquired through corrupt means.

Jurisdiction

The Lokpal’s jurisdiction encompasses:

The Prime Minister, with specific exclusions related to international relations, external and internal security, public order, atomic energy, and space.
Current and former Union Ministers and Members of Parliament.
Group A, B, C, and D officers and officials of the Central Government.
Entities receiving donations from foreign sources in excess of ₹10 lakh per year under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).

Evaluation of Lokpal’s Performance

Handling of Complaints

A total of 2,320 defect-free complaints were registered over five years.
From April to December 2024, 226 complaints were lodged.
About 90% of complaints were rejected as they were not in the correct format.
3% were against the Prime Minister, Members of Parliament, or Union Ministers.
21% were against Group A, B, C, or D officials of the Central Government.
35% targeted chairpersons or members in Central Government bodies.
41% fell under the ‘Others’ category, including State Government officials.

Delayed Appointment and Structural Issues

The first Lokpal, Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghosh, was appointed six years after the Act was passed, in March 2019.
Justice Ghosh’s tenure ended in May 2022, leaving the post vacant until March 2024, when Justice (retd) A.M. Khanwilkar was appointed as the second Lokpal.
Critical positions like Director of Inquiry and Director of Prosecution remain vacant, hindering investigations.

Coordination with Other Agencies

Due to the absence of a Director of Inquiry, preliminary inquiries are conducted by:

Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

Legal and operation challenges

As per Section 53 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, complaints must be filed within seven years of the alleged offence, potentially limiting cases.
Lack of permanent staff and dependence on temporary employees during the transitional phase has impacted the body’s efficiency.

6. Delhi HC Calls CBIC to reassess the Gold Limits under Baggage Rules

Sub: Eco

Sec: External sector

Why in the News?

The Delhi High Court has asked the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) to revisit the permissible limits for carrying gold under the Baggage Rules, 2016, citing that current limits are inconsistent with the prevailing market rates of gold.

Context

The case revolves around the confiscation of gold jewellery from travellers under existing baggage rules, which have not been updated to reflect the current market value of gold.
The High Court also highlighted the need for a balanced approach to prevent harassment of genuine travellers while effectively curbing gold smuggling.

Key Points

Current Baggage Rules for Gold Jewellery

Governed by the Baggage Rules, 2016, under Section 79 of the Customs Act, 1962.
Baggage Rules, 2016:
- Came into force on April 1, 2016.
- Classifies gold beyond permissible limits as a prohibited article.
At present, Jewellery Limits:
- 20 grams (₹50,000 cap) for men.
- 40 grams (₹1,00,000 cap) for women.
Conditions:
- Applicable to passengers who have resided abroad for over 1 year.
- Jewellery exceeding the prescribed limit must be declared and duty paid.

High Court’s Observations

Limits are outdated:
- The market rate of gold has increased significantly, making the ₹1,00,000 cap for 40 grams insufficient.
Frequent seizures of small quantities:
- Passengers walking through the green channel with minor jewellery face seizures and penalties.
Lack of clarity for travellers:
- The Declaration Form and Baggage Rules do not clearly inform travellers about the need to declare jewellery exceeding prescribed limits.

CBIC’s Enforcement Challenges

Concerns of gold smuggling:
- Frequent travellers, often on short trips, are suspected of smuggling gold into India.
Genuine cases ignored:
- Tourists and OCI/PIO cardholders attending social events, like weddings, often carry gold exceeding permissible limits.
- Expecting them to file declarations makes the process cumbersome and traveller-unfriendly.