Daily Prelims Notes 27 February 2025

February 27, 2025
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

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Daily Prelims Notes

27 February 2025

Table Of Contents

1. Why are PwDs worried about DPDP rules?

Sub : Polity

Sec: Legislation in news

Context:

Disability rights activists are urging the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to amend or drop a provision in the draft Rules for the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, ahead of the public consultation deadline on March 5.

Contested provisions:

Section 9(1) of the DPDP Act mandates that for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) who have legal guardians, consent for processing personal data must be obtained from the guardian.
The draft rules, particularly Rule 10, elaborate on how consent must be verified for PwDs with legal guardians. The rules stipulate that a data fiduciary must confirm that the guardian has been appointed by a competent authority (court or designated body).
Rule 10(3) provides definitions for PwDs who are covered by Section 9(1). These include individuals with long-term impairments that hinder full societal participation, or those with conditions like autism, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disabilities, and includes those with severe multiple disabilities.

Issue with Consent Requirement for PwDs:

This provision has been criticized for infantilizing PwDs, assuming that having a guardian automatically implies the inability to make decisions, especially in digital matters.
There is a lack of clarity on how the consent clause will apply in cases where a PwD has limited guardianship under the RPWD Act. The potential for overreach by guardians could lead to a loss of autonomy for PwDs, especially in digital matters.
Unlike the rules for obtaining consent for children, there are no detailed illustrations in the draft Rules for obtaining consent from the guardian of a PwD, raising concerns about the practical implementation of the law.
Activists also raised concerns about whether guardians, under the new rules, could be held legally responsible for the decisions made on behalf of a PwD.

Challenges with Guardianship Models:

Guardianship for PwDs in India is governed by two laws: the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPWD Act) and the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999 (NT Act), which mandate different roles for guardians.
While the NT Act requires full guardianship, the RPWD Act allows for limited guardianship, focusing on providing support in specific decisions.
The NT Act’s broad guardianship approach is criticized for conflicting with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) by neglecting the individual’s decision-making autonomy. The RPWD Act, aligned with UNCRPD, emphasizes support rather than control.

2. Arctic military build-up brings foreign troops to NATO member Finland

Sub: IR

Sec: Int groupings

Context:

Arctic Forge 25 is a S. led military exercise that began on February 14 and runs until February 28.
It takes place near Finland’s border with Russia, involving approximately 900 troops from Finland, the United States, and Canada.

Details:

The exercise focuses on Arctic warfare, enhancing the readiness and survival skills of NATO forces in response to potential conflicts in the Arctic region.
The exercise occurs in the Sodankylä region of Finland, about 130 kilometres from the Russian border. This area is known for its harsh winter conditions, where temperatures typically drop to -20°C during this time of year.

Survival and Combat Techniques:

Finnish conscripts wear white and grey winter fatigues and ski through snow-covered forests to practice camouflage techniques, dragging small pine trees to simulate the presence of tanks.
Troops must master survival skills, particularly in managing the dangers of freezing temperatures, such as hypothermia. Training includes how to warm up quickly and safely, as well as preparing for potential accidents like falling into frozen lakes or swamps.

Strategic Importance of the Region:

The exercise is seen as crucial for NATO allies as tensions rise in the Arctic due to the increasing interest of Russia and China in the area.
Finland shares a 1,340-kilometer border with Russia and joined NATO in 2023, ending decades of military non-alignment. Finland also signed a bilateral defence pact with the U.S. last year, further strengthening defence cooperation.
Finland’s military collaboration with NATO has intensified since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with NATO’s Forward Land Forces stationed in Finland for training purposes.

About Finland:

Finland is a Nordic country in Northern Europe.
It borders Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of Bothnia to the west and the Gulf of Finland to the south.

3. Savarkar’s ‘The Indian War of Independence 1857’ and its National Character

Sub: History

Sec: Personality

Introduction

Savarkar’s The Indian War of Independence 1857 (1909) played a crucial role in shaping nationalist consciousness regarding the Revolt of 1857.
The book presented the rebellion as a pre-planned national uprising against British rule rather than a mere mutiny.
Although later criticized for historical inaccuracies, it remains influential in how the events of 1857 are perceived.

Purpose of the Book

The book aimed to instill national consciousness and inspire future resistance to British rule.
Savarkar believed that understanding and utilizing history was essential for nation-building:
- “A nation must develop its capacity not only of claiming a past but also of knowing how to use it for the furtherance of its future.”

Influences on Savarkar’s Narrative

Inspiration from V K Chiplunkar and the Bakhar Tradition

Savarkar was influenced by nationalist writer V K Chiplunkar, who emphasized using history for contemporary political struggles.
The book followed the bakhar style of historical narration in Marathi, which:
- Presented events sequentially, resembling Western positivist traditions.
- Portrayed historical events as part of recurring patterns, implying that past resistance could be repeated in the future.

Influence of Giuseppe Mazzini

Savarkar was inspired by Italian nationalist leader Mazzini and even wrote a Marathi biography of him.
Mazzini’s ideas influenced Savarkar in two ways:
- Nationalism as a stepping stone to broader human unity.
- The importance of reconstructing national identity by reaching back into history.

Savarkar’s Interpretation of the Revolt of 1857

A National Uprising, Not Just a Mutiny
- Savarkar argued that 1857 was not a mere sepoy mutiny but a well-planned war for independence.
- He noted that Indian soldiers, princes, and the public came together with a common goal to overthrow British rule.
Communal Unity in the Revolt
- Unlike later communal narratives, Savarkar emphasized Hindu-Muslim unity in the rebellion.
- He argued that:
  - Anti-Muslim sentiment was justified during Shivaji’s time but was unnecessary in the early 20th century.
  - National unity was crucial to resisting British imperialism.

4. Panel seeks penalties to end proxy rule by male kin of women panchayat leaders

Sub: Polity

Sec: Local Govt (PRI)

Context

The issue of male relatives usurping the leadership roles of elected women representatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) has been widely reported.
The 73rd Constitutional (Amendment) Act, 1992, mandated one-third reservation of seats for women in PRIs.
This quota has been expanded to nearly 50% by 21 States and two Union Territories.
Despite this, in several regions, women are reduced to figureheads, while their male relatives take decisions on their behalf.

Formation of Advisory Committee

In September 2023, the Supreme Court directed the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to constitute an advisory committee to examine the issue of “women pradhans being represented by the male members of their families.”
The committee was tasked with recommending measures to prevent this proxy leadership.

Key Recommendations of the Advisory Committee

Imposition of Exemplary Penalties
- The committee has recommended the enforcement of “exemplary penalties” for proven cases of proxy leadership.
- However, it has not specified whether these penalties should be pecuniary or physical in nature.
Multi-Pronged Strategy
- To discourage the practice of proxy leadership, the committee has suggested:
  - Policy Intervention and Structural Reforms
  - Technological Solutions for Better Monitoring
  - Peer Support Programs
  - Positive Affirmations
  - Punitive Actions
Gender-Exclusive Quotas and Public Swearing-In
- The committee has suggested Kerala-style “gender-exclusive quotas” in some panchayat subject committees.
- It also recommended that women pradhans should take a public oath in the Gram Sabha federation of women panchayat leaders.
Establishment of Accountability Mechanisms
- A robust oversight mechanism has been suggested, including:
  - Helplines for complaints.
  - Women Watchdog Committees for confidential grievances.
  - Whistleblower Rewards in verified cases of proxy leadership.
Education Eligibility for Panchayat Elections
- One of the suggestions received during the committee’s field visits was to make minimum school-level education mandatory for contesting elections to the post of “panchayat president.”
- However, this suggestion was not included in the final nine-point recommendations.
- A precedent exists in Haryana, where a law was introduced setting a minimum education criterion for contesting panchayat elections (Class 8 for women).

5. NASA’s SPHEREx Telescope: A Revolutionary Map of the Cosmos

Sub : Sci

Sec: Space sector

Why in News

NASA is set to launch the SPHEREx telescope (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer). It aims to answer fundamental questions about cosmic evolution, galaxy formation, and the presence of life-bearing molecules in space.

SPHEREx Mission:

SPHEREx is a compact yet highly advanced infrared telescope.
It will operate for two years, capturing spectroscopic images that measure the wavelengths of light from cosmic objects.
The telescope will divide light from all celestial bodies into 96 spectral bands, providing a deeper understanding of the universe’s chemistry and physics.
SPHEREx will be the first all-sky infrared spectroscopic survey, filling critical gaps left by other space telescopes.
Unlike telescopes like James Webb and Hubble, which focus on high-resolution images of specific cosmic regions, SPHEREx will map the entire sky in a short span.
The telescope will survey the entire sky multiple times.
It is expected to capture:
- Spectroscopic images of 1 billion galaxies
- Data on 100 million stars
- Information on 10,000 asteroids

Objectives of SPHEREx:

Understanding Cosmic Inflation: Cosmic inflation refers to the rapid expansion of the universe immediately after the Big Bang.
Locating Life-Bearing Molecules: The telescope will identify biogenic molecules (such as water, carbon dioxide, and methanol) in interstellar gas clouds.
The study of icy biogenic molecules will help determine the conditions required for life formation in space.

6. Rising Cancer-Related Mortalities Among Women in India

Sub : Sci

Sec: Health

Why in News

A recent analysis by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) based on data from the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) 2022 estimates has revealed that cancer-related deaths have increased at a faster rate among women than men in India over the past decade. The findings indicate a concerning rise in cancer burden, particularly among the middle-aged and elderly population.

Details:

Approximately three out of every five individuals in India succumb to cancer after diagnosis.
Cancer-related deaths among women have shown an annual percentage increase ranging from 1.2% to 4.4%, whereas for men, it ranges from 1.2% to 2.4%.
This trend suggests that cancer-related mortality among women is increasing at a more rapid pace.
Lowest Risk: Children and individuals in the reproductive age group (risk range: 0.08% – 1.3%).
Highest Risk: Middle-aged and geriatric individuals face a significantly higher risk of developing and succumbing to cancer.
As India’s population structure shifts towards an aging demographic, the nation is projected to experience its highest-ever cancer burden in the near future.
The top five most common cancers in India contribute to 44% of the total cancer burden.
Crude incidence and mortality rates are higher in females compared to males.

GLOBOCAN:

GLOBOCAN is an interactive web-based platform developed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). It provides global cancer statistics to inform cancer control and research efforts.
The platform offers comprehensive data on cancer incidence and mortality across 185 countries, covering 36 types of cancer.
According to the GLOBOCAN data, the five most prevalent cancers in India are:
- Breast Cancer: 192,020 new cases, accounting for 13.6% of all cancer cases.
- Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer: 143,759 new cases, representing 10.2% of total cases.
- Cervix Uteri (Cervical) Cancer: 127,526 new cases, comprising 9% of all cases.
- Lung Cancer: 82,551 new cases, making up 5.8% of total cases.
- Oesophagus Cancer: 57,394 new cases, accounting for 4.1% of all cancer cases.

Crude Rate Calculation:

The crude rate is a measure used in epidemiology to indicate the occurrence of new cancer cases or deaths in a specific population during a given time period.
- Crude Rate = (Number of new cancer cases or deaths during a specific period / Total population at risk during the same period) × 100,000.

7. Impact of Coal-Fired Power Plants on Crop Yield in India

Sub : Env

Sec: Climate change

Why in News

A recent study by researchers at Stanford University has revealed that coal-fired power plants in India are significantly affecting rice and wheat production, reducing yields by up to 10% in several states. The study highlights the detrimental impact of nitrogen oxides (NO₂), a byproduct of coal combustion, on crop health and productivity.

Details:

Pollutants from Coal Power Plants: Emissions from coal-fired power plants include: Carbon dioxide (CO₂), Nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), Sulphur oxides (SOₓ), Fly ash, soot, suspended particulate matter and other trace gases.
Link Between NO₂ and Crop Yield Decline: Nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) are phytotoxic, meaning they stress plants and impair their cellular functions.
NO₂ interferes with enzymatic activities, reduces photosynthesis efficiency, and contributes to ozone formation, further damaging crops.

Methodology of the Study:

Data from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) was used to measure NO₂ concentrations across India.
Instead of isolating individual sources, the study summed up NO₂ emissions from multiple coal-fired plants affecting specific locations.
Vegetation Index Analysis: A satellite-derived vegetation index, Near-Infrared Reflectance of Vegetation (NIRv), was used as a proxy for plant health.
Healthy crops have high chlorophyll content, reflecting more near-infrared light.
For every 1 mol/m² increase in NO₂, the corresponding decrease in NIRv indicated a reduction in crop yield.

State-Wise Impact:

Chhattisgarh: Highest contribution of NO₂ pollution from coal plants – 19% in monsoon and 12.5% in winter.
Uttar Pradesh: High overall NO₂ levels but with a relatively smaller share from coal plants.
Tamil Nadu: Lower NO₂ pollution but with a significant portion coming from coal-fired power plants.
Potential Yield Gains if NO₂ Levels Are Reduced:
- West Bengal: 5.7% of cropland could see a 5-10% increase in yield.
- Madhya Pradesh: 5.9% of cropland could see 5-10% yield increases.
The 2025-2026 Economic Survey and energy experts highlight coal’s critical role in India’s economic growth.
The 2025-2026 Union Budget allocated 255% more funds to the Ministry of Coal compared to revised estimates of FY 2024-2025.
India faces rising food demand, ranking 105th out of 127 countries in the 2024 Global Hunger Index.