Daily Prelims Notes 9 April 2024

Daily Prelims Notes

9 April 2024

Table Of Contents

1. Rising Household Debt Levels in India
2. Suggestions for GST Reform by Vijay Kelkar
3. Supreme Court Hearing on Karnataka’s Plea for Drought Assistance
4. Growth in India’s Stock Market
5. Up to a Trillion Cicadas Are About to Emerge in the U.S.
6. Why VVPAT was brought in, why Opposition wants all slips verified
7. What is the technology behind manufacturing a semiconductor chip?
8. A freak DNA change 25 million years ago is why humans lack tails
9. Strong link between high glycaemic index diet and diabetes, says study
10. Right against climate change part of right to life, equality: Read the Supreme Court’s exact arguments

1. Rising Household Debt Levels in India

Subject: Economy

Section: National Income

Current Status:

• India’s household debt levels have reached an all-time high of 40% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by December 2023.
• Net financial savings had likely dropped to their lowest level at around 5% of GDP during the same period.

Motilal Oswal Research:

• A research report from leading financial services firm Motilal Oswal highlighted these trends.
• Household Debt:
• Estimated at approximately 40% of GDP by December 2023, marking a new high.
• Breakdown:
• Unsecured Personal Loans: Growing at the fastest pace within household debt.
• Followed by Secured Debt, Agricultural Loans, and Business Loans.

Previous Estimates:

• In September 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) estimated net financial savings at 5.1% of GDP in 2022-23, a 47-year low.
• The Finance Ministry argued that the lower savings were due to households taking loans for real assets like homes and vehicles, seen as “confidence in future employment and income prospects.”

Revised Estimates:

• Net Financial Savings:
• Revised estimates for 2022-23 raised to 5.3% of GDP, still the lowest in 47 years.
• Weaker than the average of 7.6% of GDP recorded between 2011-12 and 2019-20.
• Household Debt:
• Scaled up to 38% of GDP in 2022-23, second only to the 39.1% of GDP recorded in 2020-21.

Factors Contributing:

• Reasons for Dismal Savings:
• Weak Income Growth
• Robust Consumption
• Growth in Physical Savings

Impact on Consumption and Investment:

• With income growth remaining weak and household net financial savings at 5% of GDP, private consumption and household investment growth have considerably weakened in 2023-24.

Analysis:

• Consistent Trends:
• The report suggests that falling net financial savings and lower savings in 2022-23 were not an exception but consistent.
• Estimates indicate households’ net financial savings were broadly unchanged at around 5% of GDP in the first nine months of 2023-24.
• Projections:
• For the full year, savings could end up between 5% and 5.5% of GDP.

Financial Trends:

• Gross Financial Savings:
• Rose slightly to 10.8% of GDP in the first nine months of last year, from 10.5% in the corresponding period of 2022-23.
• Financial Liabilities:
• Also rose to 5.8% of GDP from 5.5% of GDP during the same period.
• Annual Borrowings:
• Surged to 5.8% of GDP in 2022-23, the second-highest in the post-Independence period.

2. Suggestions for GST Reform by Vijay Kelkar

Subject: Economy

Section: Fiscal policy

• Single GST Rate:
  • Kelkar suggests introducing a single GST rate system of 12% across the country.
  • This move aims to simplify the GST structure, reducing complexity.
• Constitutional Amendment:
  • He proposes a constitutional amendment for equitable sharing of GST proceeds.
  • The sharing should include the Centre, States, and local governments like municipal corporations.
• Consolidated Fund for Third Tier:
  • A constitutional amendment is also needed to create the Consolidated Fund for the third tier of government.
• Impact on Urban Governments:
  • Kelkar believes that sharing GST with the third tier will strengthen the fiscal base of urban governments.
  • It will also deepen democracy and governance at the grassroots level.
• GST Rate Complexity:
  • Kelkar points out that the current plethora of GST rates has made the system unnecessarily complex.
  • He emphasizes that many developed and emerging economies have found success with a single GST or VAT rate.
• Eliminating Differential Tax Rates:
  • The traditional tax policy of having different rates for ‘must-have’ and ‘nice-to-have’ goods should be done away with, according to Kelkar.
• Previous Recommendation:
  • The 13th Finance Commission previously recommended a single rate of 12% for GST during its award period of 2010-15.
• GST Revenue Performance:
  • In March 2023, GST revenues reached the second-highest level of ₹1.78 lakh crore.
  • This was notably higher than the monthly average collection of around ₹1.68 lakh crore in 2023-24.
  • The average monthly collection for 2022-23 stood at about ₹1.5 lakh crore.
• Infrastructure Needs:
  • Kelkar emphasizes the need for efficient infrastructure in the urban economy.
  • Urban local bodies currently lack the fiscal base required for investments in high-quality public goods.
• Independent Secretariat for GST Council:
  • He suggests the creation of an independent Secretariat for the GST Council.
  • This move aims to ensure neutrality and unbiased support or advice to the GST Council.

Different rates under GST

3. Supreme Court Hearing on Karnataka’s Plea for Drought Assistance

Subject: Polity

Section: Federalism

• Karnataka Government’s Plea:
  • The plea, filed through advocate DL Chidananda, urges the Supreme Court to direct the Centre to release financial assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for drought management.
  • It seeks a declaration that the failure to release this assistance violates the fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.
• Violation of Laws and Acts:
  • The plea argues that the Centre’s action is violative of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
  • It also cites violations of the Manual for Drought Management and guidelines for the State Disaster Response Fund.
• Drought Situation in Karnataka:
  • Karnataka is facing a severe drought, affecting lives and livelihoods.
  • 223 out of 236 taluks have been declared drought-affected, with significant agricultural and horticultural losses.
  • The estimated loss stands at ₹35,162 crore for the Kharif 2023 season.
• Financial Assistance Sought:
  • The state government has sought ₹18,171.44 crore from the NDRF.
  • This includes funds for crop loss input subsidy, relief for affected families, drinking water shortage, and cattle care.
• Impact on Livelihoods:
  • Agriculture, the primary livelihood source, has suffered, leading to lower yields and reduced incomes.
  • The drought has also impacted water availability for urban and rural areas.
• Obligations of the Union of India:
  • The plea highlights that under the Disaster Management Act, the Union of India is obligated to provide financial assistance to states.
  • Despite reports and assessments, the High-Level Committee has not taken action on the state’s requests.
• Impaired Fundamental Rights:
  • The petition argues that the delay in assistance has impaired the fundamental right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
  • It emphasizes the urgent need for relief and support in the face of the severe drought situation.

National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)

• Formation:
  • NCCF (National Calamity Contingency Fund) was renamed as NDRF with the enactment of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
  • Defined in Section 46 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
  • Placed in the “Public Account” of the Government of India under “reserve funds not bearing interest“.
  • Public Accounts: Constituted under Article 266 (2) of the Constitution for transactions where the government acts as a banker (e.g., provident funds, small savings).
  • Expenditures from it do not require approval by Parliament.
• Role:
  • Managed by the Central Government for emergency response, relief, and rehabilitation in threatening disaster situations.
  • Supplements the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) in severe disasters if sufficient funds are not in SDRF.
  • SDRF is the primary fund for State governments to provide immediate relief.
• Financing:
  • Financed through a cess on specific items, chargeable to excise and customs duty.
  • Approved annually through the Finance Bill.
  • Currently, funded by the National Calamity Contingent Duty (NCCD).
  • NCCD levied on goods specified in the Seventh Schedule (manufactured or produced goods).
• Contribution:
  • Centre contributes 75% of SDRF allocation for general category States and Union Territories.
  • Centre contributes 90% for special category States/UTs (northeast States, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir).
• Monitoring:
  • Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (under Ministry of Agriculture) monitors relief activities for drought, hailstorms, pest attacks, cold wave/frost.
  • Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) monitors other natural calamities.
  • Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audits NDRF accounts.

SDRF (State Disaster Response Fund):

• Constitution:
  • SDRF has been constituted under Section 48 (1) (a) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
• Recommendations:
  • It was constituted based on the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission.
• Purpose:
  • SDRF is the primary fund available with the State governments for responses to notified disasters to meet expenditure for providing immediate relief.
• Audit:
  • The fund is audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) every year.
• Contribution:
  • The Centre contributes 75% of the SDRF allocation for general category States and Union Territories.
  • The Centre contributes 90% for special category States and Union Territories (northeastern States, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir).
  • The annual Central contribution is released in two equal installments as per the recommendation of the Finance Commission.
• Disasters Covered:
  • SDRF is meant for responses to a range of disasters, including Cyclone, Drought, Earthquake, Fire etc.
• Local Disasters:
• A State Government may use up to 10% of the funds available under the SDRF for providing immediate relief to the victims of natural disasters that they consider to be ‘disasters’ within the local context in the State.
• These disasters are not included in the notified list of disasters of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

4. Growth in India’s Stock Market

Subject: Economy

Section: Capital markets

Record Market Capitalization:

• • India’s stock market achieved a significant milestone with a combined market capitalization of over Rs 400 trillion for all BSE-listed firms.
  • This milestone was reached in just 9 months, marking the shortest period for a Rs 100 trillion market cap increase.
• Market Performance:
  • BSE Sensex has surged about 15% in the last 9 months.
  • Midcap and smallcap indices have seen even stronger growth, with each surging about 40%.
• Contributing Sectors:
  • Leading sectors contributing to the rally include Realty, PSU banks, Auto, Energy, Infra, and Pharma.
  • Public Sector Units (PSUs) have been standout performers, with indices nearly doubling in one year.
• Factors Driving Growth:
  • Buoyant economic indicators, increasing domestic investment, and political stability underpin the market surge.
  • Increased domestic retail participation with over 15 crore demat accounts by March 2024.
  • Robust IPO activity with 24 IPOs raising over Rs 67,500 crore indicates strong appetite for new market entrants.
• Economic Fundamentals:
  • India’s recent GDP growth rate stands at 6%, outperforming projections.
  • Encouraging corporate earnings estimates, with expectations of 6-8% earnings growth in Q4FY24.
  • Sectors like banking, healthcare, and energy are poised for growth.
• Investor Confidence:
  • Retail investors remain optimistic, particularly in small- and mid-cap stocks.
  • Confidence in continued political stability under the BJP government.
• Future Outlook:
  • Earnings season focus on the IT sector, with expected revenue growth for firms like TCS and Infosys.
  • Market movement influenced by global factors, particularly US Fed rate decisions.
  • Analysts advise selectivity in stocks, caution against temporary index jumps.
  • Markets likely to remain range-bound until the June 4, 2024 general election results.
• Post-Election Expectations:
  • Significant market movements anticipated post-elections, influenced by results, the final Union Budget, US Fed decisions, and corporate earnings.

Market Capitalisation Definition:

Market capitalisation is the total value of a company that is traded on the stock market. It is calculated by multiplying the total number of shares by the current market price per share.

Formula for Market Capitalisation:

Market Capitalisation=Total number of outstanding shares×Current market price per shareMarket Capitalisation=Total number of outstanding shares×Current market price per share

Example Calculation:

Suppose:

• Current market price of XYZ company = ₹10
• Total number of outstanding shares of XYZ company = 100,000

Then, Market Cap of XYZ company=100,000×10=10,00,000Market Cap of XYZ company=100,000×10=10,00,000

Classification by SEBI:

Companies registered with SEBI are classified based on their market capitalisation into three categories:

• Large Cap:
  • Companies ranked between 1 and 100 by market capitalisation.
  • These are typically large, established companies.
• Mid Cap:
  • Companies ranked between 101 and 250 by market capitalisation.
  • These are generally medium-sized companies with moderate market capitalisation.
• Small Cap:
  • Companies ranked beyond 250 by market capitalisation.
  • These are often smaller companies with relatively lower market capitalisation.

5. Up to a Trillion Cicadas Are About to Emerge in the U.S.

Subject: Environment

Section: Species in news

Context:

• Two periodical cicada broods are appearing in a 16-state area in the Midwest and Southeast for the first time in centuries.

More on news:

• In a rare occurrence, a trillion cicadas from two different broods are expected to begin appearing in the Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States at the end of April.
• It’s the first time since 1803 that Brood XIX, or the Great Southern Brood, and Brood XIII, or the Northern Illinois Brood, will appear together in an event known as a dual emergence.

When are the cicadas coming out?

• The first cicadas are expected to start emerging in late April.
• Temperature determines when they come out.
• First the soil needs to reach 64 degrees Fahrenheit, about six inches deep, and then you get a good soaking rain, and that’s when they really pop.
• They use their forelegs to tunnel out from the earth, their beady red eyes looking for a spot where they can peacefully finish maturing.
• A few days after they emerge and molt, the males will start buzzing in an effort to find a mate, a slow-building crescendo of noise that as a chorus can be louder than a plane.

Where will they be?

• The first waves of cicadas will emerge in northern Louisiana, southern Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, northern Georgia, and up into western South Carolina.
• A map of a portion of the United States with red dots in southern states like North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi.
• There are blue dots in northern Illinois, northwestern Indiana and southern Michigan.
• Red dots are also in southern Illinois and neighboring Missouri.
• Brood XIII is shown by blue dots, and Brood XIX is shown with red dots.

How long will the dual emergence last?

• Cicadas are beneficial to the environment, acting as natural tree gardeners.
• The bugs are beneficial to the environment, acting as natural tree gardeners.
• The holes they leave behind when they emerge from the ground help aerate the soil and allow for rainwater to get underground and nourish tree roots in hot summer months.
• The slits they make in trees can cause some branches to break, and the leaves then turn brown in a process known as “flagging,” which is a kind of natural pruning. 
• When the branch grows again, the fruits it yields will tend to be larger.
•  When they die, the cicadas’ rotting bodies provide nutrients that trees need.

Are cicadas dangerous?

• Cicadas don’t bite or sting, nor do they carry any diseases. 
• But since they’re not great fliers and even worse landers, cicadas often end up on sidewalks and city streets, where they can be squashed by people or cars and could conceivably make things slick.

Cicadas in India:

• Cicadas are members of the superfamily Cicadoidea and are physically distinguished by their stout bodies, broad heads, clear-membraned wings, and large compound eyes.
• Cicadas emerge annually in most parts of India, there is a one periodic cicada, the Chremistica ri bhoi in Meghalaya that emerges only once in four years.
• They are listed as near threatened  by IUCN.

6. Why VVPAT was brought in, why Opposition wants all slips verified

Subject: Polity

Section: Elections

Context:

• With the first phase of voting set to take place on April 19, the Supreme Court (SC) last week said that petitions seeking 100% verification of Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips would be taken up soon.

More on news:

• In March 2023, the Association for Democratic Reforms had filed a petition before the apex court saying that to ensure free and fair elections, the tally from Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) should be cross-verified with the VVPATs. 
• To make sure that this process is carried out as fast as possible, ADR suggested the use of barcodes on VVPAT slips.

What is a VVPAT machine? How does it work?

• The VVPAT is an independent verification system that generates a paper slip containing the candidate’s name and party symbol for whom you cast your vote. 
• This slip is visible to you through a transparent window, allowing you to verify that your vote has been correctly recorded before it falls into a sealed compartment within the VVPAT unit.
• This slip of paper, containing the candidate’s serial number, name, and party symbol, is displayed in the machine behind a glass window, giving the voter seven seconds to verify her vote.
• The VVPAT unit is connected to the EVM through a printer port.
• When you cast your vote on the EVM, the VVPAT simultaneously prints a paper slip displaying your choice. 
• This slip is visible to you for seven seconds through the transparent window, giving you ample time to verify that your vote has been correctly recorded.
• After the verification period, the slip automatically drops into a sealed compartment within the VVPAT unit.
• These paper slips are stored securely and can be accessed for verification purposes during the counting process or in case of any disputes.

Why did the Election Commission introduce VVPATs?

• The idea of the VVPAT machine first emerged in 2010, when the Election Commission of India (EC), held a meeting to make the EVM-based polling process more transparent.
• The field trials were held in Ladakh, Thiruvananthapuram, Cherrapunjee, East Delhi, and Jaisalmer in July 2011. 
• VVPATs with EVMs were used for the first time in a bye-election from Noksen (ST) assembly constituency of Nagaland in 2013.
• VVPAT -fitted EVMs were used in entire Goa assembly elections of 2017 which was also the first time that VVPAT with EVM was used in the entire state.
• VVPAT was used in the general election of 2019 in all the 543 constituencies for the first time.
• VVPAT runs on a power pack (Battery) of 15 volts.
• The Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 were amended to allow for a printer with a drop box to be attached to the EVM.
• The VVPAT was used for the first time in all 21 polling stations of the Noksen Assembly constituency of Nagaland in 2013, after which the EC decided to introduce VVPATs in a phased manner.
• By June 2017, there was 100% adoption of VVPATs.

Why are VVPAT slips of only five polling booths randomly counted?

• VVPAT machines’ are counted to verify the accuracy of an election,
• In February 2018, the EC mandated the counting of VVPAT slips of one randomly selected polling station per Assembly constituency.
• This was increased to five polling stations per Assembly seat, following a Supreme Court judgment in April 2019 .
• The five polling stations are selected by a draw of lots by the Returning Officer concerned, in the presence of candidates/ their agents.

What have been the legal cases surrounding the VVPAT?

• The VVPAT has been a subject of multiple legal cases, starting with Subramanian Swamy vs Election Commission of India, in which the SC ruled that a paper trail was indispensable for free and fair elections, and ordered the government to provide funding for the roll-out of VVPATs.
• In 2019, Chandrababu Naidu moved the SC asking for a minimum 50% randomized VVPAT slips to be counted.
• The court ordered the EC to count VVPATS in five polling stations instead.

Why are political parties demanding widened verification of VVPAT slips?

• Opposition parties continue to call for verification of more polling booths to make voting more transparent.
• They argue that the sanctity of a fair election outweighs the concern of delay in the declaration of results.

7. What is the technology behind manufacturing a semiconductor chip?

Subject: Science and Tech

Section: Awareness in IT

Context:

• The TATA group has partnered with Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) to set up a 300mm wafer fabrication plant in Gujarat. It will roll out its first 28nm chip in 2026. Two assembly and test plants in Gujarat and Assam have also been recently approved by the Government of India.

What is a semiconductor chip? How is it manufactured?

• A semiconductor chip is a material with electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator.
• It acts as a very weak conductor in its pure form, but its conductivity can be significantly enhanced by introducing small amounts of specific substances, known as ‘dopants’.
• Through a process akin to using stencils (referred to as ‘masks’ in the semiconductor industry) and spray paint (analogous to dopants), complex circuits can be crafted 
• This method allows for the precise control of the semiconductor’s electrical properties to create intricate and functional electronic circuits.

What does India’s semiconductor ecosystem look like?

• India’s semiconductor ecosystem is notably strong in the chip design sector, a strength dating back to the 1990s. 
• With the advancements in computer-aided design (CAD), it’s possible to design semiconductor chips entirely through software, enabling engineers to specify chip functionality, translate this into electronic circuits, validate these circuits, and optimize them for speed, power consumption, and size, all from their computers.
• The finalized chip design is then encapsulated into a file and sent off to a fabrication plant for physical manufacturing, akin to creating and printing a graphic novel digitally.
• With a solid foundation in chip design, supported by a continuous influx of skilled electronics and computer engineers, India is well-positioned to expand into semiconductor manufacturing.
• This expansion into manufacturing offers opportunities for a broader range of professionals—including process and control engineers, data scientists, material scientists, physicists, and chemical engineers—to make significant contributions to the industry, capitalizing on the interdisciplinary nature of semiconductor manufacturing.

Source: TH

8. A freak DNA change 25 million years ago is why humans lack tails

Subject: Science and Tech

Section: Biotech

Introduction:

• A distinguishing anatomical trait of apes, setting them apart from monkeys, is their lack of a tail. While all mammals possess a tail at some stage of development, apes—including humans, chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, orangutans, and gibbons—shed theirs during fetal development, leaving only a few vestigial vertebrae known as the coccyx or tailbone.
• This evolutionary change occurred approximately 25 million years ago when apes diverged from a common ancestor shared with monkeys.

The compact genome:

• Every cell within an organism houses a complete set of the organism’s DNA, termed the genome, which encodes the instructions for making proteins—key functional components of the cell. Specific segments of the genome, known as genes, are responsible for coding individual proteins.
• Cells selectively produce proteins. This selective production is achieved by creating a temporary copy of the gene in the form of messenger RNA (mRNA), which then guides the synthesis of the corresponding protein.

‘Junk’ DNA:

• In complex organisms like humans, genes are significantly spread out across the genome, with only about 1.5% of the human genome actually coding for proteins. The vast majority of the genome, previously deemed ‘junk’ DNA due to its unclear purpose, is now understood to play crucial roles, including regulating gene expression—essentially controlling when and how proteins are made.
• A notable portion of this ‘junk’ DNA comprises transposable elements, which are segments of DNA capable of moving and replicating themselves within the genome.
• One specific transposable element, known as Alu and exclusive to primates, is relatively small at about 300 base pairs but is extraordinarily prevalent, with approximately 1.4 million copies scattered throughout the human genome.
• These elements generally transpose within the genome without significant effects on health or evolution since their insertion impacts only the cell where the event occurs. For instance, if an Alu element inserts itself into a critical gene in one cell, only that cell may be adversely affected, leaving surrounding cells unaffected. However, if such an insertion occurs in the zygote—the initial cell formed at conception—this alteration in the DNA becomes permanent and is replicated in every cell of the resulting offspring, potentially having far-reaching consequences.

The Alu accident:

• Approximately 25 million years ago, following the divergence of ape and monkey ancestors, a rare event occurred: an Alu element inserted itself into a crucial gene within the zygote of an ancestral creature. This extremely unlikely insertion, with odds of about one in a million, led to a significant evolutionary trait—the absence of a tail in that creature and all its descendants, marking the lineage of all modern apes.
• This discovery was reported by scientists from New York University (NYU) in a Nature paper published in February. The research team embarked on a meticulous investigation, examining 31 genes known to influence tail development across apes and monkeys. Through this comparative study, they identified tens of thousands of mutations, deletions, and insertions that might have contributed to the loss of the tail in apes. However, none of these genetic changes, located within the protein-coding regions of DNA, definitively explained the phenomenon.
• The crucial Alu element was eventually found within the so-called ‘junk’ DNA, a part of the genome not involved in coding for proteins but known to contain elements regulating various genetic functions. This discovery underscored the importance of ‘junk’ DNA in evolution and the development of distinct traits in organisms.

A tailoring defect:

• In complex animals, genes are not continuous but segmented within the genome, interspersed with ‘junk’ DNA, and assembled only during mRNA creation. This structure allows for the versatile generation of different proteins from the same genetic sequence. Researchers from New York University (NYU) identified an Alu element insertion in the TBXT gene, crucial for tail development, which disrupts this gene’s proper assembly in apes, leading to the production of a defective TBXT protein and, subsequently, tail loss.
• This groundbreaking discovery was further confirmed by comparing TBXT mRNA in human and mouse stem cells, revealing defects in the human mRNA as anticipated.
• Beyond tail loss, the defective TBXT protein also led to neural tube defects, suggesting that compensatory genetic changes have occurred to mitigate these adverse effects.

Source: TH

9. Strong link between high glycaemic index diet and diabetes, says study

Subject: Science and tech

Section: Health

Context:

• An international study published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology revealed that diets low in glycaemic index (GI) and glycaemic load (GL) may help prevent type 2 diabetes, particularly in individuals with higher Body Mass Index (BMI).

Study findings:

• The study, spanning five continents and involving 127,594 adults over nearly 12 years, found a significant association between high GI/GL diets and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. 
  • The Glycaemic Index (GI) measures how carbohydrate-containing foods affect blood glucose levels post-meal, while the Glycaemic Load (GL) considers both the quality and quantity of carbohydrates in food.
• The research highlighted that individuals with high BMI and a family history of diabetes could delay the onset of the disease through better dietary choices.
• The findings underscore the importance of dietary composition in managing diabetes risk, challenging previous controversies around the impact of GI on diabetes and providing evidence applicable to a broad population.

About Diabetes:

• Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.
• Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose. Hyperglycaemia, also called raised blood glucose or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body’s systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.

Type 1 diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes (previously known as insulin-dependent, juvenile or childhood-onset) is characterized by deficient insulin production and requires daily administration of insulin. In 2017 there were 9 million people with type 1 diabetes; the majority of them live in high-income countries. Neither its cause nor the means to prevent it are known.

Type 2 diabetes:

• Type 2 diabetes affects how your body uses sugar (glucose) for energy. It stops the body from using insulin properly, which can lead to high levels of blood sugar if not treated.
• Over time, type 2 diabetes can cause serious damage to the body, especially nerves and blood vessels.
• Type 2 diabetes is often preventable. Factors that contribute to developing type 2 diabetes include being overweight, not getting enough exercise, and genetics.

Source: TH

10. Right against climate change part of right to life, equality: Read the Supreme Court’s exact arguments

Subject: Environment

Section: Species in news

Context:

• On April 5, 2024, the Supreme Court of India, in a landmark judgment led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, recognized the right against the adverse impacts of climate change as a fundamental right, linking it to the right to life and equality (Articles 14 and 21) under the Indian Constitution.

Details:

• This decision came during a case concerning the conservation of the great Indian bustard and the lesser florican, challenging a 2021 verdict that imposed a blanket ban on overhead powerlines in certain areas to protect these birds.
• The verdict underscored the distinction between climate mitigation and ecological conservation, emphasizing the necessity of balancing environmental protection with the advancement of clean energy.
• It highlighted India’s legislative and policy efforts to combat climate change, including various acts and missions aimed at protecting the environment and promoting renewable energy, but noted the absence of a comprehensive climate change law.
• Nonetheless, the Court interpreted constitutional provisions, such as Article 48A and Clause (g) of Article 51A, which mandate environmental protection and the promotion of wildlife conservation, as implicitly providing a right to be safeguarded from the negative effects of climate change.
• This interpretation affirms the constitutional basis for the right to a clean environment and protection against climate change, rooted in the broader rights to life and equality.
• The 2015 United Nations Environment Programme report also outlined five human rights obligations related to climate change, including both mitigation and adaptation efforts. 22 In 2018, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment emphasized that human rights necessitate states to establish effective laws and policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with the framework principles on human rights and the environment.
• In Virender Gaur vs State of Haryana, 1995 this Court recognised the right to a clean environment as a fundamental right.
• While India has several environmental legislations that have a bearing on climate action, India does not have an umbrella legislation governing climate change.

In MC Mehta vs Kamal Nath, 2000, this Court held that Articles 48A and 51A(g) must be interpreted in light of Article 21:

• These two articles have to be considered in the light of Article 21 of the Constitution which provides that no person shall be deprived of his life and liberty except in accordance with the procedure established by law.

Any disturbance of the basic environment elements, namely air, water and soil, which are necessary for “life”, would be hazardous to “life” within the meaning of Article 21 of the Constitution.”