News In Short 8-2-2025

Informing Accused Grounds of Arrest Constitutional Requirement

Syllabus: GS2/ Polity and Governance

Context

• The Supreme Court of India has ruled that informing an accused of the grounds of arrest is not a mere formality but a mandatory constitutional requirement.

Supreme court ruling

• The Court held that failing to inform the accused of the reasons for arrest amounts to a violation of fundamental rights enshrined under Article 22, Part III of the Constitution.
  • The information must be conveyed in a manner that effectively communicates the grounds of arrest to the accused in a language they understand.
• The court also referred to Article 21 and said no person could be deprived of their liberty except in accordance with the legal procedure.

Constitutional Provisions – Article 22(1) of the Indian Constitution states; No person who is arrested shall be detained in custody without being informed, as soon as possible, of the grounds for such arrest. 1. The arrested person shall not be denied the right to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of their choice.

Significance 

• Burden of Proof on Law Enforcement: If an accused alleges a violation of Article 22(1), the police must prove compliance with the mandate.
• Judicial Oversight: Judicial magistrates, when granting remand, are required to ascertain whether compliance with Article 22(1) and other legal safeguards has been met.

Source: TH

National Commission for Safai Karamcharis

Syllabus: GS2/Governance 

In News

• The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) tenure until March 31, 2028, with a financial implication of around Rs 51 crore. 

About the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) 

• It was established on 12th August 1994 under the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993, initially for a period of 3 years as a statutory body.
• The Act was extended until 2004, after which the Commission became a non-statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
  • The Commission takes suo-motu notice of issues affecting Safai Karamcharis based on media reports or observations.
• Composition : The Commission consists of a Chairperson (Union Minister of State rank), a Vice-Chairperson (Secretary rank), five members (including one woman member), and a Secretary (Joint Secretary rank).
• Mandate of the Commission: Recommend programs for the elimination of inequalities for Safai Karamcharis (sanitation workers).
  • Evaluate and study social and economic rehabilitation programs for Safai Karamcharis and scavengers.
  • Monitor working conditions (health, safety, wages) of Safai Karamcharis employed by various employers, including government bodies.
  • Expanded Mandate (Post-2013): Following the enactment of “The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013”, the Commission’s scope expanded to Monitor implementation of the Act.
    • Take suo-motu notice of non-implementation of the Act.
  • Supreme Court Judgment (2023): The Commission monitors the implementation of Supreme Court directives to eliminate manual scavenging.
    • Directive involves the compensation, rehabilitation measures and establishment of accountability mechanisms related to manual scavenging. 

Source :IE

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)

Syllabus: GS2/ Health

Context

• The Ministry of Ayush has launched a campaign titled “Shatavari – For Better Health” to promote the medicinal and health benefits of Asparagus racemosus.

About

• Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) is a medicinal plant widely used in Ayurveda, the traditional system of Indian medicine. 
• Characteristics: Shatavari is a climbing plant with stems that can grow up to 4 meters long.
  • It has an adventitious root system with both fibrous and tuberous roots, which can reach about one meter in length and taper at both ends.
• Distribution: It extends from Africa through southern Asia, including the Indian subcontinent, to northern Australia.
• Use: The plant is known for its adaptogenic (help to regulate the body’s systems and improve resistance to stress) and rejuvenating properties, especially in women’s health and overall immunity.

Source: PIB

United States Agency of International Development (USAID)

Syllabus: GS2/International Bodies

Context

• The Donald Trump administration is set to reduce the US Agency for International Development (USAID) workforce as part of a government reorganisation effort.

About: USAID 

• History: Established in 1961 by U.S. President John F. Kennedy at the height of the United States’ Cold War struggle with the Soviet Union.
• Significance: USAID is a crucial arm of U.S. foreign policy, used to strengthen alliances, exert diplomatic influence, and support global development by assisting countries recovering from disasters, fighting poverty, and promoting democratic reforms.
• Aid Recipients (2023): The agency provided assistance to over 130 countries, with Ukraine, Ethiopia, Jordan, Somalia, and Afghanistan being the top beneficiaries.
• Workforce: It employs over 10,000 people worldwide, two-thirds of whom work outside the U.S. However, Trump’s overhaul aims to slash staff from 10,000 to just 300.

Do you know? – USAID in 1965 gave India a $67 million loan to build a chemical fertiliser factory in Madras (now Chennai) on the condition that a private American company be in charge of distribution, rather than the Indian government, and no additional fertiliser plants be built in the region.

Source: IE

Algo Trading Framework

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

In News

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has recently introduced a framework to facilitate safe participation of retail investors in algorithmic (algo) trading.

Need

• The move aims to democratize access to advanced trading strategies traditionally dominated by institutional investors.

About Algorithmic Trading

• Algorithmic trading involves the use of computer algorithms to execute trades based on predefined strategies, enabling rapid processing of large data volumes and swift order execution.

SEBI’s Framework for Retail Participation

• SEBI’s new framework permits retail investors to engage in algo trading through registered brokers.
• Brokers must obtain approval from stock exchanges for each algorithmic strategy they offer to retail clients.
• All algo orders will be tagged with a unique identifier provided by stock exchanges to ensure transparency and maintain an audit trail.
• Brokers are required to implement secure Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) with measures like two-factor authentication and static IPs.

White-Box vs. Black-Box Algorithms

• White-Box Algos: These are transparent and replicable algorithms. Retail investors can use them freely, provided they meet necessary requirements and are registered with brokers and exchanges.
• Black-Box Algos: Proprietary systems where the underlying logic is not disclosed. Providers of such algos must register as research analysts with exchanges and submit detailed research reports for each algo they offer.

Source: LM

Restructured National Bamboo Mission (NBM)

Syllabus: GS3/ Economy

Context

• The Restructured National Bamboo Mission (NBM), has helped to boost the rural economy and reduce import dependency.

Restructured National Bamboo Mission (NBM)

• The Restructured National Bamboo Mission (NBM) was launched in 2018-19 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) to boost bamboo cultivation, value addition, and market integration. 
• Objective: It provides assistance for the propagation and cultivation of bamboo in non-forest land, bamboo treatment, establishment of markets, incubation centers, value added product development & processing and development of tools & equipment.
• The funding pattern follows a 60:40 ratio between the Centre and States (except 90:10 for NE & Hilly States, and 100% for UTs).

Evolution of NBM

• The National Bamboo Mission (NBM) was initially launched in 2006 under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
  • It was later subsumed under the Mission for Development of Horticulture (2014-16).
• In 2018, it was restructured under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) with an enhanced focus on market linkages, value addition, and R&D.
• In 2018 the Indian Forest Act, 1927, was amended to remove bamboo grown outside forests from the definition of trees, thereby easing its cultivation and trade.

Source: PIB

India’s Single Largest Solar Cell Making Unit

Syllabus: GS3/ Energy

Context

• The CM of Tamil Nadu inaugurated India’s single largest solar cell and module manufacturing unit at the Gangaikondan SIPCOT Industrial Growth Centre.

About

• The Gangaikondan SIPCOT Industrial Growth Centre is an industrial park in the village of Gangaikondan, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. 
  • It was set up by Tata Power’s solar energy manufacturing arm, TP Solar Limited.
• Capacity: The facility would produce photovoltaic cells and modules for solar power generating units having an annual capacity of around 4 GW.
• Production: The unit will produce mono of 182mm and multi-crystalline cells of 158.25mm sizes.

Source: TH

TROPEX Exercise

Syllabus :GS 3/Defence

In News 

• The 2025 edition of Indian Navy’s Theatre Level Operational Exercise (TROPEX) is currently underway in the Indian Ocean Region.

About exercise

• The exercise is conducted biennially and spans three months (January-March 2025).
• Participants: All operational Indian Naval units, along with Indian Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard assets.
  • Approximately 65 Indian Naval Ships, 9 Submarines, and over 80 Aircraft of various types are participating.
• Objective: The exercise has grown in scope and complexity over the years.
  • It focuses on coordinated planning, precise targeting, combat effectiveness, and credible joint operations.
  • It aims to validate the Indian Navy’s core warfighting skills.
  • It also aims to ensure a synchronized, integrated response for national maritime security against conventional, asymmetric, and hybrid threats.

Source  :TH