25 January 2025: The Hindu Analysis (Daily Current Affairs)

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 1. Odisha tops NITI fiscal health index, Chhattisgarh next best

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 4)

Topic: GS2 – Governance, GS3 – Indian Economy

Context

• NITI Aayog’s first Fiscal Health Index (FHI) report evaluates Indian States based on fiscal stability, revenue mobilization, expenditure quality, and debt management for the fiscal year 2022-23.

Top-Performing States: Achievers

• Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Goa, and Jharkhand have been classified as “achievers” due to their strong fiscal health.
• Odisha secured the top position with a Fiscal Health Index (FHI) score of 67. 8, demonstrating outstanding performance in debt management and fiscal discipline.

These States exhibited:

• Capital outlay of up to 4% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
• Efficient mobilization of non-tax revenues.
• Revenue surplus and low interest payments (at most 7% of revenue receipts).

Front-Runners and Performers

Front-runners: Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka.

• These States reported elevated developmental expenditure (up to 73% of total spending).
• Notable were the consistent increases in own tax revenue and balanced fiscal management.
• Improved debt sustainability was recorded, with a debt-to-GSDP ratio of 24%.

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Performers: Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Haryana, classified for their moderate fiscal performance.

Aspirational States: Struggling with Fiscal Challenges

• Kerala, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Punjab were categorized as “aspirational” due to significant fiscal challenges.
• Common issues included:
• Low revenue mobilisation.
• Rising debt burdens and poor debt sustainability.
• Struggles to meet fiscal deficit and revenue deficit targets.

Odisha’s Exceptional Fiscal Strengths

• Odisha attained the highest ranking in the debt index (99. 0) and debt sustainability (64. 0).
• The State sustained low fiscal deficits and showcased effective debt management.
• Odisha's capital outlay to GSDP ratio consistently surpassed the average.

Long-Term Trends (2014-15 to 2021-22)

• Odisha, Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh recorded the highest average FHI scores throughout this period.
• Data for the FHI was obtained from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

PYQ: What are the reasons for the introduction of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003? Critically discuss its salient features and their effectiveness. (200 words/10m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-3 2013)

Practice Question: Discuss the significance of fiscal health in promoting sustainable development at the state level. Identify the challenges encountered by Indian States in attaining fiscal stability. (250 Words /15 marks)

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2. Bombay HC Rules Loudspeakers Not Essential to Religious Practice, Enforces Strict Noise Pollution Regulations

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained – Page No. – 16)

Topic: GS2 – Polity

Context

• The Bombay High Court determined that denying permission to use loudspeakers does not infringe on an individual's right to practice religion, as loudspeakers are not deemed essential religious practices protected under the Constitution.

Analysis of the news:

Noise Pollution Laws and Observations

• The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, stipulate that noise levels in residential areas must not exceed 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night.
• The HC highlighted that cumulative sound levels from multiple loudspeakers in an area should be factored in when assessing compliance and stressed the importance of strictly enforcing noise pollution regulations.

Directions Issued by the HC

• The court instructed the government and police to uniformly enforce noise pollution regulations while ensuring the anonymity of complainants to prevent retaliation.
• It also recommended implementing an automatic decibel calibration mechanism in loudspeakers and proposed the use of mobile applications to monitor noise levels.

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Graded Penalty System for Violations

The HC prescribed a four-step graded penalty system:

1. First Offense: Issuance of a caution.
2. Repeat Offense: Imposition of fines on trusts or organizations.
3. Further Violations: Seizure of loudspeakers.
4. Persistent Violations: License cancellation and legal action.

Reference to Previous Rulings

• The HC cited its 2016 judgment in Dr. Mahesh Vijay Bedekar v. Maharashtra, which confirmed that loudspeakers are not fundamental to any religion.
• The 2016 ruling prohibited their use between 10 PM and 6 AM and reinforced noise restrictions in silence zones, allowing limited exemptions for cultural or religious events.

Ensuring Compliance and Balanced Implementation

• The court stressed the state's responsibility to establish systems for regulating noise levels that balance individual rights with public welfare.
• By implementing these measures, authorities can ensure compliance with constitutional provisions while protecting citizens' rights to a peaceful environment.

Practice Question:  Examine the Bombay High Court’s ruling on the use of loudspeakers at religious places in the context of noise pollution regulations. How does this align with constitutional principles of freedom of religion and public order? (150 Words / 10 marks)

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Prelims Facts

1. Pralay, India’s first quasi-ballistic missile, to be showcased at Republic Day parade

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 3)

Context

• The DRDO will present "Pralay," India's first short-range quasi-ballistic missile designed for conventional strikes, during the Republic Day parade to emphasize advanced military capabilities.

Key Features of the Pralay Missile

• Type: Pralay is an indigenously developed short-range quasi-ballistic missile by DRDO.
• Purpose: It represents the first ballistic missile in India's inventory aimed at conventional strikes.
• Range: The missile possesses a strike range of 400 kilometers.
• Deployment: It is designed for operational use along the Line of Control (LoC) and the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
• Development: Trials have been successfully completed, and it has obtained the Defence Ministry’s Acceptance of Necessity.
• Pralay enhances India's military capabilities alongside the BrahMos and Prahar missiles for stand-off strikes.

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2. Hundreds of migrants arrested as Trump’s deportation drive begins

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 12)

Context

• Hundreds of migrants were detained in the United States as President Donald Trump's deportation initiative began.

Analysis of the news:

• Hundreds of migrants were detained in the United States as President Donald Trump's deportation initiative commenced.

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• This initiative is characterized as the largest mass deportation in U. S. history.
• The White House confirmed the initiation of this operation, with migrants transported via military aircraft.
• The UN rights office underscored that seeking asylum is a universally recognized human right.
• On his first day in office, Trump declared a “national emergency” at the southern border and deployed additional troops.
• An estimated 11 million undocumented migrants reside in the U. S.

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3. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained- Page No. – 16)

Context

• A UK-based study indicates that adults diagnosed with ADHD tend to have shorter lifespans compared to those without the condition. 

Analysis of the news:

About ADHD 

• ADHD is one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood. It is typically diagnosed during childhood and can persist into adulthood.
• Children with ADHD may exhibit difficulties in maintaining attention, controlling impulsive behaviors, or may display excessive activity levels.
• Many adults remain undiagnosed, and symptoms can create challenges in work, home, or personal relationships.

Treatments : In most cases, ADHD is best treated with a combination of behavior therapy and medication

• Adderall is the brand name for a formulation containing a mixture of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. It is an FDA-approved medication for treating ADHD and narcolepsy, a condition characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness.

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Study Methodology

• Researchers assessed primary care data from over 30,000 UK adults with ADHD and compared it to more than 300,000 non-ADHD participants matched by age, sex, and healthcare practice.
• Mortality data was utilized to estimate death rates over the course of the population's lifespan.

Key Findings

The study linked ADHD to reduced life expectancy, though not directly caused by the condition itself. Contributing factors include:

• Health Challenges: An increased prevalence of physical and mental health issues.
• Risky Behaviors: Elevated rates of smoking, alcohol consumption, binge eating, and engaging in hazardous activities such as unsafe driving.
• Suicide Risk: Higher rates of suicide observed among individuals with ADHD.

These findings align with a 2019 study showing children with ADHD had a shorter life expectancy (8.4 years less) when followed into adulthood, due to factors like lower income, poor nutrition, and impulsivity-related risks.

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4. Tamil Nadu’s Iron Age Origins Push Global Timelines Back by 2,000 Years

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Express Network- Page No. – 11)

Context

• A significant study has indicated that iron use in Tamil Nadu can be traced back to the early 4th millennium BCE, which is nearly two millennia earlier than previously recognized global timelines.

Analysis of the news:

Key Discoveries and Dates

• Earliest Evidence: Archaeological findings at Sivagalai revealed dates as early as 3345 BCE from charcoal and potsherds.
• Milestone Sites: Samples from Mayiladumparai were dated to 2172 BCE, and a burial site at Kilnamandi was dated to 1692 BCE.
• Global Context: These discoveries reposition Tamil Nadu as a pioneer in metallurgy, highlighting a distinct developmental path compared to the northern Copper Age.

Technological Sophistication

The study identified advanced iron-smelting techniques across Tamil Nadu:

• Furnace Innovation: Sites such as Kodumanal featured circular furnaces capable of attaining temperatures of 1,300°C, facilitating the production of sponge iron.
• Metallurgical Expertise: The ability to perform high-temperature smelting (between 1,200°C and 1,400°C) demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of pyro-technological processes.

Implications for Indian and Global Archaeology

• The findings indicate that Tamil Nadu’s Iron Age coincided with the Copper Age of northern India, reflecting a simultaneous yet distinct cultural evolution.
• This challenges established assumptions regarding the global origins of iron technology and corresponds with evidence of iron from Harappan sites, such as Lothal.

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5. ISRO’s 100th Launch: GSLV-F15 and NVS-02

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Express Network- Page No. – 11)

Context

• ISRO is poised to achieve a significant milestone with its 100th launch, scheduled to deploy the 2,250-kg NVS-02 satellite aboard GSLV-F15 on January 29, 2025, at 6:23 AM from Sriharikota.

Analysis of the news:     

Advancements in NVS-02 Satellite

• This mission represents the 17th flight of the GSLV, featuring an indigenously developed cryogenic engine, and will position the satellite into a geostationary transfer orbit within 19 minutes.
• NVS-02, the second of five second-generation satellites for the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), has a lifespan of 12 years and incorporates indigenously developed atomic clocks for enhanced accuracy and L1 frequency compatibility.
• These advancements facilitate a wider range of applications, including integration with smaller devices such as fitness trackers.

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IRNSS: NavIC Navigation System

• NavIC is a constellation of seven satellites launched in phases since 2013, which provides positioning, navigation, and timing services for India and its neighboring regions.
• Despite initial challenges, including launch failures and malfunctioning atomic clocks, the system has progressed, with newer satellites and compatible receivers improving usability across various platforms.

Challenges and Optimisation Efforts

• Initial challenges included the failure of IRNSS-1H to achieve orbit and the underutilization of the system, as highlighted by a 2018 CAG report regarding delays in the development of user receivers.
• Progress has been made since then, with the introduction of IRNSS-compatible chipsets in mobile phones and other applications.

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