Prelims Oriented
Article 240: President’s Power over UTs
Context: Union Home Ministry clarified no intention to introduce Constitution Amendment Bill bringing Chandigarh under Article 240 after outrage from Punjab parties opposing administrator appointment proposal.
Article 240 of the Indian Constitution
- Overview
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- Article 240 empowers the President to make regulations for certain Union Territories.
- It is placed under Part VIII dealing with Union Territories.
- The provision outlines the administrative authority of the President in UTs lacking full legislative structures.
- Constitutional Provisions
- Scope of Presidential Power
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- The President may issue regulations for the peace, progress, and good governance of specified UTs.
- Applicable to:
(a) Andaman & Nicobar Islands
(b) Lakshadweep
(c) Dadra & Nagar Haveli
(d) Daman & Diu
(e) Puducherry (until a legislature is created under Article 239A)
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- Nature of Regulations
- Presidential regulations may amend or repeal laws made by Parliament or existing laws applicable to the UT.
- These regulations carry the same force as Parliamentary Acts within relevant UTs.
Limitation on Powers
- When a legislature is created under Article 239A (e.g., Puducherry), Presidential power ceases after the legislature is constituted and convenes its first session.
Significance
- Ensures uniform administration across UTs.
- Enables rapid execution of essential governance measures.
- Helps maintain law and order, development, and administrative continuity in UTs without elected assemblies.
- Provides an adaptable framework to modify laws suited to local conditions.
Developments & Amendments
- 10th Amendment (1961): Included Dadra & Nagar Haveli under Article 240.
- 12th Amendment (1962): Merged Goa, Daman & Diu into the Union; Daman & Diu brought under Article 240.
- Amendments expanded Article 240’s coverage and ensured stable administration of newly acquired territories.
IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa)
About IBSA
- IBSA is a trilateral developmental initiative between India, Brazil, and South Africa aimed at promoting South–South Cooperation (SSC) and mutual exchange.
- SSC has deep historical roots in forums like the Bandung Conference (1955), NAM (1961), G-77, UNCTAD, Buenos Aires Plan of Action (1978) and Nairobi Declaration (2009).
Formation and Structure
- The grouping was formalised on 6 June 2003 when the three Foreign Ministers met in Brasilia and issued the Brasilia Declaration.
- IBSA has no permanent headquarters or executive secretariat.
- The highest decision-making level is the Summit of Heads of State/Government.
- Five IBSA Summits have been held so far; India will host the 6th Summit.
Key Mechanisms
- IBSAMAR Naval Exercise
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- IBSAMAR is the trilateral maritime exercise enhancing defence cooperation.
- Six editions held so far, the latest off South Africa (2018).
- IBSA Fund
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- Established in 2004 as the IBSA Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation.
- Managed by UNOSSC, with each member contributing USD 1 million annually.
- Objectives include poverty reduction, scalable development models, strengthening SSC, and new development partnerships.
- IBSA Fellowship Programme
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- Focuses on multilateral institutional studies, macro-economic cooperation, trade, development research, and thematic areas relevant to IBSA.
Performance
- IBSA’s relevance has been challenged by newer groupings like BRICS, delaying its 6th Summit.
- The IBSA Fund has contributed USD 39 million, supporting 26 projects across 19 Global South countries, earning multiple UN awards.
Opportunities Ahead
- Working towards a MERCOSUR–SACU–India PTA, and eventually an FTA, can enhance IBSA’s strategic value.
- Members should coordinate positions in BRICS and G20.
- IBSA nations share ambitions for UNSC permanent membership, strengthening their reform agenda.
Way Forward
- IBSA must continue advocating global institutional reforms, transparent trade norms, and a people-centric model of development cooperation.
- Such cooperation can accelerate restructuring of financial institutions and strengthen governance systems for the Global South.
Line of Actual Control (LAC)
Context: Indo-Tibetan Border Police establishing 10 all-woman border posts along 3,488-km India-China LAC, with 215 forward-deployed BOPs under post-2020 forwardization plan initiated after Ladakh military clash.
Line of Actual Control (LAC)
- The LAC is the notional military boundary separating Indian-controlled and Chinese-controlled territories.
- India estimates the LAC length at 3,488 km, whereas China places it around 2,000 km.
- The LAC is divided into three sectors — Eastern, Middle, and Western — each with distinct historical and geopolitical complexities.
Western Sector
- Extends between Ladakh–Tibet–Kunlun range, from the Wakhan corridor to the Karakoram Pass, covering 1,597 km.
- India’s claim is rooted in the 1842 Treaty signed by Maharaja Gulab Singh’s representative with Lhasa authorities, later reinforced by the Johnson–Ardagh Line (1897).
- China was not a signatory but referenced this alignment in multiple communications before 1933, indicating de facto acceptance.
- This interpretation places entire Aksai Chin within Indian territory.
- Disputes intensified after Zhou Enlai’s 1956–59 letters proposing a Chinese-designated “line”.
- After the 1962 war, China declared a withdrawal to positions “20 km behind the 1959 LAC”.
- India’s Response
- India twice rejected the LAC proposal (1959, 1962), calling it vague and unilateral.
- India argued that the status quo of 8 September 1962 should determine any reference line.
- India warned that China’s undefined line allowed incremental encroachment.
Middle Sector
- Covers Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, spanning 545 km.
- This is the least contentious sector, with minor differences except China’s claim in Barahoti.
Eastern Sector
- Origin traces to the 1914 Shimla Conference, where the McMahon Line was initialed by British India, Tibet, and China (later rejected by China).
- Includes Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
- China recognised Sikkim as India’s territory in 2003, though disputes in Arunachal persist.
- China maintains a strong claim over entire Arunachal Pradesh, calling it South Tibet.
- Chinese encroachments include the Wangdung camp (Samdurong Chu), triggering India’s response in 1987.
- Doklam standoff (2017) reflected continued friction.
Formal Acceptance of LAC (1993)
- India formally accepted the LAC concept in the 1993 Agreement on Peace and Tranquillity.
- The reference was unqualified, meaning it did not accept China’s 1959 or 1962 versions.
- A Joint Working Group was tasked with clarifying the alignment.
Map Exchange and Stalled Clarification
- Only the middle sector maps were formally exchanged.
- Western sector maps were shared informally but never finalised.
- Clarification efforts stalled since 2002; China rejected India’s 2015 proposal to resume the process.
LAC vs. Line of Control (LoC)
- The LoC with Pakistan is a legally delineated, mutually signed map-based line (Shimla Agreement, 1972).
- The LAC is an unagreed, undemarcated, perception-based line, lacking formal treaty status.
Taningia silasii: New Deep-Sea Squid
Context
- CMFRI researchers discovered a new deep-sea squid species, named Taningia silasii, from the Arabian Sea.
About the Species
- Found at a depth of ~390 metres off the Kollam coast.
- Belongs to the Octopoteuthidae family.
- It is only the second recognised species within the Taningia genus; the first is Taningia danae from the Atlantic Ocean.
Key Characteristics
- Length: Approximately 45 cm; other family members reach 2.3 metres and 61.4 kg.
- No long feeding tentacles, unlike most squid species.
- Reduced gill lamellae, indicating specialised respiratory adaptation.
- Possesses a unique oval funnel–mantle locking cartilage, aiding movement.
- The lower beak displays a broadened wing, distinguishing it from related species.
- DNA barcoding shows 11% genetic divergence from Taningia danae.
Significance
- Enhances understanding of deep-sea biodiversity in the Arabian Sea.
- Highlights India’s capacity in marine taxonomy and species discovery.
Juvenile Justice Board (JJB)
Context
- India Justice Report (IJR) notes 55% pending cases before 362 JJBs as of October 2023.
About JJB
- Constituted under Section 4 of Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.
- Formed by State governments for every district to handle matters involving children in conflict with law.
Composition
- One Metropolitan Magistrate/Judicial Magistrate First Class with at least three years’ experience, serving as Principal Magistrate.
- Two social workers, including at least one woman, appointed through prescribed procedures.
Powers
- Under Section 15, empowered to conduct preliminary assessment of children aged 16–18 years involved in heinous offences.
- May transfer such cases to the Children’s Court after assessment.
Functions
- Ensures protection of child rights during apprehension, inquiry, aftercare and rehabilitation.
- Guarantees legal aid through legal services authorities.
- Conducts monthly inspections of residential homes for children in conflict with law.
- Recommends improvements to the District Child Protection Unit and State government.
Concern
- High pendency highlights capacity gaps and need for system strengthening.
Sangai Festival
Context
- The Sangai Festival 2025 began amid protests by internally displaced persons (IDPs) and NGOs, affecting turnout.
About the Festival
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- Annual celebration in Manipur, initiated in 2010.
- Named after the state animal – the Sangai deer.
- Aims to showcase Manipur’s cultural heritage, indigenous traditions, music, dance and tribal art forms.
- The classical dance Ras Leela features prominently.
- Theme 2025: “Where blossoms breathe harmony.”
- Importance of the Festival
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- Promotes eco-cultural tourism.
- Reinforces awareness about the endangered Sangai and the need for conservation.
About Sangai (Eld’s Deer Subspecies)
- Distribution
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- Found only in Keibul Lamjao National Park, located on Loktak Lake’s phumdi ecosystem, Bishnupur district.
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- Features
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- A medium-sized deer characterised by very long brow tines forming the main antler beam.
- Holds deep cultural significance for Manipur.
- Conservation Status
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- IUCN: Critically Endangered.
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I species.
